Parisian Footsteps

I'm reading a novel set in 1940s Paris at the moment. At the same time I've rediscovered these pictures from last year, when I was working in Paris for 10 days and also carrying out a very important daily pain au chocolat taste test. I recognise some of the bars, streets and hotels from the book - Paris is so beautiful (so intimidating)! I wonder when it will be possible to travel and walk the streets of foreign cities again? Paris is magical in the way it is possible to arrive in the city two hours after leaving London, stepping off the train at the forever busy Gare du Nord.

Madonna

Madonna and the pickles

I really enjoyed this set up in Paris last week - this was in an Italian restaurant opposite where I was working and where I enjoyed a much anticipated glass of wine

Paris

I was in Paris earlier this month for a shoot

 Loved the spools in the window of this sewing machine shop

 And crochet cherries in the restaurant we went to for dinner (i.e steak)

 The candy coloured pastries and cakes....

And this authentically coloured Eiffel tower, that I  really couldn't resist...

Paris

Beautiful light in Paris last week where I was lucky enough to be taken for work

 

 

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Paris

Pope's Rings II

I often refer back to a blog post I wrote about Raphaels's painting of Pope Julius II, and his amazing rings. This weekend while at the Musee de Cluny in Paris, I saw some real Pope's rings up close and I really wasn't disappointed - they were enormous!!

 

These rings are even older than Raphael's painting and date back to c.1464, taking the trend for statement jewellery back to the 15th Century...

Oysters in the 18th

I got back from Paris yesterday after spending a long weekend walking, drinking coffee and wine in equal measures and staring at everything/one with my mouth wide open. A highlight of the trip was a morning spent in the 18th, where we chanced across a food market and stall selling oysters and white wine in plastic cups which locals were standing around knocking back and chatting. I just loved it - what a great way to experience my first oyster!