Les Grandes Vacances ~ Part Five

Posted on September 3rd, 2010 in Nature, Travel

It’s always so hard to take the Sunday night train back to Paris and leave the Luberon behind. The thing I always miss the most is being outdoors in fresh air and nature. Moving from California I never understood how much I would miss that, and even now I never fully realize until I am outside in Provence listening to crickets and birds chirp, feeling the sun on my skin and the mistral winds blow through my hair. At the end of the summer I always feel a bit anxious, like I didn’t take full advantage of the time or the weather and it’s almost as if I begin missing these moments before they have even passed. Click play to hear Brigitte sing her darling little song about summer’s end…

I must give credit where credit is due, so merci beaucoup to Marc and Pierre who took about half of these photos. I hope your summertime was filled with magic, peace, and some dreams no matter how big or small that came true.

Quand il fait beau…

Posted on June 28th, 2010 in Nature, Paris

When the weather is nice in Paris the best thing to do is head to the park…

Pick up some picnic snacks from the La Grande Epicerie…

Something healthy of coarse…

…but don’t forget the dessert.

Or perfect picnic already individually canned.

Wear something fabulous…

…and soak up the sun.

Be thankful for the weather…

And always bring good company along…like Mademoiselle Sofia.

Sunnies and straw hats, practical and cute.

When I walk home from the Luxembourg Gardens I always pass by Shakespeare & Co. and grab a good book…

…and make it home just in time to have enjoyed the sunset.

P.S. Today is my birthday…shhhhh…

Modern Marie

Posted on June 14th, 2010 in Nature, Travel

When my mom and my sister came to spend a week or two in Paris for my graduation we took advantage of the weather on one of the first real spring days and went to Versailles. Amazingly enough, as much as I am fascinated by Marie Antoinette and european royal society in general, I had never been to Versailles! I was lucky enough once to take part in an amazing private tour of Vaux le Vicomte, the chateau that inspired Versailles, and had ever since been dying to go but it just never seemed the right time. Vaux le Vicomte was built by one of Louis XIV’s ministers, and when the king saw it he was so jealous he dreamed up a scandal and accused the minister and chateau’s owner of fraud and imprisoned him. Soon after he broke ground on the even grander Versailles, which became then became the primary residence of the royal court. Some of you might recognize this song from the soundtrack of the film Marie Antoinette. I loved it so much I taught myself to play it on the piano.

Versailles is the ultimate example of a French garden. French gardens are all about taming nature, hence the topiaries.

It was such a sunny day a lot of my photos seemed to be a bit washed out.

Looking out over the grounds I felt a little bit like a modern Marie Antoinette.

On the grand canal you can rent little row boats and float around in the sun.

As an experienced rower I had to take over because my ladies in waiting proved unfit for the job.

And of coarse just like Marie had her cherished pug Mops, I brought my little “pug” Poupée so she could see Versailles as well. Mops was taken away from Marie when she came into France from Austria but later on Count Mercy arranged for her pug to be sent to her after her marriage.

After all the extravagance of Versailles Marie Antoinette had a small village in the style of a Norman peasant village constructed on the grounds.

She would escape here to tend to gardens and be closer to the simple things in life.

She loved animals and kept many in and around her little village.

My sister and I noted on the map that there was a convenient macaron icon in the key so one could be sure and pick some of those up at every opportunity

I hope you enjoyed your little trip to the grounds of Versailles. I did not actually visit the palace this time as we ran out of time (Versailles is massive) but I will be back soon. It is free to visit all of the gardens of Versailles and no waiting in line necessary. A little local’s tip from me to all of you would be to visit the gardens on a Monday when the palace is closed. The place feels like it’s all your own as you can picnic along the grand canal and explore all the hidden outdoor corners of this place. If you want to know more about Versailles and Marie Antoinette you can purchase Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette in Bardot’s Library. It is a must have in every girl’s DVD collection!  

P.S. News!!! There are some adorable new accessories in the Bardot Boutique! Bardot in Blue also now has an easy to read mobile version for all you readers on the go! En plus, Bardot in Blue now offers commissioned blog designs from a-la-carte services to the whole shibang!

Mon Jardin

Posted on April 21st, 2010 in Nature, Paris

The moment I decided I wanted to move to Paris I was in the Jardin du Luxembourg. I had been on study abroad my freshman year in Greece and Turkey for four months living in hotels. Before returning stateside, I decided to come to Paris and spend one week here with my best friend and another with my sister. I rented a small but charming little apartment right at the bottom of the Luxembourg Gardens. For the first time in months having a kitchen with a stove, separate rooms, and no maid service invading my space everyday made me feel at home, even if I hadn’t been to Paris since the age of seven for one day that I spent napping on a tour bus. I remember opening my eyes for a few seconds when we passed Notre Dame. After spending time in Turkey in a culture so different from my own, even as France was foreign to me I felt like I belonged more than I had in months. It was late Spring, the weather was just like it is now and my sister and I took an early evening walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg and sunned our faces reclining in the green chairs. It was magnificent, from the air, to the light, to the people watching and company I shared I was so at peace in this place.  It will always hold a special place in my heart.

~ Anthropologie sweater ~ vintage sundress ~ Frye oxfords ~ Chanel purse ~

Even when I have to share it with hundreds of others I will always feel like the Jardin du Luxembourg is a little bit my very own. I hoped you enjoyed our brief tour. À bientôt mes amies!

P.S. If you haven’t already be sure to check out the Bardot Boutique.

La Vie en Rose

Posted on April 12th, 2010 in Nature, Paris

When the weather is as pretty as this Spring is starting off I feel a bit like I am seeing the world through rose colored glasses.  The last thing I want to do is lock myself up inside so every free minute I have I spend in the open air. On sunny warm days mes amies and I love lounging on the Champ de Mars next to school with some music and a bottle of wine. Time to press play…

I found a beautiful little cherry blossom tree that still had its blossoms hiding at the side of the park. All the other trees are finally getting their green leaves back now.

I got this adorable new hat at a charming little shop in the Marais last week. In French this bowler shape is called a melon! My melon is a beautiful rosey pink.

Seeing the world through rose colored heart shaped glasses here…

I made this cameo ring the other day and took some pictures of it amongst the blossoms. I will soon be selling this ring and similar styles in many colors in the upcoming Bardot Boutique.

Mademoiselle Sofia looking beautiful in my new hat.

The flowers are so delicate…if you pick them they start dying within the hour.

Oui, c’est moi.

I wanted to take some of these beautiful branches home with me but I knew if I did they wouldn’t last long and thought it better to leave them there for the rest of the passers by to enjoy.

It seems like all over Paris is blooming in shades of pink.

I actually found this beautiful pink tree in Montmartre later this weekend.

And there it is…my version of the Eiffel Tower in pink in all its glory! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and get off to a great start this week seeing la vie en rose…

P.S. Make sure to follow Bardot in Blue on BlogLovin’!