Mama miam!

Today's lunch will be brought to you by...

Mama Pizzeria at Mama Shelter
109, rue Bagnolet, 20e.

Yuuuum!!!
Taking two visiting gorgeous girls from home.
Can't wait!

Mama Shelter website.

"A new expression, let's say."

The banks of the Seine, taken last October...

...explained...

JR / Exposition Paris 2009 - Ile Saint Louis

Official Expo and Project site.

Neige-cricket

Like kids at recess-time, three of us took a little time off from pulling pints to whack cricket balls made of snow into Boulevard Montmartre, trying to miss the Parisian shoppers schlepping along on the ice...

Trop drôle!

La neige

So, it finally snowed.

After a week of whisperings about the impending arrival of the first snow fall, ol' Mère Nature dumped inches of snow on Paris Wednesday night. It started about 3am; I noticed wayward snow flakes attacking the taxi window as I was driven home from work.

Then, after about 5 hours sleep, I was woken up to "GET UP! COME LOOK!" and there was snow.

Suffice to say I couldn't go back to sleep - I think I sat staring out the window for half an hour cradling a cup of tea. It was like a dream. So, so pretty.

J'ai trop froid!

 

I need a new word for cold.

Paris isn't cold. It isn't even freezing. There is no word I can think of in the science of meteorology that most accurately describes the wall of frigid air that hits you every time you step outside. Or the chill that cascades into the carriage every time the metro doors part, even 3 floors underground. 

Icy would be close.

It is as if your cheeks are permanently pressed against crushed ice. The air burns the inside of your nostrils every time you take a breath. Your eyes water. And your bones shiver.

To someone who has experienced a European winter this may sound like a bunch of hyperbole. But I have not - winter to me is a cardigan and a scarf, wearing gloves means it is really, really cold - so, to me, this my daily reality.

And apparently it's going to get colder.

I don't want to sound like I am complaining, I'm not. It isn't my intention.

Strangely enough I'm enjoying it. This cold makes you feels alive. It makes you laugh out aloud in the street in sheer awe. The freshness of the air, coupled with the decorations that have descended on Paris, gives the city an air of Noel festivity, something until only yesterday I have started to feel. It's exhilarating... for half an hour before you have to escape inside!

Diving into the surf at Freshie in September is cold, running a cross country race in a singlet in June is cold. Hartley is cold. This is something else.

I just hope it starts snowing soon so the freezing is worth it.

The 'emerlad' city of light

Windows at Hugo Boss.

Wonder-ful collaborations

Woman's Wear Daily reported yesterday Parisian department store Printemps has invited the likes of Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Maison Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester to design a one-off bespoke dress for Alice (of rabbit-hole fame) to be exhibited in their store windows late February to time with the release of Tim Burton's version of Lewis Caroll's Wonderland-travelling tale. 

I guess the marketing team behind WTWTA have raised the bar in terms of using the fashion industry to promote cult cinematic releases. 

February is way too far away to wait to see the resulting creations.

via Fashionista. pic cred: USA Today

Le week-end by Jean-Baptiste Talbourdet-Napoleone

These images are three of a series taken on the weekend in the country by JB, who is also one of the art directors on Jalouse magazine. They are stunning, and, of course, all on facebook.

**pic cred: all images Jean-Baptiste Talbourdet-Napoleone

La Ferté-Vidame - somewhere near Normandie

Weekend in the country.

Rained, save for Sunday afternoon; saw the sun for the second time in a week. 

Château de La Ferté-Vidame

 

Dam, JB et Louise.

Audrey Hepburn at Sotheby's

Sotheby's Paris held a two day exhibition of clothing, hats and letters belonging to Audrey Hepburn before the items went to London to be auctioned.

To say that she was a teeny tiny person would be terribly redundant and predictable of me, but I will; she was a teeny tiny person.

The full collection of items for auction are here, from lot 283.

"They call me Caramello..."

The frenchy take on the ol' Caramello Koala.
No yellow plastic wrapper in sight. 

Sonia Rykiel pour H&M

To launch the latest chain-store/ designer collaboration, Sonia Rykiel and H&M held the most amazing event inside the Grand Palais last night. 
The event design is absolutely breathtaking. 
Victoria's Secret meets the Rive Gauche.

 
BTS at bump-in with H&M's fashion event creator Ettiene Russo.

Quiksilver Tony Hawk Show: "I was a teenager in the..." installation

Having a Todd Selby moment. Click for slightly bigger images.

70's

 

 

 

 

 

80's

 

  

 

 

 

 

90's