Postcards from Paris: {Pictures from Savannah}

While I have been window shopping here in Paris, I have also been curious about the windows of The Paris Market in Savannah. They are the first thing most people notice before they walk through the doors of our shop, and it is something Paula has always paid close attention to. She is always open to ideas from her employees, and encourages us to create exciting things that represent ourselves as artists, along with the treasures that are sold inside.

The Christmas season is my favorite time at The Paris Market. I love walking through the store surrounded by all of the glittering ornaments nursing a warm cup of our seasonal hot chocolate, with a shot of coconut syrup. And though I appreciate my new experiences here in Paris during the Christmas Season, I do have a bit of nostalgia for the shop in Savannah.

With that thought, a dear friend and long-time worker at The Paris Market shared with me some pictures.For those who aren't able to see the new displays like me, I hope these pictures can offer a small glimpse of what's going at shop in Savannah.

Bisous,

Reba

Polaroids from Paris: {Reflections from the Flu and Another Snow Day}

Merci to those who offered their kind words for better health on my behalf.

I don't have actual medical evidence that what I had was the flu, but I got some assurance from WebMD that my symptoms matched up. So I am just going to tell myself I had it and assume I can just go on avoiding it for the rest of the frosty season.

So after a series of days spent sleeping, I was able to spend a couple days strolling.

And I have added to my collection of holiday images.

With the snow that came piling down this past Wednesday, an extra element of magic and mysticism was added to the Christmas decorations set up throughout the city. It is the first time in my life that I have ever experienced so much snow in December. From what I collected the Parisians themselves were surprised by the sudden stroke of snowflakes.

It can be a delight walking on the snow and feeling it crunch under your feet. Stepping on an untouched surface of snow feels a bit liberating, like making your mark on new land. Letting snowflakes land gently on your tongue can offer the most simplest satisfaction, and forming the roundest most compact snowball to chuck at someone offers one a sense of power. 

Being out surrounded by a layer of white frost can be a real delight, but there really is a special moment while being warm indoors, and watching the snow fall from the sky, adding edible layers to all of the surfaces just outside the windows. It can almost be described as a moment of content anticipation; the present moment is perfect, but there is something to look forward to when one steps outside.

Bisous,

Reba

Postcards from Paris: {Vitamin C and Sleep, Sleep, Sleep}

Remember my last post, Snow Day.

Well it just so happens that walking through snow with less than adequate shoes, and then sleeping in an over-heated apartment does not really do much for the immune system.

Being ill, though rather uncomfortable for the body, has it's perks. Like the guilt-free feelings of staying in all day to get better.

I nursed my cold by drinking peppermint tea and reading an old favorite by Francoise Sagan, Bonjour Tristesse along with regular doses of vitamin C and pockets of sleep throughout the day. I hope I won't be judged for writing this, but I woke up from a nap just to read a bit and take another nap. I can't really say that the day has been completely guilt-free, my days always seem lacking when I don't go out and walk the rues of Paris, I feel that there is always something charming to discover. So, with that I try to bring some charm indoors,  and also to better my French comprehension I have been listening to her:

Recommendations for the ill-burdened:

-No french-kissing even if you are under mistletoe, for these things are contagious

-plenty of fluids, like orange juice and peppermint tea

-pockets of naps, preferably under fluffy down-covers, wearing holiday socks

-reading to entertain the mind away from the crazy symptoms of cold-medicine

Those are my words of advice for the day. Oh and get yourself some decent shoes, in case of unexpected snow.

Bisous,

Reba 

Polaroids from Paris: {Snow Day}

They said that next week would warm up. I hardly mind the cold, and right as I finished that statement I wonder if I am speaking too soon.  I do have a tiny studio with two dependent means of heating which have yet to fail me, and I hope they will continue to suffice.
But they did say that it will warm up some within the next several days. I heard that a couple days ago, before it snowed all morning and afternoon today.
And with that, and a cup of seasonal spiced hot tea; I am content with the temperature. There is something rather reverent watching snow fall. As the snow flakes grew in size, I watched from behind a glass window surrounded by children decorating gingerbread houses. The funny thing is that I sat there with anxious anticipation for their parents to come and pick them up so that I could go out in the snow and play.
I recall the moderate winters of my childhood, and the many past Decembers of wishing for a White Christmas, and I think perhaps all those years wishing, this year it might come true.
In Paris.
Bisous,
Reba

Polaroids from Paris: {Boulangerie Comfort}

I hope I am not becoming too redundant in regards to the temperature, but from what I hear, this is quite unusually cold for this time of year in Paris.
Sophie comes home with frozen fingers that look as though they are about to snap off. She tells me that one would expect such weather in January, but we are a season shy from winter, and it isn't even December yet.
The boulangerie next door has become a daily errand in between my French class and work. I like becoming a regular at places like this. The staff seems to be mother and daughter, and a handsome baker who works in the back pulling out the ready treats with a large wooden wand. With steam flowing out like liquid from the oven-fresh baguettes, who could resist the carbs?
I mean if I am just going to be adding on the layers of clothing, will anyone really notice a rounder face or chubbier fingers?
Donnez-moi mon cagoule et mes gants, et que eclair au chocolat, Merci!
Bisous,
Reba

Polaroids from Paris: {Writing Letters to Papa Noel}

The little girl I watch over each afternoon explained to me her letter to Papa Noel, none other than Santa Clause.
Her list was composed of things that little girls of a different generation might ask for:
le maquillage et les poupees
I can imagine, simple enough  for the elves in Santa's workshop to manufacture. I wonder with such modern Christmas lists these days, how could could they possibly keep up. I picture some children sending Santa a quick text or an IM of their wishes, and him receiving it via his IPad. And how completely old fashioned it is to get a lump of coal for bad behavior, perhaps technology could make an appearance in some sort of negative form, eh?
With all this modernity, I do say that I appreciate the simple things.
I am loving my strolls along the seasoned streets, and the justification to purchase some roasted chestnuts simply because my hands are cold, and they just smell so incredibly delightful.
I have been taking a daily detour from home to work to walk past the butcher stands on rue Levi just to smell the roasting rotisserie chickens.
And all of the pretty clementines in season, that add that extra citrus scent to one's fingers.
Though it may be difficult to tune into such sensory elements when the air is biting and one's toes are numb, but this season offers so much visually, and the many diverse comforting scents only accentuate the atmosphere.

The Paris Market windows in Savannah are set-up and ready.
And the elves seems to be at work, or they make that appearance...
Bisous,
Reba

Polaroids from Paris: {Musee Carnavalet}

 Il Niege. Et au lieu de marcher dans le froid, je rester à l'intérieur près de l'or doré.

It's snowing.
And instead of walking through the cold, I stay inside surrounded by gilded gold.
Set right in the middle of Le Marais is a treasured museum, Musee Carnavalet-Histoire de Paris
A new ami francais accompanied me a couple of days ago to see the Louis Vuitton Exhibition; Voyage en Capitale. Although cameras were prohibited, I took advantage of the free-photo range before we entered the temporary exhibit.
Bisous,
Reba

Postcards from Paris: {Winter-Like Welcoming & An Afternoon at the Park}

We spent the afternoon in the Parc Monceau, buddled up in layers, enjoying our gouter with frozen fingers. I know we are technically still in the Autumn season, but with bare trees and breaths as apparent as chimney smoke, one hopes that winter won't get much worse.
I do love the Parc Monceau. Like many of the designated parks in Paris, it really has a grand stature to it. The gilded gates, ornate statues of  Guy de Maupassant, Frédéric Chopin, amongst others, and of course the rotunda only emphasize the overall excellence. 
There are pony-rides, swings, and a carousel for the kiddies.
And not to mention, before the cold hits, a delightful english-style garden with chosen flowers growing as they please.
Bisous,
Reba