Le manteau rouge

Le manteau rouge

(The red coat)

As I stood in the rain, 

there was something familiar about this young French girl 

with her long dark locks and bright red coat...

She looked like a miniature of one I know well...

Joyeux anniversaire, Holly!

Rue Littré

75006, Paris

Métro Saint-Placide

Une banquette rouge

Le Bistrologue Café at the corner of Boulevard Diderot and Rue Crozatier caught my eye with its red bench on the terrasse. I think that this would make a cozy corner for meeting friends... next week!

All of the café spots will be full of people enjoying the warmer weather of spring. Where we found many empty outdoor chairs and tables in December, we will see a totally different scene in April.

Le Bistrologue Café
74, boulevard Diderot

Beyond -- Mardi Gras!

On rare occasion I take you "beyond" but today is the last day of Carnival, celebrated here as Mardi Gras.

After three weeks of frivolity and merriment, the final parades will roll tonight as tomorrow marks the beginning of Lent. As the King and Queen of Mardi Gras rule over their loyal subjects, the youngest of party-goers is dressed in her finest coat and hat.

The little Page to the King seems a bit forlorn awaiting the start of the parade when he will throw beads and toys to the crowd... Perhaps he is thinking of the beautiful girl in red!


Mardi Gras in Mobile*
Mobile, Alabama

* (with several links including a live web cam of the parades)

Tomorrow we will be back in Paris.

Pylones -- Il vous fera sourire!

Have you ever wondered why simple utilitarian objects could not be whimsical and colorful? Well, in 1985 this company was founded in France and transformed everyday objects into brilliant conversation pieces. Even the website of Pylones is playful and animated and can be found here. You can find Pylones stores in New York and many other cities of the world, but the products offered in the USA are not as varied as those seen on the French website and in Paris. I imagine that many Parisians do not give these stores a second glance as the numbers of boutiques have increased. One can definitely get "quirky overload"!

So what do they make? writing pens, cheese graters, puppy dog bookends, combs and brushes, des parapluies with dots and stripes, staple removers with fangs (oh my!), and even frog toasters (not for cooking frogs, bien sûr!)

Not sure that you would want a whole room full of these products but a little object or two will certainly make you smile.

Can you guess the sport of this colorful team of men?

Magnetic paper clip holders that will chirp whether you really want to listen or not. I have one and just try not to touch it too often -- shhhhh!