Book Review: Paris: Delight in the City of Light

I can't help but share this kind review of my book that was posted on Amazon. Thank you, J. Wagner!

Subtle Pleasures of Paris - J. Wagner on Amazon

"It's been 10 years since we've honeymooned in Paris and this softcover travelogue by Anne Reeves reminds us of the precious and personal memories that make the City of Lights so special. Most travel guides provide the standard information and photos of famous sites (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, bridges over Seine bridges, etc.). While these sites should certainly be on everyone's itinerary, this book captures the sublime moments that stick with you over the years - window displays of pastries, baubles or ribbons, rooftop panoramas from Sacre Coeur, a whimsical pink cottage off the Champs Elysees, the perfect brunch laid out on your courtyard table, the endless offerings of the perfect dessert. The missing narrative of the opening scenes in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, this book fills a unique niche you won't find elsewhere. 

Leafing through Paris-Delight in the City of Light is like spending the afternoon on the couch with your best friend, and being treated to her photos, tidbits and tales of her recent trip to Paris. Each page has bright photos and personal captions, sure to trigger memories in those who have visited, and likely spurring motivation to travel for those who have not. A perk of website addresses for the hotel, haberdasheries and pastry shops is appreciated and will be put to use. Leave the heavy lifting of travel planning to a Rick Steves or Michelin guide; pack this lightweight coffee table book in your carry-on to guide you to the more subtle delights of Paris." 
 

High Praise: Happy Comments About Paris: Delight in the City of Light

(Gazing out the enormous clock at the Musee D'Orsay)

Ooh la la! I ship a lot of my books out inscribed as gifts but I don't always hear back about what my readers thought. Today I received the nicest feedback on Amazon for my book Paris: Delight in the City of Light. My book is a soft-cover modern coffee table book devoted to PARIS. Enjoy 120 pages of full-color photographs on every page, including addresses & websites of my favorite places in Paris.

Anne Reeves is just as delightful as her book. The book, Paris - Delight in the City was a nice pick me up for the February blahs, and it came wrapped in beautiful pink tissue accompanied by a Paris themed personal note which I plan to save because it was so pretty. 

(a puff of pastry at Laduree)

Thank you Mary!

Drinks in the Garden with St Germain

When I found my latest treasure in an antique store (that is porbably not an antique at all), I had never heard of a liquor called St-Germain. I have since learned that it is delicious elixor made of elder flowers. I responded to this tall glass carafe (designed to mix drinks in following the markings on the side) because of my first trip to Paris with Dan.

In 1996, my dad pointed out an advertisement he saw in the newspaper for a Valentine's Day promotion. If you could turn on a dime, Delta was offering round trip airplane tickets to Paris for $199 each, as long as they were booked within the next 2 weeks. We were going to Paris!

I clicked around Delta's website and booked a room at the hotel, The Abbatial St. Germain on the left bank. We had a wonderful time, despite the cold of February and I said "Abbatial St.Germain" far too many times in the coming weeks just for fun.

So when I saw a beautiful glass carafe marked St. Germain, I was sold. It was $12 and would make a gorgeous and unusual vase. Yep, I saw it and imagined an arrangement like this, but that's just me.

What's your favorite unusual vase?

Maison du Miel: I found this Beautiful Bee Soap at Honey Heaven

It's a bit mysterious and very French.  This is an elegant honey-scented bee-shaped soap that I have gifted to myself.  I bought several on my last trip to Paris at the wonderful Maison du Miel and brought them back as presents for a few lucky girls. I had saved one bee soap and decided this week that, at long last, it's time that he is appreciated.  I have hung my very fancy soap-on-a-rose in the shower at the cottage and I have enjoyed the beautiful honey-scented bubbles all week.  The bathroom has a bit of honey in the air for at least an hour afterwards;it's lovely. The experience is just what I thought it would be when I bought it and I am happy to enjoy it myself.

Sometimes we forget to enjoy the things we have.  We save the special paper napkins or we never light that beautiful candle.  Part of my objective in writing about moments of delight is to remind you that if you enjoy something, you should experience it.  

Spoiling a friend with a helium balloon or a cupcake is wonderful. At the same time, you have to let your friends spoil you, its only fair.  If reading a magazine is a great escape for you, do it.  Use the pretty soap.  Eat the jam you brought back from Williamsburg.  

Go on, you know you want to. 

Touring Poilane with Patricia Wells

It was one of my luckiest days - being able to go into the basement bakery of world-famous bakery, Poilane on rue du Cherche-Midi in Paris with culinary inspiration, Patricia Wells. It has been a while since we crept down the steep half-circle staircase and found the bakers hard at work, but it seems like just yesterday.  I was in Patricia Wells cooking class for the week and part of our itinerary was a tour of Poilane. Can you imagine? 

Did you notice the intricate work being expressed in dough above? This type of culinary art is known as pain décoré - a custom loaf of bread with words, leaves or decoration to denote a special occasion.  

Here you can see the Poilane Country Loaves rising in a tower of linen-lined baskets. Functional and beautiful.  Their famous wood-burning oven is glowing in the distance.

It was a thrill to see the baker pull some Punitions (delicate butter cookies) from the wood-burning oven in the basement - you can see them as they are baking (above). Pierre Poilane (founder of Poilane in 1932) used to tell the story of his grandmother and how she would call her grandchildren to her side for a reprimand (punishment in French, punitions) and then instead surprise them with one of these sweet treats. 

The cookies are just delicious and the perfect cookie to enjoy with a cup of tea. We had a little snack upstairs in the famous room where Poilane displays the paintings of bread they accepted as payment by starving artists of the day.

Why am I spotlighting all of this now?  I keep seeing notices that Patricia is on a book tour in America for her latest book, The French Kitchen Cookbook (Santa, are you listening?) and her birthday was yesterday, so I was able to send her my best wishes on Facebook.  All of these happy events have my mind whirling as I reminisce about my time with her in Paris.  Magnifique!

Notre Dame Stained Glass in Paris

There is something about this photograph that I just love.  I was in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, walking the inside perimeter with the other tourists, when I noticed that this window was open.  Did you ever imagine that a stained glass window could open?  I didn't!  

I stopped to take this photograph.  I can get lost in thought, staring at the colors, the light against dark and imagining the fresh air pouring into this historic and revered cathedral.

If you are intrigued by this photo and curious about Notre Dame, I would encourage you to explore the official website.  You can see a panoramic view, click to listen to Mass and Vespers (click televison and radio broadcast) and read all about the history of the cathedral. I could spend hours on this website.  It is fascinating...and free. Enjoy!

Fairy Godsister

Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I opened a box that came in the mail and found all of these goodies from Paris, each chosen just for me.  

I am being spoiled by my customer-turned-friend, Sue.  She bought my book, "Paris: Delight in the City of Light" and as we emailed back and forth, we realized that we had more and more in common.  We both went to Michigan State University.  We both spend a lot of time in the small town resort areas of  Michigan.  We both love a lot of the same things (Paris, Caspari papers, travel).  She "got to know" me by reading my book, which is a very personal account of what and how I make the most of my trips to Paris.  

In one of our emails, she posed the question, "Were you in a sorority?"  When I responded, that I was a Theta, she responded triumphantly, "I knew it!"  We found that we were sorority sisters too.  What a small world.  We are kindred spirits, for sure, and have a "Theta is for a lifetime" connection as well. 

Sue has since been to Paris twice and brought back little goodies that she know I would like.  She knows because I wrote about so much of it!  Above you can see packets of vanilla sugar, buttons and cord to make a necklace, artistic postcards to frame, a pop-up card with a scene from Paris and a package of pastry post its from my beloved Laduree.  How can I be so lucky?   

I decided that Sue is my Fairy Godsister.  Isn't that a wonderful way to describe her?  We have yet to meet, but are sure that our paths will cross some day...perhaps in Paris?  Friendship is a delight. 

Patricia Wells Cooking in Paris

I want to go back to Paris!  I have been thinking of doing lectures on finding delight in Paris to inspire travelers to get the most out of their trip.  I could do a Power Point presentation (my photos are glorious!) and use my book on Paris ("Paris: Delight in the City of Light") as a guide.  Wouldn't that be neat?

As I have been brainstorming, I've been going through my photos from my trips and came across this fabulous photo from my time with Patricia Wells in her cooking school in Paris.  The week exceeded my expectations.  I remember shelling peas at a table with Patricia Wells - I was so happy my heart was pounding.  She loves what I love and it was so very fun to be able to look her in the eye and talk about food, cooking techniques and our mutual respect for the 45th parallel (FYI - the 45th Parallel is known around the world as having a climate perfect for growing stone fruit. It also happens to be where I spend my summers).  Patricia was a wonderful teacher and exceptional host - I cherish the time I spent in her kitchen creating meal after meal.  I loved it!

I need to get back to Paris! 

Capture A Moment

I was in Paris with my parents in 2005 and I was determined to take photographs that would jog our memory in years to come.  Images that were atmospheric.  

I see this photo and "poof!" I am at a table at Chez Fernand with my dad on my left and my mom right across from me.  We found this little gem as we wandered the streets near our hotel (Hotel d'Aubusson) on the left bank.  It is a classic little bistro with excellent food, warm atmosphere and kind service.  We were able to get in without a reservation and I vividly remember my beef bourguignon, served in an individual copper pot.

While I was in the most photographed city in the world, I also wanted to take pictures that would show my cigar box purses out and about.  I wanted to show how beautiful my purses looked when they were "out to dinner." 

The design and colors of original cigar boxes often led people to believe they needed to match their outfits to the unusual shades.  I rarely wear mustard yellow, but I love to use this vibrant purse (Cuesta Rey, shown here) as a "pop of color" when I am wearing a more classic color palette.  I am packing for a trip to Las Vegas and I'm having fun choosing which cigar box purses to bring along.

I'm hoping to capture even more beautiful moments next week. 

Darling Diorama

I never get tired of looking at miniatures and I thought it would be fun to show you a photo of one of the many diorama scenes that were once on display in the (now closed) La Samaritaine Department store in Paris.  I certainly hope someone saved the diorama series for a museum when the store closed - it is a handcrafted treasure.   

In this scene, a middle aged couple seems perfectly happy to read the morning paper in silence.  I can almost hear the rustle of the newspaper as Papa turns the page.  I love the heavy green velvet drapes and various framed paintings designed to give the room an air of opulence.  And have you ever seen framed wallpaper panels in a dollhouse?  This proves that a room can never be too small for good design.

Feeling French

How can a worn paint door and a stone wall look so beautiful?  I took this photo in Paris; at a little restaurant in the 6th arrondisemont where the door was propped open to let in the breeze.  I looked at this "door against the wall" throughout my dinner and knew that it had to be a photograph, so I got up from my seat between dinner and dessert to capture it before the light changed. 

The letter slot, the worn blue paint, the stone wall that is most likely two hundred years old...you know, what designers aspire to create these days - an authentic, French feel.  Don't you love it?

May Day with Laduree

Happy May Day!  In France, May 1st is the only day that anyone can sell lily of the valley bouquets on the streets of Paris without taxation. Lots of enterprising people take to the streets and offer sweet smelling arrangements to passers by.  All day you will see men, women and children carrying little bunches of muguet du bois around the city.  The custom is to give a bouquet as a sign of appreciation or love.  It would truly be a "moment of delight" to receive a bouquet from someone, don't you think?

When I was in Paris on May Day one year, I took this photograph of the May Day-inspired window at Laduree.  You can see bunches of lily of the valley, and if you look closely, you'll see that the packaging also highlights this bloom.  It must have been a limited edition candle or home fragrance.  I just love the mint and lavender packaging and their signature macaron "trees."

I wish you a happy and flower-filled May Day!

Pastries in Paris

I've written a gorgeous 120-page book on Paris with a photo and story on every page.  Because of my book, people always ask me: "What's your favorite thing about Paris?"  Since the list of what I love about Paris is long, I usually tell them favorites from a couple different categories: 

• Favorite Pastry
• Favorite Time of Day
• Favorite Spot in a Museum
• Favorite Garden
• Favorite Gift to bring friends

This approach gives them something to think about, has them look at Paris in different way and often ends in a sale of my book because they realize that there is simply too much to remember - which is why I needed to put it all in a book in the first place! A very fun cycle, don't you think?

All of this has me thinking about Paris even more, so today I am spotlighting my favorite pastries in Paris - where and how to eat them.

• Favorite Formal Pastry - the pink Ispahan (far left) at Laduree.  Dine indoors on a pale green paper-covered table on the Champs-Elysee.  The ispahan is pink, you get to eat a real rose petal, the meringue is crunchy sweet and the cream center and fresh raspberries are divine.

•  Favorite Macaroon - a 6-piece assortment from Pierre Herme.  Eat them on a nearby bench at Place St Sulpice.

• Favorite Millefeuille - at a table with friends at Angelina's on Rue de Rivoli

• Favorite Treat to eat out of a bag while you walk: Financier from Laduree - a small rectangular or almond shaped (2 bite) cake that holds it's shape, as a resiliant sponge texture and a delicate almond flavor

• Favorite Cookie: a box of Punitions from Poilane bakery is full of tiny fluted butter cookies that are perfect with tea in the courtyard of your hotel.

Paris: Delight in the City of Light note

You can only imagine how happy I was to receive this note!  My friend had given my book (Paris: Delight in the City of Light) to one of her colleagues as a gift to celebrate an upcoming mother/daughter trip to Paris.

The note is from her colleague to me saying how much fun she had in Paris and how my suggestions enhanced her trip.  Magnifique!  She even included a tea bag (Le Melange Fauchon blend) from Fauchon for me to enjoy - isn't that the nicest thing!  I am going to drink it today and savour a little bit of Paris myself.

What made this note so special was the mind-blowing line "On the flight over, we passed your book through the plane."  I think my heart stopped.  Can you think of anything more gratifying for an author/photographer than to hear that a plane full of people flying to Paris, had the chance to be inspired by my book?  I have a pretty good imagination, but I never thought of this.

Thank you, dear reader, for letting me know how much you enjoyed Paris: Delight in the City of Light! 

 

You can buy "Paris: Delight in the City of Light" in the sidebar on the right or International Customers, you can purchase it through Amazon.

Paris Notecards

Stand with me and do a little window shopping in Paris.  I took this photograph of a stationary shop window near Poilane Bakery on rue Cherche-Midi.  If only we could find a selection of Paris-inspired note cards like this here! 

My book, Paris: Delight in the City of Light, is selling very well online (and in person!) and since a personal touch is important to me, I have been on the hunt for Paris-inspired note cards that I can write a little note on when I ship a book out from an online order. 

Look at what I found!  These darling pink-edged note cards featuring a small golden Eiffel Tower.  What could be more perfect?

So the notes go out and the feedback comes in.  I have been enjoying hearing reader feedback (how could I not?) and in addition to words like "devoured,"  this is my favorite quote from over the weekend:  "I read both of your books cover to cover last week while on vacation. I got excited all over again!"

Yes, Paris-lovers, this is delight. 

Vase Crazy: When A Souvenir of Jam Become the Perfect Vessel for Flowers

You know by now that I am "vase crazy."  Anything that holds water is fair game for flowers - and why not?  A flower arrangement can spark a conversation as well as anything, and I think the ability to take the moment beyond reciting the flower variety is gold.

(But for the record:  David Austin English Rose "Abraham Darby"; Trailing Verbena "Lanai Peach", Stock "Vintage Mix")

Sometimes the "story" of your unusual vase can be particularly compelling.  This treasure was originally a jar of raspberry jam from one of my favorite places in Paris, the restaurant and patisserie Laduree. 

When the last sticky drop of jam was consumed, I washed out the jar and covered the outside with contact paper to protect the label.  It has been two years now and the vase looks as good as the day I covered it.  So the message of this post is two-fold. 

1) Use unusual containers to enhance a simple bouquet. 
2) Buy jars of honey or jam on vacation and let the memory of your trip live on.

Souvenirs From Paris

These are some of my favorite souvenirs from Paris.  Postcards featuring templates that you can cut out, fold and tab together to create 3-dimensional buildings.  The company that makes them is called Instant Durable.

Honestly, since they are sold on postcard stands as "mailable projects," the buildings, tabs and slots are very small.  In my mind, they are better suited to being framed and hung as art, than actually constructed into tiny buildings. 

They are perfect examples of what I love to show you...things that are beautiful and interesting.  Magnifique!

Beekman Boys comment on Paris: Delight in the City of Light

"Paris, Delight in the City of Light" is a glorious weekend in Paris with a friend. Anne Reeves captures Parisian fantasies in their reality, and finds the Parisian reality of your fantasies. Wonderfully photographed and written, this book is nothing short of its title...pure delight." 

 -Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, The Fabulous Beekman Boys

Paris: Delight in the City of Light by Anne Reeves

Ooh la la!  My new book, PARIS: Delight in the City of Light is now available online.  A soft-cover modern coffee table book with full-color photographs on each of the 120 pages, including addresses & websites of my favorite shops, sweets and treats.PARIS: Delight in the City of Light by Anne Reeves is full of Hints and Tips to bring your dreams of Paris to life. Shops to visit, Pastries to order, Places to photograph. I discuss everything that brings me delight in Paris - with photographs that make it real. It will be like taking me along on your trip!

To buy your copy, click the "Add To Cart" button at the top of my blog (next to the book cover).  After you place your order, I will email you to find out how you would like your book inscribed.  Merci!  ***CLICK "preview" button to see inside my book!

International Customers, my "shopping cart" feature does not accept international orders at this time.  Email me at: anne@anadesigns.com with your address and I will respond with the shipping price and "how to purchase" details. Thanks!

Paris: Delight in the City of Light

I am so very excited about my book, Paris: Delight in the City of Light, and while there is still one more week before it will be available online, I am honored to have such high praise written about my book from journalist, cookbook author and culinary icon, Patricia Wells: 

"Anne Reeves has written and photographed

the most tantalizing book on Paris:

She misses nothing! Markets, flower stalls, pastry shops,

 and boulangeries, not to mention restaurants

and must-see places to picnic or

 just breathe the air of everyone's favorite city. 

 A delight, page by page, bite by bite!" - Patricia Wells

What a thrill!  You simply cannot imagine what these words mean to me.  Some of my "everyday moments" are becoming quite extraordinary!