Paris: Day 5 - Versailles pt.4

Finishing up at Louie's place we headed over to see the Queen's apartments.



I think they ran out of gold after they finished this room!



This pattern was all over this place! It was on the blankets, on the walls, the curtains, the carpets, the stools!! The pattern seemed to crawl into my eyes and wouldn't leave! I liked it - just not EVERYWHERE!




This wall has the doorway that the Queen escaped through when Versailles was stormed during the Revolution. On the Left of the doorway? It's the Queen's jewelry box! Proving once again, that I am a rank amateur when it comes to accessories!

When we felt like our eyes were going to explode, we escaped to the Dauphin's apartments. These were inhabited by Louis XIV's son. He never became King. He lived in these rooms for many, many years but, died before his father. His son, Louis XIV's grandson inherited.

On the way, we wandered in and out of a few rooms used by the Royal family. We kept finding benches and chairs that you couldn't sit on! And believe me, I wanted a seat!! It's a marathon walking all over the Chateau! They are such teases...



On to the rooms!


I was obsessed with this carpet. It's original to the room.



Up Next: The Grounds of Versailles.

Paris: Day 5 - Versailles pt.3

Jeff and I clutched our audio tour thingies close and made our way through the many salons and rooms. At last we reached the doorway to the hall I'd longed to see since I was fourteen years old...



I love the disdainful look on the statue. Like he's thinking "Moo" as we all herd past him, cattle style.

The tour groups swept in and of this room like the tide. Jeff and hovered on the outskirts to avoid being dragged along with them. I could have spent ages in this room! I loved the moments between groups when the Hall felt empty. I can't imagine the crush in the peak season!





I swear I had this exact grin on my face for the entire day! This would be one of the few pictures to prove it! When I get back to France, and I will someday, I'm going to spend another day at Versailles!




We walked all the way down the Hall of Mirrors to what was Louis XIV's throne room (no throne now). We walked back into the Hall and entered the Kings Bedchamber.


(There's that grin again!)



There were two fireplaces in this room and it had a beautiful view of the grounds. This was the King's state bedroom. Louie had a more private room on the 1st floor.


Here's the King's bed! Notice that fence? The Courtiers would stand on the outside of the fence while the King and his Body men - crazy! Would dress him and undress him as needed. All part of the rituals of the court.

Up Next: The Queen's chamber & the Dauphin's room.

Paris: Day 5 - Versailles pt.2

We scooped up our audio tour thingies (that's the official term for them :-) and made our way inside the Chateau, passing through security took next to no time at all - they've really got a smooth system in Paris! We breezed along at every major sight we entered.

Once inside your audio tour thingie gets programmed for the language you need and off you go! There were clearly marked signs denoting the beginning of the tour. We started at the Chapel Royale.



There were two stops for the chapel - the second floor was the first stop, which would be where the King and Royal Family would have been for service, and the 1st floor (where this photo is from) which was for the rest of the Courtiers.

Moving from the Chapel Royale we pass a series of salons in the Grand Aparpartement du Roi or the King's public rooms.








Next up: The Hall of Mirrors & the King's bed chamber.

"Toy Story 3" Premiere - a.k.a. Hurray for Hollywood! Pt.2

Set up in the field of Hollywood High (seriously) was the funtastic 'Fun Zone'! Inside were games, delicious food, and photo spots! We had a blast!





Our very first stop was this sweet spot - with Red Velvet cupcakes (no pictures, I was busily cramming them into my mouth). The little 'pops' were various chocolate enrobed morsels. The one I had was peanut butter and chocolate, dipped in chocolate and chocolate sprinkles. It brought a (chocolate) tear to my eye! We also had corn dogs, cotton candy, pizza, vanilla shakes, and a potato taco. We had to share that one, as the last one was snagged right from under me by Weird Al Yankovic (I swear!).



We didn't try all the games but, we HAD to stop at this one: the Bean the Alien game! Jeff does the voice for those little green charmers and I wanted a picture of him there:




When you toss the ball through their mouth they say "Oooooooh!". Hilarious.



In the 'Big' tent you could build a Mister Potato head, see inside Ken's dream house, Sit on a GIANT chair for a picture, race Slinkys down stairs, and take your picture with the Roundup Gang!

There were lots of characters running around. We saw Woody, Jesse, Bullseye, & Buzz. I almost bumped into Mister Potato head who waggled his eyes at me...so, I'm pretty sure he didn't mind! We also saw Lotso!



I didn't get close enough to see if he smelled like Strawberries - sorry.



As I mentioned before, it was Tim Allen's birthday and they had a HUGE cake for him at the theater. They had one at the Fun Zone too, and I got a piece! It was made by the folks with the Red Velvet cupcakes! It was chocolatey delicious!



About this time, we started getting tired. The party was winding down and we had dinner plans. It was time to go. Jeff had ONE last thing he wanted to do. His favorite "Toy Story" characters are Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. He LOVES them (I think it's because of the very excellent voice work by Don Rickles and Estelle Harris but, that's my opinion). We'd seen Estelle Harris earlier and Jeff wanted to say "Hi". She was SO sweet (and hilarious! I could listen to her ALL day!). I made her laugh by telling her that Jeff plays her adopted sons, the little green Aliens. She was tickled that he wanted to say 'hello' and didn't believe m when I told her the Potato Heads are his FAVORITE characters. He assured her it was true. It was a great way to end our day, laughing with Mrs. Potato Head!


Do ya see the guy in the middle there? He give great bitchface!

And so ends our fabulous day of fun and excitement! Hope you enjoyed it and go see "Toy Story 3" in just a few short days!


Jeff says 'so long, Hollywood'!

Additional: You too can experience all the joys of the Toy Story Fun Zone! It's open from June 18 - August 29! You can buy tickets here!

"Toy Story 3" Premiere - a.k.a. Hurray for Hollywood!

My very talented hubby, Jeff was invited to the "Toy Story 3" premiere this past Sunday, at the El Capitan theater, in Hollywood. He worked on all three of the Toy Story films, so we were very excited to attend this event. I decided to make it extra special and booked us a room at the Montage, in Beverly Hills. I'm so glad we did!




The bolster pillows have our initials on them! Next time, I'll put our first name initials on the form. Still, pretty swanky!






Yes, that would be me reflected with a giant grin on my face!




We chilled for a little while and then headed off (adventure awaits!). Silly me had neglected to look at a paper (or any news outlet, really) so, I had no idea that the Pride Parade was taking place in our neighborhood at the same time we were heading out the door! Needless to say we just squeaked into the premiere! Or, as Jeff said: We arrived late enough to be famous! We picked up our badges and made our way down the red carpet (not the press gauntlet! That was reserved for celebs and muckity-mucks!) - we sauntered along the back of the press line and snapped a few pics as we went!






Director Lee Unkrich and Producer Darla Anderson work that red carpet!


Lee heads inside. We should to that, too!

We grabbed out popcorn and soda, put our 3D glasses on and got comfy. We had killer seats! Dead center & about 4 rows back! The lights went down and John Lasseter took the stage to introduce the show. He also introduced Lee, Darla, Tom Hanks, and Tim Allen - who was having a BIRTHDAY! Woody and Buzz wheeled out a HUGE cake and we all sang "Happy Birthday" (I think someone owes Sir Paul some coins). Tom Hanks jumped behind Woody and started talking, John handed him the microphone and 'Woody' got everyone cheering! He and 'Buzz' (Tim Allen had hopped behind Buzz by this point) traded a few jokes and we all just ate it up! What a treat!

They showed "Day & Night" first. I'd seen it in 2-D at the wrap party and loved it. The director, Teddy Newton said it's astonishing in 3-D and let me tell you, it IS! Truly, truly astounding! Jaw-droppingly gorgeous in 3-D! I'm not usually a ra-ra fan of 3-D but, in this case? SEE IT IN 3-D! You will not regret it! It's worth it just for the short! Then, "Toy Story 3" started and I loved it all over again. I had my tissues prepared (thankfully) and I needed them. Next time I see it (opening weekend - in TWO days!!), I won't wear mascara, either.

After the screening, I raced downstairs to the 'little girl's' room and had the most random celeb siting! I saw Evan Lysacek waiting for his 'date' Cheryl Burke (she co-choreographed a dance number for the film - just see it!). I will confess to being a fan of "Dancing with the Stars" and for this past season, I was rooting HARD for Evan and Anna. I tossed all my normal 'too cool for school' schtick and hopped over to shake his hand and gush for a second. Poor guy! Trapped until his date finished!

Once I found Jeff again, we hooked up with some fellow Pixarians and made our way to the "Toy Story Fun Zone" to celebrate!