matcha sur la terrasse

Roy Lichtenstein

We were invited to Roy Lichtenstein's retrospective at Centre G. Pompidou today.

 Had breakfast with my love & watched Paris slowly come to life.. we escaped before the arrival of the summer crowds.

Merci merci

It's been a while since I made my way to Merci but it's always a lovely place to pop by if you have a few hours in the afternoon.

Merci's used book café is probably my favorite café in Paris, if not for the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, then probably for the friendly & warm service which has stayed the same all these years. 

Our crew hotel is just opposite the café so it's a great place to meet my Singaporean friends when they fly here on duty.

With dearest Geri who's leaving the airline soon :( No matter how many years have passed, your batch girls always have a special place in your heart. Memories of training, our first flights, passenger horror stories... I do miss flying sometimes!

Always have to order this when I go there... toast soldiers, runny eggs and Echiré butter.. what's there not to love really?

Parc Monceau

A long time ago, a good friend introduced me to this park situated in the 8th district of Paris.. we had a lovely summer picnic amidst the huge trees. I seldom come here except when I need to go to the Singaporean embassy nearby to get paperwork done.

Nevertheless, it's always a nice walk, especially when one needs to seek respite from the unbearable summer heat.

Aki Boulangerie

My fave Japanese canteen in Paris for a quick & hearty bite... I'm here a few times a week.

Plus they have iced matcha latte which is hard to find in Paris!

Chouquettes

I can never say no to fresh warm chouquettes from the bakery... Sometimes I can eat 10 at a go!!! 

They are so soft and buttery.. it's easy to eat one after another :)

At the salon

Le Caféothèque

Often credited as the cafe which started the coffee revolution in Paris a few years ago, I finally made my way there this afternoon.

Service friendly & warm, huge space for a cafe with a decor reminiscent of brazil and africa, plus good coffee - full marks in my book!

sunday in the country

Nanashi

I love going to Nanashi in the Bonpoint boutique because they always serve great Japanese bentos filled with organic greens, rice and fresh sashimi.

It's also where you can read a book quietly and have a coffee without worrying someone will chase you out.

Fete de la Musique

On 21 June every year, Parisians celebrate the Fete de la Musique. Everyone, young or old, can play music all night long on the streets and the whole city comes alive with musicians and singers setting up stage to showcase their talents (or lack thereof haha!)

Mamie Gateaux

I often go to the Chapelle de la Medaille Miraculeuse in Paris and have tea after at Mamie Gateaux. 

Le Bon Marché is just round the corner and it is such a joy to shop there cos it's so quiet. Being on the Left Bank and relatively far from the major sightseeing spots, it's the only department store which has not been invaded by tourists yet. 

 After so many years, they still maintain their much-loved old school decor..

Craving for warm scones today!

the Mini Palais

The Mini Palais is always a great place to meet friends for lunch... When the weather is good, the terrasse with its tall pillars is a must!

Pork belly which was frighteningly fatty.

With my dear friend Lula who lives in Aix but comes to Paris once a month.

Musée Gustave Moreau

YES.

Back from Madrid and there's something more important than sharing Madrid photos! 

Was walking back from the supermarket and what do I see?

Gontran Cherrier, who opened the famous Tiong Bahru Bakery in Singapore has set up shop 5 mins from my place! I loved going to TBB when I was working in Singapore. Could never say no to the croissants or lemon tart, and neither could my colleagues.

But a good croissant or lemon tart does not get me as excited as a good cup of coffee... In a stroke of pure genius, he has collaborated with Café Coutume as well! As i walked in, I saw Cafe Coutume signs everywhere and I thought OK this must be heaven. I could not believe my eyes. 

FINALLY good coffee in my suburb. I was lamenting to F the other day that St Germain en Laye had everything except a good cafe... not the typical french cafe but a good bright airy cafe with trained baristas who could do latte art just like Cafe Coutume in central Paris.

And just like that, my prayers have been answered.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Fontaine Médicis is one of my favorite spots in Paris.. Always quiet and a good place to take a rest.

The back of the fountain is hardly as appreciated as the front... but just as beautiful.

When the sun comes out to play.

A date with Chagall

A lovely afternoon spent with Chagall at the museum!

He is a master of color and romance and swirls and dreams, he could do a whole painting in different shades of blue and it would be beautiful. If you've ever gone to the Paris Opera House, the ceiling is also painted by him.

And even though I dislike cubism in general no matter the artist, Chagall never goes overboard and his paintings influenced by cubism always turn out soft and romantic, thanks to his mastery of the color palette.

Unfortunately, though the exhibition started in Feb this year, crowds were still aplenty. 

Though my favorites were not there, I learnt more about him and his life which was how I imagined - a true romantic! If ever I could choose 3 paintings to own in my life, a Chagall would be one of them.

As Picasso once said, “When Chagall paints, you do not know if he is asleep or awake. Somewhere or other inside his head, there must be an angel."
 

From now till July 2013 at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris.