Time flies.....

Another year, and a great Thanksgiving and anniversary.

Cute Girls in Paris...

How great to get together with Alysa's friends Abby (left) and Francine (right)...made for a perfect trip!

My Obsession......

No matter the view, I just can't get enough.

Souvenir Heaven: Gregory's

Our best friends in Paris own the best souvenir shop selling Tour de France and World Cup shirts, and which is located at Place de Louvres (right across from the Louvres). If you happen to go to Paris, stop by and say hi to Patrick, who can make you feel right at home.

In Paris for the 23rd....

I am always happy in Paris to leave the driving to Charles who was born there. Especially around the Arc de Triomphe where only the bravest drivers venture into the unmarked lanes. Yikes!

Taking the TGV (High Speed Train) to Paris....

Zipping along at a few hundred miles an hour, it is delightful to see the French countryside, as we make our way to Paris. It is obvious that by now, Jake has said, Mom, no more pictures. Hmmmmm, we'll see.

French Demonstrations....

For the most part we were lucky and avoided the strikes, but caught this student strike in Nantes.

A Thanksgiving Dinner in Nantes...

Wherever you spent Thanksgiving, we hope it was with family and friends. We enjoyed a dinner out with Alysa's Northwestern friends Danny & Julia, who are also studying in Nantes.

France: It's All About the Food....

If you are expecting to see photos of beautiful rivers and cathedrals, it won't be here, because my camera is always pointed at the food. So many choices to find something to take to Alysa's host family who, according to Alysa, has made the all time most amazing dinner in honor of our visit.

An Evening with Alysa's Host Family...

How lucky that Alysa landed with a fabulous host family in Nantes, and with a mom who can COOK! Yes, that's Valerie in the left, who whipped up foie gras, ravioli with foie gras with a mache salad, and unfortunately for our waistlines, that's just the appetizer course. Followed by leg of lamb with potatoes au gratin. We all said no thank you to the cheese course which would have made a meal by itself, and fast forwarded to the flourless chocolate cake and homemade creme caramel.

Off for Thanksgiving...It's a Sign

We're off to spend Thanksgiving with Alysa who is studying in France for the semester, and couldn't be more excited that our Greenberg's turkey (that's www.gobblegobble.com) which was not confiscated in our carry-on, because it wouldn't be Thanksgiving (according to Alysa) without a Greenberg's smoked turkey. Our trip started on the right note, yep, that's gate 23 to Paris.

We LOVE American Girl....

...because their moms are soooooooo stylish. And who knows, they may someday be back for some Cathy Waterman. In November and December, we have a special present for American Girl dolls, celebrating the opening of American Girl at Galleria Dallas. Just bring your doll by the store for an introduction. Hope you can stop by.

Irene Neuwirth

It's a sparkling day here in Dallas, as we are enjoying Irene Neuwirth and her assistant Anastasia for a most glorious trunk show.
Our motto? Pile it on.

Another Welcome Visitor | Manak Couture

She's smart, pretty & talented, and we loved Pratima, designer of Manak Couture, stopping by our store to deliver our order (patience, it will be up soon). The diamond colors are eye-popping, and brings to mind an old saying: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, since her father has pioneered fancy cuts and colors of diamonds for decades.

Oh My Darlin', Oh My Darlin'.....

That would be Clementine, who just loves visiting when her mamma drops by. Always perfectly put together and with a smile on her face (could it be because her brother stayed home? or it is a non-school uniform day?). Love ya, "Darlin' Clementine"....

A Welcome Visitor....

Arun (yes, that's Arun, designer of Arunashi) dropped in today to show us his latest high carat designs, including diamond studded bangles, bezel set gemstone chains, and knockout earrings and rings. Expect to see them online....soon!

Saturday Night....

It's the perfect evening to stay home with a pile of new magazines, and to our surprise, the December Vanity Fair and Town & Country were already on our newsstand. Take a peek, it's a Cathy Waterman love fest, with Cathy's divine Cleopatra cuff on Julia Roberts (Vanity Fair) and Laura Linney on the cover of Town & Country in a great ring, and also shown inside wearing tons of Waterman goodies. Time to drop your hints for the holidays, girls....if he's quick, we can deliver.

Get Ready to Rock with Irene...

And we do mean rock, with hunks of gemstones in amazing colors of the rainbow, fashioned into jewelry that only Irene can make. Let us know if you are in town and we will show you our Ylang 23 hospitality. Can't come? No prob. We will be posting all we can online for your viewing pleasure, up close and personal.

Whoa Baby...I blinked and it's Done!

The elves must have worked all day and night and day and this glorious tree is now the centerpiece of Galleria's ice rink. Come to Dallas, and if you are this close to the tree, you are outside our door.

Say it Ain't So......

This would be the 95 foot Christmas tree installation which greeted me this morning and reminded me that there are only 55 shopping days left before Christmas (actually 54 because we are closed on Thanksgiving) and 30 days (yikes!) before Chanukah. Those guys teetering at the tip-top? Why they are placing the star, of course. Will keep you posted on progress...stay tuned. In the meantime, stay tuned for more holiday temptations pouring into our store.

Galleria Anniversary Party | Happy 25

It was amazing. We saw our good friend Cheryl Hall, with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, who was one of the honorees at Galleria's anniversary party. And yes, if you look to the edge of the food station, that's our Lauren checking out the chef's selections to enjoy in the store...yummmmmm.

Happy Birthday Galleria...

Our home for 22 years, Galleria celebrated 25 years with a blowout bash, and all we had to do was step outside our door to join the festivities.

Dallas is Par-tay City...

Yes, the valet parkers are everywhere, and lest you think it is all for fun, it is really for charity, this one being for a fave, Art for the Bridge to benefit The Bridge Breast Network, which is December 2 and 4. Just LOVED the globes hanging from the trees.

Halloween 2008...

From morning haircut (shown: colorist Eric, who caught the spirit) to my evening shift due to trunk show traffic (yes, Cathy Waterman's divine goodies), everyone was in a playful Halloween mood. Shown: our own store police officer Leo (helping out with mall trick or treaters.