My gift guides got a little waylaid by last minute holiday shopping and traveling so I'm going to see how many more I can get in before the big day. Maybe they will help the last minute shoppers out there. As I mentioned before, I wanted each guide to be themed around a book and this time it's Marie-Antoinette and the Last Garden at Versailles. The photos by Francois Halard are amazing! (To see them click here.) I think it is one my favorite books of this year and instead of buying your friend or loved one just one book, why not make it a special by including a few others.
Marie-Antoinette: The Journey is the bestselling biography of the doomed Queen by Antonia Fraser that dispels the myths and legends without boring the reader to tears. I think it would a great companion gift to the beautiful photos from The Last Garden of Versailles.
Look at the photos, read the story and then see them both come to life in Marie Antoinette the movie. Sophia Coppola was inspired by Antoinia Fraser's book and the lavish costumes and stunning scenery definitely make it a perfect stocking stuffer.
Another fun book to wrap up with the rest if the Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber. It examines how fashion played a role in not only her life but also her death. And what girl doesn't want to read about fabulous frocks!
You may not be able to dress like Marie-Antoinette but you can burn a candle made by a company that used to supply Versailles. The Cire Trudon Trianon Candle is an homage to Marie Antoinette so when you burn it, you can also pretend that you living a simple country life!
If you are looking for something more dramatic, you can always buy the bust candle of Marie-Antoinette by Cire Trudon but for $85 I probably wouldn't want to burn it.
I think once you've done your homework and read all the books and watched the movie, a trip to Versailles is in order. That way you can see the Queen's actual bed chamber above and the bust that inspired the candle.
Of course, you will stay in Paris so while there, make sure you stop in for some macaroons at Laduree. They are divinely delicious and worth the calories and will make you feel like a queen.
