It’s been a bearish 🐻 week
To walk on mirrored floors of Korean artist, Kimsooja. Bear did not have to wear the fabric shoe covers. Next a bite at Eric Kayser’s new concept shop, Baguett 🥖 33, rue Coquillière, 75001. Instead of what looked like a basic tuna sandwich, was but full of spicy Moroccan Harissa 😝 Sandwiches are sold by the meter, demi, quart. Next stop, La Poste du Louvre, the main post office in Paris. Staff went into a complete flap 😳 “These are ALL the Baguette 🥖 stamps we have! It’s finished, non plus, kaput!” I bought all 34 stamps. Then he totally freaked out.Then I totally freaked 😵💫 I raced 🏃♀️ out the door & took the bus to Le Carré d’Encre.at 13bis rue des Mathurins,75009. They reassured me the 🥖baguette stamp is not finished. 594,000 stamps were printed. And they had this irresistible canvas bag in the window. If you live in France, you can buy baguette🥖stamps online here.
*If you’re running around and it’s hot, Galeries Lafayette has a cute alcove, Wine Gate, one escalator up, to grab a quick, tea or iced lemonade 🍋 & recuperate. Yesterday I went to the art library, Bibliotheque Forney near me to research the Olympics ⛹🏽♂️letter 🏋️ I thought it would just be Olympics graphics from 1924. It’s 100 years since the event was held in Paris. In fact the exhibit is a fascinating overview 
Of all forms of advertising A mixup of old photos, videos, interactive radio ads. The Metro stations haven’t changed much… I loved this old photo of swimmers diving into the Seine 🏊 That has changed a lot 🤞 A free Marie-Antoinette hand fan give-away by department stores…So considerate! Parisians still use hand fans. Most tabac sells them. The US team in 1924.
I was ✍️ inspired by a pencil ✏️ case I found.
But after the bear 🐻 immersion this week, I’m going Bearish.
I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience.
Of all forms of advertising 
Love the baguette stamp canvas bag you found! Could you provide a link for purchase? Sharon
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, Unfortunately I see nothing available on La Poste website. Typiquement. I bought mine at Carré d’Encre, where I buy my stamps in bulk since most post offices have few international stamps on hand.
Deletehttps://www.laposte.fr/pp/timbre-baguette-de-pain-francaise-lettre-internationale/p/1124031
I was wondering if your stamps did smell like a bakery. my friends in paris sent me some and they said they didn't smell of anything and the same when i got them. just curious
ReplyDeleteThey supposedly smell like Vanilla the postage guy told me. There are micro crystals that explode upon scratching. Would you believe I haven't scratched them, although after being in the post 7-14 days who knows? 🥖 CAROLG
DeleteI’ve ordered two of your baguette letters and , alas, neither have had any smell. I wonder if going through the postage meters or all the handling releases the smell.
DeleteThat bag is YOU.ADorbs..the croque-monieur ourson too.
ReplyDeleteI know Monique 🥖 I kept expecting to be stopped in the street 5-10 times but it didn’t happen 😃 CAROLG
DeleteWhat / where is Stamps HQ? How can one buy the La Baguette stamp shopping bag?
ReplyDeleteAre you in France? Unfortunately I see nothing available on La Poste website. Typiquement. I bought mine at Carré d’Encre, where I buy my stamps in bulk - most post offices have few international stamps on hand.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.laposte.fr/pp/timbre-baguette-de-pain-francaise-lettre-internationale/p/1124031
Hello Carol, yes, I live in France, near Carcassonne. I looked at the Laposte website as well but nothing! Thank you very much for responding to my query. I will keep looking. Keep up your excellent posting about all the wonders of living in Paris!
DeleteSo envious of your life in such a beautiful city, and happy that you share it with others in your art!
ReplyDeleteHaha Funny Suki. Is it a pickup on the chocolate bears all over Paris?..taken even further with giant bread bears? Did we really need this iteration? BIG is definitely IN this season. The French Love trendy things even when they’re ridiculous. That croque was too big and too cheesy for one person. I worry about the French ligne CAROLG
ReplyDeleteWhile visiting in Paris, I toured the Kimsooja mirrored exhibit in the rotunda at Bourse de Commerce…amazing! While there, I revisited the little talking mouse in the wall by the elevator…do not miss.
ReplyDeleteI missed the actual mouse Dee Ann but took a picture of the poster in the gift shop! ❤️ CAROLG
DeleteIt’s right on bottom of wall. Hilarious.
DeleteOh my! Those baguette stamps are fabulous! (And I'll betyour letter is, too!) The exhibit looks terrific. That bag is the best. I think I need to find one of those for Rick!
ReplyDeleteThe pencil case is inspirational! Great post !!!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be there for the Olympics!! Looking forward to seeing your posts and drawings!! NormaJean
ReplyDeleteThank you for your delightful excursions and lovely watercolors! R.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! How does one woman (named Carol!), fit so much into one day?! Love the mirrored rotunda at the Bourse…looked like Bear was having a great time. Would definitely have gotten Kayser’s bear croque…with a lemonade at Galeries Lafayette. Yum! Love your new baguette stamp tote. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI did come home and collapse Bonnie after collapsing in GL
DeleteTheir lemonade 🍋 had only 4 gr of sugar! 👏 CAROLG
I have your painting of the french girl carrying her baguette by the Paris doorway on my writing desk and figure its time to add the Baguette stamp letter as well. Love your art Carol. Suzanne
ReplyDeleteDear Carol, I was very delighted to receive your work on the subject of wands and timbre. I was in France last week and no one was selling stamps. There were no more!!! A funny man told me that it was better to go buy a baguette in a bakery! 😁 Brenda
ReplyDeleteFrench post offices can be rather provincial. There have been times when they had NO international stamps on hand!? Sold out.
DeleteLe Carré d’Encre, a stationary/papeterie store, is the place to find all currently available issues.
13bis rue des Mathurins, 75009
We all want that bag. How can we get it??
ReplyDeleteEasy peasy. Come to Paris & run 🏃♂️ to le Carré d’Encre. Et voila
Delete