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Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Paris, Part Deux

Bonjour Mes Amis!
Ready for another day in Paris?
Well today I thought I'd share with you some random shots that I snapped while visiting my favorite city.
I just love all of the amazing window displays, so full of creativity and unexpected delights.
Just look at this Eiffel Tower covered in macarons!  
Can you say "Oooh, la, la?"
Macarons are very popular in Paris, and you will find them in just about every patisserie and boulangerie.
They are a meringue based sweet treat, and come in such amazing colors.

 Ok, if a macaron covered Eiffel Tower is not up your rue, then how about this Arc de Triomphe?
 On nearly every corner is a flower shop, and flower markets also abound thru out Paris.
So of course I just have to stop and admire, smell, and enjoy all of the wonderful blooms and scents!
I really loved this pretty herb and vegetable display, below.
 I can almost smell the French lavender now!
 Aren't these hydrangeas just stunning?  I wish I had better luck growing them.
 They were so perfect looking, they didn't even look real!
 Another lovely display at a flower shop.  I was in love with all of the beautiful pink roses!

 I think the French must have perfected the art of display!

 Another pretty window.  Look closely and you will see a beautiful "cake" of lady fingers and roses in the center of the top shelf.
 Nothing is more quintessentially Parisian that a sidewalk cafe.  There must be literally thousands thru out the city!  And of course the folding bistro chairs are also a common staple.
Doesn't this just make you want to pull up a seat and enjoy a hot cup of caffe au lait, or perhaps a nice glass of chardonnay?
Ok, this shot is totally random, but I couldn't resist sharing.  I was so surprised to see an Office Depot in Paris!   We have never come across them in our travels to Europe, so I got a real kick out of spotting this little slice of home!
Remember I told you that we enjoy lots of great food on our trip?
Well I just love chocolate mousse and of course it is oh so French, and on nearly every menu.
I am rarely one to order dessert at home, but on vacation, well, that is another story!
And how many chances does a girl really get to indulge in one of her favorite treats, and in Paris?
 I don't even want to know how many calories was in this little dish!
Thanks so much for joining me on my little tour again!  Stop back in a few days and I'll share pics from our visit to Versailles!
Au revoir!

18 comments:

NanaDiana said...

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, Donna. All your hard work paid off-you lost weight and look great. THAT being said- I thought you were beautiful BEFORE, too, just the way you were. I see you "inside" and that makes you beautiful to me.

LOVE those macaroons. OH MY! I am so glad you were able to get away and have a good time. You deserved it. xo Diana

The Polka Dot Closet said...

What great pictures, I almost ate a few of them lol!

CArol

Monse said...

Los macarons que delicia y las terrazas de los cafés....!! Paris es única!! Gracias.

Monse said...

Los macarons que delicia y las terrazas de los cafés....!! Paris es única!! Gracias.

handmade by amalia said...

An macaroon covered Eiffel! What could be more French? A great image.
Amalia
xo

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh my, everything looks so pretty and all those lovely flowers - WOW.
That pictures of you is very good and you look so pretty and happy setting there eating your dessert.
Great Post - thanks so much for taking us on the terrific tour.
Hugs,
Mary

Bente said...

Hi Donna. I have missed so many posts here. I have been looking through the last ones, and wow, you have been busy.
What fantastic photos from your trip to Paris. Love the photos from the flowershops. Beautiful, and you look beautiful too.
Hugs from here

Linda @ A La Carte said...

The flower shops and sidewalk cafe's are some of my favorite memories of Paris. Love the photos you took.

Linda

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Hi Donna,
Oh how I'd like to eat my way up to the top of the macaroon Eiffel Tower! Me too with not great luck with hydrangeas. A few years back I purchased the most incredible Bleu one and planted it in a container. Well it turned Pink, so I did some googling and apparently my soil was not acid balanced and was advised putting coffee grounds in the soil...I did it turned Pinker, YIKES!!! love the herbs and the blackboard markers.
Now you sweet Donna look pretty in your photo but I think you were saying to yourself - hurry up with the picture already I want to indulge!
Love chocolate mouse!!!
I'm happy to say sidewalk cafe's are popping up all over Philadelphia these days, so Parisian. People watching doesn't get any better relaxing with a glass of wine sitting in a gorgeous Parisian Bistro chair.
Donna thanks for the delightful photos keep them coming!
xoxo,
Vera

Trisha said...

Next time, I want to go with you! It looks like you had a fantastic time and what a great place to spend your birthday! I bet it is so hard to leave but I am sure that Katie missed you guys. Thank goodness for pictures so you can share and remember how much fun you had. Have a wonderful week!

~Trisha

Debbie said...

Oh just to be able to stroll through Paris and see the sites. I've forgotten these wonderful things, Donna....the cafe's and all the flower markets. The usual sites stand out in your mind, but the everyday things you are showing are the ones that warm my heart. Walking around the side streets, and visiting the little shops. Buying bread, and fresh meat and cheese every morning. Thank you for sharing with us....It means more than you know.
Love to you.
Debbie
xo

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, Oh I so enjoyed part 2 of your tour. You look so beautiful in the pic with your favorite dessert. The flowers are incredible!! All the display windows are so dreamy and to see a touch of the USA with Office Depot, must have been a surprise. The pink roses such steal my heart away!
So glad you enjoyed this wonderful time in your favorite city and shared it with us!!
Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Hugs, CM

Cynthia said...

So much beauty and I hope you enjoyed that mousse. The flowers and displays are amazing

Cindy

Rose L said...

the hydrangeas and roses look gorgeous!!!!

Susie said...

How many calories do you think were in the macaroon tower...cause I would have eaten that LOL. Donna, The flowers and the outside cafes..OMG, I just love them all. You look very pretty sitting there . Happy Birthday to you. xoxo,Susie

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Those are super cute displays of macaroons. Beautiful photos. And the chocolate looks delicious. Thank you for taking us along on your trip. xoxo Su

Tete said...

All of your photos are amazing and I hope you have more! Love all the places you go and the things you see....wouldn't it be wonderful if our little towns here had shops like those lining the main streets? We would never go to wallyworld again!
The colors of all the flowers are so pretty and I love all the details in the buildings and even the gargoyles are cute.
I hope you have a wonderful time, and wish you could've stayed longer. I have never been there and will never go, but its fun going with you on your blog- you know what to so and what to look at!

Okio B Designs said...

Sigh! One day I'll get there. Until then, I'll have to live vicariously through you. =)

Jeanine