And Here's What I Bought in Paris

A huge flower made from thick, soft, crinkly paper and

when I say huge I mean HUGE.

This is how the French present something. So beautiful you don't want to take it out but

 inside is a fabulous fabric flower bracelet.

2 gorgeous grey linen pillow cases for my bed

and 2 pearlised leather and linen cushion covers for my sofa

Lastly a pair of reading glasses that won't fall apart like all the others I have bought in the past.

An Afternoon Around Opera in Paris

Last Saturday I returned to Paris to visit the Grand Magasins as they call their department stores. I was more than a little disappointed as the area seemed a little dull. No wonderful shop windows to lick. Everything seemed to be very low key, trying not to attract attention. I'm not sure if this is the result of the terrorism that has unfortunately hit Paris or I just chose the wrong time to visit.

However this is a pretty impressive Apple Store.

Printemps in the sunshine.

I had the most amazing lunch in Place de Madeline. Salmon with dill creme and lentils

and with my cafe creme I was given a spoon that was a biscuit.

Even Place Vendome was a let down. I found myself only taking pictures that took in the blue sky.

And I finished with a picture of the amazing glass dome of Galerie Lafayette.

A Day In The Marais, Paris - Always a Good Idea

Last Wednesday I took a trip into Paris on the train. I spent the day in one of my favourite places - The Marais. Bittersweet really as it was a place Harvey and I used to visit a lot but hey life has to go on and it's still a favourite.My first stop as always was Merci on Boulevard Beaumarchais. I was delighted that their Look at the Flowers exhibition was still on.

The whole shop was full of flowers 

everywhere you turned

there were more

Even the clothes were made from flowered fabrics.

I had lunch in The Used Book Cafe on the ground floor. I loved how the carafe of water served with my wine had fresh mint in it. I was seated in the window in a corner where all the interior design books were so I was in heaven.

I ordered their version of boiled eggs and soldiers. These were SAS rather than soldiers and the Normandie butter pat was huge. Absolutely delicious.

I had a stroll around the Marais and visited the Art Galleries in Place de Vosges. Loved the electric blue Bhudda and

these huge spent matches with the tips carved ito faces.

Before catching the train back to Soissons, where I was staying with my daughter, I had the obligitory Wine and Cafe Creme and people watched for an hour.

The SNCF train I caught was like being on a Disney ride with its bright colours and pin point lighting. This is how to design trains.

​ The French Aren't Litigious They Just Take Responsibility

​On Sunday Charlotte, the children and myself visited Salon International de l'Agriculture in Paris. Yes in Paris not in the countryside.

​It was HUGE. Live sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and anything else edible all inside and accessible to all and amazingly it was all spotless. Fresh hay replaced any soiled hay in seconds. I have no idea how they do it but it bloody works.

​I have never seen so many different breeds of animals in my life. Most were massive. In fact it was more like a Mr Universe competition.

​The food halls were separated into French Regions and the fresh foods on sale and the ready to eat versions were to die for. We had a Normandy Duck Sausage Sandwich each which we could have fed an army with. A glass of regional wine was €2.

​The children are only 6 and 18 months but they had a ball. Tiana did a blindfold tasting test and was rewarded with a kid's cookery book and some goodies. Josh was just happy to run around and look at the animals. 

​The children were allowed to touch the animals but it was left up to the adults to keep them safe. After all isn't that what adults are supposed to do? To be honest the children seemed to instinctively respect the animals which I suppose comes from being allowed to be free around them.

​We British are too quick to blame the EU for our Nanny State, this proved to me that it's not the EU it's the crazy litigious society we have created. Too quick to sue someone instead of taking responsibility. We have stolen our children's childhoods from them for money and for that I feel very ashamed.

Do You Want Longer Legs?

Here you go then. Invisible Heels available online from Merci in Paris. Don't say I never do anything for you.

2 Days In Paris With My Intrepid Daughter

My lovely daughter booked us a stay in Paris so on Wednesday morning Charlotte and I set off in the car.. She, unlike me, will drive in Paris with no fear and the fact that she is 7 months pregnant and the size of a small country does not faze her. We checked into the hotel (above) with it's amazing facade and

 then set off to explore. We stayed in the Oberkampf district which is full of unusual shops with the usual jaw dropping window displays.

This taxidermist stopped us in our tracks.

We wandered into the Marais for a delicious lunch and spotted this chandlier made from paper coffee cups - inspirational. It lit up as well.

Next morning we took the car to Bastille where there was a huge market and we stocked up on fresh fruit, vegetables and

meat. The French could teach us Brits a thing or two about markets.

After our drive back home we had this to look forward to. Viva la France!
This weekend we are hitting the brocantes.

Going It Alone To France

Tomorrow I leave for France and for the first time I wil be driving there on my own. A bit daunting I must admit but hey I am quite capable.

I am staying with Charlotte and family for 2 weeks. It's brocante season so I will be in my element.

I am re-vamping Ghost Furniture to accomodate more French antiques, the sort I usually pass by because they don't need to be brought back to life.

 

These items are just to good to overlook anymore.

I have my shopping list and can't wait to get started.

Charlotte has booked us a couple of days in Paris as she now lives in Picardie.

The Bastille Antiques Fair is on and just around the corner from oour hotel as is

Merci which is my favourite Parisian shop and it's holding an Urban Market during my stay.

Of course no visit to France should exclude a few trips to the food markets, they do them so well.

Stopping for coffee and people watching  is high on the agenda.

My car may look a little like this on my return. AU REVOIR
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