Février

Since it is now February (Février), I thought it would be a good time to share this piece of my boudoir with you. It is a little 4″x6″ tray that I keep on my desk. I’m wondering if it was once part of a series, because as you can see, it says, “Février” in the top left corner.

°°°

It makes for a pleasant catch-all for miscellaneous items that would probably otherwise be strewn about. I picked this little gem up at a garage sale several years ago (note the lipstick…under the red cap is an ink pen…I love it!). I’m telling you, never underestimate a garage sale. Sometimes you can find the greatest treasures if you simply look beyond the 1981 waffle maker, broken lawnmower and soiled stuffed animals (I have to say, that really does gross me out).

°°°

Now, I’m not going to lie…before the photo was taken, this baby was piled up and ready for a good cleaning. For aesthetic purposes, I removed a pile of coins, a pedometer, stick of gum, book of matches and two of my daughter’s hair barrettes.

If you don’t have a small tray/valet for your desk, you should highly consider it. Here are some cute ideas:

°°°

(touchofeurope.net)

(store.drumbum.com)

(themacbethcollection.com)

I really love these one-of-a-kind vintage-esque trays that I found on parishotelboutique.com

(parishotelboutique.com)

(parishotelboutique.com)

(parishotelboutique.com)

…and the lucite trays from iomoi.com that are customized with your name or monogram are oh so choice

(iomoi.com)

(iomoi.com)

(iomoi.com)

Mlle Baker

°°°

“Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone,
when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul;
when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free,
when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.”

– Josephine Baker

 

°°°

“Hello, Operator?”

al moore

Of course everyone remembers the rotary telephone, right? Oh contraire! When pulling out this vintage telephone for its photo shoot this evening, my nine year old daughter exclaimed, “this doesn’t make any sense…how do you use this thing?” Oh, to have been born in the 21st century…

I have to say, there is something I just love about a vintage rotary phone. This beauty was a gift from my boss at the espresso stand that I worked at as a teenager. She was always hunting through antique stores. Knowing I was fond of this era, she thought of me when she found it. I still treasure it today, about 15 years later.

°°°

This distinguished old gent has a two-pronged plug and I’ve always dreamed of getting him converted and restored so that he can join me in my dream boudoir. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but I’ve found some websites that do convert old telephones.

In the meantime though, I’d be delighted to try this modern-day throwback that I recently came across. It’s a vintage reproduction handset that plugs into your cell phone. The good news is that it will also reduce your exposure to cellphone radiation, which is a good thing, because I think the left side of my head is now glowing.

Meet the Novophone:

(novophone.com)

(novophone.com)

This glamorous cellphone accessory can be purchased on their website novophone.com, and even better, they appear to be on sale right now for $27.99. NICE!

(novophone.com)

The Handbag Search

I’ve recently been searching for a new handbag. Since this sort of purchase is typically an investment of sorts, which means it needs to last a while, I look for one that meets the following criteria:

1. Quality (because it needs to last)

2. Black (because it goes with almost everything)

3. Leather (because it is more durable and easier to keep clean)

4. Timeless (again, because it has to last a while)

5. Trendy accents (so that timeless does not become boring)

But why oh why does the one that strikes my fancy have to be over $2K? Seriously, it happens to me every time. Even if you did a blind taste test (ok, I know it’s not the Pepsi challenge, but you know what I mean)…I will always pick the one that’s more expensive. Trust me, it’s not an attempt to be snobbish or materialistic, because I really do wish that my taste matched my means (or better yet, vice versa). Come on though, you know Gucci’s New Bamboo bag is fabulous + 10.

new bamboo large top handle bag (gucci.com) $2350

Here it is in use…can’t you imagine it?

Gucci ad in InStyle

It does come in a smaller size, too:

new bamboo medium top handle bag (gucci.com) $1990

My budget isn’t quite this much, but I really really want it. Even though from a fiscal perspective it’s not the wisest choice, but you never know..my tax return will be coming soon after all.

I also really like the Techno Horsebit bag…

techno horsebit (gucci.com) $2800

Laundry…the Boudoir Way

Having a ladylike boudoir usually means having some fine delicate unmentionables. And when they need laundering, not just any detergent will do. When I have delicate items that require handwashing, I like to use Tocca’s fine laundry wash.

(tocca.com)

It is available in four different scents, all of which are delightful. “Cleopatra” has a grapefruit cucumber scent…”Florence” has an orris rose scent…”Stella” has a blood orange scent…and “Touch” has a pomegranate and tiare flower scent.

I must admit, I also have a weakness for beautiful packaging (which is all the more reason to keep it on hand). This darling bottle with Tocca’s signature pink trellis print looks adorable sitting next to the sink in your boudoir’s restroom, or displayed with your fragrances on a dressing table.

After you use Tocca’s fine fabric wash, you’ll never want to go back to regular detergent.

Thinking Outside the Boudoir: How to Marry a Millionaire

Sometimes it’s about having more than just your Boudoir. It’s about having a fabulous home in general. We often see examples of extravagant homes we would love to own on TV or in the movies.  Though there are those that, while not super fancy, we still adore. Maybe it’s because we love the movie or come to feel a kinship with the character. Whatever it is, I know that there are some places that I would like to call my own, even just for a day.

Each month, I will share with you a home from a movie or television show that fascinates me. This month, the home is from the 1953 hit movie, staring…

°°°

°°°

Grand entry and living room (with two fabulous sofas and an extravagant piano)

°°°

°°°

°°°

One of my favorite doors of all time. I love the knob in the middle.

°°°

The verandah with a view of the city.

°°°

The boudoir and closet, fully equipped with a dressing table and hatboxes.
I adore the faux tortoise shell lamps shades!

°°°

°°°

Dining room.

°°°

The kitchen…how about that vintage range? LOVE IT!

°°°

Isn’t this telephone a beauty?

°°°

Hatchoo…

Every true lady should have a dainty handkerchief in her boudoir, even if it’s only used for weddings, break-ups and funerals.

°°°

Today, in preparation of putting together my online boutique, I attended the Seattle Gift Show. While there, I was delighted to find these vintage reproduction handkerchiefs by LuRay Collection. Aren’t they darling?

°°°

°°°

°°°

If you’re feeling a little bit offended, as though I’ve suggested you’re not a true lady because you don’t own a fancy handkerchief, no need to fret, because you may have a chance to own this beautiful vintage reproduction (don’t worry, it’s new) handkerchief (with a chinoiserie touch) that I purchased today.

°°°

°°°

The winner will be selected using random.org on Sunday, January 31, 2010.
This is how you can be entered to win:

1. If you become a “fan” of My Little Boudoir on Facebook or “follow” My Little Boudoir on Twitter, you will receive your first entry. Those of you who are already a “fan” or “follower” of MLB, may be entered as well, by simply sending me an email (sarah@mylittleboudoir.com) or comment letting me know that you’d like to be entered.

2. If you leave a comment on a post at mylittleboudoir.com, you will receive your second entry.

All entry requirements must be completed by 12:01 a.m. (Pacific) on January 31, 2010 to be eligible.

Soldier of Love

If I were to create a soundtrack of the music that I enjoy in my little boudoir,
Sade would most definitely be on the list.

(sade.com)

For Christmas, my husband pre-ordered me a copy of Sade’s new album, Soldier of Love,
that is scheduled to drop on February 9, 2010.
Her music is so relaxing and timeless. It will never get old to me.

(sade.com)

There are 10 tracks on the album.
The first single released shares the name of the album title, Soldier of Love.
Here is the video:


Sade’s NEW video “Soldier Of Love” from her new, upcoming album of the same name!

 

Boudoir Treasure…Vintage Chanel Print

What a find! I was searching “vintage Chanel” on Ebay, and found this original vintage print from 1944. You know I snatched it up real quick. Just imagine it…in all of it’s black and white glory,  framed and hanging upon the wall in my dream boudoir.

In the small print it says, “A VERY FINE FACE POWDER WITH THE MOST TREASURED NAME IN PERFUME”.

I am so excited for its arrival!

°°°

Don’t you hate it when you see something you want on a blog or in a magazine and you want it to be yours, but can’t find it anywhere? Don’t worry…I wouldn’t do that to you. There is another one left on Ebay. Plus, I actually purchased two, one of which will be given away in a contest on mylittleboudoir.com at a later date. Happy Friday!

i ❤ hue…Benjamin Moore

Ok, I think I’m in love (sorry husby)…with with Benjamin Moore. Not the man…the color. Sea Isle #751. I believe this is the one to officially grace the walls of my dream boudoir.

I found this inspirational photo on one of the blogs I follow, houseofturquoise.com. The room was designed by Roberts Erickson Design, whose looks are beautiful.

Mixing this color with black, white and dark pink is brilliant. The chinoiserie-syle mirrors are a dream, too.

°°°