The Museum of Everything

Paris is known as the city of light, many people think this is because the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour like a shimmering beacon and because the city really comes alive at night with bright illuminations. I like to think that the city of light can also refer to enlightening and therefore the awakening of the mind to new experiences, ideas and cultures. This idea is certainly reflected by the abundance of museums, galleries, theatres and creative areas that exist in this wonderful city. I find it hard to imagine that people are not inspired just by walking around, either by the scenery and beauty of the city, or because of its people and the weird and wonderful ways of life that are visible on every street. Recently I have been enjoying the fabulous exhibitions that have been on in the city and trying to infuse myself with a little of Sartre's, Picasso's and Simone de Beauvoir's Paris. 

One of my favourite art exhibitions was not at the imperial palace of the Louvre, nor at the beautifully grand Musee d'Orsay but at the unassuming and wonderfully unpretentious Museum of Everything. This little travelling museum makes big claims by presenting "everything" to its viewers, which I must admit was the reason I was inspire to visit. At first I tossed aside this claim as I realised that the exhibition was a collection of art and sculpture by unpublished and unknown artists. However, the further I delved into the ramshackled old convent that housed the museum the more engrossed I was by the talent on display. I came to the conclusion that "everything" was present in the exhibition as the pieces covered the spectrum of human emotion and experience, spanning time, culture and country, piecing together a delicate mosaic of "everything.  Truly amazing. 

The quirky presentation of the whole museum experience was vibrant and unique, again adding to the sense of intrigue and mystery surrounding the bold statement of "everything". Large red arrows led this visitors around the building that had paintings covering every visible surface, including doors and stairs making the whole place a work of art. The beautiful stained glass windows of the old chapel casted a rainbow of light over the wooden floorboards and the chitter chatter of knowledgable volunteers in artists aprons created a subtle and calming atmosphere. 

Three hours passed so quickly that when we emerged the sun was beginning to set behind the buildings of Boulevard Raspail. Such a beautiful museum trip that left my mind truly illuminated and wishing I was artistically blessed.

After all, if Paris can't inspire you then in my humble opinion, nowhere can! 

Mood- A little more cultured

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Street Art of Paris

My uber-cool friend IS and I ventured into the Oberkampf district a few weekends ago for a lazy Sunday stroll and to search for the infamous street art that we have heard so much about. Oberkampf is a lesser-known area of Paris and as such is one of the few places that remains populated by true Parisians, as it is outside the tourist ring. I like to compare Oberkampf with Camden in London, as it is packed with great music venues, vintage shops, artists and the perfect blend of ethnic communities that add a healthy dosage of "culture".

We spent several hours wandering around the streets and searching out the best of the best of truly unique street art. We noticed how for the first time we were looking-up whilst walking, which added a completely new viewpoint to seeing Paris. Nothing better than a lovely walk in the first of the Spring time sunshine with a beautiful friend by my side in my opinion.

Here are a few snaps of the art we came across.

I find it interesting that art is used as a form of political statement, with many political groups using street art to promote a demonstration. Oberkampf is a pretty politically liberal area and I think is reflected in some of the paintings. 

Recently outlines of babies in a womb have been painted on pavements all over the city as part of the discussions currently taking place on abortion in Paris. Whether political messages should be painted on buildings and streets is a topic of contention in the city however I love that groups are becoming so creative in their methods of campaigning and are using art as a form of persuasion and political unity. It also adds a pretty dash of colour to the beige and black hues of Paris. 

Mood- Wishing I could paint

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A weekend in London!

Last weekend I hopped over the channel for a couple of days in London, catching up with friends and OC. Lost of walks, enjoying the last of the winter winds, some cuddles with my little Canadian wolf BMM, coffee dates with my OC, a log fire, a roast dinner, and a few drinks with the girls. A perfect weekend, so great to catch up with everyone. Can't wait to be back again soon, but Paris is calling. A Bientot mes cheris! 

Mood - Proud to be British! 

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A snowy commute

Its snowing, again.....it's March! Why is this happening? Only last week I was packing away my mittens and investing in strawberries and now I am back to shivering. It has now been snowing for 24 hours and my walk to work this morning was cold, damp and unpleasant. I then faced a massive queue for the metro, and unlike they English, the French do not form an orderly line. OH NO, they push, they shove, they grab, they take a running jump and launch themselves into a packed metro and then take out their newspaper to read right in your face. I was not a happy bunny. 

My day was greatly improved with a long coffee-break and catch-up with the beautiful IL, who bravely faced the elements and battled the metro to come and see me at work. Thanks I, you are the best!

Such beauties! 

I find it incredibly calming being inside, quietly working away whilst watching the snowflakes flurry and fall outside from the windows of the office. Today I didn't want to leave my nice warm and cosy desk to venture into the cold, but seeing the wonderful IS made it totally worth it. Two friend dates in one day, I am a lucky girl to have such wonderful girlies in my life.

I could not face taking the metro home so decided to walk the last bit, and despite frost-bitten fingers and frozen solid toes, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful and special walks around Paris I have ever been on. The sidewalks were empty, the snow was untouched and the warm glow of the Eiffel tower was a beacon of light welcoming me home. 

Of course I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

At moments like this I remember how lucky I am to live in such an incredible and inspiring place, I cant help but feel happy when I walk around such beautiful places with beautiful people

Mood - Warmed

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Higuma - Paris's Worst Kept Secret

After Chinese New Year I was left hankering for some Asian cuisine so my food buddies NH, PF and I desperately wandered the streets of Paris in search of some noodles, soy and gyozas. I LOVE Asian food, be it sushi, pho, sashimi, crispy duck or good old fashioned sweet and sour, I love it all, in fact, I think deep down I must be at least part Asian! Because of this adoration I have spend many hours at Place d’Italie on Rue de Choisy sampling the finest selection of Asian cooking that Paris can offer. Yes it’s ironic that the Asian quarter of Paris is called Place d’Italie and yes these restaurants may not look beautiful and chic like your standard French café but believe me, these places are the real deal. It just doesn’t get better than this.

However, I was persuaded to step out of the 13^th for a night and give the little Japanese quarter that has recently sprung up near the Louvre a try. I know what you are thinking……by the Louvre? That must be a tourist trap!  But no, we wandered the back streets and I mean the back streets until we emerged onto Rue St Anne and the thriving hubbub of little Japan with not a single tourist in sight. It was a complete coincidence that we stumbled upon Higuma.  At the time it was almost empty but we chose it because it had an open kitchen with a bar so you could watch the chefs doing their thing. Food theatre at its best. During the evening the little restaurant became more and more packed until people were queuing out of the door and down the street. This is when we realised that this place was special and that we had accidentally come across one of the local’s best-kept secrets. Which, due to Time Out Paris’s recent review is now one of Paris’s worst kept secrets!

We ate a mountain of gyozas, ordering plate after plate, as they were so irresistible! We then chose the chicken katsu curry, not the most adventurous choice, however it was delicious, a million times better that the Wagamama’s katsu. A couple of miso soups and several hours later we left feeling absolutely stuffed and only a few euros poorer. Yes this place is authentic, tasty, fun and super duper cheap!

I returned two days later with OC and we also munched our way through plates of gyozas and two huge bowls of noodles, pork and soy. Delicious. 

OC even managed to master using his chopsticks, something he has been trying to do for ages. Higuma must be magic!

Some very satisfied customers

Anyone in Paris needing a cheap and spectacular dinner out should search-out this beautiful restaurant because these chefs certainly know how to cook up a storm!

Mood – Hungry for Higuma 

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