art in the park

October 30, 2013

Traveling from Paris to London via Eurostar takes just as much time as traveling from New York City to my home in Westhampton Beach via LIRR. With a commute of just over 2 hours, whenever London calls, I answer. My latest chunnel journey was in search of fabrics. While in Londontown there was much going on in the art world (good timing!). In addition to a Paul Klee exhibition at the Tate Modern, followed by a chance Paul McCartney concert in Covent Garden (have I mentioned that timing is everything?), one of my highlights was an afternoon spent at the Frieze Masters.

Many great works to be found within the tents of Regent’s Park.

Some of the most interesting artworks I discovered in the park itself. Looks like fabric!

This piece reminded me of Richard Serra, whom I adore.

Was most impressed by this larger than life face, changing as you moved around it.

Reflecting on the artful day.

To accompany the art tour, the sun shone brightly. A perfect day in the park.

fit for a king

October 15, 2013

A few weeks ago a dear family friend was in town. Since she’s already seen much of Paris, I planned a day of historic elegance in a landscape not too far away. We boarded a bus on an overcast morning, and soon arrived to the legendary, and now private estate, Château de Vaux le Vicomte.

Here began our adventure into the life of Nicolas Fouquet, who created this 17th century castle.

This majestic masterpiece was a collaboration between architect Louis Le Vau, the painter Charles Le Brun and the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre. A ‘home and garden’ to be admired by all.

Yet the story behind Monsieur Fouquet and his château is a unique and tragic one.

In brief, after throwing a lavish party in his new home, Fouquet was arrested by Louis XIV (who had plotted against him out of jealousy), and spent his remaining days behind bars, unlawfully so.

In the famous words of Voltaire, “On 17 August at 6 in the evening, Fouquet was King of France; at 2 in the morning, he was nobody”.

As we wandered the château and landscape, the gray sky set a sobering mood. At once in awe and aghast at the history lesson upon us. Certainly a castle fit for a king, perhaps even too much so.

for the ladies

October 5, 2013

What makes a perfect ladies night? How about champagne, macarons, nude men and good friends? That’s exactly the ladies night I just had the pleasure of indulging in. Following a Girls Guide to Paris soirée to launch their new magazine, I met girlfriends at the Musee d’Orsay. That’s where we found the nude men. Did I neglect to mention they were sculpted?

Rarely in history has the male nude, the basis of Academic art training, been displayed the way the beauty of the nude woman has, and still is. The Musee d’Orsay decided to change this by curating the exhibition, Masculine / Masculine. Their aim is to take an “interpretive, playful, sociological and philosophical approach to exploring all aspects and meanings of the male nude in art.”

And how pleased are we women? And quite a fair share of men too.

What most impressed me was the variety of artworks in view.

From Rodin to Bacon, Warhol, Pierre et Gilles, Cocteau, Flandrin and many more masters.

There was certainly a fair share of ogling by eager onlookers, but well worth braving the crowds.

And worth snapping a few photos, even though it was forbidden. Shhhh!

If you are in Paris, grab your girlfriends (or go solo) and head to the Orsay!

Exhibition ends January 2nd.

lost in translation

September 30, 2013

London is a city close to my heart. The first European city I fell in love with, which became my home as a student, and the stage where my parents so serendipitously met. When I discovered a company providing bus service from Paris to London, (and giving away tickets) I had to investigate further, and share with my readers living in Paris. Who wouldn’t love to spend a little time with the Brits?

Cleverly, iDBUS came up with a list of English sayings that become lost in translation when converted to French. (I know this all too well living in Paris with an Italian and being a fan of British humour.) To enter the contest and win 2 round trip tickets from Paris to London (or vice versa), leave your funniest ‘lost in translation’ story on the iDBUS Facebook Page and feel free to share them with me too! Here, some examples to inspire you…

Winner will be chosen end of day October 1st. Good luck!

island hopping in Greece: Milos

September 28, 2013

Our last stop on this grand island hopping adventure, was Milos. I knew little about this island other than it possessed gorgeous beaches and dramatic landscapes, soon to be discovered. We decided to settle in the small yet lively village of Polonia, not only charming but quite the foodie haven!

Our first stop, a place my Italian knew from a previous visit and was eager to show me, was a lunar landscape called Sarakiniko. Here began my love affair with Milos.

One of the most incredible landscapes I have ever seen, volcanic rocks shaped by wind and waves.

The next day we decided to be proper tourists and see it all by taking a catamaran around the island.

The journey began with the vibrantly colored village of Klima, only reachable by boat.

At many a hidden beach we would stop and swim, snorkel, take in the island’s unique beauty.

Never before had I swam in such crystal clear waters! This was the uninhabited island of Poliegos.

The ever changing colors were reminiscent of paintings by artists like Cy Twombly.

We left one paradise and discovered another. Each more spectacular than the last.

And to swim within these landscapes, in and out of the caves… a surreal experience!

We both agreed this was one of the most memorable day we spent in Greece. And there were many.

Our last sunset, from a scenic spot appropriately named Utopia, with a promise to return.

island hopping in Greece: Serifos

September 25, 2013

As anyone who has traveled around the Greek islands knows, you must plan your island hopping well, as boats tend to be infrequent. Years ago in Fourni, no boat arrived or left for three days due to rough seas. All part of the adventure! In order to make our way to Serifos in the western Cyclades, we had to stop at Paros, but decided to explore the smaller island of Antiparos instead.

After discovering what proved to be a charming village with chic boutiques, (ideal for my bags), we boarded an early morning boat for Serifos, less touristic and more off the beaten path. Perfect.

What’s most unique and spectacular about Serifos (though each island possesses it’s own unique charm) it that the Hora (main village) sits high above the island, at once dramatic and regal.