10.23.2015

THE LOUXOR CINEMA HOUSE




LE CINEMA LE LOUXOR

Now


In the 20's


In the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on the corner of boulevard de la Chapelle and boulevard de Magenta, stands a stunning cinema house built in 1921.The Louxor is a remarquable example of "ancient" architecture typical of the 20's. It's neo-egyptian façade— it takes its name from the Egyptian city of Louxor - is adorned with cobalt blue, black and gold mosaics designed by a well known decorator of the time by the name of Amédée Tiberti, and the work of the ceramics company of Gentil and Bourdet, of Billancourt.

The cinema fell into serious disrepair for a number of years but was registered as a Monument Historique in 1981. However it closed in 1988 after a short life as a night club.

Happily it reopened in 2013 after an extensive renovation, and luckily for me, it is now my "corner movie house", if you will.

Flowers, scarabs, and cobras abound as do references to Egyptian deities.

A large winged disk glows at night on upper terrace.

The night time view from the terrace onto the recently renovated Barbes Metro station is surprisingly spectacular.





au revoir.






9.30.2015

WHEN TRADITIONAL FRENCHNESS INVITES EXOTIC GOODNESS










QUAND UNE JOLIE TABLE FRANÇAISE INVITE LE BON GOUT EXOTIQUE

Family linens, classic silver, simple plates.
 Oriental bowls and spoons, African trivets. 
Italian knife rests and fitting paper napkins.
Exotic curry zucchini soup.
The perfect start to a friend's girls-only lunch after an exhausting session 
of vigorous aqua-gym near Rue Montorgueuil in Paris.

Refined, heavenly, casual yet full of surprising flavors.
And much more raisonable than the usual, rich, addictive, albeit delicious, crêperie.



au revoir.








9.02.2015

FRENCH COUNTRY, SOUTH STYLE








LE STYLE CAMPAGNE, SUD DE LA FRANCE

100 year old doors, crooked and all, enthusiastically invading wisteria, and haphazardly stacked wood.
Charm with a capital C.



au revoir.



7.24.2015

I WANT TO MOVE THERE!!!!




C'EST LA QUE JE VEUX HABITER!!!


I love EVERYTHING!
You choose.



au revoir.






7.19.2015

A PRETTY HOUSE IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE




LA JOLIE MAISON DANS LE MIDI


Less is always more.




au revoir.




7.14.2015

A GREAT BASTILLE DAY TO ALL YOU FRENCHIES!





JOYEUX 14 JUILLET, MES COMPATRIOTES 

au revoir.









7.12.2015

YOU KNOW IT'S A FRENCH WEDDING WHEN...






UN MARIAGE TRES FRANÇAIS



The proverbial "Deuch' (2 CV Citroën) for the bride and groom as they exit the church.


The very provençal Mat de Cocagne, albeit a very festive one, it's green and white satin ribbons flying in the breeze.



au revoir.




5.20.2015

THE GREEN WALL



LE MUR VEGETAL 
DE LA RUE DES PETITS CARREAUX
How would you like to live in that building? so lush and generous seen from outside, no doubt;
but any creepy-crawlies ready to sneak in through the kitchen window?


au revoir.





5.09.2015

MOTHER'S DAY IS STARTING VERY WELL...






BON DEBUT A LA FETE DES MERES (AUX USA)...






au revoir.







5.06.2015

WHAT I FOUND ON THE STREETS...








CE QUE J'AI TROUVÉ SUR MON CHEMIN

Paris
They do say it is the city of love...

 Naples, Italy
Loosely translated:
To the owner of the dog who, daily, does his business in front of # 21: your uncivil conduct cannot be tolerated most of all because the afore mentioned address is that of a handicapped person. So should this unpleasant episode continue it will be reported to the competent authorities.

Tangier, Morocco
BOO!

Paris
Translation:
I don't want to be your friend on Facebook.
OK...




au revoir.




4.10.2015

HARLEQUIN





 MON AMI ARLEQUIN 

If you have been reading my posts you may have noticed that I love the Harlequin pattern. This one is particularly appealing in its extreme subtlety.

 In fact I am drawn to very minimalist harlequin patterns. 
Especially on 
 a lot of white.


Au revoir.









3.13.2015

THE RED ARTICHOKES






LES ARTICHAUTS ROUGES
Found at the market in Paris today, these pretty artichoke with deep red hearts. 

Served slightly opened, with just a lime and olive oil vinaigrette and finely sliced home-made gravlax.





au revoir.





3.11.2015

THE VERY BLUE POST-WINTER SKIES OF TANGIER




LES CIELS TRÈS BLEUS DE TANGER APRÈS L'HIVER
 After the cold and the humidity of winters in Tangier Morocco, the skies clear up once in a while and display their bright blue splendor for a few days. This was the case on our last trip there 2 weeks ago. A very welcomed respite from the endless rain, the "locals" told us!
Chez Abdou, the funky fish restaurant on the beach, the weather was deceptively bright and though the entrance to the beach has been readied in Abdou's flamboyant style, there is no swimming quite yet.
 In the Kasba, the usually white walls, their grayish stains the effect of the wet winter season, await the next coat of paint

The Strait as seen from the terrace of the fabulous Tangerina. 
Bright blue skies chasing the winter blues.



au revoir.



3.08.2015

HARLEQUIN







 As I have already mentioned in my blog, I really love this pattern! It's beautiful in a Moroccan Boucherouite rug, as an accent wall, on Moroccan side tables and even on a wall in Taroudant, Morocco.
Morocco/harlequin…do I see a pattern here? 
Yes (pun intended…)


images via etsy, pinterest, elle décor and my own.





au revoir.


3.05.2015

THE FUN EVOLUTION OF THE LITTLE TEA POT




L'ÉVOLUTION CHARMANTE DE LA PETITE THÉIÈRE 


A neighbor of my sister's in the Kasba of Tangier has been painting and repainting a teapot motif around the small window next to his front door. 
He started with a very minimalist version and has been happily adding, changing and basically playing around with the cute design every year. 

This time we were welcomed with an entirely new color scheme! 
Quite charming!




au revoir.







3.01.2015

CANAL ST. MARTIN, PARIS, FRANCE, IN WINTER







LE CANAL ST. MARTIN L'HIVER

At this time of year, same canal, less picnickers….


au revoir.




2.27.2015

FIRST TASTE, THEN FUN!!!






EN PRIORITÉ LE GOUT; ENSUITE LE STYLE
A new restaurant in Kiev. Fun all around.

via http://design-milk.com






au revoir.





2.22.2015

TANGIER, ALL THE PRETTY ARCHES.





TANGER, plein de jolies arches.
Off to Tangier Morocco once again, tomorrow. 
Weather report: sunny and warm all week! 
Can't wait.












au revoir.





2.14.2015

A "REASONABLE" VALENTINE'S DAY? UHUH...



LA ST.VALENTIN RAISONNABLE? IMPOSSIBLE...



have fun. go crazy.

au revoir.




1.15.2015

AH, PARIS...





PARIS, TOUJOURS PARIS
Even in Tangier Morocco, Paris is never very far away…


au revoir.