Saturday, March 31, 2012

Springtime in Paris

Sending a quick spring greeting from Paris, where DH and I spent a few romantic days this past week.

The leaves were just coming out, and the weather was blissfully warm and sunny.. it could not have been a more wonderful time.

The displays at Ladurée's were such a pretty match to the light and sunny atmosphere

Everyone in the streets seemed to have had a spring in their step,

while the cafés were bustling at any moment of the day

A perfect omelette at the Café de Flore
Café de Flore 172 Blvd St-Germain, 75006 Paris www.cafedeflore.fr

Waiters enjoying a break in the quartier des Beaux-Arts, where I discovered a beautiful tapestry chair in the gallery next door

So amazing how Jean Cocteau's drawings were reproduced by needle point, the expressions as delicate, and the lines as flowing as if drawn by pencil or ink

Spring certainly is one of the most tempting times of the year to buy a hat, and if I hadn't quite a few straw hats already, I wouldn't have been able to resist these

Marie Mercié, 23 rue Saint Sulpice, 75006 Paris www.mariemercie.com

Open windows in romantic courtyards, greeting the mild and fresh spring air

Leaving the hotel.. until next time!
Damier GM in a cowboy knot, ends secured with a MT Collection shawl ring in sunshine honey


Coming shortly: spring displays at FSH (photos and video)

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38 comments:

  1. I feel that I've had a virtual walk through Paris after reading this post , and I can't wait to be there in person.
    I adore Cocteau drawings , and the tapestry chair is something I would have been attracted to also , the question is ...did you bring it home with you ?

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the spring walk through Paris, dear Estrella! Even though I was drawn to the chair when I saw it through the window, it was only back at home (when looking at the pics) that I fell in love with it. Now of course kicking myself (and I don't even know the price)!

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  2. How utterly gorgeous.

    Good to see that you are Living the Dream Maitai.

    Do you needle point or action any craft like knitting? Do Tell All.

    My friend SG was wearing one of your scarf rings the other day. Tres lovely x

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    1. It was a magical break indeed, dear Faux Fuchsia! Re actioning any craft, I made a needle point Christmas stocking and a Noah's arc cushion for DS when he was little..they took forever, but are so beautiful. My knitting came to a still stand when DS was about four and refused to wear the cable knit sweaters I made (prefering fleeces instead). Enjoy the times where you still decide what Baby FF wears!

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  3. That looks like the perfect spring break, I love the last photograph.

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    1. It was, my dear Tabitha, wish I would be there still! Photo credit goes to DH ;) Have a happy weekend!

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  4. Sounds like the perfect break! Last time I went to Paris in March it was freezing but funny how I didn't mind as at least we had sunshine.

    Thank you for reminding me of the straw hats as I am still looking for the perfect one for work in the summer when the leather one gets too hot. My problems is the fit, they never seem to stay on when I lean forward and the practical solution would be to tie under my chin.... far too twee for me and better suited to a Jane Austen heroine than a David Austin afficionado.

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    1. Bienchen, perhaps you can try a solution a la Texas, with a leather cord run through grommets on either side of the crown, 'round the brim, and then knotted long below the chin, with a bead or leather "button" to tighten the cord to your chin. A hat shop should be able to adapt your hat in this way. I can send photos or drawings if you need visuals.

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    2. VnSoie, that sounds like a lovely and practical solution, thank you so much. Does that mean a return to Paris for me, I wonder.

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    3. The weather can be so volatile in early spring, and last week has been exeptionally warm.. so lucky! Looks like you'll have to return to Paris before the summer!

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  5. Quel magnifique temps c est merveilleux
    Je part a PARIS jeudi pour une semaine et la metéo annonce un vilain temps et du froid tant pis je serai a PARIS
    Tres bon weekend chére MAI TAI
    Amicalement

    MYRIAM

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    1. Je vous souhaite un séjour merveilleux, chère Myriam (j'espère qu'il fera beau comme même..)!

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  6. MT how lucky you and your DH are to have this most romantic of cities just a short train ride away! From the omletttes to the hats and Spring blossoms it all looks sublime!
    I am so happy you had this romantic interlude;)
    Very much looking forward to the FSH windows and videos! Thanks again for sharing your special time with DH and cudos to him for sharing also! Romance...sigh!
    Champagne hugs and chin chin to you both, T xx

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    1. Very lucky indeed, my dearest Trudye! And so are you, my sweet friend. Chin-chin to romance and happy times <3

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  7. Hasn't the weather been amazing - I love all those pretty straw hats, and you look so glamourous stepping out of your hotel! You picked a great week to go! xxx

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    1. It could not have been more picture book perfect, will always cherish the happy memories.

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  8. I am speechless! You look like a Star, absolutely stunning! And that chair!... Oooh! I would have bought it right away! Paris is and will always be my favourite city! Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey with us once again, my dear MT. I hope I soon can go there again. Big, warm hugs to you, M.

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    1. You are so sweet, many thanks mu dear. Will definitely check on the chair the next time I'm there! Hugs right back <3

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  9. Love the chair, the hats are pretty, and call me strange, but I want a Laduree box more than I do the macarons. LOL

    Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip!

    BTW, I took my Rolex in to be appraised, and now I'm waiting again. Anxiously. ;-)

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    1. Aren't their boxes just the prettiest? Hope you will have your precious watch soon back on your wrist, pls keep me posted of the appraisal's outcome!

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  10. Ah to be able to head to Paris for a few days.... I can only imagine. Superb springtime photos, but really, when in Paris does the weather really matter, its perfect at any time. Glad you had nice few days together, looking forward to the FSH update, and of course news of any purchases. Ax

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    1. It is all thanks to the highspeed train, it is truly miraculous how it takes you across France in a heartbeat! Re new purchases, DH was faster than I.. and now I have to wait until my birthday..

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  11. Everything looks beautiful, including the model, of course! Thank you for the preview; I'll be there in ten days!
    xoxo

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    1. Thank you <3 Enjoy a most wonderful time in Paris!!

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  12. (Thank you especially for the Marie Mercie window preview; I had the shop on my list!)

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    1. Have fun visiting (and trying!)! There is another great hat shop nearby, you can custom choose the color and material of the hat and ribbon La cerise sur le chapeau

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  13. No better place to spend a Spring Fling with the one you love. I would be there every season if I could. ~~Bliss

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  14. I was wondering if you would share your favorite hotels in Paris? We have stayed in several different ones but still haven't found the one that we love - thank you!

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    1. I am planning a blog post series on Paris hotels!

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  15. Thank you for sharing photos of your lovely trip. Funny, my last visit to Paris I, too, took a photo of the beauties in the window of Marie Mercié! Like JillNC, I have yet to find a favorite hotel. I chose the Villa Madame for our Paris visit in June.

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    1. It is alomost impossible to walk past Marie Mercié and not take a pic! I very much like the Villa Madame, especially the courtyard and little salon with the fireplace. The rooms are spacious, which makes it great for traveling with children!

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  16. Magnificent! What was your hotel? Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Blog post on Paris hotels to follow!

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  17. You are so sweet and generous to share your beautiful trips, dearest MaiTai. One can truly feel spring's vibrant energy coming through…and love in the air <3 So very happy to hear you had a wonderful, romantic time with your DH in the loveliest Paris - just picture perfect! The needle point chair is so exquisite, and the display of the hats simply delightful. The beautiful hotel looks like a most romantic sanctuary - of course, you look amazing - my grateful compliments to your DH. Wishing you many happy spring days, dear MaiTai. Sending you all my love and joyful spring hugs xxx

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  18. I'm a bit late to the party in thanking you for sharing your lovely travel photos! Everything looks yummy and beautiful. I'll join in with the chorus..go back and scoop up that gorgeous chair! So glad you had a wonderful visit.

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