A very quick post....

Just a few quick words to let you know that I am still about. I thank those of you that have emailed to see if I am okay. I have just been very 'slow' when it comes to my blog.....as they say 'life has a way of taking over'!! I (hope) will be back to normal very soon.
I hope you enjoy the photographs that I have selected for you today, I once again chose these from the many photos I took earlier this year........Enjoy X

Pain & Chocolat....

As you all know by now, Paris holds many (many) delights for me and this is but one of them. We went to this wonderful little gem of a place twice while last in Paris....it is just so delightful....it certainly ticks all the boxes!!
Pain & Chocolat serve the most wonderful meals, we has breakfast here on both occasions. It was some way from our apartment but most certainly worth an early morning bus trip. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend that you go there....add it to your wish list/address book.....I am sure you will love it as much as we did! Enjoy X
Pain & Chocolat
16 Avenue La Motte Picquet
75007 Paris
p.s.....it is almost a month since my last post, I feel slightly ashamed....sorry! (but never mind, I am here now...lol!)

Where would you prefer to be...?

Winter has returned to Tasmania....my long awaited Spring has vanished for now, so I have escaped to Paris....(if only through my photos)!!!
I hope you enjoy this week-ends photo selection....X

Everything pretty....

There are so many 'pretties' to be found in Paris, every turn of a corner can bring a new delight. I like these photos, the first photo is a window display....I adore the oversize butterflies. The basket of rose petals, I took in a florist.....right place at the right time....the sun light just touched the top of the petals and bought them all to life, you can see the result. The third photos is simply a bucket of roses outside a florist, but I love the contrast of the roses with the timber crate....not to mention the beautiful colors of the blooms. The next photo of the beautiful colored peonies was taken at a market. More roses, but this time taken through the shop window....call me crazy, but I love to see the reflection of the building opposite in contrast with the roses. The white jug with the blue and white flowers....gorgeous combination....was simply sitting in a shop front window begging me to take their photo, while the last photo is of the door of the iconic Laduree...look through the detail on the door to the lovely wall paneling and the pretty wall sconce.
Yes, I'm missing Paris!!!

Astier de Villatte

I walked past this gorgeous little shop many times before I got up enough courage to go in and ask if I could take some photos....as you can see, they said yes!! This shop sells the most wonderful while ceramic tableware ....I was in heaven!! The shop itself is so quaint (& old), as I walked to the rear of the store the floor boards moved under my feet and the most wonderful (tiny) spiral staircases led to destinations unknown. I personally think this little shop is a must to visit when in Paris, even if only to gaze longingly  through the window....but of course why not go in! No, I didn't buy a piece....maybe next time?
Am I aloud to say that I love the top photo....I actually took this from the street as I scurried past one day...."click & run"....but I think it is beautiful, pink peonies in a white jug....is there anything nicer???

Astier de Villatte 173 rue Saint-Honore, 75001 Paris

SIMP 2012....

I have been terribly slow to photograph some of my purchases from SIMP this year.....but I expect that it is better late than never?
I am drawn like a moth to a flame to certain miniaturists and here are but a few. The fabulous little folding...(yes, folding!!..) French bistro chair is made by French miniaturist Catherine Soubzmaigne. Most of you may recognize the beautiful white pottery by Elisabeth Causeret (it is so fine and delicate), she also made the blue cup & saucer, while the box of French sweets is from 'Paris Miniatures'.
I bought the lovely hat from Lea Frisoni, it is so sweet and even features a hat pin. The gorgeous (fixed) display that you see on the seat was a gift from Lea, I was so excited when she handed it to me....a beautiful little souvenir of my time in Paris.
Peiwen made the amazing 'open tins' of food.....I soooo love these, plus I also bought her book, what a delight that it!! I might never make anything from the book, but I enjoy seeing the process that goes into make such delights.
Lastly, a selection of pots. I'm not sure of the maker of the round pots but the embossed planters are from 'Le miniature de Eurosia'. I hope to fill several of these with 'ariculas' (kits) that I also bought from Pascale Garnier.
.....sorry it took so long to do 'show & tell'....! I have only one regret and that is that I won't be at SIMP next year!!!!

First coffee of the day....

This is my little coffee shop.....well, strictly speaking it's not 'mine', but it is where we would head each and every morning for our first coffee of the day. It was also where we would have the occasional lunch....and the more than occasional dinner and where we would spend our Friday evenings listening to live music.... Yes, I guess we were there a lot!! We got to know all the staff by their names and they even did 'show & tell' with family photos from their iPhones. We were presented with a lovely gift before we departed so that we could remember them all when we returned home....they were all so lovely!!!
This sweet little cafe is on rue du Louvre (more or less).........
Aux Deux Ecus. 1 Place des 2 Ecus, 75001 Paris......if you happen to make it there, please say 'Hi' from me!!!!

A gorgeous little florist....in Paris!

Is there anything nicer than the beautiful florists in Paris? I spotted this gorgeous little florist from some distance away, the colored umbrellas caught my attention. I am very passionate about these fabulous little shops, I so enjoy how they allow all their beautiful flowers and plants to spill out onto the foot paths...(some times even onto the streets). Most florists have unique ways to display their goods, did you spot how they used boxes and the old (draw filled) table as display props? I also LOVE the metal work detail above the entrance to the shop.....I think I must have photographed (nearly) every florist in Paris...lol!! Stay tuned for more as they are ALL gorgeous!!! Sadly I cannot remember the address to this little delight....sorry!!!

Another day in Paris....

We were up very early (again)......you can tell just how early by the first photo, this little square is usually thriving, but it was still lifeless when we arrived. We were off to an antique market at Porte de Vanves...(if you jump on a number 58 bus heading south it will get you there). Lots of things to see and buy, also lots of things to see and NOT buy, if you understand my meaning!!! I did buy a little 'something', but I will show you that at a later time. The roses are beginning to make an appearance every where we go which is thrilling, but I found these stunning peonies on our walk back...(yes, walk back!!!!)...the heat obviously hasn't had the same affect on them as it has on me....I am feeling just a little wilted!!! Bonne Nuit X

Feels like coming home....

We are back in Paris and from the first step on the platform of the train station it felt like coming back home!! The weather has been warm, very warm in fact....so our first day we headed off to (one of) my favorite places.....Jardin du Luxembourg!! The Medici Fountain (1630) is always so special to photograph at any time of the year, last time we were in Paris it was Autumn and this area looked so very different to now. I am so hoping for a cool change in the weather tomorrow.
The puppy I hear you ask......I found this gorgeous creature in a pet shop, if I was staying for ever I am so sure I would have been tempted....who could resist that tummy?