Paris loved me back....

For the first time, I visited the two islands in the heart of Paris {Ile de la Cité and Ile St - Louis}...which you access near Notre Dame by crossing the river by bridge - naturally accompanied by the sound of an amazing sax player - both islands were stacked full of little streets, with amazing architecture and wonderful little shops, brasseries and restaurants....Ile St. Louis is the most exclusive address in Paris, so there was some seriously beautiful apartments there {see the doors above in the most perfect shade of eau de nile}....a lot of time was just spend wandering, exploring and drinking in the atmosphere. I loved being at the Seine...there was so much going on {and at the same time was still quiet and tranquil}..people lunching, fishing [!], relaxing....

I also saw an amazing exhibition at the Musee du Luxembourg on Rene Laliques' jewellery....it really was one of the best 'historical' exhibitions I have ever been to. It had hundreds of his original drawings, jewellery paint-ups, metal samples and pieces of jewellery galore - stunning enough to make your jaw hit the floor several times in close succession. It is amazing to look at something where the skill levels are so utterly absolute {as the appreciation of painting can be subjective}, where whilst one may not like the style of the work, no-one could quibble with the supreme mastery of material the jewellers had back then...I got the catalogue, so will scan in some pages to show soon.

I am off to make a coffee, to dream of Paris and to plough on with work...more soon!

xox

ps - I am delighted and so excited to see the launch of Sew Green...and I have also treated myself today to this book of Keiko Minami's work after seeing it featured on the new blog Book by it's Cover which I am enjoying immensely. I have always loved Keiko's work...so was delighted to be reminded of it!! Hoping it's arrival will help shift the post holiday blues. :)