Mon Égérie : Inès De La Fressange

{photo during Paris fashion week via wwd)

She is , well, unique.

Un bel été grec

"Un bel été grec"

That's how my favorite summer magazine puts it. And I have no reason to say otherwise. A Greek summer is as summery as it gets. 

A very talented fellow Greek and fellow blogger posted some lovely summer vacation pictures and memories recently. Lovely summer, isn't it? Nothing fancy. I like what she said about it, "the care-free way of living life, the don’t-worry-about-tomorrow type of lifestyle".

That's what we are hanging on tight to. And what you should hang on to. The French have a phrase for it that very much expresses my own feelings right now: "Vivre au jour le jour". Live each day as it comes.

That's one thing this present situation is teaching us, I told my youngest daughter today. To be present. To be thankful for what we have. To be free from want.

This time last summer I wouldn't dream of going through this time of the year without my favorite magazine. Although I subscribed to Cote Sud, I bought it while on vacation because I couldn't wait to get home and put my hands on it. Yeah, I am part of Greece's economic crisis, but look where my money went!

One of the things I love about the French language is la poesie. There is something inherently poeic in the way French words are uttered. When I get Cote Sud in my hands, the first page I go to is the editorial. I love the way Françoise Lefébur writes. i read it out aloud. I read it silently. i let it sink in.

"Plein bleu soleil au balcon de l’été ! On en rêvait. On l’attendait comme un

panier de vacances rempli à ras bord d’azur léger, de bleu d’Egée, de bleu de
mer, du bleu de Cadaqués, d’un bleu baignade ou du bleu des îles d’Or. Alors,
ni une ni deux, on plonge. On s’éclabousse les yeux par un bel hommage à l’eau
précieuse interprété aux 4 côtés de nos magazines (Sud-Ouest-Est-Paris) par nos
photographes et stylistes, tandis que l’on rapporte sur la tablée des envies une
bonne pêche d’assiettes méditerranéennes. Pour être tendance, on enroule la
maison dans un paréo d’indigo tie & dye et on la laisse vivre, heureuse, sans
façon et plus belle que jamais dans sa toute simple déco estivale, un brin dénudée,
un rien délurée. Elle s’inspire ici et là des intérieurs radieux, adopte le style
Costa Brava, ibicenco, gréco-sérifien... Elle craque aussi pour le look cabane
Robinson des temps actuels, le blanc de chaux contemporain ou un dedansdehors très Ramatuelle. Ils deviennent totalement incontournables, ces nouveaux
refuges de l’amitié et du partage, ceux qui accueillent les journées copains autour
d’une authentique bouillabaisse et ceux du bon vivre en terrasse. Les balades
à Porquerolles, à Port-Cros, ou dans les Cyclades sont plus que jamais les
bienvenues... Et si vous vous échappiez avec nous ? A l’horizon, la lumière vogue
sur le bleu bonheur. Alors, vive l’été et cap au Sud !

Françoise Lefébur

Although i miss all the wonderful photography, the well written texts, the thrill of leafing through, the smell of the printed paper, i cherish this little piece of summer.

I love people and companies who are generous. Thank you Cote Sud for letting me have this little piece of summer. my summer. 

C'est le mérite de la poésie qui a mille petitesportes de planches pour une porte de pierre, millesorties au jour le jour pour une gloire triomphale.

{Paul Eluard}

P.S. To the French people: I think you didn't do well to kill your kings. In fact what a horrible thing to do. I do love your new king, queen and baby, though. So, do have a lovely national holiday. Vive la France.

Guest posting-Ines de la Fressange

Today I am guest posting,
 a first for me!

You know how much I love books.
And you know how many times I have written that Ines de la Fressange is mon égérie.

 Non?
Well take a look here
(with a comment by Mme de la Fressange herself-me blushing!).

It is only natural that I should choose to write about her new book 

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

There is also a French edition called as one might expect, 

La Parisienne

since Mme de la Fressange is the epitomy of French chic.

So, head over at Reading is Fashionable to read my post!

Fashion Fridays-Le Comptoir des Cotonniers

Le Comptoir des Cotonniers is one of those companies that make fashion that normal people may wear, but manage to do so with flair and style that sets them one step forward from the rest of the pret-a-porter people.

I love Le Comptoir's trademark effortless chic style and neutral colour palette.

Another reason I always pay attention to Le Comptoir's styles is its advertising campaigns. Soon after it was founded in 1995, the campaign was set on the theme of Mothers and Daughters, having everyday mother and daughter teams showcasing the company's styles.

2005

2010

Minnie dressed by Le Comptoir de Cotonniers, to celebrate Mickey's 80th birthday!

Summer 2011

As a principal I do not think that mothers and daughters can actually wear the exact same clothes. 

We often get mother and daughter duos coming in the shop, and when they dress similarly, mothers almost always look like they made too much of an effort to look young. 

Then of course it all depends on the person's sense of style. 

I do find it fun sometimes to shop with my daughters from the same shop, especially for accessories.

All pictures, Le Comptoir des Cotonniers, apart from those signed by me.

Le Comptoir des Cotonniers 

 also has an interesting blog, Breves de Style.

I am linking my post to

I hope you enjoyed your stay here. 

See you soon!

Greek Architecture: La Fondation Hellenique in Paris

Last weekend we watched a documentary on TV about La Fondation Hellénique, the Greek Student Union at the International University Campus of the University of Paris. 

I had heard a lot about La Fondation through a friend who had lived in Paris in the 1970s and 1980s and had a lot of stories to tell about the works and days of the Greek students there, stories that I did not like at all.

I have a certain idea about the way a Greek person should behave, knowing that he or she carries in him the lives of such great people from Leonidas to Plato, and the way some Greek students behaved even in my times as a student did not make me proud.

Anyhow, I love the architecture of this building and seeing its details, especially after the restauration works funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

 I felt so much for its founders, wanting to offer a shelter for Greek students often of modest means, who wanted to further their education.

The Greek Foundation was created on the initiative of Nikolaos Politis, ambassador of Greece in Paris. The building was designed by the Greek architect Nikolaos Zahos.

It was financed by a collection of Greeks together with the financial support provided by the Greeks of Diaspora. The remainder was provided by the Greek government. Inaugurated on December 23, 1932, it was given to the University of Paris for lodging Greek students persuing higher education.

Other nations also have their lodgings:

Sweden, 1931

Denmark, 1932

U.S.A. 1930

Japan, 1929

I love the way every building is honouring the architectural styles of every nation.

This is true cultural diversity.

As for the Greek building, there is something noble, something peaceful about Greek architecture, something that uplifts my soul from the ordinary, something almost divine.

For more information visit the Fondation Hellénique website and The Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

A nos amours

 Memories, feelings, times...So funny, they are all present, if only they are recalled.
A perfume, a song, and hop, they are here. What a wonderful PC we are!





Quand on partait de bon matin
Quand on partait sur les chemins
A bicyclette
Nous étions quelques bons copains
Y avait Fernand y avait Firmin
Y avait Francis et Sébastien
Et puis Paulette

On était tous amoureux d'elle
On se sentait pousser des ailes
A bicyclette
Sur les petits chemins de terre
On a souvent vécu l'enfer
Pour ne pas mettre pied à terre
Devant Paulette
Faut dire qu'elle y mettait du cœur
C'était la fille du facteur
A bicyclette
Et depuis qu'elle avait huit ans
Elle avait fait en le suivant
Tous les chemins environnants
A bicyclette

Quand on approchait la rivière
On déposait dans les fougères
Nos bicyclettes
Puis on se roulait dans les champs
Faisant naître un bouquet changeant
De sauterelles, de papillons
Et de rainettes
Quand le soleil à l'horizon
Profilait sur tous les buissons
Nos silhouettes
On revenait fourbus contents
Le cœur un peu vague pourtant
De n'être pas seul un instant
Avec Paulette

Prendre furtivement sa main
Oublier un peu les copains
La bicyclette
On se disait c'est pour demain
J'oserai, j'oserai demain
Quand on ira sur les chemins
A bicyclette

This is one of the songs included in a tape that my BF sent me some twenty-something years ago. I was my eldest's age. I had forgotten, more or less this song, but memories came rushing back. I hope you enjoy it. And if you do, you may want to watch a film, too. It's called Ensemble, c'est tout.

Eldest daughter and I watched it tonight on TV. Here is a trailer for you. La chanson de Paulette is in there, too. Lovely film. g'night.

Monday blog loving-French inspired

Is it the season of the year? 

Is it a season in my life? 

I am becoming a little nostalgic, dear frineds. I recall the details of my mom's house, decorated by her in the 60s, styled in the French style that looked quite passe to me, only a few years ago. I am not all for it now, but I am thinking of little touches that may add some elegant and feminine details

With God's blessings, our eldest is travelling to Paris in the Spring with her class. I think I am almost as excited as she is. 

In that spirit, blogs and websites with French ismpired decorating ideas seem to be popping up in front of me every day. 

Sweet serendipity! 

I am sharing them with you, so that you too may be inspired. 

 I am curently stuck with The Bottom of the Ironing Basket, a blog not strictly concerned with either France or decoration. But the esprit des lieux is such, with weeeknds to Paris, French fashion and a selection of lovely photography, that it provides my daily French fix!

If you are serious about French style and want to bring some of it home, the French Garden House shop and blog is the place to turn to. 

From exquisite firniture to antiques and jewellery, this is a joyful place of endless beauty and inspiration.

Last but not least, I got myself a little something last week. 

It is a sweet little choker from Etsy seller Elegant Rarity.  

So unlike me, and yet...

I read that the young lady who makes them is an Archaeology student~I am an Archaeology graduate.

Can it be serendipity?

*I am linking this post to Mosaic Monday hosted by the wonderful Mary at Little Red House.*

Le buffet de marriage

19th century Wedding dresser from Normandy, France

You know I am not that into antiques. In fact I almost never post about antiques here, although I am the (rather neglectful)  host of a Flickr group named  "True Vintage" which focuses on items that are authentic and still in use in their original setting.

But this afternoon, as I was leafing through a new old favorite, of which I am going to tell you more soon, I found this photo with the commentary that touched me and that I'm going to share with you. If you understand French, click on the picture to view larger, but two things interested me in the text.

First, once a girl was born into a familly, they would buy or let dry the wood that would serve to build the armoire that would house her linen. How sweet can this be? Ah, the love, the care, the thought, that went with it!
Second, before her betrothal, the carpenter was called upon, who would make this famous piece of wedding furniture. The more elaborate the carving, the higher the social status. Poorer families were using fir rather than oak, but still the artist would work miracles! Can you imagine that in our days?Can you picture the person carving these little birds at the top, and all the fine work, although the wood was not expensive (that is why this particular piece was originally painted over to be disguised as oak!) Who knows the story behind it? The agony of the girl's family to meet the groom's family standards? Or the young lady's desire to make her new home look more expensive and fashionable?

 What do you think? What do you think the story might be?

French Hotels~I

I have always wanted to go to Paris. When I was a young girl, I took French lessons at the salon of a Greek lady whose husband was a writer living both in Greece and France. The air was full of charm. I loved everything French, down to my teacher's nude nail polish. I want to visit Paris one day. I thought my 40th birthday would be a good occasion. My 50th, perhaps? I'd better begin my search for Paris' loveliest. Let's start with the hotels.

This is L'Hotel. I like the restaurant's atmosphere. I would try a coffee there, then perhaps dinner. The rooms though are too stuffy for me.

Le Placide, decorated in taupe, almond green, black and white, purple and ochre has the perfect colors for my taste.I read that the Post-It notes are translucent, the key rings are bejeweled, the laundry bag is unbleached cotton. However, if their mascot says something about them, I do not think I'm going to like it.

This one is more like it. Welcoming. Comfortable. And, hm, French?

So far, I vote for Hotel Relais St.Germain.

Best website preference goes to Caron de Beaumarchais. It looks very playful, welcoming and French. You must go and see their website for yourselves!

Second best for their modern website, a hotel with Ikea-style simple furnishings, the Mayet, below.

This one below is from the Hotel de Sers. My favorite bathroom. Taking my bath with views of Paris.

My post is based on two articles from The Huffington Post, here, and The Daily Telegraph, here.

To be continued...

Riz au Lait

Weekend delight.

INGREDIENTS

180 g de riz rond

100 g de sucre

1 sachet de sucre vanillé

2 oeufs

1 litre de lait

1 pincée de sel 6 calissons

1 poignée d’amandes effilées

50 g d'infusion Jardin de Caramel

PREPARATION

- Faites précuire le riz 2 à 3 min à l’eau bouillante salée. Egouttez-le. Portez le lait à ébullition, versez l’infusion dans le lait chaud et laissez infuser 15 min hors du feu. Filtrez et remettez le lait sur feu doux ; versez le riz et le sucre vanillé dans le lait frémissant, couvrez et laissez cuire à feu très doux pendant 25 min.

- Battez les oeufs avec le sucre puis incorporez-les dans le riz et faites recuire pendant 5min. Versez le riz dans un moule, laissez-le refroidir et conservez-le au réfrigérateur. Servez-le à température ou légèrement tiédi au bain-marie, saupoudré d’amandes et décoré de calissons.

(From here)

Love Domino Style-Calling it a day

Call it a high-end rent party: former staffers of Domino, the effervescent decorating magazine that was shuttered in January, are having a tag sale and inviting many of Manhattan’s best decorating talents to spring-clean with them. On Monday, Dara Caponigro (far right), the magazine’s former style director, and Tom Delavan (near right), the former editor at large there, were unpacking boxes in Mr. Delavan’s Greenwich Village town house, pulling together three rooms — over 1,500 square feet — of choice effluvia. “When you are doing shoots, you accumulate a lot of stuff,” Ms. Caponigro said. “It was all just oozing out of my apartment.”

A footed African platter, far right, will be $40; the claw-and-ball-footed table beside it will be $100; the French 18th-century three-legged farm stool in front will be $90. (Prices are negotiable; the decorating advice is free.) Yet to be priced are Verner Panton chairs, John Derian textiles and assorted dhurries and kilims. Former Domino contributors like Rita Konig will also be turning out their storerooms, as will Wendy Goodman, the design editor of New York magazine; Brian Sawyer, an architect; and interior decorators like Katie Ridder and Tom Flynn, among many others. Deborah Needleman, who was Domino’s editor in chief, will be bringing clothes — a wardrobe that includes Lanvin, Prada and Chloé, she said, “fancy party frocks from a nice former life I happily don’t have anymore.”

Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 13 West Ninth Street (Fifth Avenue), garden apartment; cash only.

(From The NY Times with the evocative title: "Remnants of the boom years on sale")

Views here.

In lieu of a comment.



Ce soir le vent qui frappe à ma porte
Me parle des amours mortes
Devant le feu qui s' éteint
Ce soir c'est une chanson d' automne
Dans la maison qui frissonne
Et je pense aux jours lointains

{Refrain:}
Que reste-t-il de nos amours
Que reste-t-il de ces beaux jours
Une photo, vieille photo
De ma jeunesse
Que reste-t-il des billets doux
Des mois d' avril, des rendez-vous
Un souvenir qui me poursuit
Sans cesse
+
Bonheur fané, cheveux au vent
Baisers volés, rêves mouvants
Que reste-t-il de tout cela
Dites-le-moi

Un petit village, un vieux clocher
Un paysage si bien caché
Et dans un nuage le cher visage
De mon passé

Les mots les mots tendres qu'on murmure
Les caresses les plus pures
Les serments au fond des bois
Les fleurs qu'on retrouve dans un livre
Dont le parfum vous enivre
Se sont envolés pourquoi

Have a joyful Spring week.

Found Books: Made by Hand

Paris Made By Hand, first seen at Hidden in France (where the seriously chic cum avant-guarde gets distilled), then at Liberty Post (her thought provoking headers are up for sale here) and then at Design Sponge (the #1 blog of what is now) where you'll find a sneak pick into the author's -Pia Jane Bijkerk is the name, and yes, she is Dutch-, house boat.
(Here it is on decor8, too, with some image shots).


Paris: Made by Hand: 50 Shops Where Decorators and Stylists Source the Chic & Unique

hosts more than fifty places, organized into walks by Arrondissement, selling fait-main, vintage objects and found objects, sold as they are or reworked. If you are interested in the hand made movement you may also want to check Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design. Blog here.



I love Pia's blog motto: Enhance the Everyday. Signing my day below. And yes, apparently she is that cute...

She's painting (my) Paris dreams

Last Tuesday I posted about artist Anne Harwell and her ability to turn contemporary home interiors into works of art, through her paintings.

Today, I'd like to tell you about the work of another artist that got me hooked in the blogosphere at around the same time as Anne. She is Carol Gillott of Paris Breakfasts. She has been indeed my breakfast, lunch or dinner in the past couple of years, and I believe you'll enjoy meeting her, too. She photographs, she paints, she writes about Paris, about a way of life,she shares her impressions of the simple pleasures on both sides of the ocean.


Carol lives in New York, but she paints Paris dreams. Pierre Herme, Laduree and Fauchon have been tempting me everyday through her watercolors, and the most perfectly shaped roses infuse my office with their scent.

Now Carol ventures into the world of architecture. Her newest paintings feature the facades of traditional French shops, la boulangerie, le salon de the, la poissonerie.




Beautiful, like the paintings you'd expect to find in a lovingly created children's book, her paintings reflect her tender look upon her subjects. Paris, the people, the culture, the lifestyle, the french joie de vivre. Merci Carol for gracing my blog with your pictures.

Carol Gillott's original waterolors are available for sale at her Etsy shop. Visit her blog and subscribe to receive your own dose of French chic through her paintings and photographs.