Now or Later?

When I walked by this Dalloyau vitrine/window I had to go in.... I sat right down and ordered this mini version of the Torbion Caramel . Nothing and no one was going to come between me and this hunk of glossy caramel (filled with whipped cream which I did not eat by the way. I hate whipped cream.)
The thought never entered my head to buy it and eat it later. Jamais!
Can you resist temptation when it calls out to you?

Are you one of those people with self-restraint?

Do you think, "I'll come back later if I still want it and get it then..?"

Ice cream is something that requires a good dose of instant gratification. Ice cream will not wait around for you to make up your mind.

It's an "I want it NOW" food and thanks Gawd for that !

Ah...the smell of it.

When chocolate beckens, who can resist? Well some can. And even I, Queen of Instant Gratification, can resist chocolate...

As long as I have a refrigerator full of it, say right after a chocolate show. There's safety in numbers. Like now I can miraculously resist these macarons. Shock and surprise!!! It helps somewhat that they're all wrapped up tight in the freezer.

Out of sight - out of mind as they say...

Magnolia's cupcakes I can waltze by with ease. I've never cared much for cake or thick icing, so personal tastes do come into the issues of temptation.

Right now there's an extensive article in the current NEW YORKER on just this subject. Don’t! The secret of self-control.
byJonah Lehrer.

If you enjoy Paris Breakfast way too much, you need to read this.

Remember when President Obama atmonished Wall Street and asked them "to show some restraint,

and show some discipline,

and show some sense of responsibility.”

I thought he was talking directly to me.
It was my new motto for a week or three...ahem

But would there even be a Paris Breakfast if I did have self-restrain and discipline?

Granted I do easily fall victim to the pure visual beauty of these French lovelies...

And would I, could I trade a peach for them? I think not..well there are not so many peaches hanging out by Parisien patisseries..

What about you?

Can you show great self-restraint when someone offers you a yummy packet of Pierre Herme macarons? Would you say, "Let me think about it...I'll get back to you later." Would you? Be honest?
Do tell all s.v.p.

Munch...munch...munch...

BONJOUR WEEK-END!!!!

Aren't week-ends for sinning?

You Asked For It

Yesterday I got many requests for Paris Breakfast watercolors... VOILA! Some of you would like to see more Paris signs...along with your professors(!?)
I got a request "pour les hommes aussi"

Voila...

Voila!

Many requests for Parisien BIG BAGS came in...

Here 2 big bags + a big scarf!!!

Another BIG BAG. This should hold y'all for a while...

This was the only napoleon I could find in my pics :(
Je suis désolé...
Pierre Herme's "Miss Gla Gla"...

A boulangerie was requested...

I know I have pictures of Paris sunglasses somewhere.

This will have to do meanwhile. Désolé...

A wedding gateaux from Lenotre - requested before I left.

This pic is for Anne, who doesn't think there are many chiens in Paris...

Someone asked for this black dog in front of this cafe on rue Augereau...

And someone wanted to see the Parisien Green sanitation men...

Red shoes anyone?

Oddly enough no one asked to see more of ze Eiffel Tower yesterday.

I guess you're satiated...hmmm

Moi, I'm hanging out in the bushes chilling and working on the commissions that were awaiting for my return...
I'm sorry for the nasty copyright notices blemishing my pics today until I learn how to do the "GIMP" software.

Unfortunately some have been downloading PB's watercolors to print out and hang all over their law offices.

Not fair.

Please don't PB readers...ahem

As for requests for more MACARONS!!!!
This shot was taken while stalking in Place St.-Sulpice...
Big bag - check

Trench coat - check

Parisiens eating in the street - check
Pierre Herme - check
Macarons - check

BONJOUR EVERYBODY!!!!

My Paris Macaron T-shirt

Yesterday Mary said...Just wondering though, where did you buy your macaron t-shirt???

Merci mille fois

Well here it is very observant PB readers! Adorable non?
In fact everything they have at Anne Maisonneuve is pretty adorable non?
The French bonbon baby T-shirts are to die for...

Just like these bonbons I wrote about...

More French bonbons as a necklace/collier and as a bag/sac too!

Doesn't this mignon collier look very much like...

These chocolate macaron-style bonbons...

Here is the brochure from Anne Maisonneuve.
This is a petite boutique. Please do not bombard them all once.

112 boulevard Raspail 75006 Paris

Hmmmm...yesterday Carol said...ok, love the...LaDuree box, and the macaron shopping bags, and the colors are fabulous but...in all politesse... can we move on a bit, I feel as if we are in macaron morass...
So here is a SARDINE BELT especially for Carol.

From The taste of luxury exhibit at the Grande Epicerie...

Oh and a broccali bag too for Carol and other non-lovers of Paris macarons.

And more of photographer FULVIO BONAVIA's Kiwi watch...

And a raspberry for Carol!

I immediately donned my brand new MACARON T-shirt and went into patisserie SECCO to get a sandwich and the girl behind the counter asked me, "Where did you get your T-shirt?"

"In Paris.."

"My mother makes those", she said!
Was it Karmique Destinee that we meet - this T-shirt and I?

Here is today's Parisen doggie..I had a lovely Berger Belge for 13 unforgettable years - dear Rudi! He understood French and I'm sure he would love Paris macarons...

If you are tired of all the macaronerie on Paris Breakfast please do comment.

Should we have a vote?

BONJOUR MACARON T-SHIRTS!!!!

Confessions of a Mac-aholic

Paris is besotted with Confessions of a Shopaholic. You can not take a Metro or bus without confronting this image...
Photo (c) The Selby.com
Some people are SHOE-aholics as noted on The Selby.com...
I am a MAC-aholic.
This trip, well last Friday to be exact, I brought home 19 (!) boxes of Parisien macarons (oui, reserche again). It was quite a challenge and required consultations with one of the world's best mac makers....
One thing I learned is look for macs packed in a box with no spaces like these cuties at Dalloyau...
Eeeeep! BIG spaces in Patisserie Carette's beautiful box. What to do?

Helene of Tartelette , Champion du Monde macaron-maker to the rescue. By emergency correspondence, she let me know the best secrets of her French Grande mere = little pads of tissue paper (Toilet paper or Kleenex) to fill in the spaces in the box so the mac don't bang around and hurt themselves. In fact it's not a bad idea to carry these pads with you at all times in Paris.

You never know...

I found a new place for macarons! From M.O.F. pastry chef Pascal Caffet and his boxes are perfect for travel and preservation of your macarons. I have yet to tastes these cuties - they have Jet Lag from the trip. But do *note that each mac has it's own little compartment so it can't jump around.

A side view of macarons...

from hyper marche Champion...

You get 12 (!) maccies for 6.50 euros (!!!) and they are not half bad. It can't hurt in your ventures in comparative analysis of the Parisien macaron to have a few bites from the bottom of the food chain as well as the top.

Top-of-the macaron-chain Laduree even dishes out their macs from these compartmentalized containers, so it's a gotta be a good idea. Their 4 shops sell at least 12,000 (!) macarons A DAY! They are deeply into the preservation and experte care of their product.

*Note there are no open spaces in their boxes. These macs came home in one piece unbroken.

Sharon said...You keep mentioning (and painting) maccarons. What are they exactly? Describe what it feels like to eat one. They must be fantastique!

ps: I'm living vicariously through your adventures!
OK, take your average OREO cookie and who hasn't?

And you have all the components of a Parisien macaron.

2 lids or shells (coques) made of delicate yet chewy meringue
+

A filling of either jam (confiture) or ganache (chocolate creme) or caramel or...Jetlag is getting the better of me.

Macarons are generally smaller than Oreos it should be noted and don't keep very long as a rule, so instant gratification is part of the joyous experience of eating these...miam miam
And they come in a vast and endless range of exotic flavors and rainbow colors. Some are even savory...

For much more info on macarons:
MEETING THE FRENCH Macaron

~
How To Make Macarons at Lenotre

Before I caught the plane Friday, I made a last minute dash to Gerard Mulot *Note the whole counter in the front of the store right as you walze in the door is full of many macarons!!

I should have put all my traveling macs into this Laduree sac/cabas perhaps instead of a giant BHV bag.

I got stopped at French customs before boarding the plane.

A shout went out like 8 times -Scan..scan...scan...scan!

They came running over to me with some weird wand and ran it all over my person and across my hands!

W'a? I was even wearing my French "macaron" T-shirt.

Come to think of it maybe I am a macaron-terroriste...ahem
At USA customs the guy asked me,

"Do you have any food?"

"No" I said, "Just cookies"

"OK, you're set", he responded.

Who knew US customs is easier on macarons than the French!?

BONJOUR PARIS MACARONS!!!

PS...

Please visit MesVitrinesParis to see the original Bendel's windows from the movie!

Last Night

Last night...
Was my LAST NIGHT...
IN PARIS!

So when friends called and invited me over for a Pierre Herme macaron, you know I got out of my jamies and ran out the door...

Across the Pont de L'Alma...

With a last look at the Bateaux Mouches (I never got to take...ahem)

Of course I got lost trying to find the #72 bus (since I didn't follow directions...ahem) But in the pursuit of macarons you can always find your way in Paris.

Later at midnight, waiting again for the #72 bus to head home (to pack...ahem)

Don't you know the Eiffel Tower lite up...

Especially for me!

WOW WOW WOW!!!

Ahhhhh... back across the bridge.

Past rue de Monttessuy a last time...

Wondering a last time if I should have bought this silly souvenir....

Can you ever get enough of the Tour Eiffel or Paris macarons?

BONSOIR PARIS!!!

Yesterday

Yesterday in Paris it was really hot - in the high 70's...
And everyone thought it was Summer already...
Even grown men were gobbling up ice cream cones at Amorino!
Yesterday cafés were completely packed...
With people eating popcorn(?) and drinking Summer Rosé wine!

Ladurée was packed inside...

And out. Ahhhh Paris lines...

Parisiens were walking their Jack Russells inside BHV...

And dans la rue...

Yesterday people were out buying fresh flowers at Aquarelle...

People had their coats off and were carrying their BIG bags...

Yesterday art students were drawing in the street it was that nice out!

Parisiens were stolling with bottles of water - a sure sign Summer is on the way...

Vitrines were full of wild Summer clothes...

And sensible Summer clothes with Red Shoes!

Yesterday I was stuck in all day until 4:30 shooting a gazillion macarons before they melt in the heat...poor me :)

BONJOUR JEUDI!!!

Paris Berries

The four windows at Pierre Herme are full of giant strawberries/fraises...
And Paris is full of berries everywhere you look...
Is that the inspiration for the red shoes seen all over town?
No patisserie shop is missing a berry tarte in it's vitrines...

Back to Pierre Herme. His Spring/Summer collection is awash in red berries with green pistache like this Tarte Montebello...

We tried again his spécialité de la maison, the Ispahan full of raspberries - it never disappoints.

Red berries seen in residence on rue de vaugirard...

Patisserie Thevenin Saint Placide is always berry nuts...

And berries + chocolate...

At Epicerie Bon Marche berries wait their turn...

Even Paris streets are full of berry-pink bunnies from Cracking Good Art on Bd. St-Germain...

And Patisserie Secco at 20 rue Jean Nicot 75007 has a permanent pink berry hound waiting outside patiently...

This poodle was waiting not so patiently (yowling for his mistress) - his collar is strawberry red...ahem

BONJOUR FRAISES des PARIS!!!

Just Stripes

Marinière pour les femmes...
Striped scarf demo...
Striped bébé...

Tasse de thé...rayée

Zadig & Voltaire....

Striped something or other...

Striped sac...

Smart rayée/stripes....

Delorme stripes...

Marinière pour les chiens...

Rayée rose pour l'homme...

Ballerines=Repetto...

Striped tiramisu pour tous!
~

BONJOUR MARDI!!!

Tarte Citron Yellow

After studying at length Le Figaro's best tarte au citron survey, I thought I better get out there and follow up. Who knew Fauchon's squared tarte would come in at #11? I've hit on some of their best 10 in the past and a few I just didn't get to.
Please forgive!
Numero uno at Carl Morletti was a surprise winner and I'd never visited this small patisserie before, exactly 1 block from the Metro Censier Daubenton (#7) in the 5th arrondissement....
Pristine and beautiful, this domed mountain of creamy lemon curd was the perfect balance of sweet and tart. A "domed" tarte evidently is far more difficult to achieve than a flattened tarte au citron. Who knew?
I did finish this tarte - I just wanted to give you a look inside. Marletti has a little outdoor cafe where you can sit at leisure and enjoy his luxe pastries.
BRAVO Carl!
Next I traipsed up to much touted chocolatier and perfectionniste, Jacques Génin in the haut Marais. This place is really haut at the exact end of the very long rue de Turrene. The interior is like a laboratoire and was fairly empty. I wouldn't have dared to bring out my camera (2 pounds of caramels here are 110 euros...ahem). Since no one was much interested in helping me, I took a pass on #2 winner of Le Figaro's best tarte survey . Ca m'enerve

#3 Figaro winner has always been my #1, Pierre Herme and easy as pie to attain thank goodness. I never mind tasting this tarte over and over for recherche. There are chunks of actual lemon in this unctuous tarte, as well as lemon peel confit, so you never lack for intense lemony flavor. This is more like an immersion!

Yesterday I hit on Patisserie Carette at #5 and again the balance was fine. You will never, well almost never taste an excess of sugar in a French lemon tarte, unlike the home experience, here the lemon is top dog.

When Parisienne Michele mentioned to me that this tarte citron yellow was the HOT color for summer...

I began to see it everwhere...

Even rippled yellow tarte citron - it seems very appropriate to wear when your out testing Le Figero's winners...

Plus you can accessorize with a citron yellow Moleskine notebook...

For your recherche notes. And yellow ink!

Parisienne Anne was saying last night as we sat in a brasserie by the window, "What's with all the little dogs in your posts and drawings?

New York has lots of dogs."

Immediately 3 small dogs passed by the window. Honestly! You have to be an extra-terrestial to really see what is going on in Paris, PB readers, so not to worry if you don't leave your knife and fourchette at 4:20 on the plate etc. If you'd like make a tarte au citron yourself visit David Lebovitz blog. If you'd like to read more tarte au citron posts at PB, voila:
Paris Jaune
Citron Squared
Paris Jaune
Citron Squared
More on Tarte au Citron
Paris Hearts Tarte au Citron Yellow
Quel est le meilleur tarte citron de Paris ?
Tartelette Citron Géométrie

~

BONJOUR TARTE AU CITRON!!!

The Red Shoes

Every night when I come home completely exhausted after dancing all over Paris...
I say to myself the famous last line, "Take the red shoes off..." from all-time classic movie, THE RED SHOES. You can see the trailer here. It's as if I imagine I will be revived once my shoes are off - instead I collapse in a heap for an hour or three...
You do see an awful lot of red shoes in Paris and it isn't a temporary trend or tendance.
We have Christian Louboutin to thank for the charming flash of red sole you see now and then on Paris streets - tres cher...
Elle Magazine says it's the must shoe to have if you happen to be attending the Cannes film festival...ahem
Red ballerines are calling out to me...
I went to see Parisien illustrator, Solidad Bravi (she illustrates Pierre Herme's chocolate boxes) at Colette and don't you know there was this adorable shopaholic wearing red shoes!

Confessions d'une accro du Shopping is about to open in Paris. Are her bags full of red shoes?

Not shoes but more red accents in Paris like this elegant cafe on rue Saint Honore - a visual delight...

As is this adorable parfum shop in the Marais...

I ate lunch yesterday at red Petit Bofinger...

And had a greenish Frenchie version of tunafish salad - rillettes. YUM

Around the corner Patisserie Lenotre had this stunner of a red berry gateaux in the vitrine...

But then all the fruit and veg shops are loaded with gorgeous red berries!

For you guys out there I spotted this sharp red vest yesterday, while dancing through Paris...

Ah ha!

A French girl wearing her red shoes and walking her two doggies, one of them the obligatory, must-have Jack Russell.

And the period that ends every sentence at Paris Breakfast - A red Eiffel Tower in all the Metro stations...

BONJOUR RED PARIS!!!

Paris Signs

The first Paris sign that greeted me upon arrival in the Metro from Galerie Lafayette - definitely a stop in your tracks poster...
Where else in the world do they have such beautiful street signs? My refrigerator is cluttered with these in miniature...
And freshly made signs everyday just like the baguettes they announce...
So many hand-made signs everywhere - I love the personal touch...
When you see this sign in any traiteur's window, stop and buy the reccommended item - it's a signal that Le Figero has deemed them worthy of making their best/Notre classement des meilleurs lists, whether it be tartelettes au citron, eclairs, baguettes, crepes etc. This shop has the 2nd best "jambon-beurre" in Paris. STOP and get one! Serious research goes into these lists and they must be obeyed.
More Parisien scrawled handwriting and a no doggies allowed sign...
I can relate to the scrawly writing instantly...
Another sign to be obeyed. When a sale is announced you must buy! The sales help always wear these special T-shirts that say "SOLDE" that I want to buy and they are never for sale...

Just a beautiful old fashioned jewelry sign that caught my eye...

Ah the old Belle Epoch Metro signs =YUMMY!

Who here hasn't gazed at this Paris sign in mystery and perplexity..?
Where am I and where do I want to go?

HELP!

Another hand-written sign/menu/ardoise that I always stop to read...

Here's a sign I run past. Non merci M. Mac-a-doo! That's not what I came to Paris for.

A tiny billboard I swoon for...uppp Fauchon is #11 on Le Figaro's best tarte au citron? I must seek out the others and do researche!

More miniature signs = irresistable

No sign necessary to stop me at these hot dog-shaped/eclairesque macarons at Angelina... WOW!

Somehow souvenir shops in Paris are not so tacky even if they are very tacky...momentos of Paris? Yummy

You'll never see New York's Empire State building used in a sign the way Parisiens use their best sign of all..

That beacon of light...

The sign that says it all...What's not to love?

BONJOUR PARIS!!!

Stalking the Trench

My first day in Paris and already I am back to stalking...
Le TRENCH COAT!
And this was 2 steps away from where I'm staying - impossible to miss.
In fact if you are in Paris right now you can not miss all le trench coats all over, like here going into the Opera Metro (ligne 8, 3, 7)
Who knows how long Burberry has been making le Trench? They are the Trench masters no doubt.
OK, now to get started PB readers
(I hope you all have your notebooks out.)
Trench coat: impermeable sport coat with a belt.
Collar: part of the clothing that surrounds the neck.
Lapel: folded up part of the collar falling on the chest.
Belt loop: vertical attach into which slips a belt.
Flap pocket: pocket provided with a lapel.
Sleeve loop: attach into which slips a sleeve.
Belt: accessory allowing to maintain and adjust a clothing.
Button: piece being used to attach a clothing or as a decoration.
Storm patch: yoke on the front and the back.
All this from infovisual.
A little French intro is required as well from French Wiki:
Un trench-coat est un manteau imperméable généralement descendant jusqu'aux mollets, utilisé par plusieurs armées pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Bien qu'à l'origine ce soit un vêtement masculin, il est aussi porté par les femmes.

My computer gave up on translating that but I know some of our expert PB readers will come to the rescue rapidement s.v.p.! By the way the belt is usually tied here not belted...

One girl carrys her trench casually over her arm, while the biker wears hers-I have seen this often...

Be sure, after you rush out to buy your trench to release the vent stitch in the back! Sadly this girl did not. Dommage :(

This French girl's trench has no vent at all. Shocking!

Open back vent! YAY

Toute en blanche and quilted no less...

Toute en beige head to toe including the scarf which you can't see. There's safety in numbers I guess...

I have to wonder if May is Trench Coat Month? Do all of these femmes have le trench in their placard/closet that they save just for May..? Or is it the tendance/the trend of the moment?

I think the latter since you see it in many shop vitrines/ windows, not just the streets...

Should there be a law against crossing the street while talking on your portable, as this plaid-trench-coated femme is about to do? There are no lights at Opera - you just boldly march out into traffic and cars stop when they see your stunning trench coat. C'est vrais!

I had to take a picture of this at the hyper marche...

In order to snag you a picture of this!

Trench coat + big bag + les slims (narrow jeans) + Converse-like shoes.

Do I rename Paris Breakfasts.com -

Paris Stalker.com?

To see more Paris Street Fashion, here are the pros:

Style And the City

Easy Fashion

Sartorialist

Garance's blog

~

BONJOUR PARIS!!!

Paris Must-Dos

Tick-tock...tick-tock...

I'm off to Paris tonight and you know I'm not packed. But I've got plenty of time yet right?
I hope to restrain myself a little bit at Fauchon and not buy too many eclairs...
But I will keep an eye out for any big, dramatic Eiffel Tower decor for ze apartment...
I plan to drag Anne kicking and screaming (hi-hi=ha ha) into Dior!

I plan to take tea with Michele again :)

Peter of Paris has kindly offered to take me for some snails

YAY!!!!
I will try not to make too much of a cochon of myself...
By eating too many palmier!
And stick to la yaourt...

And les salades composees...

I'll be doing more researches on Paris rouges.

And Paris jaunes.

And of course le Paris scarf.

I'll also keep an eye out for any Parisien chubbies as requested but don't bank on it. Better yet for street fashion go to Style And the City ! Le meillieur
I hope to see Rick sketching at his regular hang-out...

Moi, I will be running (je cours) as usual (comme habitude)...

Running after Paris dogs and baguettes comme habitude...ahem
What are YOUR favorite MUST-DOS?

Do tell...
~

BONJOUR PARIS!!! xoxo

Paris Jaune

Yesterday A.S. suggested I do all the Paris colors.

I think I already have but since I'm still in ze doghouse (wouh, wouh) I thought I'd tackle yellow or jaune. Especially since my favorite weather lady, présentatrice Evelyne Dhéliat was wearing it for the week-end. If you want to get the meteo report for France click here!

Miam...miam...

MIAM..MIAM!

One of my favorite French desserts. I've done serious researche on ze tarte au citron.

Yellow roses...

There are many, many yellow shops in Paris...

Nobody does it better...

A new one I discovered on rue du Cherche-Midi...

I am deeply in love with Fauchon's squared tarte au citron.

Yellow is a big color with the French poste! Who knew?

What looks like little yellow duckie soaps are actually yellow chocolate! Who knew? Ours is not to question why...

Bistrot in jaune...

Another version of the divine squared Fauchon tarte=instant love...

Is this crêperie yellow because of all the egg yolks and butter they use in those yummy crêpes?

The perfect circle of yellow at Gerard Mulot = tentation!

Another perfect circlette, but inedible, though one is tempted to see if it is citron-flavored...

I love this place in the 6ième just off rue de buci. I meant to get to La Bar a Soupes - another fine example of Parisien yellowness. Perhaps next week I will make it there...

In my opinion, the best/la meilleure tarte au citron in all of Paris, in all of France...Oh &^%$! IN THE WORLD!

At Pierre Herme - Tartelette Citron Géométrie

Here is a macaron au citron tragédie that could happen if you are not careful and take-away your maccies in a bag/sac rather then a petite boite!

BEWARE - DANGER!

BON WEEK-END!

PARIS REDS

There's a whole...
Lot of...
Red...
Just about...
Everywhere...
You look in Paris...(Cafe Georges)
Like this soup kitchen in the 6th...
Or at Metro station Chatelet...
Even when you're tieing your French scarf in the morning you can't escape Paris reds...
Sennelier is the perfect place to research les rouges de Paris...
As is any Parisien patisserie...
Any shop du vin? Mais, oui beaucoup de rouges!
Les radis?

Bien sûr...

Les ballerines rouges...

Et les petits accents...

De rouge? Everywhere!

Et moi?

Les chiens sont EVERYWHERE :)

~

BONJOUR JEUDI!!!

Café Du Coin

I did this portrait of favorite café du coin Le Bosquet for some PB readers...
This was my café du coin, but I'm ashamed to admit I never set foot in it.
Maybe next week :O
I love taking pictures of café du coin till the cows come home...
I just don't like to sit down and lounge around in them...
What's wrong with me?
They sure do look like fun to hang out in...
And with the red checked napery/nappe à carreaux...
It seems like they're having a picnic in the street!

A Paris Café can become your studio or atelier like some people feel free to do. And why not if they'll let you nurse one coffee all day while you write your great novel..?

I am absolutely smitten with the hand-written graphics at Paris Cafés

Miam-miam!

It's so much more personal reading someone's scrawly handwriting than a printed menu isn't it?

Can you get any Frenchier than this?!

And have you noticed that Parisien café chairs...

Are always made by Maison J. Gatti? They all wear brass dogtags to let you know. Take a look next time before you sit down. Of course the patterns and colors differ from café to café...

I have frequented Le Comptoir des Archives a couple of times.

I went there exactly a year ago for dejeuner...

And I had their Salade Composée ocean with salmon...

This time when I ordered it they changed a few of the veggies but it tasted pretty much the same and the price was still 9 euros!

Pas mal non?

Do you think if you bought these decals at BHV and a couple of rattan chairs from J. Gatti you could re-create your own café at home? Hmmmm

Do you have a favorite café du coin and can you convince me to go there and actually sit down and shoot the breeze?

Try me!

Bonjour Mercredi!!!

What do I wear in Paris???

I get emails asking, "WHAT DO I WEAR IN PARIS?"

Since I'm still held captive by the Golden Labs and parakeets and other prize pets we'll address this serious issue now!
The answer is:
TIGHT JEANS! (very tight...painted-on tight)
+ BIG BAGS!
CONVERSE! Yes it's absolutely true. Converse are HOT in Paris!!! Who knew?
The super tight jeans can be tucked into the "riding" boot as well....
And of course the ballerine will never die as a must have in Paris.
French girl gazing at big bag...
The BIG scarf again...
Hair! We have not addressed hair!! Bed Head is still and perhaps for always the hair to have - but very carefully arranged messy hair. This is NOT Brit messy hair! Jamais!!
STRIPES!
You can never go wrong wearing stripes in Paris. This woman is impossibly classe!!!
Stripes + big bag + jeans + Fr. scarf
C'est ça!
Just a smidge of stripe/à rayé will do it.
Even a hint and you have a home run!
Did I mention the "eeeee-Pod"?
Essential! Absolument.
If you wanna find out what French women are wearing for Gawd sakes get on line! And do not shop before you go!!!
OMG! Why does everyone do this?!
Chic Frenchie on a velo...Velib!
Le Trench is forever. Get it out and dust it off.

L'écharpe has already been covered in depth here in case you missed it.

The "Americain" look...non non non!

More no-nos :(

French women DO NOT WEAR EARRINGS!

I discovered this a few years ago and sealed tight my jewelry box. I have no idea why this is but it is so. C'est la vie...

An impossibly chic Frenchie crossing the street. All black always works in Paris. And I thought only in New York...

Non! absolument non! de trop...

I saw this shabby-chic checked scarf in Burberry and went in to inquire - 700 EUROS! Ouch Wait! It's 100% cashmere...omg

Look! An impossibly chic French waitress -

the layered look always works...

The truly impossibly chic French woman we all aspire too...sigh

And do not forget the ESSENTIAL accessory! A Jack Russell.
HOT HOT HOT in Paris right now...
This happens to be a celebrity dog, "Hot Dog" belonging to celebrity pastry chef, Sébastien Godard of "Le delicabar".

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BON MARDI EVERYBODY!!!

PS By the way American Apparel recently opened in Paris and is HUGE with Parisiens.

Go figure :)

Send your Pets to Paris Portraits

Kitty cat in Paris, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Winston is tempted at Ladurée, original art, 9" x 11"

Please contact me if you would like a 9" x 12" custom watercolor portrait of your adorable pets in Paris.

I need good clear photos from you shot at eye-level

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You on the floor or your pet on the sofa...ahem
Here's Winston sitting perfectly.

Diego, Dante and Little Dulce love the Eiffel Tower, original art, 9" x 11"

Luis' jolly threesome posing for their Paris portrait photo.

Or at a Paris cafe...

Mollie's photo shoot went very well.

You will receive a sketch for approval before I go to finished art.

Send your pets to Paris portraits was in the New York Metro...
Ladurée Bonaparte is a favorite Paris hangout for many pets...
Pet portraits (9" x 11") start at $95 for 1 pet and go up for a custom setting plus shipping($6.50 US). Portraits can be commissioned by email
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BONJOUR PETS IN PARIS!

I dreamed my dog went to Ladurée

3 Pups at Ladurée Bonaparte, original art, 9" x 11"

Please contact me if you are interested in a portrait of your pup at Ladurée...

They don't let pups into Ladurée as far as I know. I think it's a big mistake...

I went to the Ladurée Champs Elysées 75, avenue des Champs Elysées - 75008 branch for some emergency resusitation...
Doesn't the exterior look a lot...
Like their wedding gateaux?
Or like their beautiful boxes? Who cares if they are empty...

Or their petits fours for that matter...
Consistency counts!

It's fun to grab a goûter/snack upstairs...

And rather grand...

Too many choices!
I always end up getting the same ole thing - the plate of four...
After they revived me I went downstairs to watch the show - Mad packing of macarons...


Too many CHOICES!!!!

Much better to just watch the line...

Or the new bar also downstairs-it must be for evenings...

Wouldn't if be fun if you could order your dog's portrait on one of these boxes?

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to paint Bo in front of Ladurée...ahem

All in the name of good Franco-American relations bien sûr.
Signed Yours Truly,

Paris Breakfast

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BON WEEK-END!!!