New York ... a week-end in photos

Hello everyone ! This past week-end I had the opportunity to be in the city that doesn't sleep ... 

NEW YORK!! (click on images to enlarge)

I have not been to New York since my accident in 2006 and WOW ... it's just as magical and full of energy as I remember it. Everywhere you look there is something going on - day and night. And can you saw HOT, the temps were incredible!!!

Of course New York has some of the best shopping ... I may have had to get something at Tiffany, but that's for another post.

Welcome Spring in Paris!

Looking outside my window it looks more like the start of winter than spring. Large fluffy snow flakes are coming down in a thick blanket and it is -2 degrees Celsius ... Which has sent me day dreaming of our spring trip to Paris in 2010.

Welcome Spring in Paris! by  High Heeled Life 
Click the above link to view details of wardrobe items.

It's a bit difficult to make out the umbrella handle in the collage above ... so here is a close up.  We all know that what makes one stand out in the crowd is unexpected detail. And I think the skull handle on this Pasotti umbrella does just that - with any of the outfits in the collage, what do you think?

Pasotti umbrellas are handmade in Italy with the same attention to detail and creative flare as they were in 1956, when Ernesta Pasotti was designing and hand making them herself.  

I have dreamed of owning a Pasotti for many years and was quite pleased to have been surprised with the Pasotti Purple Dahlia last year. I love the double canopy which conceals the frame work of the umbrella with a large dahlia on the inside. Opening the umbrella on rainy days ~ makes me smile ... instead of just opening a plain utilitarian boring umbrella. To learn more about these wonderful umbrella's click here Pasotti , once you see the craftsmanship and hold one - I will be surprised if you too will not be dreaming of having one (if you don't already have one).

Yes, it may be a splurge ... but remember nothing beats the longevity of quality handcrafted. And a High Heeled Life is all about quality - not quantity.

sharing this post with : Friday's Fancies

Paris comes to Upper Eastside New York ...

Madison Avenue in NYC, just became a little more posh! If you have been to Ladurée, in Paris and tasted the wonderful delights produce by this Parisian institute since1862, when it first established a tea room near the Place de la Concorde, you know exactly what I'm speaking of. The inside is decorated as a fabulous designer boutique ~ providing the perfect background for displaying chocolates, tabletop items and, the most coveted 
macarons, worldwide.  

Each season much like in fashion a new collection of flavours is launched.  How perfect is it that Madison Ladurée will be celebrating the cinnamon-raisin macaron! To know that my passion for Ladurée is now just a modest drive or very short flight away, has me swooning! Especially after learning that the macarons are made in Paris and shipped overnight, to their locations outside Paris. It will truly be like biting into a little piece of Paris.
There is a small area were patrons can sit and enjoy some conversation while enjoying the most fabulous flavours of sweets to be brought together along with a cup of tea. I am absolutely crazy for their Marie Antoinette (one of the many flavours they serve) tea, which I was introduced to during our first visit to Paris and Ladurée, last year. My upcoming trip to NYC in this autumn just became a little more sweeter!!


Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue (71st Street), (646) 558-3157, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6. 


ORIGINALLY posted on my other blog ATTEATUDE and Chocolate

Will you be planning a visit to NYC's newest dessert heaven soon?

Books, Awards and Give-away Gift

Book - Great Read

After following Beth’s blog Social Climbers, for awhile and thoroughly enjoying her post topics and writing, I was most interested in reading her book of the same name Social Climbers. Not being able to find it at our local book store (in Canada), I dropped Beth an email and she was most gracious, and I was able it to order it directly from her.

When my book arrived I was excited!!! Beth had personalized it for me, her inscription made me smile. . Thank you – You made my day!

Well, once I started to read the book, I couldn’t put it down. I’m not able to read books for hours at a time, as it now tires me and I have a difficult time keeping the story line straight. But I found this book easy to follow (perhaps because I could relate to her main character) and Hubby was kind enough to read to me when I was starting to get tired – so that really helped to keep the story line fresh in my mind.

What I really enjoyed about this book, is that it has inspired me to start thinking about reaching out within my new community and look at building new friendships. Since moving to the country – though it’s been great mentally and physically – emotionally sometimes it’s difficult as most Besties are an hour plus away by car.

If you have not read this amazing book pop on over to your local book store or contact Beth at Social Climbers. The characters are so realistic everyone will be able to relate. I only have one Question: When is the next book coming out?

Awards:

It was an honour to receive the “Sunshine” award from Ruth of, Underneath His Wrapping, as her posts, writing and comments always touch me and bring a smile to my face. She is an inspiration to me and if you have not come across her Blog, pop on over there for a visit. She has just renovated her blog look and it looks fantastic!!!

The rule of receiving this award states the receiver is to pass it along to 12 other blogs...whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. There are many blogs that deserve this award - here are the 12 blogs I am forwarding it to;

Getting Fit and Loving It          Life In Quotations            Pink Preppy Lilly Lover

Pink Martinis and Pearls         French Mademoiselle      Bellas Rose Cottage

Bonjour Romance          Barbs Heart Strokes       Hope Filled Living Magazine

Casa Bella                  A Town and Country Life           A Reclaimed Life

Barry from Life in Quotations passed this wonderful award the "You're Going Places Baby", to me. Thank you Barry, your words of support, encouragement and leading by example – continue to inspire and motivate me. Mr. B- is definitely going places, and if you are in need of some inspiration, an ear to listen or a place to express yourself his blog is your sanctuary.

The rules for this one are simple, describe where you'll be in 10 years and pass it on to ten bloggers...

TEN years, hmmm –Blessed with a child(ren), adopted or via surrogate - from our waiting embryos. Know who I am. Have penned my first book and most important to me- Be making a positive difference in people’s lives.



So I'm asking these lovely ladies ,Where will you be in 10 years?

The Life of a Suburban Princess           La Bella Vie            Forty Not Out

Cafe Bellini           Thoughts From Meme's Corner       Paris Pastry

Social Climbers     My Castle in Spain      Lily Lemontree            Susan R.

Give-away Gift

I was the lucky winner of the Coco Chanel give-away hosted by Pink Martinis and Pearls. This past week I received my most generous prize; a copy of The Gospel According To Coco Chanel, written by Karen Karbo, along with a fresh body satin spray - Coco Mademoiselle - by Chanel.

So Saturday evening I decided to pamper myself with a nice warm bubble bath, which I then spoiled myself with the wonderful Mademoiselle - body spray. It left my body wonderfully soft and freshly scented.

While I was in my bath Hubby had brewed me a nice cup of tea – he used the Marie Antionette - tea from Laduree, purchased on our trip to Paris earlier this year.

 
 
Now I was ready to settle into bed and start on my new book. Ah what more could one ask for; Silky smooth skin, a special hot cup of tea and a wonderful book!

A Paris Welcome … our home for the next 7 days

As the taxi circled around Place de la Madeleine on route to our hotel, I took note of the flower stalls – the array of colours and textures called to me and my love of flowers. I turned to Mr. G and shared my thoughts about needing to come back after settling in to purchase fresh flowers for our room.

The best way to describe our hotel is boutique style –79 guest rooms. We selected this hotel for its exceptional location- Place de la Madeleine, between the big department stores Galeries Lafayette - Printemps (2 minutes), the Opera House (4 minutes), Concorde Place (5 minutes), Louvre Museum and Champs Elysées (8 minutes). With my unpredictable walking tolerance easy access was top priority.

After checking in, we were on our way to the room – when I noticed a French woman in the lobby, holding the most beautiful Iris flowers I have ever seen! I managed an “que beautiful fleurs” as we were passing – the next thing I knew – she was telling me (with translation via the concierge) that they had a beautiful fragrance and she really shouldn’t take them on the plane and would love for me to have them. I was speechless, the concierge turned to me, as the woman handed me the flowers, and said “welcome to Paris!”

I was ecstatic at the flowers and quickly began to search for something in the room that we could place the flowers in water with. Mr. G. suggested that perhaps I should take a picture to share with my new Blogger Friends.

Now that flowers were taken care of, it was time to head out an explore! Our first stop:
 

 Arc de Triomphe surmounts the hill of Chaillot at the center of a pentagon-shaped configuration of radiating avenues. It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. In 1810 when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed. Construction would not be completed until the reign of King Louis-Philippe, in 1833–36. Napoleon's body passed under it on 15 December 1840 on its way to its second and final resting place at the Invalides

 The view from the top is amazing and well worth the walk up the spiral stairs - it is an easier walk down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next on the list....

Laduree, is the Motherland for pastry lovers of all things Parisan. Stepping inside is like taking a step back in time. One can imagine what it must have been like to sit and take tea in the afternoon - when people actually stopped to smell the roses.

It all started in 1862, when Louis Ernest Ladurée opened a modest bakery. When Paris was getting a structural facelift in 1871 by Baron Haussman, Ladurée switched focus from straight-forward bakery to higher-end pastry shop. Resulting today, in one of the most elegant and luxurious tea salons anywhere.

In early 1900’s, Monsieur Ladurée’s wife, Jeanne Souchard had an idea- to combine the café concept with a pastry shop where women could also gather freely, with or without gentlemen companions. Today the tea salon is owned by David Holder .


I was enticed by the Macaroons, which my taste buds were happy to be in working order and thus able to fully experience the explosion of sensation in my mouth from the outer crispiness to the cream filled centre. But, what really seduced me was the light as air pastry with a tremendous crème studded with raspberries in the centre - Rose "Religieuse" - it actually tastes like fresh rose petals!

Oh yes, they also serve tea - Thé Marie Antoinette, has become my must have item for entertaining friends. Unfortunately there is "currently" no Laduree this side of the world ... oh I guess I'm have to go back to Paris - when the tea supply is depleted!


Tomorrow's post will take you to an amazing bookstore bursting with history and a walk for all things "chocolate".

images: Falling Off a High Heeled Life