The bell diver and butterfly

Julian Schnabel won best director at Cannes for the movie "The Bell Diver and the Butterfly". The first thirty minutes were a challenge for me, causing anxiety, tension and frustration. Turns out it was one of the most astonishing and exhilarating films I've ever seen. Along with being an incredibly inventive film in the way it's shot, it will make you love life and inspire you you just to smile and take a deep, deep breath. Any time i enjoy something, a movie, a play, a meal, i find myself thinking about it the next morning and reanalyzing my previous thoughts. No exception with Diving Bell and Butterfly. The frustration and tension was masterfully created by the director in his emotional scenes and unusal perspectives. Do take the time to wtch the interview in"extras with Charlie Rose.

My girlfriend Elizabeth has been getting me to more theater these days. Last week we went to the one woman play about the life of Rachel Carson "A Sense of Wonder". I was mesmerized. Rachel Carson has been called the mother of the environmental movement, and was named by Time as the of the most influential people of the century. The woman was, and is inspiring, in her life, her personality, her action! The play was mesmerizing, the actress, Kaiulani Lee was riveting! As Ms. Lee explained it, Rachel Carson's feeling about life and environment is one of interconnectedness.We are all tied together as a community whether it be between species or the environment. On this earth, we cannot escape what we have created. "A sense of Wonder is currently being shown at film festivals around the world, and it is a Must Watch!

The shop is filled now with interesting bits of summer ephemera. Salt and pepper shakers shaped like potatoes, soda glasses set in silver plate holders to serve fine brown cows in, adorable sets of fruit embossed dessert plates, etc. Have a bit of fun and whimsy with our accessories! And of course, the easiest way possible to change a room or cover an very"loved" table is with our French print tablecloths! You never know what you'll find at the Peach.

what we've been up to!

I've been told that early summer is a slow time in retail, but not around here! I feel like we haven't stopped to even take a breath. We had a wonderful Girls Night Party at the shop about a week ago, and met some crazy new girlfriends. Somehow we got on the topic of clubs we used to go to, and Neo was brought up. Ah, Neo. I should take my husband there. Yea, right. Sad news, 750 closed. Remember? They played GREAT music, and you could do anything you wanted on the dance floor... just about.
We staged a room for the Southeast Style house walk a couple of weeks ago, and that , if I do say so myself, was brilliant! The homeowners, Lynda and Paul Shadrake, were fabulous to work with. All the homes, on the Southeast side of Oak Park,(thus the name), were superb. Really an inspiration for Peter and I to go home and finish all of our projects that we keep putting off. Most were modestly sized, but smart, stylish use of space, and all the homes featured were very different from each other. Anything from a truly renovated period piece, to one that had been gutted, and done loft style and modern. I liked elements from all of them!
Now we're getting ready for the Infant Welfare Sneek-a-Peek this Saturday in River Forest, and our biggest event of the year, Bastille Day! No, no rest.
When you do have a moment to breath, read Elizabeth Berg's "The Day I ate Whatever I Wanted". Love it.
Back at the shop, we have been dealing with a port strike in France, and have not been able to get our French Soaps in. Until now. we'll have them in time for Bastille Day. Phew.
One of our customers gave us a great tip. She buys whatever scent is attracting her that day, and puts them in her drawer until she needs it. Never runs out of soap, and everything is prettily scented. Great idea!
Sasha and Nelson are gracing the top of the page. Both rescues, we couldn't imagine life before them.
I hope that most of you are taking a moment and enjoying the lazy days of summer. Now I need to take my own advice. ...CANNONBALL!

Karen

Spring in Oak park and 5" on the ground

Spring. How do you feel about it? Depends on where you live. If in Oak Park, IL. then it means you're not switching over to your warm weather clothes. We are having a major snow event, although I feel confident it will melt quickly.
If you're a student, it means spring break, a chance to have some fun before finals, hopefully somewhere where you can wear sandals.
Spring Fling , a vague term applied to anything from a school dance to something a little more romantic. All of these definitions speak to something transitory and fleeting. Spring is a relief from the confinments of winter and a harbinger of the summer to come.
I think it a good time to take a mental pause, no cell phones, no i-pods, and think about the things we have to be greatful for. Here's something I pulled out of O magazine a while back, and its been on my refrigerator.
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
-Rumi

Eating Right

Hello all!,
its back to cold, but.... we had several days of spring, never enough to suffice, but... 16 days, 1 hour and 22 seconds until opening day for the Cubs.
Meanwhile here at the Peach, we're preparing for Earth Day, April 22nd. Our celebration will be April 19th, a Saturday, so we can celebrate Mother earth ALL DAY! In the morning, we'll be serving organic and locally sourced food, from Buzz, in the afternoon, more delicious food from Trattoria 225 that showcases all of the locally grown produce. Keep this in mind. Along with what it means to your body to eat organic foods, it's really the earth that benefits. If its locally sourced, that means less distance it has to be shipped, less petroleum that is used to transport it, less air pollution. Madonna is 50, as is Michelle Phiffer, and Olivia Newton John is 60. They all look amazing, yes of course they're rich, and probably have loads of facials, but all of them credit exercise and eating heathfully. Speaking of exercise, check out Yoga Trek, and if you think yoga's not for you, They have some classes that really work up a sweat.
Hey, when we were in Paris, every body, and I really mean this, just about every body was either on a bicycle, a motorized bicycle, a scooter, or in a smart car. And speaking of cars, will all of you Oak Parkers PLEASE send in you comments to the RTA by march 31st, expressing your wishes to advance the research for a high speed rail out to the far western suburbs, not another lane on the Eisenhower. If the Europeans can do it , we certainly can!
Keep in touch for my next blog, where I'll comment on less is more, and on that one, I want to hear from you!
Until then, go Cubs
Karen at the peach

We're finally here!

J'taime Paris! What a trip! We've arrived in the 'City of Lights' eager and ready for business! Our dynamic dashing team of deux is ready to kick off the coming week with vigor and vivacity. The weather is overcast and chilled, but somehow Paris is still shining. It's as if Mr. Sinatra, himself, is serenading us as we walk the streets of Montmartre. A feeling we can surely get used to.

Well, as the extensive planning and scheming we've done in the past few months becomes realized, the excitement grows. Tonight, we meet with two locals Parisians over some vin rouge to discuss new goodies for the CarefulPeach... then.... after a breakfast of croissants and cafe tomorrow morning, we will start scouring the Parisian markets!

Just leaving you with a taste of the looping record in our têtes..

I love Paris in the spring time
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles
I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris, why oh why do I love Paris
Because my love is here

Bienvenue!

Welcome to the Official CarefulPeach boutique blog! This is THE spot for you to keep in constant contact with the goings on of the shop. This is where we'll post pictures of our latest findings, snapshots of our trips and events and, of course, keep you up to date on our upcoming calendar!

Keep checking in to see what sorts of fabulous somethings we have to share with you!

Right Now?

We have a HUGE buying trip booked to Paris at the end of the month! We're scouring the streets of the City of Light to bring back the crème de la crème! Antique Furniture, Vintage Jewelry, Exclusive Home Lines, the list goes on...

Our loaded arms will be stateside just in time for the Louis XIV event February 9th! Champagne, Gold and over-the-top Indulgence will be the headliners for this day long event. Mark your calendars!

Until next time...

Au Revoir!