Pink & Gold Gift Guide

Monologue Top, $50 Aspinal Leather iPad Case, $289 Nordstrom 'Button Gather' Gloves, $18 rose quartz votive - ABC Carpet & Home, $50 cosmetic bags, Pink Champagne truffles 18 GBP, GOLD LEATHER DICTIONARY Jayson Home & Garden, $172 Marshmallow Hand Cream From MOR Cosmetics, CREED Cocktail de Pivoines Candle ,Goyard, Women's Glitters Toms, Ring-Vivre - Voyage.

I was just thinking how much I love pink & gold as a combo. It's becoming a recurring theme every holiday.

Last night I was playing around making a gift collage of some of my favorite things using Polyvore (A bit of a time waster, but sure is fun making collages!)

Here is my first attempt at Polyvore. I'm hoping that next time I can figure out how to make it interactive! Also, I think if you click on an item, it will take you to the Polyvore site. Oh my, I am still learning...

My Little Gifts to Myself

Have you ever just decided to treat yourself to your own holiday, staying within a certain budget? Or maybe not staying within a certain budget? And truthfully, isn't it fun to shop for yourself anyway?

As I mentioned recently, I've been a little under the weather, so not my usual running around like a crazy person during the holiday season. Although I did take a moment to visit one of my favorite shops, which I'll tell you about this week.

In any event, I needed a little "pick me up," and I was able to do it right from the comfort of home.

Here are some of the gifts I bought myself and stayed under $250 for all. AND, it gave me immediate gratification, which is always nice when you're under the weather.

1. Monkey Bar Flannel Pajamas - I love the circus. I love pink, and I love pajamas. Who could resist these flannel monkey pj's by Nick & Nora for Target. $24.99

2. I am not comfortable in high heels, but want to be taller. I want my feet to be warm and toasty. These waterproof, faux fur-lined 2.5" heel boots are the most comfortable I've ever worn, and they make me tall. Love them. Cougar Moula, Zappos. $124

3. Lately I've been really into Victorian jewelry, so I was thrilled to pick up a copy of this out of print book, Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures at Amazon. $18.15

4. How dare Laura Mercier discontinue my favorite creamy blush? The one that leaves a "dewy" finish unlike powder blushes. The one that lasts for two years. Well, thanks to Amazon, I found the discontinued color. Not cheap, but I have it now and it lasts forever. "Illuminating Stick, Golden Rose Glow." $29.99

5. I saw this jewel tape on line. It's designed by Paris-based jeweler Marie-Héléne de Taillac, whose jewelry is unbelievable and shop is exquisite. Of course I don't know what I'll use it for, but I had to have it! nonesuchthings.com £7.50

6. I can never have enough candles, so I was thrilled to find these decorative ceramic soy candles online. Beautiful cracked containers that are useful after the candles burn. In every scent imaginable and the prices are great. Swan Creek Candle Company $10-12

7. Pretty, pretty bath salts with a picture of my favorite place, The Cliff House in San Francisco. Bluebird Bath Salts. $5

Tell me, have you treated yourself to any holiday gifts?

Treats from Paris Hotel Boutique!

I hope that all of you in the states had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today kicks off the official holiday shopping season and I'm thrilled to tell you about my favorite chocolatier, Maison Bouche, and their new chocolat lines!

But before I do, I wanted to let you know that every purchase from Paris Hotel Boutique through the end of the year will receive Maison Bouche chocolat!!

Maison Bouche (literally translated as "house of the mouth") is named after the sumptuous kitchens at Versailles, and based here in the Bay Area. Maison Bouche's packaging is as divine as the scrumptious taste of their confections.

Diane, the owner of Maison Bouche has pulled out the stops with 4 new lines; Holiday 2010, New Year's, Bonne Année and Liqueurs. The wrappers are divine, taken from old French ephemera. The flavors are amazing;

Liqueurs; Champagne, Rum, Cassis, Chartreuse, Absinthe, Cognac, Whiskey Kirsch and Génépy. Each are Noir (dark) and come in a medium bar or gift box collection.

Holiday 2010; Flavors in the Noir set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Chestnut, Sage and Candied Orange, Curry with Candied Ginger, Café and Pear with Black Pepper.

Flavors in the Lait set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Tarte Tatin, Balsamic Fig and Cranberries, Café and Pistachio with Candied Orange.

New Year's & Bonne Année; Fleur de Sel & Champagne

These are truly amazing as I just received my large assortment... all ready for you, my loyal customers, as a little token of my thanks!

So, if you're looking for a unique item, visit Maison Bouche website here to purchase their divine chocolat, OR, make a purchase at Paris Hotel Boutique and receive a complimentary chocolat (s)!

Happy Shopping!

Ladurée in NYC!

These gorgeous ceramic candles from the famed Parisian pastry icon Ladurée are finally available in the USA exclusively at Aedes de Venustas in NYC. Yummy flavors include Caramel au beurre salé {caramel with salted butter}, Mille et Une Nuits {a spicy, woodsy scent}, date, Fleur de Oranger, violet, Mimosa, and many more. Almost as tasty as a macaron!

And, the boxes are almost as pretty as the ceramic pots. So, if you can't make it to Paris for a macaron, visit Aedes de Venustas here and treat yourself to a pretty candle!

Bonjour!

The Perfect Gift

I was thrilled when I discovered these flowering teas, that I purchased a few for holiday gifts. The Teaposy CELEBRATE Gift Set includes a 24 oz. teapot (complete with a loose leaf strainer), an assortment of 8 blossoming teas, as well as 2 tea sachets. This is the ultimate gift for tea lovers - and at a very reasonable price. Check out this video below and watch the tea bloom. Love it!

Aren't they cool? You can purchase TEAPOSY products here.

Ahhh...Luxury Gifts

I flipped when I saw these custom-made Goyard trunks specially for made for Assouline. Each trunk houses 100 of Assouline's signature Memoire books on art, fashion, design and architecture.
Price tag: $20,000 (now that's not too much for a decadent holiday gift, right? What recession?)

I wouldn't mind one in white with the red and navy stripes...and all of those books...simply gorgeous...

What? Oh my...a quilted black leather Chanel luxe slipcase adorned with a metal Chanel logo, produced exclusively for Assouline by Chanel. The slipcase includes 3 memoires celebrating her revolutionary style: Chanel Fashion, Chanel Fine Jewelry, and Chanel Perfume. price tag: $550 (a girl can dream, right?)

You can check out all of Assouline's fabulous books & gift items here.

photos from assouline.com