Monday, October 31, 2011

Grand Flirt


~ This week on Ooh La Frou Frou ~
we find ourselves in the chic
black-and-white-marbled lobby of
The Mark Hotel.



You may remember from previous posts
that blonde and ponytailed
illustrated Ooh La Frou Frou girl Sunny has a
fantasy city apartment at The Mark.


As we peek in on Sunny at The Mark
on a beautiful autumn Monday afternoon,
the lobby and the fashionable
restaurant and bar are, as always,
bustling with activity.


Sunny's neighborhood at The Mark is at
77th Street and Madison Avenue in New York.
To virtually put yourselves
on Sunny's street,
 simply click on the items listed to the right of this map
and each item's location will show up on the map itself.
 Sunny is lucky to live in a Hotel
which houses the fabulous Frederic Fekkai Salon,
available at her beck and call
for those last-minute dates!
(illustration below courtesy of The Mark Hotel)



We shared the video
"Life at The Mark"
in a previous Sunny post ...
but it's fun, so if you missed it,
you can go here to watch the hotel guests below
go to and fro ...



Psssst ...
~ Here's another little juicy tidbit ~
Did you know that hotel guests that
 book a one-bedroom suite
receive a complimentary car and driver
for each day of their stay,
to take them anywhere they wish in Manhattan,
 for up to 6 hours?
Ooh la la la la.  La la.



You may be wondering what the title of this post
"Grand Flirt"
has to do with Sunny at The Mark.
Well, grab your coffee, darlings,
we're about to begin our story ...


A Grand Flirt
is more than an adorable
~ flirty skirt ~

And you won't find
~ clues ~
in fabulous
~  flirty shoes ~


Although it seems that
~ everywhere ~
the world is filled with
~ flirty hair ~
... you still won't find the answer there ...

All of you darlings
~ more than likely have been ~
 the recipient of a Grand Flirt
~ now and then ~

A Grand Flirt
is no lightweight
~ bat of the eye ~
or charming smile
~ from a passerby ~

It starts with
~ The Stare ~












But it doesn't end
~ there ~

It smoulders with interest
with a look from afar ...
and demands with persistence
to know who you are.

If this has happened to you,
you have experienced a
Grand Flirt,
darlings.



Our adventure begins in the early afternoon
of an autumn Monday,
as Sunny leaves the lobby of the hotel
from her apartment.
Dressed in grey with a gorgeous plum cape,
her ponytail sleek and swishing along,
she has the distinct feeling that
someone is watching her.
And as she glances across the crowded lobby,
she sees him and he holds her eyes in a
~ Grand Flirt.~
He's standing by the elevator with a group of others ...

... briefcase in hand.
He is one of the most handsome men
Sunny has ever seen.

On Wednesday ...
as Sunny is arriving back to the hotel in the
late afternoon, thinking of kicking off her heels
as soon as she hits her apartment door,
she hears the laughter and mumble of
people in the bar enjoying a late lunch or business meeting.
As she glances up, he is sitting amidst
a table of people.
His eyes are magnetic.
Their glance holds for what seems like forever.
Her pace slows down but she recovers
and continues on.
~ Grand Flirt. ~

On Friday ...
Sunny is leaving the hotel with
illustrated girlfriends Violet and Cherie
for an evening of dinner and shopping.
As she and Cherie wait for Violet as she chats with
concierge in the lobby,
Sunny glances up outside
just as a limo is pulling away.
The window rolls down.
He holds her gaze with a slow smile.
Then he is gone.
~ Grand Flirt. ~

Sunny isn't sure if her heart is racing or
slowing to a halt but something has happened.

Late that night,
with heels clicking along the marble lobby,
Sunny arrives back at the hotel
after a very fun evening with the girls.
"Oh, Sunny ..."
the concierge calls out to her.
"A gentleman left this for you ..."


Sunny could hardly sleep.
She didn't know him at all.
A private yacht?
She envisioned herself getting ready for the date
as she tossed and turned ...



If she went, what would she wear?
How about her make-up, her shoes, her hair?

She envisioned being alone with him
with nothing but water and the moon around ...
with the glittering city as the backdrop ...


... watching other boats float by ...
~ in the distance ~
After all, what he had said was true ...
"You don't know me"

">

As Sunny tosses and turns
and decides whether to accompany
someone that she really doesn't know
on his private yacht ...
she asks your opinion, darlings.

What should Sunny do?
What would you do
when faced with a devastatingly tempting
~ Grand Flirt? ~


Next week,
illustrated Ooh La Frou Frou girl Hope
will reveal
your votes on what Sunny should do ...
and Hope will also let you in on
a few things that are in her shopping bags right now.

Stay tuned .....
~ and have a very flirty week! ~


This blog is written
by the artist and creator of Ooh La Frou Frou:
All content is protected by copyright.
All rights reserved.
(c) Sandra Shelton Markwalder 2011

The illustration of Sunny above
is the work of artist Sandra Shelton Markwalder.
(Sandy M)
Love Note on The Mark "stationery"
created by Ooh La Frou Frou

The small illustrations of the
Frederic Fakaii Salon at The Mark and
people with shopping bags are via The Mark Hotel.

Photo Sources:
1. The Mark Lobby and Coffee Cup
2. Mark Restaurant/Bar
3. Girl with Flirty Skirt in Park
4. Flirty Shoes
5. Flirty Hair
6.  Three Men with The Stare: Men A B C
7.  Three Women with The Stare: Women A B C
8. The Mark Elevator
9. Chanel #5
10. Girl with Pink Lips (edited by Ooh La Frou Frou)
11. Girl in Front of Mirror
12.  Champagne Toast
13. Brooklyn Bridge View
14. Boat on Water NY
15. Elizabeth Taylor

You may purchase the
Ooh La Frou Frou Collection cards
here.


32 comments:

JanandJill.com said...

OOoh the Grand Mark Hotel looks amazing and like the perfect place to flirt. hehe, I love the tips though for flirty strappy heels and the outfit with the skirt is amazing, Love it. Hope you had a great weekend.

xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.net/

Vannessa@Luxuria said...

Wow Sandy! Those images of the male "eye-candy" certainly heated up my breakfast reading!
What should Sunny do? Go for it of course! Your girls are sexy and sassy and not frightened of taking a calculated risk ;-)
Happy week Sandy xx

Unknown said...

Hi Sandy,

The Mark Hotel is worth booking into!

I agree with Vanessa, the male models look so dreamy :)

Have a wonderful week and be safe! :)

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Dale: Hi Dale, thanks for stopping by the blog this week! I thought it would be fun to look in on a romantic dilemma for Sunny ... a "should she or shouldn't she run off the handsome stranger" kind of dilemma we all sometimes have faced! Thanks, I love the images with the skirt and fabulous shoes too! xoxo

Vanessa @ Van Luxuria: LOL! You're right, Vanessa, nothing like heating up the computer screen with faces like those, right? We've got your vote down for Sunny to go with the handsome stranger! Have a fabulous week, sweets! xoxo

Anonymous said...

One of my favourite posts, ever! I swear my heart skipped a beat or three staring back at The Stares. Squeal, giggle, melt. And the yacht? Yes! And there's even a beautiful Celine bag for an accessories fan like me. Perfect, thank you! Happy Halloween!

amy b.s. said...

oh my gosh that flooring! amazing photos.

Layers and Layers said...

Well I know where I'm going the next time I'm in New York. Lovely look at total fabulousness. le sigh. the video for the "Mark" was so cute.

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Raicreations: Don't you just love the striking black and white striped marble floor? And then to have a driver for the day ... wow. Glad you enjoyed the post, love, thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful month ahead! xo

Cafe Bellini: SO LOVE that you love this post ... and those stares definitely get the message across, no? ;) So glad you could stop by, darling ... always a pleasure! xo

amy b.s.: I agree .. could there be a more striking floor ... I think non! Thanks for stopping by for the Ooh La Frou Frou fun this week, sweetie! xo

Layers and Layers: Hi Sharon! Yes, I think The Mark is gorgeous for all to look at but for an interior designer ... even more so! I adore that little film too, it's the cutest ... especially the little dog barking and people with their shopping bags going in and out! Thanks for stopping by to see me, love. xo

Unknown said...

Sandy, this was my favorite post of yours yet--I just love a good story to hook me--everyone needs a little dose of romance on 'reality' Monday! I love it all, just don't know about getting into a stranger's car...this is the day of serial killers, lol--but that's probably just Halloween talking!

Have a spooktacular celebration tonight!

xoxo Mary Jo

Maria said...

Dear Sandy, you are great and getting greater!
I think Sunny should go, I would!

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Mary Jo: Love that I've heard "my favorite post yet" more than once already ... shows that I'm not the only hopeless romantic in the house! So glad you enjoyed Sunny's romantic dilemma. Yes, I know, in reality it would be a little bit scary to get into the car of someone you don't know ... but so tempting to do so, hence the dilemma! I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone would do! Hope you have a lovely Halloween, darling. xo

Maria: Hi love! Okay, I've got your vote down as "Go Sunny Go!" This is an awful lot of fun for me as well .. so glad you enjoyed Sunny's romantic adventure! Have a lovely week! xo

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Sandy what a gorgeous post!!! I love the Mark! You always write about the best places. I've never stayed but have spent a lot of time there and it is positively dreamy!

Love the flirty post because I'm a flirt at heart :)

Happy Halloween, lovely! xoxo

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

The Alternative Wife: I would have guessed that you're a flirt and romantic at heart ... it's apparent from your flirty, lovely posts! So glad you enjoyed Sunny's little romantic adventure, darling. So would you advise her to go with the handsome stranger? hmmmmmm ... ;) xoxo

JanandJill.com said...

Thanks Sandy, great comments. This is like a little modern day fairytale post

Anonymous said...

Well Miss Sunny,
Slowly does it!
Send back a reply,
" meet you for dinner at the hotel".
Get to know him first.
Chelsi

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Dale: That's exactly what it is, darling, exactly! ;) xoxo

Chelsi: Oooh, you're being the wise one with sage advice for our girl Sunny. It WOULD be rather scary to get into a car and be whisked off when you really didn't know the person at all (except for the fact that he was delicious-looking, of course!) I'll make a note of your vote and it will be mentioned in the next post .. thanks sweets! ;) xo

SoapyMermaid said...

it is a bit scary to accept a stranger's invitation but it is so exciting. sunny definitely cannot refuse! we want to know more about this handsome young man! ^^

soniadaigle said...

Such an exciting and glamorous post...
Life is short and I would not wanted to miss out on a beautiful romantic soiree that could lead to something magical for Sunny!
Enjoy and live,laugh,love xo

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Soapy Mermaid: Hi darling! You're right ... it's a combination of a little scary and very exciting and hence the dilemma. nd I agree ... there's nothing quite like a good love story and it leaves us feeling as if we want more ... stay tuned! xo

Pink.Deco: Hello Lovey! Thanks so much for giving us your vote and I've got you down as saying "go Sunny go!" It would be difficult to know whether to go with your heart or your mind in this circumstance ... I wonder what Sunny will end up doing? Guess we'll have to wait and see! ... ;) xo

Elle Sees said...

Hi! I noticed you deleted me, so I wanted to stop by and make sure I checked out your blog. delightful story and pics.

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Hi Elle ~ Thank you so much for stopping by and welcome to Ooh La Frou Frou! You're right, I did a little clean up on Twitter ~ keeping, of course, the people that chat with me and that have shown interest in a glamorous card line and its blog and you reacted in exactly the way I would hope someone would that is interested .. so thanks and I'll come see you too! Just followed you back, darling! xo

Christina Perraki said...

Hello Sandy!
Oh how I love grand flirts! My favourite part is the stare and the smile. Eyes cannot lie. Sunny should go. Just let her girlfriends know what she's up to.
Christina
http://www.fauxbilicious.blogspot.com

Julie Khuu | Haute Khuuture said...

INCREDIBLE post! Had me wishing I was fabulous Miss Sunny for a moment there...the gorgeous glam flooring, that sexy little lift...aaahhhhh a girl can dream and you sure do an excellent job of whisking us away!

Thank you for visiting my blog, hope to see you back soon!

xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!

www.HauteKhuuture.com

Unknown said...

What a fun and flirty post indeed! Sandy you captured all the elements need for a sassy, fashionable and fabulous experience. The gentlemen were dreamy, great choices darling!
xoxo

kristina@beancakes ★ said...

hi sandy! wow that was a romantic story!! that marble floor is just fabulous and how awesome is the complimentary car + driver?? okay ~ i want to be sunny!!
xx ~ kristina

Margarita Bloom said...

Oooh, how I loved this post Sandy..one of my favorite songs...le sigh...listened to it twice. :) fabulous eye candy...ooh, la, la indeed. *wink*

The Grand Flirt...what a wonderful idea! Sounds like one of our many beauty potions... we glam gals do think alike don't we?

I can't wait to hear what Sunny decides!!!

classiq said...

Sandy, your story telling has hooked me. Those black and white floors are insanely beautiful. You know glamour. Getting in the car with a total stranger, hmm, i don't know about that. Why not a dinner date instead? But I guess it wouldn't be just as adventurous. :) Hope you're having a beautiful week!
Ada

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Christina: Thanks for your vote Christina! Such a fun dilemma to have, no? The story goes a little further in the next post on Monday ;)

Julie Khuu: Julie, thanks so much for the compliment on my being able to whisk readers away ... makes me happy, as that's precisely what I hope happens at Ooh La Frou Frou, whether with the card line or the blog. ;) xo (the story continues a little further Monday)

Fashionista622: Glad you enjoyed a little step into Sunny's world, darling. So fun to slip on the glamorous shoes of even an illustrated girl and live the fantasy for a while! ;) Thank you. The love story continues next week!

Kristina@Beancakes: Haha -- me too! I know, the car and driver are just the cherry on top of a beautiful hotel, aren't they?! So glad you could stop by .. the love story continues a little further Monday.

Margarita Bloom: Haha ~ you're right, it WOULD be a good name for one of your potions! So glad you enjoyed the post and the eye candy ... the story continues next week! XO

Classiq: Thanks so very much, sweetie, for the compliments. Yes, it's really a bit of a dilemma --- tempting scenario but could you do it? Check back next week to see the direction the story goes ... ;) xo

Unknown said...

Nice blog! ;-)
I invite you to see my blog, and if you like it, you could follow me! i 'll do the same!
kisses
Miriamstella

is fashion my Passion? the MiriamStella's Blog

Georgianna said...

Your posts are better than a movie! You really create incredible stories – thank you so much for sharing them!

And thanks again for visiting ParisByTwo. We've been away but are home now and catching up.

Have a wonderful new week. A Bientôt! – g

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Miriam Stella: Thank you, I'll drop by! xo

Georgianna: What a lovely compliment, darling ... better than a movie ... love it. So glad that you're back ... I'll be right over! xoxo

Glitterista said...

What a cliffhanger! I simply could not imagine passing up such an intriguing invite--while making sure friends knew where I was etc. ;)