it’s not easy being fabulous
not for me, anyway! i don’t know what it is about city life but whether it’s new york or paris, it’s on as soon as you step out the door. i wish i were one of those women who looks put together all the time but truth is it’s a lot of work just to get by in paris!
being home for the past day has been a real recalibration that was not a nano too soon! it took 2 trips to the beach and 3 showers but i’m finally unwinding.
this is an old photo but it reminds me of the cross between my two lives and how they complement each other. paris and miami couldn’t be more polar opposite and i love both so much.
the good news is that i don’t have to think about fashion, except what bathing suit to wear
in 24 hours all has changed, and this is my champs-elysées
and the infinite world of detail has given way to a different kind of infinity
now just zoning out and trying to slide in between the two worlds. the sound of french accordion music in the metro has been replaced by the buena vista social club, and watching the sun go down will be on lincoln road instead of from my parisian balcony on rue des ecoles.
the best part is knowing that paris is not very far, and all happening right now, there for the taking whenever you’re ready to go! i’ll be going in august and/or september. you know i want you to come too!
ps: just found these great resources for next time!
au revoir paris, à la prochaine
well, c’est tout! 3 weeks and a lifetime of experiences.
this last day was filled with a wild cast of characters with just about every personality imaginable. it was a long road and a trip i won’t soon forget.
now it’s off to bed, i’ve had my fill of pretty things and will leave tomorrow with a new outlook. next time i come to paris i’ll be sure to make time to savor the treasures of this wonderland.
i can’t really get into it now cause i have to pack but i’ll share my thoughts on it all soon.
right now i have a slight sense of ennui tonight so will bid you adieu.
i never knew the charm of spring
i’m going to miss these hearty morning breakfasts in the sunshine. i don’t think i could eat this much bread and this many croissants anywhere else in the world and not be rotund by now. tomorrow’s my last full day in paris and it’s going to be jam packed from the crack of dawn till sunset. it’s hard to believe it went so fast.
today was long hard work but we made some major moves! running around at clingancourt proved to be an all day endeavor. it was the first time i’ve ever covered the entire marked in one fell swoop and it took a good 8 hours. my clients had incredible taste and were sure about what they wanted which made all the difference.
among other treasures they got these chairs but this picture doesn’t come close to doing them justice (they’re chartreuse mohair with an incredible patina).
this chandelier was too tall but we fell in love with the amber and turquoise beads circa 1920.
we scored great beds in the way back where no one dares to go…
and found hand carved pieces throughout this incredible market. quel candy store it is! this is just a sampler, i didn’t take a lot of shots cause i was mostly running around like a nut, but you get the drift.
tomorrow a travel and leisure writer is coming to trail us and anthony is shooting the gala as we’re meeting with toma and, well, it’s going to be another major soiree!
there’s still so much to see and do and experience here in paris, i really want to hit this last exposition but don’t know if it will happen. we’re headed to vanves and then to some local brocantes in the 12e and 16e for starters. i’d love to have this sconce for myself.
if i have an ounce of energy left tomorrow i’ll recap our day, but it’s supposed to rain and i have a feeling i’m going to need all my strength to push it one more time. if i don’t pass out now there’s no telling what will become of me. so more tomorrow and hope all is well on your end. i’ll be stateside by monday night, so for now à bientôt!
one thing leads to another
allo everybody!
you know how it is…you start out doing one little thing and end up in another universe! i was researching the passages of paris and came across some wonderful sites and took a not so little tour through them this morning. i couldn’t have brought you on a better trip myself so if you have a minute, go inside with french icon ines de la fressange.
she’s somehow involved with roger viver (you can see it all here), iconic shoe designer and she’s the opener on his site. needless to say i got pulled into a gorgeous vacuum but have to get out and about now.
to read more about him and his legacy, visit adrian:
adrianasassoon.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/roger-vivier
lespassantsdavril.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
she was apparently not theh only one who was inspired by his work. this artist did some adorable sketches.
ok, well back to my work, i have new clients in town who are looking for all sorts of things including beds (which i love to source). i found this one last weekend and wouldn’t mind having it for myself.
some people would tear off the upholstery but i just adore it! it’s almost like crewel work up close. if it’s still there i’ll take a detail shot.
ok i’m off now! tonite i’m meeting the antiques diva at the hotel costes cause we’ll be visiting some brocantes over the weekend together and what better place to make our plans over truffle mac and cheese?
these great shots came from flickr by tg81 (not sure how she shot these cause it’s impossible to capture, i’ve tried so many times to no avail)! anyway if you haven’t been there, put it on the to do list next time you’re in town.
for now, bon journee and more to come!
no
a long day’s journey into night
hi toute le monde! it feels like it’s been awhile since i’ve been able to sit and blog and in fact it meant missing dinner tonite to work on it and all my other techno stuff. i’ve had quite to bit to eat anyway so missing a meal is probably a pretty good thing, actually.
it’s been a hectic trip with almost every minute scheduled and lots of moving around. today we bid farewell to another apartment fantastique and moved down the rue to another enchanting beauty. the apartment we left is rarely empty but if you’re a st. germain fan, you can not beat it for location and atmosphere. oh, and charm, technology, decor and all the trimmings!
haveninparis.com/rental/stgermainluxe
www.haveninparis.com/rental/ecoles
our new flat was a complete surprise. i had seen photos on the site but was not even close to prepared for what was behind this door.
it’s a corner unit with a balcony and completely surrounded by windows.
it’s open and bright with pretty furniture and fabrics.
of course it’s also tres charmant and as all haven’s apartments, it’s got a washer and dryer, free phone to the u.s. and wifi that actually works.
oh, and of course tons of great artwork and books and movies, and have i gone on about this company enough? i’m a convert!
i guess what blew both gen and me away was the view ultimately. we can see sacré-coeur, notre dame,
and the moyen age ruins being excavated and restored just below. truly an incredible spectacle that brought me back to my roots. the reason i came to france and paris so long ago was as a volunteer on archaeological expeditions with volunteers for peace. looking down at it made me long for those days. i have been craving something lately, a change in my life that focuses on the planet.
as i strolled around the new hood i started to notice the little things that paris is doing to make itself more green. this may not be the most attractive option but it’s a way for everyone to be able to recycle. not all buildings have recycling separation so conscientious consumers can toss it here.
there are a couple of bio (organic) places popping up
and some of the street cleaning is done by hand as opposed to giant machines. i mean of course they have them but man power is still going strong.
anyway, i’ve been up and down every possible arrondisement, meeting today with a great couple from clickappart.com
and finishing touches in montmartre with jean on her apartment.
up in that area i found the love wall
got the goods
and stopped at one of my favorite perfume shops. i’ll fill in all the details later but it’s getting pretty late and of course i insanely scheduled and early meeting.
a quick shout out to fifi for her lovely paintings of some of my shots this week!
and a congrats to my guy for his mention in the times. he’s importing a pasta that’s been a bit of a secret at hotels and restaurants but is now in some stores like fresh direct. it’s fresh from italy and is organic, best of all it’s a little purse filled with 4 cheeses and pear. absolument to die for and completely addictive!
ok, i could go on and on and on with pics and events and areas and stores and windows and the photo shoots and all that happens in one afternoon! ok one more! i wish i could do this one day for a minute! maybe friday…for now bon nuit!
and you don’t stop
(a little shout to all my wu tang clan fans)!
hi guys, i hope you’re in full spring swing and are enjoying every minute of it! this is just a quickie post as i’m off to meet erica for dinner and a little brainstorming. i just got my ticket to spend all next month in nyc. i’m not used to city life anymore and this non stop action is like woah! i’m almost worn out but will carry on, more soon! xoc
wistful thoughts on wisteria lane
hello dear friends. it was a bleak and rainy day for the most part.
i spent a lot of it thinking about my uncle who passed away and was buried today.
when the sun came out in the early afternoon everything seemed to change and the colors came back
and the scents, and the feelings.
goodbye uncle george, you will be missed and i’ll think of you often.
and see you everywhere. bon nuit~
on the other hand
allo all! after a long day, we’re about to have a long night! we moved over to a new neighborhood and it and the new lair are as completely opposite from the last one as can be. the hood is beyond lively, as it’s the heart and soul of st. germain. the new apartment is 400 year old open and majestic aerie with enormous windows overlooking all the action but incredibly quiet. this is just another of the incredible collection of places put together by the inimitable erica of haven in paris. she’s really becoming my superhero.
www.haveninparis.com/rental/stgermainluxe.php
the beams that look like they’ve been here forever and the furniture and curtains are all finished in patrica guild fabrics another testament to the attention to detail of erica and the owners is in everything from the state of the art kitchen and electronics to the silky cotton embroidered bedding.
genevieve called the room with the major view but it’s all good, there’s really not a spot in the place that’s not astounding! we’re about to go out and taste a little saturday night life and enjoy it all.
real quick we did hit the flea today with jean and found some fabu pieces for her apartment in the 7eme. i fell in love with these old coral sconces with beads made of wood.
of course i could furnish an entire building with what i fell in love with. but as i’ve complained, taking pics can be more of a hassle than it’s worth. there’s no sound more beautiful than the french language unless it’s a woman screaming at you!
anyway i tried to be slick with my camera but really haven’t mastered it. still, i know you appreciate my efforts and am going back tomorrow and promise to try to do better!
finally, i got a really surprising email from caroline taylor the other day, a writer for the financial times. she wrote a fascinating article on the the power of blogs and let me know that she included this one in her top pics! if you get a chance to pick up the FT today, it’s an incredible read. what blogs have become is nothing short of revolutionary!
the writers she interviews are breaking stereotypes and making real livings, bringing together communities and changing the face of publishing. she mentions places you can list your blog to get more exposure and tomorrow i’ll list some of her highlights. (gen’s restless)! it was inspiring cause if you have a blog you can really reach for the stars if you’re motivated. so keep on keeping on, blogs are the future and the future is now! bon nuit!
i got so attached
to this apartment on rue rameau! it’s been everything i could ever want in an apartment and a home. if you’re ever coming to paris and want to stay in a magnificent 2 bedroom, this has got to be one of the best in the city. and to think i have to leave it in the morning, i’m heartbroken!
well luckily there’s always something to look forward to and i’ll be headed back to st. germain so that should be fun.
waiting for genevieve today (she’s here)! gave me another free day of cruising around. i passed by one of my favorite places, the national archives, aka l’hôtel de soubise.
there was an exhibition on the history of france and it’s also the place where lots of the marie antoinette film was shot so i couldn’t resist a look. as usual, there were nooks and crannies i’d never seen. i’ve been to the apartments of the prince and princess but had never seen this little salon jewel.
i love the details in these rooms! like you could eat the icing right off the cake!
i think that’s my number one fascination with paris apartments, the architectural details. it’s so much fun to live with that sort of eye candy. of course you can bring it home by adding crown moldings and trims to doors and windows.
i tried to take lots of detail shots, cause even a tiny bit adds so much character to a room. these are pretty complicated but you have to have the fanatics go wild and then you can take it down a notch.
i hope you’ll forgive my horrible video skills, i have a flip but have zero talent with it so far. trying to hide it while i shot didn’t help, but i thought you might enjoy a tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmb1aFfIro
afterward i stopped at BHV to pick up some things and dropped by the hardware section. just using a few of these pieces can give a room an authentic frenchy feel. it’s so about the doors and window hardware and trim!
these locks are a sure fire way to jazz up a window.
anyway i have to go cause gen wants to go out and we have to pack up for an early am at the flea. i’ll shoot some footage there, hopefully that will be better. and here’s one more for my grafitti lovers! sorry to rush but she’s waiting! xoc
going nowhere fast
bonjour gang! hope you’re well and things are going your way. if not, hop on a plane and get over here toute de suite! it was my first day to just stroll around paris with no agenda.
i could have gone to a museum but really just wanted to wander. guess i had a tiny plan subconsciously cause i ended up at some of my favorite haunts looking for books and drawings.
there’s always something incredible tucked in a folder that no one seems to care is a hundred years old.
everything is old here so i guess it’s just de rigeur to the locals. i love to imagine the city as it was, when it was all brand new. well parts were new. funny how the faces of the people seem the same.
i’m normally only on the seine when crossing banks so it was fun to take it all in. the vendors are really uptight about taking photos so i didn’t even bother since i am tired of being yelled at.
but it was fun to wander aimlessly, there are lots of details i miss in a rush. tomorrow two more guests are coming so it will be back to a high energy daily vie.
j’adore french grafitti and it’s easy to miss.
anyway i didn’t score anything better than my treasures from the flea the other day. just kept an eye out for details and sunshine.
oh, and second hand shops. one of my clients is looking for vintage goodies so i needed to check my sources.
anyway since you enjoyed the sketches from the flea i thought you may like to see some more detail. i personally can’t stop looking at them!
there are still a few more there, i’m debating whether to get the rest and put together a little book on chairs cause every style is represented.
to think they can be gone with one swipe of an eraser. it’s hard to believe someone could draw this precisely. but then i can’t draw a thing so this amazes me.
ok well, it’s now 2am and genvieve arrives at 7am so i best hit the hay or i’ll be useless à demain. à bientôt! ps i know i’m making up my own language half the time so please don’t be offended if you’re french :)
