Visions of Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef and Arpels Dancing in Her Head

What girl at least once in her life dreams about being lavished in beautiful jewelry fit for a princess. Most of us are stuck with the dream....a tiny handful actually get to own "out-of-this- world" designs fit for royalty or those with fat wallets.

Next time you find yourself in Paris, dream your own little dream and head to Place Vendome, a circular "square" if you will home to the column Vendôme erected by Napoleon, world class hotels like the Ritz, Park Hyatt Vendôme and Bristol in addition to a line-up of jewelry stores whose vitrines and vaults need security 24/7. A heady "defile" with the likes of Boucheron, Chaumet, Tiffany and Cartier to name a few, can keep one entertained for hours. Entertained?

You know, the window game. Pick only one thing out of each display window that you would take home with you and why. My daughters and I played this game years ago when catalogs from American Girl or the Disney store would arrive in the mailbox. It was something to do during those bewitching hours between getting home from school and me getting dinner on the table. Now that they are all grown up, our game has gotten a tiny bit more expensive and we've become fairly philosophical regarding our selections.

Funny thing. I was walking through Place Vendôme a few weeks ago with a friend from here and the first thing she said was, "Let's play the window game." I was shocked thinking my daughters and I pretty much had that game locked up to ourselves but not so much. About 40 minutes later we headed into the Ritz which was our actual destination and....we'll that's another story. Talk about the window game. A hallway the length of the hotel lined with glass cases filled with jewelry, shoes, handbags and everything in between. Gratefully, it dumps you off at Hemingway's Bar (Ernest's place) where you can set down all your bags and relax with a glass of champagne that is served with a white rose. Talk about princess!!

Follow the link and read an article from IHT about the latest designs that were unveiled here in Paris during Fashion Week in early July.....you'll get the idea.

Jewelry With Stories to Tell

photo credit: betterphoto