Who Said That Poodles Aren't 'Real' Dogs?

But, of course they are! What other breed looks so regal dining with you?

When I was ten years old my parents bought me my first dog. It was a Toy Poodle, because (as Mom said) Poodles don't shed. I named him "Fluffy." From that point on, I've had a strong love for Poodles.

I've been told that Poodles "aren't real dogs" and that they're hyper and yappy. No, no, no, no. This breed is incredibly smart, playful and loving.

Originally bred as gun dogs, Poodles soon became beautiful elegant companions for the glamorous and creative community as well as the Royals.

When we bought our dog Vito (as in Vito Corleone from The Godfather--he's a fierce little guy), it was instant love. I thought it would be funny if he could dance the "Can-Can," but that didn't go over too well. Shouldn't a French Poodle be able to dance?


I'll admit, I'm not terribly fond of the "topiary" Poodle clip. There are so many cute clips, so Vito sports a "puppy cut."

Both Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette had beautiful Miniature Poodles.

Even Dame Elizabeth Taylor owned Poodles!

What breed is more fashionable than the Poodle, huh? (insert laughing out loud)

No other dog can match their uniqueness-- their prancing paws, perhaps a bit of an attitude sometimes. Poodles always remain my favorite breed. Now let's have a bit of brie, shall we?

images: Vogue Italia 2009, Vogue US March 1999, Vogue US July 2007, Vogue Italia 2002, Americana Manhasset Fall/Winter 2006, Vanity Fair September 2010, Vogue Nippon August 2008, Renee Zellweger by Ellen von Unwerth, Elizabeth Taylor photos, Creative Pro, Gherkins & Tomatoes

Obsessing Over...

I must confess... I've been coveting bejeweled shoes. Perhaps it's the 1980s in me still craving a little glitz, but these Vera Wang shoes just send me.

Eye-balling the ballet flats. The pale hues with peep toes are divine...


They almost have a vintage feel to them, don't they? Love the faded pink snakeskin with sparking jewel clusters...

So, do I go with the peep toe or the closed toe?

This white is lovely, but not practical for San Francisco weather...

I couldn't decide which colors...they're all so beautiful. So I splurged a bit and ended up with the closed toe (above) in black. Just received them in the mail today and they're comfy as can be. Worth every costly penny. They match with everything and add that little bit of sparkle to a boring outfit!

Had to treat myself! Is there anything you're obsessing over?

images from Vera Wang Lavender Line via Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus

Happy Monday + Get Ready!

Hi there everyone! Hope you had a most enjoyable weekend. We are busy as squirrels around here getting our new arrivals all ready for you to view tomorrow!

So stay tuned...new items up at 7:30 am PT/ 10:30 am ET tomorrow morning...

Have a wonderful week!

image: Ian Rentoul

Missoni for Target FRENZY!

This morning I was perusing one of my favorite blogs and she mentioned the Missoni collection for Target launching today. The curious person that I am, of course I had to mosey over to Target's website to check it out. Well, the site was down. See above photo. Target, down? That's big.


Turns out that there was quite a frenzy and everything sold out! Even Twitter (above) is going mad!

Look at this shopper (above) from New England with a full cart. She was reported screaming, hoarding and pushing! Does she really need dozens of zig zag dresses for her wardrobe?

Glad that frenzy shopping is still alive and well in the USA.


images from here

Let's Have a Party!

When I saw this photo on Amy Atlas' blog, I flipped! I just had to find out where those whimsical tassels were from!



They're from Confetti System, the magical makers of party decor.



Last year I purchased some little favors from Urban Outfitters, but had no idea that they were from Confetti System.





"CONFETTISYSTEM transforms simple materials such as tissue paper, cardboard, and silk into interactive objects that create a point of focus, where memories are made and a spontaneous collaboration with the viewer is sparked. CONFETTISYSTEM’s creations occupy the space between the ephemeral and the permanent, evoking a sense of nostalgia and lighthearted fun."



I would love to buy some tissue pinatas...





or fancy blindfolds...



I just need an occasion to throw a party...

Can we have one now?? You're all invited!



images: Confetti System

My, Times Have Changed...

Many Depression-era ads disapproved of women who were too thin. Can you imagine?



This old ad is from the August 1935 issue of Motion Picture courtesy of University of Southern California Cinematic Arts Library.

Living In...

Looking for a fun read & visual? Floral designer Amy Merrick contributes a weekly column at design*sponge called, "Living In," where she dissects the styles of her favorite films. Her round up of products and clever commentary are quite entertaining. Here are a couple of my favorites, The Sound of Music, of course...







"Whatever your feelings about musicals now, it’s undeniable that every little girl has dreamed of living in The Sound of Music at one point or another. Most first viewings happen at such a young age that being 16 going on 17 seems an utter impossibility. It’s hard not to still dream about singing on mountaintops, dancing in gazebos or picnicking in fine Alps form."







"The curtain-made clothes get a lot of play, but how about the girls’ sweet sailor uniforms? The movie blends a charming mix of Fraulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp — a little free spirited and a little fancy, too. Whatever camp you fall into, there are a few simple things on which we all can agree: Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens win out every time."



Speaking of films...my all-time favorite, The Godfather. Here's Amy's round-up and some of her commentary...





"The long alfresco dinner parties, bottles of wine, wildly handsome Al Pacino and crumbling Italian mansions all make me want to wimper with greedy wanting. But I’m about 90% sure that my obsession with the Corleone, Italy scenes stem from the mere presence of Apollonia, Michael Corleone’s albeit brief bride. Hello, girl crush of my life. I have spent many a tearful night begging god to turn me into a 17 year old, rural Italian bombshell, but no. Hence my constant hunt for a bit more godfather bits to add to my life. – amy m."

my dog Vito Corleone & I at the Godfather desk

And speaking of "living in" the Godfather, I just returned from visit Francis Ford Coppola's winery in Napa County. They have a Godfather museum with some of the artifacts from the film. Yours truly was thrilled to stand next to the actual desk used in the movie!

Be sure and check out Amy's column here and have a fabulous weekend!



all images from design*sponge

LOL.

I laughed myself silly when I stumbled upon this photo online. This lady smoking her cigarette in a plastic-lined room is just classic, don't you agree?



I remember my grandmother's large off-white plastic covered sofa. It was like sitting on a big sheet of Saran Wrap!



Did you have family or friends that covered their sofas or draperies in plastic? How about lamp shades? Because, God forbid, we wouldn't want to ruin them, would we?

photo: unknown

Relax and Breath...

Just stumbled upon this image on Pinterest...it has me laughing out loud...I think a little meditation may be needed today!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Just Because...

It's pretty...

It sparkles...

And it's by one of my favorite photographers, Jamie-- From Me to You...

You must visit her site!

image: From Me to You

Buzzz...I'm Back!

Hope you enjoyed the nice long holiday weekend. I just returned from Nashville, Tennessee, where I attended my nephew's high school graduation.

While spending time with my husband's family was fun, one thing horrified me. The cicada bugs. Have you ever seen them?

These creepy bugs have returned to Nashville (they visit every 13 years) and won't be leaving until the end of June. They're ugly, annoying, and louder than you can imagine. Let me tell you, they were flying in my hair, buzzing around my head. I was stepping on dead cicadas which made a big crunch sound. Not fun. They are so loud that the sky sounded like a million rattlesnakes!

Cicadas live on tree roots underground for 13 years and generally arrive in the world by crawling up a tree trunk in nymph form, then crawl out of their shells, which get left behind on flowers and patio furniture, and within days, completely morph into flying adults. EW!

antique Chinese jade cicada necklace

Obsessed with these creatures, I took a close-up look at one, and it was actually quite pretty. The wings have an Art Nouveau look to them. I wondered, was anyone making jewelry out of these locusts? Apparently so.

I stumbled across this lovely antique Chinese silver and jade cicada necklace. The five early hand-carved jade cicadas are surrounded by solid silver repoussé floral frames.

John Urban at Jurbanrings makes these earrings (above) using real cicada wings embedded into lightweight resin. They are quite interesting.

Rachael Sudlow cicada jewelry

Rachael Sudlow traces a cicada wing to reveal every vein & line, laser cuts it onto thick brass or stainless steel, and the spindly lines become the framework for a beautiful wing pendant or earrings.

I understand that some of the folks in Nashville are frying and eating these cicadas. Apparently they are low-fat and have a lot of protein. Can you say "ew" again?

I'm happy to be home with some noise-free atmosphere, that is, except for the darn kid next door who never stops strumming his guitar.


If you have a hankering to hear what cicadas sound like, I've included this little video just for you...watch if you must!!!

Have a great week!

Find the Photo!

Another whimsical photo leading me nowhere. Does anyone happen to know who gets photo credit for this fun image? Was it perhaps out of a magazine? Please do share if you know!

Can you Guess?

We are in the process of making some subtle changes to the look and feel of Paris Hotel Boutique. Sometimes we all need just a little refreshing, don't you think?

Can anyone note the difference of one thing on the site? It even took me a moment to notice this one. This is sort of like Where's Waldo...

And, if you find it, do you like it?

I'll give you a hint...it has to do with color...

image: practicalowl

Penny on the Shoe.

If you were a child of the, ahem, 1960's or earlier, you may remember the oh, so exciting, "penny on the shoe" game. You know... that difficult game of trying to balance a penny on your shoe while walking?

I finely figured out how to share tidbits of my old home movies online. Here are my 6th and 7th birthday parties. Pretty much the same girls, sporting some new mary janes each year. AND, the same "penny on the shoe" year after year! Perhaps my friends were just too kind to express their boredom.

Those were such simpler times, weren't they? I do wish we had some of the fabulous current decor available to us back then...well, at least we weren't playing with our cell phones, right?

Do you have any special memories of your childhood birthday parties?