Colour Show Off

There is a time, a day, a moment, to keep your outfits simple and let your surroundings do the show. 

That time might be around just now and I went for dark blue denim, black and white. When the trees of Paris take on their autumn hues, ranging from green, to yellow, orange and maroon, walking around and taking it all in seems like and evidence. Sadly, there are not many red trees (no maples?) and the colours are not that spectacular, but hey, that's the only kind of autumn we get here, so I decided to be happy with it as it is. We can't all live in New England, it's as simple as that.

Outfit photos copyright Vincent

Jardin des Tuileries, packed as always, but still so beautiful. There is a modern art exhibit going on as well. If you're in Paris, go check out the trees (and the art, of course). If you get cold, or hungry, or have a sweet tooth, there is always Angelina - the best hot chocolate in Paris, just around the corner.

Outfit

Jacket - a very very old inherited piece

Shirt - Mango

Jeans - and old (and sadly torn) Levi's

Bag - gift, beautiful leather

Shoes - Agnes b., gift too

Autumn Love

The other day, someone told me they hate autumn. Ever since that day, I've been thinking about a my favourite season (positive attitude, right!). And the answer definitely is, I love them all. I like the never ending cycle of winter-spring-summer-autumn-winter-spring-summer-autumn-winter-spring and so on. I guess I need change. By the end of each season, I am really looking forward to the next one and there is something I love about each season. And thinking of it, there are no things I hate in a season. 

English Rose

Here you go with my favourite things about AUTUMN

• Air gets crispy and when the sun comes out, it's still warm and lovely.
• Rain falls often. Soft, misty, hard... it has so many different faces. I probably mentioned this alreadym but I love walking in the rain. All I need is a nice umbrella, a warm coat, shoes that don't get wet in 5minutes and I am ready to set off. 
• Warm socks, soft plaid and a hot cup of tea with a book on the sofa. (Can I get a fireplace, for Chrismas this year, please?)
• Foliage. For several years now, I've been dreaming of going to see fall season in New England. Not on the agenda this year, though. Thank you Pinterest for all the beautiful foliage pictures you provide.
• Walking around the city in the dark, when the sun starts to set earlier.
• Autumn is a great excuse for sitting around in warm cafes.
• Fruits - pears and plums and all these yums.
• It also means the festive season is one step closer. 

Fontainebleau Forest

Do you like autumn?

Welcome, Mr Autumn

Well, I guess it's official. Indian summer is a goner and it's Mr Autumn's turn to keep us company. 

If you've been reading this blog since spring, you might remember I love to hear the "seasons' click". There is no denying it, the seasons have just clicked here alright. Woolen sweaters and scarves, foggy mornings, the air gorged with rain and the foliage that begins to change colours accordingly.

Hello, Mr Autumn.

I'm taking out my woolen socks and keeping to my oranges + tea to avoid getting sick as everyone around me!

Top of a Diamond

Rooftop terraces are right up my street. I can still hope I will have one some day, somewhere... For now, visiting some when they are open is the only thing I can do... This last terrace was special, it was on top of a diamond, once the biggest known diamond, the Koh-i-Noor.

For generations now, most little children in Central Europe start their drawing career with a set of coloured pencils from Koh-i-Noor Hardmuth. I still own two sets  of these pencils plus one of aquarel pencils. They last and have beautiful colours. 

The company was originally founded in the Austria-Hungary Empire in 1790. By the beginning of the 20th Century, they've expanded to Milan, New York and Paris. In Paris, a very contemporary building was built by the company in 1906, mostly of metal and glass. Koh-I-Noor Hardmuth doesn't own the building any more but it is newly renovated and opened to the public during the European Heritage Days. It's a hidden gem, a real work of art in a small street, a real diamond.

Welcome to the Queen's Table

2013 is an important year for heritage in France. 100 years of the 1913 "Monuments" law and the 30th edition of the Heritage days. Created in France 30 years ago, with an endorsement from the Council of Europe and the EU, they are now a tradition all around our continent. A weekend when monuments and sites are open to the public for free and when many places you can't normally visit open their doors. The exact weekend may differ from one country to the other, but always is a weekend in September. 

The British Ambassador kindly opened his Residence to the public for a day. Nice of him. He was even there in person to welcome the visitors. Very nice of him. He had set the big dining room table for 60 people. There was a short video showing the meticulous procedure of assembling and setting the table (two layers of one-piece tablecloths being ironed directly on the 26 pieces table, then the central pieces, the silverware, the cutlery, the bouquets, the name tags, the chandeliers...). The menu and name tags dated back to 1972, to a dinner hosted by the Queen herself. Among the invited - Mr and Mrs President George's Pompidou, Mr and Mrs Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Mr and Mrs Edouard Balladur, a few other ministers, counts and earls... The Embassy's butler was there in person to answer all our weird questions about protocol, food, plates and flowers. Thank you for making us feel welcome in your home, Your Excellency!

My favourite parts - the conservatory, the bouquets, the dining room, the garden and the chandeliers. 

It was a very British visit, we queued in heavy rainfall to get in then we all got bags for our soaked umbrellas upon the arrival and walked out through the garden in heavy rainfall again.

Are You Photoshopped, Mr Cloud?

 

Paris has a special sky. It knows very well, how to be gray and heavy with rain, there is no doubt about it. But it also has moments when the light is so surreal and the clouds so spectacular, that you would think they are either photoshopped or painted by Michelangelo, Rubens or maybe Turner. It might be that the sky here got inspired by what it sees in the Louvre...

Most of the time, this kind of sky spectacle happens when I am walking from work (or basically at any given moment when I don't have my camera with me). Last weekend though, I decided it was a beautiful day and that taking my camera for a walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg might be a good idea. I am not saying more, you can see the result for yourselves...

Can I go and play, too??