We saw chalkboards all over Paris. From restaurants to little shops and even florist markets. And the handwriting always seemed impeccable. They were an efficient way for people to see what was available inside without having to pop into the restaurant or shop. Like the little sign in the middle, chalkboards were also used in store windows to display the prices of items. Efficient yet very personal.
Have you ever gone to a place and felt instantly connected? To the people, to the culture, to the way of life? And never have visited there before? This was Paris. So many things felt so familiar.
Sitting in a little café, I’d notice people, especially their mannerisms and facial characteristics. They looked like my family. Like the people I grew up with. It was so strange, yet so familiar. I’ll admit, I have a French ancestry, but I just never dreamed I’d feel so connected to a place and a people so far away.
I promise to share some of our Paris trip really soon [we've got a ton of pictures to sort through!], but in the meantime, I thought I’d pop in and share this exhibit I just discovered via Wide Open Spaces. It’s called Living Perfume, and it’s going on right now in NYC at Henri Bendel [poo, that it's too far away to go!].
As I have mentioned before, I have a bit of a miniature perfume collection myself, and I love them. Each label and bottle shape is so unique and special. I love finding them in antique shops all over the place. I even found a couple in Paris. They quickly found their way home with me.
The ones pictured above came from my paternal grandmother. They are vintage ones she picked up on a trip to Paris a very, very long time ago. They are teenie tiny [the smallest pictured is an inch tall]. And there are ten of them in a long, skinny French box. These little perfumes belonged to my mom, and she gave them to me when I was little. I treasure them.
I’d like to get lost in the clouds today. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Kacey and I are heading off to explore the world. While we are away, though, we hope to pop back in with a few updates. In the meantime, here are a few blogs with lots of Parisian inspiration to tide you over. I’ve been looking at them for weeks and getting very excited about Paris! Au revoir, mes amie!
I just discovered these illustrations by Brian Kaas. I very much love them, especially the sketchiness of his lines. When I sketch out something, often I find myself very eager to clean up the lines nice and neat once I get them into the computer. Seeing these makes me reconsider. His style is so fresh + playful and very inviting.
This weekend, the weather was divine, so we took full advantage. Here’s a little snippet of what we did. We watched a bit of dragon boat racing, did some gardening and hosted a little bbq. Lots of fun with wonderful friends.
Hope you had a great weekend!
…I’d love to find one of these leather business card holders in my Easter basket. Especially the yellow one. Please, oh please? I’m pretty sure I’ve been really good this year :]
xoxo,
julie
