Louvre & the Musée D'Orsay

My dears, here are a couple more photos I took today while wandering around Paris. These were taken with my iPhone. I took even more with my Polaroid camera (6 packets!) -- which seemed to cause a lot of attention. I looked like such a tourist, apparently, that three people tried to scam me by claiming they found my "lost ring." I knew it was a scam because most of my jewelry involves rhinestones.

Anyway, the top photo is of the Louvre. The bottom photo is a picture of one of the glass canopies at the Musée D'Orsay, such a magical place...



More tomorrow!

Paris Open-Air Market

Hello everyone!! I wanted to show you a few pictures of the open air market across the street this morning from my apartment! I bought a bunch of artichokes, which will be so delicious with butter... I'm heading out now to explore the Marais! There's a little button & ribbon store there that I especially want to see. Will post details later!
PS: I promise to give you all the details at the end of the week about how to rent the gorgeous place where I'm staying. It's very economical! xo...

My Little Paris Apartment

Hello, I'm finally settled in my Parisian apartment. Except for taking off into a massive thunderstorm in Los Angeles, the flight was smooth as glass. Over the Arctic Circle I raised the window shade and there were the stars glowing three times as brightly as they do over the California desert. After a taxi ride to the apartment, I went out into the neighborhood to buy groceries (and other things with gorgeous French labels). The previous occupants had thoughtfully left a bottle of white wine in the fridge, and so I've settled in for a snug evening. Outside my window, there is wonderful street life. Here, even the police car sirens have a special music.

Tomorrow I will have even more to tell you -- and iPhone photos of this beautiful city.

Au revoir from the 16th Arrondissement!

For the love of diptych

Hello. Its Liss here from Daydream Lily filling in for Tina whilst she is on her way to beautiful Paris.

I've always loved pairing two separate images together on my blog to tell a mini story. Its alot of fun to match the images looking for color tones, composition or elements that will go together. I never knew this had an official term until Tina did a post about a diptych artist. I love learning new words!! and this one sounds so strange, don't you think?

(featured diptychs by Danske)

Catching that Polar Express

Ok, my dears I'm off! I'm taking a plane that will fly up over the top of the world and down to Europe, landing in Paris. (Winter coat, silk thermals and boots are in tow)! I'll probably be out of touch for a couple days while I'm getting settled. I'll see you back here hopefully on Thursday. Meanwhile, my dear friend Liss from Daydream Lily will be housesitting here at the English Muse! xoxox

Photo from {Here}

It's 2:05 am in LA

This is where I am: In this little lit room in an otherwise dark house. Too much to do to sleep.

What time is it where you are?

Carry-on Bag

Hello loves! Thank you for all your wonderful advice on my ongoing packing efforts for Paris. I'm definitely taking silk thermals and lots of scarves!! I've put together a few items for my carry-on bag: The essential map book of Paris (even though I need a magnifying glass to read it); a well-loved pashmina; a Penguin books journal; Chantecaille rose water spray; ear plugs from the Bryant Park Hotel in NYC; a little box of candy; a Mac Euro plug and an extra 4GBs; a copy of Fight Club for the plane and a Moveable Feast for cafe reading; and all the money leftover from my last trip!

Help!! What should I pack for Paris?

I'm trying to pack and everything seems so wrong....I've been studying all of Joanna Goddard's How to Dress Like a French Woman posts to prepare. But still I'm worried. I live in Los Angeles where people wear flip-flops all year long...My darling fashionista friends, what should I pack?


(photo via we heart it)

Black Cat in Silhouette

My cat Coco, sunbathing in the spot where I like to take my iPhone photos...

Happy Weekend...

What are you doing this weekend? I'm having another laundry crisis, so I'm dealing with that!! Also hoping to curl up with a new book!

Photo by Ly n n ✈

A fever of caresses

As I'm getting ready for my trip, everything Paris related catches my eye. I spotted this today in the flickr photostream of UK artist Fiona Watson, who goes by the name Wild Goose Chase on the photo sharing site. Her collages are extraordinary. In this one she includes a French postcard. She translates the inscription this way:

"How much I would like to find myself next to you this morning, to take your head in my two hands with eager tenderness and a fever of caresses."
The postmark is 1917- sent during World War I

I wonder if he made it home back to her?

Small things...

...found inside a vintage plastic purse...



...if only the fortune could be true...

The Whimsical Designs of Koto Bolofo

Koto is not only a fantastic photographer, he's also a wonderful clothing designer. Check out his store {here}. It's worth it just to see the site design!

I hope you had a lovely Wednesday. I'm busy trying to finish a few projects this week before I leave for Paris! I can't wait!!

Ellen Von Unwerth's "Fräulein"

Ellen Von Unwerth is without a doubt my favorite fashion photographer. (Who is yours?) Her book "Fräulein" sizzles! I only wish I could afford a copy.
I put a preview up on Sugar Pop Tarts.
Take a look! It's very provocative...

.oliver

I love these photos by .oliver -- the light in the trees, the white sheets, a bubble bath. The simplest things are sometimes the most beautiful. I'm stripping down my life, you see...

Monday Diptychs

Hello...Some iPhone photos:

Everything I love: tulle, perfume, buttons, jasmine tea, cupcakes, foggy mornings, peach colored roses (with a deep smell of musk), and pretty dresses (I took the pic of the white ones recently at the Oscar de la Renta store in LA). Hope you like these! xoxo

PS: I just realized you can see the reflection of my pink iPhone cover on one of the perfume bottles. funny.

The Saturday Sunset: Like Pink & Blue Cotton Candy

A warm day in Los Angeles today gave way to this beautiful sunset. Hope you're having a lovely weekend...

Party Season in LA

Happy Friday everyone! What are you doing this weekend?

The Golden Globe are still a week away, but the parties are already starting. I love this time of year in Los Angeles. There's so much excitement during awards season. I'm going to a very interesting party on Sunday and will give you a full report on Monday!

xoxo

Achromatics

Such a dreamy photo by Lauren Treece (via her site, Achromatics.) I love that big yellow cat.

Black & White: The graphic designs of Anne Higgie

Off-kilter yet carefully symmetric, I love these illustrations by Anne Higgie...

They're like mysteries penned on art paper.  Especially this one:

Why do you suppose she's crying?

Winter Brightener: Marie Claire Maison Color

Which room do you like the best?

In the Pink

More iPhone photos. I should just build a shrine to Steve Jobs. Have you heard about the new Apple Tablet? It's like the Kindle, but a million times better, with wifi and color pictures. I'll never go shoe shopping again. I'll just spend all my money on Mac gadgets!

Happily Home...

Have you recovered from the madness of the holidays? I'm glad they're over. Now if only I could muster the motivation to take down the xmas tree...This morning, I finished reading Madame de Staël, by Francine du Plessix Gray. It was a wonderful little book about one of France's most charismatic Revolutionary figures, Germaine de Staël. Napoleon tried to exile her. But she always managed to slip back into Paris where she found new ways to torment the emperor, usually by writing books and pamphlets that mocked him. She hosted one of the most exclusive salons around, where intellectuals and artists met to discuss politics and culture. Think Arianna Huffington, but with petticoats.

Now I want to read every book I can find about her!  Hope you're having a lovely day! I'm suddenly on deadline on a story..will be back shortly. Xmas tree will have to wait till tomorrow...xoxo

The Road Ahead

Hello my dears, I'm just returning from a long weekend with family outside Sacramento! I hope you had a lovely New Years. I'll resume blogging tomorrow, once I get my act together. xoxo