macarons / Shell Sherree

macarons

Showing posts with label macarons. Show all posts

Francophile Friday : Rooftop Picnic and Eiffel Tower View

28.6.19

Rooftop Picnic in Paris with Eiffel Tower View french bulldog & cat illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Rooftop Picnic in Paris with Eiffel Tower View french bulldog & cat illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Love is in the air ... love of pastries, that is!

Today's illustration sees our intrepid French bulldog and cat duo picnic-crashing and attempting a surreptitious croissant recovery mission. Will they pinch the pâtisserie? Will their flaky felony succeed? We may never know but I do hope so. And on that note ...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Fashionable Francophile Friday : Woo You at Ladurée Paris

3.5.19

Laduree Paris and Woo You Kitty Cat fashion illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Laduree Paris and Woo You Kitty Cat fashion illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Hmm ... looks like someone is sensing a little competition in the attention stakes.

Today's illustration sees our fashionable crew ready to carouse at one of the pastel-pretty Ladurée pâtisseries in Paris. Only trouble is, there's not room for everyone in that purple bucket bag! But red roses can rustle up a cuddle on any given day. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Francophile Friday to you!

SHOP SHELL SHERREE

Original artworks

Limited edition and fine art prints

Custom illustration enquiries, suggestions box, say Hello!

Francophile Friday : Paris Macarons on the Run

2.6.17

Paris Macarons Au Casuale illustration, Fashion & Fluffballs © Shell Sherree

Paris Macarons Au Casuale illustration, Fashion & Fluffballs © Shell Sherree

Now, if you ask me, a freestanding macaron cart is just begging for trouble. And a joyride.

Today's illustration of a sweet macaron spot in Paris is loaded with zero-calorie eye candy ~ and a health-inspection-safe kitty cat for no particular reason other than that's how we roll around here.

We're dressed for the occasion, so throw on your best leopard-print trackie dacks and joggers and be ready for a quick getaway. And on that note ...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: Need to put a smile on someone's dial? You can check out my Paris and Fashion & Fluffballs prints, cards or totes adorable goodies via the menu. Every purchase supports a rather cute artist and her cat ... Merci, grazie, thank you!

Francophile Friday: Stripe Me Lucky

30.11.12

Illustration by Shell-Sherree: pigment ink pen & watercolour

If we ever need to break a zebra out of jail, here's our perfect device for smuggling in the nail file: clever use of a colourless, transparent box to lull the wardens into a false sense of security, rendering them completely oblivious to the miniature lock-picking tools contained within the deceptively sweet and innocent macarons inside. Those zebras are crafty. Here's something casual to wear so we don't draw attention to ourselves. If it's 'bring your own chair' day, never fear ~ we won't be caught off guard. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Call Me Ispahan

28.9.12

Illustration of Pierre Hermé's Ispahan macaron creation ~ by Shell-Sherree: ink & watercolour

It's the fourth blogoversary Chez Shell tomorrow. Special occasions are often celebrated with roses ~ so given our penchant for Paris and pâtisseries, the edible version is our modus operandi for this weekend's party. Pierre Hermé's iconic Ispahan is a glamorous construction of rose macarons {biscuit macaron à la rose}, rose petal cream {la crème aux petals de roses}, whole raspberries {framboises entières} and lychees {letchis} and if that doesn't say, "Thank you for your friendship and fashionably fun times," I don't know what does. Not to mention it meets our recommended fruit intake for the day, so banish any pangs of guilt and nibble away! Don't worry if you drop a few crumbs ~ they'll match our dresses just fine. And if you splosh a little of this around, I don't think it will hurt. I'm sorry today's illustration is kitty-less, but there were some ~ ahem, delays. She'll be joining us for the party. She just needs a few more minutes. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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

Francophile Friday: Macarons Take a Stand

11.5.12

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

Boulangeries and pâtisseries are regulars on the illustration playlist Chez Shell, offering up their wicked, sometimes-flaky, oft-pastel, always-sugary wiles within. And it occurred to me that I've been leaving their interiors to your {beautifully qualified} imaginations for far too long. Today, a lone plate of macarons is utterly insufficient. I present you with two tiers {inspired by this}. Make a wish and they refill automatically. In light of that, we might need to free ourselves from the puritanical sensibility of belts. {Make another wish and the hemline adjusts to your preferred length automatically.} And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Merry Macarons to You

23.12.11

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

A valiant effort, though I haven't quite covered the partridge, turtle doves, calling birds and I don't think these little feathered friends would pass for French hens, either. But I have a feeling you'll excuse me for trading five golden rings for this tower of raspberry macarons {if you close your eyes and make a wish, yours will turn into whatever flavour you fancy}. Thank you, dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens, for the lavish inspiration provided by you and Printemps in Paris. I've decided to call this style Bacchanalian-chinoiserie. Could we be daring enough to wear this while we indulge? And when the last crumb has gone, we can visit animal refuges to make donations and give out cuddles. {To give just by clicking your mouse, no money required, please pop over here. Often.}

Wishing you a Christmas filled with love and laughter with those who make your heart sing and your spirit tap dance. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Macarons Stripe You Lucky

7.10.11

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

Firstly, I must apologise. My hand-engraved invitation to Hugh to announce the winners of my giveaway went astray. Never hire a chicken to do a carrier pigeon's job. As a result, there's no opening number ~ no singing and dancing or sailing in on a highwire {the latter is probably for the better, given he's a bit accident-prone when airborne}. But perhaps I can distract you from your disappointment with some macarons and tea. And this picture of Ella wearing the hat we used to draw the names.

Without further ado, here are the winners of my Paris postcard sets, in reverse alphabetical order to keep us on our ballet pointes: Susan Campisi, Pop Culture Nerd, Petrea Burchard, Ms M, mise, the GyPsY, Favourite Vintage Finds, Cafe Pasadena, altadenahiker.

Felicitations and congratulations to those who ~~bribed Ella best~~ had their luckiest vibes on! Please contact me via shellsherree[!at]gmail.com to advise/confirm your address, and I'll have your postcards on their way ~ enjoy!

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and friendship. As the sun sets on my 3rd blogoversary celebrations, I shall be taking a little break to recharge my blogging batteries. But first, please stay a while. We shall graze on this bottomless plate of macarons and drink from these bottomless striped teacups, or those bottomless rose-coloured glasses, filled with your beverage of choice. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you. À bientôt!

PS: As a valued reader of my blog, you have until 15th October to receive 20% off all items in my store. Simply enter the discount coupon code 3RDBLOG during the checkout process.

Francophile Friday: Ooh La-Ladurée

19.8.11

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

Ladurée . Lauded by macaron lovers and lamented over by those out of crumbs's reach. And about to open in New York City at 1:00pm on 26th August {according to Laduree's own website as I type} ~ within reach of our chère amie Alexa. Hooray! Her visits might possibly require comfortable running shoes and a water bottle rather than a brief hip-sway in Louboutins. But genuine Ladurée macarons will be on hand in her beloved city, nonetheless. As the NYC store is still having its wig powdered, corset laced and beauty spot positioned, I guess we'll need to rendezvous today at this one on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. It's a sacrifice, but someone has to do it. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday Fleurish: The Macaron Apology

1.7.11

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

While we merrily took tea in Paris last weekend, there was an elephant in the room. No, it did not break any of the china. {It's an elephant, not a bull. Stay with me, s'il vous plaît.} But it was there, no matter how quietly it tried to drink its Assam Harmutty Estate Tea while standing in the corner with a lampshade on its head. The cause? There were no macarons invited to our tea party. Today, this travesty is addressed ~ may the festivities resume. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Francophile Friday: Do You Take This Macaron...

29.4.11

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

Once in a while, it's nice to have a fairytale. Anything uplifting and cheering for the spirit is welcome, even more so this year than others in recent recollection. William and Kate are a beautiful couple and I wish them every happiness and more. I have to confess, I'll be watching the Royal Wedding on delay due to a previous engagement. {No, not that kind of engagement.} But I'm looking forward to being assailed by all kinds of eye candy, not the least: the wedding cake. Is there any chance a tower of macarons was on their short list? It's kind of fun to imagine so. Merci, dear Virginia for today's inspiration. Somehow, I suspect it would be the celebratory pastry extravaganza of choice for many of those pressing your noses up against this Paris shop window today. So please, don't forget to take your bonbonniere before you leave. There's a flavour to suit everyone. And on that note...

Happy Royal Francophile Friday to you!

The Doo-the-Macaron-ron-ron...

17.8.10

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

This is me in my kitchen. My real kitchen doesn't have those curtains, or a mixmaster, or a mouse. Or me looking as tall as that, but it's my drawing and I can stretch myself if I want to. I don't have pierced ears, but I do have an oven, a tea towel, freckles and a fringe, and I did bake my very first batch of macarons on the weekend. Hoorah! They are pale pink with dark chocolate ganache filling, and while far from perfect, have a delicate crisp shell and lightly chewy texture ~ and aren't too shabby at all. No, they don't come out of the oven ready-assembled, but ~ well, I don't really need to explain it again, do I.

The kettle's boiling {"One lump or two with your déjà vu?"} so here's your white damask napkin and I'll assemble the mismatched Limoges...

Bastille Day Weather Forecast: Macaron Showers

13.7.10

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.25" [18 x 21cm]

Today I was going to take us to a location somewhere not in France, given that it's been very French here lately, but with Bastille Day nearly upon us ~ well, how remiss would I be!

Instead, I'll do a weather forecast for tomorrow and predict that it will be raining macarons. Take your largest umbrella, and some bubble wrap wouldn't go astray. There's also a chance of éclairs and croissants, but it's recommended to head indoors if that's the case. They pack more of a punch when bouncing off one's scone. However you're celebrating, and wherever that may be, here's to a happy 14th July!

Francophile Friday Fleurish: By Geranium, Some Macarons!

14.5.10

ink & watercolour illustration, inspiration thanks to Virginia Jones Photography

Click to order art print.

Let's head for the weekend with some macaron love. This is inspired by Virginia Jones's beautifully styled photo of her recent macquisitions visit to EuroPane in Pasadena. While these macarons may not be made on French soil, they look like fine ambassadors for this typically Parisian treat. There's little else to say, really, other than...

Happy Francophile Friday Fleurish to you!

Francophile Friday: Hop Into Ladurée

2.4.10

ink & watercolour illustration, photo inspiration Virginia Jones

This little Easter bunny is all tuckered out. She's been busy with preparations, and who can blame her for nodding off with a contented tummy, full of scrumptious Ladurée macarons. If she's late arriving anywhere because of her diversions, I have a feeling she'll be forgiven ~ certainly by anyone who shares her love of a fine macaron.

Thanks to dear Virginia {and her gorgeous blog, Paris Through My Lens} for her sweet inspiration!

The Ladurée site takes you on an armchair tour of various shop locations ~ not just in Paris, but around the globe. There are none in Australia yet, and that show pony Sydney might be the first to attract one. Yet a store at the feet of Brisbane's petite Eiffel Tower would be perfectly appropriate, don't you think? And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday, and a safe, peaceful and hoppy Easter to you all!

Francophile Friday: Ei-Ffel Like Macarons

12.2.10

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

Macarons and the Eiffel Tower all in one illustration? "What's the special occasion, Shell?" you ask. And you would be wearing your astute and perceptive hat, or better yet, beret ~ we're marking a special occasion, indeed.

One of my beautiful girlfriends is having a certain birthday in a few days. I really wish we were celebrating together, and if we happened to be in Paris, even better. I'll leave it up to her to put up her hand if she feels so inclined, but only if she really wants to. Otherwise, she can remain a woman of mystery and we who are worldly~wise will nod sagely and not let curiosity get the better of us while she keeps her own counsel about such things. This much of a hint I disclose: she will really love this scenery!!

Thanks to sweet Katie for the gorgeous photo inspiration. As Katie is presently travelling in exotic locations, I can't check, but I'm pretty sure {based on the chandelier and ceiling} that this was taken while she was pressed up against Stohrer's window, though not at the same time as Virginia. Since 1730, this dreamy pâtisserie has been producing some of the most delicious calories ever to be walked off in Paris. There are so many chocolate and violet macarons here, we can all enjoy them and I'm sure no-one at Stohrer will be any the wiser that we got up to mischief in their window. So, Happy Birthday, nearly-birthday-girl, and on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you all!

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