LE BARATIN IN PARIS

Lucas and I are staying in an area called Belville... in the 20th arrondissment. ( sort of like the Williamsburg or Greenpoint of Paris.) Its a working class community with a diverse ethnic mix of people, and houses a hip artistic community. No major chain stores in this neighborhood.
We found a FANTASTIC wine bar called LE BARATIN ( which has been written up in a few guide books and was recommended to me by Dorie Greenspan...a food expert and contributor to Bon Appetit Magazine). Owner Philippe Pinoteau and Rachel who is the chef have created a very "relaxed and intimate environment.
You can enjoy wine by the glass, choosing from the list on the blackboard on the wall behind the counter, about 15 different wines. We had: Cairane AOC 2000 "Haut Costias" L'Oratoire St Martin , from the Rhone valley . We also shared a glass of Patapon "boisson d'été" Pineau d'Aunis 2003 from the Loire valley suggested from one of the guide articles I read somewhere.

NICOLAS WINE BAR in PARIS

We read about and visited one of the Nicolas wine stores in France.
There are many locations, over 200, throughout Paris and the best thing about this place...great selection at inexpensive prices. Many of them, have an area in which you can drink the bottle purchased, with casual food, which also cuts down on the price of drinking great wine with some delicious food. We went to the one below.

Chai 24 , Cour St Emilion (ph. 01 42 68 00 16) . Metro : Cour St Emilion (on the sleek and automated new subway line 14).

Cour St Emilion is a pedestrian alley with on both sides restaurants and trendy cafés . It leads to the multiplex movie theater "Cité Ciné Bercy" with its 18 screens . The place is open seven days a week for the wine shop and the wine bar , and the restaurant serves meals each day noon-3 pm and 6 pm-11 pm .

PHOTOS FROM TUILERIES PARK

Les Tuilleries is the most central park in Paris and I think it is one of my favorite parks in this city.
It stretches its "à la française" alleys and lawns along the Seine river from the Louvre museum to the Concorde square.
Its an amazing place to go to after after a few hours in the Louvre Museum or just to hang out and eat lunch. Its pretty breathtaking. We went there after seeing the Avedon Exhibit. It was a great afternoon.

LOUVRE in PARIS

The Louvre is the world's most famous art museum which houses the most famous paintings such as - Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with St. Anne, and Madonna of the Rocks; Jacques Louis David's Oath of the Horatii; Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People; and Alexandros of Antioch's Venus de Milo. I think that I was not as blown away by these pieces as I thought I would be. The piece that I was impressed by was Richard Serra's Clara Clara (1983) outside the museum in the Tuileries Gardens.
Also, this place is HUGE. Its was overwhelming. The museum lies between the River Seine and the Rue de Rivoli on the Right Bank in the 1st arrondissement neighborhood. The museum, which contains some of the world's most celebrated artworks, is divided among eight curatorial departments. I really wanted to see the Mona Lisa in person. It was sort of a dissappointment. Small painting in a big room with hundreds of people.

RICHARD AVEDON IN PARIS

I am in Paris right now and i happen to be here at a good time. There are some amazing exhibitions going on right now. I have been running from gallery to art museums with much excitement!

This is Avedon's first exhibit in France, and its showing at teh Jeu de Paume. This Magor exhibition covers the whole career of Richard Avedon, starting with his first steps as a fashion photographer at the end of the Second World War. It traces the photographer's career begininng with his fashion work with Harper's Bazaar in the early 1940's which revolutionized fashion photography by bringing models out of the studios and in random locations, recreating and making moments and end with the American West images.

ITS AMAZING. Avedon is the reason why I am so passionate about photography. I know I like to throw that word around alot, but he is seriously...my idol. His work has inspired many other photographers in a way that no other photographer ever will. Avedon was part of a wave of American Photographers who came to Paris after WWII to photograph the European fashion collections. Noticably in the sixties he changed his approach and headed back to the studios using what became his trademark white background in order better highlight his subjects.

FAVORITE PRINTS IN THE EXHIBITION... his Suzy Parker Paris images from the late 40's, Marilyln Monroe (1957), William Burroughs (1977), his iconic Beatles (1967) portraits, Andy Warhol and Members of the Factory, New York (1969), and finally Dovima with Elephants (1955), which may well be one of the most famous fashion photographs of all time.
Also unforgettable was the commission in 1976 from Rolling Stone to photograph America's power elite for the magazine's special bicentennial edition. The sixty-nine photo series titled "The Family" is a flashback for anyone who lived during those times.

If you happen to be visiting Paris in the new few weeks, you should come and see in person the large format prints. Its one of the best exhibits I have ever seen in my lifetime.
Richard Avedon. Photographs 1946 - 2004" To Sept 28, Jeu de Paume, Concorde, 1, place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, Open Tues. 12-9p,. Wed-Sat. 12-7pm, Sat-Sun 10-7pm. 7E/4E http://www.jeudepaume.org

COLETTE PARIS

I have been in France for about a week now. I have been busy running around the city trying to see all the design shops, and cool flea markets for vintage pieces for my apt.

I have to say of all the places and districts that I have seen and visited, this one particular store blew me away. I have never seen so many carefully selected and cool items in one store.

Its what Barneys New York, Jeffreys, Maxfields aspire to be. The owner named Sarah curates this amazing store where every item selected is either a limited edition item, new designers such Marni, Lucien Pellat-Finet... or just a cool item like Fabien Baron candles, limited edition Nike's, collaborated items with designers or companies such as the GAP, or furnishings by Tom Dixon and Ron Arad, hello kitty items, amazing art books, designer sneakers, hi-tech electronic items that are hard to find...and it goes on.

When I went for a visit today the store was blasting cool Trendy Music (not quite mainstream yet), filled with flashy UK or American fashion editors, international industrial and graphic designers, local hipsters all hanging out... also in awe of the amazing finds. LA isn't the only place with vapid fashion seeking money spending superficial folks like to hang. What a relief. At least in New York, people try and hide their money, but much like LA, the Parisans like to flash it around.

Best part of the store was the basement WATER BAR and RESTAURANT... fresh quiches, salads, and cakes, plus three-dozen brands of bottled water. This is the hippest lunch place I have seen in years, it makes Ivy look like a joke.
Collette is Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 7:30pm. Its on the hottest shopping area in Paris called Rue St. Honore. Cathy Horyn wrote about it in the NY Times a while ago and I don't regret a minute of my time there.

CLOTILDE'S EDIBLE ADVENTURE IN PARIS

I am in New York this week with Lucas and we will be starting our adventure to Europe soon. We are going to Paris, Poland and the Netherlands for a month. Since I just resigned at Bon Appetit in June, I have decided to take this year off and travel as much as I can. I am taking pictures instead of photo editing at a magazine, so that I can accomadate this lifestyle.

ONe word. LOVE. I love being freelance. Its magificant.

I have purchased few books on Paris to get me started...Hungry for Paris by Alexander Lobrano, Markets of Paris by Dixon and Ruthanne Long and finally the best one...Clotilde's Dusoulier's Edible Adventures in Paris.
This book is very well organized and easy to follow. I very much appreciate the table of contents where this native Parisan and passionate foodie, breaks everything down quite thoroughly on her all-time favorite food experiences, favorite shops and markets and my favorite...affordable meals. You should check out Clotilde Dusoulier's blog for insider reports and Parisan recipes. To get to it, click the title above!

JOHANNA BASFORD WALLPAPER

I am redesigning my bedroom...still. I can't seem to pick a wallpaper and its getting a bit annoying. There are just so many great wallpaper designers...such as Alegra Hicks, Erika Wakerly, Florence Broadhurst, Geoff McFetridge, Cavern Home, and Flavor Paper...I am overwhelmed. I found this JOHANNA BASFORD on Design Sponge and its breathtaking. The detail and the intensity of the patterns are so intense. Check he wallpaper designs, along with her ceramics and lighting fixture by clicking on the title above.

She is pricy, but if you want to stand out...I think she is worth it.

ANNA WOLF

I just had lunch with a photographer/new friend named Anna Wolf. She is this young, amazing, inspiring woman that makes me understand why I am a photo editor. She takes amazing pictures...and she is also, a really down to earth chick. Her work is beautiful, hip and just down right cool.
You should check her website out and if you are hiring for a clothing line, a soulful portrait or just a cool vignette, she can make it happen. She is a special photographer. See her work by clicking on the title above.

TED

Technology Entertainment Design) is an annual conference previously held in Monterey, California, USA but as of 2009 will be held in Long Beach, California, USA.

TED...It defines its mission as "ideas worth spreading", and selected talks given at TED are available free on its website. Its lectures cover a broad set of topics: science, arts, design, politics, culture, business, global issues, technology, and entertainment.
The speakers are from a wide variety of communities and disciplines[1][2] and have included such people as former US president Bill Clinton,] Nobel laureates James D. Watson, Bono which I have attached on the link above, and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. This sort of blew me away and you can rent the DVD that covered the 2005 TED Conference directed by Daphne Zuniga. Check it out. Click on the title above

TED was founded by Richard Saul Wurman and Harry Marks in 1984 and was held annually from 1990. The membership model is now an annual membership fee of $6,000, which includes attendance of the conference, club mailings, networking tools and conference DVDs. Kathy Griffin docu show shows one episode where Rosie O'Donnell is begging her to get her into the conference through her boyfriend former Apple guy, Wozniak.


In 2007, TED uploaded a series of talks on their website, also available on YouTube under the username TEDtalksDirector and on iTunes as both an audio and a video podcast.
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EVELINE TARUNADJAJA

My favorite illustrator lives in Melborne. Her name is Eveline Tarunadjaja. I have blogged about her before but I can't help it. She is just so talented. I have purchased some orginal art work from her direct. Her work is reasonably priced and you can also comission her for a gift. CHeck her out by clicking on the title above.
Her email is ev@thelovepad.com.

NET-A-PORTER WEBSITE

I like clothes. I like shopping for clothes online because I don't like trying clothes on. This is a fantastic site for fashionista's started by a London Fashion gal.
Check it out by clicking on the title above...some of the dresses are very pricy, but there are affordable finds.
These dresses attached are about $200, but retail for double that.

KAT ODELL's CORK AND RIND

Kat Odell, a coworker at Bon Appetit has a fantastic food and wine blog called CORK AND RIND. She suggests alot of great wines, recipes and restaurants. Check it out by clicking on the title above.

WALLPAPER

I have been going back and forth on whether to wallpaper my bedroom with my boyfriend's photo. He takes amazing pictures of trees, and figured it may be cool as wallpaper. A few stores like forever 21 have designed their walls with photo images and its pretty cool...maybe for a bathroom...check it out by clicking on the title above.

VICTORY VINTAGE

I am in redecorating mode. I just resigned from my job, and if I could do something full time, it would be interior designing.
This is a great vintage furniture store in Georgia. THey ship items to the city you live in. The prices are VERY VERY Low, and its work the shipping costs.
Check them out by clicking on the title above.

THIS IS NOT IKEA

I blogged about this guy Alex a few weeks ago. He has an online garage sale and its awesome. Here are a few new things that caught my eye. Check out Alex'website by clicking on the title above.

RACQUEL HONORE

I went to a sample sale in LA the other day and met Racquel Honore. She makes handmade jewelry and its my favorite purchase of the week. Its all vintage inspired.
Her website is ANKHBYRACQUEL.com.
Check her stuff out. You can purchase a few things by clicking onto the title above.

CANDELA LIGHTS

These portable lights provides light that won't blow out in the wind, or set the house a fire if left unattended. Child Friendly!They're equally useful on the dinner table or bedside. Also, for all of you paranoid about the next big earthquake that hits LA, they also turn on automatically during power failures so you always have an emergency light source.
Vessel's SafeCharge™ induction system eliminates exposed electrical contacts, so less visual mess with the wires! Check them out by clicking on the title above.

CANDY WATCH BY ADIDAS

I found this great ADIDAS watch for $60. Its water resistant (up to 50 meters) and great for the summer.
Check it out by clicking on the title.

Birkdale Crystolite Luggage Set

I found this in Esty today. This set is so cute. Its sold out at the moment but perhaps they may reorder. Check it out by clicking on the title.

TRIP KICK

I found this website called, TripKick,which is a new travel review site that launched in May. Instead of the general hotel reviews, Trip Kick goes the extra mile, offering reviews on every individual room.

There are only 250 hotels that have been reviewed, and the coverage is growing.

Many rooms have been documented with an extreme level of detail, listing the size of the room, any possible noise concerns, and even the view a guest can expect from the balcony. Check it out by clicking on the title above.

PRETTY BITTER

My boyfriend Lucas career is starting to blow up (he is a photographer). Being a photo editor, I encourage him to send notes to the art directors and photo editors because it makes them feel good and promotes future work.

With that said, he is so particular about his note cards. He doesn't like the fancy stuff, and likes things that are a bit masculine. I found this surfing on Designwatcher.com, and think its perfect and clever!
Lizzie from Designwatcher.com had put up some great notecards from Linda and Harriet recently, and there was a blog link where I found these PRETTY BITTER notecards. Check them out by clicking on the title above.

VERONICA DALL'ANTONIA THE ILLUSTRATOR

I found another illustrator that caught my eye. I don't know why, but illustration has been sort of my big interest lately. Perhaps because there are so many illustators out there, but the same ones keep getting all the work. Example, Joel Holland, Risko, and Serge Bloch. I love you guys, but come on!
This gal grew up in Switzerland and was a textile designer before finding her calling. I love that the most amazing artists had a prior life in another field.
Perhaps that may apply to me as well!

Check out Veronica's website by clicking on the title.