Have you heard of "thinking outside the box"? Well I'm thinking about inside the box. Imagine you're in a Parisian pâtisserie...
You've taken hours to make your choice, not to mention the angst you felt just entering the place. You anticipate that moment back at your hotel, gently opening the boite (box).. 
You open the box et voilà. Your precious pastry is smooshed inside. This is not a happy moment. You've come a long way for this "cupcake". Maybe you even dreamed about it at length. Maybe you showed up first thing Monday morning and found the pâtisserie of your dreams closed.It happened to me :(
This is why Pierre Hermé is king of Parisian pâtisseries (except for the bit about being closed on Mondays). He's thought it all out and planned for these mini-catastrophes. His pastry box has a specially fitted inner lining so almost NOTHING falls over. And nothing get's smooshed either in transit. No yummy chocolate icing wasted. And you don't have to make a fool of yourself, licking out the box, even if no one is looking.
Hermé's boxes are a wonderful soft dove grey just like Paris' grey skies.
The phrase "thinking outside the box" means to "think creatively" or "be original". Pierré Hermé thinks creatively inside the box in every way. And he has something else up his sleeve. A new online collection is coming out soon. Go sign up at his site Do you think customs will let me bring back Paris' beautiful boxes to show you? Hmmm...
OH MY GOSH! Yep, I'd be disappointed too -- but you can bet your boots I'd be licking the box without a moment's hesitation!! ADORE the painting, Carole!!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you coming to Paris?
ReplyDeleteI gain ten pounds just looking at your posts everyday.
ReplyDeletethere is a lot to be said for well designed packaging but even more, tender loving care for edible art! ne c'est pas?
ReplyDeleteDelicious looking paintings!
ReplyDeleteAnd those boxes look yummy too.
GP
Inside or outside the box is fine with me, Just let me eat cake!
ReplyDeleteHerme, might think of the inside of the box...but, you paint both worlds beautifully!!
You painted the same thing twice! And both versions are lovely. Of course. Pierre Herme, here we come!
ReplyDeleteI painted it 2x because I wasn't satisfied and I may have to do it more times to get it RIGHT!
ReplyDeleteGrrrr...
ParisBreakfasts
YES! Finally, a box to prevent edible art from SMOOSHING... Love it!
ReplyDeleteIs that an Emotion Ispahan I spy? I am so jealous!
ReplyDeleteDid you know I brought back boxes from all the patisseries I visited in Paris, all carefully flattened and packed away in my luggage? They are precious souvenirs!
Oh Anita! A girl after my own heart. Now why didn't I think of that? I came back with a dozen small chocolate boxes - not as interesting as those cake boxes. I will do it this trip. The French box industry is witty and inventive. And yes that's the lovely Emotion Ispahan :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent thinking indeed.
ReplyDeleteHaha, when I was in NY for fashion week, I planned a whole day around going to this famous bakery, only to turn up and find it closed... merde.
Those Parisian cupcakes are so exquisite.
your whole post is one delicious eye candy with wonderful watercolors and yummy pasteries.
ReplyDeleteoh how yummy can a blog be? here it is all 2500 calories of it! love ly!
ReplyDeleteOh I hate those "smoosh" moments...doesn't stop me from scooping out the remainders though :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I go home I spend hours looking at packaging and I want to bring so many back, tucked away in my suitcase! And to think they even have engineers competing to produce "zee" packaging of the year! It's a whole different mindset over there, and I like it. It makes the whole chosing, buying, opening, eating much more like an experience than just a moment in time.
ReplyDeleteI looked at your, Inside the Box!!! Always "élégance". 3 days ago I bought a "tarte au citron" chez Hermé. I thought of you, even if it wasn't a chocolat gâteau. In fact, you're right. When I got home and began to open the boîte, it was a moment of pure magie. But too short because I ate much too fast, not like Fastfood but like fastwoman!
ReplyDeleteM.
what a marvelous post.
ReplyDeleteAny of these cakes, real or painted, inside or outside.....yes please, give me one of each!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like your superimposed the real against your drawings.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI am coming over
right now,
I'll bring
an entire suitcase
of French cakes,
I'll make sure the
packaging is in place,
you can paint them,
and I'll eat the leftovers.
Okay?
Should I bring violette tea
or champagne?
great googly moogly..
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until you come here and then we can...OVER SUGARIFY OURSELVES!!
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteChristmas Day falls on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24, and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day on December 26. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 on the Julian calendar. December 25 as a birthdate for Jesus is merely traditional, and is not thought to be his actual date of birth.Bye