Monday, August 29, 2016

C'est la Rentrée, September Paris letter, the Bikini 70 years, what they are wrearing

Buon giorno! I know it's been quiet around Parisbreakfast but we've been busy getting the September letter done and into the post box before we take off for Italy tomorrow for a week.
Five days in Volterra, Tuscany c/o Urban Sketchers. The 5th year session was too tempting to pass up. I promise to post daily on my progress painting Tuscan hills and cypress trees.
Remember this wonderful school back pack (cartable) I spotted in the street?Wisteria asked me where she could find one. Run right over to BHV
Its waiting for you.
I was inspired by the beautiful school supplies to paint them for the September letter from Paris.
French écriture always delights. I haven't given up learning how to write.
The French kids may be loaded down with books and crayons
But they're so chic it makes you want to turn back the clock and join in.
BHV was mobbed on Sunday with parents checking their supply lists and then checking them again.
This month Michele invited me to a summer Sunday lunch. Too pretty not to share with you.
The yellow 'Bikini at 70 years' poster is plastered all over town where ever you look this summer.
Its a blastat the Joseph Galeria.
Especially the vintage photos of the first skimpy two-piecers.
Very timely with the burkini controversy going on. 
Why can't women choose to wear whatever they want?
What French girls are wearing during the end of summer heat wave. Tribal prints are in.
A splash of red always works. 
The best-dressed Frenchie seen on the playground yesterday.
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21 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:20 AM

    Carol, enjoy Italy! My maternal grandmother and great grandparents were from Sicely! If you're in Rome, try to experience lunch or dinner at Alfredo's Ristorante, where Fetuccini waa born.
    All my best, Desiree Llaneza
    dllaneza1@aol.com

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    1. Thanks I'm taking the train into Milano (7 hiurs!). Then Firenze and finally Volterra. A nice slow trip through beautiful Tuscania. Rome is further south so not this trip.

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  2. love the back-to-school section at BHV also. But the prices are appallingly high! Those cute backpacks are so expensive.

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  3. Yippee - this is the first year that my girls have decided just to use their school bags from last year - although perhaps they’re just waiting to see the fashions.

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  4. You can learn the French handwriting by buying one of those learn-to-write workbooks that the kids use and a gridded practice notebook.

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  5. Anonymous10:36 AM

    What shop is BHV? I'll try googling it. Have fun in Italy! Volterra is highly recommended by the famous Rick Steves, you know.

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  6. Anonymous10:43 AM

    Found it, of course. Here's a website that is interesting, obviously written by a Frenchman and fun. He/she says there are 5? BHV's in Paris? Wow! I want to visit the top floor with the hardware.

    http://mhp.paris/paris_shopping/shopping_in_department_stores.htm

    Thanks again for such fun info about Paris!

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    1. The BHV you want to visit is the one by the Hotel de Ville, and the fantastic hardware department is in the basement. That Paris shopping page is out of date, as La Samaritaine closed up shop over 10 years ago. The Art Nouveau building is being renovated and repurposed by LVMH.

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    2. I only go to the Hotel de Ville and the hardware, their claim to fame originally is on -1 in the cellar. They are part of Galeries Laffayette and both fun and chic but not too snob.

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  7. I almost want that cherry print backpack for myself.

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  8. I have not owned a swimsuit of any kind in decades and I honestly believe I would be doing a public service if I were to wear a burkini at the beach!

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    1. Exactly what they said on the front page of the NYTimes the other day when talking avout the Paris bikini show and controversy. I see people sunning them selves on the grass by the Seine everyday. Never ceases to amaze how little they wear..

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  9. Our boys use backpacks..I love those little school bags.I loved MINE.I wish I still had one.
    Brings back such spanking brand new back to school smell memories.and feel..the feel of it all..the rigid blue or red paper to cover our books..the little sticker..the pencil box that looked like a pencil..such a novelty that was.
    I don't think we spotted a BHV in Paris:(

    Have a ball..looking forward to following your great adventure.

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  10. I always chat too much..and forget to say..what my first thought was..love the school bag aquarelle.

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  11. Enjoy Italy - that train trip through the Alps to Milan is beautiful, but I had a suitcase stolen off that train on my way to Paris 10 years ago, so be careful. I love Florence and stayed in Tuscany for a week - beautiful country & can't wait to see your sketches.

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    1. Thanks for the warning Suki! I will guard with my life my stuff, when not admiring the Alps :))

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  12. Enjoy Italy. Oh I love the colorful teapot.

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  13. Carol, I know you will have a fabulous time in Tuscany. Truth to tell, I think that you might be the one to be the teacher, but perhaps it will be more relaxing to be the pupil and see what is to be learned.

    It was a joy to see this post about le retour in Paris, where actual stationery departments and shops still exist.

    I refilled my Waterman fountain pen in your honor! xo

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  14. Hope you did not go on that horrible Paris-Milan train that we went on a few years back, I think it was vintage WWII. Memorable in a not too pleasant way.

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    1. 5:20 am Oh dear...I hope so too Janet. I'll know in 45 minutes...

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  15. Love Marilin in her Bikini :)

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