Chocolate. Such a nice word, isn’t it? Dark Chocolate - even better. When it’s good it’s oh so good but when it’s bad it can turn people off forever as it did me when I was younger. It wasn’t until my early twenties when I lived in New Zealand and went to a chocolate factory I really started to appreciate chocolate. And if I thought it was good in New Zealand, you can imagine how I felt when I finally went to a chocolate shoppe in Belgium than France!

My only bit of chocolate snobbery is that it must be high-quality, junk free chocolate. This is due mostly becuase of taste preference although since I am allergic to gluten, I can’t have most chocolate that is flavoured or mixed with things.

And what are my favourites? I thought you’d never ask.

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Currently enjoying Linda Mathieu’s Blog, Frenchless in France in which her guest blogger, Emily is doing a great job of sharing Provence. I’ve only ever been to Provence in the winter (February, for my birthdays), but I actually really love it then. It’s when you get to really see the towns without fighting mobs of tourists or unhappy hosts. The smell of fireplaces going, the mistral winds, the seasonal cooking of food so thick and warm it sticks to your belly. But, I confess, I’m a little envious of those who get to see it in spring and travel the fields barefoot.

One of my favourite places to stay in Provence regardless of the seasons is the self-catered gite, le pigenonnier in Isle sur la Sorgue. The flat is beautiful, modern but still French and the breakfasts are amazing. The location is perfect (if you have a car) in which to explore the area. And the hosts? Amazing though you’ll have to learn (basic) French to speak with them.

One of my favourite things to do on my travels is to visit a bookstore for there’s something about British published books that are just spectacular. I’m not sure why there’s such a design difference since there are many fabulous designers and writers in America. Yet it seems to me as though the European counterpart is almost better looking in terms of design, style and imagery. Especially when it comes to home books.

The above books have caught my attention in more ways than one. The Gentle Art of by Jane Brocket was a very large, beautifully covered book with charming stories and ideas inside - mainly geared to those who knit, I think. It reminded me so much of my friend Alicia, that style in look and content. Jane also has a web site called Yarnstorm.

Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros literally caught my eye - the spine on this is gorgeous. It’s the same size and style of her Apples and Jam book and beautifully done inside. This seems to be better liked than the Apples and Jam (and if you’re in the US, you should note that Anthropologie put Apples and Jam on sale for something like $12!). I couldn’t eat a lot of the recipes so it isn’t a usable book for me but just having that sitting on the shelf would be enough reason for me to buy it.

Emily Chalmers, how I adore her work. I only discovered her last year when I bought the Danish version of Cheap Chic called, “Nyt og Brugt”. Her book, Table Inspirations, was beautifully laid out with wonderful photos and great ideas. I like that it’s a square paperback which makes for easier reading in bed late at night.

And lastly, Nigella. She’s everywhere in America and for the most part, her books are the same on both sides of the water. However I really liked the simplicity of the UK version of How to Eat and the fact it was also softcover. This felt less intimidating to me so I actually ended up doing a quick read through the book.

Why there’s such a difference I’ll never know but what I do know is that my suitcase becomes very heavy on the return trip home.

I’m not sure why buying a bed is so difficult in both terms of feeling comfortable owning one and then the actual process of selecting one. But despite having lived on my own since 18, I didn’t actually buy my own bed until I was 25. I literally bought on price (I couldn’t spend more than $400 at the time and needed something ASAP). I never slept well on it and when I left several months later was glad to donate it to charity.

Several years ago I had a big discussion about beds as I was determined to buy something that would help me really sleep since I average perhaps only 4 hours a night and some nights I go without. And I’m a huge bed lover sleeper girl so this just isn’t right.

In 2004 I began the search for a bed. After numerous recommendations (from friends, my chiropractor and online) I purchased a Temperpedic from Relax the Back since going in and out of mattress shops felt sleazier than buying a car. Plus, mattress shops wanted $2500 for the Temperpedic - Relax the Back sold it at a regular price plus a 10% discount when I was there.

I should have considered the source when listening to all the raves. I can see how this bed can work wonders for taller, heavier people with body heat - they can sink into it and it really will conform to the body. However, being petite with little body heat, the bed was always stiff and I would wake up even stiffer, tossing and turning every night. The elusive dream bed still kept me thinking.

When I moved into my new flat in 2007, I rang the Four Seasons, Los Angeles in desperation to order their bed (as I was currently sleeping on an Aero bed during the move). I always slept like a baby there, plus several friends had purchased from them with a great experience. However, they told me the manufacturer stopped making the bed that had been used but I was welcomed to come and try their (non flippable) version. But they were book solid for 3 weeks and then it’d be 6 weeks for delivery. I couldn’t sleep on an Aero bed for that long.

I thought of where I had my second best sleep and that was at Chateau du Sureau (in the room shown above). Their beds were Serta made especially for luxury hotels. When I called they were more than helpful with information on how to buy the bed (and bedding) however, their factory was closed for the summer so again I’d have to wait six weeks.

Then I thought about the W Hotel - always good. I did some research on mattresses and with the tips decided I’d go the W Bed Route. I found a coupon code (do a Google Search) that took $250 off so the bed, with shipping and a feather bed was less than $1000. Within three days I had the mattress delivered and was sleeping like a baby. Topped with some Shabby Chic bedding and I haven’t blinked an eye whilst sleeping in months!

Mattress shopping is a tricky, sometimes horrible business. When I looked years ago, going in and out of mattress shops was a far worse experience than car shopping. Brands have different names for different outlets and mattress salesmen will lie to you about everything. So this time, I chose to go directly to the sources of beds I had loved so that I knew exactly what I was getting. And without having to barter, haggle, or wonder, buy was easy, quick and painless.

And the sleep has been that way too.

Update: I stayed a few nights at the Four Seasons, Beverly Regent in March 2008 and just fell in love with their new beds. I think I’m going to have to go for it although they only sell theirs in King Size.

Update II: Danny Seo, the green Meister himself, has an eco-friendly bed available at JC Penny via Simmons. Sounds promising and affordable.

I’m having a huge Ebay Sale with clothes, books and home goods. It’s so huge that only half of it is currently up and I’ll be adding to it today and tomorrow with winter coats, more sweaters, skirts and home decor!

It’s over now - but thank you so much to everyone who bought. I decided to give all the money raised to charity! So thanks again!

My French Life; Gordes, France.

Whilst searching for information on Australian author, Vicki Archer and her new book My French Life, I came across the Absolutely Beautiful Things blog which had reviewed the book (and had an update).

Australian interior designer (and owner of the shop Black & Spiro) Anna runs the blog showcasing great articles, photo’s and information. She’s especially good at showcasing people and things I don’t always get to see Stateside.

Her photos and notes on My French Life just reinforced my desire to return to live in France; Saint Remy de Provence is one of my favourite towns (with one of my favourite markets). Working on it.

A few years ago I discovered Sharyn Sowell’s Paper Cuttings in a magazine and was an instant smitten kitten who asked her to be profiled on Another Girl at Play. She agreed and her answers also instantly charmed me.

Whilst updating the site tonight I came across her profile, clicked through to her site and discovered she now has a blog now. For anyone who loves paper cuttings (I have so many reproductions of Hans Christian Anderson’s work and his book, The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen) her site is a simple little feast.

Also tonight I discovered (via the Art of Living Online) Style Court, which then pointed me to the beautiful site and stylings of Charlotte Moss.

1. Ahn-Minh writes about “couples therapy” for decorating. I’ve known people with extreme opposite tastes - they could have used this.

2. Kottke shares an interesting find on a doctor that has decided to make house calls. I love this idea for all the ways it makes one consciously look at health care and connects with the local community.

3. Emira is cooking amazing looking veggie burgers and Felicia is baking all things Pumpkin .

4. Person ditches house on 101 Freeway in LA. It’s now gone (10 days later).

5. Farm Aid is dedicated to keeping “family farmers on their land, Farm Aid brings together family farmers and citizens to guarantee family farm food is available to you. Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant family-farm centered system of agriculture in America.”

6. Danny Seo has a video segment on how to go green and save money for Autumn.

I have been swooning, swooning, over my new bike - the Electra Amsterdam (which I just reviewed for Pet the Pretty Things). So much so that I keep it inside the flat, against a wall like a piece of art.

I’ve written in previous posts about how I don’t have a car nor do I go to a gym, instead relying on walking to get around and for exercise. However I have to add biking to that for now I’m getting to areas I couldn’t before and discovering a lot more of LA.

Example, this morning I finally made my way to Venice Beach. For years I’ve resisted going because it didn’t sound like a place I’d like to go and the hassle of parking always seemed far too much. But with an easy ride along the oceanside trails, I was there quickly and easily (and realised it wouldn’t have been worth the parking headache!).

I’m biking every morning now to my favourite coffee spot (Urth Cafe - a place I could before really only get to when I had the Flexcar) and also loading up my foldable side basket with groceries (with a reusable bag from Whole Foods of course). And I’m looking for any and every reason to bike anywhere else (and especially reason to ring my horn although truthfully, I still say, “beep beep.”)

Why it’s taken me over 3 years to get a bike in Santa Monica I’ll never know but the waiting paid off because I’ve found my perfect bike (complete with skirt guard - oh my) .

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Friday Favourites but, after a week of not being out of the house, I find myself with time on my hands to do one. And what would be more appropriate than to share all the movies I’ve been watching this week. I don’t have cable so I relied haveily on my subscription to Netflix this week. And by heavily I mean I upgraded it like crazy to have as many movies on hand as possible!

The one’s I enjoyed (again, for some): Sunset Boulavard, Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, The Secret Garden, The Butterfly, The Devil Wears Prada, Harvey, Last of the Mohicans, Before Sunset, Finding Neverland and The Queen.

Now I just need to find more to que up on.