image via heylifelookatme.blogspot.com (turn down the volume)

clearing off my desktop, this one from beautiful thing to share

hey guys, how’s your day been? mines had highs and lows but it’s pretty leveled out right about now. whew.

do you have one of those friends who always finds the best stuff and passes it your way? i do. it’s bonnie of loveyourplace.blogspot.com. (she’s working with me on the vanity for humanity project and has a ton of great old vanity pics up on her blog right now that i had never even seen). i was saving some bedroom shots (don’t we all)? after she told me about a contest that all the best is having to design one. but who could ever choose? i love the diversity of the boudoir and have made that particular obsession the core of my business. but don’t think i could ever pick one favorite.

this one’s from living etc but if you know who’s blog i nabbed it from please let me know.

this is via trish at trouvais (another bonnie find full of eye candy, beware)! she has pics from one of my favorite books, TheBed by Alecia Beldegreen (below) and has become a new blog friend.

well, i’m a little rushed cause i just booked my cheap ticket to paris (nothing like procrastination to force a girl to move it along). it’s just that so much was going on that i almost called it off, but thankfully the stars are aligning.

i’ll be covering the maison et objet, another banquet of beautiful eye candy and design for the fabulous emag, parisien salon. linda is the creator who i met through blogging and lives just across the bay here in miami. we were kindred spirits the moment we met. turns out we have a mutual friend in erica of haveninparis who i met last may along with madelyn of parisperfect.com/gigondas. i’m excited to be staying with both of them again. here’s my first stop:

there’s some in between time that procrastination has left open in the middle of the trip but I’m going to see what the universe throws me. may be back at lorraine’s for a couple days. i’m going to work on the Private Paris Apartments book, get my dose of inspiration and fall in love all over again. funny how paris calls in the fall.

i still have a lot to do and am trying to beef up the boutique before i leave and close out orders. (especially before i get sucked into even more stuff at the show)! i just listed some curtains, a year after the ad show. it’s such a work in progress.

theparisapartment.com/boutique

anyway emails are coming in faster than i can type and better get back to work. i don’t want to stress out while i’m there and leave on friday…more soon!

why do  i love this ridiculous pic?

hi dear friends, i’m sorry to have dropped out of sight for a while. it was a true case of overload, burnout and over stimulation all at once. i’m not the multi-tasker i used to be, but at least now when it’s time rest, i go down and stay down. there is of course, always so much going on, trips in the works, clients, unpacking, collaborating…sometimes it’s a little overwhelming and i need to just space out.

i was starting to feel like the house above! now a little more like it below. (not sure which is before and after). anyway, this post is for no other reason than to just say hi. it feels like years since i’ve been able to blog and visit and just hang out with you.

i was with my bud liz looking up a web designer, bill livingston. i started finding these pics shown here was saving them on my desktop. creating more stuff to do and why? there are so many images on my hard drive that i can’t even go there to look through them these days!

but well, they got me here today, so guess there was a reason after all. i thank you guys for being here and promise to get back in the game, i’m feeling re-charged already just being here. hope you have a beautiful, mellow, summer sunday!

afk

hi again everyone! well the show’s officially over. what a grueling 10 days! shows are so intense. anyway i wanted to upload a few more pics of the show cause i have a feeling tomorrow will bring something completely new and these will seem foreign and far away. i promise to link the sites but i have so much info and literature that doing it all tonite is too much for lil ol me. i’ll do what i can…

oomph

worlds away

the booth below was incredible. design legacy

i always loved the script on fabric. carolyn quartermaine does a gorgeous line. i hope to be carrying it by the yard soon.

ooh their details…they’re iron clad for retailers only and are magnifique!

seda (you can make your own private label candles)

sferra

outdoor aluminum

go home

camilla

ok well that will do it for tonite. funny how you’re so involved in something then it’s over in a flash. i have a couple days to enjoy ny so i’ll keep you posted on what’s fun in the sun! bonne nuit!

kumikookoon.com

hey everybody! i’m gonna get in trouble if i don’t come back and fatten the credits on this post up tomorrow. but tonite it’s all i can do just to post it. four days into the show and still one more tomorrow. it’s a real portal to infinity. i skimmed the surface but still hit each area and have about an hour tomorrow to fill in what i missed. in the meantime, just wanted to share some of the eye candy that’s had me running all over this joint the past few days. above and below is kumi kookoon. she makes indescribably gorgeous pillows, blankets and now nighties. below you can see her lusciousness in sets for gossip girl. the first is a pajama party and the second is blair’s dorm room.

i could have shot her booth all day, each piece was more delicate and beautiful than the last.

her middle name is detail.

i started at the pier. shine is the very first booth you see. i liked their vibe this year. it was fun and bold. they used silk charmeuse too but tye dyed it. it was super soft and vibrant.

and since i’m into turquoise this sofa was hard to resist.

shopshinehome.com

and i’ll add more pics to this post later but wanted to get it underway cause as i’m going thru them, it’s infinite. the anakasa booth was mind boggling, both with the quality of their fabrics but also the quantity. this is the epitome of something for everyone.

ankasa.com

ohh their smocking! it was one of the things i’m always drawn to.

oh and their loro piana cashmere, hand embroidered blankets were divine.

of course i was happy to find my girls from avignon! this year they painted linen and hung it around their booth again but this time, they’re printing and selling the panel below.

i love that they embroidered their logo

and everything they do is simple but so pretty.

ok this is where i’m trailing off, i have to go thru my bag and put the names with the pics but it’s getting late and i still have to get up early cause it’s over tomorrow (i thought it was today)!

so that gives me some time to get it together tomorrow and the rest of the nite to rest. i hope if these are your booths you don’t get mad. i just love your stuff and promise to link a demain.

if you could have seen this booth!

akf.net

and i got seduced by more smocking, in silk charmeuse at that at afk, this time in a baby set. guess i’m getting pretty predictable! well there’s lots more and it’s on the way, good night for now and sweet dreams!

www.monogrammedtres.com

ok are you guys over it yet? i still have a full show day and a half tomorrow when we breakdown. i don’t want to rush it but at the same time, well, you know….the show’s incredible. i’ve walked 4 hours each day and still haven’t seen it all. i haven’t taken pics cause a lot of vendors think you’re stealing ideas and i don’t feel like freaking anyone out or giving a whole spiel every time. truth is there are tons of great designs here from kelly wearstler for sferra, john robshaw, jonathan adler, and hundreds more.

i’m sure it’s been enough already about this show and is my this final post (ok maybe later tonite i’ll do one more about the pier since it’s still virgin territory and i’ll go in as a blog reporter). it’s just a recap of what’s in the booth for sale to those who have been coming by. even though i didn’t decorate it, i still brought ton of stuff as far as furniture and tomorrow’s breakdown is something i’m not looking forward to! so with that in mind, i’m selling the show stuff and figured this was as good a venue as any to showcase it! sorry for those who have just had it by now :P

armoire by hilary at liv-chic

below are gorgeous rugs that bowron sponsored. they’re in perfect condition. this one is huge and oh so soft and they want $450. (these prices are about half retail).

this chevron is magnificently cozy too and is also $400 and measures 4 x 6.

more by paper nosh, these are little canvas artworks for $95 each.

ok well i’m off, got to find something to wear! thanks for putting up with this mes amis! if you’re interested in any of our show pieces let me know!

bon evening everyone! hope you’re enjoying a warm summer night. here in manhattan it’s just beautiful. most of the day was spent in the convention center cause the ny gift show started today and it’s a world unto itself. what a world! full of stunning new designs, smalls, textiles, jewelry, gifts, novelties and clothes. and that’s just one floor! as you may know, leigh from papillon linens invited me to join her in her booth and in exchange for using my chandeliers and lucite furniture. the booth was designed by jessica and virgina of id810, two very creative and devoted young nyc designers.

they used leigh’s bold linens to decorate the walls with big bright squares. something i would never have thought of but really like. On the side walls they used her swatches in small frames. people think the frames are for sale! i’m using the in between spaces to show my blog friends’ work. above are lisa golightly’s pieces which got a lot of attention with their sparkle panache.

my lucite desk has a glass top which is perfect to showcase paulette and heather’s fabulous work. of course everyone loved their designs!

and the chandi chandeliers are hung and this is the first time i’ve seen them in person. (these were custom made for the show). they’re even prettier than i imagined and filled with stones like cherry quartz, turquoise and aquamarine.

yum!

well i just wanted to drop in and say hey. i have a ton to do before hitting the hay. these pics aren’t great but my camera gives me a lot of trouble indoors. anyone have one that’s fab inside? more tomorrow! glad you stopped over!

hi guys! sorry i’ve been so out of touch lately! a few days at my parents’ proved relaxing as always although mom and i worked most of the time on a great scrap quilt. i hit the ground running and have been prepping for the show in nyc. it’s been nonstop since the moment i got back. and i actually only have about 3 more minutes before i have to get back to round two! of course, ny is the ultimate playground and it hasn’t been all drudgery. above are stone samples for the semi precious chandeliers. can i tell you how much fun picking those up was.

there’s tons of home work from excel sheets to price lists and more manual labor. i got a drill and made my knob board just now.

i started to stress at times. i don’t know where the images of overwhelming fear come in but mine of lines and bureaucracy were greatly exaggerated. we shelppped a little this afternoon but got to the javits before anyone else so had an easy load in. there was nothing to fear but my own mind!

so these are the first stages of the booth. it’s amazing how much work goes into it. i’m bringing mostly furniture and accessories so this part is out of my hands. whew!

i’ll be back in the morning but in the meantime, my blogger collaborations have started coming in. this one was like getting a box of delicious eye candies!

it came from paulette of papernosh.com. since we discovered each other a couple weeks ago, it’s been a mutual admiration society.

i guess i’m not the only one cause a few days before I contacted her, she received a letter from the Chateau de Versailles about her work; they loved it and wanted it for their catalog! i’m thrilled to be representing her stationery and art. she made some really special packages for the show. (i’ll get pics tomorrow).

i swoon for her details.

she sent these little canvas artworks

and has a dark side and good sense of humor too.

now i’m waiting for heather’s package from realcardstudio.com. i can’t wait to see her very green line (even the inks are organic).

we created two sets together for tpa and i can’t wait to see them in the flesh.

ok well it’s that time, i’m so sorry i have to run but will have lots more mañana.

buona notte!

vicki of frenchessence.blogspot.com

do you die for this vanity by vicki archer? ohh la la it makes my heart sing!

hello everybody! sorry i’ve been out of the loop for a few days. truth is i had a health scare that’s not so scary now but got me into a bizarre frame of mind where i shut off the phones and shut down the laptop. it’s funny to think how life can change in an instant, even if it’s just your frame of mind. anyway i’m nyc now, headed out to see my family tomorrow, then back to prep for the ny show.

i’ve been getting a some great vanity shots and wanted to share them, check in and say hey.

i love getting these, they’re like presents in the mail. this one is from jennifer of the old painted cottage. she really lives a glam life, this is her boudoir!

jennifer of theoldpaintedcottage.com

these old dolls are so sweet and they’re all so different.

bonnie of loveyourplace.blogspot.com

bonnie’s been helping me with this whole vanity for humanity project. (you’re still invited to send in your vanity shots to theparisapartment@yahoo.com for the book of blogger’s vanities we’re compiling for a book. all the proceeds will go to habitat for humanity so please do send them).

paisley of myflightsofwhimsy.blogspot.com

she found this post of paisley’s and passed it on to me along with tons of great pics on flickr i’ll be posting soon.

oh and if you’re looking for something to wear while you’re at your vanity getting ready, check out

ifferslittlenest.blogspot.com for ridiculously beautiful eye candy.

i can’t wait to get more shots and hope yours is in the next batch! for now, i’m back to work, fattening up the website and answering emails i let pile up. i guess scares are good for one thing. they make you think about things you normally wouldn’t and maybe that’s what they’re designed to do. well, bon nuit to you with love from me!

photo by meredith mullins

hi guys! it’s morning but i’m trying something different today, blogging first instead of waiting til i’m burnt out and so much happened that i can’t remember it all. so i’ll back track before anything happens today. i haven’t even checked my email.

photo by linda donahue

yesterday was a busy and wonderful day. i met kindred spirit linda donahue who happens to live right across the bay. she started a site called parisien salon. i’ve been obsessed with salons for years and probably romanticize them but hers is a thoroughly moderne platform with writers, guest bloggers, stories, photos and, well anything she wants to explore in order to make it a completely comprehensive site on all things parisian. i love her concept and will do my first guest blog on the maison et objet in september. in the meantime i thought i’d share her photos fantastique de paris.

photo by meredith mullins

well there are more on her site. many more. but i better get crackin’ or at least have breakfast. i’m leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks in nyc…quitting miami is so hard and now i have to get into city mode. thinking of paris seems so far out this time of year. i’m obsessed with the beach. the top photo is giving me inspiration to segue into it all.

the good news is i’ll see the family. my goddaughter has been a counselor in training at horse camp this summer. i sent her letters and goodies and just discovered their spruceland.blogspot.com. if you have a horse lover teen, check out this camp. it’s a beautiful place. i wish i went!

ok, à plus tard!

Hey again, i’m back with an afternoon update: i got a couple new vanity shots and wanted to get them up. it’s kind of nice being able to add throughout the day instead of rushing at the end of a hard one. enjoy these!

these beauties are in from catherine golden of mill valley.

and thank you mary kaiser of www.marykaiserltd.com for sending this one in below:

und last mais not least is tiffany nichols from tifftastic.wordpress.com. she’s also promoting the cause and i love her header!

ok last bit then back to work. more fun stuff came in for the show, these cashmere samples from nepal. they feel like you’re wrapped up in a cocoon! i’m a cashmere lover and it’s so amazing how many weaves, colors and weights there are.

it’s all i can do not to throw this on my bed even though it’s july, they nailed the edges, finishing them with silk charmeuse and mitering the edges with extreme precision. ok this time i mean it. glad you stopped by and i’ll be over to visit too.

hi guys! thought i’d take a minute and share some new goodies that came to my inbox. for the life of me i can’t get a good shot but maybe that’s better since they’re rough drafts. my dream of working with other bloggers is starting to come true. as you may (or not) recall i’m trying to fill my boutique with treasures made by bloggers, either especially for tpa or from their/your current collection. i met heather of realcardstudio.com awhile ago. i sent her a couple images and i love what she sent back! (above)

it hits the spot too cause i love collaborating and it’s a natural since we’re on these contraptions all day anyway! of course she’s uber talented. these are from her site above an below and her blog is exceptionallyinviting.blogspot.com.

needless to say her creativity is totally inspiring and this is a new avenue of fun.

on another note i wanted to send a thank you to mandy from a-la-parisienne.blogspot.com. she wrote about the vanity project on her site and took shots of her own for it. a magnificent post, as always!

another of my femmes parisienne is, coincidentally, parisienne farmgirl.blogspot.com, who just finished her chambre, complete with vanity and all the trimmings. she was inspired by an old shot of mine so i was very proud :)

thank you for another great submission by claire at alltheprettythingsuk.wordpress.com.

finally i’d like to welcome melissa from reverie-daydream.com to our list of sponsors. she travels the world with her husband and daughter sourcing beautiful artisan products from small businesses. they’re eco-conscious too and they use recycled items for everything from paper to shipping material.

not to mention her products are exquisite.

well i better run cause what the day brought is only about half of what’s here and i have to tend to it the rest, like now. have a great nuit!