Divine Chocolat!

I don't know what I love more about Maison-Bouche chocolat, the packaging or the flavors. I discovered this Bay Area company over a year ago in a local shop. What struck me first was the French-looking colorful packaging.

Maison-Bouche was the name given to the kitchen services of the 18th Century French Court. It included the kitchen services for the king, his family and the selected aristocracy accorded the privilege of dining with the royal family. The Maison-Bouche was supplied by the extensive gardens at Versailles, in addition to other royal gardens and those growers sanctioned by the Court.

These tasty chocolates are as good as they look. In flavors such as Fleur de Sel (crunchy sea salt from Brittany), Pamplemousse Rose, Basilic au Poivre, Fleur d'Oranger, and more. These flavorful bars come in Noir and Lait.

They also carry yummy Fleur de Sel (salted) caramels...

...and Langues de Chats, "cat tongue" chocolat!

You can find Maison Bouche at these retail locations or on their website, here.

photos from maisonbouche.com

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My Latest Obsession: MOSCOT Eyewear

We all know what a challenge it is to find the perfect eyeglasses. For those of us that have to wear prescriptions, it gets tricky and expensive; sometimes overwhelming to find something that tickles your fancy.

Was I excited to discover the amazing, MOSCOT. Their eyewear and eyecare has been a New York City institution for nearly 100 years.

Great grandfather, patriarch, Hyman Moscot (above), arrived from Eastern Europe via Ellis Island in 1899 and began selling ready-made eyeglasses from a pushcart on Orchard Street on Manhattan’s famed Lower East Side. He eventually opened up his first retail space in 1915.

Nearly 100 years later, the company still continues to be run by Hyman's great grandchildren.

The newly-made frames are based on styles from the MOSCOT archives from the 1930's-1970's, retaining all of the authenticity of the original frame style right down to real glass lenses in their sunglasses, traditional hardware, and lens colors that precisely duplicate the true old school colors first fabricated by the company in the 1940's. Wow.

(left to right): Woody Allen, John Lennon, Henry Kissinger, Buddy Holly, Andy Warhol & Sigmund Freud

It's amazing how glasses have been signatures for such famous people. The vintage-inspired MOSCOT Originals collection is a nod to the classic looks of decades past.

Take for instance, the "Nebb"(above), a chunky, rectangular Henry Kissinger-esque frame

Or the "Miltzen" (above), named after a family uncle. First introduced in the 1930's, this is the frame with the longest lineage. Think Andy Warhol, John Lennon, Harry Truman and Gandhi, to name a few...

The "Lemtosh" (above) is a rounder, nerdier frame that served as the calling card for generations of creative, thoughtful, free-spirited intellectuals and artistés — from Buddy Holly to Truman Capote to Johnny Depp.

MOSCOT doesn't only carry "geek chic" eyewear. There are 1,000's of styles to choose from, such as these "Lynnie" glasses (above), for women only.

Son of Hyman, Sol Moscot and his son, Joel. Love that this is still family run.

These are the frames I'm purchasing (above). They are called "Vilda", from the MOSCOT original collection. I'm getting tortoise frames with brown lenses. I think they will look great as sunglasses. Pure FDR style, which is kind of fun on a woman.

The other great thing about MOSCOT is even if you aren't able to visit one of their New York shops in person, you can actually try on their glasses by picking a face on their web site that compliments your face shape and hair color. You select the frame style and color, and walla!, see what it would look like on you.

MOSCOT'S website is chock-filled with goodies. They have a "Moscot Furnishings" department with items such as vintage postcards, photos, t-shirts and more...

MOSCOT postcard book. Nine postcards per package depict street scenes from Manhattan’s historic Lower East Side, and the MOSCOT family, during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Grandma Sylvia's eco-friendly tote bag...

And of course, I'm buying some of these chamois (above) with photos of whole MOSCOT clan including, Great Grandpa Hyman, Grandpa Sol, Grandma Sylvia and Kenny and Harvey’s Mom and Dad, Teddy and Joel – even Kenny and Dr. Harvey. Love these!

They also have a music and pharmacy department, as well as a section of helpful tips on purchasing eyewear.

MOSCAT'S nod to the past is reflected in their fourth generation family members still providing the quality and integrity of eyewear & service, just like their great grandfather Hyman did so many years ago. AND, these are made in the USA!

So, don't walk...run over to MOSCOT and check out their fabulous website! In addition to Moscot's New York locations, they have specialty stores across the US, Europe, Asia and Canada.

MOSCOT New York

118 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
212.477.3796

69 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
212.647.1550

all photos except the celebrity collage from moscot.com

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R.I.P.

A stunning week of losses. As children in the 1970's, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon were on our television sets...

Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5's albums played on our record players. The Jackson 5 Greatest Hits (above) released in 1971 was my first album. Michael filled so many of our lives with amazing music.

We will all remember these icons and what they've contributed to each of us, and wish their families our deepest sympathy. A week of sadness for sure.

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More Logo Love.

pink Louis Vuitton interior-- photo from here

My friend Janet reminded me of a wacky custom Gucci Cadillac that we once saw in Palm Springs. Since I've been amusing myself with people's logo mania, I thought I'd share some over-the-top (can you say tacky?) cars I found on the internet. Whadya think?

photo from windowshoppingemporium

Louis Vuitton Oldsmobile...tres chic...

photo from omnibeetle

If you love Louis Vuitton, this custom Town Car may be the perfect ride. I'm sure you'd attract some attention!

photo from kwadoesj

Perhaps colorful Vuitton logos would suit you better...

photo from Vickles

photo from mizzhanabi

This little car was spotted in Croatia. It's kind of growing on me...

photo from windowshoppingemporium

A Gucci Range Rover, oh my...

photo from strangevehicles.com

sporting a Gucci Cadillac Escalade...

photo from indodreamin.com

Sometime in the 80's, Gucci collaborated on a project with Cadillac. I'm kind of surprised. This is a legitimate limited edition release of the Cadillac Seville decorated by Gucci. Okay, I actually kind of like this one...especially the little horsebit interior accents...

photo from indodreamin.com

photo from indodreamin.com

photo from indodreamin.com

photo from cardomain

What do you think of this 1973 Gucci Hornet Sportabout? I'm really liking the color combo, seriously...Maybe not the green rugs...

photo from windowshoppingemporium

Stylish Chanel trucker...

photo from windowshoppingemporium

Burberry...

photo from windowshoppingemporium

Burberry Vespa...very fancy indeed!

photo from ioffer.com

If you don't want to go through the expense of customizing your car, perhaps one of these fashionable steering wheel covers will give you that extra touch to match your handbag!

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Logo Love.

The irony of life. When I saw this photo of a Louis Vuitton house located in Mexicali, Mexico, I couldn't stop smiling. Still am. I wonder what the neighbors think? Perhaps one of them has a Gucci house?

Seriously though, what do you think of luxury logos? Jennifer at the Peak of Chic just did a great post on them. Check it out here.

LV house photo from here

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A Magical Parisian Wedding

I gasped when I saw this wedding featured in Veranda magazine -- I just had to blog about it. This has to be one of the most beautiful settings I've ever seen -- and the detail -- amazing.

Inspired by an 18th century pastoral festival, the fête champêtre, this wedding was planned by the bride herself, Kelly d' Halluin. Kelly is a New York interior designer & stylist, and the details and setting of this reception reflect her amazing talent.

Held at the Chatêau de Breteuil in the countryside near Paris, the gardens of the estate date to the 17th century and feature a dovecote.

"Arty, decadent, a bit Oscar Wilde and Cecil Beaton with room for natural imperfection" imagined Kelly.

Birch-bark candles and porcelain doves adorn the table. What an exquisite color palette!

The inspiration for the bridal bouquet came from the curiosity cabinets in the chatêau. Paris-based floral designer, Stephanie Chapelle, mixed butterflies from Deyrolle, grouse feathers, orchids, ferns, mind and peonies tied with antique ribbons.

What an amazing table! "Fuzzy baby almonds, pepper berries, and porcelain doves accompany birch-bark vessels and white and green florals down the length of the reception dining table."

These glass cloches are stunning, aren't they? Little nests and porcelain birds. The place cards were done by calligrapher, Bernard Maisner.

The menu cards were sealed with a wax impression from the family crest ring, banded with velvet ribbon, and embellished with a lamb's ear. Beautiful green favor boxes from Laduree add such a special touch!

The bride is wearing a couture J. Mendel gown, and the bridesmaids are in a beautiful pale Laduree green.

For more details, and to see the complete slideshow, visit Veranda's website here. Simply stunning! I would love to see photos of those curiosity cabinets...unfortunately they are not featured. Can you imagine?

photos from veranda.com

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