paris: day 2

Image source: Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais

Well, it's about time I wrap up my series of posts on my trip with the second and final day in Paris. It was a quick-paced whirlwind of a trip for my sister Betsy and me, propelled by momentum and excitement. However, for my first time being so far from my boys, the length of the trip was just right.

Betsy and I decided to greet our full day in Paris with room service of le petit déjeuner which was quite wonderful even though it was not so petit.

Betsy insisted that our first stop be Le Bon Marché, a stunning department store designed by Gustav Eiffel. Imagine a bright and airy Nordstrom with a fabric section. I proudly ordered myself a meal at one of its cafes that had no cheese* but did have "caille" -- a word I could not locate until after I was back home: quail!

We spent hours leisurely strolling along the Champs Elysees ...

We nibbled macarons and sipped coffee and tea at Laduree ...

And enjoyed dinner before wishing the city of light a bonne nuit.

Back at our hotel I tapped away to share images and words by phone before attempting to close my suitcase and shut my eyes for a night of replaying brilliant moments such as musicians playing traditional French music on the Metro.

It was all like a wonderful dream.

Pre-trip Collage from this Post

It must be the writer in me that seeks to define what London and Paris meant during my brief visits. I loved them both. London was very much the kindred spirit, the long-lost, ruddy-faced best friend -- all warmth and smiles -- while Paris was like a crush -- where I wasn't completely at ease but smitten and attracted nonetheless.

xo
elyse

*I just may be the one person you will ever meet who detests cheese.

paris: day 1

Dear Blog, I went to Paris.

Sounds kind of silly doesn't it, but for the past five years this blog has been the closest thing to a diary I have ever kept. A dynamic journal with a search function, this weblog has become a part of my life: a place where I share, document and connect. Before I ramble endlessly about all that blogging continues to mean to me, I'll continue with tonight's dreamy entry.

Dear Blog, I went to Paris. One month ago ...

If you're just tuning in, you can catch the trip's backstory here but in a nutshell, once I decided to go to London there was no way I was skipping Paris. And Paris looks like this. Like a post card. Like a work of art. Like a dream.

Here is the shop where I needed to communicate with gestures that I would like some ribbon cut.

Silly me. I could barely keep my mercis from my bon jours but tried my best.

My traveling companion / beloved oldest sister Betsy, booked two nights for us at the elegant Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais where she had stayed years before after reading about it in a magazine. We took a taxi directly from the train, dropped off our luggage and began strolling le Marais section of Paris.

Every few steps I would look at Betsy, grab her arm and say, "We're in Paris! This is crazy!" and she'd always reply, "No. It's wonderful!"

Click to enlarge

 Our first night we just walked and walked and walked ...

Bon jour!

 We walked to Angelina to sip cups of rich hot chocolate amidst grand surroundings.

Brilliant

We walked to the Roue de Paris and took a spin for a brilliant aerial view of the city at night.

Skipping the Metro and taxis to explore!

We walked across the Seine River on the gilded Alexander III bridge, always keeping our eyes on our prized destination, our grounded North Star ...

Me and Betsy

GASP ... the Eiffel Tower.

Pinch me!

I didn't go up, I wanted only to gaze upon it. It's beautiful. It's magic. It's Paris.

No dinner? No problem. Il est merveilleux!

We returned to the vicinity of our hotel for dinner and wandered into Le Coude Fou. At once rustic and vibrant, the bistro features walls covered in art, chalkboards scrawled with long lists of wines, and tables of friends spilling over with lively conversation. With no translations on the menu, it was definitely a place for locals and me with my limited French, obviously only ordered wine and a cup of soup for dinner. C'est la vie! It was wonderful.

Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais

Who could sleep?

Stay tuned for the final day of our whirlwind trip. And always remember, it all begins with a thought, with an idea, with a dream!

xo
elyse

london: day 3

I generally like to keep blog posts succinct but this one is a bit long. You might want to grab a cuppa!

I was very excited about my third day in London because plans came together for me to meet stylist Selina Lake. As a long-time admirer of Selina's work and brilliant books I was thrilled when our meeting was suggested by my U.K. publicist (I know! Crazy, right!?). Selina's publisher and mine are under the same umbrella and according to Amazon our books are often purchased together.

Selina suggested that we meet at the Columbia Road Flower Market. So, that Sunday morning Betsy and I took the tube and then realized we'd also need a taxi to meet Selina on time. How fun for us that we ended up in the taxi of Tony Walker of the famed Up series of documentaries. Bursting with life and good cheer, Tony told us how he'd just been in New York City ("I'm famous!") and how by going to the Flower Market, we were seeing the real London. Yeah!

Columbia Road was beautiful! Cool shops, bakeries and restaurants, with the road between packed with crates of sweet-scented flowers and plants. I loved hearing vendors yell, "Tulips!" which to my American ears sounded like "Choo-lips!

As my eyes searched for the shop's address where I was to meet Selina, she and I literally came face-to-face at a glass door. I knew her pretty face in an instant. We hugged and strolled along the busy area with her sweet friend Chloe. Restaurants were so crowded that we simply got teas-to-go and stopped near an antiques shop, using a table displayed outside as our make-shift cafe.

Selina had my book with her and I had the new paperback edition of her first book, Bazaar Style with me. As we stood outside, signing books, sharing stories and drinking tea in London on this spring-like day in February, I actually stopped and said, "I'm having a moment." It felt like a dream. It still does.

J & B The Shop

After Selina and Chloe left, Betsy and I SWOONED and GASPED as we made our way in and out of the many wonderful shops and enjoyed a delicious meal at Campania. {I bought a roll of wallpaper from the shop shown above. Beautiful shop!}

The rest of our final day in London found us giggling in a double-decker bus and then walking along the windy River Thames to look at Tower Bridge before heading back to our friends' cozy flat to pack and set an early alarm for our train ride to Paris.

Vintage Heaven

Selina took this photo of me. Gosh, I really loved London. The people were bright and friendly, the food was delicious, and the city streets were very much like the designs of Cath Kidston to me: steeped in tradition but with cheerful pops of color. I was told by everyone I met that I was living like a local while I was there. This trip wasn't about seeing Kensington Palace or even Big Ben, it was about meeting people, taking the tube and taxis, tasting new foods, and savoring every brilliant moment.

xo
elyse

london: day 2

A chintz treat for M of {oc cottage}

Yesterday I posted about my second day in London and while attempting to figure out some formatting issues (I don't want text-wrapped images!) not only did I accidentally delete the post but messed up much of the design of my blog. I actually had struggled with that post a bit, so here's to a second chance of sharing about my second day in London and a fresh look for my blog.

Bunting, bikes, books!

Okay, so day two in London we took the tube to Notting Hill (and sorry, I haven't seen the movie yet) to our highly recommended destination of Portobello Road, famous for its busy street market full of antique and artisan shops and stalls. The area was busy and bustling with people and the air was filled with aromas and sizzle from a myriad of food vendors.

My 2nd Cath Kidston

Portobello Road also had the added attraction for me of having a Cath Kidston shop ("No pictures, please!" Sorry.) What did I buy? The kinds of little things that even I wouldn't be able to justify paying shipping costs for: an eraser, spools of ribbon, nested tins, paper napkins, lip balm.

and a {GASP} Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic store ("I said you could take some pictures ..." Sorry.) which was just as breathtaking as I had imagined it would be. What did I buy? Two overdyed napkins which have no plans to be near any dinner table and a pretty fabric corsage type of thing. I also asked and received a little fabric swatch. Continuous small treats, right?

Birthplace of Shabby Chic

We enjoyed a full day of meandering through shops, stopping for lunch, and buying souvenirs.

Fifi's book at Harrods

In the early evening we took a taxi to the luxurious department store Harrod's, where I mostly kept my camera mostly tucked away but assure you that it was quite impressive. I did manage to sneak a pic when I saw my fairygodmother Fifi O'Neill's first book; we were also thrilled to find a copy of Victoria magazine featuring my sister Betsy's lovely essay, Winter Comes.

Day 2 was another delightful day in London. Each night I barely slept, excited about what I had done and seen and looking forward to the next day's plans. Stay tuned for Day 3: Meeting the brilliant stylist and author, Selina Lake (!!!).

xo
elyse

Note:
Italics have been replaced by this color since they appear wonktacular in this font.

london: day 1

 After daydreaming, baking cupcakes for my boys, getting a polka-dot manicure, buying my first iPhone and packing my bags, I embarked on Valentine's Day for a whirlwind of an adventure to London and Paris, accompanied by my oldest sister Betsy. The trip was brief but wonderful and planned around the launch of my book and having a place to stay in London while dear friends are living there temporarily.

It was fun to document and share my travels on my Tinkered Treasures page on Facebook. Like any good blogger, I was sure to take plenty of photos to capture little slices of life. We were in London for the first three days and felt right at home in my friends' flat perched above shops on a lively main street lined with cafes, bakeries, pubs and fresh flower stands.

After an overnight (sleepless) flight, Betsy and I landed (Feb. 15), rode to the flat, dropped off our luggage, changed clothes and took a taxi directly to the offices of my publisher, CICO Books. Mark and Lauren who handle publicity for the U.K. treated us to a delicious first meal in London at the traditional and cozy Vats, followed by introducing me around the office. It was an absolute treat to put faces to all of the friendly names with whom I've been corresponding. I was also able to meet my publisher, Cindy Richards, to whom I am so thankful for publishing my book.

Mark and Lauren suggested that Betsy and I explore Covent Garden next so we took a quick taxi ride and arrived at ... GASP along with me ... CATH KIDSTON!

Yes, I did buy things which perhaps I'll save for another post but what I wanted was the small things that might not even be listed online or for that you couldn't rationale paying international shipping. I purchased items like an eraser, ribbon, pins. And a case for my new phone.

That evening, I enjoyed bangers and mash (or sausage and mashed potatoes) at The Flask Tavern. Yum!

London: Where EVERYTHING is adorable!

Wow! Well, since Day 1 is already a lengthy post, I think I'll write individual posts for each travel day. I have included links to places mentioned so if you're ever in London, you'll have my recommendations!

No sleep? No problem. We're in London!

If you would have told me one year ago that I would be visiting London and Paris I may not have believed you. (I almost still don't!) It all begins with an idea ...

Stay tuned for Day 2!

xo
elyse

first book giveaway: winner announced!

A quick post to announce the winner of a signed copy of my book (selected using Random.org) is Sheila Earhart!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and for your support and happy enthusiasm!

xo
elyse

NOTE: Sheila: I am not sure how to contact you. Please message me via comment or my Tinkered Treasures page on Facebook. Thank you!

first book giveaway: signed copy

Wow. Here it is. The week I have been anticipating: the week my dream-come-true-wish-out-loud-work on tirelessly-book comes out. I am as excited and as awe-struck as you might imagine. And it all started here with this blog. Please indulge me for a sec ...















It is here where I shared my very first les petits tiroirs {on December 10, 2009}

where I shared my very first clothespin doll {in an October post of that same year}


where I shared the very first time I was published {in a post from April, 2009}

I am so very happy for starting a blog, for connecting with so many, and for reconnecting with myself. Please know that I appreciate every kind and enthusiastic comment.

Okay, well, as the top image shows, I am giving away a signed copy of my book. To enter, please leave a comment on this very blog post. For an additional entry, simply share about the giveaway in some way (blog post, Facebook post, Twitter tweet, email to friends, telling neighbors) and leave a comment for each giveaway shout-out. This giveaway is open to everyone, everywhere. One winner will be selected using Random.org on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.

Until then, I thank you and wish you a very happy Valentine's Day!

xo
elyse