Assouline at the Plaza

Assouline Books at the Plaza Hotel in NYC, who knew? Have any of you been there?

It opened last July...okay, I'm a little behind. Apparently there is a small shopping mall in the Plaza and this little treasure of a shop is there. Plaza monogrammed windows and all. I was there last May and didn't see any mall.

Plaza monogrammed windows and beautiful vignette

I love Assouline. This luxury publisher produces handsome books on fashion, art, photography and design, as well as, beautiful gift items like desk accessories and stationary. Assouline and Taschen have to be two of my favorite publishers. Assouline's luxury-edition boxed-sets are amazing.

Assouline offers a range of three scented candles for bibliophiles called Book Scented Candles which includes Bibliothèque, Wood, and Leather. They are meant to "...evoke the rich fragrance of a library with carefully selected blend of aromatic ingredients gathered from around the world." (I need one of these candles)

And what about these monogrammed ostrich eggs?

Interiors of the Assouline bookstore/boutique located in The Plaza Hotel. What a bright and beautiful space.

Okay, this is torture. A well-curated selection of vintage books for sale. I love vintage books, as many of you may know from my shop. This photo is making me want to fly back East!

If you live in New York or are visiting, check out the Assouline shop in the Plaza. Please let us know how it is!

Assouline at the Plaza Hotel

768 Fifth Avenue, Mezzanine Level
New York, New York

Photos from assouline.com

A Favorite Blog: Coterie

Alyssa owns a large collection of fashion memorabilia, including an original dress by fashion designer, Charles James, whose dresses are the ones that appear at the top of her blog (above).

About a year ago, I discovered Alyssa's blog, Coterie. She was sort of a "mystery woman" to me, only using the name "a." on her blog. Quite intriguing. Who was this girl?

A lover of books, fashion, design, decor and shopping, Alyssa started her blog as a way of "scrapbooking" her favorite things.

In her mid-20s and early 30s, Alyssa worked at Harry N. Abrams book publishers in New York City. During that time she worked on numerous books on art, decorative art, jewelry, design, decor, architecture, etc. She also had the opportunity to work with renown photographers, Francesco Scavullo and Richard Avedon. Okay, I'm impressed!

In addition to her Coterie blog, Alyssa has a companion blog, Coterie Books, where she has wonderful reviews of her favorite books and new releases.

Alyssa 's eclectic blog reflects her numerous passions, one as a life long fan of Lilly Pulitzer.

One of the things I love about reading Coterie is Alyssa's keen eye for the latest styles and trends, such as this typographic tote bag by Assouline (above) or these "Stay Classy" pencils from Earmark on Etsy (above). I've found a lot of goodies thanks to Alyssa.

Another "classy" find of Alyssa's are these monogrammed slippers from The Pink Giraffe

and these bow gloves from White + Warren

Alyssa frequently shares the inside scoop on private sales in NYC such as this one (above) at Kate Spade. Sorry, we're too late!

So be sure and visit Coterie and leave some "classy comments," as Alyssa so nicely puts it. While you're there, visit Coterie Books as well!

Photos from Coterie & Coterie Books

A Favorite Blog (& shop): The Paris Apartment

There have been 'Share the Luv' blog awards circulating the internet, so I thought I'd share 10 of my favorite blogs with you, one-at-a-time, so I can give attention to each.

beaded chandelier from The Paris Apartment

Let's begin with my longtime friend, Claudia Strasser, from The Paris Apartment. You may already know Claudia, as she is kind of a well-known gal. She authored a favorite book, The Paris Apartment in 1997.

Claudia is one of the nicest, fun, and creative women I know. Her beautiful blog is brimming with amazing photos, stories, her adventures in Paris (she plans trips there annually), flea market finds, and just about any subject you can think of.

Claudia is one talented lady. Artist, decorator, furniture designer, antiques dealer, writer, photographer. Have I left something out?

Paris is "Euro-Disney" to Claudia with its surreal & whimsical store fronts

Gorgeous Paris windows photographed by Claudia

Above: just some of the hundreds of Claudia's photos from her trips to Paris. She is an amazing photographer!

Jean Harlow...one of Claudia's favorites...so inexplicably glamorous!

Claudia is working on a book, Boudoir Noir, based on the forbidden Hollywood film sets and stars. Read more about it on her blog!

Claudia is also a movie buff. Her blog is filled with glamorous old movie stills that serve as her inspiration for her furniture creations. AND, she just loves old movies!

Painted pink chest from The Paris Apartment

Custom lucite chair that was inspired by those Helena Rubenstein had in her Paris apartment (from The Paris Apartment)

Custom Louis XVI lucite bench from The Paris Apartment

Additionally, Claudia's website, The Paris Apartment, has a boutique where she sells her custom lines of furniture, as well as, gorgeous vintage finds. She also offers design services.

So... walk through these beautiful French doors (photographed by Claudia) and visit her blog here. You will be in for a treat!

Photos courtesy of The Paris Apartment

The Look of Vintage Lanvin

I've been wanting to post about this spectacular Lanvin book for some time now. I finally got around to taking some photos and wanted to share them with you.

If you love Lanvin, you must purchase this book published by Rizzoli and written by Dean L. Merceron. It traces the history of Lanvin, from its founding by Jeanie Lanvin in 1909 through 1946, the year of her death. Did you know that Lanvin is the oldest surviving couture house?

The book is filled with the most gorgeous photos of gowns & accessories from the Lanvin archive. You will not be able to put it down. It is a huge hardcover book, 368 pages filled with the most beautiful couture collections. Take a peek at some photos below... (please click on photos for enlarged views)...

Silk tulle skirt with silver bugle bead applique, Winter 1918

"Les Petites Filles modeles,: 1925.

Ruched black silk taffeta hat with single flower detail, at center front, of pink silk and white milk-glass beads. 1922.

Bodice of irridescent silk taffeta-taffetas changeant - in peach and light blue with chiffon rose detail. Jeanne Lanvin, 1910-12.

"La Cible." Evening blouse of pave sequins in a spiraling Japanese mon motif, Winter 1931.

Robe de style of Mrs. Stephen C. Clark. Pink organdy bodice and overskirt with white organdy border. Embroidery and milk glass beading. 1921.

Youthful organdy robe de style of lavender with white scalloped border-the-self-fabric flower detail and ribbon streamers are at center front. Around 1924.

Evening dress, 1927. Pink silk taffeta robe de style rests on a oval boned petticoat, trimmed in light blue silk taffeta.

Overall view and detail of "Marjolaine, " the quintessential robe de style of Lanvin. Apple green silk taffetas changeant is used to create an off-the-shoulder-drop-waist, full-skirted silhouette. 1920.

Metallic lame robe de style with built-in pannier structure. Silk tulle shoulder straps and hemline are bound in rose-colored velvet. Clusters of rose, lavender, and golden yellow velvet flowers are placed randomly on the skirt, and a larger corsage is placed on the bodice. 1922.

"Cyclone" from 1939, a two-tiered, full-skirted, smoke-gray silk taffeta evening gown with an 18th century inspired belted purse. Embroidered in silver sequins and seed beads as well as coral-colored daisy shapes. Close-up of beading detail.

Back and profile views of bridal headpiece to the ensemble "Hymnee," present in February 1927.

Black silk chiffon evening dress with plunging back neckline. Seven diamante bow brooches are the only embellishments on this otherwise simple design. Created for the collection of winter 1948-49.

"Concerto" cream silk crepe robe with separate black celluloid collar. Collection of 1935.

Young girl's full-length party dress of white organdy with self-fabric flowers hand-tinted in various shades of light pink. Spring/Summer 1937

"Bagatelle" dress and "Mazurka" cape. Silk satin evening dress. Winter 1935.

Bedroom of Madame Lanvin at 16 rue Barbet-de-Jouy, Paris

All photos from the Lanvin book, 2007, which you can purchase here.