Thank Heaven: A Memoire

My brief encounter with Leslie Caron and her dog Chi-Chi in Metro Étoile was one I won't forget. As a former shoe designer, I was captivated by her spectator shoes. Funny I called my version 'Fred Astair'.

A few nights later I was shooting the windows on rue Grenelle.

And discovered a shoe shop, Mme. Caron would adore.

Look - the perfect dancing shoes!

All these are from Laure Bassal - 3, rue Grenelle 75006

Elegant 20's style shoes still hand-made in France with a flapper edge that will never go out of style.

Since I got home I'm captivated by Mme. Caron's book, Thank Heaven: A Memoire. I can't put it down.

Tales of developing her craft, funny stories on the set will make you want to watch Caron's movies again. This morning's pick - Truffaut's The Man Who Loved Women.

Her intimate little stories of encounters and friendships are gripping tales - I wish this book wouldn't end...

You can watch Father Goose on Youtube by the way.

I'm awfully glad life is full of serendipitous surprises, especially in the Paris Metro.

Merci Leslie Caron!

Leslie Caron at Metro Etoile & Mad About Macarons

Yesterday I had a brief encounter with actress Leslie Caron in the Metro Etoile station.

I saw an elegant French woman checking the metro map. Then I saw her little dog - out came the camera immediatement. 

Remember Leslie Caron of Gi-Gi, Lily, American in Paris, Damages, Le Divorce, more recently Law and Order.
 

I saw the woman go off in one direction, turnaround and come back. Metro Etoile is a confusing station. I sensed she was lost.

I went up and said,

'Peux je vous aidez?'/ Can I help you?
Mm. C. said, 'bla bla bla' in French

Me, 'but I'm American'

Mme. Caron responded in her inimitable lilting voice,

'Isn't it funny an American helping a French person in the Metro?' & smiled graciously.

I helped her find ligne 8 and then asked if I could take a picture of her Shitzu.

'His name is Tea-Tea' (sp)

All I could think was her movie 'Gi-Gi'

Leslie Caron's book, Thank Heaven A Memoir came out two years ago. It's a classy tell-all of her life and loves in Hollywood and everywhere else. I'll be reading it as soon as I get home. Lovely interview here. 

A new Arte doc on Caron here. She is 90.

Everyone in London and Paris is talking about the new Spielberg Tintin movie coming out exactly the day I head home. AirFrance could you please show it in economy? 

Yesterday I picked up Le Point to browse while enroute to my private macaron lesson with.Jill Colonna of Mad About Macaron fame. Jill is quite determined I will conquer the elusive macaron secrets. 

 Bear inspects egg whites put out that morning. It was a misty, rainy day so everything should have gone wrong. 

Jill is a maitress de macaron. She whipped up these madly lemony macs for me.

After class, Jill took me on a grand tour of Saint Germain-en-Laye's finest patisseries. M.O.F. Patisserie Osmont was irresistable. 

The tarte citron meringuee beckoned.

Perfect for breakfast today! Little crunchy orbs of meringue sit atop a light lemon curd. Inside a touch of framboise/raspberry surprise lurked. Today I ate my crust. Chef Osmont won me over and I was very hungry. 

Leslie Caron said in this Guardian interview,'I seldom eat pastry–maybe once a year. I never eat desserts and I don't drink'.

👏👏👏

Bonjour Leslie Caron, Jill Colonna, Tintin!