Olga Picasso at musee National Picasso

I was inspired by the exquisite drawings at the Olga Picasso exhibition at MUSÉE NATIONAL PICASSO...impossible not to make doodles in my agenda...

Do go up to the roof cafe for a look at the handsome resident sphinx by the way, though you might skip the pricy ham and cheese.

This is a don't-miss exhibit on in Paris until 3 September.

Over 350 pieces..drawings, paintings, letters, photos -a veritable gold mine of information to Picasso and his first wife, Russian Olga Khokhlova's life during 1917-1935.

They met while Picasso was creating sets and costumes for Diaghilev's Ballet Russe production, 'Parade'.

She was a star ballerina. He was smitten. They married little more than a year later. Their son, Paulo, retrieved his mother's personal cabin trunk after her death in 1955. It was full of French/Russian letters, old photos, ballet slippers, almanacs. A testament to a woman who left her family behind in war-torn Russia in 1915, not knowing she would never see them again.

Clearly a charming, sophisticated raving beauty.

Beauty and the beast?

Picasso frequently drew her elegantly dressed in furs.

The drawings particularly blew me away. What a master draftsman Picasso was. Not one line is nonessential.

Yet these are so evocative of their relationship. Their love. Her sadness missing her family all those years.

Not to mention the other women(young girls) who came into their life.

Their son, Paulo was born 3 years later, providing another adored subject to paint and draw.

Father and son.

A somewhat Matisse-like drawing but they were all in each other's pockets.

I love the mess of his studio. But what a wonderful drawing it makes! Wish I could do something even close with my messy studio.

No mess at all when Olga is included. Do NOT miss this exhibition at the Picasso Museum.

Run, don't walk if you are in Paris now or before September 3rd to 5, rue de Thorigny, 75003. You'll thank me profusely. What to wear to the exhibit? See below. Something 'arty'.

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast.  If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters and maps in your mailbox, stop by my Etsy shop. 

Bon weekend.

Summer Solde in the Marais

Yesterday was the first day of the big Summer Sales (Soldé). You have 6 weeks to get in on it.

Yesterday I went to the Marais to catch the OLGA PICASSO exhibit at the Picasso Museum and couldn't help stalking gold sandals enroute.

Now they're on sale so its too late to buy. Passé.

Love all the signs in the vitrines.

Learn your color coding. Do not be caught offguard. Red = 50%

in the last weeks or so some prices even drop to 70% off!

But what's left to buy?

Still there was an air of glee

These chic girls can't shop, plastered to a wall in the Marais.

Chic Parisiens were definitely out hunting and gathering.

Very good for people watching...

Trés, trés chic shopper with her Colette bag. You can never go wrong wearing dark navy + black.

She was passing by this pretty florist's doorway.

Lots of green in the Marais to browse now if you're not into shopping.

A quiet pocket parc behind the Picasso Musée. Tomorrow the fabulous Olga exhibit report! Stay tuned.Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast.  If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters and maps in your mailbox, stop by my Etsy shop. You can now do 'guest checkout' without registering.Á demain!

Summer in Paris

“Oh frabjous day. Calloo callay!” In the breezy 70s today after super hot Wednesday when it hit 100.

Lots of happy tourists cruising the Seine.

I never realized how many bags people carry/wear in this town till I started drawing them. Three is the norm. Be prepared.

Metalic sandals are IN. Preferably in gold. Golden running shoes too are hot.

Kenzo has hand-painted cartoony dresses for Summer in Paris.

The Nerides counter in Galeries Lafayette is featuring The Three Bears this summer...

They also have 'fascinator' hats as the British call them, for weddings and other celebrations.

I guess a pineapple summer bag is a must-have.

Or you could carry a bag of cherries and share.

Tomate de cerise will do. Tomatoes are fruit ya know.

Speaking of fruit, new perfumer, Candora has grapefruit and red fruit aromas along with ginger and rose in their new shop on 1 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe.

A plethora of pinky Rosés are out. How does one choose? They are all beautiful if you buy according to the prettiest label, which is how women are supposed to buy wine!?

The coolest drink this week was at Il Gelato del Marchese. Bubbly water + mint leaves + lemon and cucumber slices + ice cubes.

Serve yourself some perfection.

I tasted their avocado + ricotta gelato. Double perfection.

How are you staying cool during the heatwave. 

Is it true you should drink hot liquids instead of cold?