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Friday, May 05, 2023

Shiny, bight Things (SOS), Carette

I was saying to Vicki (my NYC neighbor for 10 years)the other day, that I always seem to be chasing after some unobtainable carrot ๐Ÿฅ• 

Vicki said, “But really, that’s already the basis of your blog, as you seek out and report on one “bright shiny object” after another (think macarons…)


I Googled that. Have you heard of SOS
Shiny Object Syndrome. It’s a real condition. Often people with ADHD have it.


Although most people don’t have SOS literally, 
madly chasing after silvery teapots ๐Ÿซ– and spoons๐Ÿฅ„ ๐Ÿฅ„๐Ÿฅ„

Tuesday morning, as I was surfing Instagram comme d’hab, I had a coup de foudre/instant love ❤️ with a silvery teapot. I asked which Paris cafe? so I could run and draw ✏️ it. No response back๐Ÿ˜ข

Later post-la Poste ๐Ÿ“ฌ jaunt, wandering around Place des Vosges (it was a gorgeously, sunny day - 70 degrees).

I passed by Cafe Carette.

I went inside to browse the pastries…just checking of course ๐Ÿ˜Š A must-do…

I noticed a discarded tray with exactly the same teapot as the instagram picture! 
Naturally I took a pic ๐Ÿ“ธ 

Was it Karmic destiny we should meet again the same day? 

OK, fate decided I must have tea at Carette, 25, Place des Vosges 75003

I think I’m in good company with this shiny objects fixation. Bonjour Mary Cassatt.

Another probable SOSer is British artist, 
William Nicholson (I just re-bought this book…left behind in New York), absolute master of painting silvery, lustrous surfaces.

Meanwhile back at Carette, the waitress comes running ๐Ÿƒ‍♀️ over to take my order and says,
You’re the one who draws✏️” 
She remembered me doodling a year ago! 
Turns out my beloved teapot only serves Chocolat chaud not tea. Very good it was too.

Speaking of bright, shiny things, I will not be glued watching the coronation. Please don’t hold it against me ๐Ÿ™ Don’t send back your watercolors. Is it today? 
Nor will I be eating ‘Coronation Quiche’, which according to The Guardian, the French claim should be called a tart. Broad beans are all wrong for a quiche evidently.

I just got up and made a salad ๐Ÿฅ—  for breakfast. Not particularly gorgeous but very tasty.

The new, hot, GLUCOSE GODDESS (she’s French), Jessie Inchauspรฉ, says we should all be eating savory things before sweets. Have you heard of her?
Ah, but I digress as usual ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Thanks for coming along on another twisty, turny, shaggy dog story, dear PBers๐Ÿ™ 
2023 is proving to be quite the eventful year. 
Thanks for reading amd sharing Parisbreakfasts.
Please drop by my Etsy shop to support me in my Paris meanderings ๐Ÿ™ƒ ๐Ÿ˜Š ❤️


36 comments:

  1. I like the reflection of the cup in the shiny teapot. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:30 AM

      How brill of you Lynn
      I am in LOVE ❤️ With those reflections!

      Delete
  2. This was fun. I was curious about your current fascination with objects that shine. Now I know SOS. It certainly is helping you to produce some lovely watercolors. I do like Place des Vosges. Awesome that your waitress remembered you!๐Ÿ—ผ❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:45 AM

      Silvery objects have been a long time obsession- I just didn’t know it

      Delete
  3. Anonymous7:42 AM

    Wow! Love this ....and how you captured the reflections in the silver..... brillante!!
    NJ

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  4. Anonymous7:47 AM

    Life would be boring without Shiny Object Syndrome, right? ;-) I seem to remember there's a bird, the Eurasian Magpie, that loves to collect shiny things. As a child, I was obsessed with glitter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:50 AM

      Yes I saw mention of Magpies…somehow I stopped myself falling down that ‘rabbit hole’ but now… ๐Ÿฆ

      Delete
  5. Anonymous8:06 AM

    Mind Exploding and Brillant! Just so many links to knowledge. Brava!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:52 AM

      Too kind ๐Ÿ™ Just the twists & turns of daily ADHD life..

      Delete
  6. It is amazing how silver has lost its value among younger people.I see so much posted for so little on Marketplace or Varage sale..Glad you found some..and you are famous.. Did she see le Mรฉtro?:)

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:51 AM

      Whatever falls out of favor comes back like a cyclone ๐ŸŒ€ Victorian items were dirt cheap not so long ago in flea markets.

      Delete
  7. ahh- so there IS a name for this problem of mine!!! I'm still giggling at this story...no wonder I LOVE this blog of yours so much!! :-D Cheers!! and on to seeking the next source of beauty!! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:42 PM

      Isn’t it nice to identify one’s crazy behaviors?
      Although knowing sooner rather than later would make life easierall around.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:46 PM

      ‘Wild Goose Chase’ is my middle name by the way…there she goes again ๐Ÿƒ‍♀️

      Delete
  8. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Oh I am another person with SOS syndrome. First thing to catch my eye at a flea market. Also I am anxiously awaiting my painting of the table at the Fontaine de Mars!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:44 PM

      There is a hashtag #shinyobjectsyndrome on Instagram
      Some think there is a cure for it!?
      Wouldn’t that be boring..

      Delete
  9. Anonymous11:00 AM

    Carol, I think you do NOT realize the comfort your blog gives to us. To me. I'm willing to bet that every reader would adore a day with you, (a week, a month) like a giant tea party, or better yet high school slumber party, our hair in rollers, and popping corn. Your art is wonderful, and your chattings make us feel like good friends. If only. Please keep on forever.
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:38 PM

      Thank you Judy,
      Most kind.
      Don’t forget you’re seeing me on my best behavior - the curated version. I edit a lot. Still I’m definitely up for a giant pajama soiree. Has anyone done that? A pretty brill idea. Hopefully here will be guimauve/marshmallows ๐Ÿ™
      I saw the prettiest pink ones yesterday…

      Delete
  10. Anonymous11:22 AM

    i'm surprised nobody has said anything about the crowned seahorse logo on the cup. I think if you asked around your Paris friends, you might be able to find out what Cafe has such unique tea cups.

    I love the way you paint reflective surfaces. I'm not so much the photo realist as I am the impressionist and you captured that muted glow so well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:33 PM

      Believe me, I blew up that cup for cafe clues.
      My conclusion - In the end it is CARETTE after all - the oddly-shaped chairs gave it away! ๐Ÿ‘
      As for the cup design, Carette no longer is using their beautiful Bernadaud flower design of former years. Though the madeleines were resting on an old plate, now the cups are quelle ordinaire ๐Ÿ˜ข

      Delete
  11. Carette is my favorite spot for chocolat chaud. I love that your watercolors show the bright and shiny of silver.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:34 PM

      It has remained a lovely place Suki.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous5:56 PM

    I have always thought your silver drawings are outstanding! Your spoons are spot on!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous1:46 AM

      Thank you ❤️ I’m back working on spoons again ๐Ÿฅ„ ๐Ÿฅ„ ๐Ÿฅ„

      Delete
  13. Anonymous1:41 AM

    The Glucose Goddess - Carol! We’re on the same page….I’ve been eating savory breakfasts (no more oatmeal), drinking vinegar before and dressing my carbs for about 2 weeks. CM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:45 AM

      Oh I forgot to mention Jessie Inchauspรฉ is the GLUCOSE GODDESS on Instagram. I’m eating my breakfast salad as I write…only on day 1 or as the French say J -1
      “Ever onward into the breach” ๐Ÿ‘

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:47 AM

      PS I Must get some ACV!! apple cider vinegar!

      Delete
  14. Leslie in Oregon3:58 AM

    Neither china nor silver has been part of my dining life at home. When I flew for Pan Am, though, we had silver teapots and coffeepots, as well as silver sugar bowls and cream pitchers, in First Class.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Coronation I loved. The quiche recipe? Not for me -- not those beans! But silver? Now that's another matter altogether (which reminds me, I need to polish mine -- it's looking a bit over-patinaed, if that 's a word! Beautiful art (as always) and photos, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:56 AM

      Thank you Jeanie,
      I will never have to polish my silver. My sister got all the family silver YAY ๐Ÿ‘

      Delete
  16. Bonnie L5:21 PM

    I think love of shiny objects is a common human trait. I love looking at gemstones…diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires. The bigger the better. Wearing them doesn’t fit my lifestyle but I could gawk at them endlessly.

    Carette at Trocadรฉro is a favorite of mine. Sorry to hear they’re phasing out their pretty floral China.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:54 AM

      You’re def more upper-crust then moi Bonnie.
      Maybe Bernadoux stopped making that pattern…qui sait?

      Delete
  17. Anonymous2:46 PM

    Dear Carol ,
    the silvery teapot is from Cafรฉ Carrousel 194 rue de Rivoli / 1 place des Pyramides 75001 Paris . Check on Google Maps !
    Best regards .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:53 AM

      Hmmm…maybe they have them too. It’s probably a standard restaurant supply item. The rattan chairs are definitely from Cafe Carette ๐Ÿช‘

      Delete
  18. Somehow I’ve got behind in my PB reading but I have to say I love this teapot! It does look like a coffee/chocolate pot though, so I’m not surprised no tea. The teapots are somehow a bit more squat, I guess so when people had their lovely silver coffee and tea pots out for drinks, they knew easily which was which???
    All the best with SOS, I think it brings you great stories.
    So, here is Australia people often change between savory or sweet breakfast, whatever you feel like (we have a salty savory spread called vegemite, it great but an acquired taste I think).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:48 AM

      Yes! Their teapots were more squat…and not as charming…or shiny!
      I think I had a taste of Vegemite in London - a one-off ๐Ÿ˜‚

      Delete

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