Tea, Poodles, & Greyhounds

What a great way to spend a Sunday--San Francisco’s famous Ghiradelli Square. Usually for tourists, it is now becoming a destination for locals. On my way to a doggie meetup group, I stopped by my friends’ tearoom, Crown & Crumpet. The proprietors, Amy & Christopher Dean have been friends of mine for years, back to the days when they owned the charming La Place du Soleil in Russian Hill.

Amy, a native San Franciscan, and Chris, from England, merge their talents as antiques dealer, prop buyer, and set dresser, to create this gem of a tea shop.

This tearoom is like no other -- so much style and wit. It’s officially a “Doily-Free Zone,” no granny-thing going on here. It’s cheerfully decorated with Cath Kidston prints, which grace the walls, chairs, tables and aprons. The pink & white checkered floors are scrumptious!

{Antique "Tea Merchant" sign that the Dean's shipped over from England}

Their menu is amazing with finger sandwiches, scones, salads and yummy organic crumpets. And of course, the wide variety of teas to choose from.

Such wonderful details including their custom china pieces that can be purchased in their gift shop

Small touches like antique silver water pitchers add to the character of this shop.

Can't help but love these vintage signs...

A cozy seating area if you just want to relax and sip tea...

and fancy sherrys and ports to compliment your lunch...

{Lest not forget the yummy candy for sale in their adorable gift shop}

or these fun party hats!

{Exterior of Crown & Crumpet}

If you're visiting San Francisco, be sure stop by Crown & Crumpet!

Crown & Crumpet
207 Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.771.4252

What a beautiful view of the Bay from Ghiradelli Square

After visiting Amy & Chris, I mosied on over to Yap Wraps, across the way from Crown & Crumpet. They were hosting a miniature Italian Greyhound meetup group and our Poodle meetup group was invited.

20 Italian Greyhounds and 4 Poodles attended the meetup at the Ghiradelli Square Terrace. Wine & cheese was served for the owners.

It was a little chilly, so they had a nice little fire going...

Vito & Maxie, the poodle crashers of the event! whew...I'm tired!

A Favorite Blog: Hollister Hovey

I don’t know where to begin to describe one of my favorite (and “coolest”) blogs, Hollister Hovey. Even her name, Hollister H. Hovey, is cool.

Hollister is a former reporter who now works in healthcare PR. She has always been obsessed with pre-war 20th Century style, practically from the womb, so she spends weekends collecting eclectic and quirky things for her home.

Hollister lives live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with her little sister, Porter, who is a photographer and has her own fabulous blog, Porter's Polaroid Project.

Blackbook.com describes Hollister’s style as, “taxidermy and Audubon prints, tweedy, slightly Goth-prep with an outdoorsy ephemera and loaded with turn-of-the-century relics and keepsake colonial Britannia. Her antique finds, designs, art, and fashion are from a bygone era—a simpler, gentle time of eccentric tradition and well-heeled adventure.”

Hollister’s eclectic blog covers everything from history, vintage finds, fashion, travel & adventure, family & friends, to her beautifully “collaged” gift guides. I am always excited to see what she posts about next. This gal has her own unique style!

Love this collage on her acquisitions...

or "Princely Pieces for Plebes & Proletariats" from her 2008 Holiday Gift Guide!...

and sublime stocking stuffers from her Holiday Gift Guide...

and what a great collage on travel...

Two major requirements for entry to the Hovey's unconventional Thanksgiving feast are specs and two first names. Well, I have the specs, not the first names.

I love some of Hollister's vintage eBay finds like these motorcycle boots...

basketweave flask...

1923 Leica camera...

and this vintage leather Polaroid camera that she bought for her sister, Porter.

Take a peek inside Hollister's living room (above) filled with her favorite curiosities.

So, get comfortable and visit Hollister Hovey. You'll be glad you did!

All photos from Hollister Hovey

Thank You!

Special thanks to for all of your thoughtful birthday greetings on FrenchBlue's birthday giveaway! What a fun celebration is was.

And congrats to the two winners, Chez la Vie & Edgar & Edgar! Enjoy your goodies!

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