For the Very, Very Good…
December 4, 2012 § Leave a comment
I have one person on my Holiday list this year who deserves a beyond special treat. And I think this is it:
A gift certificate that is good for any establishment associated with the Relais & Chateaux program, which includes a zillion fabulous places to stay or to dine almost anywhere in the world. (Here in the New York area offerings include Per Se and The Mayflower Inn, to name just two. And there are many more to choose from.)
I was a little nervous about the transaction, as you basically have to fax France* to get the darn thing, but I sent off my request on Thursday and the gift certificate and guide were on my desk this very morning. No extra calls, fuss or muss. Yay.
Details: http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/
xx
* Have you read From Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik? Well, you should and pay close attention to his “error distant” tale to understand my concerns. Only in France…
Quite the Way to Treat a Lady…
January 4, 2012 § Leave a comment
It appears that friends of ours know how to perk up a cold Wednesday afternoon: Macarons! And not just any macarons…Ladurée macarons.
Also known to me as the best one’s made on the earth.
For years I could only get them in Paris, but New York was blessed with a shop late last year. And while they don’t “send out” from the New York store (believe me, I’ve asked since they are uptown and I am not), our friends made it happen by purchasing this lovely box at the store and sending them to us directly. While I’ve always been fond of these gentlemen, I am even more so today.
Merci, guys!
xx
P.S.
All you need to know, except that the Rose and Lilac ones are not to be missed…
http://www.laduree.fr/en/scene
(Photo: Some Cozy Night.)
Ladurée is coming to NYC, but…
May 20, 2011 § Leave a comment
I can’t imagine that it will feel the same as eating their sweets in Paris. Really, it is the most beautiful city.
Where even the window coverings have an extra little something. This window — which happens to be at the hotel where “My Soap” was discover and abounded — seems almost pregnant with the possibilities on the other side.
Every place has its colors and these seem uniquely Parisian to me. It’s the slate and parchment with that teeny pop of raspberry. Or should I say “framboise”?
Then there is the constant prettiness of even the most quotidian apartment buildings. (Yeah…”quotidian” is probably a 15-cent word. But it fits here.)
I do love the little gardens that seem to pop up in between buildings. As you pass them by, you begin to see that they aren’t such casual affairs at all. Paris takes its beauty very seriously. Further evidenced by these off-the-cuff photos…
By the Invalides. I don’t yet know how to crop photos so that the “keep of the grass” sign could be eliminated. Someday.
And let’s not forget the long stretches of perfectly planted loveliness, without that “this is all too perfect” feeling.
Oh, yes! The bridges. This isn’t even an especially good shot from one of them, but I always get happy when I am crossing a bridge in Paris. Droit or Gauche…each side has its own brand of “I have died and gone to heaven”.
And while the Parisians themselves have a bit of a reputation, it must be said that most were beyond pleasant to me, and…
…they remembered my birthday!
Bonjour!
xx
(Photos: Some Cozy Night in her favorite city. Sorry, NY, it just is.)