Wednesday, January 25, 2012

0 Collecting Paris Ducks

 Collecting ducks in Paris...
 Doesn't cost a euro...
 Unless you're into foie gras...ahem
 No ducks in fromagerie Barthelemy's vitrine, just cheese and chickens...
 Easter time brings out a gaggle of geese in Paris bien sur...
 You can find canard a foie gras anytime but especially at New Years...
 I wonder who makes all these darling ducks..?
 A duckling nightlight would be fun...
 Real farm ducks (and goats) come to Montmartre Sundays for the kids. Not in New York...
eCollegeFinder has made me a contender for a Top Writing Blog award! Who knew? You can vote for me here as many times as you like until Feb 3 :)
Merci en avance

0 BLACK AND WHITE WEDNESDAY #27 - NOVICA GIVEAWAY WINNER

Sheep 1 4 bis
~ Ram Love ~

Sheep 2 7 bis
~ Protective ~

Vineyard 1 11 bis
~ Vineyard On A Sunny January Day ~

All three pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many thanks to all of you for entering my second NOVICA giveaway. I was delighted to read your lovely comments and to see that so many people from all over the world took part in it. Your participation really means a lot to me.

The winner was democratically selected in a very old-fashioned way, using the hat method. All the names listed in the comment section of the post were placed in a container for a blind draw operated by myself...

We have a lucky winner, drumroll please!!!!!!!

Congratulations to
ICEDGURL of "...Trek..." who wins the 50$ NOVICA gift certificate!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

0 Combien?

 Prices are always clearly posted in Paris/France merci dieu.
 I think it's the law. Particularly when it comes to bread/pain the government sets the prices/prix and they MUST be posted in the window/vitrine no less. Ha! Try and find this in the US anywhere. So many places don't post prices. It's a snob thing here...
 Even the fanciest places like patisserie Christian Constant post their prices loud and clear. It does make the decision process easier don't you think?
 Lunch blackboards/ardoises in the street are a great aide...
 If you see the word 'formule' in a lunchtime menu - that's the best thing to order. The best deal for what was bought fresh from the market that day. Everyone around you (if they're French) will be eating it. It makes sense and cents.
 At the creperie there are so many prices you could go nuts. As a rule when I'm abroad I think of 10 euros or pounds like $10. It's the standard everywhere and easier than checking dollars on your calculator. Forgetaboutit.
 I adore French signs...
 Some of them are quite artful and personal like at the market/marche...
 Here the flowers are nicer than the signs or porte-etiquettes...
 High-end Pain du Sucre tells you how much that verrine is going to hurt yr purse...
 The variety of price signs fascinates me endlessly..I could look and look
 Here the price sign is popped right in the middle of the tarte! Does it come with the tarte too?
I wouldn't mind being this woman in Montmartre for a day putting up price signs. Maybe then I'd get this obsession out of my system...
BONJOUR LE PRIX!

Monday, January 23, 2012

0 La Grande Epicerie

 Paris People Watching 5.5" x 7.5" 
A terrific place to people watch and perhaps to shoot is La Grande Epicerie...
 The latest of fashion is on display at La Grande Epicerie...
 But I'm attracted to les madeleines...
 Chocolat chaud is always on my browsing list...
 I am mostly a browser at La Grande...what would I do with fresh eggs in my bag?
 But I adore their egg boxes colored just like...
 Macarons!
 Here mini macarons you fill yourself..Hmm...perhaps I could fool Jill that I made these myself :)
 The walls of chocolate bars, the endless array of pastries (and wholesome fresh veggies too btw) could easily drive you to distraction. So many choices...
 La Grande Epicerie has just the thing to help you with your indecision - Delo Destress, whatever that is...
 And for the weight-conscious minceur/diet pills and exercise bands. Everything is thought of here.
I HEART La Grande Epicerie for eye candy and people watching. Have you been here to drool too?

Sunday, January 22, 2012

0 VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERT IDEAS - A GUEST POST FOR MARLA AT "FAMILY FRESH COOKING"



I have been reading Family Fresh Cooking since 2010 and have witnessed how Marla has developped her cooking, baking and photography skills over the years. Every time I visit her refreshing and unique blog, I feel inspired and take a virtual vacation. This dazzling woman’s healthy, yet indulgent recipes never fail to make me drool and her brilliant pictures (dishes, landscapes as well as sweet family portraits) always delight me to the highest point.

So, when she kindly asked me to write a guest post for her and share some of my favorite Valentine’s Day desserts creations with her readers, I accepted her gracious proposition without a moment of hesitation as it is a true honor for me to be featured on her wonderful space. A wish come true, as a matter of fact…

Marla is a sporty (she skis, surfs & is active at all times, all seasons), energetic, bubbly and proud mother of two (a cute girl and an adorable boy) who lives in Southern California
 (OC) and feeds an undying love for Telluride in Colarado, travelling, anything artistic as well as for quality food. Being fit and on the move is very important for her, so everything she cooks has to be have a positive impact on her well-being and she needs work in her life. Mindful living is her mantra in everything she does and her mission is to inspire a lifestyle through Family Fresh Cooking.

Lenk 1 2 bis

Today, I am extremely thrilled to present you with my fetish romantic recipes and I wish to warmly thank Marla for opening the doors of her platform to me. It is an honor to know this perky lady and to have my work hosted by such a fabulous and friendly blogger like her!

If that short introduction grabbed your attention, gave you the urge to read my column and to discover Family Fresh Cooking, then please hop on over there in order to read the whole article, get a glimpse of my photos, discover my sweet temptations and have a look at Marla's great site.

Friday, January 20, 2012

0 Shoot From The Hip in Paris

You often ask how I get my shots in Paris.
Camouflage(tout en noire) and shooting from the hip.
 That's how I caught this oh so French couple - an elegant Older Fr Girl and her companion wearing a Yankee's hat. (Last week an authority said French men do NOT wear baseball caps. Ha!)
 I shoot to sketch later.
The Sartorialist I will never be.
 At dinner last week a friend remarked in frustration,
'We had a meeting today with the French - their hair was unwashed, no makeup, yes they were skinny but they looked so %#@!chic!'
 The Canon PowerShot S95 is my trusty companion to shoot on the sly in Paris always set on Auto. You'll need a Richard Franiac custom grip for the S95 so you can shoot one-handed.
 I love shooting the French from the back.
 Backs can be so revealing of character.
 What's not to love about this French kid's swagger?
 The side view works too.
 I prefer not to be invasive on the street.
 I'd rather not ask permission but I try to be discrete in what I show you.
 Sometimes I get caught.
 Red-handed.
 There's no age limit to getting caught either.
I always get caught by the sharp-eyed guards at La Grande Epicerie but that will never be a deterrent ever.
BON WEEKEND
HAPPY SHOOTING!
 

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