Happy Year of the Horse & Get Your Chinese Horoscope!

Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, 'the year of the horse.' Chinese New Year is a two week Spring festival celebrated for over 5,000 years in China.

I am the year of the rat; actually my horoscope reading is pretty accurate. To get your Chinese horoscope, click here.

One of the world's top ten Chinese New Year parades is here in San Francisco. It  is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. Over 100 units will participate in the parade, many of the floats and specialty units will feature the theme of this year's Chinese zodiac sign. Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, and exploding firecrackers.

If you're in San Francisco, our parade is Saturday, February 15, 2014.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Where Have All the Bloggers Gone?

Tonight I found myself perusing through my "blogging friends" list (to the right of this post). What did I find? Abandoned blogs...posts from as long as 3 years ago. What happened? Where have all the bloggers gone?

I used to be an avid blog reader with a list so long that I could hardly keep up with my favorite blogs. Sadly, I haven't had time to keep up on my blog reading, let alone do much posting myself.

What do you think has happened? Are people so overloaded that they don't have time to read the blogs? Have bloggers moved on to different careers or hobbies? It seems that the serious bloggers (those that have made careers from their blogs), still remain alive and well (thank heavens).

I'm curious, if you're still following me here, what you think has happened to the blogosphere?

image: Abandoned bar at Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel, a resort in the Catskill Mountains in the Town of Liberty, near the village of Liberty, New York.

Special New Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!

Valentine's Day is around the corner and we've acquired some lovely pieces of estate jewelry, as well as some other beautiful items. Scroll down to see a few and then shop our new arrivals!

Pair of French Blue Portieux Vallerysthal Opaline Perfume Bottles

Art Deco Pink Sapphire Ring

Victorian Sterling Silver Purse

Victorian Puffy Heart Charm Bracelet

Rare Victorian Chunky Heart Necklace/Watch Fob

Vintage French Trophy

Click here to shop our new arrivals!

Happy 

Shopping!

images: Kassie Borreson, Haus Frau Fotografie

Tea Time!

There's nothing like a hot cup of tea on a cold winter's day, or anytime for that matter. Served with beautiful china or perhaps in a hotel silver teapot. 

I'm not a huge tea drinker, but seem to be drawn to the beautiful packaging of many of the teas. See some of my favorites below.

Of course we love Laduree, France.  Their teas range from traditional Earl Grey to Tea Marionette, "a delicious marriage of Chinese and Indian black teas combined with rose petals, citrus fruit and honey. A bucolic walk at the Petit Trianon."

Ladurée became one of the first tea salons in Paris, after Mariage Frères. I understand there will be a tea house opening in New York City this year.

Another beautiful tea I just stumbled upon on Pinterest is Nina's Paris Marie-Antoinette. I had to order one of these from Etsy.

"A very delicate tea,  flavored with apples & rose, with a touch of strongness with ceylon tea basis Apple aroma done with apples coming from King’s Kitchen Garden – Versailles." Sounds yummy, doesn't it?

From the lovely Fortnum & Mason in the United Kingdom, they offer a variety of world teas from Assam Superb tea to Rose Pouchong. They have been offering teas for over 300 years! 

On 1 March 2012, with enormous joy and excitement, the refurbished St James’s restaurant was opened by HM the Queen accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, and renamed The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

Isn't this gorgeous packaging? From Harrods, UK, we have the Earl Grey Gentleman's tea. 

"A rich and robust Ceylon is balanced with an intense and fragrant bergamot, giving this black tea blend a sparkling citrus aroma and an enduring and refreshing aftertaste."

The famous Mariage Frères', the French tea company, was founded in 1854.

"Mariage Frères' most famous secret is this mysterious blend that takes you to distant lands and strange countries. With over 500 varieties of tea laid out apothecary style with a wall of teas that get measured by the gram into bags or tins."

Have you ever been to MarieBelle in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City? 

They make the most beautiful chocolates that resemble semi-precious jewels in elegant boxes. 

Well, good news...they make teas too. I adore their Dark Obsession Chocolate Rose Tea. "Black ceylon tea exquisitely scented with chocolate extract and embellished with pink roses." So yummy!

Then there is the beautiful packaging of Chloe Chocolat tea. Can you tell I fancy chocolate teas?

The Oolong Milky...Milky and flowery. "This elegant tea is delightfully reminiscent of a creamy milk chocolate experience."

 Do you have a  favorite tea?

It's a Giveaway!

Let's have a giveaway, shall we?

Simply refer one friend to our website http://www.parishotelboutique.com, and let us know by leaving a comment. One lucky winner will receive a Victorian onyx brooch. Deadline on Jan 13th.

Good Luck!!