Springtime in Paris

I literally wrote “Sprintemps” in the title before correcting it to “Springtime”. I think my franglais has gotten a little out of hand. But that isn’t the subject of this post. Or is it….

If you listen closely in the beginning of Springtime in Paris, you can almost hear a collective sigh.. Aaaaaaaaahhhh! The light comes back and we all feel a release of pressure as we emerge from under the gray skies.

I wanted to illustrate Paris this Spring; not that it needs doing… for Pete’s sake, every blogger and their brother is posting pretty blossoming photos of Paris these days. But really, it cannot be helped when you live here. This isn’t to say that living in Paris is all cherry blossoms and pink sunsets…far from it. Paris also includes in the package : tired legs, aching feet, angry fellow metro passengers, (enjoy this funny parody about an “incident” on the metro), pushy people on buses, pushy people everywhere, umbrella wars when in rains, unreliable transportation, interminable lines at any public service office, insurmountable amounts of paperwork in order to get anything done… oh people, I could go on for at least 100 more of these… but that’s not the purpose of this blog post. Or is it….

Paris Love Locks : Photo Essay

The Paris love-locks… I know, I know. We have all discussed, photographed and blogged the death out of these little objects… They have a turbulent existence it would seem… All these declarations of passion, desire and commitment have become cumbersome to the city of Paris, but no one wants to discard them.

In a recent article in the Marianne magazine (a leftist French publication) there was an article about these locks and the weight they pull (and place) in the very heart of the city of lights, the city of love.

Little Paris Tips

I have a few fun updates about some things I love in Paris :

I posted about this bubbly brand back in 2012, but did you know that Mon Champagne now delivers, in Paris, in less than three hours?!? I mean we all know how bad a champagne emergency is, right?!?!? LOL! Okay, all kidding aside, who wants to lug six bottles of champagne home in a caddie on the metro? Pas moi. Plus the delivery guys (on bicycles = they are in shape) are claimed to be hot! Hmmmm… this could be a new way to meet a French man for you single ladies out there!

Aaaand, EVEN MORE EXCITING is the Champagne Box. My friends over there are crowd funding to launch the product so hop on board and offer Mon Champagne your support. This is going to be awesome when it launches. Plus for your contribution, you can have cool stuff! http://kisskissbankbank.com/champagne-box You have until the 14th of May to participate!

 

The Carreau du Temple, that I fell in love with last year, is now having it’s grand opening (they seem to have had a few non-grand openings, but this one seems to be the big one). April 25-27th. The event is a weekend surrounding the body with : music, dance, “voguing”, fashion, design, shows, martial arts … and more.

Priceless Paris continues to launch and relaunch seasons of exciting adventures in Paris. Here is the access to the current season of their partnership with MasterCard …

I blogged about a darling little café quiiiiiite some time ago. Le Village café in the 10th, now has an online boutique. Thought I would share that with you all.

 

 

In Love With An Iron Lady

I have been in Paris for over 11 years now. Wow. It seems so long to me.

And no matter how many times I go to see the Eiffel Tower, I always always take a picture of her. She is beautiful. Weather it is against a grey cloud-cast sky, or dazzling beneath a vibrant evening blue hue, she is the star of this city, and everyone who comes her heads to her feet to pay hommage in the best way we modern humans know how : by taking her picture.

One day in February, as I was treating myself to a stroll around her gardens, I though how interesting it was to see the intense concentration on people’s faces as they captured her image. They were trance-like almost.

Some Things Never Change : 19th Century Parisian Activities

Expo : Les Parisiens de Daumier.
Until March 4th… HURRY!
3€ Entry.

Galerie du Crédit Municipal de Paris

55, rue des Francs-Bourgeois – 75004 Paris.

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm – Closed Sundays

I first heard about this expo via the blog Paris, Maman et Moi. Being a 19th century French literature fan (I have the entire collection of Balzac – and FYI, some editions of Balzac’s works were illustrated by Daumier) I knew this was right up my alley. So instead of waiting in line for the Brassaï expo (just like in Sheily’s post linked above), I headed over to see these wonderful drawings of what Parisian life was like in the 1800’s.

You could say that Daumier, who’s work is the entirety of the exposition, was what we would consider a lifestyle/humorist blogger today. Each drawing (there were dozens and dozens of them) mocked, exaggerated or poked fun at a certain “type” of Parisian, in different situations of social life back 150-200 years ago.

Pretty Paris Pictures – Reflections

January always begins with new resolutions, or renewed goals, for many. I am not always keen on making resolutions, but I do like to reflect on the year that has passed, and the year that has just begun. I like to imagine my plans and goals, and visualize myself meeting them.

This brought me to thinking about illustrating that process of thought… And what better way than with my trusty camera and my muse : Paris.

Enjoy!

(Comment below to let me know which one you like best!)

 

 

Girls Guide to Paris party

Gathering a slew of Paris bloggers and personalities for a coupe or two of bubbly at a fashion boutique on the Faubourg Saint Honoré,  seemed like a fabulous idea to me. Sign me up!

Towards the end of November Girls Guide to Paris threw a cocktail party at the Michael Kors boutique on the Faubourg Saint Honoré to promote their GO Card wich gives you exclusive access and discounts around Paris….what a fabulous place to have a coupe and mingle with other expats, bloggers and fashion people…

Why Visit Paris in December

Post by Jenny Bailey

winter postcard via flickr by giulia van pelt

From the glistening of Christmas lights to the city’s silver white winters, there’s no denying that December is one of the best times of year to visit Paris.
So whether you’re keen to step out into the crisp wintry air, or you’d rather stay snug indoors, here’s what’s going on in and around the capital to help you make the most of your voyage en ville.

A Wonderful Time seeking Coco Chanel

I was invited to join a fun and delightful tour with a new company called Wonderful Time. They were in the final stages of testing their tours, and asked me to join a group (thanks to Pamela of francophilia who put me in touch with them, and who joined me on the tour) for a tour of Coco. THE Coco.

Serge Lutens at Le Printemps

Serge Lutens team invited me in September to the opening of their new space in the Printemps Haussmann department store. I am always eager to attend the Serge Lutens events, merely because I am totally in love with his work!
The theme of the evening was the quintessential scents of Serge Lutens. There are three : Serge noir, Datura Noir & Vitriol d’Oeillet. Perhaps we should describe these three at the holy trinity of Serge’s creations. For him they embody the essence of his work.