Today was a beautiful day in Paris. A little windier than expected. But boy, it wasn’t so long ago that it was raining every day. Buckets. There was even a point where it was warmer in Chicago than here. It hardly seemed fair.
But then, I went for a run in the park Buttes Chaumont a few hours ago, where the tulips were looking downright perky and the color compositions made me feel all proud that I live in France. (At citrus palettes, we scoff. Too easy, says France! We prefer the brilliance of burgundy, offset by pastels. La Classe.) I've written about parks here before, and I suspect I will continue to write about them. When did I become so into parks? I just love them.
I even got warm enough to strip down to my grey American college tee.
I know what you're thinking. Oh, but that hardly seems fair! You're in Paris. On a nice day. Running in the park. Wearing a tee-shirt.
Well observed, kid. But it's been far too long since I've bragged on this site about living in Paris. Like last Saturday morning, I work up early and went to the Belleville market where I bought herb goat cheese, white asparagus ("It's in season," said the tall, dark, handsome vegetable man), fresh salmon, bread with noisette and pistachio inside, and macarons which I froze and have been eating for dessert all week.
Ok, I'll cut it out now.
I’ll be writing a newsletter for Département Féminin every month, the store in Toulouse whose new shopping site (recently featured in Jalouse, Elle, and Madame Figaro) is elegantly designed by the good people at Spill. The wonderfully spectacled Garance (I’ve got more to say about her glasses, much more) did the French translations for the newsletter. Mise en page by Spill. This is the result.
If you’d like to sign up to receive the newsletter monthly, here’s what you do: Enter the site. Choose your language, then go to “visit,” then “contact.” Maintenant c’est a vous.
Buttes Chaumont was one of my favorite place in Paris! I can still remember one of the first warm days in the spring. The kids were all out playing and they were so adorable. Aaah... I miss Paris. I lived near the Bagnolet stop where those cute "row houses" are and often took the bus to Buttes Chaumont.
Posted by: Emily | 18 April 2008 at 01:14 AM
oh, i miss buttes chaumont! i used to love thursday mornings when the pompiers (firefighters, right?) would be out running alongside. i did all i could to keep up!
i just subscribed to the newsletter! look forward to it!
Posted by: Aimee | 18 April 2008 at 05:21 AM
Damn, I wish I was back in Paris. I actually escaped the London winter by going to New Zealand for a month, but I feel like I've had a whole second winter since coming back. :-(
Posted by: Kimberley | 18 April 2008 at 11:33 AM
Wow, good on you for running! I have been mooning about in the Luxembourg Gardens this week just smelling the flowers - must do better... All the best, Marianne
Posted by: Marianne | 18 April 2008 at 12:23 PM
Insanely jealous of the tulip colours, the market purchases and handsome asparagus vendor, the daily macarons - nah, keep it up, more bragging please - it's like a lovely slice of Paris without being there...p.s. the belted cardigan/dress combo on the DF site is my inspiration for today. x
Posted by: Claire | 18 April 2008 at 02:04 PM
oh it sounds so nice...looking forward to Paris in a couple of months...what a nice blog you have!
Posted by: aminah | 19 April 2008 at 11:19 PM
Oh the joy! living in Paris and running through the tulips, more boasting please I love reading it.
Posted by: Cybill | 21 April 2008 at 05:52 AM
I read about the boutique in several magazines. It sounds like a nice addition to the more "traditional" womenswear choice on offer in Toulouse. I'll check out the newsletter!
Posted by: July Stars | 21 April 2008 at 12:11 PM
You can brag about Paris as much as you want... there is no city like it and every time I'm there it feels surreal and I brag about it too.
Posted by: Graziela Brenno Oborn | 22 April 2008 at 09:28 PM
gros connard :D
Posted by: name | 25 April 2008 at 08:26 PM
Yes, it does sound absolutely blissful and oh, how I wish I were there right now (just two more months and I will be)! But yes, as July Stars said, please continue to brag about Paris as much as you want. That kind of inspiration is much appreciated and needed!
Posted by: Towards Paris | 26 April 2008 at 07:48 PM
I'm going to subscribe to the newsletter. I'm curious to see what you do with it!
But we're also curious to get a newsletter with details about your adventures with the tall, dark, handsome vegetable man.
Posted by: Neil | 28 April 2008 at 06:11 PM
wow coquette, you're just not that into your blog anymore don't you? i find that quite dissapointing... maybe you're just working a lot and stuff, sure, but, your recognized because you're blog and the great work you used to do! i really miss all the witty things that you used to write about! like, at least every week!
Posted by: marega | 29 April 2008 at 11:30 PM
Hi Marega, It's still me here. But it's true the blog has evolved. People evolve and I forcibly can't find the same sense of adventure in going to the grocery store as I used to when I had just moved to France.
And yes, I'm busy with paying jobs. It's hard to make money with a personal blog. But I still love doing this when I find the time and I hope you come back and find writing that you like.
Posted by: Coquette | 30 April 2008 at 12:42 PM
Hallo! When I was there on exchange for half a year in '06, Paris had cranky weather all the way till mid-May. My mum, aunt & cousin came over in the first week of April and it was so darn cold, rainy, windy! Even my trip to London the following week was sunnier and warmer. But park days in Paris are always fantabulous. And any day is a good day to brag about living in Paris. Unless it's a bad day in Paris (quand on fait la grève). My friends and I developed a very passionate love-hate relationship with the City of Strikes. Sorry, City of Lights. XD
Posted by: Char | 10 May 2008 at 02:11 PM
Very good.
Posted by: Online casinos | 23 July 2008 at 12:37 PM
i never seen something like this before!!!nice post thanks for sharing!
Posted by: wholesalers | 11 October 2010 at 03:14 AM
A man is not old as long as he is seeking something. A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.
Posted by: Air Jordans | 01 November 2010 at 02:46 AM