Et Al

Cannot wait to try this absolutely gorgeous little wine bar in Russian Hill.  The decor is a dream  - dark Herringbone floor, Carrara marble, shiny accents, trim and detail galore, topped by the spectacular chandelier.  Et Al has it all.

Speaking of having it, we saw Anything Goes, a Cole Porter gem of a musical last night, and the incomparable Reno Sweeney has it in spades.  Must run and watch something with Noel Coward promptly!  Rachel York is dynamite in sight and sound.  The 30s design is dead on, and as such, entirely fabulous.

Variété

The spice of life, mais non?  This morning on the way in to work I listened to the musical stylings of:  Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Usher, Flo Rida, Juan Magan (and with Pee Wee!), Reik and Pitbull (the best way to keep up with Spanish!), singing my heart out to each.  Most days I would diligently listen to my Behind the Wheel French CDs in the neverending effort to master French, but this morning is so blue and bright and alive, I just had to dance - to the extent possible in traffic.

Tomorrow if I am feeling more mellow I may put on the delicious David Fray whose brilliant Bach we've not witnessed since Glen Gould.  Or, Helen Jane Long, the most incredibly soulful modern composer in my eclectic little music collection.  My youngest son, who is extremely attuned to emotion, declares her work "too sad" to hear, and David's "too French" for his taste, which is hilarious because although Mr. Fray is indeed French, his Bach is all German.  Of course Nico knows none of this, he just knows what he feels.

My taste for all manners of music (save metal and most of the 60s - sorry Beatles fans - ) stems from my general preference to mix up life; furnishings included!  1930s French club chair with Kartell Bourgie Lamp?  Check!  1920s Chinese Art Deco rugs with modern oversized, oxblood leather Chesterfield?  Of course!  Antique gilt frames found at auction, garage sales and the flea surrounding modern prints and photographs?  Absolutely!   Bikram yoga followed by a small homemade pastry?  Well, ok, yes I did that today, and hurray for both.  Hurray for variety, the spice of life.

My favorite chair ever.

Its bigger sister, along with a 1920s Chinese Art Deco rug found at Auction - I miss Bonham's SOMA Estate Sales; also with a Kartell Bourgie Lamp in Clear and Brocade side table with same Baroque base.  (Wires since hidden : )

The Chinese Art Deco rugs have amazing colors; in person you can see that they actually  glow.  I have another Bonham's find similar to the above in my boys' room.

Endless possibilities - for art, mirrors, chalkboards, or just as is.

I have this in the 10' length.  Perfect for the entire family.

Am besotted with the new colored lamps.

If Only

If you could spend your days doing anything - and being paid well for it - what would you do?  The question can be overwhelming, particularly if you would be changing careers midstream.  It seems to me that if one can work in a field in which she has a great interest, the chances for satisfaction and success for employee and employer are dramatically increased.  What do your career dreams hold?  For me, something in the following:

To be paid to shop at flea markets and to source furnishings!

The arts - galleries, museums, auction house

Fashion - clothes, jewelry

Food

Travel

Furnishings (heart races)

Interior design

Stylist, Muse

Cosmetics, personal care

Tous les jours

Are there things you do every single day?  I must, first thing without exception, have a coffee from my stovetop moka espresso maker, with a dash of heavy cream - and preferably before having to speak to anyone.  I must read newspapers - actual paper papers -, take notes in my indispensible "book" of things I just read and must not forget (e.g: pick up Galette du Rois at Boulangerie; Downton Abbey PBS/2100hrs/Sunday!), get in some  - any - exercise, and always remember how blessed I am when I hear my family begin to stir.

And then the work of the day begins.  But at the end, I must always eat with my family, read stories, wipe noses and submit to giggly, soft cuddles.  Then comes another time, that with my husband, stories of our day, reading, thoughts on our lives, our future and of course the blog!  

Midori Traveler's Book.  My indispensable book.

First happy sight, sound and smell of the morning.

Effortless and perfect.

Love the art.  That I will track down.

Morning papers 1, 2 and 3.

One day!

Happy New Year!

Well this is awkward; no posts for nearly a year.  For shame!  Truth be told, I fell headfirst for Pinterest and have spent my posting time there.  Really!  Look for me:  Decodujour.

I feel compelled to return to something mine all mine however, so let's start 2013 fresh and do this again!

I've fallen for more blogs, more stores, and have become more invested in my love for style as life.  I am constantly editing, refining, learning and exploring said style, at every opportunity.  I am deep into novels and nonfiction steeped in my favorite style time period, 1920 - 1950.  Do you know the Dadaists?  Why are they called Dada?  They picked out a random word from the (French) dictionary. Dada refers to a children's rockinghorse.  Ha!  1920's irreverence.

I am newly in love with Cire Trudon - Ernesto, most of all -, Alexis Bittar - honey, if you ever need a suggestion . . . (Lucite!  Miss Havisham!), Everlane - waiting on my new tee shirts and for the silk blouse in gray to return - and talk about Editing - dynamite concept.  My current style icons do not disappoint - Jenna Lyons, Giovanna Bataglia, Garance Dore, Carolina Herrera, and the best spice, Victoria Beckham; add Chloe and The Row and a girl could be just perfect at all times.  And please - Carmen Dell'Orefice; I actually am excited about my budding gray hairs.  And Stella Tennant (and your grandmother Duchess) and Tilda Swinton you are timeless and awesome.  Also, but unrelated, am new devotee of Bikram yoga - transforming -, mind hurting crosswords and word jumbles, and my never ending efforts at mastering French.  Inspiration in spades.

But so much more!  Too much for one post to be sure.  So a few pics for now.  I have a good feeling about this year.  Change is in the air.

1920 French Deco Chairs

Cire Trudon Ernesto

Carmen

Stella and bambinos

Marillyn better as natural

Jenna

Skirt Love

Skirt love 2

Opera wallpaper