The world weeps with you.

My thoughts and heart offer no space right now for posts about frivolous things.

 Our dear friends in France;

we weep with you,

we bow our heads and

 pray for you.

Flags bow at half mast - the French Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

 

* image: Julie Oliver/Ottawa Citizen

A New Glass Slipper.

When you are one of the most famous ladies in the world, 38 million dollars for a face lift is a drop in the bucket. Yes, the biggest celebrity of all time - Eiffel Tower, has just unveiled her new face. I am happy to say that she really hasn't changed from the sexy silhouette and sleek curved lines that she first debut in 1889.

Can you believe that only 300 workers constructed the 18,038 pieces of wrought iron with 2.5 million rivets for this 10,000 ton, 984.25 foot lady.
So when you turn 125 years old what is a lady to do? For this well sculpted beauty she catches her breath from years of wear, a staggering number of pictures she posed for, war{s}, weather, and the ever changing environment. Then you get fitted for a new glass slipper.
Miss Eiffel started her 38 million dollar transition in 2012 and just this week revealed her 'face lift' that includes a glass floor at the first observation level.

Eiffel Tower green floor is charged up with wind and solar power.

during the face lift

When your facelift is 38 million dollars it can't be all just smoke and mirrors. The two year project includes a green floor that this charged up with wind and solar power, a new reception area, a 200 seat multipurpose theatre, a new conference room, the new visitor center, and an open air Museographic path that leads around the new setting.

And when you have your peak-a-view look on - well, the world of selfie photographers just can't contain themselves.

So beautiful is the lady that we cannot resist standing next to her for proof that we were there..........

My 50th birthday in Paris.

The view from the first observation deck prior to the new glass enclosure. via Glamour Begins At Home

Miss Eiffel is the one to wake up next too.....

Shangri la Hotel, Paris.

Fashion photo shoots, engagements, and tango dancing - this lovely lady has inspired us for 125 years.

via theonlinephotographer.typepad.com

Hauntingly beautiful .....................

via Glamour Begins At Home

Paris is always calling my name and this new glass slipper is a reason to celebrate.

Post Cards from Paris

Vicki Archer from French Essence did a little shopping while in Paris at the beginning of November. The shopping included buying something special for her readers.....forty vintage post cards with various scene's from Paris.
It was HERE that Vicki generously offered to share the post cards and send them out to readers of French Essence.

I was very happy to receive an email from Vicki asking for my mailing address so that a card could be sent out to me. Today the carefully inked envelope arrived in the mail, inside was a pretty linen paper card with a watercolour painting of a home {Mas de Berard} that looks remarkably like Sharon Santoni's home on My French Country Home.

Inside is a quick note from Vicki {doesn't she have the prettiest handwriting?} and the vintage post card. The post card is marked PARIS - Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - La Passerelle - Le Lac - Le Belvedere - P. P. C. Paris and it has a 10 cent stamp.  
I  will need to have the assistance of one of my friends to read the message written in French, but I love the tightly scripted handwriting on the back of the card.

When I look at something like this with age, I can't help but envision someone sitting down to carefully write a note to a friend and then wandering across the cobbled streets of Paris to post it.

It will take a few more months until Cardinal House is ready for move in, but this little treasure already has a special spot waiting in our new home.

Vicki : Thank you for the lovely gift.

Parisian Design

Paris.... oh, she is lovely at every glance. 

Designer Jean-Paul Beaujard brings the graceful qualities and romantic inspiration of Paris into his penthouse apartment located in the seventh arrondissement. Although images of this luxurious apartment was first shared via Architectural Digest back in 2006, the elegance and simple beauty is worth revisiting.

The daybed is Jansen, while the rug and chandelier are vintage pieces from the 1950's.  Beaujard, who is both an antiques dealer and a designer, draws inspiration from the romance of the pieces surrounding him.

The upper level balcony overlooks the living space {in the first image} and takes full advantage of the 25-foot high ceilings, not to mention the top floor view of Paris from this 1910 circa building. I love the herringbone wood floors and detailed iron railing.

The bedroom {and main living area} doors open to a terrace offering the perfect view of Paris. Can you imagine having breakfast on the terrace outside of your bedroom or catching a glimpse of the twinkling lights at night. Beaujard captured the beauty of the blue sky with the colours used in the room, while the reflection in the mirror doors brings the beauty of Paris inside. The well thought out combination is sure to aid in the sweetest of dreams.


* images via AD

It was back in 1862 that a small bakery opened at 16 rue Royale in Paris, it was not to be just any ordinary shop, this was the beginning of the world famous Laduree pastry shop. I'm certain that Louis Ernest Laduree could not have imagined 150 years ago that the humble beginnings of his bakery shop would develop into the quintessential Paris pastry boutique of today. The Parisian luxury brand stores are eagerly welcomed today in major cities world wide.

mlle poirot

The celebration of Laduree's 150th Anniversary has already begun with new pastry products, designer inspired packaging and a beauty line to mark the year long event. A special macaron flavour with it's own designer box will be featured each month of the anniversary year. The new recipes start with a marshmallow filling, rather than the usual cream filled meringue based cookie.    

Cherry Blossom Design

The pink-cherry-blossom themed collection is the collaborative creative talent of French chef Vincent Lemains and Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato. The pink cherry-blossom flavoured macaron is complimented with packaging and a candle in the same theme. The anniversary cherry-blossom theme is available starting March 1.

Laduree Anniversary Macaron Box

via 55fab

packaging and books for Laduree 2012

One of the delicious anniversary cakes available.

It wouldn't be an Anniversary or a carefully marketed product without gifts to remember the celebration. In addition the the newly created macarons, specialty cakes, vintage style packaging, there is a selection of candles, books and an anniversary keychain.

via 55fab

The experience of the romantic luxury pastry shops is a divine experience in itself. Famed lithographer and French painter Jules Cheret brought his vision to the first Laduree pastry shop in 1871 when he painted the ceiling of the shop with cherubs dressed as pastry chefs. The Laduree symbol was born.
The elegance designed by Cheret was appreciated by ladies who could now 'take tea' outside of their homes at the tea rooms set up at Laduree. The typical cafe were domains only inhabited by men before the public tea rooms evolved. Today we continue to enjoy the exclusive romantic styling that was the vision of Mr. Cheret.

Happy Anniversary Laduree!

And while you are in the mood for macarons...........

Celebrating the Macaron for a worthy cause: 

March 20th is the Seventh Annual edition of Jour du Macaron {Macaron Day}, a celebration of the double-sided macaron....... as if we needed a reason to enjoy the delicate sweetness.
Visitors to Pierre Herme, Sadaharu Aoki, Laurent Duchene, Jean-Paul Hevin, Arnaud Larher, Christophe Roussel and Dallayau shops in Paris will be offered free macarons on March 20th. While you are enjoying the delicious sweet treat the stores will graciously accept donations for Autistes sans frontieres {an organization that assists children with autism}.
And while I can't think of a better reason to visit Paris, Macaron Day is celebrated globally. A quick internet search will provide details in a city near you..... while I board a plane to Paris.

Next.......... Les Merveilleuses de Laduree.

Paris :: Anytime

I know that the phrase is 'Paris in the Springtime'; and yes, that is truly a magical time there. But I would take Paris anytime.

Richard took me to Paris two years ago for a 'big birthday'. It was incredible, romantic and so memorable. I was flipping through the pictures today and thought it would be nice to take a journey back to France......... come along with me for a quick visit.

Arc de Triomphe :: Paris, France

Flower shop St Germain area

The architectural elements in Paris take your breath away.

Morning Espresso stop

The Eiffel Tower is iconic with Paris. When we traveled up to the observation deck I discovered that I had vertigo. I was surprised that I was frightened to walk out on the deck, but I did it and the view was incredible. Later in the evening Richard took me to a cafe to sit and watch the light show on the Eiffel Tower. I LOVED, loved, loved being in Paris. And I love that it was Richard who took me to Paris......because my Honey is very romantic. Sigh !

I'll never forget when Richard and I strolled along the Paris streets at night.

I took many pictures (about 100 per day) while we traveled through France; and so the  many of the images are of the beautiful churches that we visited. The church above is on Ile de la Cite. A poster size print is framed and hanging in our living room; each time I look at I recall being in this incredible room that was literally a dome of stained glass. It's a warm and wonderful memory.

Richard took me to the Louvre for my birthday. 
It was a wonderful day together that I'll never forget.

Paris ..... Anytime. Take me there.

** All pictures are my own except the first image of sparkle Eiffel Tower.

The Leaves of Fall

The hills and valleys of Ontario and Quebec provide a rainbow of autumn colours when the leaves begin to change. We are fortunate to live in a neighbourhood with an abundance of tree's that provides a backdrop of rainbow shades. When we arrived in Paris one autumn a few years ago, it instantly felt like home.

Autumn leaves in Paris