Paris

Today we return to Ceintures Losco, in the Marais. The workbench is in the main room and I was fascinated with how well it was organized, and of course the French touch....the roses.Losco5 rue de Sèvres75006 Paris

The European Night of Museums (or la Nuit européenne des musées in French) began in 2005, created by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. It takes place every year on the Saturday nearest to International Museum Day. This year both occasions fall on the same day - today, May 13th! Tonight, museums will close much later, allowing people to experience the cultural institutions by night. Access is most often free to the public. This photo was taken at Paris' Musée d'Art Moderne during last years event. Two million visitors participated in la Nuit des musées in 2012. Read More...

The team behind the much-lauded restaurant Septime (which featured again this year on the World's Best Restaurant list) has opened a wine shop cum wine bar just around the corner from their main address in the 11th arrondissement. Pop into the charming Septime La Cave to pick up a bottle from their vast selection from not just France, but also Italy and elsewhere in Europe, no matter what

You must think I have a door fetish(!) for I posted several ones on this blog already, but what can I say... Paris has a lot of beautiful doors and I can't help noticing them! This one belongs to the Hôtel de Ville (the Paris town hall) and I was lucky enough to photograph it while there was a cool reflection on it (I doubt it was the sun though for it's been a long time since we've seen it here! Anyway, have a great Sunday everyone (it's the museum feast in many countries this weekend, so how about a little visit to your favorite museum?)

Direction Monaco (oui y’a beaucoup écrit Monaco sur mon blog en ce moment ^^) pour assister au défilé croisière de Dior … Nous passons le week end là bas et j’ai bien l’impression que ça va être … royal … … Lire la suite →

What seems like a million years ago, I took on a project at work. Funny how nine months can feel like a million years and two weeks all at once, isn't it? One day you've started this thing, hoping against hope that you can really pull it off because you can't fathom doing exactly the job you're in for 25 years, and then a split second later you are done with it. Remarkable, really. It's like I've gone through some kind of worm hole. It went so smoothly. Not perfect, because nothing ever goes perfectly, but smoothly. Remember how I was a bit miffed that I had been told I would report to someone? Well MY GOD was I glad she was here. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her. I learned so much and had a great time (she's a wonderful person, too, which was pretty lucky!). I hope to work with her again. I would love to tell you exactly what I did and who was there but I can't. So I'll just share with you a few of my favorite photos of the little details that pulled it all together. It was sort of like seeing my first child brought into the world. After a long wait wondering what it was going to look like, I finally got to see my funny amoeba turn into a living, breathing thing. You know, without the labor pains and swollen ankles.

Yesterday on my B'day 365 Creative Dresses and I went to the Perigord fair In Montmartre by Sacre CoeurFor the perfect lunch. Dessert First SVP! Hey it's my B'day Fraises/strawbs direct from the Dordogne with Chantilly whipped cream piled on top Next door figs from Maison Mazières of Perigueux filled with heavenly foie gras. Just a gouter/taste did the trick. Insanely riche... We had the best canele ever we both agreed. Not too sweet yet that perfect balance between cake and custard - so hard to get these babies right IMHO. I went back again today to get another and more strawbs and... Pretty little bottles of flavored syrups - rose, rhubarb, black current... Regional walnuts/noix in the shell or out and caramelized ! We shared a perfect half dozen of farm-raised escargot served with a little apero toast and a marinated snail. Heaven. And just the right amount from Terre d'Escargots. The garlicky-parsley aromas were...oh heck! This gentleman farmer had wonderful canard something or other and honeys from Château de Fayolle. You can visit and stay as well. There's a pool... Chèvre/goat cheese in all ranges from fresh to Very aged... These weekend French regional fairs are always announced in PariScope. Plenty of maps and guides were provided. What a great way to find out about an area before visiting. This British man was showing his Mum the postcard she bought of the ride down the Montmartre funicular...Bonne Weekend PBers and THANK YOU for all your kind wishes and encouragement!!

I've been having a little bit of a rest in the past few days, the calm before the storm I would say, a good storm that is. My life tends to go through periods where I am extremely busy and traveling all over the place, to few days of complete calmness. I guess I need some sort of balance between the two. The past few weeks have been quite calm and they are about to turn upside down. In a few days I will be getting my travel chip back on, flying to Mexico to finish filming the TV series for E! and ELLE Mexico, not missing the chance to also spend some quality time with my beloved ones at the beach in between followed by other exciting trips. I will keep you posted! FACEBOOK ? TWITTER ? BLOGLOVIN'

Fans fill the stadium to cheer on race at the Grand Steeplechase of Paris Paris is gearing up for one of the most exciting events in the horseracing world, the Gras Savoye Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. This highly anticipated race will take place on Sunday, May 19th at the Hippodrome d’Auteuil. The hippodrome, nicknamed the “temple of jumps” is located just across the western border of Paris in the 16th arrondissement. The race was first run by talented horses and jockeys in May 1874 and since then has been one of the city’s most prestigious spring events. The Grand Steeplechase of Paris is the most acclaimed jumps race in France, and one that both horse trainers and jockeys dream of one day competing in. The race stretches over three miles and challenges the horses to leap over an impressive twenty-three fences. Audience members hold their breaths in excitement as the horses leap over each of the race’s jumps. Horses must be five years old to participate and clearly at the top their talent. This year fans will be watching to see if three-time winner, Mid Dancer, will be victorious once again and make history as the first horse ever to win the Grand Steeplechase four times. The event will be enjoyed by attendees of all ages and even offers a merry-go-round for its youngest guests. For the full experience, visitors can sign up to walk the course before the race to see the event from the horse’s perspective and gain a deeper appreciation for their talent. Doors open at 12:00PM for the main event, but book a spot in advance to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Paris has much to offer throughout the spring season, but for a heavy dose of excitement, history and culture make sure to check out the Grand Steeplechase Race! Website: www.grandsteeple.com Find tickets for the race and pre-booking to walk the course here. Entry: €8 Discounted entry for students and over 60s Free for children under 18. Hippodrome d’Auteuil- Route des Lacs- Paris XVI Metro: Porte d’Auteuil (line 10) Bus: Porte d’Auteuil (PC1, 52, 123, 241) Car: Ring Road, Porte d’Auteuil exit Parking: €2 Image credit: Grand Steeplechase by LALLA-ALI Share on Facebook Retweet this

My grandson Davis, can vouch for every candy vendor, at every street market we visited. It's a wonderful thing to have one euro to spend. A lot of bang for your ....euro, but the choices for him took a very, very long time!