Did I mention I like Paris?

There are some very, very generous people out there.  People like Jordan, of Oh Happy Day, who started her {amazing} blog at a boring desk job five years ago and now blogs for a living!  She is the master of all things party planning, fun, child-friendly and charming.

Four months ago, Jordan and her husband (and two little ones) picked up and moved to Paris for a year!  So obviously at this point, I already love her.  Now she's decided to give back to the supportive people who made her Oh Happy Day-blogging career possible and offer up a trip for two to Paris!  And I'm all over it.  Apparently 12,000 other people are too, because I'm a little late to the party and the contest has been open since June 6th.  But it's not too late!  Visit her blog Oh Happy Days for more information!  Contest closes on June 20th!

Flamant

In this sweet and unassuming courtyard, hidden in the streets of Paris...


Inside a dark front door, up these rough slate steps (that I adore)...

Was this.

And this.

And so many other beautiful settings that I could barely find the time to ask (in disjointed french) if I could take pictures or not...

Rooms of orange and gray, earthy and modern...

It was the type of store I could've spent all day in, puttering about...

Trying out the furniture, touching all of the accessories...

And then to leave and find this...

...A man romantically playing his guitar in the courtyard, plucked strings echoing off historic walls.

Flamant. 8 Rue de Furstemberg, 70056 Paris, France.

A Day In Paris

There's nothing more relaxing than spending a day wandering the city, window shopping and enjoying a delicious lunch outdoors. For the first bit of my stay in Paris, I was on my own and I wasn't quite sure how I'd manage as I'd never traveled solo before. Sure enough, my favourite pastimes of shopping, eating and sightseeing filled my days just fine! One particular sunny day, I decided to venture to the famed Saint Germain district, and had the most perfect afternoon (in the eyes of a decorator, that is).

By Denis Truchi

First Stop: Lunch at Les Deux Magots
This busy cafe is located on Saint-Germain-des-Pres and has been serving casual and delicious french cuisine since 1813. Too beautiful to sit inside, I quietly took it all in while enjoying a croque monsieur and cappuccino.

I must admit, this was not the most exciting item on the menu, but I remembered Ina Garten's fantastic description from her cookbook Barefoot in Paris and couldn't resist trying a truly french croque monsieur myself. Now that I'm home, I'll happily try her recipe when the craving hits me again. [Recipe from Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris]

Ina's Croque Monsieur

Ingredientsnocoupo

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups hot milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch nutmeg
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 16 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
• Dijon mustard
• 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.

To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.

Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot.

Post-Lunch Wandering: Nobilis
Strolling down a narrow street nearby Les Deux Magots, grinning with happiness I'm sure, I came across this beautiful table setting in a store window. I loved the pea green and royal blue combination - unusual, yet it works perfectly!

As I walked around inside, Nobilis' incredible textile and wallpaper selection overwhelmed me with ideas and I almost forgot to take a few photos. Unfortunately, of the 500+ I have from the trip, only three are from this great shop.


One of the things I loved about these cushions was their simplicity. They've tossed gaudy trims out the window and showcased the embroidered, quilted and woven qualities of the fabric. A keeper in my books!

While these photos don't do them justice, their website is fantastic and so inspiring! Be sure to visit!

Pretty Little Things: Fragonard
Underneath a portion of the Louvre, the Carrousel du Louvre houses the most beautiful French perfume store, Fragonard. After dinner, I discovered this shop and proceeded to visit approx. 4 times in 11 days....yes, I loved it. I first bought a light rose ring, then returned to purchase a delicate floral perfume, and then dragged Cait to accompany me for a few more souvenirs.

First opened in 1926, Fragonard has boutiques across France and even has a perfume museum in the heart of Paris. Read more about the story of Fragonard and perfume making here.

Reflection

I certainly got off easy. I missed an assignment while I was away, and my instructor was so keen to hear about Paris that she simply assigned me to write about my trip instead! Now that I can do... {This little blurb of mine is posted below}.

While I'm on the topic of Paris (and will be for the next little while...), I found this gorgeous photograph below by Leigh Viner and have since fallen in love with her work. Be sure to visit her Etsy shop to browse her fabulous art (I just ordered a print from her tonight that I'm sooo excited to receive)!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. -J

Paris, the capital of France and home to the finer things in life. With its rich cuisine, designer clothing and brilliant architecture, a trip to Paris is just lovely.

Settled into all 300 square feet of the studio apartment, our two-week resting place had every element of European city life. The large wooden doors on the city street opened to reveal a small courtyard; lively and unmanicured. An old spiral staircase, weathered from 200 years of Parisian living, led up to the red front door where the small, modest interior revealed beautifully worn herringbone floors (could’ve done without the splinter) and large windows. But as any European will attest to, the two burners and bar fridge were a quick reminder of where I was staying. There were no oversized appliances to be found in this apartment. We were about to embrace the European tradition of frequent supermarket visits, stair climbing and compact spaces.

Born and raised in an Ontario suburb, the history and culture of France was a foreign fantasy to me up until two years ago. Post-university, a friend and I wandered the cities of Italy and France, admiring their rich histories, sophisticated fashion and love of life. It appeared to me then that the French had a passion for living beautifully and in the moment. As a young woman, I was seduced by this culture that surrendered to colourful macaroons and valued its history. Upon returning home, France was the place I longed to revisit.

How quickly two years passed, and now I was standing in front of the Louvre as a soon-to-be interior decorator, feeling an even greater appreciation for the artistic vision of those from centuries before. The detail, the symmetry and the graceful aura that this former residence emitted was inspiring. On one particular warm fall day, the Jardin de Tuileries was filled with joggers, lovers and tourists. Children played with colourful sailboats in a fountain, and a woman strolled past with three baguettes in her bag, soon finding a seat to enjoy one in the afternoon sun. Truthfully, it all felt a little surreal at first, but the romantic norms of Paris are traditions that make it such an unforgettable place.

Strolling through the streets of Paris was both relaxing and exhilarating. At every turn, we discovered a piece of historic architecture, be it an ornate cathedral or former residence. Shop windows displayed classic, neutral clothing and sweet patisseries had pastries too delectable to eat. The bridges flanking the Seine were masterpieces in their own right, and the pleasant winds of fall made me wonder how "springtime in Paris" could be any more perfect.

Travel, wherever it may be, is undoubtedly good for the soul. It opens us up to new experiences, cultures, languages, foods and in this case, appliances. It encourages us to get more out of life and often times makes us appreciate bits of home.

My stay in Paris quickly came to an end, but I can’t think of a finer place for an almost-decorator to vacation with her lifelong best friend. Fortunately, this voyage has been heavily documented on film, and my corny Eiffel Tower key chains, sweet perfume and European interior design magazines will surely keep Paris alive for me at home. I went for an inspiring experience, to enjoy great food and grand architecture, and returned with a renewed energy for design, food and fashion. And that's exactly what Paris does to you. It takes whatever you love in your life, and makes you feel a little more passionate about it.

Photo Album: Autumn in Paris

Photos by Jenna @ The Beautiful Shelter.

Bonjour!

A quick post from Paris! I am here enjoying the most beautiful scenery, architecture and delicious food. Already so many inspiring things to bring home and blog about, and so glad to still have a week to blissfully wander the city with a best friend.

Can't wait to share with you the incredible textiles, furniture and artwork I have discovered!

Photo courtesy theodora.com

I Like To Overdo It

So I booked a trip to Paris. Thought about it a little, then overanalyzed it as I tend to do, but somehow brought myself to make a decision. I figured a few nights near the Eiffel Tower couldn't do any harm. My french however, or lack there of, may get me into trouble.

I have plenty of time to brush up on (or learn) the language, so quite frankly that can wait. First things first. I must train my stomach.


I like to think I've got a little Betty Crocker in me. As a kid, my nut allergy meant that sometimes we had to bring out the cake mix for school occasions and such, but that was fine by me. (Shamefully, I've actually grown to like the batter just as much as the finished product!) That love of baking has stayed with me, and a subscription to FOOD magazine and countless Food Network episodes later, I now feel the need to embark on the finer world of food.


Who better to learn from than Ina Garten? Not only is she the kindest chef on the Food Network, everything she makes has me drooling. So when I found out she had an acclaimed cookbook from her time spent in Paris, I couldn't resist.


Don't these cheese puffs look delicious? All of the recipes in this cookbook look incredible and I'm so excited to try them. Expect reviews on my favourites (seems like the thing to do in blogging lately...). Happy cooking!

Let Them Eat Cake!

This post is inspired by so many things that are floating around in my head right now, none of which include decorating. Well, if you count cake decorating...

It is that wonderful time of year for weddings, showers, engagements, traveling and relaxing in the outdoor weather. As a first-time bridesmaid, I went wedding dress shopping with my cousin last week. It was magical and surreal for her and us, and as she stood in a dress that resembled the top tier of a cake, I finally realized why it is one of the most important (and glamorous) days of our lives.

In addition, there is the new arrival of a sweet baby boy and another engagement! And in my (sweet-toothed) opinion, all of these celebrations should be marked with a beautiful cake. Even the smaller events like birthdays, anniversaries or the time to sit out at a cafe; to me, they are equally pleasurable. In fact, I expect nothing less than to spend an entire day indulging in sweets and cappuccinos this fall in Paris. Just plunk me in a chair and let me celebrate a Tuesday.

Who better than Oprah to set the bar for gorgeous cakes? Following the 10th Anniversary of O Magazine, Oprah has thrown an incredible bash and enlisted America's finest pastry chefs to create masterpieces to mark the occasion.






But if all else fails and the pastry Gods cannot deliver, I will delight in a slice of Betty Crocker's chocolate cake with the same passion I'd have for any of these sweet, sweet creations.

Springtime in Paris

France is a place you never forget. Since visiting a few summers ago, I feel like I've been having a dreamy love affair with anything French or Parisian that conjures up memories of that trip.

I was so pleasantly surprised this morning to see that {this is glamorous} had posted these stunning photographs by Liz Rusby. I'm in absolute awe of how beautifully she's captured the romantic mood and soft light of Paris. I can't imagine that there's a place more beautiful in spring than Paris. Sigh.

So if you can't live there, I say bring a little home. French Style at Home: Inspiration from Charming Destinations is an amazing decorating reference by Sebastien Siraudeau. With the same soft lighting that Rusby has so wonderfully used, Siraudeau describes the interior styles of various regions throughout France.

When I first saw a copy on my boss' desk, I couldn't wait to take a quick look through. Now, I can honestly say I've looked at it about 20 times - sometimes for design ideas, sometimes to reminisce; always loving France.


Also - Liz Rusby also has an etsy shop! Check it out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LizRusby