Paris Carousels

Carousels are plentiful in Paris. In fact there are two located right across the street from the Eiffel Tower. This one happened to be my favorite, a beautiful two story deluxe carousel. Check out the stairs going to the second level! Just like everything else in Paris, so much to dazzle your eyes. It made for a great photo op with the Eiffel Tower behind it. Check out the video I filmed of the Paris Carousel in motion.

This is the Montmartre carousel that was featured in the movie Amelie. Its located in front of the Sacre Coeur. If you look closely you can spot the overnight guest located in one of the carriages.

L' Orangerie ~ My Happy Place!

When times are tough and I'm stressed out, sometimes I would try to imagine a place where everything is calm, relaxed, lovely. Typically it is some kind of garden but I didn't really know what it looked like. I tried to imagine something beautiful but it could never measure up to something as sublime as this.

As I'm rushing to see everything on my tour of Versailles Garden before the bus leaves, I discovered this beautiful garden. I don't know what it is about topiary trees but I 've always found them fascinating. L'Orangerie was by far one of the highlights of my trip to Paris. The garden featured hundreds of petite orange trees and ornamental topiaries. As I was leaving I noticed a lovely pale yellow snail gliding along the leaves of one of the sculptured topiary trees. It was a sight to behold and one I'll never forget. This is my happy place!

Fabric Shopping in Paris!

At the base of the Sacre Coeur east of the Carousel I wandered into Montmartre's fabric district. As with all shopping in Paris, items spill into the sidewalks including the fabric shops enticing you into the shop. There are no big box chain stores, only individual tissus/mercerie (fabric/notions) shops lining the streets. This particular area seemed to go on for at least a few blocks. If I lived in Paris I'm sure this is an area I would frequently visit.

My favorite was a charming shop called Moline, 1 place St Pierre established in 1879. Yes thats right 1879! The Mercerie had everything you needed to create your craft items.The store was arranged with different areas. The photos below depict entry into the shop, the calico print fabric room and a wall of buttons.

Paris 2011 Vacation Highlights

What can I say that hasn't been said before, Paris is the most beautiful city in the world! I wish I were a writer that could express it better but its truly sublime. I miss it so much! Here are some highlights of the trip put together in a short video.

Serendipity in NYC

My friend Laurie left to go to art school in New York City right after she graduated from high school. I always thought it was so brave to pack up your things and travel to the big city like that. We sort of kept in contact over the years and then I hadn't heard from her in over ten years. She recently found me on facebook and we caught up with each others lives. I went to NYC last week and was thinking how nice it would be to get a tour from someone who really knew New York. I thought of Laurie- the only person I knew in New York but didn't know how to get a hold of her besides facebook.

The fifth day of my visit I was determined to find the carousel in Central Park. I decided not to ride and just watch and take photos. I noticed this woman standing in front of me who looked vaguely familiar. She was wearing a funny knit hat and had a distinct profile. She was also taking photos. I looked again.. could it be?? It can't be! Twenty plus years older but yes I think it is! How in a city of millions and a million things to do could I possibly run into Laurie? I asked the woman, "Are you Laurie?" Yes it was! What are the odds of being at the same place at the same time in the busiest city in the world. It was meant to be.

Thankfully she had the next day off and gladly gave me a tour tailored made for me. Since we had similar interests she knew of all the places I might enjoy. We met in the meat packing district at New Yorks latest hot spot, the High Line. We went off to West Village and visited all the cute shops in the area. She showed me all the markets and places where I could possibly sell my toys. We had lunch at a little pizzeria and we visited the Christmas floor at Macy's. We walked up to the garment district where I found some of the best trim shops in the world. We sat in Times Square and pondered about tickets to a show. Finally night fell and we took a subway to the Brooklyn Bridge where we walked and looked at the big city that filled the sky with its bright lights. All in all it was the best day from my visit to New York and I will keep it with me always.The following photos are some of the highlights from my week in NYC.

View from the Empire State Building

Detail of Chagall at MOMA

Times Square

Little Lady of Liberty

Carousel at Bryant Park

Chrysler at dusk

Puppets at the Natural History Museum
Van Gogh at the Met

Detail of Monet

South end of Central Park

Sanrio crying bunny water fountain on Park Ave

Fiber Installation at The Modern

Sidewalk drawing in Greenwich Village

MY FAVS
View from the Empire State Building
Chagall at MOMA
Tour of the city with Laurie
Carousel at Bryant Park

MOST DISAPPOINTING
Noise, traffic, tourists
Wicked- hated it!
Guggenheim