Misty Monday Morning

 

At 7am, I looked out. It was all misty so I ran out to shoot Notre Dame..but I missed the boat :(

Next best thing…look in the windows of never-ever-closed Boulanger de la tour. 

Their chocolate gateau looked interesting if you’re into that. As Audrey said, “Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.”

Ican attest they have the best Pain au raison in the city. I’ve done the legwork. I didnt even like Pain au raison till they moved in the neighborhood. They don’t skimp on the yellow raisins either.

I see they make morning deliveries 🚚 Yum Yum

The excellent bread gets branded.

Their logo is one I wouldn’t mind being branded with, say as a discrete tattoo, 

after I eat dinner at Tour d’argent sometime or other...

Coming home I spot a couple of early fisherman. They’re thinking the Seine is gonna  provide dinner? 

Up close I see they’re feeding the fish hunks of baguette  🥖 as enticement. Bon chance 🍀

The big friendly bears are still around in windows even with restaurants open.

I haven’t got Audrey Hepburn out of my system yet, especially in FUNNY FACE…

There are some new Audrey in Paris watercolors in my Etsy shop. Like Audrey said, “Paris is always a good idea!” Take a look 👀 

Stay safe Louisiana and Gulf Coasters 🙏🐻❤️💋

Audrey Hepburn in Paris letter

 

“I believe in pink.” The Audrey Hepburn in Paris letter 💌 is in the post 📮 with Audrey’s witty quotations. I thought it would be a piece of cake 🍰. Ha! Try capturing that beautiful face.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.”

“The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.”

“It's that Parisian thing you've got, that certain quelque chose... ...as they say on the Left Bank, that piquant soupçon of an aperitif. ”There’s controversy about Love in the Afternoon . Gary Cooper was thought too old as a love ❤️interest. I watched it again and changed my opinion. 

“'Item 1: a red-headed algebra teacher - who first called me Miss X...'";Item 2. A very sweet boy who is now a missionary in French Equatorial Africa...'"; 'Item 3: a riding instructor - formerly a Cossack. Item 4: an English duke ...'" Anything by director/writer Billy Wilder is unbeatable. This Paris film, set in the Ritz (room 14), is adorable, warm, witty. Try it!

“Some people dream of owning a swimming pool. I dream of a bigger closet.” Audrey was such a style icon.  Tidbit: she owned 50 pairs of Jax Capri pants in many shades of gingham check.

“Life is a party. Dress for it.” AH wearing Givenchy LBD (little black dress) in ‘Funny Face’. Note the low-cut back and dropped-waist, details Givenchy added to emphasize her 20” waist. 

Tidbit: I saw Audrey Hepburn in person win an award at the New York film festival at Lincoln Center in April, 1991! My claim to fame

“I believe, every day, you should have at least one exquisite moment.” Between takes, Audrey waiting in her white boots (to save her shoes from the rain).

“I depend on Givenchy the same way that American women depend on their psychiatrists.” Sketches from Givenchy’s homage to Audrey.

“Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself, inside and out” Givenchy with Audrey, stunning as ever in his fuchsia satin ballgown. Don’t miss Henry JJ Wilkinson’s video on his own collection of Givenchy/Audrey pieces.

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.” In her later years, a paragon of glamour and goodness, Audrey was the ideal star to hand out awards and tributes.

“I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II.”

“A child is a child in any country, whatever the politics”.

A big Thank you to the huge Audrey fan club on instagram who share so many rare photos and videos. If you’re a fan do visit. @audreyhepburn.memoirs @audreycollection2753 @audreyhepburn.daily @audrey.hepburn @soaudreyhepburn @audreyhepburn.asia @audreyhepburn.italia

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” I dont mind telling you my eyebrows have grown quite a bit while working on the Audrey letter. She is a catalyst for all kinds of good.

Even Pierre Hermé ‘believes in pink’ ☺️❤️💋🐻

Maison de Victor Hugo, Place des Vosges

 

Yesterday I went back to Place des Vosges. Its been a long time.

Yet its always pleasantly the same. For centuries even.

There was an exhibition 

Of small ink drawings at Maison Victor Hugo I was eager to see. So were other Parisians and tourists to my surprise. 

These drawings are a well-kept secret you could say. 

Mostly only other artists know that Hugo was a master draftsman besides being the author of Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables.

They are tiny. Some only 3-4” in width. Yet such detail, such emotion.

Drawn ✏️ with great vigor always in black ink. Some have the density of Japanese ink drawings. 

Hugo loved to draw castles on mountains surrounded by mist or ‘sfumato’. 

The top floor are the Hugo’s apartment rented from 1832 to 1848 at 6, Place des Vosges. Its full of his collections and art objects.

The ‘Chinese Lounge’ panels were painted by Hugo.

I was so dazzled I forgot to focus.

The Gothic dining room has William Morris wallpaper and drapes.

Hugo designed the rooms and furnishings, often buying a desk or armoire, taking it apart and making it into something else.

Don’t forget to look out the windows. The view of the park is spectacular.

The deep Burgundy bedroom was intriguing. I knew I wanted to paint that velvet chair…I’m in my ‘chair period’ this summer.

There is a brand new courtyard cafe at the museum as well as one indoors. It seems all the museums are adding charming cafes.

The excellent Maison Mulot is in charge of desserts.

I resisted, thinking I better do a comparative analysis at tea salon Carette on the other side of the square.

In the end I got a plain vanilla ice cream elsewhere.

The Place des Vosges in the Marais is a lovely must-do to add to your trip list.

I was so enthralled with the idea of painting Hugo’s red velvet chair, I completely missed his innovative standing desk to the left of it. Go figure. Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast.  If you'd like to receive Paris letters 💌 and maps 🗺 in your mailbox 📮, do visit my Etsy shop.  Bisou bisou 🐻💋🇫🇷

Last Sunday on Ile Saint Louis

 

Last Sunday was a lovely summer day in Paris.

Paris Plage ⛱ was still buzzing by the time I got there around 5:30 pm

A brocante on Pont Louis Philippe on the Ile..always china, silver and glassware.

I went for a quick browse, though I much prefer the monthly bargain sales.

Some charming old printed cards for a game. The French love to play card games. But 250€ each! Ouch

Ice cream is the big weekend drawing card on Ile Saint Louis even if Berthillon is fermé et en vacance at the moment. 

All the other island shops pick up the scoop and help out the Sunday cornet seekers.

Cafe St. Regis was busy as usual.

Probably ice cream hunters…

You can never go wrong wearing pastel Vichy checks 

Or gingham in summer time France.

Lately I’m dreaming of Normandie beaches. So is Laduree.

Their windows are full of beach umbrellas ⛱, beach chairs and towers of macarons. But they forgot the sand? So I painted some for you, sur la plage ⛱ Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! Please pass on to someone you think might enjoy it.  You can help support 🐻 by buying my Paris letters and watercolors. Stay well and safe dear PBers 💋🐻⛱