A Lazy Sunday in Paris. Moments enjoyed…

• watching break dancers on the paris plage.
• strolling around Le Panthéon and hearing the bells chime.
• happening upon the bar where we first met.
• enjoying a crepe for an afternoon treat in the latin quarter.
• indulging in a delicious savoie supper on rue mouffetard.
• capturing quiet Paris streets at dusk.
• making paper bunting for the whsmith window display.

Last week I mentioned that I’d like to share with you some brief notes about what I got up to while in Paris the other weekend. I realise I possibly don’t do this enough here, and one of the reasons is because I was writing a book about Paris and had to keep all the good stuff secret! Now I don’t have to keep it all to myself. So the next few posts will be brief accounts of what I enjoyed each day on the last trip. These posts might make nice little additions to the Paris wanders you go on, make sure you follow the links for all the locations and info.

Saturday: arrived in Paris at 7pm. Moments enjoyed…

• discovering a hidden away boutique wine cave (cellar), perusing their vast selection of well-priced French wines and enjoying a spontaneous degustation there before dinner.

• following the thunderous and incredibly empowering rhythm of the african drum buskers in the chatelet metro before jumping on the RER.

• an apéro with friends in their tranquil Paris garden under the night sky.

Well folks, after carting that cardboard creation across Northern Europe, I’m beat.

Thankfully it’s Friday and I think, for the first time in I don’t know how many weekends I am going to put my hand up and ‘just say no’. I am going to strive for a work-free weekend. I know, I know, there will be repercussions come Monday. But, I need the break. And also, I’m thinking “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” or in this case, the Northern Europeans – the Amsterdammers (and Parisians)(not to mention Italians) seem to just disappear for weeks on end in August – they shut up their shops, they leave their work, they leave all their responsibilities and just declare vacation. It’s something I find rather peculiar since these are two international cities but you know, whatever…

I will not be following suit and declaring vacation unfortunately as I have alot on and next week will be a killer, BUT, I think a work-free weekend is in order. What do you think?

Shall I don my summer dresses? Get out my straw hat? Put paper umbrellas in my ice tea and put my feet up?

I will still have to clean, sort, and tidy though as I have completely neglected my household duties over the last few weeks and the boat is unsightly, and barely livable.

Next week I want to tell you what I got up to in Paris each day I was there. I took lots of photos… some I will share here, some I will save for an upcoming project. I also bought something that I have been dying to show you, it’s been so inspiring for me.

I wonder what you will be doing this weekend? Any plans? Whatever you get up to mes chers amis, have a beautiful weekend.

xx

…and I am on my way back to mon petit bateau: weary, inspired, content. Right now the train is passing through the beautiful Belgian countryside. I captured its moonlit beauty for you just a moment ago.

And did I mention I’m weary? Oh, I am.

I took lots of photos – not just of my little creation but of course, Paris too. I can’t wait to share my work with you. But I hope you can wait one more day. Sleep beckons. Dreams await.

Yesterday I opened my trash folder to check if I had accidentally thrown out an image I was looking for and when I opened it I was inspired! There were pretty plum and amber images everywhere, in little pint-sized versions, making a lovely moodboard. So I captured the file before emptying, and made this little collection for you above. It also includes some cryptic clues as to what I am working on at the moment. Those of you on my facebook page have been getting little clues already, so perhaps you might guess this time. I’m still debating with myself to keep it secret, or just tell you! I know some of you like surprises, but this one is so hard to keep quiet, it really really wants to burst free!

xx

PS It’s Friday. I love Fridays.