New acquisition.

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Happy Mother's Day.

photo ©LaFranglaise

Because in France we do everything differently, today is the day we celebrate mother's day, so here's bonne fête to toutes les mamans!

Les puces du design.

photo ©LaFranglaise

If you are looking for something a bit different to do in Paris this weekend, I recommend Les Puces du Design. I was there last September and it is a great "vintage market" along the Quai de la Loire.

Les Puces du Design
27-30 May 2010 / 10h-19h
Quai de la Loire
Paris 19e

Victor Hugo - Les Misérables.

Earlier this week, my good friend T. was given two tickets for the avant-première of Les Misérables. I'm not normally one for these type of shows, but being the longest running West End musical to date it couldn't be all that bad. Given it was the London production and that the singing would be in English (I don't do dubed) we decided to be curious and see what all the fuss was about. The fact that we had front row seats probably did largely contribute to our enjoyment of the show (we could actually the singers sputter) but even so, it was genuinely fantastic! The power of the performances and the strength of the story made it such a spectacular show. Les Mis will be running in Paris from 28 May to 4 July at the Théâtre du Châtelet and I can't recommend it enough.

Apple geeks.

The iPad was finally launched in France today and the AAs (Apple Addicts) were au rendez-vous. Update: Charlie Brooker's review of the iPad here.

If you're interested, this article in The Guardian by Charlie Brooker on why he hates Macs is a fun read.

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Less is more.

I came across Anna's blog today and I love how she and her hubbby tied the knot - DIY invitations, an intimate garden ceremony, a casual wedding dress, 25 guests, home-made food, a self-decorated reception hall, party hats and a pretty 24 week belly bump. Simple but so charming.










photos ©Sean Murray

Are you an asker or a guesser?

photo©Alamy

Working in an international environment, I have often come across cross-cultural awkwardness. According to this article in The Guardian it is because as a guesser, I sometimes have to deal with askers, and that is when unpleasantness results. Are you an asker or a guesser? Find out more here.

"We are raised, the theory runs, in one of two cultures. In Ask culture, people grow up believing they can ask for anything – a favour, a pay rise– fully realising the answer may be no. In Guess culture, by contrast, you avoid "putting a request into words unless you're pretty sure the answer will be yes..."

My feelings exactly. Bonne nuit.

Sock mobile.

I love how creative some Etsy designers are. You can find this very original and cute mobile which is made out of socks in Snickerdoodle Creations' online shop.

Pentecôte.

photos © LaFranglaise
What a fabulous bank holiday weekend it has been in Paris. My brother-in-law came to ours for the weekend and gave me a big helping hand with little baby L. (zeu papa still recovering from knee surgery) so I was finally able to have some "me time". I enjoyed a bubble bath, eating sushi, sun bathing in the park, reading magazines, going to the restaurant, and listening to live music. It felt amazing to rediscover these smallest things.

But one of the weekend highlights was probably Nature Capitale, the giant garden installed on the Champs Elysées to celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity. Traffic was diverted from the world's most famous avenue for three days as more than two million visitors explored over 150 varieties of plants covering les Champs. It was so charming to walk this green wonderland and the glorious weather made the event all the more pleasant. Ah, Paris...

Modern Pop.

Back when my bun was still in the oven and nesting was all I could think about, I was looking for a fun number print to hang in Hilarious' room. At the time, we didn't know whether we were having a boy or a girl and it was never very easy to find anything gender neutral. Until I came across Modern Pop, a line of modern art, alphabet and number prints which are easy to mix and match together, and perfect for any nursery, ♂ or ♀. I bought two great number prints which today look amazing in baby L's nursery. If only I had another room to decorate I'd get this new kitty print because I simply think it's gorgeous, don't you?

Be sure to visit blog & shop for more Modern Pop art!

Bon weekend.

It's gonna be a hot one... 29°C right now.

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Promenade in the city.

©LaFranglaise
There was such a sweet sense of summer in Paris today. My little bambino & I went out bright and early and enjoyed a day long of strolls, sunshine (finally!), art and hidden Parisian jewels. Un vrai délice!

Itinerary: Pigalle, mairie du 9e, Jardins des Tuileries, Concorde, Madeleine, Place Vendôme, Marché St. Honoré, Comédie Francaise (lunch at Iguma), Palais Royal, Les Deux Plateaux (colonnes de Buren), Jardins du Palais Royal, Galeries Colbert & Vivienne, Bourse, Passage Jouffroy, Passage Verdeau, Notre Dame de Lorette, Saint Georges.

It's the smallest things...

...cafe latte & brownie,

...babbling & smiles.

A Priori Thé
32 Galerie Vivienne
75002 Paris


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Flensted.

Aren't these mobiles fun? and elegant? I first came across Flensted mobiles last month while having tea in this baby-friendly café and stumbled upon them again today on Smallable. It is amazing to think that the first Flensted mobile was created by Mr. & Mrs Flensted for their baby daughter back in 1954 and that 56 years later, this family-run business is still making mobiles. Surely you've seen these elephants before? They have been a best seller since 1975. Just that!

L'incontournable champignon belge.

They are everywhere. These red and white toadstool lamps by Belgian toy manufacturer, Egmont, have invaded Paris and I am seriously considering letting one enter our home. I cannot walk into a kiddy store or browse my favourite online shops without seeing this night light (and its big brother) which is probably why I will not resist the temptation for much longer.

Cheeky little monkeys.

Aren't these monkey door hangers just the coolest?! Urban Outfitters' gifts & home department has so much fun stuff.

Cuppa Tea.

photo © C. Tyler

I stopped in a café yesterday afternoon for a warm cup of tea because it was ever so cold and rainy out. But when it comes to drinking tea, France still has much to learn. I don't know why I am fussy about this, but I like it when my tea comes in a big tea pot with a side of cold milk as opposed to it being served in a mug with a side hot milk. It's on grim rainy days like today when I miss England and long for a proper English cuppa tea (and a couple of HobNobs to go with it)!

Jellycat.

I am amazed that since baby L. was born, he has not spent a single week in his life without opening a new gift. Our friends, family and colleagues are spoiling the boy rotten. One of the many great prezzies he has received so far is a Jellycat soother, perfect for newborn babies. It is so soft and cuddly, he adores falling asleep with it. I love the quirkiness of these soft toys so much, I am already thinking about getting him a couple more cuddlies for when he is a little older. I find these ones hard to resist, don't you?








As a UK based toy manufacturer founded in 1999, Jellycat has become one of the leading producers of soft toys worldwide. Quite an impressive performance in just a decade of existence.

Upla chez Monoprix.

In the 70's, Upla's messenger bag was very much an "it" bag in France and 40 years later, it is making its grand come back via a collaboration with the supermarket chain Monoprix. The bags are made of cotton cloth and are available in navy blue, red and a liberty print, making them the perfect spring/summer gift. You can find them in two different sizes - from 90 to 110 euros.

3 mois.

©Carine Tyler

Baby L. is three month old today. He has discovered his toys but grabing his feet is so much more fun. I'm slowly becoming fluent in baby talk as the boy has turned into a little chatterbox. We have the deepest of conversations.

Bubble gum.

photo © C. Tyler

Ana Ventura - Cheia de amor.

Back when I was pregnant and started photo blogging on Flickr, I had this habit of looking through heaps of pregnancy and baby pictures as a way to see what was in store for me nine months down the line. One day, I came across this powerful shot of a newborn baby and discovered the work of Ana Ventura, a Portuguese artist and illustrator. Her work is frequently exhibited in Portugal and abroad, and this is her new masterpiece: cheia de amor, meaning full of love in Portuguese. It is dedicated to all mothers; to those who get pregnant with a belly bump and those who get pregnant with their heart. Simply beautiful.


"Dedico esta ilustração (...) para as mães que engravidam na barriga assim como para as que engravidam no coração."

I will post more about her work soon, once I finally get a chance to hang my three-month old purchase from her delightful shop. In the meantime, stay tuned via her blog.

Mujirushi Ryōhin.

For ages I had been looking for a plain pair of slippers (not very exciting, I know) but never could I find anything simple, cheap, and solid. As there aren't that many stores near me, it had been a while since I had shopped at MUJI, hence forgetting how wonderfully simple all their products are. I did find my slippers, and several other extremely useful bits and bobs for around the house. My eyes were captivated by the deliberate minimalism of each design. Just imagine: how much complexity of thought is necessary to achieve such simplicity? And did you know that MUJI was the abbreviation of Mujirushi Ryōhin, which means No Brand Quality Goods in Japanese? Check out the online shop for more plainness extravaganza (UK or FR).

Suck UK.

If you are looking for an original gift or something fun for yourself, Suck UK is hard to resist. Below, some favourite items:


Giant Wooden Bulb


Weirdly wonderful Teddy Bear Lamp


Clocky - the alarm clock that runs away beeping to get you out of bed (what I needed before having a baby).




Xmas pudding & Goldfish Happy Sacks Bin Bags


Solar powered lamp Sun Jar

Petnames print.

I am loving this print. I wish I could have one custom-made with the names I use for baby L. Be sure to view LakeJane's website and shop.

Baby massage.

When I went to l'Espace Weleda a couple of weeks ago, my baby radar (which is way too efficient these days) detected a workshop on how to massage babies. Of course, it did not take long before I decided to sign up for it.

I went last Friday with my friend Aurélie whose son is just three days older than baby L. During one full hour, an experienced physiotherapist showed us several different techniques to effectively massage our wee(ing!) ones, including 10 min of baby exercises. Our bubs were so calm and relaxed after the workshop, they spent most of the afternoon sleeping. What better effect could you wish for?! If you are interested in viewing some of the techniques, Weleda has developed this useful online guide. All Weleda products are 100% natural, therefore unharmful for babies, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. The workshop is a little clostly (EUR 50) but definitely worth it. Not only are you tought effective methods to massage your little one which are easy repeat at home but you come out with a happy and comforted baby.

Espace Weleda
10 avenue Franklin Roosevelt
Paris 8ème