Partager Paris Carousels

The gray skies were starting to play a number on my mood...but a quick trip to BHV (who am I kidding...there is NO way to shop around BHV quickly) So... back to the SAD mood I was sneaking into...As I exited the metro Hotel de Ville, my eyes shot to the brightly-lit, multi-colored, music-playing, dancing Paris Carousel, one of the many that light up some of the gray corners of Paris.  I immediately smiled and picked up my pace,  realized the day was just beginning for me, and OHHH, always so much to see and do everyday in Paris... No matter the weather, the day of the week, manifestation or not, alone or in a crowd.    Perhaps, this was one of the purposes of the many carousels in Paris? ..they are not just for kids.  Or are they?  Do they return you to your childhood of carefree days and nights, lucky to celebrate life in this City of Lights?  It sure had that effect on me.  So, if these gray winter days try to put you in a downward spiral ...Partager a ride with someone special on a neighborhood carousel.  You will feel your gray clouds lift!

Partager Bibliothèque Nationale de France Richelieu

Bienvenue to the Bibliothéque Nationale de France Richelieu.  An enriching experience for an afternoon out of the moins zero degrees it has been in Paris lately.   Over the weekend, I needed some detente to reset my neural system...so I found it here.  My mentor (more on that later) had recommended this "Special Expostion Virturelle" by Michael Kenna.  This was the right thing...a simple ride on the metro, and I was there, winding my way around to the front entrance, I also came across the back door, which I would have loved to take this sweet rooster door knocker with me for a future home in the country somewhere...sigh...

Partager Les Passages de Paris

The weather has been a bit better these last few days, but there have been days you would prefer to spend indoors; even if you are an avid street wanderer of Paris..so the perfect places to go are the Passages, Paris's first malls.

They are off the beaten path; part of the secret Paris that we all strive to discover when visiting Paris.  There are several of them scattered around the city, but there are a few that are close enough together that you can easily visit  them in one day.

Hotels, wax museums, galleries, import shopping, pastries, antiques, book dealers,  and even one whole shop dedicated to walking canes in the Passage Jouffroy and Verdeau.

There are about seven of them that I like to visit, ranging from the very elegant Galerie Colbert and Vivienne; where you can admire the flamboyant Grecian decor to the Passage Choiseul with its takeaway restaurants, affordable clothing, and 200 meter tiled walkway.
The perfect place partager a winter's day.  Just a few shots to entice a visit to Passage Jouffroy...

Le Nouveau Chapeau...HATS, HATS, HATS on the Streets of Paris

Every direction I look I see Les Chapeaux! Le Chapeau sur les Chapeaux de roues!
And with the cold weather we've been enjoying...hmmm...I felt a strong urge to find me a nouveau chapeau!




Paris has changed its look since the 30s and 40s, but Paris changes her look on a daily basis.  That's one of her many tricks.  There are many looks this season, but the one that keeps turning my head is the Russian fur hat...or the fur bomber .  Just the thing to keep you sur les roues de Paris in this cold weather.  So, this fuzzy bear-ear model, the trapper look, is the beginning of a new collection for me.  I found it in a little store on rue St. Dominique in the 7th.  Wonder what kind I will find tomorrow?  There are so many to chose from...maybe the stocking cap, maybe the cute little felt bucket hats with flowers on the side, or maybe with buttons instead?  What about you?  Have you found your perfect winter hat yet?  Partager your favorites with me!

Enfin...Back In Paris!

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La Fete Continue!!  and Welcome back to Paris!

The New Year and the New Decade is well under way...and I am way behind with my promise to partager Paris  with you...the holidays took me away, but only to return and realize how much I love to live in Paris.