Jill Colonna Teatime in Paris, Treize, Flower fleuriste

Yesterday was Jill's book signing for her lovely new Teatime in Paris - a DYI to all the secrets of Parisian pastry making you've always dreamed of.

Here is Jill showing off the endpapers I painted for her delightful book.

Naturally I had to eat every illustrated pastry to get the inner essence.

The macarons were overflowing, all made by Jill (of the famous Mad About Macarons cook book).

Remember a few weeks ago Jill personally gave me choux-making lessons? Voila!

Jill is like a Humming bird. Impossible to catch on film. Here her divinely rosy macarons.

Did I say we gathered at Treize - A Baker's Dozen, tucked away in a courtyard at 16, rue des Saint Peres 75007
Owned by top baker formerly of Sugar Plum Cake Shop, Southerner Laurel Sanderson is noted for her divine carrot cake. She gives cooking lessons along with serving up lunch and brunch. Reservations are recommended.

My eye was caught by this flower crown on the wall of Treize. Laurel says she exchanges cakes for flowers at the shop next door. I went to explore.

Cosy and intimate is Treize. Do try it next time in Paris.

The corridor out to the street is guarded by a Marie-Antoinette milkmaid.

Look in the chandelier shop on your right as you exit the cour.

These hidden corridors full of treasures are so Paris.

On to No.14 rue des Saint Peres.

Bowers of old-fashioned bouquets at Flower.

Visiting this Parisian fleurist is another must-do.

Old-fashioned note cards to go in your luscious bouquet!
Top that.

At last the flower crowns hanging on a Burgundy jacquard wall.

Vogue online, just the other day, did a history of flower crowns.
   Few accessories have aroused such commentary, for and against, than the flower crown, so trendy of late among the neo-hippie festival crowd. Despite detractors, these decorative headpieces, whose history in mythology and art can be traced back to ancient civilizations, show no signs of fading from favor. Not only was actress Fan Bingbing a flower-crowned vision on the red carpet at Cannes this week, but, thanks to a new exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden, Fridamania (appreciation of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who often wore flowers in her hair) is raging.

It’s a look that has roots. In agrarian societies, tied to the land and the seasons, flower crowns had great symbolic meaning. Worn for practical and ceremonial reasons, they could illustrate status and accomplishment (Olympic olive wreaths).

These FLOWER bouquets...

Look like they stepped out of this Giverny plate painted by Fabrice Moireau at china house, Gien just around the corner on 13, rue Jacob. Do explore these little streets in quartier Saint Germain for lots of delicious surprises.
Get Jill's book & DYI!

Paris Flower shops letter.

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. 

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