Le Village International de la Gastronomie - Tour Eiffel

 

Yesterday I went to Le Village International de la Gastronomie at  Eiffel Tower, 

Just for a lark…

Euphoria : Art is in the Air | Grand Palais

I was just playing 🫧 at EUPHORIA at Grand Palais

Probably more for 5-year olds than moi. 

Toulouse, Brick City

How many of you have been to Toulouse? Raise your hands 🙌 I forgot to mention I was running 🏃‍♂️ to Toulouse on Thursday.

Every year Urban Sketchers France picks a city to meetup in - Voila Toulouse!

April in Paris Letter

 

In February at the C'est Bon le Japon event,I picked up a cherry blossom 🌸 drinks coaster. I showed it to Bonnie, my chief letter idea consultant and said, “Wouldn’t this make a great April letter!” She agreed 👍

When April rolled around…I forgot about cherry blossoms 🌸 

I was caught up in painting mono-product pastry shops in Paris…

Creating the Eiffel Tower cat letter

 

Imagine strawberry 🍓balloons floating around the Eiffel tower…even though Bonnie said,”Strawberries are so over” at least in VT

Paris Sketchbook Jason Brooks

It doesn't matter where you look, Paris is a visual feast.
 

Jason Brooks' Paris Sketchbook manages to capture so many aspects every which way in line and silhouette.
 

It's true. Bevies of beauties are everywhere.
 

The Metro is the perfect place to people watch.
 

Jason Brooks, a renown international fashion illustrator for Elle and Vogue, would fill endless sketchbooks while in Paris covering the couture shows.
 

Photo by Elliot Erwitt
His sketched umbrellas remind me of this fab photo.

Of course Paris' beloved Eiffel Tower shows up throughout the book along with travel tips.
 

In rain or shine (yesterday it was rain on the menu).
 

And bien sur Paris lovers.
 

Seen everywhere.
 

Paris is kiddie town as much as a lovers paradise.
 

The lineups of school children tearing off to museums or the Metro is well-captured by Brooks.
 

And Brooks' perfect pastries sketches are just as pretty as his fashion drawings and architecture. There isn't much Brooks can't draw. He gives you the feeling you're in Paris looking over his shoulder
 

Munch..munch...

Do take a look at Jason Brooks' Paris Sketchbook.

A perfect immersion for the Paris-obsessed.

Mini Paris Monuments

 Paris has more monuments than any city on the planet...

 I was looking at the Paris bus guide (75+ buses) and one spread (Bus 42) could keep you busy for two weeks hitting the high points.

 Not all Paris monuments have to be monumental.

 Like the green Wallace fountains spotted around Paris.

 The presse kiosks and ad columns 'Colonne Morris' (mercimarie, Veronique).

 Metro signs are another fav mini monument.

 What about the French beret or street signs?

 Petit dejeuner is a well-loved Paris mini-monument espec with an Apilco cup.

 The ardoise/blackboard is another fav.

 Can a Paris mini monument be living, breathing?

 A demonstration is a not-so-mini Paris monument.

 The ubiquitous macaron - eaten before it hits the plane.

 French parfum is a mini monument you can bring home.

Paris monuments can come home with you on a mug!

What's your favorite Paris mini monument?

Melodies Graphiques!

C'est la rentree! R U ready? U will need an apple for the teacher (organic/bio svp) Chocolate pencils are a must-have from Patrick Roger. How do U say 'pencil sharpener' in French?

A lovely Eiffel tower pencil box - check

Lacy notes for teach when U'd rather stay bed - check.

Longer lacy notes for more elaborate excuses - check.

Postcards to send to yourself - check.

Quill pen + l'encre for handwritten notes to your boyfriend - check.

Lovely rubberstamps to decorate your envelopes - check.

Little felt mats to blot your pen points - check.

You can get all these essential back-2-school goodies at Melodies Graphiques on 10, Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe 75004, a unique calligraphie shop in the Marais.

For all chocolates - Patrick Roger.

Bonjour La Rentree!