Timeless Paris by Marin Montagut

 

Last Friday I went to a book soirée for Marin Montagut’s latest brilliant book 📕 creation, TIMELESS PARIS.

It was held in his own eponymous and wonderous shop on 48, rue Madame 6eme. 

Walking in Holly’ Golightly's shoes into Cartier’s

 

Saturday I pretended I was Holly…quelle adventure.

I didn't go into Cartier’s on Place Vendome.There was a line and I’m a wuss. They’d instantly know I’m an imposter.

Instead Cartier’s on 12, boulevard de Capucine is less scary.

The doorman outside asked if I’d like something to drink while waiting. (There were already too many imposters inside). I said, “I’ll have a martini with an olive please”. We giggled and talked about what he really did (he’s not an actor, but an architect!). This is his weekend gig.

Once inside the double doors (for a brief moment you’re locked inside). One door closes and another one opens. I asked if I could take pictures. They said yes, but no jewelry. I immediately focused on the flower🌸 bouquet. 

The chandelier seemed a safe bet.

The entire joint is très elegant.

Who knew Cartier’s had perfumes? My friend Louise knew. She hangs out in those places. “Of course all luxury jewelry stores have perfumes. “Oh.” Cartier’s first perfume was created in 1980 with a stunning, ribbed red bottle. I got to try many. They were the most delicate, flowery🌸 ethereal perfumes ever.

I’ve always been crazy for their logo panther.

There are many beautiful bibelots with the panther 🐆 but not much for us ‘populaire’/ordinary folks. “Quelle rats”as Holly would say. Remember the silver telephone dialer you could buy at Tiffany’s and even get it engraved for a tener!?

After walking on air, I came down to earth and got a tea at Nina’s Marie-Antoinette. Their chandeliers are just fine for Holly and me. 

This adorable tea fan can be had if you buy their entire  pink collection of teas.

I’m still drawing✏️ Audrey/Holly.

You can order Holly’s hat from @Celestelilou on instagram.

I think the obsession will break soon.

Once I’ve had the AH intervention… Meanwhile I’m getting pretty good at wafting into luxury jewelry 💎 stores. Any requests from the peanut gallery where to venture next PBers? 💋💎🌸🐆🍁🐻

Holly Golightly in Paris map, Place Vendome

 

The opening shots of BAT/ Breakfast  at Tiffany’s  are part of New York iconography don’t you think? You can watch the entire movie in 3 parts.  

If Holly went to Paris, and why wouldn’t she, for a girl who loves luxury, where else to go? With lunette de soleil/sunglasses🕶 or without/pure Audrey. Big question. The sunnies won. “There are certain shades of limelight that wreck a girl's complexion.” So many sketches✏️✏️✏️

The Holly Golightly in Paris Map is up as a single on etsy🥂🥐🍾

Your letter will be hand-personalized ✍️ just like Holly’s note to Fred in the movie.

You can hear the full book read on Youtube if you’re playing catch-up. Capote’s writing is wonderful. It’s a classic.

The Cat “stays in the picture.” Also known professionally as ‘Orangey’..quite a recalcitrant cat, who ran away habitually at the end of shooting but was famous for sitting still for long hours.

Which hotel would Holly stay in Paris? I asked knowledgable Paris Diary by Laure. Do you get her newsletter? You should. Comes on Tuesdays. She said luxury 5* Hyatt Vendôme is currently very hot with celebrities.

I thought about it and put Holly in room #114, Mr. Flannagan’s chambre at the Ritz(from Love in the Afternoon). The Ritz and Audrey are joined at the hip don’t you think?

For BAT fans watch the making of…essential. Yes, we all hate the casting of Mr. Kuniyoshi. Big mistake, even back then they should have known better. 

Have you wandered around Place Vendôme looking in the shops? 

I haven’t except for specific errands to the The Ritz Chalet de Noël or the Salon Proust Salon preview tea.

What a treat! I had to for Holly’s Paris map It was lovely. A beautiful open, airy space with extraordinary shops. Why not do a trial run yourself? 😊💋🕶🥂🐻

The Big White Shirt, Liwan

 

The oversized shirt/OS is a Fall must-have more or less. Today we’re in Paris!

A classic white man’s shirt has always been essential for French women. Yet I couldn’t find any pics or mention in French bible, How To Be Parisian Wherever You are!? So I sketched one on the cover.

Perfect for Design Night Out.

OS was spotted on rue Saint Sulpice

WhoWhatWear tells where to get the big white shirt and how much to pay. 

We discovered the delectable concept store, Liwan walking further down rue Saint Sulpice at #8. Their windows had a stunner. We had to go inside.

One of the owners demonstrated how to wear it. So chic.

Accessorized to perfection.

Remember Catherine Deneuve of the extremely pointy-toes and high heels? Guess what she’s wearing when not on the tapis rouge? Lebanese-made babouches from fabric she brings in! It seems everyone who is anyone is wearing Liwan’s slippers according to Vogue.

Both Carolyn and I bought the OS in Grasse at Carmen’s. Even though the sales woman said it was a small, mine is so big, 2-3 people could wear it at once😬 Of course Carolyn’s fits fine.

If you’re wearing a white shirt you better stick to white food no? Galeries Lafayette, at the moment has a counter of almond milks from Maison Gazelle. Course the exotic flavorings could be problematic…

When in Place Vendome, I usually waltz through Hotel Ritz. They don’t mind a bit and they have a fun concept store in the back for affordable Ritzy souvenirs. Reason enough for walk through.

Plus a lovely inner courtyard. 

I was curious to know the flower’s name and asked the front desk concierge. She said they change them weekly and asked me to sit while she called their landscape artist. She said they were called 

“Em-pas-iants.” 

Me,”Please write it down ✏️” 

Oh…impatients😊idiot moi

My next map is set in Place Vendome. Coming soon!You won’t want to miss it!

🥂🍾💋❤️😊🐻

Riviera Colors

By popular request more Riviera this and that for hungry travelers 🧳 I loved this huge watermelon 🍉 umbrella in the Cannes pedestrian shopping area.

Tomato red umbrellas in a Nice cafe..so jolly.

Carolyn’s lunch at Le Safari in Nice. We tried the mozza with tomatoes everywhere we went but none topped those at Cafe Hoche in Cannes. Its like that when you travel isn’t it 😊 You keep trying out a particular dish over and over and its never quite as good.

The colors and patterns reminded me of these big paper cutouts in the Matisse museum on the ground floor.

Carolyn wanted a vrai salade Niçoise and it came in a bowl at Le Safari with a big leek on top! Is that allowed? I happily ate her anchovies. I am always available to help out with anchovies.

A small greeny park in Cannes.

Ladurée greens on rue Antibes in Cannes.

I would have loved to go into this Citrons of Menton shop in Cannes but Carolyn was looking for lounge dresses…

Ballerina shop, Repetto in Cannes on rue Antibes.

Tarte Tropezienne is all over the Riviera (originated in Saint Tropez) and not really a tarte but a giant, flat cream puffy thing.

The best sardines in France. Also the priciest but worth it if you’re into sardines. I am.

An essential ‘online’ map of the shuttle train coastline. No longer available in print, so save this for your next trip.

A look in Van Cleef and Arpels window. I coveted the copies in the cheapie shops. Who’s going to know?Carolyn vetoed that idea 🤔

Lovely figure painting at the Matisse museum and a photo of the same scalloped chair in his house.

An older gal sitting next to us at le Safari (not wearing polka dots). I’m off to a preview at the Paris Louvre soon. I almost said the Met. Guess where I am?If you'd like Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox, do take a look in my shop. 

Bon Tuesday PBers🥂🍾☕️🥐Happy Riviera breakfast