Guerlain Creations

There are dozens more Guerlain photos to show you from my visit on Tuesday. A lovely thing was to leave with these surprise gifts. I tried to match the strawberry red of the lipstick #68 in watercolor...

Strawberries/fraises are out in full force in Paris starting with the 'Stonehenge'-sized Gariguettes in the Metro. Honestly have you ever seen fresh strawberries advertised in the New York subway?

It's probably too early to taste but they look so pretty and a sure sign of Spring.

Yesterday I spotted the first Frasier gateau in Storer's window on rue Montorgeuil.

Back to Tuesday's visit. Who knew Guerlain invented the stick dispenser? Before Jacques Guerlain came up with the idea everyone carried around little pots of color. We must indeed give thanks.

Our guide on Tuesday was Guerlain's inhouse historian. This fabulous large black onyx tortoise perfume bottle was recreated for the new opening.

If you can't afford the 45k price tag you could buy a somewhat similar chocolate tortoise at La Mere de Famille for a mere 13,50€.

Another heavenly special creation - this bejeweled giant bottle of Shalimar

For another whiff of exquisite gems go to the new exhibit at Musee Maillol of Le Tresor de Naples. I'll report on it soon...

I got more detailed photos of the Guerlain bee bottles in Galeries Lafayette yesterday

Looking up, the Belle Epoch ceiling is the perfect setting for bottles with the scalloped 'hive' pattern don't you think?

More hive pattern on fans from the new Créations collections.

Designed by the girls at La Maison Duvelleroy.

Another addition, silk scarves made of the heaviest gauge silk from Italy.

The Shalimar/Taj Mahal story is beautifully illustrated in this pattern.

Yesterday I was feeling brave or maybe just fed up with gathering papers for my upcoming visa appointment so I returned to 68 Champs-Élysées for a Flash makeup session to match my new gift 68 lipstick.

Head Makeup director, Olivier Eschaudemaison is world renown for his innovations and artistry. Why not get a little renovation myself..?

I was lucky to get one of Olivier's personal team members/equipe, Maxime to do me over.

And it took every brush in his makeup case.

*WARNING! ALERT!
Pictures of yours truly coming up. You may want to scroll fast.

Ooopla

Maxime did wonders with my eyebrows. I was advised to spend future Sundays practicing. Will do!

 Scented fine leather gloves (first brought to France by Catherine de Medici from Italy. Her italian chefs are responsible for introducing macarons to France) are in the Créations Collection.  Top nez/nose/perfumer of the house, Thierry Wasser chose 2 perfumes for the glove linings: his La Petite Robe Noire and Mitsouko. I drew his portrait here and here. You can return in 6 months to refresh the scent.

By the way there are still some Guerlain #68 scented touches (paper perfume testers) and labels you can sew into your coat or dress available, if you hurry up and buy a subscription of PB monthly Paris letters on Etsy. And THANK YOU La Table de Nana for the lovely post on the sketch letters!

Last night while walking over the bridge, along came a bateau mouche lit up in #68 strawberry red! ❤️❤️💋

Lunch with Coco Jobard

You've heard me mention Food stylist AND Food writer Coco Jobard, also collaborator and creator of no less then 68 cookbooks! Yesterday I had lunch at her place in a village-like area in the 20th arrondissement.

 

It's known as the 'campagna of Paris'. I quickly got lost, calling out Coco's names under many windows and punching in her code on many doorways. Doesn't look like England?

 

Did I mention Bear came along? Finally we found the right place and it was full of birds.

 

I first noticed Coco because of her fabulously exotic necklaces.

 

I even tried to make my own out of candy...silly me ;)

 

When I found her stunning collection lurking in the bathroom out came the camera.

 

I'm sure Coco would love the new exhibition of Moroccan jewelry at the Foundation Pierre Berge

 

Back to FOOD. Coco is a superb cook if you've started following her blog and you should.

 

Bear was busy getting acquainted with Willis in the bedroom...ahem

 

What a wonderful kitchen Coco has! A rare sight in Paris where you're lucky if you have a bar counter and a mini-bar hotel-sized fridge.

 

Italian Saltimbocca was cooking. It tasted like I haven't had since Italy.

 

Plus an aubergine tomato gratin and also sautéed red peppers. Miam miam

 

We were joined by designer Sarah who brought the lovely flowers

 

I was asked if I would like to eat off the Georges Sand plate? Yes please.

 

And a Japanese coaster with a little rat artist painting...how appropriate.

 

For dessert I got the radish plate, one of my favorite French vegetables.

 

Coco made irresistable crispy biscuits called 'Les Seches', her mother's recipe and on her blog here.

 

To go with the biscuits first of the season cut-up Gariguette strawberries with a touch lemon rind and sugar - perfect. And a perfect Springie lunch. Bear wanted to stay.

Thank you Coco !!!

 

Guerlain du 68 Champs-ELysees

Yesterday was one of those floating-on-air days even though it was raining cats and dogs and grey as can be in Paris. We got invited to see all the new changes at 68 Champs-Élysées, Guerlain's flagship store and 4 years in the making. You really must visit if you come to Paris. It's like an aromatherapy treatment from the moment you enter the door.

"Luxe, calme et volupte".

We got a tour from top to bottom

Salon du Livre 2014

Sunday I made it to the 4-day annual Salon du Livre held in massive pavilion #1 at Porte de Versailles - a yearly reminder of how much the French love books.

I was captivated by a special exhibition of the work of French women illustrators.
 

I wasn't alone.
 

This new comic book/bandes dessignée, Jeune Fille en Dior written and illustrated by Annie Goetzinger can be found all over town in the best bookstores.
 

The detailed, fluid illustrations perfectly capture the creation of Dior's 'New Look'. The tiny pulled-in waistlines and full swingy skirts just after the war must have been a breath of fresh air for women the world over who had suffered such deprivation during1939-1945.
 

The main character, Clara, becomes a model at Dior. You see the backroom goings on at the top couture maison pre-show.

The book is in the much loved French format of a BD or bandes dessinée/comic book but for adults. I hope they translate this one for us.
 

Watch a short film (in French) of the artist, Annie Goetzinger at work discussing her intent to capture a lost time. Remember the fabulous Miss Dior exhibit at the Grand Palais? This book dovetails perfectly filling in behind-the-scene blanks on 20, Ave Montaigne at Maison Dior
 

Flammarion has a new book out on French icon Marguerite Duras
 

Kids 18 & under get in free at the Salon, so Sundays in particular are always overrun with kidlets. Adults pay 10€ for a 4-day entry.
 

So many childrens books.
 

So many children.
 

Avidly reading where ever you walk. It's a delight. And building future readers as well.
 

Tintin is always present. Here his red jeep on display.
 

This is for the public. Not a trade-only show. Every book on display is for sale.
 

Of course there is the Square Culinaire Tons and tons of cookbooks in every format. Does the yellow Trish Deseine book look familiar?
 

So many how-tos

And the chefs on hand who wrote them.
 

The essential accompaniment to book browsing - macarons.
 

I got very excited by, Cafe Society, which came out in 2010 in the US.
 

The illustrations/collages by the Baron de Cabrol from his scrapbook (1948) are fantastic.
 

He perfectly recorded the ambience of the times during 1920s - 60s.
 

The photography too is magnificent. Wallace Simpson looking soigné.
 

Elsa Schiaparelli wearing her famous shoe-hat beside a Dali sculpture.
 

Charming & simple elegant sketches from the Baron's scrapbook in Cafe Societé couldn't
 

Remind me of illustrations by Jean-Philippe Delhomme now on display poster-size in boulevard Saint Germain for Louis Vuitton. What do you think?