Et Le Champion Est...

Loterie Nationale Tranche Speciale, 1937, Derouet

image; galerie montmartre

I think I may be the only Melbournian...or one of the very few...who doesn't really care for the major Australian horse racing event, The Melbourne Cup. Don't get me wrong, the chance to dress up and drink champagne all day is definitely appealing, but unless I can do it in true style (that is a corporate marquee) then I'd rather do something else....and yes, I am that shallow! Nope, this girl was at the movies (watching Woody Allen's 'Paris at Midnight', of course!) as the 'race that stops a nation' was run. How ironic then to hear that the winning horse, Dunaden, was French trained and the jockey's name was Christophe Lemaire. Felicitations!

Serge Bloch Stamps

image; www.sergebloch.net/blog/

You may remember my post about Serge Bloch's illustrations here. Well, it seems that my clever little friend (why I am assuming this guy is small in stature is beyond me....!) has been at it again, creating stamps for his French companions to enjoy.

I love his work so much, rings every bell within me, as a lover of letter writing (not that I have done any these past months), would love nothing more than to stick these beauties on the front of an envelope!

Serge Bloch Genius

image found here

image found boston.com

image found amazon books

muddy photo one taken on the i-phone late at night (!) but too important for me to leave out;

the text that accompanies it says 'i can't wait....to play with my kids'

muddy photo number two says 'i can't wait....to show them the world' - you'll get there l'homme

When Petit-Petit was born 2 and a half years ago, he was given a book which I fell crazy in love with. It was the kind of thing I wished I'd written such was its simplicity, creativity and power. Over the last eight weeks, I have been drawn to books, texts and illustrations that inspire me and leave me feeling that there is hope. So, of course, I turned to my little friend 'I Can't Wait' by Serge Bloch and Davide Cali. Each page has one line of text, a pen illustration and a red tapestry thread used in a variety of ways - a bow, an umbilical cord, a frilly collar, blood in an IV drip, a scarf; you get the picture. This little book had me smiling, crying and knowing that everything is OK with the world. So I was so thrilled that this talented illustrator has a blog that can feed me beautiful images on a regular basis and help me feel good about the world and the way it turns.

Michelle Belle continues to guest post over at The Design Files, please go and check it out. Today we are seeing the tiny arrondisement known as Montmartre through the eyes of our Gen Y wonder.

Delightful Monday - Michelle Belle on The Design Files

image; the lipton, anon, c1960's; michelle belle for galerie montmartre

Another week is upon us, what better way to spoil yourself than grabbing a cuppa, heading across to The Design Files to read the guest posts that Michelle Belle, our assistant extraordinaire has written? You will gain an insight into her recent trip with L'Homme to Paris; every day this week Michelle Belle's excitement as she discovers a new city and more about the magical world of vintage poster collecting will be on offer. 'Delightful' was the first term that came to mind when reading her musings, I'm sure you'll find the same.

I welcome every day at the moment, as that brings us one day closer to L'Homme's homecoming! So, have a great week everyone, be sure to pop back and see what this Femme is up to. x

PS. Lucy's intro and account of our situation is beautiful, I'd encourage you to read it here...

Happy Friday - Eiffel Tower is 120 years old!

image; via sfgirlbybay - alicia bock's enchanting paris

Congratulations, you beautiful thing, you're just getting better with age!

Monday's Mail

images; shelley t for galmont - how cool is the typography on the dubonnet advertisement? how pretty are the tea towels, although have just noticed the political incorrectness of one of them - no doubt a sign of the times they were printed in? how cute are the stamps?

I love a mail delivery, especially when it is from France and especially when it is this pretty! I mean, even the stamps are gorgeous - so gorgeous, in fact that I grabbed the nearest camera and took some pics for you lovely people.

I cannot wait to do my dishes with these glorious little tea towels. Really!

Happy Friday - Advertising for Beginners

image; lagrive vins fins, guy georget, c195; taken by michelle for galmont

We got this spunky new poster in Galmont last week, on first appearances it might look like a cute image of a bird carrying some wine. And it is. But the other thing we've learnt is that this bird is actually a thrush. This particular bird comes in many varieties in France, which is exactly why Georget chose to use it to represent that Lagrive have many types of wines. Unless you are a budding ornithologist or a wine buff, I have a feeling you wouldn't have known that!!

Lesson over - school's out - happy weekend!

Mr Chicken Goes to Paris by Leigh Hobbs

arc de triomphe - can you spot mr chicken?

versailles


river seine - mr chicken being very inconspicuous again

mr chicken enjoying the sites from the eiffel tower and getting his portrait painted at montmartre

all images; leigh hobbs photographed by shelley t

We have loved this new addition to our book family. Witty, informative and colourful; what more does a kid with an interest in the world and words need? Judging by the amount of times we have read the story so far and the smiles on Petit's face, I would say, not much.

Tour Eiffel la nuit.

image; pia jane bijkerk

I wasn't going to post tonight, everything all seemed a little too contrived and what I'd planned wasn't working out....so I started looking at the blogs of others. I came across this photo on
Pia's blog and could not stop looking at it, what a glorious image.


Pia Jane Bijkerk - a well known and much loved Aussie blogger living on a houseboat in Amsterdam - is currently all over the design blogworld due to the release of her extraordinarily beautiful looking book 'Paris: Made by Hand' (should be in Australia this week), she sure can take a photograph! This photo was taken out of the window of the place she was staying in while she was working on her book. All I know is that I feel anything is possible when I look at photos like this.....and that I really hope to get back to Paris in the very near future!

Let's hear it for...

image; http://www.thisnext.com/

Savon de Marseille Extra Pur. This is such beautiful soap, it feels great, smells divine and the packaging is brilliant in its simplicity. It is at least 75% vegetable oils and also biodegradable; I can tell you from experience that a little goes a long way.
I mean, is there anything this soap can't do?!

Catherine the Great(s)

image; Vogue Living May/June 2009 - photographer Ditte Isager

The latest Vogue Living (May/June 2009) was waiting patiently on my doorstep when I arrived home yesterday. It is the Collector's Edition, guest edited by none other than Catherine Martin, Oscar winning design genius, so the magazine is pure visual beauty and inspiration, with a distinct French flavour.

But it is this picture that took my breath away and will sit on the wall of my office forever.

This image alone reminds me that style is timeless; to embrace my individuality; to pursue creativity in all its forms; to never underestimate the power of unique footwear(!); and that cycling is a very cool thing (especially when embarking on your journey out of a glorious pair of French doors).

I want to be this image when I grow up.

Eiffel in Love!

image; Taschen books

I can still remember arriving in Paris and spotting the Eiffel Tower for the first time.....oh, be still my heart - it was love at first sight! And almost twenty years later, the affair continues, which is why I was so excited to read in the March edition of Australian House and Garden that Taschen has produced a book in honour of her (surely something as elegant and classic as the Eiffel Tower is a her?!) 120th birthday this month. So now I can add to my all-things-French collection and have images of the Parisian beauty with me without leaving my living room.

Joyeux Anniversaire, mon ami!