Corner View - Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New

Are you superstitious?  I am married to a "very modern" Man with the exception

(Photo: by the fabulous Johanna Flyckt)

that he has completely taken on board and never relinquished the "full Monty" of English superstitions:  no ivy in the house please, the terror of broken mirrors, if you spill salt you have to throw some over your shoulder, and........ALL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS DOWN BY THE TWELFTH NIGHT!  

We are also not a religious household, but we have had casual flirtations with other peoples' religions.  A little token from a Japanese scholars' shrine still hangs from our rear view mirror....I cannot say that it did NOT bring us good luck....because once it seems to have done.

On November 29, 2011 I brought this guy back from the Flea Market.  I really wasn't sure at all I should have brought him home.  As much as I find other images of Ganesh quite charming, this one is just the tiniest bit ugly where the eyes join up with the nose.  And I thought, as much as I love the colors, I really don't need another flimsy bit of paper, cluttering up my house.  And the frame is not really a frame.....it's very sort of home made.  And also flimsy........

But Ganesh is the Hindu God of Success and Auspicious New Beginnings.  Could you believe in him?  Especially if you thought that he could bring you something that you wanted terribly terribly?  Isn't this just about the time of year for Auspicious New Beginnings?  What do you say?  

Out with the old, in with the new?  I do!  Watch this space!

Find More Corner Views, with Francesca at Fuori Borgo here.

Christmas Past

Oops!  I forgot it was Corner View day - even though I'd prepared a Corner View on today's theme.  I'll post it tomorrow!

Hello to all, here I am creeping back into blogging mode......

Happy New Year everyone!  How is it so far?  I wasn't sure whether to share these with you are not.  Are we over Christmas already?  Or would we not mind so much, a little souvenir of the season?  Here in L.A. it is dazzlingly bright and I am so glad.....but in England, where I spent Christmas, it seems now that it was terribly dark.  Maybe that had a little to do with horrific jetlag and not beginning to sleep until 5 a.m. in the morning and waking closer to 10.  It left a very short day, when the night fell at 4 p.m.

Is this the prettiest street in London?  It is one of my very favorites at this time of year.

It is in Belgravia, where you might find the Sultan of Brunei, Joan Collins and Nigella Lawson residing.  So not so much horse-shoeing going on anymore.

This is Elizabeth St. which I've posted about before here.

It's a little bit bijou, but quite laid back - with not so much bustle because it's only about two blocks of shops most of which purvey a little of the Good Life.  In discreet doses.  There are very nice florists, jewelers, perfumers, and a lovely pet store here.

It is here that you will find the London branch of Poilane, the famous French bakers.

But why do they call them "Punitions"?  These lovely little cookies?  One of those life questions that still goes unanswered.

I just adore these chandeliers.  They look like something out of a Disney movie - Cinderella probably.

You can't see it in the photos, but the candle - "light" is actually flickering!  Smartcar, or Aston Martin, if you are buzzing about doing your last minute Chrimbly shopping, you could do worse than "wrapping it up" here.  With a tall fizzy glass of bubbly and it goes without saying, a crunchy "Punition" for the road.  And don't forget to bring someone else to carry your bags!

How WERE your holidays, anyway?!

Happy New Year

Hello to Everyone and Happy New Year!  Hope you all had a restful holiday break and are feeling refreshed and still a little warm and fuzzy from all your visiting, eating, and sleeping too!

Thank you so much for all your really sweet and lovely greetings.  Hope you all know how much I think of you and what richness and delight you bring to us at Passage Paradis.  You have my very best wishes for 2012 and I look forward to many more visits and happy moments exchanged in the course of this year to come.

I'm going to take another week before I recommence my "usual" computer schedule.  I'll be thinking of you though!

xoxo 

Leftovers?

For some people, the day after Christmas is just as nice as Christmas Day.

This is not quite where I am,

Pics: British Homes and Gardens 1990's

but if I could be, I'd tell you that we are sitting around the kitchen making leftovers delicious again and  lounging around the dining table nibbling............... and doing not much else!

Happy Christmas To All

All pics from 1990's Martha Stewart Livings

 Except this, Marie-Claire Maison similar period

And to all a good nite!

Corner View - Seasonal

As with my previous post, these are greatest and not-so-latest tree ideas from Martha Stewart Living from the 1990's.  I still love them.  Sorry I won't be able to comment today, but hope you all are have a wonderful week so far.  

For More Corner Views, here are  links to: Francesca, Jane, Ian, Don, Anna, Dana, LaNinja, Theresa, CherryB, Joyce, Natsumi, Lumetta, Kari, Bonnie, Cate, Dorte, Skylar, April, Lollipop, Janis, ibb, jgy, IdaNielsen, Liza, Likeschocolate, Isabelle, Lucylaine, Allegria, Pienduzz, Elisabelle,RosaMaria, Elizabeth, BichosdaMatos, Juniper, Victoria, Annabel, Angie, Emily, Kamana, Tikjewit, Tanïa, Barbara, Moetjatja, Dorit, Flowtops, Valérie, Juliette, Castor, Wanderchow, LouetTom, Lise, FashionCampagne, Tzivia, Cole,Juanita, Li + Belle, Sophie, Menthe blanche, Leslie...

Classic Gift Ideas

OK.  Just for you.  Last minute

inspiration

for this, that seasonal chore.  That could be a terrible bore.

Or really lots of fun.

Depending how much time you have, and how many little helpers.

Most of these ideas came from France, through that lovely San Francisco shop, Bellochio

via Martha Stewart Living.   And others via British Homes and Gardens.  (Both from the late 90's.)

And some come from ancient Japan.  They still look fresh and right which is why we have to call them

C L A S S I C S.