Paris again once more

Well, it is the last day of April as I write this and last night there was a full moon...the pink moon which is so named because of the wild ground phlox which starts to bloom at this time. Everything is blooming pink around here in Portland! The spiritual meaning of this pink moon is that it is a time of renewal and rebirth which is what is going on over here in my house right now (more explanation coming in May)...sort of. That said, I want to give you some final thoughts on the wonderful trip to Paris and some photos too so here goes.

We had to do a pose at the Palais-Royal one day when we were searching for some good moules/frites restaurants.

We did quite a lot of walking on that day and I spent some time taking photos of shop windows and things on the street. This really interesting boutique was located not far from rue Saint Antoine and everything looked so stylish. Lots of white in here.

 These necklaces were actually beads on lace confections...the reflection in the window made it hard to get a really precise photo but I do like how the building is reflected in the plexiglass stand.

Of course everyone knows that I adore the little deux chevaux and I'm always on the look out for them. This one I find particularly sweet...what is better than a pink car except one that has many shades of the color. To me it looks like it is smiling or at least winking at passersby!

Quite a contrast here to these three we saw on the Champs Elysees parked in a row. I think it might have been one of those tourist things where you drive a Ferrari through Paris??? Lots of people were having a look at them before they drove off.

We both like the selection of eyeglasses in this boutique which sadly was closed or we might have slipped a pair or two in our carry ons. I really like the pink ones in front but the yellow ones on the left are not bad either.

 These two dolls were keeping and eye on everyone.

Over by the Senat, near the Luxembourg gardens the children's clothing  store Bonpoint had a really fairyland style display for the winter season. This shop always has the most amazing clothes.

Down the street a bit these little elves were standing around cool beaded trees...remember it was nearly Christmas!

 This place had all things silver and glass. I would like to go back and see the street now. I had never actually been there before so that does prove that one can never see all of Paris no matter what.

 I thought the inset camisole on this dress was really unusual. You can have a sleeveless dress but still stay cozy with charmeuse silk gathered at the throat. You can almost see me there in the window reflection in my burgundy beret!

 This bit of silliness was really fun to look at...boxes of "gold flakes" in the window of a jewelry store. Really so creative and unexpected!

At a visit to the Centre Pompidou I took this picture looking from the inside out. It almost has a feeling of a mountain chalet because of the clouds up there. When we cam e in the door we just came straight in but less than fifteen minutes later this was the line waiting. The bookstore here is just amazing...almost an art exhibit on its own.

Towards the end of our stay we met my cousins at a historic restaurant...one of the oldest brasseries in  Paris called Brasserie Bofinger. It was a special evening celebration for us because we only see each other once a year if we are lucky! The brasserie has the most interesting decor with this magnificent dome ceiling 

and all around the restaurant inlaid wood, mirrors and paintings. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our final time in Paris. We had choucroute garni which is a house specialty and perfect for November. You can see we are happy n'est-ce pas??

Soon after it was time to leave our little studio on rue Castex and we closed the door for the last time as we headed off to the airport.

It may be April here and trees and flowers in bloom but I love to think back to this really great trip and how lucky we are to have been able to take it! Its great having a best friend to share some things like this with. So, happy May day to you...in France they will be selling muguet...and à bientôt!