A Favorite Blog: Alkemie

As long as we’re “Sharing the Luv,” let me share one of my favorite blogs, Alkemie. San Francisco-based Karen Olivia started blogging on a whim, and chose design to focus on.

Karen's profession is very technical in nature, so the blogging world lets her experience her creative outlet which includes; travel, books, dance, fashion, movies, photography, shopping, language, culture, and of course, design.

{Karen's living room}

Karen is not afraid of color. One of Karen’s favorite colors is purple, which is beautifully displayed on her blog. Her living room is painted purple and her sofa is upholstered in lilac. “Purple is the color of royalty. It is majestic and has a sense of mystery at the same time.”

Fun Facts: Karen speaks 4 languages and can play at least 6 musical instruments (more but there are some that are rusty). She can speed read, and has been to about 35 countries. Pretty impressive!

Wild for purple!

Some of my favorite posts of Karen's are of the hotels she explores. From small boutique hotels to the grandiose, she covers many of them, their designers, and includes beautiful photos for the best “eye-candy."

(above) The Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City...


...and the Haymarket Hotel in London (above).

Karen loves taking old pieces of furniture and having them reupholstered or redone in a new way. Her blog features a gallery of repurposed furniture. If you have a chair or piece of furniture that would like to show off, send Karen photos with information and she will post them!

BEFORE: Fellow blogger, Katiedid, found this faux bamboo table on the street and took it home to give it some TLC.

AFTER: The end result after lacquering the table white with an aqua top. Beautiful!

BEFORE: A tired pair of vintage caned chairs that Karen picked up...

...and AFTER: Redone in a faux leather-like material with a black lacquer finish for a modern twist! Beautiful job Karen!

There are so many wonderful posts on Karen's blog, so grab a comfy seat and enjoy perusing the fabulous Alkemie!

Photos courtesy of Alkemie

Thanks Washington Post!

Was I surprised to find out that Paris Hotel Boutique was featured in today's Home & Garden section of the Washington Post, alongside other lovely shops that sell French decor. I had no idea about it and then the hits starting coming to my website. What an honor.

I hope Michelle Obama is reading the Post today and in need of some fancy hotel china or silver for the White House. Wishful thinking, huh?

You can read the article here.

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!