With good walking shoes, the winter border has been crossed and we continue towards Summer.
What about Spring ? More or less, some smiles in the sky light up the days …
But never as much as the special moments shared with some of you in the shop.

No reflections on life this time except to remember that if the grass seems greener next door, it’s only because it has not been mowed … yet …!! Simple as that !
Ultimately, I pretty much enjoy writing this silly newsletter !

Today on stage we have new fellows ! “Pêche à la ligne“, “Papillons“, “Noix de coco“, “Le chocolat“, “Nichoirs“, “Les Poires” and “Barbecue“… Buy a garden, no matter the size of the grass.
I like “Marché de Provence” and “Paris bohème” !
Placemat “Parfumerie” smells good and “Notre Dame” in green is fashionable for the season.

The table cloth “Cerise rouge vert” and the apron “Fruits rouge vert” are both two master pieces ! Have a look on the runners. “Vignoble rouge vert” might be a pick for the vineyards.

That will be it for now, I don’t want to bother you… or me !

Make cherry pies, run outside for a pic nic and stay happy campers in your own grass…

A la prochaine !

Sylvine

Time to share my last philosophical thoughs… Hummm !
Life on a side, world on the other. Life is never on sale, the world is.
You can buy it, impossible with life, no matter who you are or how many tons of dollars you fill your pockets.
I like that very much.
So, save your soul, sell your cell….. phone ! (Could be a nice quote for a song !)

The world, in his big department store, has a great choice of new towels ! Follow the guide and take a look at :
“Les toits de Paris“, “Basse cour“, “L’oeuf et la poule“, “Délices gourmand abricot“, “Miel et abeilles“, “La vache et le lait“, “123 Soleil“,”L’apéro“, “Coquelicot“, “Rosa“, “Haie fleurie“… Of course, one for Easter !

Tablecloths with “Diwali” et “Prairie mulitcolore“. Happy blue napkins “Tutti flutti“. A cute child apron, another plastic placemat “Marché aux fleurs“.
In short, balloons, rabbit and squirrel, butterfly and lady bugs, everybody is ready to welcome Spring ! And so do I.

Tip of the month : read a little haïku every morning…
and don’t try to give shape to the water.

Last exciting information : My very best friends finally opened their Guest House in Normandy.
Big renovation to dress their home with a beautiful face. Elegant, cosy, quite, charm, authenticity, heart and soul.
https://www.gites-de-france.com/location-vacances-Coudehard-Chambre-d-hotes-Le-Presbytere-Perche-61G1307.html

They will be happy to receive and provide you the best… Rémi and Anne are like my family.

Shall we meet there ? !!!… ?? !!!

Sylvine

Merci to Jane Merrifield for this guest blog post !

What do poetry, absinthe and a well-kept Paris Perfect secret have in common? This is all about a gift-shop with a difference. It is THE place to go to get your handmade gifts that have been made in France. This unique shop is called Maison ivre and is situated in the Latin quarter, a stone’s throw away from the famous Café Flore and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The name of this shop literally means “Drunken House.” While there is no alcohol or absinthe on the premises, you still may feel a little dizzy when looking at all the colorful objects.

Whose idea was this anyway ?

I’d like you to meet Sylvine. She opened la Maison Ivre in 1991. Her goal was to bring together wonderful creations by craftsmen and craftswomen from all over France. And she has had a grand success!

What’s behind the name Maison ivre ?

Sylvine dreamt about becoming a poet but even after her studies in French literature, she soon realized how difficult it would be to make a living out of her poems. So as a homage to Arthur Rimbaud and his poem “Le bateau ivre,” Sylvine decided to create her “Drunken house.” She wants her house to be a real yet rather poetic experience for visitors. She hopes that each person who enters her shop will appreciate how different it is and also the products on display.

Who are the typical Maison ivre shoppers ?

They are mainly anglophones who are both Francophiles and are enthusiastic about French country style products. They are also people who value l’art de vivre, elegance and tradition.

You can find ceramics, traditional quality textile goods and products made using lavender. These goods come from all over France including Alsace, Provence, Savoie, Pays Bas and les Vosges. Each object has its own particularity, handcrafted and authentic.

What are the bestsellers ?

Sylvine says visitors love the teatowels so much that they keep coming back for more. The linen place-mats in vibrant colours are also very successful. Apart from traditional textiles, the ceramic objects, mugs and decorative objects provoke much interest too. Last but not least, the selection of lavender gifts are particularly traditional and are very practical to take back home for friends and family. They will be delighted with these handmade gifts. Who could refuse a gift which has been made in France: a lavender bag with your own or friend’s initial, a tea-towel with the famous macarons or a sunny Provencal tablecloth which makes you dream of sunshine and olives? They will adore the wonderful images of the Eiffel Tower and other symbols of Paris and France.

A favorite at Maison ivre ?

Returning to the owner, Sylvine, what is her favourite among all the treats in la Maison ivre ? “I love the ceramic animals like the donkey or even the pig. They make me laugh and I want people who come here to have fun looking at these fascinating objects which have been made with care and imagination.” The writer of this blog urges you to check out the “quenouilles de lavande” or unique lavender shakers. These are a dying art and made with the long sticks of lavender and folded in a unique way so as all the flowers are contained in the bulb-like part. They branches are kept together using beautifully colored ribbon.

What is there left to say ?

Go along and give Sylvine a visit. She speaks English and loves meeting people. Her Maison Ivre is situated at 38 rue Jacob just off rue Bonaparte as you walk from Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Seine. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am- 7pm. You won’t regret it! Go and have a look and think of Rimbaud’s journey on his “drunken boat” and imagine poetic journeys. Experience something completely different while shopping in the Latin quarter!

_______________

Merci à toi, Jane, pour ce fameux article sur l’esprit de ma Maison ivre…

crédit photographique : my friend Jane

Je me souviens d’un gros pull à col roulé blanc cassé
de cheveux blonds n’obéissant qu’à l’ordre mystérieux
et de petites lunettes rondes

J’ai oublié le reste

Je me souviens d’un sentier breton et possiblement de l’embarcadère de Ouessant

Ma mémoire est une passoire aux trous larges, ma vie passe au travers

Matthieu est Breton, cependant il est allé vers l’extérieur
J’ai arpenté la Bretagne qui m’offre la sensation de marcher sur le toit du monde tout en appartenant aux entrailles de la terre,
le voyage intérieur

Et puis un jour…

Matthieu vit en Chine, il a crée une agence de randonnée, il pratique le yoga, organise des trekkings, des retraites et déploie des paysages

L’agence s’appelle AMIWA, Matthieu s’appelle toujours Matthieu

L’ensemble m’est hautement improbable, je veux dire le yoga, les contreforts himalayens, les séjours chez l’habitant, et la Chine
enfin surtout la Chine…  !

Matthieu est un excellent guide

Je me souviens de son visage, un dimanche 10 ans jadis à Rouen, de son sourire, une éclaboussure, la griffure d’un soleil sur la peau

Si vous marchez jusqu’en Chine, cherchez-y Matthieu et l’enseignement qu’il délivre…

Sylvine

Painting is always a personnal matter, hard to explain.

Why are we sensitive to some work, atmosphere, feelings that escape from a landscape and why others leave us completly in marble ?
There is no logical reason. I beleive, I’m looking for the spirit, the soul I can feel when I’m looking at some paintings.
When I discovered - more than 15 years ago - John’s works, my first thought was : God, I am at home. This is the place to be, the place I was searching, the one I want to reach, to live, to experience.
So spend time with John, listening to him speak about the process of his work was amazing.

Edward Hopper and John Evans. I’m done !

But enough words, click on the link and go to exlore his web site.

Paintings as classical music and poetry give sense to life. Bring the magic.
I am blessed to have met him.

Sylvine

Des piquets, des piquets, encore des piquets…
et quelques mots sur lesquels méditer…

Donner une chance aux autres, c’est aussi se donner une chance à soi…

Crédit photo : Moinours

En attendant la prochaine fois…
Ta ta ta !

Sylvine

Hello to all people who are dying to visit Paris from the heart…!!!

Goody news for you. A better way to discover my city ? Just join the tour of Michelle and enjoy…
Her parents are among the charmest and friendly customers I have, supporting the shop for may be 20 years…
I completly trust the concept and could even consider to have myself an other and overview of my own town doing the tour.
Click down to have an idea :

http://www.paris-treats.com/

Waiting for your comments…

Bon voyage ici !

Sylvine

Again and again thanks to Ann for this incredible spirit and sense of humor which make my days each time I meet Chef and Sue…

Just wanted to share with anybody who enjoy life…

Le nez du phare
hume la brume
il bruine
sur la mer brune
le voilà qui s’enrhume…

crédit photo : Moinours

Bonne rentrée…!

Sylvine