Flowers That Bloom at Midnight

Last January I met my friend Richard Nahem ( Eye Prefer Paris) for a quick photo shoot at Tuileries before we all had lunch and headed to the Cimetière des Chiens.  We went to photograph an installation by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.  Quite a colorful and whimsical group of flowers it was!  Adjoining the carrousel, I'm sure it brought many smiles to the children that visit the gardens.  

Yesterday my blog friend JM, Oeiras Daily Photo featured some of her work and I recognized them immediately.  I decided it was the perfect time to post here and link to JM's post HERE.

Je Préfère Paris!

Richard and my chère amie Mary Gilbert - Hôtel Sully

AND, je préfère Eye Prefer Paris! Meet my Paris ami Richard Nahem. Richard hails from NYC but has made Paris his home for many years. If you want a walking, shopping or cooking tour of Paris, he's your man. He's also a lot of fun. This day he surprised us by popping over to the Place des Vosges and joining us for a drink.

Today I'm most flattered to be Richard's guest photographer on his EPP Blog! I hope you'll have a look.

Repetto - Tutu Divine!

Today was another Paris marathon. I don't know what became of my grand plan to take it easy this trip and just "BE" in Paris. Mary and I hit the streets at 11:30. Peter, Genie and Marie joined us for lunch in north Marais, after we strolled around and did a lot of looking and photo taking. Peter left us in the late afternoon and we walked/bused to Place des Vosges area for a well earned glass of wine. To our delight Richard Nahem (Eye Prefer Paris Tours) joined us! After a quick dinner at a local cafe, Mary and I met Genie and Marie at Opera Garnier and then scooted down rue de la Paix where we all ohhed and ahhed and fell out over the fab window at Repetto. Known for their ballet shoes and dance apparel, they also sell cute ballet flats in a zillion colors for a mere 150 euros. They were closed to our dismay, so we had to settle for photographing through the glass. We continued across Place Vendome and ended up at Tuileries where sat for a bit at the fountain with our feet up. Around ten we bid them goodby and Mary and I stopped at Nemours for a last sip. It goes without saying that I am very very tired. Bonne nuit!

Day 5 - Blogfest!

Mary (Indiana) Mary (Cincinnati), Moi!

Moi, Peter, Alice

Mary, Richard Nahem, Mary, Moi

Oh what a great day of friends and fun. We started out with a quick trip to the Arc de Triomphe. Actually I've photographed it from afar but never been right there to see it in all its grandness. Just a beautiful memorial. We walked the Champs Elysees, stopping for coffee and a little shopping. Then a quick taxi ride to the Cafe Madeleine for lunch with Mary's adorable French teacher Cecile. Next, Au Printemps for a whirlwind trip through that fabulous store. We met bloggers Alice (Arradon DP) and Peter (Peter's Paris) for tea and macarons at Laduree nearby. What fun to get to see Alice again! We headed to rue St. Honore and stopped at Colette. What a store! After a short respite at the apartment, we took the bus to the Marais to meet our friend Richard Nahem, founder of http://www.eyepreferparis.com/. We ended the evening with a great pizza at a neighborhood cafe.

Bonne nuit!



V

Paris' Grand Lady

I hope I never, ever tire at the sight of her. There she stands, so gracefully towering over all of Paris. From almost any place in the city, you can catch a glimpse of her. I'll admit I'm feeling a little nostalgic today. My friend Chieftess, who is a faithful visitor on both of my blogs, recently spent a few days in my beloved Paris. I stopped by her blog yesterday and took a little trip back via her photographs. Before she went, she kindly asked me to give them a few special places to see. *La tour Eiffel was of course on my list. Touristy you say? Of course, and well she should be. I will never forget the first time I stood at the base and looked up . My first thought, after I caught my breath, was that she was much bigger/taller/grander than I could have ever imagined. Yes, it's always crowded ( unless you choose a day when it's freezing cold and pouring rain ) but go. Go and take as many photos as your heart desires. I have enough to fill a book. What a novel idea...... a photo book of la tour Eiffel! :)

Now, it's time to share some very delicious news. I will be returning to Paris on January 7th with my Paris loving amie Mary from Cincinnati and her college roommate. We'll stay a week, and I hope to blog from there. I've told Peter ( you remember Peter, the most patient man in Paris. I do hope I'm not pushing my luck! ) my number one "must do" is a night shoot at the Eiffel Tower! I can hardly wait, but you knew that didn't you?

Today, another photo from a very special evening in Paris.....Bastille Day and the fabulous fireworks.

Snow fell on Paris recently. My friend, American photographer Meredith Mullins, captured it beautifully, as only she can do. Richard Nahem's Eye Prefer Paris blog featured some of her marvelous photographs. Perhaps la neige will visit again pour moi.

* Last summer I was pleased to meet author Jill Jonnes and hear her speak about her newest book Eiffel's Tower. You'll want to buy this one!

A Day and Night With la Tour Eiffel

Author Jill Jonnes

Another day full of new sights, new tastes and old and new friends. I started my day with Mary and Peter at a wonderful little cafe, Aux Marches du Cafe, just minutes from the Eiffel Tower. After a delicious lunch we headed to Paris' Cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine. Only a little over two years old, this gorgeous museum is housed in a wing of the Chaillot Palace overlooking the tower itself. Stunning replicas of architectural features dating back to 11th century cathedrals to ultra modern architecture of today makes this a musuem you will want to add to your list when you visit Paris. After your tour you can stop by their extensive bookstore and have a cafe on the terrace and enjoy the spectacular view. We bid Peter good bye and headed to BHV . If you haven't visited their bottom floor hardware department, put that on your list as well. We loaded up on their great tote bags for 3.50 euros and headed for Shakespeare and Company on the banks of the Seine. I found the new Paris Magazine which features in its premier issue, an article by Meredith Mullins. We swung in Eglise Saint Severin for a few photos and walked ( I was getting pretty tired by then) to a nearby hotel for a talk and book signing by American author Jill Jonnes, who has written a fascinating new book called Eiffel's Tower. It was nice meeting Jill and several Americans living in or wanting to live in Paris. Richard Nahem of Eye Prefer Paris , fame joined us and we all had dinner at Pizza Chic. Time to say bonne nuit everyone!

Cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine
We stopped many times to admire the commanding view of la tour from the museum's windows!

Chapel Eglise Saint Severin

The stained glass windows at Saint Severin are remarkable
The ummmm view from the terrace!