Crazy charming chimneys, France

And... texture, texture, yummy texture...

People VS pension reforms, St. Michel, Paris

"Do you hear the people sing? 

Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes! " 

                                    - Les Miserables 

Wow, this guy staring right at my camera in above pic could well play Javert in Victor Hugo's amazing tale, Les Miserables! :)

The Chanel - out of the box, experience

This post is dedicated to all my female friends who understand and appreciate the thrill of FINALLY owning a classic Chanel hand bag.  My visit to Paris recently was not only to soak in the French beauty and be inspired by the art de vivre of this amazing city, but to also take back home some of that inspiration, so that I may breathe life back into a personal project, long forgotten.

And I did just that, and in the process, not only found unabashed joy in the pastries, wines, the steak tartares, museums, and the countless cafes, but also in the way Parisian people carry themselves, not to mention the grace in every corner and crevice of every ornate building in what is, IMHO, the most beautiful city in the world.

Incredibly, my moment of reckoning with the French's style and artistic influence on the world was never greater than that first moment when I walked across the hallowed turf of THE Chanel store on Rue Cambon, where Coco Chanel herself used to live in an apartment above.  My mission - to purchase and own my first ever Chanel bag.

Et voila!  One beautifully made, jumbo size, black, with gold chains bag later, and it seems like a life long love affair has been born.

Notably, the service at this store was first rate, but the wrapping of my purchase was something else altogether inspiring! Here now, is a photo by photo look of the Chanel bag in an "out of the box" (and an out of this world) experience.

To my friends who care... Enjoy babes, this one is written for you!! ;)

Shakespeare Bookstore, from the very cool movie "Before Sunset"

Hark! a book store, so beautiful and so rare! "Be still my beating heart...!" This was the Paris set of the opening scene of Before Sunset, one of my most favourite movies ever, staring the deeply talented and thoughtful bohemian that is Ethan Hawke and the tres chic et charming Julie Delpy.  I was beside myself from finding this place enroute the Notre Dame. Amazing!

Rue Cambon, at night

Where Coco Chanel used to keep an apartment

Foliage and side glances

One of my favourite photos that I took in Paris.  I like the composition (by chance no doubt!) and the colours in play in this image.

It's true, French women don't get fat

Before the Louvre