Ateliers & French Linen

Inspiration was how i'd describe today. My day has burst at the seams with creativity and my cup is definitely full. Wow. We spent the day trawling the Ateliers and found some seriously creative people. My head is buzzing with ideas. Artists, up cyclers, re-done vintage clothing, ceramicists, recycled industrial anything, etc etc ... I tried on a gorgeous leather coat, which had been silk screened - it was just so unique, but way out of my price range. Can you believe it, for something that is second hand. But it was a piece of originality. As we walked I spotted various trade marks of the infamous street artist (that should read graffiti artist) 'Space Invader' al la 'exit through the gift shop'. A Paris blog suggests doing a tour specifically to spot street art, so we did a bit of a combo of our own and what fun when you come across a little something. After today I cannot wait to put my 'up cycling' ideas into action. I came across a set of twelve vintage Napkins that I couldn't resist. If you're a lover of a blue & white scheme, these are for you. Hand made & linen. We grabbed a seeded baguette whilst we walked the streets, had a glass of wine on Rue Monteguile, bought roasted red peppers, courgette balls, & Dolmades for supper, before going off at 8pm to walk the Champs Élysées. We missed 'Musee d'Orsay today, but there's always tomorrow ...

Paris Design Expo

We're on the under ground on our way to a Design Expo. A Busker is playing the Clarinet right next to me - perfect. So many people use cycling as their main mode of transport and I can see why. The underground is so dirty with beggars on every corner, each with man's best friend. The Parisians really do love their dogs. The poverty here is noticeable every where, contrasted with the designer boutiques, it is very sad, the other side of life in Paris We just walked to a Vide Grenier, specifically selling 1950's items, which I love. The sellers were far too sophisticated to catch a bargain, so we leave empty handed as prices are high. Then onto a Paris Design Expo to see the latest in home fashions. I don't think I've ever attended something quite so huge. It was way too big to take everything in, but we found some interesting ideas and French Marseille soap for Simply Sam. Because it stays light until 10pm, we made the most of the beautiful evening with a walk to see the majesty of the Sacre Coeur in all it's glory. Paris would not be Paris without a gentle stroll around Monmarte. As contrived as it is, I can still sit there and imagine Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec walking through the cobbled streets. So we walked for nearly ten hours today. It's 10.45pm. We've only just eaten supper. A simple meal of 'Nids Larges Pates d'Alsace' (pasta nests). with the most delicious Creme Fraiche and Pesto. A 2008 Chateau la Voie and cheese platter to compliment the main, and let me not forget the Cote D'or chocolate and cafe Creme to finish. What a lovely end to the day. It's almost midnight. How on earth will I wake up early tomorrow...

The French Way

Socialised dogs, baguettes and people who arrive with their piano on a set of wheels who then sit and play in the middle of the Rue are just part and parcel of French life...
As I write i'm sitting at Cafe le Grille Montorguile on Rue Montorguile, sipping 'Leffe' - French beer. It's 7.30pm, still day light, a dog rests his head on the table next to me. People are streaming past on their way to who knows where. A man arrives, with his piano, pushed through the streets on a set of wheels, that he pushes away and proceeds to play, like a Maestro, literally in front of where we are seated. We're in Paris, would you expect anything less. Yesterday we had the privillege of listening to a pseudo Eva Peron. Could life get better than this.

Today we had a rest from scouring antiques. Instead we headed straight for the Louvre. En route we popped in at Astier de Villatte which is a stunning atelier known for their unusual ceramics, based mainly on the designs of vintage pottery. I couldn't help thinking of Mud, which I stock at Simply Sam Trading, and Mick Haige from our own Fort Nottingham. In fact I showed photos of Mick's stock to the assistant who wrote down Mick's web address. I'd gone there especially to treat myself to a ceramic playing card, until I saw they are made in Germany - just didn't feel right to be buying German when I'm in France. Instead I treated myself to a funky pair of reading glasses from pylones.com - editeur d'objets a Paris.
The Louvre was stunning. Winding our way back we happened upon the red light district. I wondered why there were so many under dressed ladies. Surprisingly not all young and lovely.
Tomorrow first a vide Grenieder (which could take a while) and then Musee d'Orsay to view my favourite artist Modigliani.
The wine is flowing, and the music plays on. Time to enjoy the foie gras, and Moelleux au chocolat coulant creme anglais

Brocante at 'the fleas' Porte de Clingancourt

A bottle of Cotes du Rhone, a cheese board and selection of olives, all French of course, to wind down what has been a most amazing start to our eight day trip in the romantic city.  Our first stop this morning was to the local Boulangerie for a baguette - goats cheese rounds with pesto and salad. We then walked ourselves senseless, with a fleeting visit to Notradame (with a promise to visit on a quieter day), enjoyed buskers on the bridge across the river Seine, peeked into stunning Ateliers along the way to our planned destination "La Puce". I'll be the first to admit that, with our Rand exchange rate, one can't easily find a bargain when buying in Paris, but what you do find is a huge range of once off 'magnifique' items. We happened upon a double story warehouse with a collection of object d'art that made me shake with delight. It was a true 'Alice in Wonderland' experience. A designer with an eye for the truly unusual had put these pieces together and I'm sure interior designers literally buy the whole concept. At another space the interior of an old plane was for sale. My mind boggled when I conjured up a design for a little boys play area ... There was so much to take in so a well earned stop to a restaurant for their  'plat du jour' was in order. This romantic interlude was interrupted later by a shocking incident when we witnessed a young couple being subjected to a bag snatching which involved a couple of 'hoodies' spraying tear gas, before making off with a hand bag, which we later learned contained  their passport.   After landing this morning at 6am we decided to make a leisurely path back 'home' for an early evening. We,ve realised our "little" 17th century apartment is probably worth R10.Mil and it is only 50sqm.  We spotted a 5sqm 'chamber' in the window of a local agent for R400,000 (the siza of my daughter's bedroom) - let us appreciate how really lucky we are in South Africa. Tomorrow we'll celebrate Mass at St Catherine a little chapel where the Virgin Mary appeared and many miracles have been granted since (We'll be asking for special graces for your cousin Missy and my Mum), before heading off to scout the Brocantes in search of that elusive bargain. It's now raining in Paris and life is just perfect ...

We have a plane to catch

... and so it was that the visa was granted in less than 48 hours and so we're off to board a plane for Paris. Bon voyage

The First Leg of our Journey ...

Life doesn't always go to plan, with some issues being worse than others. Like yesterday. I sneak out of the office to have breakfast with a friend. In passing we chat briefly about visas. On my return to the office I mention the conversation to my hubby. I see something is amiss by the look on his face which, by this stage, has gone ashen. My Shengen Visa he says. We fly in less than 48 hours and the man tells me he's forgotten his Visa - what? French Embassy is not answering their phone, not even their emergency line. Every avenue seems closed to us. We have paid for flights, accommodation ... but some where out there it seems God may answers our prayers...

We're off to Paris ...

I'm counting down the days as we plan our buying trip to Paris ...

I can hardly contain my excitement at our forth coming trip to Il France, Paris. Our tickets are booked and so is our accommodation. All that's needed now is to pack a few things in a small suitcase and put this suitcase into a huge empty one, so I have space to bring back all those lovely vintage goodies.

When deciding where to stay, because Paris is such a huge city, you need to plot the markets you plan to visit on a map and make your decision from there. We have chosen to stay in an apartment, mainly to cut the high costs of hotels, but also because we wanted a truly French experience, and to see how the Parisians really live. Some of the apartments leave little space for your suitcase, they are so small, but that said, one could get some wonderful space saving ideas.

Our apartment is moments from Le Louvre and the river Seine. We have a whopping fifty square meters in a 17th Century building and a real bed. I say that because I noticed when looking, that many apartments have sofa beds or 'cupboard' beds, where the bed actually folds away in the day time into a cupboard. I've checked we have a proper shower too, as i've also heard some showers are almost over the toilet, making for a bit of a tight squeeze.

My husband bought 'Paris: Made by Hand' by Pia Jan Bijkerk which contains fifty shops where decorators, designers and stylists source their chic and unique items. Its a travel guide of a different kind, and I have already started to plot my favourite choices to ensure we don't miss a single thing.



Follow me on my journey and I'll fill you in on all the lovely places, antiques, food etc...