L'Orange

Persimmons a L'Orange, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

I started painting these Japanese persimmons because I wanted to do a post on all the ORANGE I saw in Paris. Not that I saw anyone walking around dressed totally in orange. Not at all. More like strong accents here and there of color that left an impression...
A real orange in Boulangerie Paul's window still life...
And piles of real oranges you can sink your teeth into in the marche.
But here as a strong accent in the home, Herve Gambs silk everlasting flowers seen in the new Galerie Lafayette Home store.
An orange seat in the Metro...
In the window of the Orange mobile store...

Plus a giant carrot! Representing what? The carrot on the stick?
Thanks Gawd for The Euro Diet.

I resisted just by a nano second buying these yummy orangy caramel madeleines.

Maybe next time...

Orange accents for men!
Outside my door on Sunday the furniture repair man had these mini models of orangy wood Empire (?) pieces he can whip up for you.
And at Le Bon Marche - the piece de resistance.
Passion fruit gateaux!
Does this make you want to drink your orange juice:)
BONNE JOURNEE!

Wedding Gateaux

Wedding Gateaux, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Another thing I was looking for in Paris was a nice wedding gateaux (cake) to paint...

And I finally found it at Pain D'Epices along with some nice silverware and a nice new Teddy and, and, and...
Course there's nothing wrong with this wedding cake...except for the size.
La Maison du chocolat Wedding Favors, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

Quite a few of you wanted to know if those were Tiffany boxes

In the post on La Maison du Chocolat's hot chocolate. Nope. They are their new wedding favors containing 2 Guayaquil chocolates - pure dark chocolate ganache with a hint of vanilla.
I love to do in Paris is run around at night and take pictures of the windows. Probably why I came home a complete wreck from running day and night! :)
I found Nathalie Durieux's robes de mariée boutique on rue de St. Peres and she was still working as I was. She's reknown for her unconventional wedding gowns - jewels butterflies flowers pleats birds dreams fairy enchantment creating the dress of your dreams...
More YUM YUM
Seen in the Metro -wouldn't that be fun to attend!
And don't forget fleurist AQUARELLE's beautiful bouquets

BONNE JOURNEE !

Sakura Murakami

Japanese tea and Dorothy's Persimmons, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

I have always professed to love all things Japanese like teapots and woodblock prints for example.

So how could I miss the Sakura Matsuri Cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Museum yesterday.

Plus the weather "people" were wrong again! No rain. Only sunny warm weather.
And every New Yorker showed up.
I arrived in just in time to catch the performers doing their Frank Sinatra New York, New York number. HUMPH !
Lots of pink cherry blossom things to buy like L'Ocidente body creams and notebooks and T-shirts and...and...and...
Just next door to the Botanical Gardens at the Brooklyn Museum of Art another flower show was going on - the Takashi Murakami retrospective.
And just as flowery an experience...
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !
You could also lose some serious bucks at the Murikami - Vuiton shop in the middle of the exhibit...ahem
The show is on from April 5–July 13, 2008 and is a "don't-miss"
For the Cherry Blossom Festival - you'll have to come back next year I'm afraid..
*Thank you Dorothy for lending me your mini persimmons to paint*
BONNE JOURNEE !

French Silver

Ispahan, original watercolor

 

Choosing a silver pattern is a tricky thing...

I looked all over Paris for a decent spoon...not that I'm a spoon collector or anything...Green Dome, original watercolor

But searching for anything in Paris is always an adventure...

So why not silverware? The antique shops are full of it like at Portobello on 56, rue Notre-Dame des Champs in the 6th arrondissement...Tons of it! Does everyone in Paris end up selling their silverware? This plethora of knife rests were at Vaux le Vicomte.. Here tables are being set for the evening crowd at Le Comptoir, Paris’s hottest reservation in the 6th... I wasn't particularly looking for a picnic set but they are plentyful in Paris. This blurry (stolen) shot was in the Marie-Antoinette boutique at at the Grand Palais exhibit. I think I need a press badge...hmmmm At last. I find just the right silverware set for me and my minis. OK Now everyone can dig in!BONNE JOURNEE

Chocolate Ribbons

Rose teapot and chocolate, original watercolor
 

Everywhere I turned in Paris there were bows, bows, bows.

French ribbons on every single piece of Parisien Easter chocolate.Corey's Rose teacup, original watercolor,

French ribbons cannot to be ignored, since the ribbon industry started in St. Etienne in the 11th century.

Organza pink ribbon + French perfume-a perfect match.

A bow-tied slipper

Embroidered ribbons as a decorative motif are ever present at the Musee Carnavalet.

The Marie-Antoinette exhibit at the Grand Palais is what made me sit up and take notice of French ribbon - this hairdo guide at the show. I'm reading the unputdownable Antonia Fraser biography of Marie-Antoinette

Ribbons were not just decorative touches - they held hats on or used as belts - they were the zipper of their day.

 The ribbon as painted decor on a wall - does anyone do it better here at Chateau Vaux le Vicomte.

And here in an old boulangerie in the 18th wall ribbons keep croissants safe from greedy fingers.

Here a do-it-yourself wall treatment to buy at department store BHV.

So when I saw this box of John & Kira's chocolates decked out in wired French ribbon I had to get it and paint it. The chocolates inside are flavored with lavender, ginger, bergamot and lemongrass