Postcards from Paris: {La Galerie Les Yeux Fertiles}

As I reflect on the past few days with my warm cup of Chamomille tea and Debussy playing in the background I feel content and just fine with staying in on a Friday night.
The other day while exploring through the Latin quarter to fulfill a falafel craving, I was distracted by this small gallery on rue du Seine. Already being driven by an appetite mission, I thought that just a quick window glance would not result in starvation. But just a quick window glance had me wanting more, and so I entered.
My hunger was glady put on hault as I indulged in the appetizing visuals. Influenced by a number of surrealist work, like Max Ernst and Salvador Dali, as well as referencing Dada work, specifically Marcel Duchamp's Fountain; Lou Dubois takes such inspirations and interprets them through collage work. Constructed within antique entomologist drawers, Dubois' creations echo invention and curiosity.
Along with the aesthetically intriguing, this collaged series offers a history of France with such references as the historical perfumeries right outside of Paris and literary references alluding to Albert Camus.







For more information on the artist or to view the gallery's website, go to:
www.galerie-lesyeuxfertiles.com

Postcards from Paris: {Color Scheme}

How wonderful the Parisian color scheme is. I find that the overall palette, though a vague observation, is simply as follows:
General Winter Fashion= black.
General Architecture= off-white.
General tone of the Chimney Stacks= terra cotta red.
Oh, but the doors!-















Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the simple French tones, in fact most of my wardrobe consists of a beige, off-white and black palette, but what a pleasant surprise these vastly colored doors offer. Especially on these grey, cold days. Though January is definately living up to it's Winter season expectations, I found warmth in the variety of colors found on these doors. Less layers of socks, more pictures taken of colorful doors.

Postcards from Paris: {Snow Days et Astier de Villatte}

I have been quite gleeful for these calm snow days in Paris. I notice more children out and about with their faces lit with excitement and their tongues out catching nice, full, fluffy flurries. I too, found myself with my tongue out in an attempt to just have one of those, what seems, sugar coated flakes to fall gently in my mouth. I stopped and straightened up only after a French gentleman offered me some of his water, as if I was in need of some hydration.
It is a funny thing how winter weather can make adults, like myself, revisit their childhood and act as curious as the young. I am reminded of a time only a few years ago while living in Atlanta, there was a great ice storm that cancelled school and offered a thick layer of ice over everything. The streets and sidewalks were like skating rinks, and my mother's winter garden had a clear, sheen layer over all the leaves and branches. My younger brother and I went out to explore and found ourselves biting things, which in any other weather condition would have seemed absurd. It was that thick layer of ice that made everything seem candy coated. I was filled with a similar gleeful excitement during my visit on the rue Saint-Honore to the special little space of Astier de Villatte How wonderful these handmade white ceramics are. Each one is made with care, and have their own slight individual characteristics. I first came in tactile contact with these beautiful bowels awhile back. It was during a visit at the John Derian boutique in SOHO. It was lust at first sight, then love right when I picked up one of the light, lovely pieces. Since then, I have read some featured articles about these works and the artist. The website, too, has glimpses of that child-like exploration and curiosity.

Postcards from Paris: {Je m'appelle Reba/ Views from Windows/ Settling In}

Je m'appelle Reba
It became so clear last summer as I was finishing up my last two credits in New York. I wanted to live in Paris, and I was going to make it happen. I have recently received my degree from The Savannnah College of Art and Design. I spent those four years in beautiful Savannah, Georgia focusing my studies the department of Fashion design, with some minor studies in Fibers and Textiles. With three quarters of no sleep, my senior collection was comprised of handknitted garments. I spent that last year of my studies watching French films on my couch as I knitted all my designs, and worked at The Paris Market. With those scenes from the French films playing constantly in my mind, the Parisian life seemed almost do-able.




Views from Windows
It was on the 2nd of January when my small group of American friends and I arrived in Paris from Germany. Starting out with the four of us, we spent a few nights in a hostel in Montmartre. Two left, leaving myself and one American friend to move on to a new window view. There was a night spent in a hotel, and then several at a French friend's flat. After my last friend departed back to the states, my moral support from America dwindled, and I was left to myself with a new window view.

Settling In
What a process settling in takes. I have officially unpacked my bags, hung my wrinkle-prone dresses, lined my shoes, filled all of my drawers to the maximum capacity, and essentially have conquered "settling in."

Postcards from Paris: {Bonne Annee}

Upon arriving in Paris, the boulangeries offered in their windows rows and rows of galette des Rois. Kings' Cake, which celebrates the Christian Holiday of the Epiphany. These beautiful, golden baked cakes come crowned. On the sixth of January, French friends and families indulge in this gilded gateau. Whoever comes across the small trinket in their slice is crowned king for the year. It is quite a nice way to start out the new year; being with loved ones and enjoying something sweet.
I have been walking throughout Paris this past week or so, and have been finding myself baffled as to why I hadn't participated in such a pleasant tradition. Today, it hit me the most. Settling in a new country with a new language has not been the most simplest, but as I walked through the Marais and noticed the discounted galette des Rois, I could not resist their simplicity.
Alas, the small trinket ended up not being in my slice, but what a royal feeling it really is to be starting the new year is Paris, France.
-Reba

An American "Girl" In Paris

As a change of pace, this year, we offer you an insider’s view of our favorite city. Not your typical travel-guide, but rather the musings of the young and carefree. One of our favorites has packed up and moved to the City of Light for the ultimate aventure de la découverte. A graduate of fashion, this superbly stylish sartorialist has been tasked to provide you with the latest and greatest, as well as, the offbeat undiscovered fringe. Perhaps a new café? Perhaps une petite galerie? Perhaps just a lost love or un objet trouvé? No particular parameter, no stringent criteria, just a meandering chronicle of cool. She has been with us for a while, and with some of that Paris Market blood coursing through her veins, we can’t wait to see what she comes up with!

Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Goodnight!

Annabelle, Paula, London, Taras and Chloe.

Oh Baby, This Is Going To Be Big!

Sometimes I’m just like a little kid. I have a secret or surprise, and feel like I’m just going to burst if I don’t tell someone. I’m also exactly the same when someone else has something on me. Just ask my husband about the weeks before my birthday, Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Pester, pester, pester. What did you get me? Give me a hint, just a little hint. Does it start with the letter “D”? Is it shiny? Do I need to have my passport updated? Come on; give me something, anything… pleeeeeeeeease?

So, I was going to wait for the big reveal in the New Year, but I can’t. I’m dying. I’ve got to squeal. It’s too cute. It’s much too darling. It’s way too sweet. It’s: Paris Market Baby!

Paris Market Baby was born out of a desire to expand The Paris Market line to include the next generation in the cool, hip, and clearly not ordinary. No frills and ruffles here. This kid is 100 percent smock-free.

Eco-friendly, clean lines, simple, elegant, comfortable and fashionable. Who knew all those adjectives could describe a child’s furniture and clothing line. So hang on little tomato, the best is yet to come.

Stay tuned for the official reveal in January 2010.