Bonjour les tous! You may have noticed a lack of regular blogging lately at Paris Parfait. That's because May is a popular month for visitors to Paris. I've been a mad social butterfly, flitting from one rendezvous to another with blogging friends. Within the last ten days, have hosted three small dinner parties and been all over town for lunches, walks, brocantes, shopping and tea(s). What a treat it has been!
I've been spending lots of time with my dear friends Lee Renninger, Susan Gardner Creamer and Di Overton (all have been to Paris several times). I also had the good fortune to meet the fabulous Claudia Strasser - and her lovely friend, also named Claudia - for the first time.
In 1997, I was living in San Francisco, when I picked up a copy of Claudia's book The Paris Apartment at a bookstore in Monterey. Never did I dream I'd someday live in my own Paris apartment - and meet Claudia in Paris! On Tuesday, Di and I had a couple of hours of non-stop conversation with the two Claudias at Merci's cozy book-lined cafe. Such fun!
Claudia now lives in sunny Miami, writes the eye-candy-packed blog The Paris Apartment and often brings clients to Paris to shop for their apartments, whether a holiday home in Paris or elsewhere. Her friend Claudia Tessler is up to all sorts of philanthropic and green projects in New York. Both women are formidable (in the best, French sense).
Earlier that morning, Di and I had tea at Merci, before heading to the Antiquites Brocante at Place de la Bastille. It was rainy and cold and I was wearing a thin top and lightweight coat, which wasn't helped by a partially-collapsed umbrella. We didn't last long at the outdoor venue, before heading to lunch. I did manage to find a rare and beautiful Tibetan book of prayers at Bastille, but the grey miserable weather dampened the urge to browse (probably a good thing).
After meeting the Claudias, Di and I went shopping for dinner ingredients. Later we were joined by Di's partner Harvey and their daughter Charlotte for lemon chicken, whipped up by the resident chef. Before and after dinner, we were riveted to BBC coverage of events related to the UK election: Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigning and David Cameron taking office, after agreeing to a full coalition with Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats. It's the first time the UK has had a coalition government since World War II! Interesting times, indeed.
These weeks of socialising have come at a price: I have numerous projects piled up, vying for attention. Am working on those now, as this weekend we head to Amsterdam to see friends and explore areas in which to live. Consequently, blogging again will be sporadic for a few days. But I expect to have lots of news and photos to share upon my return late next week. And two more blogging buddies will arrive!
Meanwhile, the brocante at Bastille continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sunday. Stalls are lined up on both sides of the Canal St. Martin. If you're lucky enough to be in Paris, don't miss the chance for incredible antiques and vintage collectibles! Tickets are available at the door.
Photos at Merci, Paris, 2009.
P.S. El Secreto de sus Ojos - The Secret in their Eyes - is a must-see! After reading reviews for the award-winning film (including a 2010 Oscar for Best Foreign Film), I discovered it hadn't yet been released in Europe. So I ordered the DVD from Argentina, in Spanish (with English subtitles). It's brilliant - interweaving a dark mystery and a poignant story of love too long delayed.
I wonder if you and spf are going to be able to connect...
Posted by: Stephanie | 19 May 2010 at 23:22
Your lucky, lucky guests! You are a grand hostess with butterfly wings. I can't wait to see where you land in A'dam.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 16 May 2010 at 17:51
I am so glad you have been, enjoying yourself. i love it! your book of prayers, sounds amazing.
do you know, i have the french prayer book you gave me, on my night stand? always.
xoxo
Posted by: christina | 16 May 2010 at 16:00
It's wonderful that the medium of blogging has brought all you wonderful women together! Glad you could be together AND share here!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 16 May 2010 at 02:30
Oh, Tara -- it's nearly a year since I was the guest at the apartment of a "well known Parisian blogger!" And I know your guests had a marvelous time because you two are the best hosts! Oh, the memories it brings me.
The brocante sounds like it could have been wonderful sans rain! But that you are having a lovely time! I'll check back as I always do -- just in case you're posting from the road!
Posted by: jeanie | 14 May 2010 at 23:31
Hi Tara, it was a ball meeting you and Di and I'm so happy we finally connected! I don't know how I'll ever dig into your blog and site fully. Just skimming the surface has me totally intrigued and I'm saving up to go on your trip to Jordan this fall. Hope you get a little down time over the weekend. See you soon! xoc
Posted by: the paris apartment | 14 May 2010 at 21:56
hey there.... still have not been to merci but its on my list and after seeing all you write about it and the pics.. I ahve to get thtere...... weve been busy too but sure hope we can get together soon....MA
Posted by: martha ann | 14 May 2010 at 18:42
Oh! I want to be in Paris again too, you've made it all come alive for me.
As our daughter lives in France, (we are in New Zealand 12,000 miles away) we make the long trip as often as funds allow, to see her and our two darling wee granddaughters!
The UK election has been v interesting - see how things pan out.
Isn't Claudia wonderful, I'm new to blogland but I've been following her blog for a few weeks and just love it - she sounds such a sweetie. We emailed back and forth last week as I told her not to miss Musee Carnavalet (thinking I was recommending a gem she wouldn't be aware of) and of course she emailed me and said it was one of her fave places to visit. Now we feel we were mme sevigne and mme carnavalet in a previous life!!
Promise you won't stop posting if you move to Amsterdam!
LOVE your blog.
Posted by: Shane Pollard | 14 May 2010 at 14:07
Hi you butterfly! David and I will be in Paris for just a couple of days May 31-June 3. Actually, leaving June 3. Any chance you could meet for a drink??
Would LOVE to see you---it's been way too long!
Xoxo,
L
Posted by: Laura | 14 May 2010 at 12:02
Yes, you have been a social butterfly; but it all sounds like so much fun. Good luck with your search in Amsterdam. I had fun following all your links today and checking out all the friends you have been enjoying. Now I will have to check out the movie too.
Posted by: Marilyn | 14 May 2010 at 03:00
What a great distraction from projects though! Will check out Claudia's blog. (What a happy occurence, from picking up her book to you actually living in Paris and meeting her! Such a great story.) Hope you pace yourself well and finish all your stuff. :)
Wish I were in Paris for that brocante!
xo
Posted by: gillian | 13 May 2010 at 18:27