Doors of Opportunity

One of the best things about Paris is all the lovely doors

just waiting for you to step inside.

You never know what opportunities you may find

 Vintage prints and frames

Anya, this boutique filled with hats reminds me of you

Maille has THE best mustard

  

Interesting items in this Japanese concept store 

Hand made flowery coin purses, raingear and jewelry 

Le Musée de la Vie de Romantique  

a small outdoor garden is perfect for
a spot of summertime tea.

 

I want to say Merci Beaucoup to all of you lovely bloggers

who were so encouraging about the online magazine.

Still a lot of work to do to but together

we can open the door of opportunity to

lots of inspiration!

If you missed this post click here 
“Destination to Inspiration”

 to read all about it!

 

I’ll keep you posted as things progress

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Mimi Bleu

Destination to Inspiration... an Online Magazine

I want to try out some new ideas and projects

that have been percolating for quite some time.

I’ve been dreaming of creating something delicious

an outlet where my romantic side can flourish

An intriguing place that is big enough for all of us, 

 

I’ve been busy working on a destination…

An online magazine to showcase and share creativity

in all its varied forms.

The blogosphere is the perfect place to do just that  

and the time is right!

A destination with

beautiful images,

budget friendly style and ideas,

scrumptious recipes,

interesting articles and features,

home and garden, fashion, travel,

stories and  “what-not”,

  handmade goods and unique boutique items…

above all it needs to be practical and

tailored -made for a fast-changing world!

We need writers, photographers, artisans and romantically inclined bloggers.

Are you interested?

 

Do you want to join in as we journey to this

  “Destination to Inspiration” ?
to celebrate romance and  joie de vivre?

Do you have any ideas, suggestions or

interested in featuring/advertising your boutique?

Or perhaps you have writing or graphics skills

It is still a work in progress but with alot of imagination

and a bit of work this online magazine could 

evolve into something fabulous  with a little French flair!

If you have a minute let me know what you think,

I’d love to hear from you.

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Mimi Bleu 

Photo: Courtesy of French Mademoiselle

Beauty Mark

 

Beauty is all around us.  

Architectural design and decoration  

inspires me.

Gallery on the Champs Elysées

Scrolls, friezes, carved statues

Medieval elements in the 5th arrondissement

Intricate detailing

Ornate ironworks

Everywhere we look there is something to catch our eye.

Sometimes we just need to look up…

I’d like to make this  ‘Beauty Mark’  theme a regular post. 

Let me know what inspires you where you live?

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Mimi Bleu

Eiffel Tower: Graphics Fairy

A Pleasant Surprise

I received a very kind award invitation from the  The Plumed Pen  blog.   Merci.  You all know I’ve just arrived to the blogosphere so all this is still rather new.  I’m supposed to share 7 things about myself.  

 Hmmm...

Of course before I get started I need some inspiration...Tea usually perks me up...but I have nothing to nibble on.

Perhaps the little café around the corner would help...nice atmosphere, great people-watching...

That's better, and one of these...

Now I can get some work done...

1.) I have a sweet tooth.  You've figured that out by now, and I have the figure to prove it…Uh oh!

2.) I have a travel business  Paris Travel Group.com.   I design personalized itineraries and private walking tours in Paris and I love it.

3.) I always wear dresses or skirts.  I dislike jeans (okay I do have one pair).

4.) I prefer tea over coffee. Teatime with all the accoutrements. A silver tea service is a weakness.

5.) Found an easy recipe for madeleines - my honey’s favorite gateau (cake).

6.) I love to write letters using an antique inkwell, quill pen and a wax seal.

7.) I love candlelight – makes everything and everyone softer and prettier, and did I mention it is oh so romantic!

Not terribly interesting but that’s my list.

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Meandering Around Paris

What is better than meandering around the romantic streets of Paris?  Meandering the romantic streets of Paris with your honey.  We had a free day and decided to head out the door with absolutely no plan at all.  We started walking, eventually hopped onto the Metro and rode over to the 6th arrondissement (neighborhood) and meandered. 

We love exploring romantic rues (streets)...

And courtyards like this. 

Turning off busy rue St André des Arts we stopped for a late lunch at La Jacobine.   A cozy Salon de Thé tucked in the ancient and charming covered passage, Cour de Commerce St André.

We purposely went after the lunch hour so there were only about 2 other tables occupied. We chose a little corner table with a booth against the wall.  We sat side by side bien sur.  The food is delicious and the service low key and efficient, a treat in Paris.

We headed around the corner to grab some Darjeeling at  Mariage Frères, the place to experience L'Art de Thé, which has become so popular in Paris.   I told you this was a lazy day with no plan. 

I prefer this location in the 6th over the more popular spot in the Marais.  It is so much quieter, and if you go midweek and your timing is right you’ll practically have the entire tearoom to yourself.  
 Perfect for tea for two.

 There is so much to savor and post about here I think I’ll do another post later.

We purchased a jar of our favorite Gelée Extra de Thé 

We hoped back on the Metro to the 16th and found our way into a brocante (antique and what not shop) in a small courtyard just off the rue Passy.  

I like to visit every so often and I've managed to find several lovely crystal, silver-topped vanity bottles and jars buried among all the chaotically scattered brocante (stuff, junk)

The vendor recognized this strange American and her pitiful French and happily greeted us in English.

This time I found a floral oil painting with an over the top ornate gilt frame.  I excitedly pointed it out.  I saw that smile of his and I knew it was mine - the smile and the picture!

(This photo does not do it justice)

My initial plan was to show off my Frenchified negociating skills in front of Frenchie honey, but soon the process was hijacked by Frenchie honey and Frenchie vendor as they started rapid fire, not to be understood by me French.

I stood there mute.  They both dug in their heels.  Suspense.  Suddenly they shook hands and the bubble wrap appeared.   

A perfect end to a perfect romantic day of meandering in Paris.  And it was all thanks to my lucky charm, otherwise known as my honey.

"Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life"

 

 

Bienvenue

 Merci for taking time to visit.  This is my first blog post ever so please be patient as I learn my way around.   As the name implies this blog will be rather heavy on all things romantical with a decidedly French flair. 

Romance has always been my theme, a lifestyle I continually aspire to achieve.   In spite of  life's hustle bustle and not having the time to stop and smell the roses as often as I'd like, I can still appreciate and savor the little moments that can mean so much. 

Allowing everyday people, places and things to be the inspiration for romance.  

"Put a Little Ooh La La in Your life"