The Baccarat Necklaces Have Been Found!

Me With New Baccarat Necklace, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Praise Allah!

I'm not a shoe addict, unlike most women, and I buy almost all my clothes practically wholesale in the garment district. (Some might say that explains a lot about some of the prints I wear. But since all clothes are pretty much made in the same sweatshop, I have a hard time paying the markups on them.) Nevertheless, I take my gems and baubles very seriously, and I know where all of them are at all times.

Which is why, when, this past Thanksgiving, two of my favorite Baccarat necklaces went missing after a trip, I nearly lost my mind. They were given to me by two different men, and both had a lot of sentimental value. One was a present from TR after Andre was born, and the other was the first one I was ever given, which started my slight obsession with all things Baccarat.

I was so upset about losing the necklaces, I couldn't even talk about it. People would ask if I'd ever found them and I would just grumble under my breath. You would have thought someone had died. I thought about walking over to the store on Madison Avenue and replacing them, but these necklaces aren't exactly cheap. Also, they were gifts. Why should their replacement come out of my pocket?

TR and Andre went away to Pennsylvania this weekend and took the suitcase that I'd used back in Thanksgiving. When TR was unpacking he noticed something bulging out of a pocket in the lining. I didn't even know there were pockets in the lining. It was my necklaces! I have no idea how they got in there. When I came home late on Sunday afternoon from a client, they were sitting on top of my computer, waiting for me. I nearly jumped for joy.

So...all is right in the world as far as my gems are concerned. But just because I found these two, that doesn't mean I won't accept any more. There's always room for a new addition.

Finally Out Of The House!

Since the sun came out I've finally been able to leave the 21st floor. TR and I headed up to Central Park with the boy to get some sun. I have so much melanin that I'm not using!

First stop: Baccarat! TR wanted to pick up a little push present for me, since I managed to produce a large boy and all. At first I thought I wanted earrings to match the Psydelic necklace that I wear almost daily, but believe it or not, they looked dopey! Too matchy- matchy, too matronly. Instead, TR spied this number from across the room and it's just so much more La Pauline. I really love it -- especially because it's red.


Finally, into the park. Saw this young kid juggling while riding a unicycle and listening to an iPod. Apparently he does this all day long, and almost everyone who stopped gave him a dollar. That bucket in front of him was full of dollar bills. Guess that's one way to pay for college.


Oh, and there was a Dixieland band, which was awesome.


Proud (and tired!) Papa. He changed two diapers while sitting on park benches. That's skill. I supervised/stared off into space.


This photo is the perfect metaphor for our relationship. I'm always shoving my way to the forefront while TR smiles politely.


Speaking of, how does it feel to be Mr. Pauline Millard, Tom? At least in the eyes of Beth Israel Hospital and our insurance company?


Andre, after a long day in the park.


Me, covered in creatures.

Push Presents, La Pauline Style

Long before The New York Times thought it was a trend, and the hipsterati, in turn, thought it was bizarre and bourgeois, I thought that Push Presents were the norm. My dad got pretty rings for my mom each time she had a kid, and growing up I though that it was a nice gesture. Don't all men get jewels for their wives for major milestones and holidays?

The way I see it, if I'm going through the pain and trouble of having a baby, it would be nice if there was a trinket or two waiting for me at the end of it all. Most women make the mistake, though, of asking for expensive diamonds and the like. Keep your diamonds for your cotillions and your weddings. Push Presents should be simple and practical, which, incidentally, is the Tao of Pauline: Keep it simple and practical and you'll never disappointed.

On my wish list is:
Baccarat's Psydelic Earrings. I have the matching necklace, which I wear almost daily and get tons of compliments on. I struggle though, to find matching earrings. These would be wonderful.


While we're on the Baccarat kick, I love this Tourmaline necklace. It's simple, but it still has a twist of modernity that keeps it interesting. It's also a large necklace, and I like large accessories.


I could def shove some diapers and bottles in this. Louis Vuitton bags are worth every penny because they're tough as nails and you can run them into the ground. If and when they do break or fray, LV fixes them for you, often for a very low price..


Motherhood is rough. This 1982 Bordeaux would be a nice salve.

A Baccarat Necklace For Valentine's Day!!

I have three vices in this life: 1) Orange Persian cats 2) Louis Vuitton bags and 3) Baccarat. I love how it's not as popular in the U.S. as other jewelry makers and how unique, yet simple, each piece is. Whenever I wear one, I get tons of compliments and everyone asks where they're from.

TR, always the mind reader, got me this purple heart for Valentine's Day. And I haven't even been through battle! It's the perfect addition to my growing collection.


Lookin' sharp!