Paris in November

I’m pretty happy I was able to spend four days in Paris before the big strike...I used public transportation the whole time and went all over the city. The lights were up all over and it was pretty magical to stroll along the lit up streets. This is Avenue Montaigne, I like to go there because you can see the Eiffel Tower behind the lights on the trees.

Of course the Galleries Lafayette never disappoints! The tree inside the store is always quite amazing and unique. This year the lights changed colors slowly so it looked different all the time. The theme was the beehive and bees and the windows were also a treat to see.

I really just want to show you some of the windows with fashion items...I always enjoy the way the French set up store windows so here we go...
This is a candy store which was located near the apartment we were staying in...love the sailor caps “le pompon!”

Here’s the view from the window of the apartment and a street nearby at 6 pm!!

The furry plush jackets and coats were all over Paris. I really like the way its styled here. Plus....the color!!

Also velvet...love the green of the jacket.

Ankle pants with booties and always that big scarf...

The children’s store Bonpoint always has such sweet winter windows.

Another trend I saw was pleated skirts.

My favorite color shining out into a dark street.

Of course one has to stop for hot chocolate and a croissant once in a while right?

And then...to start dinner off right some escargots! Yummmmm.

It was a really nice four days. The weather wasn’t the best but Paris is always great even in the rain...I think somebody once said that in a movie didn’t they????

Bonne Année!

Kihnu

In July after the song and dance festival in Tallinn we went over to the beautiful island of Kihnu. It was so interesting to read The NY Times article about Kihnu soon after! I had been wanting to go there for a long time and it was wonderful.

Kihnu is like one of those magical places which doesn’t seem to be touched by the crazy world around us. We were there only a few days but it seemed much longer since the pace is slow and deliberate.

The women of Kihnu have created a special kind of tourism called something like a “farm home stay.” (The men of Kihnu are mostly fisherman and are gone at sea much of the time.) Everything is spic and span. When an Estonian puts their hand to something it is “korralik” and “ilus” which could mean tidy, correct, clean, trim and pretty among other meanings....These are words which have “weight.” Kihnu is like this.

This wood pile is just a small example of how care is given to simple things in Kihnu.

We stayed in a beautiful wooden cabin which had a living/kitchen area on one end and bedrooms/bathroom on the other all connected by a covered porch. The girls, Maya and Katarina rode bikes all over (the preferred method of transport); saw sheep and goats; pumped on a huge Estonian swing and we all had a sauna which was devine!

The cabin we stayed in is behind us. The outfit worn by our host is the typical everyday wear of the Kihnu woman.

One day we happened upon an art camp which takes place yearly run by well known artists and the girls were invited to join in for the day. In fact, some of their group work now decorates the front of the Kihnu museum which was pictured in the Times article.

On the ferry ride back to the mainland we were all just dreaming about our wonderful days spent on Kihnu.

the dolls of Kihnu

Skirts at the Kihnu museum..

A handcraft mini shop found all over the island. These are creative women!

Kihnu breakfast served by our host. My mother used to bake the same dark bread.