Written by Today we have a super quick and loose doodlewash of my breakfast this morning while in Paris. Philippe and I always enjoy a wildly simple little breakfast while here of a fresh baguette, orange juice, and butter. The latter of which is actually a little tub of butter that isn’t pictured as I ran out of time to sketch it. Philippe runs out to grab the baguette each morning while I make coffee. It’s hundreds of times more delicious than any bread like this we can find at home so the experience is always amazing. And, yes, perfectly mundane at the same time. In many ways, our time in France is very much like our time back home in the States. We tend to avoid crowds whenever possible and just live here for a couple of weeks. When I first came to Paris, several years ago now, I did every single thing on the list a tourist is expected to do on those first few trips. These days, I find it far more enjoyable to settle in and get a taste of what it might be like to actually live here. And, I have to admit that I really adore living in France. It may be several years from now, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Philippe and I ended up here for our retirement. Certainly somewhere a bit farther south, though, as it’s just a touch too chilly where we are now.
I mentioned in yesterday’s post that the apartment we’ve taken for this trip was once a shop of some kind. We didn’t initially know what was here, but did some digging, as we’re prone to do, and discovered the history is rather cool. Apparently, for more than 50 years, the building we’re staying in was the workshop of l’Atelier Mériguet-Carrère, a company specializing in highly-skilled decorative painting. When they moved out in 2015, the shop’s paint-covered plywood walls were cut down and preserved in pieces as framed bits of art. As I type this, one of those panels is hanging above me, and it’s quite beautiful. Also, it’s incredible to know that we’re staying in a space that once housed artisans. It seems a fitting space to sketch and paint, and I hope to have a bit more time to sit and enjoy it properly. These first few days in Paris are quite busy with plans, but things start to lighten up a bit as the days go by and I find myself with more time to relax and enjoy each moment. But, it only takes a little moment to make a doodlewash of some kind, so I’ll continue to do so each day that I’m here.
Today, we did a spot of shopping, and though I finally visited my favorite clothing store, Jules, I didn’t yet buy anything to take home with me. I normally buy a new wallet from this store, but didn’t like the options on display this year. Philippe and I instead went to Le Tanneur and each bought a lovely leather wallet at half price thanks to the current sales that are happening citywide. It was still a bit more than what I normally spend on a wallet, but it will last several years longer. And it’s super cool with a light pebbled gray leather exterior, two white stripes, and an interior that’s rather close to the color of Doodlewash blue. It was perfect! Since we’re here for a belated holiday, Philippe’s mother gave us Christmas presents when we arrived and I received an absolutely gorgeous hardcover book with thick textured paper filled with architectural watercolor drawings of Paris. It’s fabulous, and I wish I could sketch like that, but I just can’t be bothered with using a ruler. And I’m quite sure that those sketches took much more time than the few precious minutes I tend to grab for mine. But, I’m quite happy enjoying another fun-filled day here in Europe while still managing to sneak some time in to sketch a bit of breakfast in Paris.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Cobalt Turquoise, Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Benzimida Orange, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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Yum! Bread or pastry in France, with European butter, cannot be replicated anywhere. Enjoy!
So true!! It’s the best ever here and just doesn’t taste quite the same anywhere else! Loving it! 😃💕
What a fabulous apartment to stay in! I got to thinking and realized my one visit to Paris was August 16, 1977. I can remember that specifically because the newspaper headlines were reporting the death of Elvis Presley. My other most treasured memory was the heaping tower of profiteroles I had while there. I’ve never been able to find anything quite like them since. You’ll have to have some for me, while you are there!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I’ll definitely take on that challenge to have some extra fun for you my friend! hehe And wow… here, when Elvis passes would make the date very memorable. And profiteroles are delicious… that’s a fabulous memory indeed!
Tomorrow morning, you have to have some plain chocolate with your baguette breakfast ! ( or sometime…red wine, chocolate and baguette! ) And could you post a photo/doodlewash of the framed plywood panel panel you described? I was in Paris 56 years ago. I am so glad you are having this visit there. Lucky, lucky you.
Thanks, Brenda! 😃💕 It’s been a lovely trip so far! I thought about taking a photo of that panel and adding it to this post, but I’m sneaking in these posts so quickly I didn’t even get time. 😊I might have to add it later. When we’re here, we’re constantly on the go visiting family and friends, so it’s fun, but wow… a whirlwind of activity! lol
This sounds wonderful! Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Having a fabulous time here! So happy to be reunited with family!
So glad that you are enjoying your visit and what a wonderful story to discover about your apartment!! Going to Paris and just enjoying the city without doing all the touristy things sounds wonderful.
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah… I wish more people would try Paris this way… it’s WAY cooler. hehe… shows that the city really has to offer and it’s awesome!
Oh how fabulous to learn the history of your apartment and how fitting! Sooooo Cool! I’m so excited about it for you. I wish you would share some photos, but I know that is not what you do here on this blog…. And what a lovely gift from your MIL. Lovely wonderful surprises each day!!
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 It was SO cool to learn a bit of the history! And yeah, I rarely share photos here, but used to share a bit more on Facebook until I sort of stopped there as well. 😊I might add a little gallery at some point in one of these posts while I’m here instead. In truth, I’m just barely keeping up with everything! But it’s SO fun! lol
This post made me warm and fuzzy all over. 🙂 I can so relate to your experience. Mine however isn’t so romantic. I go to Disneyland usually a couple times a year to meet up with some sketching gals. Same as you, we’ve been there so many times that we don’t have to do everything. Instead, we take in the atmosphere, eat our favorite foods, and sketch the entire time. Now that’s a vacation! Maybe next time I will try one of their baguettes, everyone raves about them.;)
Aww I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! 😃💕 And yay to a sketching trip… that sounds like a blast! A perfect vacation indeed!!
This is great!
Thanks so much, Mireya! 😃💕
The panel is an exciting treasure. I hope you will share photos of it.
The wallet sounds super special….especially that “Doodlewash blue
interior. The best of the best is that you can actually settle back and
be a Parisian for a time. Now that is memorable! Your breakfast is
perfect, both on screen and in fact.
Thanks, Sarah!😃💕 Yeah, it’s been such a wonderful trip and it’s only the beginning. So many great memories that I can’t even keep up with them all. That’s the sign of a trip well spent, in my view. 😉
I love that it seems even the smallest of villages has a boulangerie in France. I tend to be a croissant or pain au raisan man in the morning though I could happpily spend the rest of the day eating baguette and various French cheese, with a glass of wine later on of course! I hope it warms up for you a bit.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 It’s not too cold, but tonight it was cold and rainy which was brrrrrrrrr! lol But yay to French bread, pastries, cheese, and wine… so delicious!
Oh wow, what a wonderful apartment! You and Philippe were lucky to have found such an interesting place to stay in while in Paris. When I think of Paris, art is the first thing that comes to mind..that is, of course, besides the Eifel tower!!! 🎨
Your breakfast looks yummy… one I would choose to eat any morning while in France. Ummm, that would be a dream come true!!!
Thanks, June! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s a very cool place! The only issue is that it lacks a balcony or a window to open easily. We’re right on the street at shop level. But it’s a great place to hide and unwind at the end of the day.