To see more fabulous cloches, please visit piece unique.
Je vous souhaite à tous un mercredi fabuleux,
L x
This morning I set off with camera in hand, with the following objectives....
and I am pleased to report that they taste as good as they look. So much for a healthy nutritional breakfast but they tasted great when combined with a cup of coffee.
I have even managed to stop at one but have a feeling that I may need to put them out of reach until Mr FF returns from work.
A demain mes amis,
L x
Now that is what I call an Easter egg.......
Saw this article in the fodors newsletter and thought that it was worth sharing.........
Note a lot of these tips apply to other places not just in Paris!
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Customs and Etiquette in Paris: 15 Things Every Visitor Should Know
Customs
The French like to look at people—that's half the point of cafés and fashion, so get used to being looked at; it's as natural here as breathing. They'll look at your shoes or your watch, check out what you're wearing or reading.
What they will not do is maintain steady eye contact or smile. If a stranger of the opposite sex smiles at you, it's best to do as the French do and return only a blank look before turning away. If you smile back, you might find yourself in a Pepé Le Pew–type situation.
Visitors' exuberance—and accompanying loud voices—may cause discreet Parisians to raise their eyebrows or give a deep chesty sigh. They're not being rude, but they're telling you that they think you are. Be aware of your surroundings and lower your voice accordingly, especially in churches, museums, restaurants, theaters, cinemas, and the métro.
When entering and leaving a shop, greet and say good-bye to the staff. A simple bonjour, monsieur/madame and au revoir, merci are considered a virtual necessity for politeness.
Other basic pleasantries in French include bonne journée (have a nice day); bonne soirée (have a nice evening); enchanté (nice to meet you); s'il vous plaît (please); and je vous en prie (you're welcome).
When asking for directions or other help, be sure to preface your request with a polite phrase such as excusez-moi de vous déranger, madame/monsieur (excuse me for bothering you, ma'am/sir).
Greetings
When meeting someone for the first time, whether in a social or a professional setting, it's appropriate to shake hands. Other than that, the French like to kiss. For the Parisians, it's two bisous, which are more like air kisses with your cheeks touching lightly—don't actually smack your lips onto the person's face!
Out on the Town
When visiting a French home, don't expect to be invited into the kitchen or to take a house tour. The French have a very definite sense of personal space, and you'll be escorted to what are considered the guest areas. If you're invited to dinner, be sure to bring a gift, such as wine, champagne, flowers, or chocolates.
Table manners are often considered a litmus test of your character or upbringing. When dining out, note that the French fill wineglasses only until they are half full—it's considered bad manners to fill it to the brim. They never serve themselves before serving the rest of the table. During a meal, keep both hands above the table, and keep your elbows off the table.
Bread is broken, never cut, and is placed next to the plate, never on the plate. When slicing a cheese, don't cut off the point (or "nose").
Coffee or tea is ordered after dessert, instead of with dessert. (In fact, coffee and tea usually aren't ordered with any courses during meals, except breakfast.)
Checks are often split evenly between couples or individuals, even if someone ordered only a salad and others had a full meal.
Eating on the street is generally frowned on—though with the onslaught of Starbucks you can sometimes see people drinking coffee on the go.
Language
One of the best ways to avoid being a "tourist" is to learn a little of the local language.
The French may appear prickly at first to English-speaking visitors, but it usually helps if you make an effort to speak a little French. A simple, friendly bonjour (hello) will do, as will asking if the person you're greeting speaks English (parlez-vous anglais?). Be patient, and speak English slowly—but not loudly.
A phrase book and language-tape set can help get you started.
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Je vous souhaite une bonne journée,
L x
I simply had to share these photos with you. They were sent to me by a very special friend, who just so happens to also be a client of mine and lives in South Africa.
For more pink fabulousness, click here.
I am planning on having a kitchen island so I am on the hunt for two bar stools and would like a pair of antique ones, if possible.
So now you know what I am going to be doing for the next month or so, driving Mr FF crazy with all my kitchen design ideas and scouring the brocantes and vide greniers for fabulous, french items to go in my new kitchen/dining area.
Vous souhaitant à tous une belle journée,
L x
p.s. have not forgotten about sharing my other purchases from last week's "baguette expedition" with you but it is difficult to photograph today whilst the plasterers are working, so will show you tomorrow!
{image from here}
I just had to share these with you. Not only do they smell great but they have zero calories....
I cannot believe that it is Friday already, where did the week go?
As you have no doubt heard it was been very cold in France and normally it is warming up, instead we have had snow, which is almost unheard of in March, especially in SW France.
It is supposed to warm up next week, so fingers crossed that it does.
{musee d'orsay, Paris}
I just love this old French proverb.......
''Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose''
''The more things change, the more they stay the same''
La robe est très belle, Diana Kruger aussi......
A demain,
L x
Last night Mr FF had a dentist appointment and on the way we stopped at the most gorgeous florists. Have you ever been past a shop a hundred times but never gone in? Well this one was worth stopping, inside it was magical and smelt heavenly.
So this morning's photo is thanks to Mr FF who bought me this tres joli orchid in the most amazing pot.
This is their business card, it is a copy of an antique post crad, how fabulous is this......
Here's wishing you all a fabulous weekend/
Je vous souhaite à tous un fabuleux week-end
L x
Today she bought me a couple of fabulous items, including this fabric 18th century toile de jouy pelmet.
You will recall that I had a smaller one which was snapped up by a client who lives in Germany.
This is quite large (180 cms Lx 63 cms W/71" L x 25 " W) and is the last piece available. It was hung in a local chateau and is great condition considering it's age.Note it is backed with another fabric which has come away but this is easily fixed by a little bit of hand sewing.
It would look fabulous in a childs room with white voile underneath, oh so french.
It is 100 euros, a small price to pay for such a fabulous piece of history.
A tres bientot,
L x
{Fabulously French - new stock just in}
As you may have guessed from last nights post, I was a wee bit tired. It was a long but very productive day. My friend the Divine Ms D and I had a wonderful day doing what girls do best, shop!
Unfortunately we were not shopping for ourselves but rather sourcing for our respective shops.
That said, I did find a gorgeous mirror which I am planning on hanging in the stairwell of Maison No. 20, just do not tell Mr FF as he is not aware of this yet and I am hoping to break the news to him tonight, whilst he is tucking into his dinner and favourite dessert :-)
The purpose of our trip was to meet with suppliers and then order some items, expecting them to be delivered in the days to come.
Imagine our delight when we were told that we could take the items with us.....just wish that we had come with Mr FF and his trailer as the Divine Miss D has a smallish car which we crammed with box after box, merci to French men who help foreign distressed laddies who are not good at loading cars with boxes!
So here are some photos of some the items that I bought yesterday.....
Here you can set the tea set in the background and in the front, an egg holder. Again perfect for Easter and it would make a great gift combined with the table cloth.
I am off to start preparing Mr FF's dinner! Will be back tomorrow with details of a very ununusal grain sack that I found recently.....
A demain,
L x
