Victoire de Castellane

BEAR has let it be know that he'd like to be 'in the picture' so to speak...
BEAR Loves Roses, Fraises, Macarons, Watercolor, 9" x 11"
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Speaking of roses, Parisien jeweler, Victoire de Castellane also loves roses and has an exhibit of rare flowers at the Gagosian Galerie on 4 Rue Ponthieu 75008 until March 22nd.
Photos by Thierry Depagne

The display is quite sensational. Jeweled flowers.

Under glass domes.

As they well deserve.

Castellane designed jewelry for Chanel for 14 years.

And then moved on to Dior in 1998...

As the first Creative Director of the jewelry department.

Basically self-taught, Castellane made her first piece of jewelry at the age 5 by wrecking a precious brooch of her mothers and making it into earrings.

She adores playing with unusual materials and the unexpected. Toys and whimsey are a constant source of inspiration.
Don't miss hearing her speak...

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BONJOUR VICTOIRE!

Sciatica Report

Iris Printemps, 9" x 11"

OK on to BACKS 1st thank you PBers for sharing your personal experiences with sciatica /bad backs. BEAR and I are grateful for your kind tips, and advice.

 You might like to see the exercises we do now everyday.

2 X a day. 

Probably forever if we want to stay pain-free. We just started using 3-pound weights to strengthen the left leg a bit so it doesn't wobble. This stuff is tuff love.

 For Victor or Justine who mentioned the TENS Unit in an email. I'm getting electrical treatment with this at physical therapy.They said it would be fine to self-treat at home whenever I have pain.  Another PBer mentioned the McKenzie Method. I asked about it at PT and they said, That's what you're getting.

I'll look for this Paris a Nous book when I get there mid-March.
I don't know how much dancing I'll do but a mild jump for joy couldn't hurt thanks to your kind thoughts.

BONJOUR BACK to Paris!

Del Posto

Printemps Daffodils, watercolor at Etsy, 9" x 11"

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Printemps thumbnails...

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I has a Spring lunch at Del Posto yesterday at 85 10th avenue...
They have one of the best prix fix lunches in town ($29! for 3 courses)
Bowers of orchids greet you in a gracious, airy space...

My first course was a mini jungle of roasted winter vegetables...

Whoops I forgot the amuse-bouche - little cups of soup and risi bisi/rice balls with gold dust sprinkled on them...

My niece had a lobster thing first...

My main was sea bass with droplets of Campari/blood red orange and sauted radiccio. Verdict = Out Of This World!

My niece's fiance had the Artic char with truffles and chestnuts. But we were not allowed bites. Suffice it say it was divine as well...

Well heck EVERYTHING was divine. The desserts were perfection - delicate and light.

The Butterscotch semi-fredo is reknown at Del Posto but the fiancee ordered it, so it was look but don't touch...ahem

Isn't this a great way to serve a pistachio chocolate cakelet with a slice already cut out? It was perfectly accompanied with a dollop of tart yogurt gelato.

And not to forget the tiny little caramels, popcicles and truffles post-dessert.

I was walking on air post-lunch at Del Posto...

But these 'green' cats and dogs in a vets window brought me down to earth quickly...

BONJOUR DEL POSTO!

Yr Fav Paris Salon de Thes!

BEAR wants to go to some NEW tea salons while in Paris!! He says he doesn't mind going back to Carette but still... He is desperately seeking some new places...like Le Grand Opera - 13, rue Mogador 75009, where all the divine pastries are from Boulangerie Gosselin - MIAM! Bennie took this photo of Brunch at Le Paris Ritz and we are soooo tempted - the price is rather ritzy for us (120 euros). Do they charge for bears? Photo courtesy of Covered in Farine

Tea at La galerie des Gobelins at Plaza Athenee Not quite so $$$ but still pretty ritzy. Une dessert - 16 euros... Everyone is talking about Le Mini Palais salon at Avenue Winston Churchill 75008. What have you heard? An absolute MUST-do is the new Un Dimanche a Paris, Pierre Cluizel's new chocolate emporium at 4-6-8 Cour du Commerce Saint-André, 75006 Hear's a new tea joint at 95, rue St. Honore Called Tea Picture Horror. Been there, done that anyone? I've looked in the window many times but not stopped at Mamie Gateaux. BEAR insists this time we WILL go inside on 66 rue du cherche-midi.

Bles Sucre - we've been but never sat down for a quiet cup and a FAB dessert.

KAT says we MUST go to Bar Chocolat - Hotel du Cadran, 10, rue du Champs de Mars. Bien sur!

Tea at Jacques Genin - never done that but we will try Paris à l'heure des thés. Do YOU have some FAVORITE places for tea in Paris? Do Tell All SVP! ~

BONJOUR PARIS SALON DE THE!

PS

Merci Kris for Le Figaro's 10 new salon de the list.

Printemps?

Is Spring really here?

Some say oui!

And some say NON!

BEAR bought me a bunch of Irises to make me feel 'Springie'.

I'm seeing purple. Printemps 2, watercolor on Etsy, 9" x 11"  Printemps 1, watercolor, 9" x 11" ~

Chris suggested getting over winter by bringing in fresh flowers. That's where BEAR got the idea to run out and fetch those irises.

Peter's Paris is busy recording all the signs of Spring busting out.

In the parks of Paris.

At Gardeners’ Question Time on the BBC, you can get all your Spring hortacultural problems solved instantly by Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Biggs and Anne Switihinbank. Mesvitrines in Paris says Lanvin is thinking pink for Printemps.

Ines de la Fressange wants to take you on a Springie jaunt through the shops of Les Halles - Don't miss it!

DO IT IN PARIS says drag out your POP colors for Spring!
Bergdorf Goodmans windows are full of 'POP' colors. I hope all those balloons don't pop before the week is up.