Hello everyone- I’m writing to you from England…

We’ve spent the week mainly adjusting to the new time zone (the flight was a bit of a cauchemar) and since I am staying in the countryside I have not made it to London yet but have spent a lot of afternoons eating roasts and sipping cups of tea (it’s been raining).

This weekend I went to Kew Gardens- the beautiful Royal botanical gardens in Richmond- unfortunately I was caught in a torrential downpour of rain the entire time I was there but did take refuge with my fellow companions in the beautiful Victorian greenhouse (pictured above) to see the lovely rare plants and the magnificent architecture of the century + old building. It's the biggest Victorian era greenhouse in the world (it took 38 years to build!)

Even though it was raining I couldn’t have been happier to be stranded in the greenhouse because along with loving the Art Deco period I have a dear love for the Victorian era as well. I love the architecture, the sentiments, the customs… so I was in heaven wandering around learning the Latin names of my favorite plants, gazing at the rotund fish in the Koi pond and pretending I was a Victorian lady strolling in my botanical haven. Sigh!


Up the spiral staircase:



A view from the top:



The Erica plant with its delicate pink blooms:


Caught in a downpour. Le no makeup look= all washed up!:


I hope to go back one day when the sun is out and explore the gardens further.

Meanwhile this week on The Daily Connoisseur will have a skin care theme to it. Josephine from the wonderful blog Tale Peddler requested that I do a video on my Clarisonic Mia- which I’ve been blogging about for some time. To see the video you can click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Later this week I will post a blog and video on how I keep my skin clear and free of breakouts, including a review of an impressive new acne control product that has recently launched at Sephora.

And you’ll be interested to know that I am in the midst of trying out an all natural skincare line made from an ancient berry that could quite possibly become the Holy Grail of skincare for me (I’ve been using it for two weeks and have already seen incredible changes to the texture of my skin). I won’t post my review until I’ve tried the line for a whole month but when I do I can’t wait to share it with you.

I would love to know... do you have a Clarisonic? What are your thoughts on it?

Until later this week…

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Hello dear readers...

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer- and that you are having a chance to rest, relax and rejuvenate.

I will be spending the next month in jolly old England (which wasn't so jolly last week with all those riots but hopefully things are on the mend!)

While I'm there I will continue to blog but might not be as punctual with my posts and videos so thank you in advance for your understanding. I'm really looking forward to going to England again, seeing family and hopefully do a bit of traveling while there. I will, of course, keep you updated on all my adventures and observations.

Speaking of England, this week's video is called The Neutral Dress. Inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge and her love of neutral, subtle glamor, I show you my favorite neutral dress and the many ways in which I wear it. To see the video click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

And now for this week's post on a Trio of Discoveries:

Film:

Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen
Woody Allen’s latest film Midnight in Paris is not really a discovery as most of you have probably seen this already! But oh what a wonderful film it is so for those of you that haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it- especially if you are a Francophile like me. This is the first film I’ve seen in the cinema since having my baby. My husband stayed home with the baby and I met a girlfriend at our local theater. I got a hot tea and some nachos (don’t ask- I wanted to be naughty at my first cinematic experience in a year) and we settled in for the ride.

I knew I had made a good choice in movies right from the opening scene which is a musical and visual love letter to Paris. Seeing so many of my favorite old haunts brought back a painful and delicious nostalgia. The opening sequence is set to a highly moving saxophone piece (see second discovery below) and then the movie begins.

I do not want to give too much (or anything really) away but can tell you a brief and vague synopsis. Gill Pender (played by Owen Wilson) and his fiancé Inez (played by Rachel McAdams) are in Paris for a short holiday before going back to the states to get married. Gil is a writer who is fascinated by nostalgia and the time period of 1920s Paris- the age of Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso and Gertrude Stein (amongst others). Not quite satisfied in his current relationship, Gil goes on midnight walks in the city of Paris when a mysterious event keeps occurring…

Do go see Midnight in Paris to find out what happens!

Music:

Sydney Bechet Petite Fleur Album

As mentioned above the opening sequence in Midnight in Paris is one of the best I’ve ever seen in a film and part of it was due to the melodious and moving saxophone song it is set to. After seeing the film I searched high and low for the artist (Literally. It took me forever to find this guy) as there is no Midnight in Paris soundtrack available. But eventually I cracked the case (and thank you to all of my twitter friends who helped me along the way!) The opening song in Midnight in Paris is Si Tu Vois Ma Mère by Sydney Bechet.

I immediately looked up the song on iTunes and came across Mr. Bechet’s incredible album Petite Fleur. Sidney Bechet was not only a highly talented African American saxophonist who often collaborated with Louis Armstrong- but was also one of the first prominent jazz soloists of his time. His album Petite Fleur (which includes the great song Si Tu Vois Ma Mère) is like melodic sunshine. If you love Art Deco music with a French twist you must listen to this album. It is only $5.99 on iTunes. I listen to it while making breakfast in the morning and it starts off my day very pleasantly indeed. As a side note- this would also be excellent to play at your next dinner or cocktail party.


Television:

Tommy & Tuppence

Speaking of Art Deco… Have you all seen the Tommy & Tuppence series from the 1980s starring Francesca Annis and James Warwick? You all know that I have a borderline obsession with everything to do with Art Deco England (have you seen or read Mapp & Lucia yet?). I never quite got into the Tommy & Tuppence books by Agatha Christie as I was more of a Poirot person myself but this series is so delicious I will have to give the books a try again.

Tommy and Tuppence are a high class crime fighting duo that have an eccentric approach when it comes to solving crimes. Start with The Secret Adversary movie to see where it all began and then watch season one and two of Tommy & Tuppence Partners in Crime.

Watch it for the beautiful Art Deco costumes and styling (although I will grumble that they put far too much makeup on the beautiful Francesca Annis in the series- If you watch it you’ll see what I mean- a le no makeup look was definitely in order there!) Watch it for the dashing James Warwick who is the quintessential English gentleman (and whom I have a hopeless crush on- don't tell my husband). And of course watch it for the intriguing casework that only Agatha Christie could cook up. The Tommy & Tuppence movies and TV series are available on Netflix.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my trio of discoveries this week.

Gatsby is pictured above :)

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Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them.
-Agatha Christie

I’ve discovered a bad habit of mine- nervous laughter. It is not exactly a recent discovery. I’ve always had a penchant for laughing in awkward moments (remember conversations with my mysterious neighbor?)- it is a coping mechanism of mine. But when watching myself in a video taken at a recent party I held for family and friends I noticed I did a lot of nervous laughing. Particularly when the spotlight was on me.

Now don’t get me wrong- I am all for laughing if something is amusing or if one feels like laughing. I love to laugh and laugh a lot (it is, as they say, the best medicine!) but when I was laughing in the video- nothing in particular was funny. I was laughing to cover up my social anxiety and using it as a coping mechanism.

You see I do have a bit of social anxiety. I have hermetic tendencies. To put things in perspective out of all the characters in The Wind in the Willows I most identify with the Mole. I am perfectly happy at home with a book and a cup of tea rather than in a large crowd or party atmosphere. Being around a lot of people in social situations stresses me out and to atone for the stress? I giggle nervously in an effort to appear up-beat and au courant with all of the excitement.

The trouble with this nervous laugh? It is so not mysterious.

Sometimes we use habits of ours (like my nervous laughter) as a crutch to help us get through difficult situations. The question is- what am I afraid of? If I didn’t laugh when I felt anxiety what would happen? Would I actually have to have a real conversation with someone? Would there be moments of silence? Would people have a look at the real me instead of the jovial, constantly bubbly me? Yes! And would that be so terrible? No!

Now that I am aware of my nervous tendency I can take some action to fix it. This does not mean that at my next social gathering I am suddenly going to sit in the corner with a smoky eye, a cocktail and a scowl in an effort to be mysterious. I am just going to be myself- with no apologies, no people pleasing behavior and no armor (in the form of nervous habits). As a result I might seem more mysterious and maybe even intriguing (which can never hurt, in my opinion). But mainly I will be ultimately more authentic- more myself.

I highly recommend watching yourself on camera to figure out your nervous habits- and possibly discover ones, as Agatha Christie says, you never knew you had. Self observation can be very valuable tool.

So whether it's anxious giggles, biting your nails or over-sharing, I would love to know… do you have bad habits that compromise your air of mystery?


Apologies to those email subscribers who did not receive last week's special Thursday video on Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays. To see the video click here.


A Chinoiserie commode and two French Rococo chairs are pictured above. I love the porcelain lidded bowl, which is from China and dates from the Xanghi Reign 1662- 1722. Isn't the color celadon divine? These objects can be viewed at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.


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This week's special post is on Skindinävia Makeup Finishing Sprays. At the end of this post I have embedded the video where I show you the sprays I describe below and how I use them. If you are unable to see the embedded video, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur



Skindinävia recently contacted me to review their makeup finishing sprays on The Daily Connoisseur. Their offer could not have come at a better time as I have been searching for just this very product but didn’t know if there was anything out there on the market like it. You see, every day I apply some variation of le no makeup look. It can be anything from a two minute application of under eye concealer, mascara and lip balm to a ten minute version that includes everything from foundation to blush to eyeshadow and eyeliner.

I usually apply my makeup early in the morning and then am out most of the day playing with the baby, running errands, exercising and working. By the time my day is done I usually go from wearing le no makeup look to wearing- no really I have no makeup on because it all melted off look.

So I was very interested to try Skindinävia's makeup finishing sprays which have gotten terrific reviews online from happy customers. They sent me two of their products- their Makeup Finishing Spray- which they call their ‘original makeup saver’ and the Moisture Lock Makeup Finish- which is made for dry skin types and adds a luminosity and glow to the complexion.

Both products work great and really perform well. The sprays are very light and go on like a fine mist to the skin. They are fragrance free and not heavy or sticky. In fact you don’t notice them on your skin at all once applied. They are hypoallergenic, oil free and paraben free. They have also been eye tested, dermatologist tested and are not tested on animals.

The correct way to apply them is as follows: apply your makeup as you normally would- and put on everything except for mascara. Then, holding the spray eight inches from your face spray two to four times (they recommend spraying in an X motion and a T motion). Once the spray is on, you can apply your mascara.

If you wear mineral makeup a handy trick that I've found works is to spray your skin twice before applying makeup and once or twice afterwards. This helped my mineral makeup (which is generally quite fickle and doesn't have much staying power) stay fresh much longer.

I have tested both sprays out for several days in a row and each time I’ve used them at the end of the day my makeup still looks fresh as though I’ve just applied it- even my blush, which is usually invisible by 5pm, is still going strong.

Here are two pictures to demonstrate:

This first picture was taken at 7 in the morning with a freshly applied le no makeup look:

And this second picture was taken 10 hours later at 5pm with absolutely no touch ups done to my makeup whatsoever throughout the day. Because I wear a no makeup look it is hard to see if the makeup is still on (since I do not want to appear as if I am wearing makeup in the first place) but I still felt as though I had freshly applied makeup 10 hours later. And oddly enough I am less shiny in this picture than in the first, which is a testament to the spray because normally by 5pm I am a shiny disaster without a powder touch up:


As for the The Moisture Lock Makeup Finish, it is very similar to the Makeup Finishing Spray but it gives your skin a dewy, luminous finish to it- ideal for people with dry skin or if you are going for a casual, fresh face Summertime look.

I am very interested to try the No More Shine Makeup Finish as I have noticed that I’ve been a bit shiny in recent family photographs…. They also have a 10 Years Younger Setting Spray for mature skin that diminishes the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles as well as a Bridal Finishing Spray that controls shine and is tear resistant (I wish I’d known about that for my wedding!)

The pricing for the products are as follows: 2oz for $19, 4oz for $29 and 8oz for $39.

Click on the link below or in the sidebar of the blog to visit their website and see their current promotion which gives you 20% off orders over $40 and free shipping.



I hope you like them as much as I do!

I would love to know... do you have trouble keeping your makeup on throughout the day?




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When recently visiting the Beauty Culture exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography there was a section on plastic surgery- images of people going under the knife- everything from tummy tucks to face lifts. The pictures were very graphic and chilled my squeamish constitution to the bone.

I’ve always said I would never get plastic surgery. And I know one should never say never but for now I am sticking to my guns. I know you might find this hard to believe (as I mainly blog about beauty and appearance) but I’m simply not vain enough to get cosmetic surgery. My major flaws do not bother me enough to actually get surgery to correct them.

Plus I subscribe to the French philosophy that a quality of jolie laide (which translates literally as ugly/ pretty) in a woman can bring out her uniqueness. A big nose, a small chest, a less than flat stomach… these ‘flaws’ add character! After all we don’t want to all look alike do we?

But what about those pesky wrinkles, sagging skin, sun and age spots and other less than desirable signs of aging? How will I feel when those start to affect me? While I still say I’m not vain enough to get plastic surgery… I am vain enough, however to try a non-invasive procedure.

I am speaking of Cosmetic Laser Treatments- and the future technologies of the beauty industry.

My only experience with lasers has been laser hair removal (I know I’m venturing into the realm of over-sharing but this is a blog after all and I feel it my duty to let you know- plus you might be interested in hearing my verdict on the subject). I got it done four years ago and have had an overall good experience with it. It removed 80 – 90% of the unwanted hair in the areas targeted. The technology improves and advances everyday so I imagine that now, four years later, the hair removal would be even more efficient.

I have heard that lasers can do so much more than remove unwanted hair though. I recently had the opportunity to ask some questions to Alma Lasers- one of the leading cosmetic laser companies in the country, some of my pressing questions with regards to cosmetic laser therapy. Here is our Q and A:

Why are women using lasers? To improve their skin’s color, tone, laxity and texture.

How do lasers work? Every laser has a wavelength that targets a specific depth in the skin to hit the desired trouble area to create improvement.

What are the most popular laser treatments? Laser hair removal, pain free hair free.

What is the quick lunchtime laser fix? For Alma lasers it’s “Accent your body”. More information about the treatment can be found at www.accentyourbody.com

How long do the results last? Laser treatments can last years, however protection against sun exposure is imperative to keep the skin looking its best.

How much pain is involved? If no pain, how is this possible? The heat is applied gradually until the therapeutic temperature is reached to avoid pain.

How much does a treatment cost? (price range) anywhere from $250-$2000

Where is the cosmetic laser trend headed in the next few years? In the next few years cosmetic lasers will have longer lasting results with less downtime.

Where can you get laser treatments done? In an aesthetic physician’s office- all across the country.

Voilà their response.

I would love to know… what do you think of cosmetic laser therapy. Would you have it?

For more information on Alma Lasers and to find a practitioner click here or visit: www.accentyourbody.com

The long case clock pictured above is from Paris and dates back to 1744. It is oak veneered with ebony, tortoiseshell and brass with bronzed mounts. It can be seen at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

This Thursday look for a special review of Skindinävia Makeup Finishing Sprays...

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Before this post begins be sure to check out my latest video How to Care for Orchids where I share with you tips and tricks for keeping and cultivating one of my favorite flowers. To see the video click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

And now for this special Thursday post…

I am delighted to share a special guest post written by Green Living Expert Randi Ragan of the award winning GreenBliss Eco Spa in Los Angeles.

I have a passion for herbs- I love cooking with them and making teas with them but I know there is so much more I could do with them. I had the unique opportunity of asking Randi about the top ten herbs anyone can cultivate for health and beauty and am so happy to share with you her response.

Her list is fascinating to me and so informative. Whether you are fortunate enough to have an herb garden of your own or a few pots on a balcony or window box (which is my situation), you can cultivate herbs to better your life.

So without further ado...

The 10 Herbs Anyone Can Cultivate for Health and Beauty

By Randi Ragan

Holy Basil (tulsi) Place the mature shrub near a doorway or window to get the full effect of its rich, spicy scent. Make an infusion of the leaves for a tea to drink, which produces high antioxidant protection against free radicals and helps bolster the immune system, purify the blood and balance the digestive system. Drinking the tea will also provide a calming effect and relief from feelings of stress and anxiety. Chewing the leaves will support healthy gums and prevent mouth ulcers. Gargle the tea for sore throat relief and to break up mucus from post nasal drip.

Lemon Verbena Leaves steeped and used as tea, are extremely relaxing, lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, ease cramps and indigestion, and strengthen the nervous system. It is the premier garden herb for tea drinking due to its superior and unique flavor. Mixed with lavender, the dried flowers and leaves make the most beautiful potpourri imaginable. An easy way to use the leaves in food, is to steep them in any kind of unflavored/plain milk (soy, almond, hemp, organic cow) that can then be used as an ingredient for puddings, cake or cookie icings, or homemade ice cream -- for anything calling for milk that would be pleasant with a lemony addition. The tenderest leaves can be used chopped up in salad dressings or in fruit salads, or left whole as a garnish for chilled drinks.

Mint (spearmint, pineapple mint, chocolate mint, peppermint) Hot mint tea is good for colds, fever, indigestion and stomach upset. Chilled tea made from dried leaves makes a great foot soak, and face spray for a hot day. Fresh mint leaves can be mixed with fruit salad for a tasty twist. Add spearmint leaves to just about any kind of grain/legume salad (tabouli, couscous or lentil); blend with cucumbers and yogurt for a classic raita dip.

Thyme is a member of the mint family, with over 100 varieties. Honey from bees that feed on thyme flower nectar is a gourmet delight. Yet interestingly enough, insects are repelled by thyme. Make a cup of thyme tea, put it in a plant mister, and spray around doorways and windows in summer to repel insects. Thyme strengthens the immune system, so when feeling a cold coming on, make a tea from the dried or fresh leaves. It is also useful for easing menstrual cramps and headaches. The fresh or dried leaves as well as flower tops work well to flavor soups, stews, baked or sauteed vegetables, and is especially tasty when paired with olives.

Rosemary “Where rosemary grows, the goddess goes”. The aroma from the growing plant increases brain alertness and counteracts depression and sadness. Its volatile oils are antimicrobial/antiseptic: put fresh sprigs in bath or foot soak for detoxification and to reduce swelling; make tea out of dried leaves for mouthwash to kill bad breath.
Boil a handful of rosemary in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes to yield an antiseptic solution for washing bathroom fixtures. Lay sprigs among linens. Scatter the stems on a barbecue to discourage insects. Add minced rosemary to breads and muffin dough; sprinkle on roasted potatoes or mix with butter for a tasty spread for roasted or steamed vegetables.

Lavender Lavender is a member of the mint family and is useful for easing stress and calming agitation; it is antimicrobial & antiseptic. Make a tea infusion and dab on insect bites and burns, make a sachet of dried flowers to drop into bath or to tie up in a mesh bag for a lingerie drawer sachet. Put the fresh or dried leaves into a mesh bag and place under your pillow for a calming and restful night’s sleep. The weight of your head as it shifts during sleep will release the lavender’s aroma. Mix the fresh flowers into honey and butter for lovely spreads to put on toast and scones. Mix into vanilla ice cream and cake batters.

Sage takes its name from the Latin salvare (to cure); there is no part of this plant that cannot be used. The leaves, flowers and stems all have healing attributes. Use fresh sage for the most efficacy, and make into an infusion. Dab on insect bites, gargle for sore throats and mucus build up, drink as a tea for respiratory congestion. Because sage has a powerful antiseptic effect, combine a tablespoon of strong sage tea with your toothpaste to help remove plaque and tone the gums. As a mainstay savory herb, add fresh or dried sage to bean and potato dishes, as well as gratins, casseroles and pastas.

German Chamomile This member of the sunflower family has powerful flavonoides which effect the nervous system. Make a tea out of fresh or dried flowers for upset stomach, stress or insomnia. Chamomile also has an effect on the immune system and helps fight off colds and infections. Cold chamomile tea is a great eyewash for tired and red eyes. A chamomile flower bath is great for relieving skin irritations. Wash your face with unsweetened chamomile tea to treat acne or bee stings. Brunettes or dark shades of blondes may consider taking the unsweetened tea to rinse their hair after it has been washed. It is a great and natural way to bring out the gold highlights.

Calendula (Pot Marigold) Calendula has been used both for cooking and for medicine since the sixteenth century. The flowers of calendula were once used to give cheese its yellow color. You can use both the leaves and flowers of the herb calendula. But make certain you have planted calendula and not another plant that is called marigold (of which there are many). Calendula is THE treatment for skin. It promotes skin cell division and hence healing. It is anti-inflammatory and can be used for cuts, scrapes, rashes, heat burns, sunburn, insect stings and acne. Make a strong tea by cutting up the flowers and leaves and steeping in hot water, then spray or dab onto the affected area. Put the flowers into a mesh bag and then toss into a warm bath for an overall body treatment. Its bright orange and yellow flowers look pretty wherever it grows; its flavor is slightly sweet at first then turns tart. It’s good to add to salads, like nasturtium flowers.

Basil, oregano, lemon balm, garlic, fennel are also easily grown and extremely beneficial herbs to have around for multiple uses.

Thank you, Randi for your wonderful insights!


For more information on Randi Ragan please visit www.greenblissecospa.com

I would love to know… what are your favorite herbs and what do you use them for?

One of my beloved orchid plants is pictured above.

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Before this week’s post begins be sure to check out my latest video titled At Home Manicure where I show you a tutorial on how I give myself a manicure at home and share with you my new favorite neutral shade of nail polish, Diego Dalla Palma's French Pink No. 16. To see the video click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

And now for this week's post...

As many of you know lately I have gone on the search for a new signature scent. I have worn Stella by Stella McCartney for a good part of the last decade and felt it was time for a change. I’m not sure what I expected to encounter on the hunt for my new signature perfume… some good fragrances, some bad fragrances… an adventure perhaps? Well, yes I have encountered all three but I also have encountered something a little unexpected…

I have found that I like some of the perfumes on my hunt so much that I am beginning to wonder if I can choose and be faithful to just one! I know many of you readers have expressed the same issue. Of course I didn’t just use Stella for the past decade, I also used a few other fragrances for certain occasions but I mainly used Stella… it would be very accurate to have called it my signature scent.

But I am starting to wonder if perhaps I should have a capsule perfume collection to go with my capsule clothing and makeup collection…

I have received large sample sizes of most of the perfumes I’ve reviewed enabling me to wear them much more than once. When I recently attended a baby shower I had a strong desire to wear Jo Malone’s Grapefruit as I felt the occasion called for something fresh, vibrant and crisp.

When going out to dinner with my husband recently I wore Bvlgari’s Rose Essentielle because I wanted something heady and romantic.

And last night just to wander around the house I had a strong desire to wear Love, Chloé because I longed for a powdery, ladylike fragrance.

This is quite a conundrum because, you see, I had it in my mind (firmly in my mind) that I wanted to have a signature scent. I wanted my daughter 20 years from now to smell a Bulgarian rose and think “Ahhh that smells like Mommy’s perfume- Rose Essentielle!” Wouldn’t that be nice?

And also because that’s what this entire series is on… finding my signature scent! I suppose I could always change the title to The Search for my New Capsule Perfume Collection- but it doesn’t quite have the same ring…

And to complicate matters further I came across the most amazing niche perfume boutique in Venice last week called Strange Invisible Perfumes and feasted my eyes (and nose) on a whole slew of their organic, botanical perfumes that were just totally desirable to me (reviews forthcoming)…

I do suppose this is a high quality problem… but all the same I am going to go meditate on the subject for a while.

I would love to know… can you relate to my perfumed conundrum?

This Thursday look for a special guest post by Randi Ragan on the top 10 herbs to cultivate for beauty and health (including recipes, tips and tricks!)



The porcelain figures pictured above are from China's Kangxi Reign and date back from 1622 - 1722 They are quintessentially Chinoiserie and can be found at the Getty Center in Los Angeles

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Hello everyone... Today I have a few special announcements to make before we get into this week's post...

Firstly I am very happy to tell you that I was recently interviewed for BBC radio! The lovely Anna King in Gloucestershire interviewed me on the subject of only using the best things you have (one of my favorite topics, as you know). To listen to the interview click here and then click on the link titled Your Best China. My interview shows up at the 1 hour and 13 minute mark. The interview will be up for 7 days.

And secondly, Monday was my birthday :) I can't believe another year has gone by- this past one has been the best of my life thanks to my daughter, my family and you wonderful readers of The Daily Connoisseur... so thank you for being a part of it...

And now for this week's post...



I recently attended (twice!) the Paris: Life & Luxury exhibit at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. (You know as soon as I saw that billboard I scheduled it into my calendar: priority high) What a breathtaking exhibit it was… While they would not let me take pictures I can describe to you the riches I saw.

The exhibit showcased the treasures that made daily life in Paris so luxurious for the upper classes and mainly showed how they spent leisure time… primping, playing music and games, reading and eating magnificent feasts were all on the agenda… Sounds nice doesn’t it?

The items in the exhibit dated back from 1715 to 1766- right in the splendor of the Rococo period.

It seems the Parisians have always taken a thrill from the normal aspects of daily life… The exhibit showed everything from a decadent bed made for a Duchess covered in beautiful silk satin coverlets and draperies to an exquisite Toilette Equipage (or travel toiletries case) containing a silver cup, saucer and cosmetics pot by Saint-Cloud Porcelain dating back from 1693 – 1715. Apparently Parisian women of the era enjoyed taking perfumery and toilette with them while on the road- some things never change…

Because I take such an avid interest in what compromises daily life for other people the Daily Toilette Service was one of the most interesting things I saw. Dating back from 1738-39, it was comprised of a box, candle sniffer, basin, table mirror, brushes and pots of cream- entirely in silver- the ornament and decorative quality were breathtaking… Talk about a heightened way to do your morning beauty routine!

A silk dress and petticoat dated between 1760 – 1765 with silk and metallic thread and metallic lace trim and brocaded silk faille detail was a beautiful sight to take in. Apparently it took the Parisian women up to 5 hours to get ready for the day what with the elaborate hairstyles, makeup, and ornate clothing…

Another of the favorite items I saw was a harpsichord from 1754 that was paneled with wood and lacquered paint… It just called for me to play a minuet on it!

There were also some stunning paintings in the exhibit. A portrait of Madame Marsollies and her daughter from 1749 by Jean Marc Nattier stood out to me particularly. In the painting Madame M and her daughter sit in front of a dressing table as she pins ornaments in her daughter’s coiffeur. This picture touched me. It was so beautiful to see mother and daughter engage in the private ritual of adornment together…

There also was an entire room devoted to the playing of games, which the Parisians of the Rococo period were very fond of…

In the room I saw a writing table that doubled as a card table and a box set of gaming pieces from Austria 1735-40

Some of the more popular games of the period were:
Nombre- a trick tacking card game
Quadrille- a 4 player game
Hombre- the ancestor of whist and bridge

And, of course, the tablewear for the period was ornate and just as over the top as the food (if not more so). I saw gold lidded tureens, plates and cutlery dating back from 1673 – 1748, a guaranteed way to make dining a formal affair…

If you live in or near Los Angeles, I highly recommend visiting Paris Life & Luxury at the Getty Center… it will be on display until August 7th, 2011.

In other exhibit news I have also recently attended the Beauty Culture exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography (I am pictured below in the exhibit)


...and the Tim Burton exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The Beauty Culture Exhibit explores the perception of beauty and how it has affected our modern day culture. And the Tim Burton exhibit displays an incredibly impressive and prolific collection of the movie director’s artistic work- everything ranging from drawings to paintings to sculptures to stories. All exhibits are highly recommended.

I would love to know… have you seen any good exhibits lately?


I was not able to take photos inside of Paris Life & Luxury but the above photo is from the Getty Center's ongoing exhibit on French furniture and decorative items. The porcelain, china and earthenware treasures pictured above date back from 1723-1725

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