interior decor: kitchen glamour

This gallery contains 8 photos.

things that need a double take

Have you ever passed by something which caught your interest and then took another look, but this time in utter admiration or appreciation or longing? Where here’s what will do for it for

Any view of the Eiffel Tower while in Paris

A writer’s nook in Victorian homes in San Francisco

My family’s countryside home in France

A perfectly decor-ed hotel room

All puppies

White chantily lace

Creative wedding cakes

 

colorfully unique french interior decor

This gallery contains 6 photos.

{inspiration from here}

interior decor: luxury with functionality

{source: click here}

paris on my mind

Right about now, oh who am I kidding, all the time, I think about Paris and how I see myself living there, six months out of a year to full-time at retirement. It’s not a dream, it’s something I am definitely pursuing. You know what they say, if you put it out there, it will happen.  But, in the meantime, have a great weekend:

inspiring luxury living

One of my favorite things to do, on Saturday mornings, is to walk my dog through predominant neighborhoods in San Francisco and imagine how it would be to own one of those properties. In light of that fact, I often am inspired by the decor associated with luxury living. Here are some of my recent favorites.

boutique hotel pick – montana art deco hotel – lucerne, switzerland

With freezing cold temperatures in San Francisco, I cannot help but want to be tucked in under the covers in a room of a beautiful hotel perfectly located near snow capped mountains.

One place I have always loved and haven’t been to for a while is Lucerne Switzerland and this year, while I plan my annual trip to Europe, I am going to consider a day or two here - except I would prefer the destination during the winter months.

travel journal – holiday end – paris to san francisco

I am now back in the states and aimlessly trying to get adjusted to everyday life. I avoided it for a couple of days while I recovered from jetlag, but knowing there was no alternative, I put on my work clothes and commuted to work early Thursday morning.
Vacations or holidays, as they are referred to, throughout other parts of the world, are the most difficult to return from, especially if they pan out to be as beautifully as you envisioned it while planning. I am aware of the fact. But it’s not so much that I regret it’s over, it’s the fact I had to leave Paris, once again as a tourist.

The funny thing about annual vacations, at least for me, is that I use the time to not only regroup, but also to reflect on the past year and decipher what I need to do to improve my life and lifestyle. Whether it be, a career change, a move to a new neighborhood, or realigning our long term plans. And every year I come to the same conclusion. I must live in Paris.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

{photos are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com and may not be used without permission or credit}

day 13 – travel journal – paris france

There is no way on earth I would pass up Paris, no matter what other destinations I have included in my annual trip to Europe. This year, while the TGV pulled into Gare de Lyon from Cannes at a little after 9p.m. I noticed it had been raining in the city of romance. I didn’t care, the rain is always refreshing in Paris and I have actually been in the city every month out of the year and every single time it had rained. It usually bothered me, but I’ve come to accept it and now even embrace it. Paris isn’t Paris without rain.

We hopped on the RER (urban rail network train) from Gare de Lyon to our Hotel in Charles de Gaulle Etoile (between VIIIe and XVIIe arrondissements) and within a five minute walk, landed in front of our quaint hotel with minimal frills and turned in for the night.

I usually sleep with the windows open, normally for fresh air, but in the case of Paris, just so I could hear the sounds from the boulevard close by.  It’s my lullaby to a good night sleep, while  in my favorite place in the entire world.

The following morning, after eating a quick pastry and drinking an espresso at a cafe, we began our day, by walking from Arc de Triomphe towards Place Saint-Germain Des Pres (6th arrondissement). We didn’t have a plan. This was our usual walk, every year, on day one in Paris.

Along the way we came across: {click on first photo to start the slide show}

Louis Vuitton on Champs Elysees

International Film I cannot wait to write about http://www.b-lot-buzz.blogspot.com

Mid way point from Arc de Triomphe – where we started from

A beautiful shot of Cleopatra’s Needle – Place de la Concorde

A glimpse of the Eiffel Tower – far far away

One of the many fountains in the Jardin des Tuileries

Synchronized swimming performed by a Parisian duck :)

Signs of Fall along the tree lined pathways in Jardin de la Tullierias

A view of Musee Louvre

The famous glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre

Crepe with Nutella and bananas near Saint-Germain des press

Street Jazz musicians

Photo of Rive Guache

The famous Notre Dame

A bag of chocolate covered dried fruits and nuts

decor: visions of an elegant home

french inspired backyard

a thereaputic pool

a luxurious master suite

tasteful antique furniture

an extra ordinary reading room for the woman of the house