Poor parisians

0 ° C = 32 ° F

I just learned this.

It is becoming difficult to be chic, temperature suddenly tumbled down yesterday, coming from Russia, help !

I am seriously thinking of purchasing such a cute tan suede hat right now:

Today in Paris

Paris in winter by the river Seine is always full of melancholy; I like to go there when I need a little rest, as if the trees and water told me : " you need to slow down, stay a while with us, you don't need to always be an executive woman " this is much appreciated !

A walk in le 4ème arrondissement : From le square de l'Ile de France to le Quai de Montebello :

Light was strange this afternoon

 Many barges are sailing

This one is called BORNEO !!! this just makes my day.

On the bridge " le Pont de L'Archevêché ", millions of padlocks are left here by lovers from all over the world...

And finally, here is the engraving supplies Charbonnel shop:

" During the sixties, the art world is turned upside down by the recent discovery of photography. Engraving, until this time has been considered up to then a definitive process in the printing of art works, finds itself retreating before this new process. François CHARBONNEL works as a chemist in Paris. His skills in chemical engineering and his spirit of discovery lead him to consider creating a factory to produce ground inks and varnishes for intaglio and lithographic art printing. In 1862 this goal is achieved and the small family-sized business opens up in Paris, 13 quai de Montebello, on the banks in front of the cathedral Notre-Dame. In response to the developpment of photography and photomechanics, artists start organising. The rediscovery of lithographic process makes it possible for engraving to undergo a revival. Painters such as PICASSO, RENOIR, DEGAS or MANET become regular clients of CHARBONNEL whose reputation in the matter of of intaglio inks has started to overcross the borders of France. Poster designers such as LAUTREC or SIGNAC join the famous painters and engravers of their time."

Charbonnel - 13 Quai de Montebello - Paris 4ème

Happy week end !

Tea post

Inspired by the 2 Mariage frères new teas

: Year of the Dragon tea ( Green tea with Himalayan goji berries )
: Love song tea ( flavoured with almond milk )

...here is a tea post ( because we still love our favorite good old teas )

My Guacamole recipe

Here is a spicy recipe, for starting the week joyfully :

A Valentine's Cupcake Recipe

Sharon says :

"Cardamom infused coconut cake with Indian rose water glacé icing"
Are you ready for baking ? This is for your LOVER. This print is inspired by her

 Thank you so much Sharon for sharing, please have a look at the PDF listing here !

Lilac Fairy

A new Valentine's recipe is coming soon in the kitchen, inspired by one of the Aphrodisiac Sharon's recipes !
Including roses...

and cardamom.

 One year ago, I had been working on the " Recipe for a LOVE cake " from " Donkey Skin " the Jacques Demy's film. Here is the handwritten recipe which has been featured on Etsy



Catherine Deneuve is baking a LOVE cake for the Prince here.
I also like the Lilac fairy, Delphine Seyrig, very much ! so charming and elegant !!!

Sorry I could not find any english subtitles...

Music: Michel Legrand.

Orange botanical plate

Purchasing a new notebook is always delightful, and the first drawing on it, too.
The Spalding & Bros ones are now available in Paris in Le Marais, on adore !

But I can't find here the best coloured pencils in the world : the BEROL PRISMACOLOR pencils.
These are english (I guess) soft pencils, a bit greasy. I don't know why the french ones are often hard and sharp.

I got these "things", from my father's architecture studies in Les Beaux Arts :

Some letters are missing : O and R, but anyway here is the ORANGES lettering in this new botanical plate:

CHANEL

Some papers are not available in the fine art stores, unfortunately.
For instance, CHANEL chooses to print bags, on a fantastic paper.

Very white, very thick, very soft, not really glossy but not really matte neither. Unique.

I think there is a kind of extremely thin plastic coating on top. With a single pencil it is very pleasant.

These are my favorite perfumes...

but the the perfect one is n°5

Hey Karl, what is the secret of your paper ???

From New York City to Cambodia

I will be spending 10 days in New York City in july and can't wait to be there, Yeay !!!!

I am feeling fascinated by the famous food trucks and would love to be drawing a NY gourmet trucks map.

Most of the time I am wisely staying in Paris as if my city could suddenly disappear if I was gone. So I am asking my friends to bring me papers back from their travels. I don't want any gift, only restaurant bills, stamps, newspapers....this really makes my day.

A few months ago, I was so lucky I got a cambodian treasure:

Thank you so much Zab' !

I first worked on a Sweet and Sour Tofu salad recipe, which is now available in 8X10 print

Happy week end !