Tax Day

April 15, 2013 Photo of the day: "Tax Day"

Benjamin Franklin reminded us that
"Nothing can be said to be certain, 
except death and taxes."
(The latter is definitely preferable!) 

Still,  it's Monday...
it's gloomy...
it's Tax Day...
Enough said!

*

Maybe the Beatles will cheer you up...


...or maybe something free:

Sea Glass

April 14, 2013 Photo of the day: "Sea Glass"

This morning when I awoke to a fresh dusting of snow, I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Spring has been taking its time this year and I am feeling quite anxious. Ten days ago, I was combing Nice's pebbly beaches for tiny treasures: shells, heart-shaped rocks, and bits of colorful sea glass. I know that sea glass is essentially trash, yet the salt, sand, and pounding waves have rendered these broken bits beautifully smooth and milky. Perhaps sea glass is an appropriate metaphor for my feelings today. Looking around this morning, I had a hard time finding beauty in the gray skies and soggy lawns. Yet maybe I need to recognize that natural beauty often requires time, patience, and even a bit of rough weather. Spring will come, and when it does, its delayed beautiful will make it seem even sweeter.

Pop-up Petit Prince

April 13, 2013 Photo of the day:

This month marks the 70th Anniversary of one of my favorite books, Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Ironically the 1943 book, featuring the adventures of a pilot whose plane went down over the Sahara Desert, was published a year before its author, "Saint-Ex," was lost over Africa during World War II.  I have several copies of this magnificent, whimsical book. I have taught it in both French and English, emphasizing its timeless themes of love, friendship, and imagination; its political and cultural satire. Although best experienced in its original French, my favorite version of The Little Prince is the gorgeous pop-up book that I purchased at Anthropologie last summer. Saint-Ex's original illustrations are even more enchanting in 3-D.


Drawing #1 & Drawing #2

"S'il vous plaît, dessine-moi un mouton!"

The Little Prince tending his planet...

...in order to avoid invading baobabs.

I really love this book!

Above all, don't forget:
"We only see clearly with our hearts;
What is most important is invisible to the eyes."

For more inspiration, visit my Little Prince Pinterest board


Under my umbrella

April 11, 2013 Photo of the day:
"Under My Umbrella"
It has been raining all week,
but a pretty umbrella helps just a little bit.

"Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella"

Souvenirs

April 10, 2013 Photo of the day:
"Petits souvenirs"

What things do you save when you travel? I like to keep tiny beautiful reminders of the places I've been. Cleaning out my purse after our Spring Break trip to France, I discovered a few lovely treasures: tickets from the Métro, boat tours, and museums, a commemorative coin of the 850th anniversary of Notre Dame, leftover currency, brochures from Fragonard and Ladurée, a receipt from Chanel, a small bottle of Juste un baiser, a fun new iPhone case from Pylones, and a leather Eiffel Tower key chain. I also brought home sea glass and heart-shaped stones from the beach in Nice, herbes de Provence, and lovely sachets filled with lavender to infuse my home with home with the fragrance and flavors of La Belle France.