“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings — these are a few of my favorite things.” — Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, The Sound of Music
This month’s list of links includes a few of my favorite things: Paris, food, travel, white flowers, literature, architecture, film, and fashion.
17 Easy French Recipes for Bastille Day (and Beyond) — What did you do to celebrate La Fête nationale? Here’s what I did. I wish I had read this article prior to le 14 juillet because I might have attempted one or more of these recipes. This is a great article to “pin” for future reference.
Notre Dame: Cathedral's spire will be restored to 19th Century design — Thank goodness!
Inside Coco Chanel’s Decadent 31 Rue Cambon Apartment — And yet Mademoiselle never slept here, opting instead for her suite at The Ritz. You could stay there too — for 18,000€ per night!
Europe Is Closed. Try These U.S. Cities Instead — Newport is on the list. We had hoped to go there this summer, but canceled our plans. Perhaps we should visit New Glarus, Wisconsin!
Or we can visit Paris in the fall via the new Netflix Series, Emily in Paris. “Lily Collins leads the series as a Chicago native who moves to Paris, and is in for some serious culture shock.”
A Kennedy Family’s Hyannis Port Compound Carriage House Turned Cottage — Architectural Digest’s peak into Patrick and Amy Kennedy’s seafront retreat on Cape Cod. We planned to be on the Cape this summer, but I will have to be contented with armchair travel this year. Speaking of arm chairs, I love what the Kennedys have done to convert this former carriage house. Although the arm chairs and most of the furniture are not my taste, the bones of the building are lovely and I can just image curling up on one of those window seats to watch the boats sail by.
Things I’ll Remember from the Corona Virus Pandemic — Meg of Wit & Whimsy created this ongoing, totally relatable list. I’d like to feature my own list on the blog in the coming weeks.
The Farmer’s Almanac Guide to Creating Your Own Moon Garden — I’ve been working on mine for four years. Here’s a peak into my spring white garden. I’ll do a summer update soon.
The Real History Behind The Sound of Music — I love The Sound of Music. When I was in high school, my mom found a copy of Maria Augusts von Trapp’s autobiography, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers at a garage sale in North Bay for 40¢; I’ve read it many times.
Beautiful Drawings by the World’s Most Famous Architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Here’s a virtual visit to that iconic home in Pennsylvania — Over 80 Years Later, Fallingwater Still Has Lessons to Teach Us.
A Virtual Tour of 15 Beautiful Writers' Homes in France — French literature + architecture — what’s not to love?
26 Books That Give Iconic Literary Characters A Different Story — And speaking of literature…I’ve only read five of these. So many are inspired by my favorite classic novels, especially Pride and Prejudice. I’m intrigued.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Audrey Hepburn — Actually, I did know!
10 of the Best French Films of All Time, and How to Watch Them — From New Wave cinema of the 1940s to modern classics, what are your favorite French films? Soon, I will write a French Friday post featuring my favorites.
Floating Movie Theater with Socially Distant Boats Coming to Paris River — I love this idea!
And, in case you’re wondering what to wear to view your favorite French films at the floating cinema, how about Iconic Sailor Stripes in Cinema, from 1934 to Today? And don’t forget one of these: In Paris, Haute Couture Face Masks for All — The seamstresses of Chanel, Dior and more formed a network to make face masks in quarantine.
