Outdoor Wednesday!

Bon jour! Petunia here again!

Yes, I am back after a brief but...*blush* meaningful absence that has changed my entire life! I am in love...with Paris, with life with all that is fabulous and fabulous has a new name! Raoul! Oh my! It is assez wonderful...but this is not what this missive is about except it is what it is all about! I have always been in love with my little part of Paris, Montmarte but until Raoul, I had never truly seen it! I was always dashing to one event to another and although I saw a few things out of the corner of my Chanel sunglasses,, I had never really seen it, felt it or tasted it until I spent hours exploring all it's winding village streets and cafes with Raoul. Who knew it was all so lovely? I was even convinced to go to church which I guess I could have done before being as I have been so blessed with...well, everything, always! It is magnifique being me, after all! But I am not here to discuss that either although it is certainly part of the story....

Today, I am going to take you on a tour of all the lovely sites, sounds and cafes I have encountered over the past week. Enjoy!

This is a famous little cafe down the hill from my residence. It is quite fun to sit out front and listen in to what everyone has to say! Some of the local gossip is quite delicious!

There is so much color and fun everywhere one strolls about...

I think this graffiti is very Fab!

Everyone is so creative with paint and a brush.
No wonder Fifi loves being here so much!
She is quite colorful herself!

This is just very fun and surprising!

And the street musicians keep the air filled with lovely sounds...

While the street artists set up everyday to show off their talents.

I looked for my BFF Fifi but then realized she is too fabulous to be painting on the street!

Although. I have seen her in a beret and she looks very vogue!

And all the lovely winding, hilly streets?
One can get lost while being distracted and looking in windows! I love my little bohemian village...

Keiko Tanabe has painted a beautiful picture of the Pancake Mill...
Many evenings found Raoul and I at a table right here!

I had no idea I would love eating more than a pastry street side!And then Raoul took me to church!

I do think the bells rang extra loud that night!

For more Outdoor Wednesday fun go see

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer!

For more Paris FUN, my BFF Fifi , the most FAB Paris artist, is waiting for you to join her!

à bientôt les amis!

Paris and Fifi and oo la la!

Bonjour! Petunia here!

Once again I have taken to the blog only so that I can keep you all up to date and in the know of what all the beautiful people are doing in Paris in the April! As you know, my BFF Fifi is here as well and although she was exhausted when she landed, she phoned me up right away to make sure my travel was perfect and my landing safe. What a love she is! I was horrified to hear she could not even go to her home as it had been taken over by a big party! I did pop by the event to make sure no one was destroying her lovely place. After all, friends do that for each other, don't they? I did not enjoy one minute of le fete...well...of course I did not want to be rude and could not refuse a refreshement or two! A lady must have manners in these situations!

I just know you are all wanting to know what my residence is like here in the City of Lights and Love and so I have put together a little tour for you!

S'amuser!

My lovely place is located in the Montmarte section of Paris....it's a little bohemian village on the outskirts of Paris. Over the next month you will be fortunate to see this lovely area and many of my favorite places to eat, drink and, well....so many of the other things I love to do! I know you will be most pleased and excited! How could you not be?

This is Paris through the trained eye of...moi!

The natural light pours into my main living area making me feel as if I am really one with the Paris outside my windows at all times.I love how rustic things can look in France while being completely tasteful and lovely at the same time.

Mmmm...some of may favorite romance novels are tucked away on those shelves! I do love reading a little book while I am here.

My morning capuccino is brought to my bedside every morning making it so easy for me slip from my bed and out onto my fabulous roof top retreat to await my breakfast. Oh, what a fabulous way to start my everyday

A French coffee is one of the world's greatest wonders!

I gaze over my lovely little part of the city while planning my day's adventures and phoning up many of the people who are requesting to see me!

Oh yes....
this is my Paris and this is my playground for the next month!
Now, go visit Fifi Flowers for more oo la la Parisian fun!



À bientôt!



(all pictures from http://www.specialapartments.com/21_gabrielle.html)

Pink Saturday!

Welcome to another PINK Saturday hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!

I love magazine covers and Vogue, who has done them so well, has shown us over the years all that is fabulous in the world of couture! Today we are going to take a look at how pretty in pink Vogue has been and what was fabulous enough to make the front cover!

September 1945
1933
1941
1928
1929
1937

1950


February 2003

Setmeber 2007

January 1990

December, 1991


Happy Saturday!

Fashionable Friday!

Dearest Readers:

Welcome to another Fashionable Friday! My BFF Fifi Flowers is the lovely hostess of this grand event! Please visit her to see what else is going on today...however I assure you, this is the only place to be...other than her place...and maybe a few other places...really! Anywoo...


I have once again taken to the blogging world as I had such positive feedback after my first appearance here and so many have contacted me asking when I will be back. I thought to do this on an annual basis but it seemed so selfish to keep myself away so I have returned. Thank you all for all your kind, thoughtful and true comments and compliments!

I bring to you today a little story about my friend, Violet. She received an invitation to one of my many garden parties. As she had never made the guest list before, she hastily called me to inquire as to the dress code of my event. I thought it an odd call as one should simply know what to wear to a garden party but I humored her and explained that one wears something that looks lovely in the garden! Oh my! My mistake. This is what she came up! I have also included a few of her other good ideas....

(These amazing works of art were created and captured by Nicole Dextras

Her photography is fabulous!

I am borrowing them for the sake of my story.)

Here is Violet dressed in her best garden party attire.

Imagine my horror, and amusement when

she arrived at my party in this!

She does actually look quite fabulous is a "natural" sort of way, doesn't she?

Her this her Sunday Best

Yes, this is her Yucca Prom Dress.

And her lovely Cabbage Smock.

Violet is looking divine or insane in her Hydrangea Tournure.

Really, who knew Violet would take me so literally and actually WEAR a garden. One does live and learn, doesn't one.? In the future I will be sure to make it clear not to actually wear the garden...although it does look so...flowery and lovely, doesn't it?!

Sincerely,

Petunia who has never worn anything she can actually snack on but is beginning to think it's a good idea! Sometimes those hor dourves people are so slow in getting around the room! And who thinks Violet should continue to watch "What Not TO Wear"!

Tablescape Thursday!

I love Springtime! Flowers fill the air with the smell of hope that all things that went to sleep will now wake up and shine in their glory. We are once again filled with that fabulous feeling Spring fever gives us that makes us want to be in love, want to go outside and play, want to shed off the layers of clothing that kept us warm, shed the thoughts that made our lives smaller when the sun disappeared too soon. In SoCal, it means eating outside again! And that is my favorite part of Spring. And so today, we will celebrate dining al fresco with a fabulous Tuscan picnic!

Welcome to our villa....

and welcome our lovely patio and view!

Grab a dish!Wonderful local food has been brought in for us to enjoy...
so please help yourselves!Bread, bread and more bread with a bit of cheese and olive oil is a meal created by the Gods!
And nothing goes better with them than a good glass of Italian red wine or...

a wonderfully refreshing Bellini! And after you have indulged in all the goodness, please feel free to curl up and enjoy a lovely Italian daydream!

Happy Spring and
Happy Tablescape Thursday!

For more lovely tables please visit
the fabulous Susan at
Between Naps on the Porch!

Outdoor Wednesday!

Life is busy for all of us.

We all need to remember to slow down and take a time

to stop and smell the roses....

whatever that means to you!

But you really ought to!

For more Outdoor Wednesday visit Susan!