Monday, October 18, 2010

A Post by Aimee ... Sweet Paris Dreams

Bonjour Girlfriends ~ I'm Aimee!
It's a pleasure to finally meet all of you!
Those of you that have been following our blog
already know that there are eight girlfriends
that star in the Ooh La Frou Frou Collection card line.
Seven of the eight girls have already created
their first post to our new blog ...
and now I'm so happy that it's my turn!

`
I hope everyone enjoyed
Alex's fun post last week,
where she shared with you a little behind-the-scenes look
into the glam birthday bash she was planning for me!
She'll be filling you in on how the party turned out in her next post
(it was fab!)
By the way, thanks, everyone, for all of the
wonderful comments you've been leaving on the blog ...
you might not know it, but each time you leave a comment,
all EIGHT of the girls read them ...
we're just having so much fun!

Okay ... on to my first post!
I'll start by telling you a couple of things about me:

First,
I live in the city like the rest of the girls
(except Sunny, who's a California girl)
and love it -- I'm definitely a city girl

Second,
As much as I love New York City, (and I TRULY do),
I have fallen head over heels in love with Paris.
As soon as I stepped off the plane that first time,
I knew that a piece of my heart would stay there.
So, I try to bring bits and pieces of the Paris lifestyle
home to me here.

All of the other girls know how
I save my pennies to travel there as often as I can!
I recently bought a darling little Yorkie puppie
and I even named him Paree.

I don't know how to speak french,
but I'm having fun memorizing a phrase in french
every week.
 I thought it might be fun to
share a phrase with you in my Paris posts!
My phrase for this week,
along with a little scenario of how it might be used is:
Scenario:
I'm standing in a french patisserie,
in a new french dress
bought at a cute little french boutique,
looking particularly adorable that day,
when a handsome frenchman steps up behind me
and says:

"Tu es magnifique!"
Pronunciation:
 "tew eh mahnee-fee-kuh
Translation:
"You're very beautiful!"
(it never hurts to be prepared!)

Did you know, I actually dream about Paris?
I mean real, night-time dreams.

There are the dreams about French food ....
the elegant restaurants, the fabulous patisseries, the luscious breads,
the way each meal is an occasion ...

There are the dreams of the sights and sounds of Paris
that steal your heart like a thief ...

And of course, there are the fashion dreams.
No explanation needed!

There are so many lovely Parisian things I could talk about,
but I thought it might be fun to choose just
one thing at a time for my posts and
I thought maybe a sweet place to start
would be to share one of my favorite Patisseries.
What is a discussion about Paris
without mention of
Ladurée!

Illustration of Aimee and her yorkie, Paree, in front of Laduree in Paris by Sandy - Artist, Ooh la Frou Frou Collection and created specifically for Ooh la Frou Frou Collection blog.  (c) Ooh La Frou Frou 2010 - All rights reserved.

Ahhhh, Ladurée.
There are a several locations,
but the one that I've visited
sits like a jewel
on the most beautiful avenue in the world,
the avenue des Champs Elysées.
Every day, 45 pastry chefs and 40 cooks
create the beautiful dishes and pastries
that Ladurée is known for.
They serve breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and late supper to
approximately 3,000 people daily!

On the first floor, the "Eiffel Veranda"
and the outdoor terrace overlook the glamorous Champs Elysées avenue.

The fabulous new Ladurée bar is very popular after 7pm,

On the second floor, the five cozy dining rooms,
decorated in the ‘Second Empire’ refined style
by the French interior designer Jacques Garcia,
were dedicated to the 19th century Parisian muses :
“Paeva”, “Castiglione”, “Mathilde”
but also la Bibliothèque (the Library) and La Chocolaterie (the Chocolate Factory).

Ladurée is perhaps best known for
its famous Patisserie.



It seems that whenever someone hears the name
"Ladurée"
visions of macaroons dance before their eyes.
Ladurée has several flavors that are permanently available,
and each season, they create a new flavour.

I know each time I visit Paris,
 I SIMPLY MUST have these two things:
macaroons and croissants ... to start with, anyway.

Illustration of Laduree Macaroons by Sandy - artist, Ooh La Frou Frou Collection,
specifically for Ooh La Frou Frou Collection blog. (c) Ooh La Frou Frou 2010 - All rights reserved.
Or maybe one of their fabulous pastries?

 

Also:
click here to see a sweet little novelty
created by Ladurée this past summer.
I adore this Ladurée interpretation
of this made-in-France cupcake!

I'll finish my first Paris post by mentioning

the fabulously beautiful pastel Ladurée box designs.
Like the Tiffany box,
they're immediately identifiable as a
box that holds a tiny treasure!



Happy dreams of Paris and have a wonderful week, girlfriends!



26 comments:

camille said...

Beautiful, beautiful portraits. Love every single one :) Paris in Pink

Julie Leah said...

Hello, Aimee! So happy that you're here today!! I've just been waiting with anticipation for your Paris-inspired post.

The portrait of you and sweet Paree in front of Laduree is gorgeous! I have a little Yorkie of my own, her name is Millie. She and Paree would be the most adorable Yorkie pair ever!!

I can't wait to hear about your party! Did you love your little Barbie surprise?? So jealous!

Happy Monday, darling girl!!

XoXo,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Absolutely amazing - Paris really is like that! The next time I go to Ladurée, I will take a photograph and send it to you.

Bises de Paris,

Milla

x

Amy Chalmers said...

Sandy you are such an INCREDIBLE artist!! I love your imaginative drawings, they are perfection! And Aimee on the aqua blue bicycle!! Of course I have one too darling! So happy you remembered our little chat! And so thrilled to know I am in such glamorous company. I recently got a woven basket for the front, but alas, my shih tzu has gotten too big!! Little Paree looks right at home.

Anonymous said...

Darling, I am in mad crazy love with this post!! Absolutely a feast for the eyes. Paris is my favorite city, and I think Aimee is going to be my favorite of the girls, and that really is saying a great deal. Will there be an Aimee-featured card soon?! Much love from lizzylafosse xoxoxo

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

A little love note from Aimee to:

Amy@MaisonDecor: Thank you so much for your compliments on my post, doll ~ and I'm thrilled that you loved my aqua blue bicycle like yours ~ and you even have a woven basket!! Yes, Paree loves his hair blowing in the wind ;) xoxo

LizzyLafosse: So, sweet, you are -- I'm jumping up and down that you are in mad crazy love with my post!! Yes, the artist has plans for me for a card ... she hasn't decided if it will be notecards first or an actual individual card. What do you think? xoxo

Bye for now, Paris girls!

Amy Chalmers said...

Whatever card you do, a set or individual, please let it include the cute aqua blue bike!! I will be so thrilled and pleased to send them about! OR frame them :-)

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

To Amy@MaisonDecor from the artist: I'm sure the bike will appear, as it's my favorite color ;)

Annemarie said...

Paris looks beautiful, Aimee! I've never been- but am dying to visit! Your photos are making me dream! xoxo

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Mmmmmmm, what I wouldn't do for a delicious macaron right now...especially if I was enjoying it in Paris!

Naomi Goodman said...

Laduree has the best macaroons but have you tried their hot chocolate? OMG to die for! Love Paris it is definitely worth every trip! Upstairs the chairs are a bit tattered to lend to the overall chicness of the place...Paris est ma résidence secondaire….mon coeur vit là !

Barbara von Enger said...

A post on Paris - how charming!;-)
Indeed, Paris comes with so many beautiful delights - one of the reasons why I live there.
Of course everyone knows Laudree, but I the best macaroons are made at a tiny patisserie, where only locals go, but when I have visiting friends from America, they all want to visit Laudree;-)

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

A little hello from Aimee to:

Brunch at Saks: Ooooh, if you ever go, you need to share your photos with me! xo

Kristin: Yes, enjoying it while IN Paris definitely adds something to the macaron!

Naomi: Their hot chocolate? WOW, I'll make sure I try it next time I go! Thanks for the tip! xo

Fashion, Art and other fancies: Sooooo love to talk to lovelies that actually live there! What is the name of this fabulous macaroon heaven of a tiny patisserie, darling?

Thanks so much for your comments, girls, and hope all of your weeks are filled with lovely Paris dreams! xo Aimee

Anonymous said...

How lovely to run around Paris with Aimee. Gossip girl may have been there but I'm pretty sure I would rather go with Aimee over Serena and Blair. I'm off to dream of French Cupcakes!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Oh Aimee I just adore Paris too!!! And Laduree is my absolute favorite! Isn't it the most perfect place on earth??? xoxo

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

A note from Aimee to:

Everyone commenting: How much do I love all of my new girlfriends! You all make blogging SO MUCH FUN!

GlamorousWhimsy: WOW, I've been chosen over Serena & Blair! Thank you for the compliment, lovey!

The Alternative Wife: I know, I know!!!! Once when I got home from Paris, Sunny sent me some macarons from Bottega Louie in Beverly Hills to cheer me up. The have pretty boxes much like Laduree, SO SWEET are my girlfriends, but as LOVELY as they were ... I still had Paris and Laduree tucked in my heart!

Have a very sweet week, darlings! Merci for your comments ~ Aimee

Anonymous said...

Paris really is beautiful... I never knew it was possible to fall in love with a city until I visited and lived there. So when the french guy says "tu es magnifique", how will you reply? is that in the phrasebook, too?! :-D

Unknown said...

Your post makes me miss Paris so very much! It brings all the beautiful memories...And we share the same love for Laduree. i think, I could live right there in Laduree spoiling myself with all the heavenly sweets!:-))) Wishing you wonderful day!

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Aimee leaves a tiny note for:

Cafe Bellini: Well, there are so many options! How about:
"Je ne peux pas láider, monsieur."
(I can't help it, sir.)
or..
"Et vous êtes très beau, aussi."
(And you are very handsome, as well.)
or, perhaps ..
"Oui, je suis disponible pour le dîner de ce soir."
(Yes, I am available for dinner this evening.)
:)

Couture Millinery Atelier: The artist shared with us your new "Story of Dolls!" and we all are in love with the idea!! No wonder it was so well received in Paris! I miss Paris too. I'd love to share a cappuccino and plate of something deliciously sweet with you at Laduree, darling, while we watch the fashion walk by!

Have a very Ooh la la week, darlings! Aimee

Isabelle Lafleche said...

Wow! What an amazing & sublime post! Merci beaucoup for all your lovely comments! Isabelle

Unknown said...

How I love Laduree! Such a fun post--love!

xo Mary Jo

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

A little note from Aimee to:

Isabelle Lafleche: Thanks so much, darling Isabelle, for stopping by to see me and thanks so much for your compliment!! Best of luck to you with every book you write!! (We're big fans!)xo

Mary Jo: Thanks, sweetie ... there are so many things about Paris I will be talking about in my post ... but, I thought Laduree would be a sweet place to start! xo

Thanks Glamorous Girlfriends! xo Aimee

Vannessa@Luxuria said...

Fab post as usual Sandy.
You captured the essence of Paris so beautifully (I could smell the croissants from here!)
You are so, so talented!

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

A little note to Vanessa@Luxuria from Aimee:

Darling Vanessa! So glad you stopped by to visit me. I'm glad you enjoyed the post, just as all of us girls enjoy your jewelry! We all saw the lovely earrings you sent the artist ~ they're fabulous!

Have a wonderful, wonderful week, darling! xo Aimee

Sarah Klassen said...

What a beautiful, beautiful post!

I want to frame these illustrations -- they are just gorgeous. Ahh, Paris... And Ladurée, only a girl who loves Paris would understand -- upon my first visit, there are images taken of me sprinting towards Ladurée, followed by me hugging the building and planting a wee kiss on the exterior. I was in love... pink champagne and macarons followed, ending with a lovely tea :) I still keep my box and bag in my room and every morning, look over at it, and am reminded of such lovely memories...

your dreams are just beautiful, and I so enjoyed all that you shared in this fabulous post :)

xoxo

Margarita Bloom said...

Aimee, you're definitely a girl after my own heart!!! Paris, fashion, delicious macaroons and croissants...oh, yes please! And you look so posh in your outfit on your absolutely adorable blue bike...love the color! And your shoes...do you know where I can get a pair of them...GORGEOUS! Paree....could his name be any cuter?? well, maybe not as cute as he is!!! XOXO