Lunch in Provence

I knew when I saw the creative table setting....
Vintage record transformed to a placemat..
Lunch would be special.




The menu....decisions, decisions.
French restaurants often offer "Formule" menu.
An appetizer, main course, and dessert for a special price.




My appetizer...wonderful thin apple tart with a pudding like topping..
Sweet and savory at the same time.
Plus salad.




I always select the free water " carafe d'eau"
Bottled water is the price of dessert..
I prefer dessert:-)



Next...one of my French favorites...a wonderful small red fish..Rouget fillets!




Dessert....never can pass up Creme Brûlée






Ambiance is as important as menu..
Outdoor tables by the river..
Ducks providing the entertainment.












Everyone was ready for lunch...
Ducks diving...
The rush to the canoes...guest tossing left over bread into the water..
Even the dog at full attention...hoping for a compassionate diner.







This guy was so handsome..
But the group bully..fighting with the others.

Look way back near the shoreline...he is now king of the mountain
Standing on the only stone...so his feet were above water.

I cannot even consider dinner..
Crackers and cheese til breakfast

Amazing Stencil Graffiti Artist !

Don't you just love when a day brings a fabulous surprise...
Today, was one of those!
I stumbled on the amazing stencil graffiti artist, Nick Walker, from Bristol, UK.

Nick is credited with introducing stencil graffiti art to Bristol in early 1980's and thus influencing
Banksy.


And I didn't just discover Nick...I discovered him painting live in front of the famous Paris auction house Drouot.

Drouot has an auction tomorrow featuring established urban artist...Nick's work included.














Soon, the canvas was covered in layers of multi colored numbers...













Then...added his famous "Vandal" character...
The Vandal appears in Nick's series...popping up in paintings of Hong Kong, Taj Mahal, London, New York...a true world traveler!













More stencils, more color....more special!


The empty paint cans and empty coffee cans grew and grew...

To see more of his work
www.theartofnickwalker.com

Location:Paris, France

Beauty in All Things...The French Way

Presentation and beauty expected in France...
Never in too much of a hurry...to do it right!

Ice cream cones served like flowers...
Pistachio in center...cafe on edges....yum

What I Never Expected To See In Paris!

I am always open for a new discovery....a surprise?
Today was one of those surprise days...

Imagine discovering this flying saucer shaped pod in the center of "Marche Dauphine", an indoor market at the famous flea market in Paris...





I had stumbled on a "Futuro House"...
Designed in 1968 by Finnish architect, Matt Suuronen, as a ski vacation house for a friend. His concept allowed a holiday house that was easy to construct, could stand in rough terrain, shed snow, and quick to heat!













Peeping inside...




26' in diameter

96 built until the 1970s oil crisis caused construction prices to soar as built from fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic.

Are you curious? adventure minded??
www.podupnorth.com offered one for rental in North Wisconsin!

In France, Stop And Smell The Roses...And Lunch!

In Provence, buying for clients.

Sunday is market day....rambling through the small streets, stands after stands after stands of cheese, vegetables, olives, fruit, sausages, tapenade, soap from Provence, colorful towels for the kitchen, plus so much more.

My nose led me to a sidewalk stand...just starting his lunch specialty.
I arrived as he was adding mussels to his spiced broth....
Along the pan's edge are pieces of calamari wrapped around a ground beef mixture.




Next, he adds shrimp...




Atop the cooking shrimp, he gently places red and green peppers.
Presentation is key in France!




Stopping to sprinkle a spice mixture on his rotisserie chickens.

The aroma is his advertisement...
I ask how long? 30 minutes.
I tell him, "Je reviendrai!" (I will return!)








I am back!

He can see my smile and offers me a spoon filled with the finished broth...
I am sold!

My serving, 7 euros.



A nearby fountain provides my dining room...
Off for a hot baguette.

Yes, this is a bon appetit moment!

Location:Provence, France

Quality, Quality, Quality...French Trunk Maker Moynat is BACK!

Why does the new Paris, Saint Honore " Moynat " shop display their handbags surrounded by traveling cars??

Moynat, founded in 1849, was known for its travel trunks...
And even better known for its trunks that were designed with car travel in mind.




The creative curved bottom was designed to fit the exact width and shape of top of your car!
Even tailor made....and lacquered in same color as the car.

Who could have been involved with such an ingenious idea..to combine beauty, aerodynamics, and various colors for the new popular automobile travel?

A Woman...Pauline Moynat...and femininity arrived !

Unfortunately, in the 1970s, Moynat closed its doors.

Now, thanks to French billionaire Bernard Amault (owner of LVMH, maker of Louis Vuitton)...in 2011, Moynat was brought back to life!

After extensive research...antique fairs, libraries, and even antique car collectors...
the old craftsmanship that made Moynat successful was given a new twist.

And to honor the heritage of Moynat, they have a handbag named "Pauline". Bravo!







Notice the concave bottom of Moynat's new briefcase...
The same design that allowed the trunks to fit on the top of the car....
now allows the case to fit around your body.

Quality has not been compromised...
Takes weeks to craft each briefcase by hand !




In 1854, Moynat patented first waterproof trunk...

The modern handbag displayed atop a vintage trunk is also waterproof...
The fabric design is screen printed and in keeping with the vintage materials of the trunks.
Keeping the quality of the past...and updating for the present/future.





Are you ready to add such rare quality to your next bag or briefcase purchase??.

I am in Paris for 6 weeks...contact me at YourFrenchBuyer@gmail.com.
What a fabulous gift idea...especially for yourself!

Location:Paris, France