In Paris, the Toilet Paper is Pink.

Paris breaks my heart. I need a new word for love when it comes to Paris.

Cliche you say? (how original...another American girl who LOVES Paris?)  Yawn. Well, it's easy to be a critic.  But, you do have a point.  Over the weekend, I had a glass of Cotes Du Rhone with a friend and we worked out the obsession in three simple reasons why any girl might fall in love Paris.

Un. Macarons.

And, all the sweets made on French soil.  The way a patisserie pays attention to detail is epic.

Deux. The toilet paper is pink.  Like, the kind of every day, ordinary toilet paper that you buy at CVS or the grocery store in bulk is PINK.

So, the big picture reads that even the TP is pretty! And, the men in France roll that TP out without batting an eyelash. To them, pink is just an attractive color that makes perfect sense to have in a room where not-so-attractive things sometimes happen.

Men in France seem to have a masculine appreciation for feminine things.  Now, American guys are amazing and sexy and smart (and many certainly appreciate beauty) but how many do you know that would use pink toilet paper without feeling just a tad emasculated?
 
Trois. Appreciation for Lunch. 
 

 
Lunch is an event.  Lunch is not a hurried task to fuel yourself quickly so you can rush back to check the next thing off of your daily to-do list.  It's a moment, a memory...to be savored and enjoyed. 
 
I can almost fully count on both hands my visits to this most amazing city so, needless to say, I was over the moon when my friend recently launched her blog: http://www.lavieannrose.com/. I look forward to her updates on all things french and all things fabulous every week!

PS: I forgot one more reason: Chiens.  The french don't view them as mere dogs, they are revered and loved and cherished. And, most times, a girl will envy their lunch reservation.

I have many more than three reasons for loving Paris, but until I come up with them, check out http://www.lavieannrose.com/ for much more interesting topics than TP, and Happy Monday!

Winter Flowers & Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Some believe that it's inconsiderate to bring flowers to a party because the host will have to stop and take the time to cut stems and search for the right vase.  If you have a garden or live near a great florist (or here in NYC, a deli!), why not cut and create your own arrangement and provide the right sized vase?  If it's a short walk, drive or train ride to the party, lightly dampen a cute kitchen towel and wrap the bouquet at the bottom--all your host will have to do is put water in the great vase you provided!  She can keep the kitchen towel for post party clean-up.

Some of my favorite winter flowers to create holiday arrangements are: Amaryllis, protea, snow balls, poppies, evergreen, holly berry, and the lovely Star of Bethlehem.   Note, if you are on a budget, buy one or two beautiful buds, and then fill in with lots of greenery which will make the colorful buds pop in your arrangement.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a popular Italian tradition, celebrated on Christmas Eve.  This feast originated in Southern Italy, and the idea is to serve seven different seafood dishes.  Two of the stars on this menu are often smoked eel and fried baccala. You can get very creative with variations of your dishes or even make seven different fish-based appetizers and supplement your table with antipasto and pasta.

My friend Melanie's family annually celebrates this tradition. I found this cute little hostess gift for her of copper measuring spoons. (www.anthropologie.com)

 

Why seven? There are many theories, one ties to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, others say it symbolizes the church's seven virtues: faith, hope, charity, temperance, prudence, fortitude and justice.

If you have any great recipes for this traditional feast, send them my way!  

xo

Hotel Holidays

Some people shudder at the thought of traveling away from home during the holidays.  I also know people who look forward all year to this precious time off  to flee to a beach resort or ski lodge.   I picked up this book "American Hotel Stories" by Francisca Matteoli.  It is a lovely collection of history, stories and photographs of some of the best hotels in the country. 

My lucite trunk stays put when I travel, although a friend recently quipped that it would cut my wait time in half at airport security.

What's your favorite American hotel? Right now I'm really feeling The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida because it is like being transported to another era (and only a 3 hour flight from NYC!)  Another dream spot for me is L'Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley...

I have a long-standing crush on Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. I think this hotel captures both the best of the West Coast and the charms of the East Coast all in one very special spot in the sand. 

Wherever you find yourself this holiday, it's time to start finalizing those travel plans!

Vintage Pins

I like collecting pins even though I rarely wear them on my clothes. I love putting them on throw pillows.  I have one I like to put on a fabric evening purse.  And, another one I like to pin with a head scarf to tie up my hair.

I've been keeping my eye out for a close enough match to the cameo pin above so that I can wear them as makeshift cuff links with a blazer.   I  think a pin can also look great fastened to the top of a wrapped holiday gift or to dress up a wine bag.

I'm going to pin my hopes on finding that cameo, and for a great week ahead!  Happy Monday, Mermaids.

xo

Hostess Gifts of Gold.

'Tis the season of holiday parties.  I attended my first of the month on Saturday night. The hostess, Aisling, is one of the busiest (and beautiful) people I know. So, I brought her a hostess gift that was easy to maintain but beautiful--a festive plant with red holly and wrapped in snow white paper.

It got me thinking about other holiday hostesses this season and how I could thank them.  I found this set for one lovely Mermaid that goes bananas for anything gold!  And, she loves to clean--I mean, she really does! She says it's "therapeutic".  (Really?)

Isn't this the perfect hostess gift for her?

Or, maybe this golden bud vase from Jonathan Adler will make her go even more bananas?  http://www.jonathanadler.com/Banana-bud-vase/#

Cheers to a month of holiday spirit and meaningful thank-you's to our hosts.  

xo

The Perfect Pink-Me-Up.

A mocktail and a manicure?  The perfect Friday afternoon Pink-Me-Up.  Today, I'm working on final photo proofs with my cousin in preparation for the "Mermaids & Martinis" book release!  I can't believe the book is finally going to be on shelves in just a couple of months after such a long road.

To welcome the first days of December (arguably the month that hosts the most celebrations) I'm ringing in some pink.  Sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice makes the perfect shade to sip in the afternoon.  And, is all the more fun to drink when dressed up in a martini glass with this cute vintage Mermaid accessory I found on eBay!

Chanel's "Mica Rose" nail colour is shimmery yet suttle. Perfect for Saturday night.   And, how fun are these pink dotted straws my friend Melissa brought me as a hostess gift from Fishs Eddy?  http://www.fishseddy.com/

Wishing all of you beautiful Mermaids (and Mermen!) a wonderful weekend ahead, xo.

My Holy Grail for Hair.

I have what you call "Thick/Thin" hair.  Meaning, I have a ton of hair, but the strands are really fine.  What this translates to are majorly great hair days and some colossal bad ones. 

Since I was asked to be the understudy in the movie "Tangled", I decided to try out a popular product called Moroccan Oil.  http://moroccanoil.com/  It's made with an oil called Argan which I think is infused with magical properties.  A tiny drop goes a long way to shinier and healthier hair and somehow, your hair dries twice as fast when you use it.

My hairstylist will appreciate that my envy has simmered down (slightly) about those Italian models in hair ads--you know the types, filmed walking down the street holding a cup of coffee with their shiny, layered and thick tresses bouncing lightly off of their shoulders.  Mildly annoying. 

Ok, I may not be Italian (or have hair like hers) but now that I'm part Moroccan, here's to no more bad hair days.