Paris and Beyond

Showing posts with label Paris and Beyond. Show all posts

Francophile Friday: Take a Vantage of le Métro

16.11.12

Illustration of Paris Métro Notre-Dame des Champs by Shell-Sherree: ink & watercolour

Parisian cat burglars have taken one look at today's illustration and rubbed their paws with glee. A drainpipe conveniently located between two windows and right next to a Métro stop? It's like taking cheese from a mouse but without the indigestion! A decoy would be handy, however, and that's where we can help ~ let's make like femme fatales and distract the passers-by. Asking for help with our luggage is the oldest trick in the book so we might as well use it. In return, we can enjoy our share of the spoils. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Thanks to dear Genie of Paris and Beyond for her very lovely inspiration for today's illustration. Merci, ma chère!

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Francophile Friday: Pain et Chocolat

21.9.12

Illustration of Pain & Chocolat, Paris, by Shell-Sherree: ink & watercolour

Another weekend: another Paris pastry crawl. Whoever said one can have too much of a good thing must surely have been one baguette short of a picnic. Thanks to dear Genie for the inspiration for today's illustration. She'll be sitting in one of those chairs very soon. According to Genie's reconnaissance, the lovely hubby and wife team who own Pain & Chocolat do the baking and serving themselves, and lap blankets are provided in the cooler months. {That's lap blankets, not lap dances, but perhaps if asked nicely...} While my thoughts can turn to putting away the winter woollies, I have deferred to the seasonal lead of Paris in choosing our attire for today. But lest we take ourselves too seriously, I'd love to team it with this. And this. Could any day not be made brighter by a skateboarding pug? And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Pain et Chocolat
16, avenue la Motte Picquet
75007, Paris

PS: September is Save the Koala Month. You can find out more by clicking here... thank you.

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Francophile Friday: Cirque du Carrousel

22.6.12

pigment ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

When I first saw le Carrousel de Nogent at Genie's Paris and Beyond {thank you for the beautiful inspiration, ma chère!}, it reminded me of a circus tent ~ which seems fairly appropriate, given there's probably some clowning around going on inside, perhaps even red noses if someone pinches the last available seat. Genie happened upon this all-weather carrousel on the esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville. So did Edward Scissorhands {after warming up on his practice pitch first.} Given the somewhat theatrical nature of the scene, I've procured some costumes for us to wear inside. With the protection from the elements afforded by this particular model of merry-go-round, we are at minimal risk of skirts flying, so relax and enjoy. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Paris by Carrousel

16.12.11

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

When life throws you curve balls, escape to the nearest carousel, I say. What this one lacks in proximity, it more than compensates for in magic. Please slip over to Genie's Paris and Beyond to view the original breathtaking sight in le Jardin des Tuileries, captured by her beautiful eye in the late afternoon winter light, bulbs twinkling and perfectly described by Genie as a 'blue and white wedding cake of a merry-go-round'. Thank you for the very pretty inspiration, dear Genie ~ bisous! I'm not sure how they hold up to snow, but I've arranged for a fairy floss vendor [aka cotton candy] to provide our refreshments in every pastel colour. And not a plastic bag in sight ~ these ones are spun onto renewable-bamboo sticks or paper cones fashioned from vintage Paris maps edged in silk passementerie, depending on your fancy. {There are also fairy floss martinis, but caution: when combined with enough carousel rides, the result can cause hallucinations.} Let's take her for a spin. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Boulangoversary & Giveaway

30.9.11

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS

Please join me as we celebrate our 3rd Blogoversary together in this Boulangerie. As both words have at least three letters in common, it seems fitting. Besides, I fell in love with this delightful Paris shop front when I saw Genie's beautiful photo at Paris and Beyond a few days ago and couldn't wait to draw on it for inspiration. Merci beaucoup, ma chère Genie.

Thank you all ~ for your friendship and support in so many ways. It's been lovely growing to know you over the time and my life has been immensely enriched by our banter around the globe.

With the warm benevolence that a Chambord champagne cocktail brings, I've decided to hold a Celebratory Giveaway. Nine sets of my Paris postcards are keen to experience overseas travel - Par Avion, of course. {Set contains one each of the three postcards shown below.} The winners will be randomly chosen. We're not talking about an Hermès bag here, so there'll be nothing high tech about the process. Drawing from a hat, crumpling names and seeing which ones Ella sniffs ~ if you've visited before, you know what to expect. Bonus, whether you leave a comment or not: receive 20% off all items in my Etsy store {until 15th October} by entering the discount code 3RDBLOG during the checkout process.

Every commenter on this post receives one chance in the draw {two for regulars}
'Follow' my blog {click the Follow button up top next to the search box}, subscribe via email, Like my Facebook page, Follow my Tweets, and you will receive an extra chance for each of these. You'll find the links over in the right sidebar. Please tell me in your comment which of these extras apply to you
Winners will be drawn next Friday 7th October at 9:00 am {Brisbane, Australia time} and announced in next Friday's post

Meanwhile, your pastries of choice await. I've brought linen napkins, three candles and a calorie-negation device. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Au Levain du Marais 28, Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75011, Paris

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