Wandering through the market this week, my eyes were filled with the delicious shades of summer… of peach, of cherry, of strawberry and of melon. Delicate hues, tone on tone… Glorious tints that lit up my day. Strange to be inspired by the fruit in the market place… but that’s what happens sometimes. They left me thinking … Continued
Travelling to Provence… the market is a must. Sometimes when you are so accustomed to something… it is easy to take it for granted. I forget at times how wonderful the Provencal market is. Markets are one of the distinguishing features of Provence… and even though sometimes I think to myself, enough is enough… It never is. … Continued
Travelling to Provence and wondering how to pack for the summer? I spend half my time here and yet I still get it completely wrong sometimes. I forget after a long, cold and oftentimes dreary winter, how hot, hot, hot Provence can be. Even now in early June. Yesterday was one of those … Continued
I thought you might like a glimpse of the garden, a postcard from Provence.
The rain pours down and taps on my windowpane, reminding me that there is no hurry to jump out of bed today. It’s a long weekend, here, there and everywhere… and I am indulging in the luxury. If you are lucky enough to be in the US and feel like a little summer indulgence… … Continued
Sunday afternoon in Cannes. Misty and blue… for miles and miles. The pace was relaxed, almost soporific on La Croisette, the heart and hub of Cannes. The quiet before the storm of glamorous and famous for film and TV festivals. There is something about the Mediterranean. And as much as I revel in the … Continued
I couldn’t leave these two elderly gentlemen out. In some ways they were my favourite shots from my day in Aix-en-Provence. Their poise, their style… their elegance. And their hats. The classics, the beret… of course… and the panama. I thought you would like to see them… xv
Aix-en-Provence is one of the prettiest towns in Provence… bigger than a village and smaller than a city with an ambience that always pleases. I often describe Aix as a baby Paris… Aix feels like that to me. Aix-en-Provence is full of gorgeous people… shopping at the market, soaking up the sun and chatting over … Continued
Home… right before the rain… no filter… no tricks… nature’s photoshop. There is a mistiness hanging over our farm in Provence this morning. The light is perfect in one of the million different ways it can be here. I have been absent too long from this beautiful place… and returning to the abundance of spring is … Continued
Springtime in Provence is heavenly… there is no other word for it… Blossoms make me feel so happy… the promise of a new season, an awakening… There is nothing quite like these magnificent blooms. This morning I was reading one of my favourite blogs… Manon 21… Manon has a beautiful home very close by … Continued
Are you still there? I’m home… back in drizzly, cold old London for a moment… Through my jet lag fog… heavy limbs and sluggish brain… I realise that I missed this funny old city and it’s peccadilloes more than I could ever imagine. I miss France too… but for me, emotionally they are one and … Continued
I enjoy looking back… I love reminiscing. Reminders of what has passed triggers memories and sets in place an unintentional wish list for the future. It’s surprising how much we can accomplish in 365 days, how much we can see and discover… how much we learn. Wishes for 2014? Apart from the most important… health, … Continued
2013 nearly done… Can you believe it? French Essence turned five, Le Petit Bijou welcomed it’s first guests and together we walked the streets of Paris and London… with a whole lot of chat in between. I often wonder how it is that “we” can keep on talking… How can there be so much to … Continued
It’s been an amazing week for me… The excitement of reaching 5 years of age in the blogosphere… The announcement of the giveaway… a week’s stay at Le Petit Bijou in St Remy de Provence… I have been overwhelmed by your wonderful support, your generous comments and the many many shares… There are so … Continued
Funny how people come in and out of your lives and make the world a brighter place. I was thinking this morning about Lulu, ‘my’ Lulu. Those of you who have read the book French Essence may remember that I wrote of her… Lulu came to the farm in France more than ten years ago… … Continued
