Friday, February 29, 2008

vacanza romana - roman holiday

Doesn't this happen to you all the time? Friday night we were at A's cousin's home ready to sit down to dinner when there's a knock at the door. Who was it you ask? A priest dropping by to give us an Easter blessing - I know, only in Rome.

We had a great dinner with Massimo, Lucia and Domitilla (M & L are godparents to 'little a'). I eat to live but this family Lives To Eat. Massimo and his brother Marco are opening a fish themed restaurant in the coming weeks - not far from the Vatican (a bit more on this in another post).


Saturday we visited the fabric district in the 'jewish ghetto' not far from Piazza Navonna and Campo de Fiori (near Largho di Torre Argentina). Everything was closed. No, not because it was the sabbath but because we arrived at lunchtime. What was I thinking? I speak Italian but the lone store open was intimidating to me. All of the fabrics, mostly silks, were stored on moveable, elevated racks. You had to ask to view the fabrics - no browsing - no time given to ponder your choice - you have to think quick on your feet and make a decision. If other fabric stores in the neighbourhood have the same storage method I don't see myself buying much fabric in Rome.


We moved on to the book store across from Largho di Torre Argentina called Feltrinelli. The arts and crafts section is in the basement. If you love to cook then Feltrinelli has a great selection of books for you. If you love decoupage then Feltrinelli has a great selection of books for you. If you're looking for craft books on anything other than decoupage, then Feltrinelli is not the store for you. Unable to find a great craft book I turned my focus to craft magazines but I didn't find anything to my liking (lots of knitting, crocheting & decoupage). The magazine / newspaper kiosks are a bit like the fabric store - 'ask and they shall show you'. The craft magazines are usually displayed in an exterior window of the kiosk and you have to know what you're looking for because the vendor doesn't give you time to browse - he unlocks the window and gives you 10 seconds to decide on your purchase.


So you might think I was having a bad day - not at all; it was warm and the sun was shining, and lunch was next on the agenda. What you see to the left is only a small sampling of the pizza slices (pizza al taglio) available in the this eatery just outside Campo de Fiori. There's no need to recommend a pizza place in Rome - I've never had a disappointing slice (the same can't be said for Milano. The further south you go in Italy the better the pizza tastes).


I don't drink coffee but A plans his day around having coffee at Caffe Sant'Eustachio (in Piazza Sant'Eustachio) located between Piazza Navonna and the Pantheon. It's a known fact that they make the best coffee in Rome.
This is a craft blog so forgive me for talking so much about travel and food but there are just a few more things you need to know about Rome.

The best ice cream in Rome? Giolitti - Via Uffici del Vicario, 42 (near the Pantheon). But you shouldn't take my word for it. If in Rome you should try every ice cream shop and decide for yourself. My favourite flavours: fior di latte, stracciatella, kinder (as in Kinder chocolate) and nutella.
The best dinner I've ever had in Rome? Taverna Trilussa Trastevere - Via del Politeama, 23-25 (tel. 06 581 8918). My daughter has only said 'mmmmm' once in her two years of life and it was at this restaurant when she tasted their whipped ricotta. Ask for an antipasto assortment and then try either their ravioli mimosa or pasta all'amatriciana - oh sooooo good. I've never gotten past the pasta course so sorry, I can't recommend a meat dish.

Sunday we headed over to the flea market at Porta Portese. We've always wanted to visit but it's either been too hot (try to visit Rome outside the summer months) or we were travelling on a Sunday. In summary it was a waste of time. The market gets great write-ups but I was disappointed; I can get the same stuff at flea markets in any other city in Europe.

Would I ever go back? Only to scope out their antique market which we were too tired to locate, however, next time I'll skip the clothing market all together. Check out the crowd. They can't all be pickpocketers. Maybe they know something I don't.

We got back to Paris late Tuesday and since then 'little a' has had a fever, cough, cold .....

Stay tuned. I'm planning a Vacanza Romana Giveaway to celebrate my new blog!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

arrivederci

We're off to Rome for a few days. Hopefully I'll have some tales to tell when I get back. Buona fine settimana a tutti (have a nice weekend everyone).

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

look at what i got ...


in the mail today - cards from Curly Girl Design. They read:
  1. Tiara - "I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world."
  2. Vespa - "The world is full of people who will go their whole lives and not actually Live one day. She did not intend on being one of them."
  3. Yoga Girl - "One of the hardest things to realize," she said "is that our 'someday' is right now."

    My friend Carmi, who is a phenomal card artist herself and a Paris afficionado, owns a large canvas of 'Tiara'. Carmi will be the second person I tell about this blog and then I'll announce it to the world (well, my friends and family). When I was home in Toronto this past Christmas I stopped by Carmi's because I have been longing to take a 'studio' tour. Did I say studio in the singular? I meant to say studioS !!!! Yes, she has two enormous studios set-up for different functions - you name it - Carmi can do it. I met Carmi several years ago when I took a marble coaster class from her ...
(I transfer scenes from French vintage postcards onto to the tiles.)

... but I digress. She also has another room set up as her e-Bay store and a fourth room set up as an office and library for all her craft books - mon dieu !

This is Studio #1 - the original.
Then her hubby surpised her and moved his home office out of this space so she could also have Studio #2.
This is a shot of her e-Bay store - amazing ! Don't forget to click on the 'Atelier' label so you can be reminded of the size of my craft space. I went to Carmi's intent on buying some of her beautiful Paris themed cards but I was so awestruck by her studios that I completely forgot. Yes, I have an excuse to go back !
Now let's play a game. Six degrees of Carmi. There's a link on Carmi's blog to Honeybunch blog (Nicole from Honeybunch is Carmi's sister-in-law). I love reading Honeybunch and one day I saw a photo of a tissue pack which screamed 'Melissa' to me (the first person I told about this blog). I continued reading and sure enough Nicole went on to mention that she got the tissue pack idea from Melissa and she raved about her blog (much like I did). Oh, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

petit projet

I've had these supplies sitting around and I needed a petit projet this weekend so I sat down to make barrettes even though 'little a' hates wearing them. The first one, with a petite fleur in the middle, is completely out of proportion with her head and it's really ugly too - I'm going to use it as a paperclip. 'Little a' ran away from me when I tried to put it in her hair - I don't blame her. I decided that the blue and white ribbon were not going to be used for barrettes. I used up the last of the pink ribbon for another barrette - it turned out great. I don't know if 'little a' was just humouring me but she let me put it in her hair and I had to wrestle her to take it out ... the glue was still wet.
Funny, the barrettes look like they're about the same size, but they're not. The one of the right is actually much smaller.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

roses are red my love ...

We have an overwhelming selection of beautiful flower shops in Paris, one of my favourites is Au Nom de la Rose - they only sell roses (I would have provided the link but their website is uninspired). When buying flowers in Paris you're always asked if it is pour la maison (for the home) or pour offrir (to offer as a gift). Regardless of whether I'm buying flowers for myself or to give away I always reply c'est pour offrir because the clerk will go to great lengths so make the bouquet look extra special and it doesn't cost you extra. Happy Valentine's Day!



Wednesday, February 13, 2008

one person knows

I've given one person the link to this blog. Her name is Melissa. She's already visited and left comments - Merci ! Melissa's is the first 'stranger' blog that compelled me to leave a comment. She's a loving mom, amazing photographer and talented crafter. This year she's embarked on a journaling project and each week her entry outdoes the previous week's post. Once you look at her blog 'savoring the details' I know you'll look forward to her 'Thursday's Thought' just like I do ! Hurry, hurry, don't wait ... you're wasting time ... click on the link.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

i'm on a roll

I have always wanted to take a peinture sur bois workshop (wood painting workshop) and today I finally did. 'Big A' spent the afternoon with 'little a' and I spent 6 hours away from my baby - the longest stretch of time we've every been apart. I arrived early and the shop was still closed so I strolled by my old office (hadn't been back in almost 2 years). I worked for an American interior designer who splits her time between Paris and California's wine country.

I went to buy a double chocolate éclair at the neighbourhood bakery, which has changed ownership, and I also learned that the gift certificate I have for the spa next door to the bakery is no longer valid since it's now an art gallery - alot happens in two years.

I took my éclair to La Place des Vosges and enjoyed the fabulous weather Paris has been experiencing this past week.

My class started at 2pm and I chose to paint a tray ....
grey ...
I added a wreath and my monogram and voilà, my plateau is finished. I hope to take a class once a month. I want to learn antique / aging finishes so I can paint lamp bases to go with my shades. Considering the last time I painted was in kindergarten, I'm very pleased with the result.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Marie Claire Idées

I have good news, good news, more good news and BAD NEWS !

1. good news - the new issue of Marie Claire Idées is out.

2. good news - they have a blog - I didn't know.

3. more good news - they've announced the date of the 3rd
annual Marie Claire Idées salon / fair.

The bad news is that they've changed the venue for the salon from the convention centre located at the Louvre Museum (downtown) to a location at the northern limit of Paris - ugh; it will take me an hour to get there. Oh, and they've changed the date of the salon from October to November (the waiting is the hardest part).

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

my first project

In earlier shots of my atelier you may have noticed that I have no window coverings on the French doors. It is still les soldes (winter sales) in Paris and I was lucky to pick-up prêt-à-poser blinds half price. Only problem is that they're too wide so a little alteration was in order. I got off to a rough start by pricking my thumb; doesn't that always happen when you're working with white?

It took me one hour to complete the alteration and hang the blinds - I love them (the blind on the left needs a shot of steam).

the evolution

... from a storage corner ...
... to 'Big A's temporary desk .... (he's got bedhead - he doesn't coif his hair like that - honest!)
... to 'little a's temporary change table ...

... to my craft corner / atelier

That's my power transformer on the floor. I have a North American sewing machine (15 years old - no bells, no whistles) which I plug into the tranformer so I don't blow the motor on my sewing machine. The large mirror on the wall will be relocating to another spot in the room so that I can set this wall up as an 'inspiration area'. This room serves as my atelier, guest room and computer room.


Tuesday, February 5, 2008

oh happy day

I was birthday shopping for Big A this morning at les grands magasins (Printemps & Galeries Lafayette located on Boulevard Haussman behind the Opera Garnier ) and I couldn't resist running into Bouchara, a fabric store located nearby. I was excited to learn that they're reorganizing their store. Notions, ribbons, and clothing fabric will relocate from the 1st floor to the basement and all the home decorating fabric will leave the basement and occupy the much, much larger space on the 1st floor. Bravo Bouchara !! Bouchara's merchandising has changed alot in the 12 years that we've lived in Paris. When we first moved here Bouchara used to occupy the H&M and Mango stores located on Boulevard Haussman between Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. In those days, besides fabrics, Bouchara used to carry gorgeous tapestries, area rugs, enormous tassels .... all at amazing prices.

Take a look at what I bought. I already have plans for the black / white fabric, stay tuned, and I had to have this because of the lampshade motif. Happy birthday honey !