Spring Cleaning

image; arts menagers roses, francis bernard, c 1950's; michelle belle for galerie montmartre

Oh yes, that would be me; Femme de M to the rescue, saving the ensuite (that's master bath for my American beauties) from becoming another storage space, saving under the sink from becoming a mass of unused products and saving the bathroom from the clutter of out of date moisturisers and make up that hasn't seen the light of day since the 90's.

I am a woman on a mission, people - dusting, wiping, lifting, sorting, disposing, reusing. This mood doesn't strike often, but when it does, no one is safe; even vacuumed the fluff off Petit-Petit's knees this morning...

A Family Update

image; l'homme & petit-petit, sept 5 2010

I thought it was time to update you all on the lives of the T-Tribe since that fateful June day when L'Homme suffered a massive brain bleed and hung on for dear life - if you are new to Femme De M and unsure what I am talking about, you can get a clearer picture here and here and here.

The most wonderful development is that L'Homme buzzed through the doors of Galerie Montmartre last week and it was one big cry-fest!! Even our beautiful neighbours, Rachel and Pat, the talented architectural duo who head up KennedyNolan - ran over from across the road to join in the celebration. I am trying really hard not to be sentimental, so you have to just trust me when I say he was ultra happy to be back. As I looked at ST sitting in his wheelchair in the middle of our vast retail space, taking in everything he has dreamed up and created, I realised that the time having him back working at Galmont isn't really that far away. In all honesty, he could start doing a few bits and pieces next week...but of course, that won't happen, because regaining his mental and physical strength at rehab is so much more important.

Having said that, L'Homme is now walking....with one assistant and a walking stick; he cooked our family dinner on Friday night (welcome back Stef the Chef, I say!); he is well ahead of schedule in relation to when he comes home; he now has movement in every previously paralysed part of his body and the words are tumbling out of his mouth. His mannerisms, intelligence and humour are all intact. In other words, he is an absolute miracle, and there is nothing to do but be grateful that although L'Homme was born with this hideous unknown ticking time bomb in his brain, he was also born with a stronger will to live. I know he will do whatever it takes to make a full recovery.

I'm usually fairly private when it comes to personal images on the blog, but I have made an exception here. This was taken a week ago, on Father's Day, somehow - despite my pathetic, haphazard ways with a camera - I captured a tender moment. I tear up everytime I look at it, because I know our story could've - actually, according to statistics, should've - been so different. I have no idea what 'the end' will look like, the beginning was certainly very ordinary, but this middle bit of the story is pretty exciting.

I'll be taking a week's blog break, as I take a couple of days out for myself (hello NSW coastline!) and then prepare our home for L'Homme's imminent arrival!!

Thanks again for your love and support, means so much. x

Michelle Belle Tumbles 6 - The Orange Vote

image; bally dancer by fix-masseau, c.1980's; stephan t for galerie montmartre

So, our country finally has a Prime Minister due to a hung parliament.....after two weeks speculation and political negotiating. As us Aussies were all wondering who our leader was going to be, Michelle Belle decides to dedicate a week's worth of posts to that most divisive of colours, Orange. I chose this, as it seems the most pertinent picture given Australia's flame-haired PM.

Over to Galmont's Asst Extraordinaire;

What would an ‘orange’ week be without an ode to the carrot top? I don’t know how I could have made it to Thursday without mentioning it! Especially as our current prime minister/maybe next prime minister/maybe leader of the opposition/maybe-who-knows-what-she’ll-be-next is a ginger herself.
But surely there is no better looking auburn beauty than this, our very own Bally Dancer. Bending down to tie her dancing shoes, this little red is a stunner. Soft colours, graceful stance, legs up-to-there… this little red sure has my vote!

Springing Further into the Week

image; sfgirlbybay

A blossom by any other name would not smell as sweet - God, how I love them. Another Spring image for you to enjoy, while I'm on a roll...

Springing into the Week!

image; the style files

A beautiful image - yes, still cleaning up my computer files! - that reminds me of spring. Is there a human being on the planet who doesn't enjoy this season? Honestly, is there?!

Have a wonderful week. Looking forward to catching up on some blog reading, some further Chez Trbuhovich projects....that is, I plan them and others do them....and a day closer to L'Homme being home.

Hey Dad, it's Friday!

all images; original vintage posters photographed by us & available at galerie montmartre

This post is dedicated to L'Homme in honour of Father's Day which Australians celebrate on Sunday.

The Petits have one heck of a role model when it comes to how to be a man, how to be a loving citizen, how to face every challenge head on with humour, grace and bare-knuckled tenacity. He doesn't always get it right but isn't too proud to admit his wrongs. He can't build a thing to save himself, knows nothing about mechanical matters and tidiness or organisation are not high on his list of priorities.

But he cooks like a pro, throws himself into parenting and housework, loves participating in sports, runs a business with integrity and he dances like....ummm, well, he dances. He has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He is a great storyteller, loves a joke, wine, fine dining or hanging at the local cafe. He could mix it with the pauper or the Queen - possessing that rare combination of street smarts and academic know-how. He has created a great community of friends who are as loyal as any people could be.

This is to all the good guys out there - and especially to our good guy, Stephan T.

The man's a champion and that's all there is to it.

Michelle Belle Tumbles 5 - Spring

image; bundesbahn, andrian, 1961; michelle belle for galerie montmartre

On the first day of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, this post from our tumbling assistant, Michelle Belle, seems quite fitting. Not so much a lesson in vintage poster art, more an ode to this wonderful, wonderful season. New beginnings and all that, makes sense given the Galmont story over the past two months with L'Homme taken so very ill....but now on his way back home in a month or so to start life afresh with us all - Welcome Spring!

With a beautiful image like this, who wouldn’t want to “Travel in the Springtime with the German Federal Railroad”. All the signs of Spring are here. Blue skies, blossoming flowers, tweeting birdies. Which reminds me of a little ditty my dad loves to sing at this time of year….
The spring has sprung, the grass is riz
I wonder where the birdies is?
The bird is on the wing
But that’s absurd
I always thought the wing was on the bird!