Bettina Rheims, Printemps and the Diamond-Encrusted Eiffel Tower

Photographer Bettina Rheims has provided Printemp's latest windows, with a nine-frame story of diamonds, dresses and deception set in its Boulevard Haussman store. Each frame showcases a different designer, inlcuding Balenciaga, Chloé, Dries Van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela and Valentino, as the model searches for a diamond-encrusted Eiffel Tower in the clutches of a myterious stranger. The exterior, shop floor, rooftops and staircases of one of Paris' biggest department stores play a leading role in the project, but my favourite shot is the mod girl in her stripy tent dress, looking out past her own silhouette.

Much better pictures than my single, rather rushed effort, are on the Journaldesvitrines.com, worth a click through to the full post for all of them.

Printemps, 
64 boulevard Haussmann, 
75009 Paris

Sunday baking

Fruity, nutty sweet bread cake to have with cheese, or maybe for breakfast - in which case we shall definitely call it bread rather than cake, as we don't eat cake for breakfast... And a beef and Guinness stew on the stove. Last week, focaccia, and also the week before, when we had beef and pheasant casserole. And lasagnes and herb and lemon chicken, and sweetcorn mash, and cake. Even though the worktop still needs replacing (yes, madame has noticed it is too short, the idea was to gain space not lose it, please come back and redo it...) having something resembling a properly-working kitchen is bliss after six months.

Secret anniversary weekend

 

Upcycled little green suitcase, by Betterintime.

"Do I need clothes for warm weather?"
"No"
"Do I need sun cream?"
"No"
"Do I need clothes for cold weather?"
"No"
"Do I need my passport?"
"Yes"

I still need to know what to pack though...

Mid-century pastels

After six months, the kitchen is nearly finished - bar one cut-too-short worktop, oui madame did notice and non, it is not ok - and I have allowed my self a little kitchen-themed browse. Just a little one. For a treasury.