I know that America doesn’t have the exclusive rights to either Legos or Santa, but something about the combination of elements, and their location in the entrance of a swanky American shopping mall (the shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue, which I walk past every day on my way to work) makes me want to stand and sing with my hand over my heart.
Meanwhile, French Christmas decor has always felt sort of contemporary art installation-ish to me.
That’s all I got! Oh, and I’m sitting here in the Tribune Tower at 5:30pm CST on Friday evening and it’s so quiet that I can hear the Salvation Army guy playing Star of Wonder on his trumpet down on the street. That’s nice. But don’t worry I’m out the door in ten minutes to have cocktails wearing a crazy feathered hat (social experiment), and then I’m headed in the direction of family tomorrow (umm, different kind of social experiment!)
A very merry American Christmas to you. Don't forget to go to an overpacked strip mall on December 26th to revel in the full flavor of our American brand of celebrating the birth of Christ. May peace and gift receipts be with you.
Posted by: chester | 23 December 2006 at 01:45 AM
What? No picture of the crazy feathered hat? I've been keeping an eye out for the perfect vintage number to wear to my next formal event, but alas, no hats. Which is good, because no formal events on the calendar either. Oh well. Merry Christmas! And ditto what Chester said above :)
Posted by: katie | 23 December 2006 at 03:35 AM
This Santa Klaus has short arms. Kind of strange.
Posted by: Lady Iphigenia | 23 December 2006 at 06:27 PM
Don't tell me that the "crazy feathered hat" look is the next big thing.
Posted by: Neil | 24 December 2006 at 08:15 AM
Merry Christmas to you !!!!!
Posted by: Negrito | 24 December 2006 at 01:02 PM
Merry Christmas my dear, hope yours is jolly and merry and full of joy!
Posted by: Claire/Lola is Beauty | 24 December 2006 at 02:01 PM
Happy Xmas Coquette...
Bisous!
Posted by: eurobrat | 25 December 2006 at 08:37 AM
So, isn't all our social an experiment (or at least it should be)?
Boun Natale
Posted by: j | 25 December 2006 at 03:13 PM
I can't wait to see this feathered hat...I hope it's cut close to the crown?
Posted by: Mlle Smith | 26 December 2006 at 05:36 AM
I really want to know about the "experiment" results. If feathered hats are on their way back in then I need to know.
Posted by: chantel | 26 December 2006 at 11:52 PM
Merci Coquette for the Paris Xmas windows link!I was dying to see those. Happy Hols
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 27 December 2006 at 12:27 AM
Just saw that Santa a week ago. But it had a dozen or so kids crawling on it. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: pismire | 27 December 2006 at 05:08 PM
Joyeux noël ma belle. Paris misses its American classy touch (Personified by, yes ladies and gentlemen, you).
Posted by: Joli Kiwi | 28 December 2006 at 07:23 PM
I recently found a fabuloso feathered vintage hat in a thrift store (1940's-ish) Now I just need an outfit to go with it...
Hats are seriously overdue for a fashion comeback. Keep us posted with the results of your experiment.
Posted by: naima | 28 December 2006 at 09:33 PM
Please, please show us the feather hat? please?
I happen to be a Chicago transplant and I get a kick knowing your running around here in town.
Charming is the wearer of a hat with just the right balance of stylish flare and a touch of almost wacky = not taking ones self too seriously = adorable.
Posted by: Jeanne | 29 December 2006 at 10:09 PM
Happy New Year, Coquette. I'm here in Montpellier but I'm homesick for Chicago... I hope things are going well for you now, and I hope you'll write more soon.
Posted by: Joy | 09 January 2007 at 08:43 AM
bad luck i don't live in USA to see those legos!
kisses,, love your blog**
Posted by: Jet Set Jouet | 14 January 2007 at 03:30 AM
me too not belonging from USA. So can’t imagine the American Christmas. Whatever, good blog. Keep it up.
Posted by: Belinda | 18 January 2007 at 02:01 PM