Summertime in Paris...

Well, well, well.... long time no see...

I must say this year has been pretty slow Olala-wise, I've had a lot of work to do and I had to put my jewelry-making aside... I miss it but at the same time, I had reached a point where I didn't really enjoy it anymore, I was getting nowhere and I was wondering if I was doing this for the pleasure or just because I had started something and I didn't want to quit... I didn't enjoy going to craft fairs anymore, I didn't enjoy spending hours on Etsy and seeing the same items over and over again, and I was getting overwhelmed with all the materials I had and all the ideas I had and all the stock I had and all the time and money I spent and... it was too much!

So, I'm taking a break... and instead of jewelry, I'll show you a few pictures from my summer vacation in Paris : )

               

                               I've always loved the flower shops in France...

                               ... and the colorful Chupa Chups!



I've discovered a fabulous design shop near Hôtel de Ville, it's called Fleux and they had these great pieces from an Italian design company, Miho - unexpected things. They are made of wood and they come in a flat sheet, the pieces are cut outs that you put together like a 3D puzzle.... I.L.O.V.E.

I had to bring back home 2 birdhouses and 1 deer head but now, I regret not buying more : (

                               Some funky plates at Fleux



                               A Maillol statue in les Tuileries....

                               Macarons....

                               .... and macarons again!

PS : You might have noticed - I love my Vintique Iphone app ; )

Olala part en vacances!

No, this is not me!..... (I wish...)

These are pictures I found on Kenzo's website today while I was browsing and dreaming about all the beautiful shops I'd love to visit when I'm in Paris this month... Yes! I'm going away for a few weeks : my husband has always wanted to take all of us to Croatia, where his family is from, so we're going this year! And... as I'll be soooo close to France and my family, I'll take off on my own for a few days at the end of the trip to go see my papa and my maman in Paris : )

Oh, I can hardly wait.....

Window shopping in Paris...

A few more pictures from my recent trip to France : last weekend, I had a fun time taking a walk in the wonderful (and very chic!) area called Le Marais (4th arrondissement) where the famous Place des Vosges is located.

Apart from restaurants and lovely tea rooms, this area counts many fabulous shops - opened on Sundays which is pretty rare in France! Of course, I would have liked to go shopping in each of them but, well, most prices were too high for my budget... so I just enjoyed the creative window displays that delighted my eyes and put a happy smile on my face!

I really fell for this window display, I'd totally use a display like this one for my next craft fair : )

Design plastic dinnerware.... love it!

A beautiful shop in la Gallerie Vivienne : every item is made out of paper!

Guerlain : sooo chic!

Paris, je t'aime!

I just came back from a trip to France where I spent 3 weeks visiting my family and friends with my sons.

We spent a couple of days in Paris at the beginning of our vacation and our first touristic stop was -of course- at the Eiffel Tower! I must say that I was almost as excited as my kids to have a close look at "la Grande Dame" as I think the last time I went in the Tour Eiffel was when I was 7 or 8 years old!

Oh, c'est si beau!

After 1 hour and a half-long line up to take the elevator, we finally reached the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.... how exciting! how beautiful! and ... how scary!!! In the excitement of taking my kids to the Eiffel Tower, I had totally forgotten that I was afraid of heights!?! So here I was, the only tourist who was doing her best NOT to look at the view : )

I knew it!

I knew it! I told you Betsy3's Treasury was worth being on the Front Page and sure enough, "Primavera" was proudly showing its lovely colors this afternoon on Etsy's Front Page! Thank you Betsy and Etsy : )

Now, here is my latest list : it's called "Naturally" and I'm pretty happy with it...

Here's also a sneak peak of a necklace I'll be listing this weekend. I've named it "Ma douce" because it has very soft colors. This gorgeous button comes from France, it was part of another "treasury" : one that I received through the mail and that had been curated by my aunt who lives in Paris... She had gone shopping for me in a few of these wonderful craft shops where I would spend all my savings - if I had any!