Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

Paris, like London, has some landmark department stores that are all decked for Christmas. While the decorations were fun and clever, the actual Christmas decor and gifts available for sale in Paris were incomparable to the items I saw in London. Galeries Lafayette has a stunning Belle Époque glass dome and every year they dangle giant Christmas decoration inside of it--this year was a large paper Christmas tree. Another store Printemps, across the street from Galeries Lafayette, has a smaller glass dome, but had a specific Christmas store, Boutique Noire, that had some okay Christmas presents and decorations. Overall, it was fun to see the erratic puppet-like polar bears swinging their arms in the display windows, catch a fashion inspired art show, and take in the beautiful Parisian skyline, which needed no additional decoration at all. 

Selfridges

Selfridges & Co. is a wonderful department store in London. Founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge, who got his start at the famous Marshall Fields store in Chicago, he established himself in London and created an impressive store and legacy. While I was in London over this past Thanksgiving weekend, my visit was filled with some really fun surprises I hadn't expected. The Conran Shop, a London-based design store, has opened a branch shop in the basement of Selfridges. I used to work for The Conran Shop when it had a New York an outpost several years ago. On the top floor of Selfridges was a whole hallway devoted to Christmas decorations, stocking stuffers, and presents. One of the most impressive parts of the Christmas section was its personalized wrapping paper counter. Selfridges' window displays were also incredibly clever and chic featuring a sequined Santa getting ready to enjoy the colder weather.

Home in Oak Park

On April 29, John and I closed on our two-bedroom condo (our first home). Since we've moved in, we've been getting furniture, hanging pictures and paintings, and getting acquainted with our new neighbors. Built in 1920, there are 11 other units within our building. In case you missed it, here's a photo of me in our basement work-space that I'm using as a studio.

The front of the condo faces Austin Boulevard and has lots of windows that bring in lots of natural light and will be good for our ever growing plant collection. The living room is divided spatially into two sections; the front alcove with eight windows, which will be for plants and some chairs, and then the rest of the room is defined by the large mantle with built-in bookshelves on both sides. 

I apologize for not posting too many photos because we're painting walls in the dining room and things are just a little too disheveled for me to share right now. But for photos we do have, below are a mixture of some from my phone as well as the photos from online:

Our unit is located on the right side of the front door on the first level.

Living room - before

Current

First and main bedroom

Front door

Foyer with built-in mirror