Wednesday, December 28, 2011

To You and Yours...

We at Paris Envy wish you a wonderful
holiday season, and thank you for shopping
with us throughout the year!

We will be open New Year's Eve!
11 am to 5 pm

*All ornaments and holiday merchandise now
50% off*

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Gifts Galore!




Some of my favorite things to give, get and tuck into stockings:

*Smith's Rosebud Salve -- best lip balm EVER!!
(Buy at Urban Outfitters in CityScape, downtown Phx)

*Philosophy bubble baths in delicious scents, like Gingerbread Man, Hot Cocoa, etc.
(Philosophy is a local Phx company, did you know?? Find their stuff at department stores valley-wide)

*locally made jewelry from such amazing artists as Jackie B, My Olivette, Mer*made, Mystic Pieces, and others (some carried in our very own shop!!)

*a great candle, perfume scent or handcreme -- Tokyo Milk, Pre de Provence, Royal Apothic (again, names you can find at Paris Envy!! :)

**Shop the Melrose Crawl for Third Thursday and visit loads of little boutiques staying open 'til 9 p.m. so you can finish ALL your holiday shopping!! **
**And then stop into CopperStar Coffee for a latte, or Sidebar for a White Rabbit nightcap!*

Leave a comment and share some of your favorite holiday gift ideas and stocking stuffers!!

toujours,
Laurie

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Huge Merci!


(Cafe Lalo in Manhattan, featured
in the movie "You've Got Mail")



Thank you Thank you to all our loyal customers (and first timers!) who shopped with us on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and made these days a MONUMENTAL success for us!!
We truly believe locally owned shops such as ours can keep our city thriving and offer an exciting, must-see destination to visitors as well as Phoenicians.
Our local shops and restaurants will always differentiate us from any city in any state in this country. You'll most likely find a Pottery Barn or Ikea, but not a Paris Envy, or Figs, or Rust & Roses!

"Do you want to get off the subway at 72nd and Broadway and not even know you're in New York City?" (Kathleen Kelly to a crowd outside her shop protesting the opening of Fox Books, a corporate mega-store, in the wonderful movie "You've Got Mail")


And now onto other things!
The holidays are upon us here at the shop, in the form of box after box arriving -- ornaments, tableware, gifts and home decor goodies. You really must stop in to find that perfect something!

A little sneak peek...
















* Vintage-style harlequin ornaments,
inspired by theater props*


















*Glass bubble ornaments with vintage-look images, peacock or hot-air balloon*





















*vintage-inspired iron crowns and hand poured plaster cherub plaques in antiqued gold, cream and other shades*



















*A little Marie-Antoinette for the holidays!*


















*Fabulous true vintage and vintage-inspired reindeer to add some quirky fun*



Stay tuned for more photos to tempt you, such as soon-to-arrive French tableware in festive reds and whites!

toujours,
laurie

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Vendredi Noir





Or Black Friday!! Join us please from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and enjoy mimosas, champagne & treats, and save 10% off your total purchase in our calm and beautiful environment.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Ready or Not






I admit it, I really dislike "decking the halls" the day after Halloween! And although the retail powers-that-be say you must, I've more or less rebelled for the four years we've been in business, choosing to add my merry touches closer to December 1st.


This year in an attempt to be less stubborn I have already begun to transform our shop with the help of some dear friends! We've draped and hung and added sparkle and twinkle, unpacked ornaments and great gifts for giving, and there's more to come. Every week a new box of fun arrives, and at least as often we finish up a piece of our own and find the perfect spot for it in our showrooms.




I'll probably never get completely used to a Phoenix Christmas -- not after a whole childhood spent in snowy Colorado -- but temperatures in the 50's kind of helps. Bring on the peppermint mocha lattes and the Charlie Brown Christmas cd!

toujours,
laurie

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Beautiful Big Apple!



This past August my mom and I traveled to NYC to attend the gift/home show at the Javitz center and, of course, see the city! My mom had never been before, so it was extra exciting for me to play tour guide. (Ok, amateur tour guide, who am I kidding?! It was only my second time.)
The weather was a bit muggy but honestly we didn't mind -- we were just so happy to be there.

We stayed on the Upper West Side, just blocks from Central Park, in such a charming area; cafes and shops and tree-lined streets, corner markets where we bought wine and cheese and crackers to take back to our room. On the fifteenth floor was a terrace overlooking the neighborhood -- we'd set up our little picnic and watch the sun fade into the twinkling lights of the city after dark. Pure magic!

I thoroughly enjoyed the gift show for ideas and new products but I felt that I got the best inspiration from the city itself, walking, peering into store windows, happening upon little parks.
A few photos from our trip...


*View of Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry


* Peering into Gramercy Park, a private gated oasis. Residents are given a key, and the rest of us have to enjoy the beauty from outside!

*Gorgeous stone facade of an apartment building in Gramercy. We wandered by on our way to ABC Carpet & Home, my favorite store in New York.

I'll share more of my NYC discoveries in future posts, and 'til then,
toujours,
laurie

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

A Change in the Air...


A new month. A new season. Finally some tangible evidence that decent weather exists here in our valley! I've always thought of November as some think of January 1st -- a time to take stock of present circumstances and plan for the future. Hot, stagnant summer is behind us, and cooler air clears the mind. I feel more creative and more optimistic almost immediately!

We at Paris Envy are making a few changes here and there. A little embellishment to our blog and a few personal observations and tidbits added to our usual photos of the shop. We're glad to be part of the continuing renewal of central and downtown Phoenix, to be local business owners in the midst of so many corporate giants, and we want to celebrate the various places that make life here that much more enjoyable!

Many thanks to our loyal customers who love what we do! We look forward to seeing you and we welcome your comments here.

toujours (always),
laurie

Friday, October 28, 2011

This Just In



New around the shop:

zinc-topped buffets and cabinets
all hand made and one of a kind
beautiful and functional

































Industrial-style lighting
created from iron, glass
and ingenuity







Remember Paris Envy
when you've got to have
that something special
A statement piece
that will be with you for
a lifetime
Hand-crafted works of art
that all can afford

Friday, September 2, 2011

Change of Seasons

Summer vacations are over. School's back in session. And yet the temperatures soar. Welcome to September in Phoenix!
But we can't help getting just a bit excited over new pieces we've designed and built, new gifts and accessories we've scouted out and ordered, and the countdown to cooler nights and (eventually!) cooler days. Hope to see you soon!

From Top:

**Hand-crafted iron console table with poured concrete top, adorned with handmade "Paris" wooden clocks**



**Hand-crafted iron and travertine etagere**





**King-size headboard hand-crafted of iron and hardwood**












Saturday, July 9, 2011

Summer Break


We will be taking une petite break, just a little time to escape the heat and search for inspiration.
Please stop in to see us when we return!

Paris Envy will be closed July 10 ~ July 26 and will re-open Wednesday, July 27 at 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Bon Vacances! (wishes for a happy vacation!)





Summer is descending upon us whether we like it or not. Do pay us a visit in between your grand adventures!
We'll be here (with lots of cool air!)

Paris Envy summer hours:
Wednesday through Saturday - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday through Tuesday

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Adventures In Iron





Just in! This gorgeous desk in aged iron with softly sanded alder-wood top.













A perfect combination of rustic and refined for home office, library or living room.









And for the first time, custom iron rods, brackets and finials in the color and finish of your choice!










It's hard to find adequate words to describe this massive, hand-crafted clock in aged iron, but it will be the piece de resistance in any home.











Hand-crafted works of iron in pieces large and small, each unique and beautiful. Stop in to find the one thing you can't live without!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Pour Ma Mere


bejewel your mom with a gorgeous handmade necklace, pair of earrings or ring from our eclectic collection

All jewelry now 25% off in honor of Mother's Day!















































Or perhaps a piece of vintage hotel silver...

All tea pots, creamers, and bowls are now 50% off!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Happy Spring!






Wishing you the most wonderful celebrations with those you love.

Add a pretty touch or two for Easter or even May Day tea?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Touch of Glamour






We've been inspired by old Hollywood
glamour this Spring, and the mixing of
French femininity with touches of mid-century modern and a little glitz! Do stop in to see all we've been up to, won't you?






































Friday, March 11, 2011

Quelle heure est-il?*




*What time is it?


Time to find the perfect clock, hand-crafted in iron or wood and each beautifully unique














































Time to discover something spectacular, such as the daybed in soft gray-- perfect piled with pillows in your living room or boudoir

or as a magical spot for your little one (think quilts, stuffed toys and their favorite bed-time story...)









Time to peruse vintage treasures just in, along with vintage-inspired creations in lighting and artwork

















Time to stop in for a moment of inspiration and beauty, Paris-style