February rose tea cup, Au Nom de la Rose

There's a story behind February's rose tea cup like there's a story behind every Paris letter.

I fell madly in love with... a teacup. I'd seen it on Corey’s blog, Tongue in Cheek. Corey lives in Provence with her French husband en famille. 

Corey dared me to start Parisbreakfast blog in 2006. Corey's eye for antiques and brocantes cannot be topped. I fell in love with many treasures on her blog...a rabbit tureen is one I remember vividly. We decided to meet up in Paris in 2007 and I begged, turned somersaults, you name it, for Corey to bring along the rose teacup so I could paint it. And paint it I did many times.

Naturally visits were required to flower shop chain Au Nom de la Rose. I'm still visiting, this week for souvenirs to put in your Paris letter envelopes.

Finding the right friend for still life setups with rosecup ☕️ is essential.

Are you a fan of rose 🥀 flavored teas & syrups.

                   They are pretty to paint.

That's what counts when you're painting still lives.

So many jars of Fauchon rose petal tea

Ridiculous really...

This was my best rose 🥀 tea ☕️ cup and it became February's letter with a few additions like the a personalized ribbon 🎀 

 I'm mad for rose petals.

The color variations are wonderful to paint. Always mention your purchase at Au Nom de la Rose is a gift(cadeaux). They will fill the bag with loose rose petals and a stray rose to boot.

I looked high and low for another rose teacup but never found the right one, like Cinderella's prince.

Corey surprised me with a charming rose demi-tasse cup found at Porte de Vanves. 

Rose 🥀 teacup ☕️ in my etsy shop.

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. Sign up to receive these whimsical treasures in the mail.

Thanks for reading PB ❤️

☕️ If you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a KO-FI here  ☕️ ❤️ Thank you so much! 🥀

Then and Now

Yesterday I went back to my old nabe/quartier the 19th arron. for a number of reasons.

Where I live now is quite a step up...understatement of the year.

My old stairway (52 steps that kept my derriere a lot smaller).

My grand stairway now has a 17th century history I can't begin to imagine. Resolved: take the stairs more and the l’encenser less!

The old place was TEAL city.

My Brit landlady showed me how to light the hob (a totally frightening mystery to me as an American).

"Now remember, if you go away 1-2 weeks, do turn off the gas" she warned me.

I didn't actually get up the nerve to 'light the hob' for THREE WHOLE MONTHS. I never 'turned off the gas' either. Fortunately I did not burn down the house

Once I got the hang of lighting the hob it became my BBF. I adored that little cooker. So much better than the electric burners I have now.

Bear really loved our work area.

Good thing I dragged our objet trouvé, the pink secretary chair found in the street, to the new digs. He's settled in nicely thank you very much.

The old place had it's charms but I don't think I could have managed too many tea parties there.

The new diggs are streamline. A place for everything and everything in it's place, if only I could remember where I put stuff. If you've ever lived on a yacht please advise.

My raison d'etre for visiting the 19th was to rejoin piscine Pailleron.

This has to be the most gorgeous pool in a city with many divine pools. I grew attached to the 5 heated pools and the local families attending. Piscine Pontoise may have the beautiful people but it's a bit elitist and trés froid.

I really missed the parc Butte de Chaumont a few steps away.

So many wishes were made here that came true.

Lovely flower beds too.

The Franprix next to my old joint may be the ONLY place in all of Paris you can find chunky peanut butter (from Nicaragua no less). Believe me I have looked and looked.

Course I will never complain about living next to la Seine.

It's a life changing experience words can't describe. 

6:44 AM this morning the view out my window is pretty spectacular.

A Big Merci to all who subscribed to the Paris Sketch Letters!

You've helped make my life in Paris unforgettable.

La Taxi Tour of Paris and my left foot

Yesterday I went to the orthopedie to get a verdict on ze leg.

And I got to go outside the house! Thank you very kind Taxi Bleu.

Even if it was a grey day.

Paris is Paris and dependably uplifting.

Here is my right foot waiting for the news.

Look! L'Arc de Triumph is having a bit of work too...a comrade in arms cast. 

Notre Dame is in good shape this year. No cast.

I took a picture of my darling doc but he might sue me if I showed you so you'll have to settle for my feet, sorry. The doc let out one of those very French whistles (sort of a toot-toot when something is easy-peasy). He told me I just have TWO WEEKS more with the cast! Woo woo. Then I come back for a boot. I was clapping big time. 

*FYI in Paris supermarkets the ham case has at least 50 kinds. At least the butcher says this is the best one. Miam miam

Here is the artful diagram yrs truly created so she could sashay into my bank, get the money and waltz right by reception.

Somewhat better artwork of French Girl.

Remember French Girl?  I used to stay with her and admire her Frenchiness close up. She is still as Frenchie as ever.

FG brought me goodies from Monoprix yesterday. I hope someday to figure out how to order online.

Bonjour French Girl.

I wonder if my new boot/botte post-cast will look like this? Me thinks not. I am busy begging P Hermé's people to send me macaron brochures to put in your June-fraise Paris Sketch Letters. Keep your fingers crossed PBers.