Guessing game

We were taking a stroll when I spotted this store window. Isn't this cute? And so unexpected for this store. I'll leave you to guess which store it is. Clue...they're famous for their ultra expensive bags (check the background for a glimpse of some of them!), some of which are named after some famous ladies.

I'll be waiting to hear from you!

Scene from a movie

 We were going to the BHV (Bazar de Hotel de Ville), a rather big all around department store to return some nails I'd bought (which were the wrong size!) when we were stopped by a young man with a serious mien (and headphones). I thought he was going to ask for directions, but no, we were asked to stop because they were about the film a scene on the street we were at.  It was then that I noticed the big cameras, lights and cables that littered the street.

This piqued my curiosity so I did what I was asked, all the while craning my neck to catch a glimpse of the scene. As far as I could tell, the action was taking place inside a pharmacie. Hmm...and since the first guy I asked was rather cagey about who was there, I crossed the street (the better to check out what was going on) and asked another person. This time, he was more forthcoming and he said they were shooting a film called Paris-Manhattan which was going to hit the theaters in Dec.

 I didn't actually expect to see anyone famous, but just as we were about to leave, the actors came out of the pharmacie. So the scene extended outside onto the street and I saw Patrick Bruel. He's a rather popular actor-singer, (at least with the girls), who projects an easy going charm in his appearances. Unfortunately my camera didn't quite capture his visage and all I got was this shot of him on his bike, as moves away from the pharmacie!

This is what he actually looks like....

Photo courtesy of lyrictranslate.com

Its funny what one encounters while running the most banal of errands. I wonder when I'm going to see Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Maybe while buying bread?

A stroll along Montorgueil

The view from my window

Dear friends, it’s been a crazy week here, what with all the things I’ve had to do for my little project hence the long silence on the blog. It doesn’t help that the news has been so grim with the disaster in Japan and now the bombings in Libya. It has made me feel like what I’m doing in the scale of things is frivolous and too lighthearted by far.  It has made writing difficult, to say the least.

Today, I look out the window and the sun is shining brightly. It is officially spring in my corner of the world. The sky is this wonderful blue that I haven’t seen in awhile. All this reminds me that part of the purpose of this blog is to share all the little beautiful moments that can be so fleeting. Yes, Hobbes had a point when he said that life is nasty, brutish and short, but it can also be light filled and full of beauty, humor and grace.  We have but only to look closely.

A magical little store

 The Village St. Paul used to be known for its antique stores and weekend antique fairs. People used to come in droves to browse the different offerings on display.  Unfortunately, an overzealous mayor closed down the weekend market and since then the Village has become much quieter. Many stores were obliged to close. Only rarely now are there weekend markets.  My favorite of the antique stores however is still open. Its this tiny shop filled to the brim with all sorts of things. I first noticed it because of the lights. It seemed to be full of light so I wandered in.  Imagine if you will then the store full of little lamps of all shapes and styles.  No wonder it was so bright.

After my eyes got accustomed to the light, I looked around me and found that they stocked all manner of things. From those old fashioned French cafe bowls to linens to kettles to bird cages! All of them well preserved and beautiful in a lived in sort of way. These things look like they had stories to tell if only they could speak.

Just look at their wall, full of light scones and frames and other bric a brac....

Today as I walked by, they had changed the display and put in the window this pretty little kettle.

To be sure the store is not for everyone, especially those with an eye for all things new and modern. But there's something to be said about a place that carries so many items with soul.