It’s been a long time coming
allo mes amis! it’s been way too long since i’ve pulled up this dashboard. but here we are and that’s what counts, right, showing up? the blog has always been sort of an escape, a refuge from the rest of the net and a place to hear my own thoughts and even create sometimes, even using others’ images to make stories and get inspiration. it’s truly a log, kind of a diary that’s always there, patiently waiting until creativity or motivation struck. soooo, while i’m motivated, just want to say hi and check in. it’s been about a year of transition and as of today i’ll be setting goals (aka dreams with deadlines). so without further ado here are some of what i’ve been working on and i’d love to hear your thoughts!
website, phase 1: this has been a major project over the past year that was developing slowly in my few spare minutes a day. now i’ll be kicking it into high gear. it is by no means ‘ready’ and certainly is not stocked but that’s phase 2 which i’ll tell you all about in the next post. the main thing was just going live and you can check it out at theparisapartment.com. i’d love any feedback from typos to glitches, navigation or just overall ease of use. i’ll look at yours too if you want a fresh eye. this new phase is all about collaboration which brings me to the next topic.
products: i’ve been sourcing paris and the flea markets of the world for as long as i can remember. when i started the paris apartment, it was a store and filled with all sorts of pretty, feminine boudoir accessories. i still love all those things but without the store just don’t have a lot on hand other than my own personal stash of powder puffs and poufs. in fact, i’d say i’m becoming a bit of a minimalist so that’s a tricky juxtaposition. so what’s the solution? more online reciprocity. during the course of re-doing the site, i saw that the domain was created 19 years ago. there’s been lots of technological advancement and trends that have come and gone. i want something different. and in this new era, i’d like the site to have vision and purpose. again, more on this soon as it’s developing into a sort of template, but i’ll be sharing as i learn as it deals with affiliates, influencers and alliances, and lots of things we can do together if you’re working on your business too.
minimalism: finally, all roads seem to lead here. i’ve come to appreciate the importance of loving the few, cherished things that live with me. honing every aspect of my life from the utility closets, to under the sink, in cabinets, what’s on display, the collections of books, plants and even silverware is something that’s ongoing. it’s not about losing anything, it’s about curating and enjoying the things that are useful, beautiful and inspirational.
well that at least catches us up a little. now that i’m here it seems like there’s so much more to cover but we’ll leave some for later. for now, i hope all is well with you and if you’re here let me know! xxoo
all images found here: pinterest.com/parisapartment
opulent minimalism
hi and happy friday (not to mention a happy start of may and spring that’s in full swing)! i’ve sequestered myself for the past month just to unplug and focus on work with no distractions.
i’ve wanted to have you over to my place and show you what’s been cooking for awhile now. but i’m a perfectionist and home is always a work in progress. add getting to know the new camera, exposures, ratios etc. and it’s a procrastinator’s dream. the final block was that it has had to be done in spare time when the light was right.
but since it will never be perfect, i’ve given all that up and released it to the photographic higher powers. i hope one day to really master the art/science that is photography but these will have to do for now.
i’ve been gearing up for my One King’s Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale and it never seemed ready to shoot even candid stills. well, it’s now or never cause the sale is tomorrow and it’s showtime! welcome to my little versailles/beach house. come on in!
every room has four walls and i’ve indulged my love of all things frenchy and opulent on two of them with a museum wall, desk and small bar where each of the pieces can do double duty. the other two walls are about as plain as can be.
living in miami has given me a new perspective on creating a world that incorporates both the sea and the feminine french furniture i adore. the collection was inspired by the colors of the ocean, the pearlescent objects she gives us and the ways we transform them into everyday objects.
i started to understand the baroque and rococo even more this month, watching the orchid unfurl, flexing almost like it was competing or playing with the ornate curls in the mirror behind it.
trying to shoot on different days was only good in one way: it forced me to find great, inexpensive flowers! i found that whole foods, new market and publix all have great blooms for around $10. why not have them once a week?
so with being the last day to enjoy everything before the sale launches tomorrow, i’m looking it all over for the last time.
the curiosities, the sea grass, the corals, the luscious shapes and colors. the paintings of the sea, the pearl handle magnifying glass, the carvings on the rococo mirror, and the fibonacci spirals that i now see in everything!
the collection may very well be one of my favorites because it’s full of abalone, sea shells, undulating shapes, strange and vibrant natural colors like turquoise, pink and sea green.
the tiny changes in the air plants and getting to know each item was a real pleasure. everything had a personality and all worked together.
it was living in a magical little world!
but i guess it just means starting again. now all four walls will be blank once again, a brand new canvas. but i’m sure the theme will still be the same…we mermaids love our mother earth, sea, sky and sun so inspiration will never be far!
i hope you have time to come by the OKL sale if you have a chance. i’ll post the link tomorrow. it goes live at 11am.
in the meantime, it’s back to work, i hope you enjoyed the tour and the vignettes!
here are a couple more…
the peonies finally bloomed!
how are you decorating this spring?
more tomorrow! have a great weekend!
ps: home depot has gardenia plants for $5! excuse my naked black buckets…see what i mean about nothing is quite ready? it’s my lesson of the day…let go!
what can i do
good morning all! it’s uber early and i’m sending a bouquet your way to make sure to and smell the roses. (even if they’re ether :)
as i watch the news it’s apparent not everyone had a peaceful night as tornadoes hit texas and demolished homes and lives. many hit were under construction by habitat for humanity and it’s prompted me to get it together and finally register to work on the sites currently underway here in florida.
it was surprisingly easy to register and if you want to check it out in your neck of the woods, follow this link and choose by project or date from the calendar:
i’ll be heading to Liberty City which is one of the towns we usually just pass through (really fast) to reach our upholstery factory. it’s a community that is in desperate need of love and this is a chance to spread a little!
they need volunteers in all parts of the country so if you are working on a project or end up volunteering for one, let me know. well i’m off to get this day started. have a wonderful weekend!
the paris apartment 