French Tea

French High Tea, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Everyone thinks it's the British that started the whole tea thing but...
But in fact, according to reknown letter-writer, Madame de Sévigné (1626 to 1696), tea first arrived in Paris in 1636 (22 years before it appeared in England!) and quickly became popular among the aristocracy
Even Marie-Antoinette took tea all the time. And it was a Frenchwoman, the Marquise de la Sablière, who initiated the fashion of adding milk to tea. "Madame de la Sablière took her tea with milk, as she told me the other day, because it was to her taste" reported Madame de Sévigné. (By the way, the English delighted in this "French touch" and immediately adopted it.)
I have Carole Manchester's French Tea (lurking around here somewhere) and I will find it and finally read it instead of just looking at the beautiful pictures...ahem
I once was brave and went upstairs and took a delightful afternoon tea at Fauchon. The upstairs renovation is complete now and I'll visit next time. I did peek in Laduree's windows...
And even went inside to meet M. for tea!
Yesterday Rochelle asked me: I'm taking my parents to Paris next week and I'd love to take them to a lovely salon de the or pastry shop. What would you recommend that's wonderful and has great atmosphere but isn't crazily expensive?
Hmmm...may I suggest the original Laduree on rue Royal with the gorgeous painted cupid ceilings? A pot of tea and shared macarons shouldn't break the bank...hopefully...
As you can see I can take French tea anytime I want at chez ParisBreakfast...and first chance I'll get this new Re-ment French tea tier soon I hope.
BONNE JOURNEE

My Zazzle

OK So they say it's my BIRTHDAY

Hey what's it to ya!!!
Well I decided to give myself a few presents... In fact my "wishlist" is quite long. I've been meaning to get these "gifts" for some time...
Instead of boxes from Laduree...how about a gift stamp?
And a macaron mouse pad?
And Macarons on a greeting card..? What do you think?
Hot chocolate at Laduree..?

I'll take tea at the Paris Ritz* on a note card or a stamp.
A bouquet from Aquarelle..?
Never mind. I'll have a Marie-Antoinette rose on a mug please.

Quite a few of you have asked for ParisBreakfast notecards and prints and whatnot..
Enfin you can drink your coffee out of a ParisBreakfast cup!
Much more stuff is coming - like Angelina etc I promise.
Please visit my brand new ZAZZLE*
And excuse my birthday suit..I'm still new at this.

THANK YOU All for making the Paris Petit Dejeuner card* the most popular on Zazzle - not sure what that means exactly but, now you can get it 20% off with FREE SHIPPING YAY At least until May 22nd...ahem
BONNE JOURNEE !

A Priori The

L'heure du The, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

More teapots today - this time in Paris YAY
My last day in Paris (why do you always try to do too much the last day in Paris?)
I paid a visit to the Galerie Vivienne, one of Paris' most elegant Passage couverts (covered passages). It wasconstructed in 1823 by Marchoux. You can find it in the 2e arrondissement on 4, rue des Petits Champs. Metro: Bourse
A Priori The salon has been there since 1980
The door says they open at 9 AM
The waiter inside said non, they open at 12:15
It was 12 noon...Hmmmm
Quelle domage. Their card matches the terrifically patterned tiled floor of Galerie Vivienne by the way.
I'll just have to return another last day in Paris...

Mean while back on the home front another teapot arrived in the mail, this time from Hong Kong! Note the spout is blocked. This is not a working teapot :( Should I return to sender?
In fact I have a total of 9/ NINE ! mini teapots altogether, so I will try to be less greedy in the future :) Dream on...

BONNE JOURNEE !

Tiny Teapots

French tea with chocolates, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Thank you for sending me your photos of your tiny teapots!

Susanne in Paris sent me pictures of her tiny Limoge china teaset.
Exquisite! But the teapot is 2 1/2" high. Too big. I feel like Cinderella...
Lori of taste with the eyes sent me pictures of an amazing tea party 7th graders put on for 8th graders. More elegant than I've ever had at the Mariage Freres or Hotel Meurice. Take a look!

Sue of abrushwithcolor sent me her lovely teapot picture. Not a mini I'm afraid but if only...

Michelle T. sent this mini cup from the Purse Forum - one of Juicy Coutures charms YUM!

Joni Miller used to give an unforgettable annual Valentines tea party at the Beard house. Now she does these annual teapot calendars so you can party all year long. You can order 2009 now or forget about it...

Jackie sent me pictures of a "Made in Thailand" tea set that looks a close relative of the teapot I bought at the Paris Doll Museum. Note "Butch" got into the act here...

Another sweet tiny tea set from Jackie. This is "Katie" stepping into the shot.
Jackie has 10 other cats she's rescued waiting in the wings or busy taking tea!
Please send me any interesting photos of Paris or teasets or whatever.
I love seeing what you've discovered.
BONNE JOURNEE!

Macarons Abroad

Emotion Pierre Herme, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Access to French macarons is not readily available if you live in the US for the most part.

However if you are lucky enough to live in Japan, things are different. Not only are French macarons shops on almost every corner...well it looks like that to me. But there is a ton of macaron toys and souvenirs to be had! HUMPH! PB reader Yuko N. kindly sent me these photos. Yuko has only to go out and buy a bottle of Lipton Tea and she gets a Pierre Herme Macaron key chain FREE!

LOOK! Pierre Herme chocolate key chains and ice cream sandwich key chains!

The French expression, "cela me donne l'eau a la bouche" (this wets my appetite) definitely fits here. THANK YOU Yuko for sending the lovely photos!

Meanwhile in Paris, M. wants me to know that there are stacks and stacks of Macaron...
Books waiting at FNAC to be gobbled up.
YUM!
I admit to buying this book a few trips back - it looked so delicious. Unfortunately my french cooking skills are not yet up to snuff...ahem The charming foot belongs to M. by the way.
Well here is the REAL THING we all dream about. And maybe it's a good thing to just dream - so many calories as my sister reminds me...
BONNE JOURNEE