Catch-Up

I don't like being a week behind.  Gone are the days when I could post something same-day.  I don't have internet in my new apartment, so I got a 3G plug-in thingy that worked the first time I used it (hence, an update from Paris!), but has been nothing but finicky and a source of frustration since.  (Don't even ask me about my new-ish French phone--the most simplistic, POS, 15-euro phone that continues to outwit me!  Ugh.)

I hope to master the 3G key soon so that I can be on-the-line more often, but until then, here come the updates of all the things in the past week or so from the J&B&C HQ in Brussels.

This, friends, is a cafe gourmand.   It was introduced to me by a fabulous lady from St. Louis who has been in Paris for years... and now whenever I see it on the menu, I encourage whoever I'm with to order it!  The cafe gourmand is a blissful combination of an espresso surrounded by mini versions of desserts.  Mini desserts, people!  Are you listening?!  I mean, peep that mini creme brulee!  It is nearly enough to get me drinking coffee again!  But let's be real, this is not about the coffee.

What the?

Roarrrrr.... in the Sentier.

This little bastard is a real blight on the city.

A new Repetto store for the Marais.  I meant to take a pic of it a week later;  now all of the shoes are down and it's tagged to high heaven.  Figures.

This guy gets around.

See!

Trying not to eat my hair.  Windy times.

I like this one.  B probably does not, but I think he looks cute.

Where I will be next weekend.
A cat-themed art show???  YES.

Thar' she blows!
Notre Dame.

The Notre Dame show.

 Yikes!  I saw another one of these in another part of town and it was equally creepy.

Au Mouton.

This is adorable and depressing at the same time.  And what's with all of the weird "water" stains on the pavement?

This dog looks sorta like June of Tigertree fame.  (NQ--get her a hat and a begging basket and she can earn you some scratch on the side!)

Scenes of St. Paul's...

In-seine-ly beautiful.
har har.

No, but really.  It's lovely.

My new neighbor.

Another Lovely Weekend

Here's more stuff I saw/did/ate over the weekend.  This blog is becoming quite formulaic... oh well, I like it!

Whaddup, Kate?  When did you get those face tattoos a la that other fashion plate Mike Tyson?

(Side note, I don't like Kate Moss.  I don't.  I don't think she's all that.  She's bland-looking and her style is blasé.  But I know that's totally just me.  So I kinda like seeing her with face tattoos... at least it's something!)

Gas mask pigeon with extra plumage.
Fly.

This may be my favorite thing ever.  In fact, it is my new inspiration as I disgustingly realized how much red meat I consume on the regular.  And how bad it is for me, in light of some particular health issues I've had in the past.  When I told Byron of my intended lifestyle change, our conversation went something like this:

Me:  I really need to limit my consumption of red meat.  I had it at two out of three meals today.  So from now on I'm only going to have it once a week.

Byro:  Once a month.

Me:  Once a week.

Byro:  Once every 2 weeks.

Me:  Is lamb red meat??


Argh.  There are fewer things I take greater pleasure in than a good tartare.  And I'd really wanted my next quest to be finding the best cheeseburgers Paris had to offer.  Stupid health and taking responsibility for it.

I found this guy again.   And he brought friends!

Byro sports the new ring that the nicest shopguy at Valentine Gauthier gave us.  If you are not familiar with her designs, you really should acquaint yourself.  I have been a fan for a few collections now, and she always stays true to her aesthetic.  I think she's really great.
(Shout out to Niki Q who loves her, too!)

Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature

Today was a fabulous day.  Though it was still a smidge chilly, the sun was out... as were the people and the dogs!  B and I went to Bob's Kitchen for brunch and were blown away by its delicious simplicity.  It also seemed to be quite the place to be.  We ran into an acquaintance from the states who happened to be dining with Steven Alan.  Fashion week brings 'em all to town!

Afterward, we went to the Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature, which happened to be FREE today.  Woop!  Nothing like 12 euros saved!  The museum is a great wander (yeah, I meant "wander" not "wonder"), filled with taxidermy and paintings and weaponry and sculpture.  And it's set up beautifully.  Highly recommended.  My photos don't do it justice, yet here they are.

Pretty stained glass with scenes of the hunt.

Nest eggs.

Zombie bear.

 Gildtacular!

I wish this guy was curled up at my place.

Swirly gardens.

 Overseeing.

Finally, FINALLY I have found the answer to the burning question of "who let the dogs out"....  Apparently, it's THIS guy!

There were warthogs aplenty at the museum. Sadly, my pictures of the stuffed warthog did not come out.

See, warthog painting on top.  So fancy!

I think the bear just wants a hug.

This is the ceiling of the owl room.  So creepy cool.

This guy looks a little nonplussed.

And this guy probably wasn't the smartest wolf in the pack.

This reminds me of the work of Charles Birchfield, who's one of my favorites.

Wolf mouth.
(A new hipster band?!)

This is a really bad shot (hello, Jodi-shadow!), but check out the hat on that falcon!  Guess falcons get into fashion week, too!

And again, not the best shot but it looks like Byron's trying to break up a marmot fight.  I don't want to see him after the guy on the right launches a mustache attack!

Cute bunny and another angry weasel.  There was not a happy weasel in the place, I swear it!

A couple-a hounds called Blonde and Diane.

Dog paw.

The dog room was my favorite... of course.

These dog collars must have been so heavy.  Poor hounds.

This thieving monkey is acting like the fruit just fell into his hands!  I wasn't born yesterday, monkey!

Photo-photographing.

Is this not the best???  Too bad I cut B's feet off in my haste.  Oh, now that I've told you, of course you see how much better this pic would have been with his feet.

Trophy room 1.

Trophy room 2.

 Trophy room 3.

New Apartment

It's only for the next 3 months, but still.  Exciting!  It's nothing too fancy, but it's in an amazing location... still only 5 minutes from work, still in the Marais.  I will not be able to keep up this fancy neighborhood livin' when I sign a year's lease in June, no doubt.  Well, what I mean is, I'm probably going to want to dedicate less of my monthly income to rent for the long-term.

Anyway, here it is:

Kitchen.

Very white bathroom.

The living room... I've got a few beams, people.

Beams!

 Bedroom.... check out that whole wall of closet!

I have a window box growing knives.

Cute blue door along the way of my 4-flight journey.

Cutey courtyard.

These stairs are crazy old... and crazy slanted.

Now come for a visit, won't you?  The couch in the living room pulls out to a bed...