All posts tagged: paris

nostalgia of french vintage posters

One thing I can’t seem to get enough of is, French “vintage” posters and postcards. To me, they are a clear reminder of  “perhaps” a more simpler time and in my case a great focal point for when I am stressing about the most current of times. I usually stop at every store, whether in the U.S. but mostly  abroad and flip through the racks and display cases housing these wonderful works of ar, which are now reprinted in postcard or poster form for our viewing pleasure and of course to purchase. I can’t get enough of them and for that reason I have included some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

wishful thinking for fall

Last days of summer and the first of fall, depending on which calendar you look at. It could be September 22 or 23rd but either way, it’s here, so quickly I must add and based on my mood these day, along with probably millions of other people, the transition is not a pleasant one. As I contemplate transitioning to a new career, experiencing a new life perhaps and the desire to relocate to another city, I continue to ponder over this photograph and wonder how wonderful  it would be to live in Paris for while… Either way, Happy Fall everyone.

museum envy or “transforming culture into a consumer product?”

While in Paris, enjoying the Louvre Museum on a rainy afternoon, I noticed the above poster hanging over the self-purchase ticket kiosk in the lobby of the museum. I actually stared at it for a long while and then decided to take a picture of it just to ponder over in the weeks to come and to remember to research the reasons behind the “project.” When I returned to the U.S. and shuffled through my photographs on my computer, in order to organize them, the above picture popped up, reminding me of what I had to do. As a  supporter of the fine arts and an avid museum goer, I must say I have trouble with this decision. I  believe this is the first time a museum is opening a “branch” and although the article I have included here justifies the means to the cause, or rather explains the reasons behind the decision, I have mixed feelings about the endeavor.  Perhaps I am wrong to think this way, but I strongly feel all things historical …

Parisian chocolat and teaser desserts

I am not a fan of desserts but once in a while, I do get a sweet tooth and feel the need to sample a light and fluffy dessert and/or a piece of quality chocolate. My favorite dessert of course is French dessert and although they have been infused into the American culture via restaurants and some gourmet grocery stores, it is not the same as eating one in, say Paris or anywhere France. What is the most amazing is, the number of chocolatiers or “chocolat” (French Spelling) boutiques around the city of Paris and some in the French Riviera. The neatly and beautifully displayed chocolates and desserts in a perfectly temperature controlled boutiques give you a sense of experiencing being “a kid in a candy store” except for adults. I had trouble deciding on which piece I wanted to sample and had a blast pointing out the creations to my husband while we travelled the region. The flavors, aroma, quality and care taken in the masterpieces are something I will miss until the next …

dog heaven in france and a few cats

I know I keep writing about my trip to France but there are so many elements of it that I just can’t let go of or want to forget, so I jot them down as they come to mind  in order to reflect and because telling friends and family about your travels can sometimes get boring, it’s best to write them down instead for those who care enough to read and enjoy. I think the hardest part of going on vacation is leaving your pet behind, in my case it is a dog. First the guilt trip, then the tears and then when you are on vacation, you can’t help wonder how your pet is doing, day in and day out. With that said, I have to say that while  in Paris we did not see too many dogs outdoors because of the downpour I suppose but when we got to the French Riviera, there was a dog on a leash on every corner in every town. The worst of it was that they were …

salon de the – parisian tea salons

A must, while in Paris, is of course the Salon De The (Parisian Tea Salons).  It seems over the years there is one erected  in every street corner, but then again it could just be that I happen to notice alot more of them since I have become an avid tea drinker myself. These tea salons are the most charming and exquisite places to be seen in and to meet up with friends as well as experience the most amazing cuisine and creative and a delicious array of desserts . The history of the Tea Salons go way back and if you happen to be in Paris, make it a point to have dinner there at least one night out of your stay and don’t forget to leave room for dessert while enjoying your cup of tea. Once again, I have included photos of the ones I stumbled upon while walking the streets of Paris and just a note, there are actually coffee table books available in French bookstores about the Salon De The(s) just …

nightfall over paris

It seems that no matter what time of year I visit Paris, there is always a busy nightlife. Whether it’s in the dead of Winter or early Spring, for sure Summertime and well into Fall, the locals and visitors alike frequent the restaurants and bars no matter what. They dine, drink, laugh and smoke (in some cases) and spend hours talking while enjoying their meals. I love taking photos of Paris between dusk to nightfall, when the lights begin to flicker on throughout the streets and restaurants and it’s as if a magical thing happens, when all of Paris becomes the most romantic place on the face of the planet.

my love, love relationship with Paris

I once said, Acting is my destiny, Paris is my lifestyle and architecture is my passion. With that said, I want to dedicate the next few entries to all things Paris and share with you Paris through my eyes: One of my favorite things to do, while in Paris, is take photographs of the roof facades of the beautiful buildings all around the city . Most people look straight ahead when walking. I spend the majority of my time looking up as I walk, zooming in with my camera on the most beautiful or unusual and sometimes bizarre rooftops around Paris. I can probably spend numerous days capturing these shots and sharing them with my readers, but for now I have only included a few for your enjoyment.

cannon powershot and my new adventure

I vowed at the beginning of this year that I was going to buy a new camera for myself no matter what. But since January, what has been the most frustrating for me is the fact, I went store to store and website to website searching for the perfect camera and then found excuses to talk myself out of doing so.  Just so you understand, for a while now my 6-year-old camera was beginning to show its age with  the poor quality photos and  deteriorating battery life and today  just when I was taking my very last photo of the house I sold, the screen image turned orange and I heard several clicks and then there it was.   May the Cannon I had for 6 years rest in peace. After I turned over the keys to the real estate agent, I walked into Best Buys and purchased a camera my friend had suggested a while back, the Cannon Powershot and came home with the peach colored box and set it on my desk to tend to my usual day-to-day life.  I do this when I am nervous …

french women don’t get fat

Now here is a book I read about 5 years ago and loved every bit of it and for a while applied some of the recipes in the book in hopes of losing the weight I needed to. It started to work, but then as any lazy woman would say, life got the best of me and I didn’t follow through. Well, recently as a result of my packing and moving, I began to separate all the books I wanted to give away and those I wanted to keep and of course this one is a keeper. I smiled as I flipped through the pages, because I had put a sticky note on almost every page that contained a recipe with my notes and plan of attack written in pencil. Now that I dusted off the book and  have it on my work desk, I plan to follow the recipes in hopes of maybe losing a few pounds and inches a la francais. After all the American diet plans didn’t work and besides what do …