On one of my many surfing trips trough the internet I ran across a picture of a hotel room in Cap D’Antibes in the South of France. I used to go through Juan les Pins on the way to St. Tropez which isn’t far from Cap D’Antibes (Yes– this is a true story). I’m telling you this to not brag, just as a point of reference.

Anyhoo…I stayed in some very nice hotels. And, although I didn’t stay in this one, I felt compelled to share with you a photo of a room in Hotel Belles Rives.

I love the pattern mixing and airy feel. The nod to a very formal past and period decor with a fresh playful feel of the au currant.

It just makes me happy.

I stay in a lot of hotels now that are “spa” like with a minimalist feel. I like this too..but I fear that I’ve grown used to it as the norm. I long for my Euro days when hotel rooms like this were the norm. It’s not money, it’s taste.

Decorating a room like this would make me feel more like I was at home — just a better version.

Okay– the view of the French Riviera might cost a bit more…C’est la vie.

As I’ve said before, I find the art of fragrance and perfume fascinating. When I find out a scent that someone I admire or find interesting wears — I usually remember and try it out the next time a saunter past a perfume counter. Fleurissimo by Creed seems to be a favorite of the nobility and of Madonna too. I’ve tried it a few times and didn’t get the charm…but I try it every time just the same…

A few favorites of the Royals are: Princess Diana-Lady Diana: Hermes 24 Faubourg, Princess Grace of Monaco– Fleurissimo by Creed and Queen Elizabeth– Fleurissimo by Creed and Joy by Jean Patou.

I laughed out loud at the card I received this year from my sister Laurie wishing me a Happy Kitty Momma Day.

Enjoy Mother’s Day..whether your kids are furry or human…hopefully they are not both.

In the mean time…Indulge in the at-home Spa Experience without the minimalism! You deserve it, Sweet Diva!

Delicious and decadent, our bath and body collection will drench your skin with the finest ingredients while intoxicating your senses with our delicious Italian inspired fragrances.

We are famous for our fabulous girly gifts. The best part is they come with an empowering message for girls and women alike…Be true to yourself and your Diva Sisters!

Obviously these are words that can be used outside the garment world– but they seem so much more at home in the rag trade.

By the way, Garmento, is defined as anyone active in the garment industry…there are different levels of description which you can surmise from the tone and context in which it is used — but that’s another post.

Bupkis: Nothing. ”All that work, all I get is bupkis.”

Chutzpah: Nerve. “It took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to the boss.”

Farschimmelt: Slang for confused or overwhelmed. “I can’t decide, I’m all farschimmelt.”

Farklempt: Too emotional to talk. “I’m too farklempt, talk amongst yourselves.” Also known as Varklempt.

Kibbetizer: Interfering person or sometimes just shmoozer. “No, you we weren’t interrupting, we were just kibbetizing.”

K’vetch: whine or complain. “Stop your kvetching already!”

Mashugga, Meshughe, Meshugina: Crazy, nuts, bonkers. “She’s sweet, but a little mashugga.”

Mazel Tov: Congratualtions or Good Luck. “Mazel Tov!”

Nebbish: a nobody, awkward, geek. “He’s a little nebbish, but he’s a doctor!”

Nosh: Snack. “I’ve been trying to stick to my diet, but instead I find myself all day long at the refrigerator noshing.”

Nudnick: Pest, annoying person. ” Him? Just some nudnick I met at Starbuck’s.”

Ongepatshket: Pronounced “unga-pasht”. Cluttered, over-done.  “Oy, the room decor, ongepatshket.”

Oy Vey! : Dismay, pain,grief. “Oy! My son gives me such a headache!”

Shikseh: Non– Jewish girl. “Everyone know he won’t settle down with that shikseh. Ya date’em, ya don’t marry ‘em.”

Schmuck: Jerk. “Schmuck.” Nuf said.

Schmatta: Rags. “What was that schmatta she was dressed in?”

Shmaltzy: Sentimental, corny. “Ack, don’t get all shmaltzy on me.”

Schmeer: Usually refers to the cream cheese on a bagel. A little more than a smear, a little less than a lot. ” Sesame bagel with a schmeer.”

Shlep: To carry unwillingly. “I had to shlep all the way up town for this?”

Shmooze: Chat, talk. “I was just shmoozing the room.”

Shmuts: A little dirt or mess. “There’s a little shmuts on your collar.”

Shnook: Patsy, sucker. “That poor shnook, he’ll fall for anything.”

Tchotchkes: Pronounced “chatch-kus”. Little ornaments, decorative items. “Oy, her piano was covered with tchotchkes!”

Toches: Pronounced “took-us”. Behind, buttocks, fanny. “I schlepped my toches all over town trying to find the place.”

I had to cut these beautiful snowballs from my garden before the rain comes this evening and pounds all their
lovely, velvety — soft petals to the ground.

Mother Nature is harsh.

Well, it isn’t exactly spring..the spring time weather is trying to break through the windy, chilly and rainy days of winter’s end.

Walking on the upper east side I love the contrast of the stone and brilliance of sudden color.

Daffodils definitely mean spring…as well as taking a stroll instead of catching a cab.

I slightly altered this French insurance ad by Societe Generale …tee hee…I think it’s great!

I thought you might like to see a few behind the scene snapshots of our 2011 product shoot.

It’s always a weight off my  mind when it starts and when it’s finished. I have spent hours the last several years taking my own shots and lots of money paying photographers to take them for me..I can say that I am happy to part with some well earned dollars to have them done by a professional.

I have mine taken by Ron Hart of Ron Hart Photo. He’s the best!

We have another day of shooting tomorrow…the mood shots. Ooooohh! Until then– take a look at the finished product we were shooting at the time these snaps were taken.

What do you think?