4.30.2011

ooh la la... A Royal Fairytale Kiss!!!

Fifi Flowers paints Kate and William's First Fairytale Royal Kiss!!!
Prints and Cards Available in My Shop!!!

Oui oui oui... A set of (8) notecards is NOW available by popular demand... YOU can SHARE with your friends... The Royal Fairytale Kiss... ONLY 10 sets available...

ENJOY!

4.29.2011

Sunshine Reading...

Merci to Kate Spade for designing FASHIONABLE reader sunglasses... Mine arrived TODAY... perfect for weekend READING in the SUN!!!

J'adore the PINK case for them too!!! Since starting the site Reading is Fashionable (P.S. There are some GIVEAWAYS over there... don't miss out!) I have been doing A LOT of reading and SQUINTING in my regular readers... NOT good for the wrinkles... BUT alas I'm SAVED by Kate Spade... no more extra wrinkles!!!

This looks like a LOVELY place to give them a try... won't YOU join moi... plenty of chairs and a pale PINK villa/hotel for Beverly and her PINK participants to stay!!! I'm sure we can find a PINK cocktail too... Bon weekend to ALL!!!

ENJOY!

4.28.2011

XYZ in Paris

I'm wrapping up my April in Paris A to Z in ONE post...

L'Arc in Paris

and listen to XYZ in Paris...

Now please go visit other A to Z April Challenge participants ... other Tablescape Thursday participants... and our other site Reading is Fashionable!

ENJOY!

4.27.2011

W for W Paris - Opéra

WELCOME TO W PARIS...

W Paris - Opéra is the destination for those who enjoy shopping for the latest trends, champagne and all that's happening in the world of entertainment, exclusive fashion and fun.
Retreat from the bustle of busy outside into the serenity of our 90 guest rooms and suites. Each of our rooms offers élan and ease in every nuance.

WHERE?

Located in the Opéra area of Paris, W Paris - Opéra is steps from the landmark Garnier Opera House and situated between Paris' hottest luxury boutiques, the famous Galeries Lafayette, and Le Printemps.

WHEN?

Paris Opéra area will soon be home to the city's newest insider escape. W Paris - Opéra opening 2012.
Recruitment for W Paris-Opéra hotel hasn't begun yet; click here if you are interested in career opportunities at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in France. Click Here>>

I'm sure it will be OOH LA LA!!! We will have to come back for a Champagne Toast in 2012... for now let's go visit other A to Z April Challenge participants ... and our other site Reading is Fashionable

this week for MORE FUN in Paris and beyond!!!

ENJOY!

4.26.2011

V for Galerie Vivienne

A little indoor shopping and dining today... is this place not SPECTACULAR... ooh la la...Fifi does NOT like going to shopping malls BUT this is a place I think even she would ADORE (all images via HERE)...

Be sure to visit other A to Z April Challenge participants!!! Ooooh and TODAY Reading is Fashionable is also at the Galerie Vivienne visiting a book shop... be sure to visit!

ENJOY!

4.25.2011

U for Underground in Paris

Oui oui oui... there are some tours that take place UNDER Paris...

The Parisian Sewer system dates back to the year 1370 when the first underground system was constructed under "rue Montmartre". Since then, consecutive French governments have enlarged the system to cover the city's population.

Until the Middle Ages, the drinking water in Paris was taken from the river Seine. The wastewater was poured onto fields or unpaved streets, and finally filtered back into the Seine.^[1] Around 1200, Phillipe Auguste had the Parisian streets paved, incorporating a drain for waste water in their middle. In 1370 Hugues Aubriot, a Parisian provost had a vaulted, stone walled sewer built in the "rue Montmartre". This sewer collected the wastewater and took it to the "Ménilmontant" brook. However the wastewater was still drained in the open air.^[2]

Under the reign of Louis XIV, a large ring sewer was built on the right bank, and the Biévre River was used as a sewer for the left bank of the Seine. On at least two occasions in the late 1700s, Paris refused to build an updated water system that scientists had studied. Women were actually carrying water from the river Seine to their residences in buckets. Voltaire wrote about it, saying that they "will not begrudge money for a Comic Opera, but will complain about building aqueducts worthy of Augustus". Louis Pasteur, himself lost three children to typhoid. Under Napoleon I, the first Parisian vaulted sewer network was built that was 30 km long.

In 1850, the prefect for the Seine Baron Haussmann and the engineer Eugéne Belgrand, designed the present Parisian sewer and water supply networks. Thus was built, more than a century ago, a double water supply network (one for drinking water and one for non drinking water) and a sewer network which was 600 km long in 1878.^[3]

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^{NEXT UNDERGROUND TOUR...}

The Catacombs of Paris or Catacombes de Paris are a famous underground ossuary in Paris, France. Located south of the former city gate, the "Barrière d'Enfer", at today's Place Denfert-Rochereau), the ossuary holds the remains of about 6 million people^[1] and fills a renovated section of caverns and tunnels that are the remains of Paris' stone mines. Opened in the late 18th century, the underground cemetery became a tourist attraction on a small scale from the early 19th century, and has been open to the public on a regular basis from 1867. Following an incident of vandalism, they were closed to the public in September 2009 and reopened 19 December of the same year. ^[2]

The official name for the catacombs is l'Ossuaire Municipal. Although this cemetery covers only a small section of underground tunnels comprising "les carrières de Paris" ("the quarries of Paris"), Parisians today often refer to the entire tunnel network as "the catacombs".

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These tours are NOT pour moi... BUT my teen boys would LOVE them!!!

The ONLY underground I wish to visit is the Metro!!!

Be sure to visit other A to Z April Challenge participants ... and our other site Reading is Fashionable

this week for MORE FUN in Paris and beyond!!!

ENJOY!

4.22.2011

S for Spring... T for Tulips... both in Paris...

Let's spend Earth Day in Paris...

ALL images via HERE

J'adore painting flowers and Paris... SEVERAL PAINTINGS are for SALE in My Shop... FABuLOUS for YOU or as a GIFT and CLEARANCE SALE on ALL PAINTINGS on this site... 30.00 each and NO SHIPPING until April 30th !!!

Bon weekend to ALL...

be sure to visit other A to Z April Challenge participants and Beverly and her PINK Saturday

Reading is Fashionable for MORE FUN in Paris and beyond!!!

ENJOY!

4.21.2011

R for REALLY CUTE Easter Table in Paris

Let's ALL sit at this table...

and fill it with these YUMMY treats... from food...

to SWEETS...

ALL Images via HERE

Hope YOU have a DELIGHTFUL Easter table... please be sure to visit other Tablescape Thursday participants... and the A to Z April Challenge participants... and Reading is Fashionable!!!

ENJOY!

4.20.2011

Q for Quais in Paris

Quai - A wharf, or quay, is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more berths (mooring locations), and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quai)

The quai André Citroën is a road and quai along the rive gauche of the Seine, in the 15e arrondissement of Paris.
Formerly the quai de Javel, after the town of Javel formerly on the site (this developed in 1485 out of the village of Javetz and its small port and boat yard), it was renamed in honour of the car manufacturer André Citroën (1878 - 1935).
The Citroën factories operated here between 1915 and 1974[1] (on what is now the Parc André Citroën).
The quai's axis is largely north-east to south-west. It continues in the north into quai de Grenelle, at pont de Grenelle, and to the south by quai d'Issy-les-Moulineaux at pont du Garigliano. Pont Mirabeau also joins to the Quai André-Citroën. The whole of this quai along the Seine is occupied by the port de Javel. (via Wikipedia)

The Quai François Mitterrand is a quay by the River Seine in Paris, France, along the stretch where the Palais du Louvre is situated. Formerly Quai du Louvre, it was renamed Quai François Mitterrand after the former French president on October 26, 2003. (via Wikipedia)

The Port du Louvre is a walkway running along the River Seine (on the "right bank") immediately to the south of the Louvre in Paris, France. It is parallel to and lower than the larger Voie Georges Pompidou road between it and the Louvre.

The Port du Louvre is on the Arago route (the Paris Meridian) that runs north-south through Paris, named in honour of the French astronomer and politician François Arago.[1] A bronze Arago plaque can be found embedded in the paving of the Port du Louvre.[2] This is one of 135 bronze medallions installed in 1994 by the Dutch conceptual artist, Jan Dibbets.

Boats for river trips stop at the Port du Louvre. (via Wikipedia)

The Quai d'Orsay is a quai in the VIIe arrondissement of Paris, part of the left bank of the Seine, and the name of the street along it. The Quai becomes the Quai Anatole France east of the Palais Bourbon, and the Quai de Branly west of the Pont de l'Alma.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located on the Quai d'Orsay, and thus the ministry is often called the Quai d'Orsay by metonymy.

The Quai (rue de Bac) has historically played an important role in French art as a location to which many artists came to paint along the banks of the river Seine.

The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was developed between 1844 and 1855 by Lacornée. The statues of the facade were created by the sculptor Henri Triqueti (1870). (via Wikipedia)

The Quai des Tuileries is a quay on the Right Bank of the River Seine in Paris, France, along the stretch close to where the Palais du Louvre and the Quai François Mitterrand is situated, in the 1st arrondissement.[1]
Quai des Tuileries runs between the Pont du Carrousel and the Pont de la Concorde that cross the River Seine to the Left Bank. It is close to the Avenue du General Lemonnier and the Place de la Concorde. Vehicles may travel in one direction only. (via Wikipedia)

Hope you ENJOYED our stroll around Paris... be sure to visit visit other other Outdoor Wednesday postings via A Southern Daydreamer and A to Z April Challenge participants and Reading is Fashionable!!!

ENJOY!

4.19.2011

P for Pasadena Day

Oui oui oui... Fifi has left Paris for the day... she will return to Paris tomorrow... but today... Fifi will be at the Pasadena Showcase House on her annual tour avec sa mère...

(image via Brochure for PasadenaShowcase.org)

"This idyllic property, of nearly five pastoral acres, has paths that meander over streams and under majestic oak trees t hat set the stage for this stately home. Designed in 1927 by renowned architect, Paul Williams, this quintessential English County Manor has a wealth of stunning features that make it a superb example of the elegance and sophistication that made Williams famous. Graceful woodcarvings, ornate plaster moldings, a vaulted ceiling and leaded glass windows echo the grand country estates of Britain. Some of the original tile and fixtures have been restored to maintain the integrity of the home. The estate includes a Bungalow adjacent to the pool and a Guest Cottage rich with rural charm."

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and then dining at a NEW Pasadena restaurant...