Did you ever see my post from 2010 titled, Upcycling: Chanel Perfume Bottle to Oil Candle?
If not, I highly suggest you check it out. I recently added these new photos, which are much more professional than the original photos (though they are still there, too).
This is a super easy do-it-yourself project that will look lovely in your boudoir.
For instructions, click here.
(MyLittleBoudoir.com)
Most hotels offer basic suites that provide larger and usually more luxurious accommodations than a standard guest room. The suites I am about to share with you though, offer a little something more. They are each themed to be perfectly desired by a lady (or even young lady) looking for a boudoir on the road.
Here are my all time favorite themed suites:
The Dior Suite at the St. Regis – New York, NY
(starwoodhotels.com)
(starwoodhotels.com)
(starwoodhotels.com)
The Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis – New York, NY
(starwoodhotels.com)
(starwoodhotels.com)
(starwoodhotels.com)
(starwoodhotels.com)
The Eloise Suite at The Plaza – New York, NY
(theplaza.com)
(theplaza.com)
Coco Chanel Suite at the Ritz Paris – Paris, France
(ritzparis.com)
(ritzparis.com)
(ritzparis.com)
(ritzparis.com)
Fairy Tale Suite at the Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, CA
(disney.com)
(disney.com)
(disney.com)
Marilyn Monroe Suite at the Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
(thompsonhotels.com)
Gable Lombard Penthouse at the Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
(thompsonhotels.com)
(thompsonhotels.com)
The Barbie Suite at The Palms Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas, NV
(palms.com)
(palms.com)
As a child in the 1980’s, I can remember adults talking about Elizabeth Taylor in a somewhat negative light. At the time, I only knew her by her “White Diamonds” look. With big hair and looking like she stepped off the set of Dynasty.
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What I didn’t recognize at the time (which I’m ashamed of now), was how much of a talent and natural beauty she was. As a child, I had no idea about her history and the fact that she was Hollywood royalty. One thing I DID know though was that she was always dripping in fine jewels.
(christies.com)
As you know, the great Elizabeth Taylor passed away this past March. As a result, her private collection is going up for auction at the most prestigious auction house in the United States, Christie’s.
Before it goes to auction, the items are on display at Christie’s Auction House at Rockefeller Center in New York City. To view the schedule and more information about the auction, you can visit the website for Christie’s.
Since I don’t have any immediate plans to visit my favorite city in the U.S. this Winter, I will not be able to view the impressive collection, first-hand, but I can share the pictures with you from right here in my little boudoir.
(christies.com)
(christies.com)
(christies.com)
(christies.com)
If you’ve seen the collection first-hand, I’d LOVE to hear about it!
O at Home – Spring 2008
A little over three years ago I learned of a lovely little item that is perfectly suited for a boudoir. The lady head vase. I was reading the spring 2008 issue of O at Home when I came upon an article showcasing the home of event planner, Mindy Weiss, who is best known for her luxurious celebrity weddings. Her entire home is fabulous (more on that another day), but I was most intrigued by her collection of lady head vases. They are vintage (mostly mid 20th century), glamorous and perfect for a boudoir. Need proof? Take a look at the dressing room/closet of her boudoir, where they are on display (that is, if you’re not too distracted by the lovely and equally fabulous tufted ceiling).
O at Home – Spring 2008
Ever since I learned of these little beauties, I’ve been day dreaming about buying one. They usually range in price from about $50 to $1,500, depending on how rare it is. The most common price is around $100 though.
This weekend my daydream became reality. I found one at a garage sale. It was marked $10, but given that her hair bow, right earring and eyelash were broken, I negotiated the price down to $5. I cleaned her up, and in place of flowers put some feathers and beaded wire in the vase (they weren’t intended for this purpose, but my husband put them in there and I actually like it…plus I don’t have any fresh flowers). Here she is in all of her radiant glory. She is now displayed on the dresser in my little boudoir.
© My Little Boudoir
Grandpa Ivan (right)
Several years ago, while going through pictures at my grandparent’s house, I came across my grandfather’s Navy scrapbook of his days serving in the Korean War upon the U.S.S. Juneau. I was so excited when I came across these pictures of Doris Day in his book. I couldn’t wait to hear my grandpa’s stories telling me all about her. To my dismay, the scrapbook was given to all of the sailors. They were not his own personal photos in all cases. And even worse, he left the ship the first second he could when it hit Long Beach, California, not caring about the fact that Doris Day was there to greet them. So, unfortunately no exciting stories about the starlet. Just pictures. Still worthy of sharing though!
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Ok, I’ll admit, as much as I love a garage sale, thrift shops creep me out a little bit. Not today though!
This morning I decided to go to the local St. Vincent de Paul to look for some vases or figurines that I could spray paint and upcycle into cute centerpieces for my cousins upcoming baby shower that I am helping with. No such luck there.
Where I did come into some luck was when I lifted up a darling crystal paperweight (that resembled the special little box that we all love) thinking, “surely this can’t be a Tiffany & Co. paperweight.” When I picked it up and turned it over to look at the bottom, sure enough, etched into the crystal was “Tiffany & Co.” For $1.99, I swiped that baby up real quick. It was just like the one I had seen on Tiffany.com (which is no longer available).
I got it home, gave it a quick wash with Pamolive, and it’s as good as new. It now sits upon the desk in my boudoir, sparkling and beautiful.
(tiffany.com)
Well, believe it or not, these are actually staterooms on a cruise. Yes, that’s right, no tacky carpet resembling a casino floor or geometric printed bedding (my stereotype of a bad stateroom). These are beautiful floating boudoirs!
My husband and I are looking to plan a dream vacation. Though I’ve never considered myself a “cruise” person, I am really considering a Uniworld cruise. Not to fear…no Titanic moments on this beauty. This is a river cruise!
(uniworld.com)
Just imagine being able to travel throughout France without packing up your bags in between cities. What about taking in the beautiful scenery along the river while relaxing with a glass of wine at your French balcony? It sounds perfect to me!!!
Uniworld’s plush staterooms offer the comforts of your own boudoir (or perhaps even better). Each stateroom is furnished with a Savoir® bed, covered in luxurious linens, cashmere/wool blankets and a European duvet. Essential to a boudoir, each cabin also has a vanity! The bathrooms are equally luxurious with floor to ceiling marble and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries.
(uniworld.com)
(uniworld.com)
Then there is dining. Sure, you can eat while you’re out exploring a port city, but you will have the option of dining onboard with meals prepared by a certified Global Master Chef. Imagine dining al fresco, upon the top deck of the vessel, covered by a blanket of stars while floating past a beautiful castle or the City of Lights. Or, you can enjoy your meal inside one of their stylish dining rooms where you will delight in the inspiring blend of French Provincial, Hollywood Regency and Paris Apartment design styles. And, to top it off, they even serve fine wine (the list was created by a sommelier from Red Carnation Hotels), beer and soda with your dinner. On a traditional cruise, there would be an additional charge for beverages. Not here though.
When you step outside of your floating boudoir, the beauty of Europe awaits you. Unlike a traditional cruise, Uniworld cruises include shore excursions at no additional charge. They also offer complimentary use of bicycles should you wish to stroll through a village or the countryside during your stop in one of their many fabulous ports.
Don’t you agree that this would be a dream vacation? Where would you go for your dream vacation?
(uniworld.com)
(uniworld.com)
(uniworld.com)
(uniworld.com)
(laduree.fr)
Yep, that’s right! The most fabulous macaron shop in the world is coming to NYC! This opulent patisserie is located in the upper east side at 864 Madison Avenue.
Yes, I know that there are many other bakeries that sell macarons in NYC, but I’m a sucker for fancy packaging and, well, their packaging makes me swoon. I’ve never been to Laduree, but I would love to go and certainly plan to next time I’m in NYC.
I’m certain their macarons have to be the best on the planet. After all, they basically invented the little piece of heaven.
Here is the story as they tell it on Lauderee.fr:
“The story of the Ladurée macaron starts with Pierre Desfontaines, second cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée, who at the beginning of the 20th century first thought of taking two macaron shells and joining them with a delicious ganache filling.”
Oh, and did I mention that the NYC location will have a signature flavor…cinnamon raisin, which will make its debut in September 2011.
I once felt cross with my second grade teacher for telling my mother during a parent/teacher conference that I was a “daydreamer”. I didn’t care too much for her after her unsuccessful attempt in turning my “daydreaming” into a negative thing. Personally, I found daydreaming a delight. I could not understand the concept of not daydreaming. That was who I was (and who I am)…a dreamer. After all, without a vision of what you want out of life, what else does one have to look forward to?
Now that I am grown, I can daydream to my heart’s content, without judgment…and I do. Since I discovered Pinterest.com, I have been in daydream heaven.
CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING. The information and photos I am about to share with you may lead you to extreme an daydreaming addiction.
Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about, because you have the “pinning” addiction, just like I do. While others of you are saying, what the heck is “Pinterest”? Let me explain…
Pinterest.com is a website that allows you to virtually create pin boards. Think of it as your cork board where you post inspirational photos, only it’s online and you can categorize them. When you see a picture on a blog that you like, no need to place it in your mile-long favorite list, or take up space on your hard drive by saving it. You just “pin it”!!!
For example, I currently have 37 boards going, with topics ranging from boudoir to afternoon tea. Here is a sampling of some of My Little Boudoir’s pin boards. You can see more by visiting Pinterest.com/mylittleboudoir.
If you wish to join Pinterest, it is free, but you have to be invited. You can request an invite on Pinterest.com, or if you contact me saying you wish to sign up, I’d be happy to send an invite to your email address, so that you can begin begin pinning, too! Once you join you can follow My Little Boudoir on Pinterest.
