Jill Jonnes and Eiffel's Tower

Always on the lookout for a good read, I came across this soon to be released book while thumbing through the latest edition of Vanity Fair which, by the way, was a great read. It brought to my attention, Eiffel's Tower by Jill Jonnes,  which delves into the creation of the tower during Belle Epoque France and all that surrounded that heady time period.

As Eiffel held court that summer atop his one thousand foot tower, a remarkable host of artists and personalities--Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Gaugin, Whistler, and Edison--traveled to Paris and the Exposition Universelle to mingle and make their mark.....Eiffel's Tower combines technological and social history and biography to create a richly textured portrayal of an age of aspiration, dreams, and progress.  Amazon.com

The book won't be released until April 30th, which is just in time to pick up for some up-coming summer reading.  Just thought I'd give you a heads up.  

Additional information: 

Eiffel's Tower

Merci

I don't know if it's Paris or a new global world trend, but shops are opening all over and calling themselves 'concept stores'.  I have a hard time figuring out what that means exactly.  My first exposure to the 'concept' thought process was Colette on rue du Faubourg Honoré.  It is consistently the absolute talk of the town, selling itself as a concept store, yet what this means is totally lost on me.  It comes across as a fashion/jewelry/music/latest artsy-fartsy must have shop with the added bonus of a water bar where the beautiful crowd hangs out sipping water. Crazy.  The space looks a lot like a fashion store that sells jewelry, make-up, some CD's, and other odds and ends that are kitschy and expensive.  Oh, and of course they have some water.  Is the water the concept part because that's normal or is price gouging the concept as they sell makeup for about three times the price that it costs at my local Wal-Mart here in the states?  A certain segment of the world's population goes ga-ga for it so either I am missing something or am consciously choosing not to be a part of that segment.  

Recently, a new shop has opened in the Marais calling itself a concept shop as well, although this is an idea I get.  Merci, a cavernous space by French standards, is dedicated to all things that would point to a lifestyle with a conscience.  An eclectic mix of fashion, both new and vintage, housewares and furnishings provide much for customers to spend time mulling over.  There is a perfume bar, as opposed to a water bar, where one purchases perfume and a floral shop run by Christian Tortu who does amazing floral things.  All the mulling that you find yourself doing might require a break for lunch which can be found in their inspired street level café.  Here, haphazardly arranged tables and chairs find a home among shelves of second hand books in several different languages available for sale.  The food is described as well prepared "healthy cuisine"--nothing pretentious like haute H2O.

The store is getting rave reviews for breaking down a huge space into more intimate sections and combining both new and used of everything into an eclectic, artful mix.  Here's the real kicker:  Merci donates all its proceeds (after breaking even) to a woman's co-op in Madagascar. They are committed to giving back.  That is certainly a new twist for Paris as overt philanthropy isn't a part of main stream thought.  Raised on the idea that the government will take care of things, the need to solicit funds as we do in the states for specific causes hasn't really caught on.  At Merci they are boldly going where others have not, creating the idea of conscientious consumption in Paris.  

Now that's a worthwhile concept!  

Additional information:  

Merci

111  boulevard Beaumarchais  75003

Metro:  Saint Sebastian Froissart (Line 8)

Le Weekend

HUGH JACKMAN AND THE EIFFEL TOWER

VERY LITTLE COULD SURPASS THIS COMBINATION FOR ME!!

OOH LA LA...

• 'Belly of Paris' to get a makeover (nz.news.yahoo.com)
• Paris tourism feels the economic chill (eturbonews.com)
• World wine consumption falls for 1st time in years (google.com)
• French Minorities Have Doubts on Political Success (nytimes.com)

Photo credit:  socialitelife.com

Can We Talk? In French?

Learning a language is tough work.  New sounds, conjugations, masculine or feminine and in some instances, a whole new alphabet.  With Greek or Russian, I'd be doing a lot of polite pointing.  French has been in my world forever and I still struggle with it.  Listening to newscasts or conversations--no problem.  I understand what's being said.  My response to it all, well that is a different story. Do I use passé composé or future or the dreaded conditional?  Generally, I keep what I have to say in the present to avoid all that craziness whether or not what I am saying makes sense--similar to how I speak in English.  Just like to keep everyone guessing as to what I am really trying to say. 

If you are going to Paris, a few phrases are helpful to know and easy to learn.  Merci, s'il vous plait, bonjour are three of the biggies.  If you stumble and humble yourself by using those few words, no matter how silly you feel, you are going to make major points with whatever French person you are speaking to.   Through your tiny effort of using a tiny French word, they will usually reciprocate by helping as much as they can to understand you.  They might even whip out the few English words that they know to make things move along nicely.  It is our (Americans) absolute refusal to speak French and expectation that they know English that gets their goat.   

I found a great website ConversationExchange.com that will help you with simple phrases used in a variety of situations--shopping, asking for directions, questions about your hotel room.  

For example:  

• Je voudrais résever une chambre double pour trois nuits. (I'd like to book a double room for three nights)
• C'est combien? (How much is it?)
• Je peux utiliser Internet? (Can I access the Internet?)
• Je peux vous aider? (Can I help you?)
• Je regarde seulement, merci. (I'm just looking, thank you.--Merci, big bonus word)
• Je peux l'essayer? (Can I try it on?)
• Je peux payer par carte de crédit? (Can I pay with credit card?)
• Excusé moi, pouvez-vous me dire ou se trouve.......(Excuse me, can you tell me where___is?

These are just a few of the phrases that they provide on the site.  If you happen to be traveling throughout Europe, you are in luck as they offer Spanish and Italian phrases as well.  And if you are really looking to be a student of language, you can sign up and be connected with pen pals or individuals in your city that want to trade language skills. 

An interesting concept--think I might find me a pen pal and confuse them with my present tense nonsense.

Photo credit:  thisnext.com

Paris in the 20's

Check out this fun video showing Paris back in the days.

Country Pâté a la Mark Bittman

As a blogger, I follow a number of other people's blogs on all manner of subjects; France, wine, the arts, fashion and cooking.  One of my favorite's is Bitten by Mark Bittman of the New York Times.  I have written about him before and find his attitude towards cooking casual, irreverent, welcoming and always appetizing.  Watching his short videos on how to prepare anything makes me what to get up off my rear and start cooking.  

This past week I think he has been in Paris and is writing about all things French.  I found this recipe for Country Pâté which is one of my favorite things to order.  A crusty baguette, some of those tiny cornichons, a little Dijon mustard, a good glass of red wine and well, I do believe you are all set for some fine dining.  Take a trip to his post from yesterday and you'll find his version of this gourmet goody.  

Additional Information:  

Bitten:  Mark Bittman on Food

Photo credit:  mhaithaca@flickr

Gazette du Bon Ton

For whatever reason, this past week I have found myself introduced to and followed by this vintage fashion publication, Gazette du Bon Ton.  While doing research for something totally unrelated it entered into my awareness and took me on an adventure through the Internet as I put together bits and pieces that I could find about its existence, editor and illustrators. This past Saturday found me at an exhibition at the Chicago History Museum, ChicChicago, featuring vintage gowns designed by Worth, Lavin, Poiret, Chanel and others, accompanying stories about the women of Chicago for whom they were made and the events that they wore them to.  One gown in particular, a beautiful beaded top and long black skirt designed by Paul Poiret was featured in the Gazette du Bon Ton back in its day.  At that point, I had to go home and dig a little deeper.  

This French magazine was a unique fashion journal started by Lucien Vogel in 1912 and ran until 1925.  Its goal was to give readers access to fashion, beauty and lifestyle articles.  In an effort to add the element of art, popular illustrators of the day were asked to show the latest designs as they might appear in a woman's real world--not just as a static piece of clothing on a mannequin.  The magazine certainly was geared towards the upper class as it was sold as subscription only for 100 francs a year.  Printed on fine handmade paper, these illustrations were hand painted in vivid colors and remain today as collector's items.  

This reminds me of something Donna Karen might come up with. It feels so contemporary.

I love how each illustrator brought his own unique view to the fashion and situations a woman might find herself in wearing a particular outfit.  

A young girl's outfit was worked into this illustration.

Love this one--this 'lady' is just a tiny bit put out that it's raining. Alas, she can't take her pretty little self out for a stroll.

A short video from Victoriana Magazine:


Additional information:
To purchase the prints you see here, visit Grey Heron Prints