Sometimes a girl needs a comfort fix. For me, this means a great book, some sort of fashion fix and great food (and wine).
Madame Vionnet, I worship you.
If you’re going to be anywhere near Paris before January 10, 2010, check out the Madeline Vionnet exhibit (1876-1975) at Les Arts Decoratifs. A queen of couture and a leader in protecting the rights and creations of artists from counterfeiting, she was brilliant. While cutting material on the bias has been done since the Greeks made togas, she perfected it as a way to make simple, architecturally sound clothing that literally freed women from corsets. And anyone who is a fan of Anthropologie (I am a complete addict) owes her a tip of the hat as her designs from the 1920s and 30s are very much alive and on our bodies this season. The dress in the photograph was first produced in 1922; I would wear it tonight, or any night.
Constant Comfort
Michael Constant is a French (obviously) chef who has four restaurants within three blocks of one another. The represent exclusive, high, medium and cafe dining and I had dinner with T. and her husband at Les Cocottes the other night. It was wonderful, casual and yummy meal. The location, in the 7th and not far from the Eiffel Tower, makes this a great place to end a long day (if you're willing to eat at either 7:30 or 10 pm, as it doesn't take reservations). A cocotte is a cast iron cooking dish and almost all of the dishes are cooked and served in them. We had lovely kir vin blancs, a nice wine and a multi-course meal that was simple in design but delicious in execution. Highlight: the day's special of homemade ravioli with lobster.
Zola!
Confession time: in all my years, and with all the books I've read, I've never read anything by Emile Zola. As the rain poured down on Wednesday, I tucked myself into a blanket and worked my way through a book of short stories, For A Night of Love. What I found, well, I can't explain but it was series of stories that touched me in a rare way. They aren't pretty love stories; the relationships don't really work out, at all. But they are simple, beautiful stories. Next up: the whole series known as Les Rougon-Macquart.
