Trash or Treasure

Today I visited the flea market at Porte de Vanves. Unfortunately I arrived just as it was closing up, but there was still a whole trove of treasures to be discovered, and I am not just talking about the 1290s pill boxes or the moth eaten clothes. I found the marketeers to be just as intriguing as the wares they were touting. To me they were like merchants from a bygone era. 

This was my attempt at bartering over Victorian folding chairs in my very limited French, hence the vigorous gesturing, and the confused expression on the stall keepers face. 

Cycle Chic

How is it that Parisians are so impossibly chic? I am suffering from whiplash from having to stop and stare at every person that passes me on the street. Not to mention my serious case of wardrobe envy.

This lady made cycling in heels look natural. 

Paper Planes

I am not quite sure what to say about this other than it makes me feel the urge to pull out my glue stick for a bit of cutting and pasting. Building model aeroplanes is not a pass time that usually occupies my attention, but there is a first time for everything. 

J'adore le Supermarché

I know I promised Chanel and cobbled streets, but I have to say I love European supermarkets. I don't know if it is the old fashioned check outs, the shelves stacked with foreign produce or the funny euro-pop background music, but entering one of these places is like stepping back in time. I would take this over Tesco any day. 

On the Continent... (Just)

Finally, I have arrived in Paris. Although, I managed to miss my train, so subconsciously there must have been a part of me that wanted to stay in London, and who could blame me? But as I must be in Paris, I am dreaming of munching baguettes as I wander the cobbled streets clad in Chanel. Doesn't everybody? 

A Paris Affair

I have had a long running love affair with Paul & Joe. (And before you ask, I am not about to run off with French brothers.) It started when I was about sixteen and since then my passion has grown in vast quantities.

As you can imagine, I am having sleepless nights imagining this eagerly anticipated reunion with my Love in Paris next week. To me, there is no boutique quite as beautiful as Paul & Joe on Avenue Montaigne, and I cannot wait to step foot in there again. 

Canal Cool

If i ever return to London, this beautiful place by Regents Canal is where I would like to live. (The amazing warehouse conversion, not the houseboat!)

Heart Byrne

Ok, so I know I am soon to be in the land of patisseries, but I do love British cakes (I am a total sucker for a Victoria sponge.) If you fancy a quintessentially English sugar fix, there is no better place than Peyton and Byrne. 

Ain't it pretty? 

My London Life…

…Is coming to an end faster than I expected. Where have the last two years gone? I am spending my last few days in this most magic of cities revisiting places that hold a special place in my heart.

Here are a few of my favourite London spaces:

Fake It...

Fake it Till You Make it:

1. (Also called 'Act as if') is a common catch phrase that means to imitate confidence so that the confidence produces success.

The pretty rosette is courtesy of my divine friend Hannah, who fakes it like the best of them. Thank you lovely! X

Catnapped

For the last two nights, I have had an unexpected (but eagerly received) evening visitor. He has followed me home, and jumped onto my bed before I have had time to protest.

I am concerned his family will worry that their feline friend no longer returns home come night fall, but not concerned enough to boot him out into the cold. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping he would be waiting on my doorstep this evening. Do you think I can keep him?

Hive Hair

This lady must be single handedly responsible for the dire state of our ozone layer, but she does rock a pretty mean beehive.

This is for my dad.

Sweet Tweet

These send my heart fluttering. I think Emily Sutton, the young British artist who creates these lovely creatures, is one clever chick.

Chocoholics Anonymous

My idea of living hell is going a day without chocolate. Ok, I have a problem, but does it make it any less sinful if it is organic?

My life wouldn't be complete without a little* Green & Blacks Creamy Milk. And as all the ingredients are completely organic and ethically sourced, you can tell yourself that you are doing a little good for the world. Heaven!

*by little, I mean a lot.  

It's Over Red Rover

I am shocked and saddened. If Katie and Peter can't make it, then who can?

Bloomin' Beautiful

I spend all year waiting for the magnolia in front of my house to bloom. It spends most of the year as a giant, skeletal, arboreal form, but for about two weeks in spring it is adorned in the loveliest pink and white. I think it's worth the wait.

The flowers are nearly all gone now, but here she is (a few weeks ago) in all her glory. 

Viry Nice

These beauties are by the young Parisian designer Baptiste Viry. He started his career at Hermes and his lovely hats have become my newest obsession. 

I am hoping to scrape together enough pocket money to make one of them my own. Well, as far as I am concerned, it's research for the five weeks I am soon to be spending in Gay Paree. 

Bike Boy

Who doesn't love a cute boy on a bike? Especially one carrying flowers in his basket. Take note boys, this is the way to win any girls heart. (Although, an Aston Martin filled with pink peonies would probably do the trick too)

Shark Attack

Can you imagine if all sharks looked like this? I think we would all be lining up for a mauling.

it's by Bob Carlos Clark and it makes me wish I had been born a she shark. 

Fake it. Til you make it.

I think it is good advise, and I have always admired people who live their lives in the spirit of FITUMI, although I have to admit I am not so good at it myself. its the faking it part, Im just not that convincing.

However I do believe that if you approach life with confidence, a sense of humor, and a little bit of pizzazz, you can pull off just about anything. 

So here I will be showcasing anything funny, fabulous, or that simply takes my fancy, as I spend the next few months skipping around this beautiful planet of ours. 

Enjoy, and remember people, Fake it Til you Make It.