Paris on My Own

So i was on my own today, exploring neighborhoods in Paris looking at cool design shops, fabric stores, and running an "errand" for a friend of mine in Luxembourg - she wanted some of the macarons from the very famous La Duree. I found that having a map in hand, hours to pass, and nobody to take charge except for me, forced me to really figure things out. I feel like I know the city much better now. At least parts of it. 

This shot was actually from yesterday morning, but i wanted to include it because the sky and light were so pretty.

After having a leisurely breakfast of a croissant and tea, I made my way to the metro station, catching a glimpse of the Arche du Triumph. 

Walked by a florist that apparently does this nice little detail every day - they toss rose petals on the sidewalk in front of the door. 

I took to train to get me close to Le Marais neighborhood. it was originally the Jewish "ghetto" but now it has also become a very hip, design-savvy, as well as gay neighborhood.

I love this site - an elegant woman arriving at teh office, on a motorcycle. she was probably in her 50's. 

Another elegant woman, all dressed up, on her scooter. See the heels?

Gerard Depardieu still has that awful haircut, even when he's starring in a police detective thriller. It just doesn't seem right. I shall always picture him in a loose white blouse, picking plums or raising rabbits in the warm Provencal sun.

"Sales 69%"    69%???

A very creative "Sales" sign.

La Duree, home of the best macaron in the world! This time the line was just at the door. On the weekend it was around the corner, down the block. 

The prize! A dozen macarons for my friend Alison in Luxembourg!

Some spring flower displays at one of the many many florists I walked past. 

Me, trying to get a photo of myself with a view of the Seine behind me.

There are Starbuck's here and there, and I walked into one to see if they sold the same crappy "pastries" and muffins they serve at home. And yep, they do, except they also offer pancakes with 3 different toppings. 

Ahh, this site never gets old... 

The sun peeked through the clouds to give just a bit of color on the buildings as I was almost done walking.

Paris Again, part II

Nils and Ale's suits ,ready to go to this economic conference tomorrow. 

Relaxing after a busy day:

After the rain stopped we got some nice sunshine and the olive tree looked happier as it sat out on the little balcony.

Dramatic skies and light, thanks to changing weather. This is the view from Nils and Ale's living room, and where I spent all of Friday working. Not too shabby...

The view from the kitchen. Isn't it so French?!?!? So Parisian???

Nils needed a haircut so he let Alejandro use his "Flobie" style clippers. Here is halfway through the haircut, and all the way in the '80's, in terms of style. 

Remaining christmas decorations 

A metro station

NIls and his new handsome haircut

Gucci windows. 

Notice the headline: "Resist the Crisis!" in other words, keep spending money on crazy-expensive accessories from Lanvin!!!

Hermes

More Gucci men

Some evidence of color palette trends. 

More Lanvin window decorations

more color palettes

Train station

Some PDA on the train. I was hoping to get more photos like this so I could do an entire entry about Paris PDA. SPring is in the air or something because couples were making out all over the city. 

More Paris & Le Maison et Objet Show

The vast Le Maison et Objet home accessories show. it was H U G E. And, i have to say, there was really very little that was tacky. And they had everything from soap to bathrobes, to bedding, to flowers, to pottery, kitchen accesories, coffee makers, pillows, etc. 

Ladies and gentlemen we have a double winner!   

Introducing, Mr. Best Boots ..

... who is also Mr Best Hair at Le Maison et Objet show!  Hurrah!!!

As I got off my train stop the Eiffel tower was all a glitter. (sigh)

Paris Again

I'm back in Paris again (I know, lucky lucky me) and even thought it has been raining steadily since I got here last night, it's still beautiful. Even the wet sidewalks have a certain "Je ne sais pas ce qui" (??). Tomorrow or Sunday I'm off to these super hip home design shows "Le Maison et Objet" and "Muebles". I'm hoping I can take some photos...

A Great Birthday

So today is/was my birthday–my 40th. It may have been the coldest day all year here in Luxembourg - in the teens (Farenheit). I knew it was cold when I saw the smoke coming out of the chimney - I guess it had that you know, "cold smoke" look. 

Morning sun on the frosty window:

Dave even made the bed before he left!

Momma Cat showed me some "boob".

Yesterday, Jan 6th is "Ephiphany" celebrating the arrival of the 3 Kings who brought gifts to Jesus in Bethlehem. Here they celebrate by eating a King's Cake or Galette de rois. The cakes are puff pastries often filled with fruit or in this case, frangiopani. what is frangiopani anyway? it tasted like a nut paste, I liked it. inside each cake is a little toy and whomever gets the toy in their slice is "king" for the day. Then they get to wear the crown. I guess some cakes have little plastic babies inside to symbolize the baby jesus. My friend NIls told me that in Paris a very fancy baker made one of his cakes with 2 tiny gold bars inside. So his cakes, already very expensive (25 Euros or so) sold out this year. 

 Our cake had a very tasteful tiny porcelain tea pot in the shape of a cat. And what luck! My slice had the prize! 

Epiphany Prize: A Lucky Cat!!!

This is what I found in my slice of the Epiphany "King's cake". A porcelain (could have broken my tooth on it) tea pot/cat. I feel it will be very lucky, and this is a very auspicious sign for the greatness of the year ahead, for everyone!!!

New Year's Eve in Luxembourg

Happy New Year!

Dave's friends from work, Mirko and Mickael invited us to a New Year's Eve party. Dave and I were feeling kind of tired and not very social but we went anyway and we had a great time. I noticed some big differences between this party and parties I've been to back home. One was that everyone was pretty dressed up. Another thing was that everyone was very, very cordial and they all introduced themselves to us, each other, and made a point of going around to everyone to at least say hello. Nobody was left out. I think if we were invited as newcomers to a party like this back home it would be more casual, and we would have to make more of an effort to meet people. 

We also learned of some interesting New Year's traditions: you wear at least some of the color red, eat lentils for prosperity the coming year, and at midnight you dip your finger in champagne and wipe it on your friend's necks for good luck. 

As soon as it was midnight EVERYONE went around and kissed and said "Bonne Anne" or "Happy New Year" to everyone else. It was so nice. Dave and I were both so touched and felt very welcomed to this party. 

On our way home we found a champagne bottle in the street, probably used for setting off bottle rockets. Fireworks seemed to be pretty popular here - people had their own stash of them and were setting them off from their apts. It felt like Luxembourg came alive for the night. We ran into our neighbors who were doing the same and we finally got to talk to them at length. Both are from Germany and of course they speak perfect English. 

Wishing you all the best and happiest and luckiest for 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Dave and his buddies: Mirko (from Italy), and Mickael (from France)

Mickael and his girlfriend Sophie (also from France)

Mirko and his girlfriend Elizabeth (from Ireland).

Our neighbors shooting off fireworks.