Parisian Squirrels

There are many favourite things in this photo, a bright day walking in Paris, blue sky, old lettering, discovering an old chocolate shop, little chandeliers, reflections, etc.

This is a famous chocolaterie called A La Mere de Famille on Rue du Faubourg Montmartre.

Inside it has lovely old decor and fixtures which make the produce even more attractive than it already is. There was another reason why I didn't come out empty handed though......

I'm actually not seduced by all squirrenalia (!) but Les Folies de L'Ecureuil is such a great line and the box had a nice motif, not too Disneyish. I gave a box to friends who also appreciate the wily ways of the squirrel.

People are asking if my window sill squirrels are back yet this autumn - I don't think it's cold enough yet for the winter dray building and of course they may not come back but I DO hope so!

However they are about and up to their 'folies', yep they've dug up my bulbs faster than I planted them.

I'm not furious with them though like some gardeners, you have to share and live with them - they don't know they're being 'pests' do they, and anyway what greater pest to this planet is there than the human being. We shall be sharing my bulbs, narcissi and daffodils - a whole sack from Lidl for £1.99 - bargain!

Sneak Preview

Coming to a London branch of Penhaligon's soon......

Scented Studio

It smells really good in my studio at the moment because I've been sawing the tops of used Penhaligon's perfume bottles - all in the name of art - of course. I'm starting work on another chandelier for one of their shops. I always liked their style, the labels are great designs and the shops have original old glass cabinets, so when I first got to work with their bottles I couldn't believe how up my alley this project was. 

I incorporated lots of odd metal objects I'd collected with a light industrial slant too. 

This one is in London's Covent Garden shop.
And check out their blog for great photos, history and stories behind the scents. Apparently Hammam Bouquet for gentlemen was created in 1872. As if the perfumes weren't already considerately mixed, the shop staff seem to know how to mix cocktails of them too, I was once treated to this when I was waiting for a meeting there. I think my favourite scent is Malabah.