Madame Chic

Hello dear friends. I'm sharing a few things today. First up is Lessons From Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott that I uncovered via The New York Times and which I'm truly enjoying.

A good balance between practical tips and her real life experience while living in France, this makes a personable and interesting read. Although there is some resemblance with French Women Don't Get Fat, ( snacking between meals is SO NOT FRENCH!),  it's written from an outsider's perspective which makes it most appealing. I highly recommend it, if only for the wonderful section about healthy eating habits.

** Jennifer just advised me that her book is currently off sale on Amazon as she prepares a hardcover version to be re-released in the fall. I promise to keep you informed about that!**

 Also, there's a great article in The Guardian about artists and  suffering. I'm a big proponent in trying to be ( and remain) happy so this article definitely struck a chord.

Have a great day!

Hard at work

Dear friends, I want apologize for the sporadic blog posts lately, I've been tied up and preoccupied finishing a large project ( a novel!) and it's been hard work, leaving me little time or energy for anything else.

I promise to be back soon with more book reviews and fun giveaways as soon as my baby is finished.

In the meantime, I leave you with a clue about what my story is about & a fabulous soirée in Paris...

You must have long range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures.

—Charles Noble.

(Images via Dust Jacket attic)

Paris Dreaming

Hello my friends. I hope you're having a great start to the week.

I've been working very hard on the edits to my manuscript for J'Adore Paris amd I must say that I'm getting quite excited about the results.

Working on this book has got me dreaming and thinking about the glorious city and wondering what is it about that magical place that has us so entranced. A good friend of mine came up with an answer recently: Paris represents a feminine energy with its round arches,  curvaceous bridges, flowing water, incandescent light and street names such as Rue Madame and Rue Princesse...

 

I think she may be on to something. Would you agree?

For a recap of Paris Couture Week, take a look at these images from The Globe and Mail.

(Images via Vogue and Coffee and Inspired Design)

Happy Monday!!!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I spent time catching up on a bit of work and enjoyed the outdoors.

Are you heading to Paris any time soon? There are some exciting events coming up if you are:

First up, the Louis Vuitton-Marc Jacobs exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Apparently, each one gets their own floor at the Museum and it will cover more than 2 centuries of fashion. If this exhibit isn't making you drool, I don't know what will.

Another exciting event: the Christian Louboutin show at the Crazy Horse.

He opened his first boutique in Paris in 1991 with Princess Caroline of Monaco as his first customer.

Today, 20 years later and in a celebration of two decades in business, Louboutin is to become the first 'guest creator' in the history of Parisian cabaret club Le Crazy Horse. 

Finally, I thought I'd share this amazing list prepared by Design Sponge about things to do in the City of Light.

  

All this buzzing activity makes you want to jump in the next Air France flight, non?

 Have a fantastic week!

(Images via Bijou & Boheme and Glitter Guide)

Happy Friday!!!

Happy Friday!! I hope you had a great week!

What are you up to this weekend?

I thought I would share a few things that I've recently discovered and that I fell heads over heels for:

From me to you by Jamie, a gorgeous and VERY talented photographer! Her pictures above of the sparkling Eiffel Tower were created for the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

Ginny Branch, stylist and Illustrator. Her watercolors are simply delicious!

Kokun Design in the town of Sutton, Qc. The best interior design shop in the Eastern Townships!

This Sicilian basket! J'Adore!! I would carry it around all year long!

Wishing you all a FANTASTIC WEEKEND! XO

Color Inspiration: Bleu Gris

I'm loving this soft palette of blue and greys; it reminds me of Paris skies...Sighhhhhh, how I long to be back there to and see my dearest friends. 

Hope you are having a terrific week so far!

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -- Joseph Campbell

 

(Images From the Right bank, the glitter guide, Just B Splendid)

Inspirational Thought

 

"Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”  Winston Churchill

Are you planning a quick trip to Paris this summer? Check out More Magazine's wardrobe suggestions for under $100!

(image via The Fashion Spot)

Champagne and the stars

"In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars."

— F Scott Fitzgerald

I've made it to the chapter about Scott Fitzgerald in Hemingway's, The Moveable Feast and it is quite entertaining. You can imagine both of them drinking whiskey at La Closerie des Lilacs in Paris. They were both real characters and the book renders a vivid portrait of their friendship and sometimes rivalry.

I am looking forward to attending the Gaultier exhibit this evening and catching up with friends at the event.

(images via We hear it, Glitter Guide, Vogue and Coffee)

Dior Exhibit in Paris: Le Bon Marché

I just realized that I have many pictures of my recent trip to Paris that were never posted on this blog! Going back, I found these photos taken at a sublime exhibit about la Maison Dior at the gorgeous Le Bon Marché in the 6ième arrondissement. The exhibit was a successful mix of old & new, past collections created by Mr. Dior himself with more modern ones with an interesting mix of technology and film.

One interesting fact: Dior admits, in a short film, that he would have enjoyed being an architect. As a result, he "constructs" dresses with extreme precision. "The dress", said Dior, "is an ephemeral piece of architecture designed to enhance the proportions of the female body."

My visit was very timely since I refer to Dior in my second novel. (It was so inspiring, that I went back three times!) This exhibit also prompted a short scene in my book. Hope you will enjoy!

My dream: an apartment in Paris

Ever since my return from an amazing ten day stay in one of the most beautiful places in the world, I dream of escaping to the City of Light to write...and I can't help but try to imagine how my space would be decorated...

I think that the bedroom would look a bit like this:

With a tiny nook for entertaining...

It would have a cozy reading corner...

I would have a small terrace overlooking a quiet courtyard...

A few items picked up at the local flea markets...

It would have stunning architectural details...

I would find a large antique armoire to keep all my precious vintage dresses and shoes...

it would be located in the 6ième arrondissement...

And, of course, there would be lots of touches of pink!

with some lovely French notebooks to write my ideas and inspirational thoughts in...

And a few cute pups!

There's nothing wrong with dreaming a bit, non?

What is YOUR dream? Please share!

(Images via Lonny, Adore Home, Brocante Home, French Frosting, makingmagique and The laughing Elephant)