lavieestbelleauboudoir

ah, and just to let you know...

2012-02-17T15:11:00.004+01:00

the cushions from denmark have arrived this week (cf blog entry 1.02.), plus i have some new paper stuff coming your way: the prettiest paper garlands (one is in the window shop since yesterday) and stamp sets. stamp sets, really? i would never have guessed i would buy stamp sets, but these made me change my mind. pictures next week!

paper flowers

2012-02-17T13:19:00.012+01:00

what can you do with 4 letters: a-e-r-v? (it's not scrabble time, but it's friday :-)

spell eva & vera.

guess what? theses two ladies have not only letters in common but actually did try the paperflowers, sent me some pics and here are the results!

sailing

2012-02-16T13:27:00.001+01:00

blue notes, wood and grey makes for an elegant mix... a bit on the chilly side if you ask me but so serene. the slightly coarser texture of the fabric of curtain and chair add luxuriousness and depth. i wouln't mind to drink a cup of tea (sorry, but it'll be coffee for me!) in that armchair by the window and listen to a tune of carmen mcrae (a cd of her is in heavy rotation in the shop currently). throw in a patisserie and i'm in heaven.

on the wood table your eagle eye spotted two ceramics that you can find in the shop. beautiful.

magazine picture by lars ranek

snowflakes in the pipeline

2012-02-15T16:11:00.005+01:00

on my black wintercoat with fluffy surface snowflakes can sit without melting so you can admire them in all their geometric beauty. how nature can make these perfect stars in such a variety is just a mystery to me.

it seems somewhat more plausible how japanese can recreate beautiful snowflakes of washipaper, although how they can stick to glass with just a spray of water is still quite a mystery. the snowflakes can be peeled off the windows and are entirely reusable. so you can store them away in spring and take them out again the next winter.

unfortunately i discoverd the washi-snowflakes a bit late for this season and they will only be available here in march. by then you will not want to see snowflakes anymore, so keep posted to see the more spring compatible variety that i have ordered too which is granny-lace. don't see what i mean?

{not} right on time

2012-02-14T12:34:00.001+01:00

as on most sundays i had a lovely walk in the woods of my hometown. call it nostalgia - what i especially like about this spot is that it looks just like it did in the seventies (good old times) that farmhouse with the messy barn, no new houses and no busy road in sight. bless!

now i'm the first to rant when i see a vast squadron of easter chocolate bunnies in the supermarket as early as mid february. isn't now the time for carnival fritters? but then what did i do? no, not buy an easter bunny, but... 
it has to hit you as comical when you enter zara now and see ladies dressed like eskimos with dripping noses flock around rail upon rail of bright pastel clothes, dainty dresses, silk tops and shorts with flower prints (well hot pants, considering the shortness of them). and what did i do? i bought the lightest of tops (and short-sleeved at that). 
so i bought what i will be wearing on a hot day in 6 months when i will be picking the heavy jumper that i should be wearing now.  so there you are.

DIY by Skönt Hemma

2012-02-10T17:15:00.008+01:00

it's been 10 days wearing thermal undies for me, but hey, officialy spring is only 40 days away...

scrolling on my pictures that i have downloaded from internet i came across this little tutorial for paper flowers: easy but ingenious, don't you think?

some thick coloured paper, a pair of scissors, a few twigs and a pretty vase is all it takes. needless to say, if you don't have a high vase, you know where to look!

ps: if you try this, will you send me a picture?

pictures by skönt hemma.

essentials of a handbag

2012-02-09T14:32:00.001+01:00

what's in your handbag? quite an interesting question that is...

whatever it might be, there are little items you don't want to have freely fly around in your bag or else they will get dirty, cause embarrassement, tangle or can get lost. plus i for one am so fed up with digging in my handbag not finding the pen i'm looking for... i find i really benefit from some law and order.

marie has been busy with the sewing machine and has brought me new pouches, most of them as shown here with zippers and a size ideal to store your essentials: pen, make-up, lip balm, usb stick, comb or a portable phone... in you go!

pouches now available in three different liberty fabrics, the one shown here being the new. have you seen the lovely lining? labour of love i say. a pouch this size costs 36.- for more sizes click on the label purses and pouches below.

if you live in Beijing or Berlin and want to get one of these enquire here: entrez@leboudoir.ch

glass, flowers and ceramics

2012-02-08T14:05:00.007+01:00

winterdays au boudoir...

the new vases are in (cf post entry 27.01.)and except for one i'm lucky (=happy) with the freeblown vases. the tropical green bottle being one of them. phantastic colour and really thick glass. the ones familiar with the boudoir vases will recognise the white cased vase which is available again for a limited period of time. the mint green one is new. on picture two again a familiar one that i have reordered: the turquoise tube vase (42cm high) with stripes. (for a better view click on pics to enlarge)

i wish i had a peach blossom branche to put in the green bottle vase!

it's freezing outside

2012-02-07T18:33:00.000+01:00

this is currently the view from our bathroom at home...

with bf we joke that he's a soft-latino (his mother is italian) while i'm a soft-nordic (my mother is danish) and with the cold now it really shows that he's quite miserable while i am rather ok with it. but genes aside, put some warmth into your outerware, a warm cap now makes a huge difference.

unfortunately i have sold all the alpaca and merino shawls, but i have some caps of 100% baby alpaca left: warm and soft.

sold today

2012-02-03T17:16:00.004+01:00

this elegant colourway of espresso mugs on the tray was just put together by a discerning man. i wrapped it for a gift, who wouldn't like to receive this?

i think i am going to get myself a coffee now, it's friday!
good week-end everybody

lavieestcruelleauboudoir

2012-02-02T15:58:00.009+01:00

... because i had come up with THE solution for the problem with the melting snow poodles: buy a pair of these cute catflat slippers (by charlotte olympia) in every size so customers could leave their boots at the door and wear them in the shop. miaou! but hmm hmm, turns out they are just so expensive i'll not even consider to buy a pair for me. the wrong shoes to fall in love with, so it's heartache (well, for 5 minutes).

tears dry on their own

2012-02-02T15:06:00.005+01:00

today i'm remembered of this songtitle by amy winehouse everytime a customer enters the shop. why?

because with the cold and snow everyone is wearing big shoes with rubber soles like snow tires, which is reasonable but hey, they leave big snowpoodles on my untreated wood floor! not to mention prams, a nightmare!

i can virtually follow the trail of footsteps and can see where the customer went, stoped, turned... you may say like cookies on internet. only that i don't want to know.

of course poodles dry on their own... but leaving footstep traces and crusty black circles behind. so now as soon as i'm allone i find myself on all four to sponge up the wet trails; once, twice, thrice... it's driving me nuts.

shouldn't i have stayed home in bed?

winter quarters

2012-02-01T16:04:00.010+01:00

as temperatures drop it's good to eat some steaming hot soup and to snuggle up at home.

i have ordered new cushions and can't wait to get them in the shop. what is special is that these cushions are made of high quality furniture fabric and so fairly firm. which makes them ideal to combine with your sofa and give it a more elegant and grown up look than softer cushions. many colours and two shapes: 46x60cm or more elongated 38x72cm with (or without) contrasting buttons of different colour on each side.

all pictures by hay.

growing towards the light

2012-01-31T12:03:00.010+01:00

we're in the heart of winter now and i'm starting to feel like a plant that badly needs some sunlight to build chlorophyll...

i photographed this picture out of a danish magazine. must make a mental note to buy a fig sapling. but where to get one? my mother has a fig tree in the garden and maybe i could cut a twig and try to make it root like i do with geranium but it seems more difficult with a wooden stem.

ps: you think geraniums are the most uncool plant on this planet? not necessarily so! i'll show you some pics...

free blown

2012-01-27T17:51:00.007+01:00

as you know by now i have a weak spot for vases, especially if they look beautiful and interesting on their own without flowers.

the green one shown here is definitely sculptural and i love the bottle colour. each of these vases is free blown, which means every piece will be slightly different in shape and in the width of glass. i have also ordered the transparent one shown in the background.

i wish i could have gone to pick them piece by piece in the warehouse to make sure i get ones i like, but this is a lottery and so i'll be a bit nervous when i unpack them. keep your fingers crossed for me... the vases should be in soon enough, maybe 10 days?

retail therapy

2012-01-26T18:49:00.007+01:00

hello again!

i'm back from paris and i'm happy to report that you will find new things in the shop soon. a little patience...

as you can immagine i couldn't resist a little shopping tour for myself :-) while i'm not sure you should replace the psychologist, i cannot deny the pleasant effect of sweets and pink opium (that's the name of the trousers i bought) on me!

away...

2012-01-18T13:41:00.000+01:00

please note that the shop will be closed from january 18 (open to 16h30) to january 24.

double the trouble

2012-01-17T16:10:00.012+01:00

i'm sure the world is not waiting for yet another internet shop to see the light, but all of you that did actually get back to me about the question wether or not to set up an e-shop did say yes!

so far i've always been reluctant because i never buy things on the internet myself (except for a bandoneon that never gets played) but then i'm told i'm a species of pre-history. another objection was that i enjoy the contact with customers and don't want to spend lonely days wrapping packages and cart them to the post office, but hello this is not going to happen... this is not "la redoute" here and i'll still spend my days working in the shop and get the odd parcels done in parallel. what really convinced me is a shop owner in north germany who said i MUST have an internet shop (she runs one herself).

take it from me, it's decided!

so anyone the above shown neclaces? you can get the one or the double!

away...

2012-01-17T14:10:00.011+01:00

saturday i took one day off work to go south of the alps to ticino. with the sun out like this january isn't that bad at all!

unfortunately the weather is not to be as good when i set out for paris from wednesday. but i hope to report back from paris with good news, keep posted...

a young lady, an apple and an arrow, do your maths...

2012-01-13T15:23:00.001+01:00

the arrow cuff bracelet as shown on the apple in the middle just sold to a young lady who finished her paper for a-levels today. congrats and i trust she will have a good week-end!

ps: only just realised it's friday 13! young lady insisted she was going to wear the arrow cuff right away: odds are she is going to wreak havoc this evening...

i'm not to be pitied either for i'm off work tomorrow and so will enjoy a long week-end. there must be some benefit to be your own boss after all...

please note that the shop will be closed tomorrow saturday!

one for you, one for me

2012-01-12T15:46:00.014+01:00

these two tiny string bracelets with rose gold beads come in a little box and the idea is to offer one to your best friend or sister and keep one yourself. a bond to share.

2012-01-11T18:40:00.000+01:00

oh and yes... i should let you know that saturday january 14th the shop will be closed!

there will be more closing from next week as it's fair time again, but more on that shortly.

screen prints on cushions

2012-01-11T17:56:00.008+01:00

no... it's not a good picture and i placed way too many cushions on that poor little (makeshift) sofa. but it's the only photograph i took when sybill brought me her screenprinted cushions in december. the grey and soft pink owl&stars cushion were sold before christmas and the pink (the one sitting in front)just went over the counter today. sybill, put on your apron, get cracking with your screen and colours and bring me new cushions, please!

birdies

2012-01-10T16:54:00.006+01:00

another picture of the oak shelf, this time with the bird cards. oak shelf comes in two sizes: 50cm and 100cm.

hmmmm...

2012-01-06T14:35:00.012+01:00

space and light = pure luxury. i would love to come home to a place like this. bf take note, please.

bookmark this, you never know you just might win the lottery!

pictures via dailyicon.net

this fox is sold

2012-01-04T18:43:00.005+01:00

...and the owl too. as they are quite special pieces i only bought one of each. should i have taken more? if you want one of these enquire here:entrez@leboudoir.ch. both fox and owl are also available in a shorter necklace size and/or with cream enamel (as shown on third picture).

what else?

2012-01-02T18:02:00.009+01:00

it's officially grumpy week as after all the festivities and the pigging-out everyone is detoxing and well... it's back to normal.

so yes, it's back to work but with the sun out today january doesn't feel as bleak as yesterday and grumpyness subsided :-)

so what's up with le boudoir in 2012?

because aside from everyday business there needs to be change (in the form of improvement obviously)! last year i opened room #4, this year:

i'm going to look into new fields like textiles, texture in natural materials (nothing in the pipeline yet, so let's wait to see)

i'm going to clock in even more time and research to source small manufacturers. possibly have boudoir exclusive products (like the Marie pour le boudoir pouches)

my homepage should get a serious lift! the obvious will be to merge blog and homepage. it would be great to work together with someone on that project.

and there is this debatable question: should i think of an internet shop? what's your opinion on that?

i'd love to have experienced professionals to improve lighting in the shop (but especially for room #1 and #4) before next october, but this is a real investment and i don't want to make mistakes, so not sure i will make the jump just yet.

businesswise i have been quite on my own for the past 8 years and so in a general way i would like to exchange more with people, be they from the trade, craftsmen, creatifs of all sorts... and of course with you readers, your input is very welcome!

more than enough on my plate then, but first of all (same procedure as every year) a more mundane job: i need to catch up with last year's leftover paperwork. olé!

horse, intrepid rider or seagull... what are you going to be in 2012?

2012-01-01T11:08:00.008+01:00

first day of 2012 folks...

have you lazy lot given up on new year's resolutions yet?

i for one haven't. on my last forest walk i was musing on this important topic but even after a week of recovery from intense weeks at the shop and christmas festivities my brain was refusing to get back to work. all i heard ring in my head was: "mais qu'est-ce que ça pense dans cette petite tête?" sentence my father used to say to me as child (not expecting much of an answer).

oh well... maybe no lofty new year resolutions this year, but for the one of taking a self-defence course (since i have been droning on about it for weeks, secretly hoping that bf would research and find a tailor-made course just for me...) and what is the chance i'm actually going to take such a self-defence course? hmm, in all honesty i'd say 30:70.

merry christmas everyone!

2011-12-23T19:56:00.000+01:00

tomorrow is my last working day of the year:
on the 24th the shop will be open from 10am to 4pm.

merry christmas, happy new year and see you in 2012!

on my doorstep

2011-12-23T17:37:00.002+01:00

look what i found this morning on my doorstep! a box with homemade cookies! miam... needless to say that claudia who helped in the shop today and i feasted on them during a short and much needed break!

so thank you very much dear bringer and cooky baker: not only were they fine looking and excellent but also heart-warming! i dare say i have an idea who brought them because i have seen this heartshaped spitzbueb cookie before...(compare post entry 28.11.09) so what do you say: should i change careers and become the next sherlock holmes?

sold today

2011-12-19T19:38:00.006+01:00

a farewell to the little vase with the bird and stars...

the {classic} vase

2011-12-19T17:40:00.000+01:00

small, mat and oh so lovely with just any flower: these little ceramic vases shown in the middle of the picture have been on my top ten list of favorites for many years and i think always will. they are a nifty choice as a christmas present as they come in an elegant black box for safe keeping.
more colours are available as well as white.

december opening times

2011-12-16T20:25:00.000+01:00

monday 12h-17h
tuesday to friday 12h-19h
saturday 12h-17h
saturday 24th: 10h-16h

please note that the shop will be closed between christmas and the new year.

an apple a day...

2011-12-16T20:20:00.004+01:00

today, to put il mildly, we could do without sunscreen... thank god the shortest day of the year is only a couple of days away and then we're on the ascendent again. until then let's get some vitamin and coffee.

here are two fruit bowls that make for a nice present.

restocked

2011-12-15T10:29:00.017+01:00

the wool shawls are back on the shop rail, both in familiar designs as well as new ones, like the one with the small dots.

a propos wool: i felt a bit like an old lady today when i bought a warm wool undershirt so i shan't be freezing in the shop when temperatures go down, but just then they played this old tune on the radio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Al9blQOhNw&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXcd9KtPLkofB5QdT59KNbVy

...and i felt like the young girl i was then. no sooner had i googeled the song and discovered with a pang it was from 1981 (30 years, hello!) that i felt quite old again!

owl necklace

2011-12-13T19:26:00.007+01:00

love it.

the necklace with the graphic shape below left is available too.

pictures by h.mialh

getting cosy inside

2011-12-12T14:35:00.012+01:00

today it's monday, there's very little daylight outside and it's raining: quite horrible in fact! what am i doing here on a monday anyway? but i totally forgot to tell you that until christmas i have extended opening times:

monday 12h-17h
tuesday to friday 12h-19h
saturday 12h-17h
saturday 24th: 10h-16h

so here a pic of the new owl cushion, a screen print of her own design by sybill. several cushions with various designs and colours available.

and... did you see? finally, finally we (read: boyfriend) has put the slim oak shelf on the wall! see better pictures in post entry 11.05.11

more owls (jewellery) tomorrow.

animal invasion

2011-12-09T18:46:00.000+01:00

dogs gone foxes arrive... in the form of earrings, bracelets and necklaces. owls are also making trifold appearance in magnets, cushions and jewellery. more about this shortly, maybe tomorrow.

oh no!

2011-12-08T18:43:00.008+01:00

this is oscar made of wood with soft leather ears and pliable joints and he's tiny (as you can see from the pic with the hand). i unpacked 2 on tuesday and now they're already sold! that's a bit unfortunate as doggy was on my radar for a present... to my mother! but then she wants a real dog anyway.

perfect couples (2)

2011-12-07T20:28:00.002+01:00

to combine 2 bracelets different in proportion and material, that is just the look we're after now, as championed here by petra, who chose this new goldstud bracelet to add to her own red one bought in summer. throw some nail varnish into the equation and you're ready to party!

family in a fold

2011-12-06T13:01:00.003+01:00

my i-phone camera and i are best friends and i use it dayly. the thing with digital photographs is that we don't print them anymore and that's a mistake! so get busy with your printer and surprise someone of the family with this magnetic picture frame filled with favorite pictures. available in grey and red for 29.50.

it's (not) cold out there

2011-12-03T17:52:00.001+01:00

it's been quite mild the past few days and there is no need for a cap but turns out my hair is uncooperative and well, i'm not going to fiddle: on goes the cap. i get the satisfying feeling of having tricked my hair!

so for you ladies with the perfect/or less than perfect mane i have two different shaped caps on offer, both of them in soft and warm baby alpaca.

mireya icognito...

2011-12-01T19:29:00.002+01:00

this is mireya wearing her earrings she bought a while ago. looks splendid with her long black hair and i had to snatch a picture!

menagerie

2011-11-30T16:10:00.001+01:00

it's nice to have some housemates...

but not always possible. if your (inner) child claims a pet why not create a still life with a reclaimed picture frame? looks good on a window sill or the fridge as well. actually anywhere with a smooth surface. very easy to unstick too.

perfect couples (1)

2011-11-29T16:35:00.012+01:00

you know that i have the tough job of testdriving new jewellery! so here you are with two of hortense's creations: the tiny star bracelet made of 14k rose gold and the triple wish me luck bracelet with rose gold pearls on a string (string available in various colours).

since i'm on your side ladies (and in my own interest, i might add), i will post a few more entries labelled "perfect couples" to inspire uninspired boyfriends/husbands/girlfriends/lovers etc to chose just the right christmas present for you :-) i leave it up to your savoir-faire to drop the hint most gracefully...

{yesterday} in the forest

2011-11-28T14:43:00.000+01:00

bf was south of the alps in Ticino so i had a very long stroll in the forest on my own. this year is the first time i remeber there still being quite some coloured leaves left on the trees on the first of advent sundays.

late autumn or winter may not hold the promise of spring and summer, but with light beams filtering between trees you get a scenery i find magical.

to see the short, silent, tumbling fall of a leaf.

a winning team

2011-11-26T18:19:00.011+01:00

remember chantal with the orange shawl? (post entry 15.11.11)

yesterday just after shop closure i rushed off to a friends wedding and i was pleased to see chanti wearing her new shawl! her dainty nude dress teamed with the coarse handknit is a good match. but come on, take that black tag with the washing instructions away!

marie pour le boudoir

2011-11-26T17:28:00.011+01:00

today these two lovelies were sold and i'm particularly happy as marie makes them exlusively for le boudoir! well at least for now...

the tiny ones are perfect to put some jewellery in (cf post of 11.11.11) - take your cue boyfriends and husbands! - and now marie is also sowing a bit larger pieces with zipper that can be used as pencil cases or make-up bag to go in your handbag.

new

2011-11-25T18:26:00.001+01:00

just a short note today to give thanks to saint antoine: finally my parcel with new jewellery resurfaced and i could fetch it at the post office, uff!

i'm off to a wedding with new earrings :-)

a tantric christmas time

2011-11-24T15:07:00.011+01:00

whatsit??

it's to exert some restraint and (un-)patiently wait for the right moment so to intensify pleasure, maybe? silly huts with plastic icicles and christmas songs end of october? thanks, but no thanks.

now we're 30 days away from christmas eve and i am slowly getting into the mood to open that christmas decoration box...

if you have been put off classic christmas decoration altogether i think these origami paper garlands are a festive way to brighten up long evenings.

21 questions + answers - Adi

2011-11-23T17:52:00.010+01:00

Adi, born in Be'er Ya'akov, Israel in 1969, lawyer

starsign: pisces

likes: many things

dislikes: too many things

1. which are the 3 words that describe you best?
pensive, emotional, funny

2. the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
persistence

3. what is your principal defect?
too many

4. which is your morning routine?
baby baby baby

5. do you exercise?
in theory yes

6. which is the trait of character that really attracts you in another person?
witt and depth

7. which is the bad habit you would like to shed?
can i shed more than one?

8. where’s your favorite place to be?
Paris

9. what’s your favorite occupation?
writer

10. what drives you in life?
i also ask myself that

11. which is/was your happiest decade so far in life?
1995-1999

12. your thoughts on having children/not having children?
this ship has sailed

13. you would never have guessed that life would turn out to be so…
average

14.what do you aspire to?
peace of mind

15.which is your most valued possession?
my daughter

16.whom do you dress for?
anyone who will compliment :-)

17.what puts you in a good mood?
nonsense humor

18.getting older is…
not pretty

19.your present state of mind?
foggy

20.a motto you would care to live by? festina lente

21.do you believe in luck?
i very much want to

pia icognito...

2011-11-22T15:02:00.000+01:00

this is pia with her new necklace... it's a shame we can't see her green eyes!

8 years

2011-11-19T14:14:00.006+01:00

today in my calendar it's saint boudoir's day: 8 years now! cheers and have an excellent week-end everybody :-)

advent calendar

2011-11-18T15:11:00.005+01:00

in the last few days i've had quite a few customers looking for small things for advent calendars. so i thought i might help with some ideas...

for example: the little green vase - the only vase of plastic in this shop - but at 9.50 it's a bargain that can look very pretty (scroll down to post entry 16.11. to see it with paper flowers). also a nice container for your pencils in the office.

hard to part :-(

2011-11-16T17:59:00.006+01:00

the last piece in this particular colour combination has gone. i'm glad i've taken a picture of it recently...

the year of the rabbit

2011-11-16T15:19:00.003+01:00

i just learnt today that this is the year of the rabbit. maybe i have been feeling it because i was drawn to order this wood rabbit in grey and nature. and today brigitte brought me some more of the magnets she makes and i, at my dignified age, couldn't resist and picked the rabbits...

it's cold out there (3)

2011-11-15T18:00:00.017+01:00

2°C this morning... and the fog. warmth and colour, that's the antidote we need now.

this is chantal sporting her new wool scarf. just what the doctor ordered!

not everyone can pull-off orange like this, but chanti can! plus i love the way the orange compliments her blue jacket and turtle neck.

bring on the colour!

twillight

2011-11-12T17:53:00.001+01:00

for me week-end is just about to start and all the better because i look like a cheap character out of a twillight movie with a deep red bloodshot eye, a scaring sight for my customers...
so i thought this song by alpine (with below link) of which i like the music better than the video today was somehow appropriate.

h ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou0x5LfNy50t

hope to be back to normal in a few days.

de bonne augure... on 11.11.11

2011-11-11T13:11:00.021+01:00

we talked about it on the first day of november and today marie brought me the first little pouches she makes of liberty fabric.

aren't they just lovely?

marie's liberty pouches and jewellery from the boudoir (by pure coincidence i have a pair of earrings with precisely the same liberty fabric!) that's a match made in heaven :-) don't you think?

thanks, marie!

favorites

2011-11-10T18:41:00.001+01:00

i have to smile in disbelief when i look at old pictures of the shop: it looks half empty! maybe i will be posting some pics for the shop's 8th birthday next week. now there are literally hundreds of products available - most of which i would gladly take home. only rarely does it happen (but then it's an unpleasant feeling) that i unpack something and think: why on earth did i order this??
of course i have also my favorites and i'll be posting about them in a loose series from now on. starting with above set of tumblers which comes in two sizes and two colour ways: cold (shown in picture)or hot(red-orange-yellow-pink). my favorite is the cold set in small.

more funky bracelets

2011-11-09T12:11:00.002+01:00

finally!

2011-11-08T18:30:00.024+01:00

it was a long wait, but now ladies, i'm really excited to show you this new jewellery line! it's not everybody's cup of tea for sure... but if you like to add some edge to anything from a casual jeans/t-shirt look to evening dress that's just the way forward. more pics of other bracelets tomorrow in daylight.

and if you're more into finer bracelets, fear not, i have some very delicate ones in the pipeline... keep posted.

error on friday...

2011-11-07T15:54:00.003+01:00

if you are this young woman with black glasses (maybe from portugal?) who came into my shop on friday afternoon just before i closed: please get back to me!! you will get some money back...

2011-11-04T14:06:00.000+01:00

please note that this week the shop will exceptionally be closed friday (from 15h) and saturday!

back in stock

2011-11-04T12:33:00.009+01:00

these keyholders, each and every piece of them beautifully sown by karin, is one of the very first products i have had in the shop. mine is not in its prime anymore but it's been working hard for the past 7 years!
i have just restocked so there is a wide choice of colour combinations available right now.

ready, steady, go!

2011-11-03T14:22:00.008+01:00

slowly airspace is getting a bit scarce in the shop and i don't know yet where to hang this mobile! next time you're in the shop you will have to watch out for it and admire the real colours as the shades are too blueish on these pictures. btw: this mobile has a little sister, same family but different in character, you'll see what i mean...

paper love

2011-11-02T14:01:00.004+01:00

yesterday i logged another heavy parcel to the shop and here is some of what was inside: paper, paper and more paper. 30 different patterns to be precise!

new vase

2011-11-01T19:27:00.005+01:00

last saturday i carried a heavy parcel from the post office to the store. i didn't like the funny noise it made and it wasn't until evening i had the heart to open it... well, 3 broken vases inside :-( on the plus side i was happy to unpack these new vases that come as a single, double or tripple tube. looks lovely, don't you think?

21 questions + answers - Peter

2011-10-31T16:18:00.001+01:00

Peter, 64, born in London, gives money seminars and is an author

starsign: cancer

likes: beauty

dislikes: shrieking, overwound-up (too much sugar) children

1. which are the 3 words that describe you best?
gentle, curious, ambitious.

2. the natural talent you would like to be gifted with? multitasking with ease.

3. what is your principal defect?
thinking I have none!

4. which is your morning routine?
arise, shower, shave, coffee, muesli, toast, bacon and eggs…

5. do you exercise?
yes

6. which is the trait of character that really attracts you in another person?
gentleness, beauty, awareness, consciousness in action.

7. which is the bad habit you would like to shed?
see 3J

8. where’s your favorite place to be?
in my centre.

9. what’s your favorite occupation?
loving

10. what drives you in life?
creating love in business.

11. which is/was your happiest decade so far in life? can’t choose.

12. your thoughts on having children/not having children?
a soul decision.

13. you would never have guessed that life would turn out to be so…
sometimes exquisite and excruciating at the same time.

14. what do you aspire to?
evolving consciousness.

15. which is your most valued possession?
my first bank book!

16. whom do you dress for?
myself and those I’m going to meet.

17. what puts you in a good mood?
accomplishment, a good glass of …,

18. getting older is…
interesting.

19. your present state of mind?
active

20. a motto you would care to live by?
all you need is love!

21. do you believe in luck?
yes and no.

clear cut case

2011-10-28T16:30:00.010+02:00

i wanted to show you a picture of these leather cases with the i-phone inside, but then i wouldn't have been able to take a picture of it... anyway, it does its job nicely and i should have taken more colours.

roll it

2011-10-27T18:49:00.007+02:00

same post as last year: end of october means it's last minute for those of you who want to order a trolley and get it in time to roll it under the christmas tree. how about this chocolate brown, quite mouthwatering, isn't it? for more pics click on the label "trolleys" below and for enquiries mail me at entrez@leboudoir.ch

blooming

2011-10-26T17:25:00.003+02:00

yesterday daniela was here and brought some new paper flowers. she makes them herself, it's a lot of work and she does it meticulously.

it's cold out there (2)

2011-10-25T18:11:00.005+02:00

notice there are no ends sticking out (and eventually trailing in the dirt...)? it's because it's a loop. put it twice around your neck and you're ready to go, it always looks good. these loops are made of 100% baby alpaca and that's why they're so soft. the vibrant dark blue shown in the picture is my favorite, but grey and taupe are very nice too.

just hatched

2011-10-22T15:57:00.011+02:00

how irresistible is this? i think i'm putting two to the side as a present for my nieces...

sold today

2011-10-21T19:17:00.003+02:00

of course my aim is to sell the products i have in the store, but sometimes parting is hard when it's last pieces or - like in this case - i can reorder the size and colour but don't know what pattern i will get on the vase. these days when i get ceramics i'm almost afraid to open the parcel, mainly because i fear breakage, but with these vases also because i like some patterns much more than others. so bye-bye to the grey one which i particularly liked (of the small green i still have another one).

btw: you can catch a glimpse at the ash stacked in the picture...

it's cold out there (1)

2011-10-20T15:57:00.007+02:00

a mere two weeks ago you could still spot reckless ladies wearing shoes with naked feet... that's definitely over for this year and it's time to pull out our winter gear. if you think you need a refresh, i have very nice, handknitted scarves on offer. top marks for the material! this one is 100% lambswool.

red herring

2011-10-20T13:51:00.000+02:00

two parcels from france to fetch at the post office the note said... walking up to the post office i rack my brain to remember what deliveries are to be expected from france but the two that come into mind are not to be shipped by post.

turns out one parcel is from denmark and the other from holland - so much for accurate work at the post office :-)

as you see: the new leather wallets with silk screen print on the inside are in! more pics on the various items to follow.

btw: allegedly, the expression red herring referes to escaping convicts trying to mislead scent dogs pursuing them by throwing about stinking red herrings... isn't that comical?

this morning at the bus station

2011-10-20T13:43:00.002+02:00

stack them

2011-10-19T18:34:00.007+02:00

i never buy the wallpaper magazine (too expensive, too much advertising)... anyway i did this month because there are some good pictures of muuto's stacked system in ash. they did it monochromatic in ash, which looks good i think, of course you can also mix with white elements (click on below label "shelving" to see pics with white and/or pine elements).
what else is new: you can chose the element with or without backboard. i also liked that they used the yellow and green clips for added dash but of course the shape created is interesting enough in itself. clips are not strictly necessary but add stability if you chose to make elements overhang.

i put a small combination (similar to pic 3) in the shop window and honestly, whatever you put in it will look good! ceramics, glassware, books... the mix always works.

it now smells of wood in my shop!

sunday bits and this morning

2011-10-18T16:51:00.011+02:00

autumn days...
(btw if you click on pic two you see the top of prime tower and a crane sticking out their heads of the fog).
well, you couldn't tell from these pictures but i have also spent a few hours in the shop over the week-end (not so much of a break then as planned) to redecorate the window display. this usually entails window cleaning and it still surprises me how dirty windows get from the inside! no greasy noses, ok, but little sticky white dots of mysterious origin.
i have put a small combination of the Muuto stacked shelf system in the window. it's the new version in ash with or without backboard. i tried to take a picture but the reflection is such that i would show you a photograph of the eth on the opposite side of the street instead... but hang on, tomorrow i will post pictures of it that appeared in the october issue of wallpaper magazine.

fuming...

2011-10-15T17:19:00.015+02:00

i had in mind to finish this workweek with a nice little post but what did i do instead? i went looking for something in the cellar, logged away a carton, it slipped out of my hand... and there you go i broke the ceramics inside. i think there is nothing that puts me more beside myself with anger than when i go breaking things in the shop like a berserk. thank god it's saturday, i need a break (but the problem is i need a break from myself)!

ps: i have a few more 21q&a up my sleeve and could have posted one today instead to vent my anger. what do you think, is one q+a a week too much or not? please let me know here: entrez@leboudoir.ch

new

2011-10-14T14:33:00.011+02:00

a little girly, i know... but did a little bit of glitter ever hurt anyone? these pouches come in 3 sizes and are ideal for your handbag. the middle and big size can hold an i-phone.

2011-10-13T14:09:00.032+02:00

right, let's catch up on post of september 23. i said this beautiful picture reminded me of carpets. i can hardly be held responsible for the associations my brain makes, can i... so let's just post the pictures i had in mind.
(first pic by Paulo Roversi, the second from a swedish, third and fourth of a danish magazine).

law & order

2011-10-11T14:31:00.014+02:00

there were enough rainy spells over the week-end for me to finally finish and send off my tax declaration (only 10 days late this year, i'm starting to see a positive trend here!) and to begin to clear up and organize the chaos in the shop kitchen. it was always bad (forget cooking) but things only got worse when i had to clear room 4. so no easy task because somewhere the stuff will have to go! and that's where i'll continue today and hope to free some space (1 cubic metre would be brilliant!) because new supplies are in the pipeline and slowly start to trickle in... like this new bird, landed in the shop today. more about it soon (but wait, first i'll have to catch up with carpets and stacked and... i haven't forgotten!)

21 questions + answers - Elias

2011-10-08T15:01:00.000+02:00

Elias, 41, born in Copenhagen, owner of internet shops

starsign: taurus

likes: relaxing times with fellow human beings

dislikes: smartness and snobbiness

1. which are the 3 words that describe you best?
good-natured, intelligent and humorous

2. the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
openness

3. what is your principal defect?
not good enough to talk about the stuff that hurts

4. which is your morning routine?
bath, müsli, orange juice, coffee – then off to work (pretty boring)

5. do you exercise?
i run – i have run 4 marathons so far – started running only in my 30’es so i am quite proud of this – also swim but only 1-2 a month

6. which is the trait of character that really attracts you in another person?
openness

7. which is the bad habit you would like to shed?
stop my mind from wandering

8. where’s your favorite place to be?
Paris

9. what’s your favorite occupation?
businessman

10.what drives you in life?
my Renault Grand Scenic

11.which is/was your happiest decade so far in life?
0-10 years

12.your thoughts on having children/not having children?
i have got 3 children – basically the only thing which really gives meaning to life

13.you would never have guessed that life would turn out to be so…
childlike – i always thought when i was a child that when i would grow up i would be so mature, rational and adult in all my acts and thoughts…

14.what do you aspire to?
buddha

15.which is your most valued possession?
my T61 [his computer]

16. whom do you dress for?
society

17.what puts you in a good mood?
food, exercise, lively conversation, happy projects, books

18.getting older is…
uhh… (pls see answer to #3)

19.your present state of mind?
restlessness

20.a motto you would care to live by?
i do not trust mottos

21. do you believe in luck?
nope – I believe in hard work :-) punk

some french sauciness

2011-10-07T19:13:00.004+02:00

cupid's arrow hit me when i saw these earrings... i can't wait until this new jewellery collection will be in, with a little luck sometimes next week. but i'll tell you when and will post my own pictures, this one is by héloise.

against my better judgement...

2011-10-06T14:25:00.023+02:00

what i feared is happening: room 4 is filling up again. it was inevitable. as i was ordering the new muuto stacked in ash (more about this shortly) i couldn't stop myself from ordering the new low table as well. even when pacing all the rooms armed with my tape measure i knew all along there was no room for this low table and sadly, with a diameter of 70cm, it couldn't sit in the shop window either. maybe in the entry hall? not if i am to open one of the four doors at any rate... but i ordered anyway and it now sits half tucked away under the table in room 4 looking smart!

back from paris

2011-10-05T16:13:00.017+02:00

same time last year i remember my wearing a big wool scarf, this time the weather was incredible, the sky of undisturbed blue from morning to evening and it was so warm people walked around in summer dresses and t-shirts until late night... it was a bit strange actually. at least it didn't feel weird to see the spring/summer collections for 2012 and i did find some nice jewellery.

nevertheless, you know winter is around the corner and yesterday when i was free to stroll in the city my plan was to get THE pair of boots. warm and comfortable enough to take me through winter yet stylish. i've dreamt of them for many years! dreams... i didn't find them (comfortable, warm AND stylish is too much to ask it seems) but i landed this pair of er... city squaw mocassins... i'm not sure about the looks but they are soft as slippers!

Hermes is with me

2011-10-01T10:59:00.003+02:00

please note that the shop will be closed tuesday october 4th.

i took this picture a while a go... i'm going back to paris for two little shows, today after shop closure i'm jumping on the tgv. the weather in paris is to be splendid for the next few days!

meanwhile i leave you with this week's 21 q+a with my friend stefan.

21 questions + answers - Stefan

2011-10-01T10:55:00.002+02:00

Stefan, born in Camden US in 1970, advertising/senior art director
starsign: leo
likes: attention
dislikes: attention

1. which are the 3 words that describe you best?
independent , innovative, introverted

2. the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
any musical talent

3. what is your principal defect?
self-awareness

4. which is your morning routine?
1.exercise 2. coffee 3.bagels

5. do you exercise?
as much as possible

6. which is the trait of character that really attracts you in another person?
reliability

7. which is the bad habit you would like to shed?
eating cereals after 10 pm

8. where is your favorite place to be?
on a bicycle or in the water

9. what’s your favorite occupation?
traveling

10.what drives you in life?
improving myself

11.which is/was your happiest decade so far in life?
they’ve all been equally interesting

12.your thoughts on having children/not having children?
liberal

13.you would never have guessed that life would turn out to be so…
generous

14.what do you aspire to?
a life fulfilled

15.which is your most valued possession?
my health

16.whom do you dress for?
the occasion

17. what puts you in a good mood?
beauty

18. getting older is…
coping with not getting younger

19.your present state of mind?
forward looking

20. a motto you would care to live by?
what goes around comes around.

21. do you believe in luck?
in combination with preparation/hard work, yes.

extract

2011-09-30T14:25:00.006+02:00

i didn't expect it to sell so quickly, but today the shopper (with the skull, cf post september 20th) was snatched-up by a young lady. so there you are, it's gone...

a new space invader

2011-09-30T13:20:00.009+02:00

talking about mobiles... you know i can't resist them and in paris i gave in to temptation again and ordered two very graphic mobiles in a striking colour palette, with, yes you guessed it! some touch of neon. (i have become so predictable, haven't i... must do something unpredictable soon again!)

this will be my first shipment from LA ever. hello california! fortunately the paper mobiles come flat packed, but YOU will have to fold them. or the person you will give it too, hi,hi. i'm told it's very easy though.

la joie de vivre

2011-09-29T16:38:00.009+02:00

this little boy looks so concentrated and happy on the changing table i'm sure there must be a huge smile on the photographer's face too! Sinan was born just 4 days after his mother bought this mobile for him...

and this too

2011-09-28T13:52:00.005+02:00

i have long been looking for leather wallets and now i finally found some made of soft, grainy leather in several colours and a lovely little silkscreen print inside. these wallets will come in two sizes with several compartments and a zipper pocket for change. the larger one (pictured) can also hold an iphone. i'll let you know as soon as i get them.

today i just ordered these...

2011-09-27T15:37:00.013+02:00

in several colours. if all goes well, you won't be able to resist!

fall fairy

2011-09-23T13:57:00.010+02:00

i tear out magazine sheets and download many pictures for inspiration and then i can't remember where i got them from. this picture i saved under Paulo Roversi because i knew i would post it some day... now i just came across this luminous picture again and thought today, on a fine autumn saturday, was just the day. beautifully unreal and enchanting, don't you think?

believe it or not, the colour/print mix and the texture reminds me of pictures i've seen with carpets, i'll make sure to post them soon. happy week-end everyone!

nuts

2011-09-23T13:01:00.007+02:00

really, what happens to the lay-out when i just copy and paste things into the blog for 21 q+a is beyond me. then when i try to change things in the blogger interface directly it doesn't save the changes on formats etc. makes me go mental!

and don't say it's my fault! i'd better give up for now...

btw: it's usually something i drag my feet on but beginning of next year i'll make it a project to overhaul my website and fuse it with the blog. if you're into graphic design and a programmer in disguise please get back to me!

21 questions + answers - Eva

2011-09-23T12:47:00.009+02:00

Eva, born 1966 in Bern, physiotherapist

starsign: pisces

likes: cappuccino, swimming in the Aare, singing, music, poetry, reading, good movies, ice cream, flea market, baking cookies

dislikes: crowded and noisy places, to freeze, disrespect, cruelty to people and animals, staying inside all day, pain

1. which are the 3 words that describe you best?

sensitive, interested, tall

2. the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?

to be able to sleep wherever I want to

3. what is your principal defect?

Thinking too much

4. which is your morning routine?

heading to the kitchen for a cup of tea, then waking up slowly

5. do you exercise?

twice a week I do an hour of bike in the fitness centre, stretching and a couple of exercises while listening to audio books

6. which is the trait of character that really attracts you in another person?

warm-heartedness, natural charm and wit.

7. which is the bad habit you would like to shed?

to sleep late in the morning

8. where is your favorite place to be?

at my godmothers house in Iseltwald. in Rosenlaui. at the sea.

9. what’s your favorite occupation?

to drink a coffee in a nice spot while reading and observing people. singing with others.

10. what drives you in life?

curiosity and the search for existence.

11. which is/was your happiest decade so far in life?

joker

12. your thoughts on having children/not having children?

it’s great to have children for those who want to, but not at all cost

13. you would never have guessed that life would turn out to be so…

different from what I expected

14. what do you aspire to?

to live my true nature

15. which is your most valued possession?

my jewellery from the boudoir!

16. whom do you dress for?

most important of all is how I feel in my clothes. inside the house it’s just for me, outside it can be a protection, have a message or a certain intention.

17. what puts you in a good mood?

‘Paper music’ a cd by Bobby Mc Ferrin. an unexpected smile or talk with a stranger. seeing a close friend. being at my favorite places.

18. getting older is…

sometimes difficult to let go of youth and its opportunities but at the same time relaxing

19. your present state of mind?

somewhere between sanity and insanity

20. a motto you would care to live by?

Take your pleasure seriously (Charles Eames)

21. do you believe in luck?

Yes, sure!

new season ahoy!

2011-09-21T18:56:00.011+02:00

september 21, folks... there's no two ways about it: autumn is really here. yesterday when i left work around 8pm it was already pitch dark. but autumn can be glorious in zurich, if only there wasn't the prospect of winter!

pictured above is my second favorite of the new little vases/tealights and i think this little boat guided by a star in a billowing sea catches the mood of the day.

shopper

2011-09-20T13:06:00.002+02:00

a little bit of neon goes a long way! skull & neon is a combination that is not everybody's cup of tea, i know, i know... mind you, i like it (maybe it's because i'm an aquarius - a good excuse for anything!)

if you're tired to store countless migros/coop paper bags at home and haven't one yet: buy a shopper. this one is big and strong enough to hold all your grocery shopping and your laptop too. if you're a bubbly mind this handprinted shopper is made for you.