tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42818142867736722882024-03-13T22:45:53.764-07:00Jewel yet to findNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-11951613315145678212015-05-08T17:50:00.000-07:002015-05-08T17:57:01.908-07:00Be in style and happy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>This is just a teaser, testing waters in the YouTube ocean.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/InHappyMode">https://www.etsy.com/shop/InHappyMode</a></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">The joyful name of my shop came up at once.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Because I'd be delighted if you put on one of my creations and it would immediately set you in a Happy Mode, make you look and feel stunning and irresistible. That's why <b><i>In Happy Mode</i></b>. And this is why I like to do what I do.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">For my designs I only choose materials which speak to me, which I can visualize on a certain personality, picture in a certain interior. My perception is pretty much theatrical.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">I’d love to imagine my favorite celebrities wearing my designs. Cate Blanchette or Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren or Judy Dench, Halle Berry or Robin Wright.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">It’s fascinating to dream the whole environment for a glamourous lady: story and image are inseparable. Confidence, elegance and sophistication and g</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">reat sense of humour</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"> I like juxtapositions of materials, playing up or down, modern eclectic style.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">In interior it‘s authentic antique piece in modern surroundings or vice versa.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">I love Belgian sublime neutral palette and interior design but it doesn’t exclude for me Moroccan-meet-Mexican color exuberance of Katherine Ireland fabrics.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">I always have music in the background for inspiration when working: jazz or classics, or big band era with fantastic vocals, easy listening tunes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">My recent obsessions are Rachel Portman’s soundtracks and Melody Gardot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Among my favourite fashion designers are Carolina Herrera, Stella McCartney and DKNY. Donna Karan’s humanitarian Haiti project and tribal jewelry line is a great style inspiration.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">In my tiny studio I create only the pieces I’d love to wear myself. Always go out in a new necklace to try and test the reaction and feedback. And glad of course to hear the compliments and see some excitement on passing faces.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Each necklace is original and one of a kind or a very limited edition.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">So please visit <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/InHappyMode" target="_blank">In Happy Mode</a> and treat yourself to a unique and stylish piece of jewelry.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-52313344482088739132014-07-22T15:33:00.001-07:002014-07-22T15:33:46.551-07:00Have you been to Prague?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are so many places in the
world still awaiting in my dreams to be discovered or revisited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The popular tourist
destinations are quite predictable for that matter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But there are also cities in
Europe which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are regarded as best kept
secrets though they are right in the plain sight and historically well known by
the name and yet so little known and considered off stream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -23.8pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There’s a coveted string of diamonds:
London-Paris-Amsterdam-Rome-Florence- Venice-Barcelona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unique and beautiful in their very own way.
Some hold a special place in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -23.8pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then a string of sapphires:
Vienna-Prague… and etc., etc.. The latter one just made a glorious come back as
a tourist destination in the last couple of decades after<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the obscure years<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>behind the Iron Curtain and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unbearable Lightness of Being. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If you’ve seen this great movie (1988) about
the Prague Spring of 1968 and it’s tragic aftermath with Daniel Day-Lewis,
Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin, you absolutely know what I mean).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">…and I fell under its magic
spell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one dare to compare, maybe only
Florence is restored and preserved to the same loving extend. With real love
and care in and out, not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>facades only to
show off the mask with decay underneath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -23.8pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve never seen THAT MUCH LOVE
and RESPECT to the city’s history and appearance as in Prague. A tremendous
work fuelled with admiration has been done to reanimate after the years of neglect
and to revitalize the ancient city which never forgot that it used to be called
for centuries Zlata Praha –The Golden Prague. Golden indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/MU_L2sCI_AU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/MU_L2sCI_AU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/MU_L2sCI_AU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -23.8pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Many years ago I came across a
photo album of Prague. A huge book was filled with pre-war sepia images of
unforgettable beauty. It was a life long collection of renown Czechoslovak
photographer Karel Plicka, his visual love letter to the city of Baroque and
Gothic he knew so well, its photogenic beauty from the highest spire to the
tiniest cobble stone. Its not an ordinary coffee table book filled with bright
images of tourist attractions, a predictable catalog of highlights. It’s a
poetic tribute to the timeless architectural beauty full of life. Plicka
climbed the rooftops, hanged on the mansards, balanced the roof ridges risking
to fall down to death. He hunted the right light at dawn and at dusk, the mist,
the rain, the snow and shine. Architectural palatial grandeur and crumbled
walls and patched roofs, and everyday life. He created a portrait of the city
he loved so much his whole life. Karel Plicka had such a wonderful, genuine
vision of Prague: mysterious, glorious, miserable, regal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The book never was surpassed and
had been published and republished dozens of times with commentaries in many
languages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">After Czecho-Slovakia peaceful
dissolution (1993) and split into Czech Republic and Slovakia, the capital city
was nursed to it’s former splendor with gothic towers and spires, turrets, baroque
domes, and art nouveau facades, cobbled streets<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and hallmark red tiled rooftops. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrought iron gates and balconies, wood carved
doors, parks and monuments and of course beautiful numerous bridges across
Vltava river crowned with Karluv most - Charles Bridge, completely owned by
pedestrians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A true labor of love and not
an easy task at all as many historical facades are ornamented heavily with
mosaic, plaster decorum, painted scenes or floral patterns. Often all kinds of
ornamentation at once. National style loves excessive ornamentation. Meticulous
restoration without shortcuts proved that master craft and talents haven’t
dried out and survived the years of ideological and aesthetical drought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Very tourist friendly (as long
as you don’t speak Russian, Pragians will never forget the Soviet invasion of
1968). Many speak basic English in all points of interest, especially young
people so you practically won’t feel any language barrier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The historical center is also
compact and therefore walking friendly, not to mention that the Old Town core
is traffic free zone and pedestrians’ only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Todays Prague has all the
perks of the West European city with commercial streets at par. With all the
common brands at hand, from H&M and United Colors of Benetton to Gucci,
Chanel and Cartier, from ordinary to high end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Parizska street is Prague’s
elite Fifth Avenue<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shining with glamorous
store windows, restaurants and beautiful Art Nouveau facades. All different,
elegant in their own way and have individual names like the one Tri Musketyri
–Three Musketeers <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with d’Artagnan statue
on top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fashionable, clean, safe
and…delicious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Czech cuisine is very close to
German and requires some diving into details. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The main thing it’s very heavy
on meats especially pork and schnitzel is a pork king of the plate, very tasty
though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Local pastries like warm <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">apple</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strudel</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trdlo</i> (can’t
pronounce it correctly) and ice cream were a delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Usually I’m definitely not a
beer fan but in Prague I’ve gave in and tried each and every kind of chilled
beer in abundance. It happened to be deliciously cold and refreshing on a hot
summer day. It felt like it was poured from some sort of artesian beer well. Or
maybe it was indeed? Delicious and nothing in common with canned beer at home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Czech beer is a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>national treasure along with Bohemian glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And Czech glass my friends
deserves a special homage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As much as Venetian artisans
guard and hone their tradition, masterfully re-creating fantastic pieces on the
same patterns and secret recopies they used for centuries, Czech artisans are
moving forward creating distinctively unique chef-d-oeuvres, fearlessly
mastering new techniques and modern designs. Unfortunately the shop owners do
not allow photo shooting inside stores and the shop windows are like mirrors,
one can snap selfies trough the glass but not a display. But those vases,
plates, bowls, lanterns and shades, chandeliers and sconces, glasses, mugs and goblets
are absolutely unforgettably beautiful, leaving you speechless and stunned with
admiration. If only to see these masterpieces it would be worth of travel to
Prague not to mention a fairy tale city itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vaeEK5lpqw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -23.8pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> <i>Old Town Square. Maria on Tyn.</i></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s fascinating how different
historical layers are interacting in contemporary city. How much should and can
be done not to destruct but to RE-construct, re-build, re-make, restore, re-use
to give a precious chance (to building, object the city as a whole) to re-live,
adapt to modern times and demands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What hit me right into the
heart is historical memory of Pragians (is it the right word for the
residents?) Once walking on a quiet sideway street of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stare Mesto- Old Town we stepped for a moment
into dreadful 1942 when numerous Jewish community of Prague was rounded up by
Nazis and deported to concentration camp. What we stumbled upon was unusual,
modest and very touching reminder: on the corner of a cobbled crescent under
the arch there was a tiny thrift shop filled to the bream with antiques and
curiosities behind the closed door. The lights are on so you can peak in as if
the owner of this cozy place just stepped out for a lunch or chat with a
neighbor. Funny pre-war ads in the window. But under your feet there’s a bronze
plaque welded into pavement<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with names
of all members of the family from olds to infants… dates of birth.. deported to
Terezin…three generations wiped out… chilling. So simple, thoughtful and so
powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This place due to central
location could be easily turned into a profitable souvenir shop or a boutique
but Pragians chose to Remember. And for this honorable choice we should be
grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Central Prague at night is
artfully lit and beautiful. Crowds slowly dissipate and you can have the side
streets and river banks almost to yourself. The views<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If standing in the middle of
Square and looking at Maria on Tyn with all lights on you don’t feel like a
Cinderella invited to the ball you probably never will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">* <i>All video credits go to my husband.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>T</i>hank you for reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To be continued.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-31921705281280174522013-12-16T16:16:00.001-08:002013-12-17T08:26:05.013-08:00I am dreaming of a white...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everyone is Dreaming of a White Christmas at this time of year, except maybe Ausie friends who are now at the peak of a blooming summer, or maybe even them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bing Crosby’s timeless crooning always plays a magic. Jingle Bells and Santa Coming to Town enveloped all radio stations and shopping malls. Festive tunes seems are pouring from the open refrigerator and I caught myself humming those tunes. Really they create the mood, sweet and sentimental, but therapeutic nevertheless, homey-cozy-child-like feeling of a miracle anticipation. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And it’s snowing heavily like it should do in December.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And I’m dreaming of a white …Venice.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdnKZJ7hDLE/Uq-OF1N_NdI/AAAAAAAAKQM/etfAngo6cC0/s1600/_DSC0034-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdnKZJ7hDLE/Uq-OF1N_NdI/AAAAAAAAKQM/etfAngo6cC0/s640/_DSC0034-blog.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After nearly melting there in August I’m wondering what it would be like being there in winter? What does it look like under the light snow on a foggy day?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Probably quiet, slightly deserted comparing to numerous high season crowds.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It should be windy and a bit chilly and absolutely magic.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70U81D1nQVo/Uq-OKshJxII/AAAAAAAAKQs/ND1ZHNcjsj8/s1600/_DSC0869-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70U81D1nQVo/Uq-OKshJxII/AAAAAAAAKQs/ND1ZHNcjsj8/s640/_DSC0869-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ca'Rezzonico</b> </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">built in more then a hundred years 1649-1758.The Venetian Baroque gem with beautiful marble facade. Since 1936 is the venue</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fondazione_Musei_Civici_di_Venezia" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia">Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia</a> housing the XVIII century Venetian art.</span> </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmFzMNRLL28/Uq-OHJPqbSI/AAAAAAAAKQU/IuBhba--YeE/s1600/_DSC0005-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmFzMNRLL28/Uq-OHJPqbSI/AAAAAAAAKQU/IuBhba--YeE/s640/_DSC0005-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Ca' D'Oro THE most Venetian Renaissance windows</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3M7wavG9T-8/Uq-OJPwlp0I/AAAAAAAAKQk/4ZM3MyIZto8/s1600/_DSC0854-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3M7wavG9T-8/Uq-OJPwlp0I/AAAAAAAAKQk/4ZM3MyIZto8/s640/_DSC0854-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Santa Maria della Salute (Our Lady of Health) built in 1631-1681. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The construction in Dorsoduro sestiere started amidst devastating plague wave, hence the name of the church facing San Marco.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And though Venice is colorful in abundance I’m dreaming of her in white…a winter fairy tale, rather melancholic and quiet than full of multi language noise and clanking and shuffling. I’m happened to fall in love with this formidable city.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWN3iCM7j_Q/Uq-P0UaujaI/AAAAAAAAKQ4/Wv_RGLCnto4/s1600/_DSC0029-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWN3iCM7j_Q/Uq-P0UaujaI/AAAAAAAAKQ4/Wv_RGLCnto4/s640/_DSC0029-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>The most photographed corner of Doge Palace</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Hv4gkX-TGg/Uq-P0TVbIvI/AAAAAAAAKQ8/tBdmAGmhHqQ/s1600/_DSC0032-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Hv4gkX-TGg/Uq-P0TVbIvI/AAAAAAAAKQ8/tBdmAGmhHqQ/s640/_DSC0032-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTdvJa36Mv0/Uq-P04DxzhI/AAAAAAAAKRE/yZ3t44Clzpo/s1600/_DSC0793-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTdvJa36Mv0/Uq-P04DxzhI/AAAAAAAAKRE/yZ3t44Clzpo/s640/_DSC0793-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Doge Palace Courtyard</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bebcS0nKK0/Uq-P6vYM3bI/AAAAAAAAKRQ/1td6EK-j36k/s1600/_DSC0797-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bebcS0nKK0/Uq-P6vYM3bI/AAAAAAAAKRQ/1td6EK-j36k/s640/_DSC0797-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>View from Doge Palace gallery on San Marco Piazzetta </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvZ9HNAKOPw/Uq-P8NuyabI/AAAAAAAAKRY/U9g9dD1mKaE/s1600/_DSC0818-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvZ9HNAKOPw/Uq-P8NuyabI/AAAAAAAAKRY/U9g9dD1mKaE/s640/_DSC0818-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Doge Palace</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qClSKPYqVg/Uq-OHMFF-iI/AAAAAAAAKQY/Era-GGA78UA/s1600/_DSC0789-blog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qClSKPYqVg/Uq-OHMFF-iI/AAAAAAAAKQY/Era-GGA78UA/s640/_DSC0789-blog.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>The Doge Palace Courtyard</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Ca' D'Oro</b> </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>is the most magnificent palazzo on Grand Canal even without lost gilt decoration once adorned facade when it was built in 1428-1430 for the prominent Contarini family. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The city almost completely deserted by locals who gave up struggling with influx of tourists and left for good to the Mestre, mainland part of todays Venice.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who could blame them. The whole infrastructure of a normal city like schools, grocery stores, doctors offices, small business, etc., etc. disappeared. The city largely became unlivable: hotels-restaurants-souvenir shops. Turning rapidly into a Disney theme park, a Veniceland, a dreadful perspective the current mayor of the city foresee as Venice’s inevitable future. This crucial decision expects to bring investments for restoration and sustaining. And what it would be: a lifeless architectural monument? Another make believe imitation as in Las Vegas? Those 60 thousands (out of 180 a few decades ago) still bravely holding the fort, host staggering 20 million tourists a year (!!!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_3VCthOmUw/Uq9jLrNJIlI/AAAAAAAAKPs/-A-Glo4WZSo/s1600/venice++cruise+monster+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_3VCthOmUw/Uq9jLrNJIlI/AAAAAAAAKPs/-A-Glo4WZSo/s640/venice++cruise+monster+1.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Source</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.lfpress.com/2012/09/10/carnival-cruise-offers-dramatic-vistas-on-board" target="_blank">here</a></span> </i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The fragile Serenissima is hopelessly defenseless against danger imposed not by floods and time, but by humans. Venice lives of tourism but the overwhelming numbers are killing her. Someone has coined the problem: "loving Venice to death". Impossible dilemma. UNESCO World Heritage officials call mass tourism outpour a double-edged sword. So much so.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few years ago started the protesting movement No Grandi Navi against the colossal cruise ships, those huge sea monsters gangs that hoover over a tiny mermaid, spilling over about 50 000 tourists daily. Tourists that have only a few hours to checkmark the highlights and create a horrible stampede between San Marco and Realto. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There’s no such thing as strolling promised by the guide books. Slow leisurely walk and admiration is taken away, replaced by running for life or being smashed or flown with the crowd.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSwCnvQANCw/Uq9jKScKHhI/AAAAAAAAKPo/KX7eU1Z9ckc/s1600/Venice+monster+cruise+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSwCnvQANCw/Uq9jKScKHhI/AAAAAAAAKPo/KX7eU1Z9ckc/s640/Venice+monster+cruise+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Source <a href="http://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/why-venice-residents-say-no-big-ships-lagoon" target="_blank">here</a></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only the pictures are hideous: whales against thin fin tropical fish, dwarfing beauty against King Kong beast</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kieELyl30I/Uq9jKpIsG6I/AAAAAAAAKPk/KYdQMBEWNws/s1600/Venice+monster+cruise+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kieELyl30I/Uq9jKpIsG6I/AAAAAAAAKPk/KYdQMBEWNws/s640/Venice+monster+cruise+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Source <a href="http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/travel/venice-citizens-protest-against-cruise-ship-tourism.htm" target="_blank">here</a></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCAK8YE4_sw/Uq9jMOBpU6I/AAAAAAAAKP4/XVa1gDSU66k/s1600/venice+monster+cruise+ship+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCAK8YE4_sw/Uq9jMOBpU6I/AAAAAAAAKP4/XVa1gDSU66k/s640/venice+monster+cruise+ship+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Source <a href="http://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/why-venice-residents-say-no-big-ships-lagoon" target="_blank">here</a></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These giants in the lagoon cause major water displacement, vibration shock waves and tides are extremely damaging to centuries old buildings. And these daily invasions create havoc in space limited and extremely fragile city, as cruisers-paratroopers are running around wild, hardly having time to learn something about this unique place on Earth, just snapping photos and souvenirs. Who can possibly enjoy such a trip? No wonder the locals see us tourists barely as guests but more as a mob.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are so many port of calls on Cruisers itineraries, why the most beautiful one has to suffer the most of all? Why these giants are allowed to come so dangerously close to the little golden fish.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03AbgWvQ2gc/Uq-UzPsm-MI/AAAAAAAAKRw/LXUG1HOvops/s1600/Venice+from+the+air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03AbgWvQ2gc/Uq-UzPsm-MI/AAAAAAAAKRw/LXUG1HOvops/s1600/Venice+from+the+air.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Aerial view of Venice</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Can’t help but I see it like the most hilarious scene from Finding Nemo, when ‘Dory Speaks Whale’. How I hope the ending won’t be the same one day.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyjV9BVfYw0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At last some (very few) positive changes and restrictions demanded by the city were agreed upon by cruise industry moguls and will be slowly implemented by 2015. A partial but invaluable success of the rescue mission. The humble beginning brings the high hopes…</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPeaEMG2bRg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As to my Holiday wish.. oh how I’d love to greet the New Year in Venice, somewhere in dimly lit café, with my small family warming hands over the hot cups of delicious hot chocolate and see chocolate mustache on my son’s face… dreamy</span>… </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How would you like to celebrate a New Year?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">*All images unless noted otherwise are © Natalie Rapoport</span></div>
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Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-85985317692465286822013-11-30T19:36:00.002-08:002013-12-01T15:34:26.177-08:00Venetian windows<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGK4WjVtBqE/Upp-e4cJh2I/AAAAAAAAKPM/tYeAuDZ1YTc/s1600/P1130227-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Venice is incredibly photogenic and
picture perfect from any angle, on every corner and every step at any season.
It’s a given and anyone who ever has been there at least once couldn’t agree more.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ACJTrnioEU/Upp7Vf-jHSI/AAAAAAAAKMU/xJYDS3vOGPY/s1600/_DSC0017-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ACJTrnioEU/Upp7Vf-jHSI/AAAAAAAAKMU/xJYDS3vOGPY/s640/_DSC0017-blog.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Since XVII century Venice became a
key destination for young nobles in their European Grand Tour , especially for
English gentlemen it was almost a must to crown an educational journey with a
prolonged stay in Venice. And they brought home a lot of knowledge: glittering
and grim, profound and superficial, reflecting on splendor and dark secrets,
with larger than life experience and confident they had seen it all.
Unforgettable memories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4IAyes6qnc/Upp7vxdPPcI/AAAAAAAAKNo/IH8vzO44n90/s1600/_DSC0092-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4IAyes6qnc/Upp7vxdPPcI/AAAAAAAAKNo/IH8vzO44n90/s640/_DSC0092-blog.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Throughout centuries deeply
thoughtful and curious travellers left sketches in letters, diary notes, vivid
memoirs full of action and rear moments. Those threads of the past and
brilliant notions weaved over time a beautiful tapestry of Venetian history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPjMId4v7rw/Upp9CE1mD8I/AAAAAAAAKOE/lHnsapoId4I/s1600/_DSC0848-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPjMId4v7rw/Upp9CE1mD8I/AAAAAAAAKOE/lHnsapoId4I/s640/_DSC0848-blog.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And though Venetians themselves a
known, like no one others, for documenting each and every tiny bit of their
political and material existence from the very beginning in VIII century, kept
and preserved in tons of paper in archives. All that is more of burocratic
facts interesting for researchers to reconstruct the story line how Venice came
to life and sustained it’s power and survived decline. But it would shed little
light on how they lived and what makes the essence of Venice, it’s soul, it’s
glory,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Wit and talented travellers, often succumbed to Venice’s charms, left wonderful mosaic evidence, their views on series of events with fairy tales and cruelty, legends, anecdotes, art and architecture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is where P.Ackroyd’s book about
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Pure-City-Peter-Ackroyd/dp/0307473791/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385908432&sr=8-1&keywords=ackroyd+venice" target="_blank">Venice</a> sprinkled with meaningful and bright quotes and full of astonishing facts
comes handy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwz5cytU0Oc/Upp7x2XVY_I/AAAAAAAAKNw/tu6lSfQnwcc/s1600/_DSC0190-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwz5cytU0Oc/Upp7x2XVY_I/AAAAAAAAKNw/tu6lSfQnwcc/s640/_DSC0190-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the city where solid ground
surface is a luxury and a rarity, streets are extremely narrow and elaborately
intertwined in the narrowest alleys and passages. Only wealthy houses could
have hidden inner courtyards to escape secluded domestic life. And of course magnificent
palazzo like Ca Rezzonico had grand courtyards and even gardens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">But<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for common venetians balconies where a
walking luxury, a way to reach out, to see the beloved city, hear the neighbors,
find the news, eavesdropping for secrets, catch the gossip, feel the pulse of a daily life and
poke a nose into privacy of the nearest fellow citizens, quite often in arms
reach. As much as public life was bound and webbed with secrecy, the private life of venetians was very much deprived of privacy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr1VnQOISN0/Upp-cubpDDI/AAAAAAAAKPA/62ZsVghyReY/s1600/P1130289etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr1VnQOISN0/Upp-cubpDDI/AAAAAAAAKPA/62ZsVghyReY/s320/P1130289etsy.JPG" width="256" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npFmAiWdURw/Upp9Ak5IahI/AAAAAAAAKN8/Qn9Zf3nO-5w/s1600/_DSC0835-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npFmAiWdURw/Upp9Ak5IahI/AAAAAAAAKN8/Qn9Zf3nO-5w/s400/_DSC0835-blog.JPG" width="265" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><i>The cobble stone alleys, golden-ochre walls, green shutters were behind this jasper bib necklace<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171068621/jasper-contemporary-statement-bib?" target="_blank">here</a></i></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Venetian unique arched windows and lacey masonry of balconies deserve poetic ode to praise their beauty and crumbled charm. They are simply fascinating. It’s like looking Venice in her beautiful, mysterious eyes. Glass clad tall windows of palazzo, shimmering, thick and hardly transparent , often open in the night to show off splendor of the interior with frescoed ceilings and opulent venetian chandeliers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T2V5t1PGjs0/Upp-elZxpuI/AAAAAAAAKPI/Aau8fq48Sx4/s1600/P1130229-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T2V5t1PGjs0/Upp-elZxpuI/AAAAAAAAKPI/Aau8fq48Sx4/s320/P1130229-etsy.JPG" width="256" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7a-YaikHeA/Upp9GVMpobI/AAAAAAAAKOU/_MJQhFLszTQ/s1600/_DSC0899-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7a-YaikHeA/Upp9GVMpobI/AAAAAAAAKOU/_MJQhFLszTQ/s400/_DSC0899-blog.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The color palette of the walls inspired me to make this colorful glass necklace,<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164730891/statement-necklace-in-red-and-green?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank"> here</a>.</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">Or wide open in the summer heat the dwellings windows with flower boxes and crumbling, peeling shutters . Those facing canals have bright awnings: blue, green, striped, to smooth a bit sun’s harshness and almost unbearable brightness and shiness of waters splashing and sparkling at your feet. But who would complain?</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaECBbpqOUc/Upp9MLz8Y5I/AAAAAAAAKOs/R_NcVSoc3mU/s1600/_DSC0947-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaECBbpqOUc/Upp9MLz8Y5I/AAAAAAAAKOs/R_NcVSoc3mU/s400/_DSC0947-blog.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypA7P4h2rQs/Upp9KK9zXVI/AAAAAAAAKOk/behHPT5KGTw/s1600/_DSC0940-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypA7P4h2rQs/Upp9KK9zXVI/AAAAAAAAKOk/behHPT5KGTw/s400/_DSC0940-blog.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i> The grandeur of Palazzo Rezzonico</i></div>
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<i>How I love this antique glass shimmering with rainbow sunset colors .</i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGK4WjVtBqE/Upp-e4cJh2I/AAAAAAAAKPM/tYeAuDZ1YTc/s1600/P1130227-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGK4WjVtBqE/Upp-e4cJh2I/AAAAAAAAKPM/tYeAuDZ1YTc/s400/P1130227-etsy.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Another pendant inspired by arched windows,<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/168168889/contemporary-ceramic-bead-pendant-on?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank"> here</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px;">It’s so easy to believe that in old times the hardest crime in Venice was to betray Venice in some way (not even a slightest remark or critique) and it was the harshest punishment not to be executed but to be expelled from the city forever. Nothing at all could be harder for a venetian than not ever to be there to see this glorious beauty again...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Have a lovely weekend. See you soon.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>*All images © Natalie Rapoport</i></span><br />
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Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-71508402359288322052013-09-13T15:17:00.001-07:002013-12-01T06:34:53.675-08:00Murano glass jewelry.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Glass
is Venice’s coat of arms.Venice is flooded with glass shops, it’s a given , shops catering to tourists and all kinds of budgets. Shop windows are sparkling,
glittering , shimmering</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">and tempting:
you MUST buy a tiny piece of Venice as a souvenir. Sellers are loud and
persistent, it feels like the one giant glass bazaar.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s
not an easy task to find an authentic boutique carrying genuine collection, with
a knowledgeable owner who would be happy to chat with you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>traditional venetian bead making techniques and jewelry styles. If you
are in pursuit of a real deal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s much
better to wander away from central <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sestiere</i>
to Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, where<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in
times bygone glass makers worked, away from crowds, that’s where many sought after
treasures are hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-linDXdgBS_4/UjNd-tSfVrI/AAAAAAAAKI8/CTOZArN9tco/s1600/P1130077-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-linDXdgBS_4/UjNd-tSfVrI/AAAAAAAAKI8/CTOZArN9tco/s320/P1130077-blog.jpg" width="256" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amUiaeu_LFM/UjNd-s1OMzI/AAAAAAAAKI4/JaCs809Cw8k/s1600/P1130070-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amUiaeu_LFM/UjNd-s1OMzI/AAAAAAAAKI4/JaCs809Cw8k/s320/P1130070-blog.jpg" width="256" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glass
making for centuries was so vitally important<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>for venetian wealth and glory<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that it actually became a synonym: Venice – sea – glass…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
early glass artifacts found there were attributed to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4<sup>th</sup>-7<sup>th</sup> centuries. By
12<sup>th</sup> there was a guild of glass artisans and in 13<sup>th</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>century the glass blowing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was an established industry and due to high
fire risk was moved forever to the island of Murano. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By mid 14<sup>th</sup> century prosperous
city-state, without any natural resources needed for glass blowing, became a
unique glass producing capital of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
finest sand for the venetian crystal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>masterpieces
was imported from Syria and later from Fontainebleau in France.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However,
did you know that Venice was the first to manufacture mirrors since 15<sup>th</sup>
century and by 17<sup>th</sup> Murano masters could produce the largest mirrors
in the world?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
this time Venice so favored all sorts of goods displays that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she was the first to install <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>large <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">glass</i>
shop windows<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dressed with special
artistic care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vases,
chalices, goblets, bowls, chandeliers, crystal stemware, lamps, mirrors, window
glass, eye-glasses, elaborate luxury objects and of course mosaics and at last
beads – this is where Venice became an unsurpassed leader by 17<sup>th</sup>
century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
fact beads for jewelry making and skillful faux gemstones brought the
fortune<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the state of Venice. If it
wasn’t Alexandre Dumas who coined “Cherchez la femme” it should be venetians to
say “cerca la donna” as this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ornamental
industry remains the most flourishing up to our days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gmZ8puDvDI/UjNeThfa6XI/AAAAAAAAKKA/pTZ5gP5axRU/s1600/P1130088-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gmZ8puDvDI/UjNeThfa6XI/AAAAAAAAKKA/pTZ5gP5axRU/s320/P1130088-blog.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="256" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kUxAXPV2Ro/UjNeKkYiiOI/AAAAAAAAKJg/ypCQOzyakpk/s1600/P1130085-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kUxAXPV2Ro/UjNeKkYiiOI/AAAAAAAAKJg/ypCQOzyakpk/s320/P1130085-blog.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="256" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
problem is that low key Murano jewelry is sold everywhere in Venice and you
have to search thoroughly to find something special. The other problem is that myriad
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ready to wear sets are made in
traditional styles (I already have a few in my collection), but I was looking
for something exquisite ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>contemporary
Murano loose glass beads or a pendant where tradition comes alive in modern
design.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
I’ve got lucky!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Cannaregio on La
Strada Nuova there was MY boutique : elegantly designed interior, exclusive gallery
style display in the window, the silver haired owner looked like Franco Nero,
friendly smile. It wasn’t just a boutique, it was a museum of Murano jewelry as
there were authentic antique Murina pieces on display with astronomic prices
attached of course. Seeing my genuine interest (though I mentioned right away that
I can only enjoy and appreciate the beauty) he started to open the locked
drawers where on the velvet trays were laid out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>unbelievably beautiful (and unapproachable) necklaces and beads made up
to a hundred years ago by famous glass makers. Wonderful colorful examples of
various<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>techniques. Live tradition in
its very best. The owner insisted I should at least try a necklace, irresistible
temptation… A sigh...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I was about to leave with heartfelt
thanks <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he showed me a tacked away small contemporary
collection and very unusual pendant<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>nobody was interested in and that was it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exactly
what I was looking for (and affordable too)!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
image doesn’t do the justice. It’s even more beautiful and exquisite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcirmVNxAmc/UjNeEHVeLSI/AAAAAAAAKJM/PJEmo8YLU2w/s1600/P1130080-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcirmVNxAmc/UjNeEHVeLSI/AAAAAAAAKJM/PJEmo8YLU2w/s320/P1130080-blog.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eb-vb7ehi30/UjNeD5a9vhI/AAAAAAAAKJI/cgTicMJtVOg/s1600/P1130081-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eb-vb7ehi30/UjNeD5a9vhI/AAAAAAAAKJI/cgTicMJtVOg/s320/P1130081-blog.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="256" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Very unusual honeycomb technique. It's more like a coral in glass.</i></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just
a few steps into history of Murano glass jewelry making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
first glass beads appeared in early 14<sup>th</sup> century were skillful
imitation of precious gems. They were cut and faceted and soon became<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and important trade commodity. Various
techniques emerged, variable palette introduced and patterns developed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to stay in use since then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beads
were translucent and opaque, more colors were added to the molten glass and stretched<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into a cane which was later cut into bead
size pieces. That’s in short how Chevron and Rosetta techniques were invented.
In fact<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>since 1600s the tiniest <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Conterie</i> beads for embroidery and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>colorful <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rosetta</i>
beads were in such a high demand<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
highly valued especially in colonial lands and Africa that they<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were used as a currency and got the name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trade beads. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naturally
Venice regarded and guarded the glassmaking secrets as the top state secrets. Stealing
or disclosing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>manufacturing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>secrets or even run away was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>considered a crime against the state, the
worst of all in Venitian law system <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the
shortest way to a death penalty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bc4IOX3Fv2c/UjNeVJ4P42I/AAAAAAAAKKI/sXbTIeTUfzo/s1600/P1130089-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bc4IOX3Fv2c/UjNeVJ4P42I/AAAAAAAAKKI/sXbTIeTUfzo/s400/P1130089-blog.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
most famous bead technique is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Millefiori</i>
“a thousand flowers”. It still is the most popular technique<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>widely used in jewelry and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>decorative objects making.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beside
the heavy solid glass beads there are blown glass beads much lighter, in
endless shapes and color combinations. Extremely fragile <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tiny masterpieces.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
are gold, silver or copper foil intrusions in glass which produce stunning
shimmering effects. Popular for pendants and candy size beads called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caramella</i> for that matter.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
the last to name a few are Lamp work beads, each individually made and
decorated with colorful applique in traditional ornamental patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NnfdH8Fse8/UjNeLt87dTI/AAAAAAAAKJo/IY7qBxEG_RI/s1600/P1130083-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NnfdH8Fse8/UjNeLt87dTI/AAAAAAAAKJo/IY7qBxEG_RI/s640/P1130083-blog.jpg" width="512" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
a very brief history of Venetian glass beads. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One
can’t get enough of watching this glittering and mesmerizing glass sea <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reflecting glorious palazzi and a sea of glass
reflecting all of this incredible beauty.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T42bjCeO5o4/UjNy-Ge83WI/AAAAAAAAKK0/kvRt5xAnKXc/s1600/P1110212-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T42bjCeO5o4/UjNy-Ge83WI/AAAAAAAAKK0/kvRt5xAnKXc/s400/P1110212-blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This contemporary piece inspired by Murano pendant I designed with lava rondelle.</i></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>More details or to buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/154292541/black-lava-rock-pendant-art-deco-style?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">here</a></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend my friends.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>All images © Natalie Rapoport</i></span></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--></span>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-24899896592922420012013-09-10T15:19:00.000-07:002013-09-10T15:43:40.914-07:00Melting August in Venice<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Gelato vendors prospered in the middle of an
early August heat wave and cheerful gondoliers giggled at melting tourists.</span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVTHBVpoXmM/Ui-TXef9acI/AAAAAAAAKHY/uI8lFKA7yEg/s1600/_DSC0027-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVTHBVpoXmM/Ui-TXef9acI/AAAAAAAAKHY/uI8lFKA7yEg/s640/_DSC0027-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Venice is still there! Not submerged into the sea,
thanks God! Beautiful, mysterious, seductive and addictive with all those
belissima and serinissima in place. Fantastic illusion, mirage in the sea,
creation of minds and hands, souls and hearts. Architecturally a sporadic
splash and unstoppable improvisation of inventive citizens famous throughout
the centuries for their entrepreneurial talents and exuberant nature, curiosity
for novelties and entertainment.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Biz7ZH0NsQ/Ui-TT3Az2II/AAAAAAAAKHI/rakityvLeYE/s1600/_DSC0029-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Biz7ZH0NsQ/Ui-TT3Az2II/AAAAAAAAKHI/rakityvLeYE/s640/_DSC0029-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0KgfgVC8Q0/Ui-ToztReRI/AAAAAAAAKIA/ARM7ntbc_js/s1600/_DSC0797-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0KgfgVC8Q0/Ui-ToztReRI/AAAAAAAAKIA/ARM7ntbc_js/s640/_DSC0797-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Though venetians were expert navigators and
cartographers since early 13<sup>th</sup> century and soon after Guttenberg’s
invention the best map printers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who
shaped the knowledge of the world creating detailed picture of far away
lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But nevertheless Venice is a
“city where map and reality rarely meet”.* Absolutely!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfn1kanOGPo/Ui-TdO2Hr7I/AAAAAAAAKHg/sbncqaTbLXg/s1600/_DSC0037+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfn1kanOGPo/Ui-TdO2Hr7I/AAAAAAAAKHg/sbncqaTbLXg/s640/_DSC0037+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unmappable maze of calli, riva, sotoportego,
piazzetta, campo, the narrowest alleys and whirling passages, unnamed, untamed.
You simply can’t ask for directions because you most likely won’t see locals
and fellow tourists are as admirably puzzled as you are. Even GPS<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>becomes so dizzy and confused that it looses
a grip which drives some tourists crazy. This is fun. Forgetting the map and
agenda is the only way to discover Venice or better to say to approach as it
takes much more time than most visitors ever have just to feel the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">ambiance.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgupXDLD9CE/Ui-gIWRb48I/AAAAAAAAKIc/Z9K250HAPP4/s1600/_DSC0185-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgupXDLD9CE/Ui-gIWRb48I/AAAAAAAAKIc/Z9K250HAPP4/s640/_DSC0185-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Venice is majestic! Especially on early foggy
mornings…mmm….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">…So after visiting San Marco, Rialto and
surroundings, having traveled the Canale Grande enjoy to be lost in the
labyrinth, preferably before darkness falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vZQwnsXWXs/Ui-TWlOxHpI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/aB97UsTivEE/s1600/_DSC0032-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vZQwnsXWXs/Ui-TWlOxHpI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/aB97UsTivEE/s640/_DSC0032-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can actually believe if someone claims to know
Paris or London, Chicago or NY, Amsterdam or Barcelona etc. etc. as a palm of
his hand. It’s quite possible to know one’s ways around the city and not only
the tourist’s highlights or daily routs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s possible when the city can be mapped. The layout
doesn’t need necessarily be geometrically crisscrossed or centering around the
historical town core. But there should be a plan, any plan, a terrain view. It
could help when streets are visibly named and houses numbered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao-pLtpOkXo/Ui-TnfMBT5I/AAAAAAAAKH4/ykgkl83_G6M/s1600/_DSC0772-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao-pLtpOkXo/Ui-TnfMBT5I/AAAAAAAAKH4/ykgkl83_G6M/s640/_DSC0772-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is exactly why I won’t ever believe even a
venetian that he REALLY knows his/her city, maybe just a neighborhood. This is
utterly unlikely. Impossible! Even for a private tour guides who are on a
friendly ground within certain part of the city I won’t make an exclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Venice is full of surprises, especially off the
bitten tourist paths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even if you think you are following the most detailed
map from those pitifully narrowing books like 10 TOP of Venice you’ll be
surprised where you end up making lots of discoveries along the way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi0aLBcYFeI/Ui-gIDhjueI/AAAAAAAAKIY/5ezeCkrbMrE/s1600/_DSC0200-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi0aLBcYFeI/Ui-gIDhjueI/AAAAAAAAKIY/5ezeCkrbMrE/s640/_DSC0200-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Canals, gondolas, vaporettos almost sinking under passengers
influx, arched bridges over smaller canals, weathered doors and seasoned walls,
terracotta red rooftops, patinated stones and unforgettable unique venetian
windows and balconies, the carved lace of venetian architecture, colors
crumbling and fading away , and majestic eternal beauty resurrecting over the
time again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgB48uGQShk/Ui-TqyrHT0I/AAAAAAAAKII/gUKj4A14yv4/s1600/_DSC0822-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgB48uGQShk/Ui-TqyrHT0I/AAAAAAAAKII/gUKj4A14yv4/s640/_DSC0822-blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Venice is well-known to be so unbearably photogenic
and rich on visual stories that you don’t even have to look through a
viewfinder or even point to shoot. Just press the button in sync with every
step might as well suffice. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">See you soon with more venetian posts and I promise to invite you to beautiful Prague too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next time: Murano jewelry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>All images © Natalie Rapoport</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Pure-City-Peter-Ackroyd/dp/0385531524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378830462&sr=8-1&keywords=peter+ackroyd+venice" target="_blank">Peter Ackroyd. <i>Venice: Pure City</i>.</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Pure-City-Peter-Ackroyd/dp/0385531524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378830462&sr=8-1&keywords=peter+ackroyd+venice" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Pure-City-Peter-Ackroyd/dp/0385531524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378830462&sr=8-1&keywords=peter+ackroyd+venice" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-36006346292684547502013-05-13T19:16:00.002-07:002013-08-20T06:58:26.452-07:00Summer Jewelry<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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The spring is here. It means more light and colorful
clothes, daring prints, fashionable and bold jewelry, beautiful scarves, bright
and big bags and …vacation plans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether it’ll be urban travel or a seaside paradise pack
light is essential: less things but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more
lightweight and versatile accessories to spice up the look. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Valuables and heirlooms aren’t known as the best travel
companions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G94L1_3zM3o/UZGcACX6ffI/AAAAAAAAKGM/rmV0Wft7oPE/s1600/P1100986-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G94L1_3zM3o/UZGcACX6ffI/AAAAAAAAKGM/rmV0Wft7oPE/s640/P1100986-etsy.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> <i>The details about this architectural piece <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/129975139/contemporary-rubber-cord-and-ceramic?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">here</a></i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for me I prefer contemporary statement pieces being
lightweight. Can’t stand to wear heavy necklace or bracelet for long hours and
in hot summer weather. And I like glitter and spark in moderation, especially
on a sunny day when too much brightness is already enough. I have to admit:
Swarovski never was among my favorites.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of my favorite stores Zara and Anthropologie came
up with interesting and affordable summer jewelry collections. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Z</i></b>
is even better than <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A </i></b>in pricing and style<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ropes, fabric, brass, acrylic beads are in vogue now for
mass production. They bring contemporary look. As David Yurman’s collections
are beautiful classics but hardly affordable for a mainstream consumer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Ps3rmoJ2A/UZGbQX2ub0I/AAAAAAAAKF8/DyJPWPAESDA/s1600/P1110011-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Ps3rmoJ2A/UZGbQX2ub0I/AAAAAAAAKF8/DyJPWPAESDA/s640/P1110011-etsy.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> <i>The details <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/150161363/statement-necklace-rubber-cord-and" target="_blank">here</a></i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bib or collar necklaces are very trendy, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when it’s hot<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and all you can think is what else you can get rid of ( given shirt and capris
stay) it’s tiresome and hardly enjoyable at least for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as jewelry concerned it’s not only about design and
materials , it is about the right scale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tall and corpulent women can’t wear tiny pieces and have to
choose more accurately so not to look funny emphasizing the size.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Medium and petite ladies on contrary can wear everything:
bold and big pieces will look just fine if work with the overall style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUfDdL7k1Uo/UZGbwsSMfKI/AAAAAAAAKGE/kfejba0tXFg/s1600/P1100704-etsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUfDdL7k1Uo/UZGbwsSMfKI/AAAAAAAAKGE/kfejba0tXFg/s640/P1100704-etsy.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> <i>The details for this chain <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/121523818/statement-necklace-black-web-lace?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">here</a></i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I came up with a solution: bold and weightless
rubber cord jewelry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reclaimed materials, locally handmade ceramic beads, subtle
palette.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like that I barely notice it’s there and yet it’s not a
tiny pieces, quite the contrary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soft on touch, flexible and a limited edition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I design something<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I go out in a pilot sample to see the reaction and seeking a feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far it has been positive so I decided to share with you my readers to
see what you think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What type of jewelry do you prefer for summer, for vocation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your comments will be truly appreciated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Thank you very much.<br />
<br />
<i>All images © Natalie Rapoport</i><br />
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-34392463605697366182013-04-18T15:10:00.000-07:002013-04-19T07:28:26.652-07:00Colmar - the Alsatian Treasure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUHWUUyExsQ/UXA3SDAP6HI/AAAAAAAAKFY/KsoejF4uF8M/s1600/P1100300-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUHWUUyExsQ/UXA3SDAP6HI/AAAAAAAAKFY/KsoejF4uF8M/s640/P1100300-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the legend has it the city of Colmar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was founded in the 9<sup>th</sup> century and
was chosen as a place where Carolingian Emperor Charles the Fat held a diet in
884.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, he certainly wouldn’t be able to do that today as the
city among other things, including admirable medieval architecture and
intricate layout, is a culinary delight in and out , one of the gastronomic
centers of France and no doubt a gourmands paradise and an Alsatian delicious
treasure along with Strasbourg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFoR5sQuHSk/UXAzs5vDhiI/AAAAAAAAKC4/n5SmzhQODus/s1600/P1100247-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFoR5sQuHSk/UXAzs5vDhiI/AAAAAAAAKC4/n5SmzhQODus/s400/P1100247-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hlJvmZdJ0E/UXAuL3gjWuI/AAAAAAAAKCA/aaQpILMp8aQ/s1600/P1100193-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hlJvmZdJ0E/UXAuL3gjWuI/AAAAAAAAKCA/aaQpILMp8aQ/s400/P1100193-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can only imagine how heavenly beautiful it might be there
around Christmas time when this velvety cute city is lavishly decorated and
sparkles in myriads of festive lights and smells deliciously of hot savory
specialties and freshly baked pastry. <a href="http://www.noel-colmar.com/en/colmar-the-magic-of-christmas/colmar-the-magic-of-lights" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entre nous the city is very charming in summer time too,
blooming with flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to mention irresistible light and delicious Alsatian wines.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUmikKz9vYg/UXA1Nz8NBfI/AAAAAAAAKEA/X0F5lfUHOCo/s1600/P1100331-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUmikKz9vYg/UXA1Nz8NBfI/AAAAAAAAKEA/X0F5lfUHOCo/s400/P1100331-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZprE81pdo4/UXA1LTu080I/AAAAAAAAKD4/dUTXQL05z94/s1600/P1100330-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZprE81pdo4/UXA1LTu080I/AAAAAAAAKD4/dUTXQL05z94/s400/P1100330-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colmar is the town of a very human scale. You can easily
walk through every nook and cranny in one day and it would be a perfect day
trip from Strasbourg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lushly green, calm and relaxing and charming in every inch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_I98zb208Ic/UXA1WYJuN5I/AAAAAAAAKEY/at4JTiLoqcU/s1600/P1100342-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_I98zb208Ic/UXA1WYJuN5I/AAAAAAAAKEY/at4JTiLoqcU/s400/P1100342-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jG7GVk8LH_M/UXA1hqiyFbI/AAAAAAAAKE0/X57gXeC5QpM/s1600/P1100352-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jG7GVk8LH_M/UXA1hqiyFbI/AAAAAAAAKE0/X57gXeC5QpM/s400/P1100352-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big contemporary cities are demanding, rough on texture,
have sharp edges and spiky skylines. They possess their own beauty and
attractive in their own way enticing with events and happenings , ever changing
cultural life and interactions. They also can make you feel anonymous and small
either you </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are a participant or just a passing by spectator.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRkh4l0RTZg/UXA1VsG4fAI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/ucpO4q1j9bU/s1600/P1100337-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRkh4l0RTZg/UXA1VsG4fAI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/ucpO4q1j9bU/s400/P1100337-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfm4hpp-rsI/UXA1PT2lRsI/AAAAAAAAKEI/dm5M90HJOHc/s1600/P1100335-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfm4hpp-rsI/UXA1PT2lRsI/AAAAAAAAKEI/dm5M90HJOHc/s400/P1100335-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small European towns are so much down to earth and so much
friendlier and softer. Speaking of Colmar –it is velvety and cozy as a huggable
fluffy Teddy bear. Sheer pleasure. It’s neat and composed, welcoming and warm
and honey sweet as a beautiful pastry masterpiece.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many well preserved ancient towns are sleepy hallows today ,
quiet and a bit alienated, unremarkable otherwise, enveloped in time blanket.
Just aging with dignity minding their daily business and keeping their stories
to themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMrm8x7BvNc/UXAz9cRb5uI/AAAAAAAAKDk/mX5jZ-As6KM/s1600/P1100324-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMrm8x7BvNc/UXAz9cRb5uI/AAAAAAAAKDk/mX5jZ-As6KM/s400/P1100324-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WM5HBApsmRU/UXA1ZFNzcCI/AAAAAAAAKEg/0GaVOi7jxVc/s1600/P1100338--blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WM5HBApsmRU/UXA1ZFNzcCI/AAAAAAAAKEg/0GaVOi7jxVc/s400/P1100338--blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colmar is flooded with tourists and bursting to the brim with attractions. Bright and lively, very outgoing and as happy and proud as a
pretty girl in a new dress at the first ball. And incredibly postcard
photogenic. You can’t make two steps without Oh! and Ah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ka4IWf5SBOE/UXAuapm-YdI/AAAAAAAAKCo/j3NFuzgf-mk/s1600/P1100223-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ka4IWf5SBOE/UXAuapm-YdI/AAAAAAAAKCo/j3NFuzgf-mk/s640/P1100223-blog.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like those fairy tale fold-and-pop-up children books: you
turn and some pretty vignette pops-up begging to be admired: timber houses
freshly colored in bright hues, steep roofs and turrets, antique shops, patisseries
and restaurants signs centuries old, modern world brands boutiques and
everywhere les cigognes – the storks. Presented as toys, posters or made of metal
or wood and fixed on doors and garage gates. Stork is a symbol, coat of arms
and a patron/guardian of the home and of this city. There’s a believe that
their nests on the roofs insure happiness and prosperity<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and many children in that home and considered
a luck and get all protection they might need. That’s why quite often you can
see a carriage wheel on the rooftop – it’s the invitation, the base for the
nest to be build. If the storks, very loyal and family oriented creatures, like
the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>place they will settle down and return
for years to come which is a very good sign. A sacred bird for Alsatians especially
in Colmar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX2UzONghmA/UXAuUjcqyVI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/UZpnR5SGGaM/s1600/P1100207-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX2UzONghmA/UXAuUjcqyVI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/UZpnR5SGGaM/s640/P1100207-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x03kGcXtwmo/UXAuK87tuNI/AAAAAAAAKB4/3lJhKCGx5XE/s1600/P1100203-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x03kGcXtwmo/UXAuK87tuNI/AAAAAAAAKB4/3lJhKCGx5XE/s400/P1100203-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLtTM9URNY/UXAuExtzx_I/AAAAAAAAKBw/ABAE0WfAPV0/s1600/P1100184-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLtTM9URNY/UXAuExtzx_I/AAAAAAAAKBw/ABAE0WfAPV0/s400/P1100184-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYCzodSaVMQ/UXAuSxrPcCI/AAAAAAAAKCI/Pgo8_v5_5wM/s1600/P1100204-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYCzodSaVMQ/UXAuSxrPcCI/AAAAAAAAKCI/Pgo8_v5_5wM/s640/P1100204-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Venice, teeny-tiny Venice is a picturesque part of
Colmar filled with calm canals and hunchback bridges. 10-passangers boats with
absolutely noiseless electric motors glide over the mirror surface of dreamy
waters amongst lush green enchanted banks. Absolutely fantastic little journey!
So quiet, serene and so romantic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loaoBNgZj1M/UXA1ltgWd2I/AAAAAAAAKFI/zDov-Sms-R8/s1600/P1100368-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loaoBNgZj1M/UXA1ltgWd2I/AAAAAAAAKFI/zDov-Sms-R8/s640/P1100368-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The historical core of the town is live architectural museum
of the half timber houses dated back as far as early 16<sup>th</sup> century
and are typical German Fachwerkhous . Can you imagine they’ve seen Louis XIV
annexing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Free City (since 13<sup>th</sup>
century!) and proclaiming it French? It was shortly reclaimed by Germany
between 1871-1918 and again in 1940-1945 under name Kolmar.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTpIX3mF73A/UXAuD4D_ARI/AAAAAAAAKBk/ghFf5Z3mwJY/s1600/P1100175-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTpIX3mF73A/UXAuD4D_ARI/AAAAAAAAKBk/ghFf5Z3mwJY/s400/P1100175-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa1iGMmeZvE/UXAz1iqHwMI/AAAAAAAAKDQ/Stn568eHlrQ/s1600/P1100305-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa1iGMmeZvE/UXAz1iqHwMI/AAAAAAAAKDQ/Stn568eHlrQ/s400/P1100305-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NF6rsmZIjU/UXAz2k5UqFI/AAAAAAAAKDY/pAsAqvwZfJY/s1600/P1100312-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NF6rsmZIjU/UXAz2k5UqFI/AAAAAAAAKDY/pAsAqvwZfJY/s400/P1100312-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIQPWaO4Zo8/UXAuDrCiw1I/AAAAAAAAKBg/c7VgFsFRf6E/s1600/P1100192-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIQPWaO4Zo8/UXAuDrCiw1I/AAAAAAAAKBg/c7VgFsFRf6E/s640/P1100192-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And though it definitely part of French heritage</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the closeness to German border and fruitful fusion of two cultures is obvious from architecture and cuisine to names on street signs, spotless facades and manicured flower patches</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to predominantly German speaking tourists and love to music.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhOGWIDNDAI/UXAz7XGfzwI/AAAAAAAAKDc/9VKj1PFixb4/s1600/P1100320-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhOGWIDNDAI/UXAz7XGfzwI/AAAAAAAAKDc/9VKj1PFixb4/s400/P1100320-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5499Ix1kK1Q/UXAz_KarJ7I/AAAAAAAAKDs/r-4AaAh-yz8/s1600/P1100322-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5499Ix1kK1Q/UXAz_KarJ7I/AAAAAAAAKDs/r-4AaAh-yz8/s400/P1100322-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of music. Since 1980 Colmar was triumphantly put
back on a cultural map of Europe with the famous annual Music Festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #270000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“In 2013, Colmar International Festival will celebrate its 25th
year under the artistic direction of <b>Vladimir Spivakov</b>. This is a unique
occasion to look back on this quarter-century of shared emotions and success.
Over the years, Colmar Festival has established itself as a major musical event
in the cultural landscape of Alsace, France, Europe and abroad…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #270000;">25 years of passion and musical enchantment is worth
celebrating! From Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven …to Tchaikovsky,
Rachmaninov …, Chopin, Paganini, …Ravel…and Verdi …Vladimir Spivakov and his
friends will give a dazzling demonstration at Colmar, where the general public
can discover musical excellence!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.festival-colmar.com/en/2013-edition" target="_blank">here </a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More about Colmar <a href="http://www.ot-colmar.fr/en/" target="_blank">here </a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if you plan a trip to France, Strasbourg is only 2
hours<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>East of Paris and Colmar is half
an hour South from Strasbourg. You'll fall in love with Alsace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting my blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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All images © Natalie Rapoport</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-15256092150550836352013-03-20T14:57:00.002-07:002013-03-20T14:58:24.800-07:00Spring in Toronto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Yep! This is our spring ! Just in case someone is wondering. This is our neighborhood in Toronto's Northern suburbs. Looks pretty Christmasy and serene. Moving around in deep snow is tricky not to mention driving but beautiful nevertheless.<br />
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The funny thing is it's snowing and windy and sunny all at the same time.<br />
Looks like winter but you know what, it already smells like spring, really, I can feel it.<br />
<br />
See you soon.<br />
<br />
All images © Natalie RapoportNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-74545286174452268902013-03-08T07:01:00.001-08:002013-03-08T08:49:34.509-08:00Strasbourg Cathedral – a Gothic Jewel.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">If only <i>Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg</i> was the only attraction in the city it was well worth of traveling far and away to Alsace just to take a glimpse at something incomparably majestic you’ve never seen before. A fantastic, incomprehensible structure holding several titles of <b>the most</b>: how for the most tall building in the world until 1874 (142m). And it remains asymmetrical as the twin tower was never built.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">It was started in early 11<sup>th</sup> century and completed by mid 15<sup>th</sup>. It took merely 400 years to accomplish this out worldly masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture which is actually 1000 years old by now (!!!) and not in pitiful ruins of former grandeur but very much alive and striving and flourishing and breathtaking beautiful, leaving me only two words: surreal and eternal.</span></div>
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<i>This image I edited a bit as well as the first one to create a Gothic mood.</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">A delicate lace made of pink stone covers every inch of this enormous beauty, orange at dawn, all shades of pink on a sunny day and all shades of purple in the dusk. The color palette is quite unique. Fantastic giant chameleon in 50 shades of pink. You won’t believe until you see and you won’t forget</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">either, ever.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Resulting from Protestant Reformation The Cathedral was assigned to protestant faith in 1524, as soon as it was overtaken by Louis XIV it was returned to Catholics and redesigned inside once again in 1681. In between in 1539 there was a first Christmas tree set up and decorated inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It could have vanish in 1794
when revolutionary radicals les Enrages decided that the tower’s height is offensive
to principals of equality and came up with the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>idea to demolish it. Miraculously the citizens of Strasbourg spared it
of gruesome fate. The proud tower wasn’t guillotined but covered with giant Phrygian
cap instead for the world to see. Whatever it took but it was saved until
suffered heavily in WWII Allies air raids of 1944. There was a very wise
decision to remove unique stained glass windows and hide in a safe place. They
were reinstalled soon after the war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today the strongest can
climb to the observation deck of the Cathedral to take in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the birds view on city's unforgettable</span> steep rooftops .
Beautiful as you can see. And a lot of reconstruction is going on daily basis.
The flourishing city is very busy to keep itself young and tidy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">My camera isn't sophisticated enough to show all nuances of color changes from orange to pink and purple. Neither can it fit in the whole structure into the frame. This is the video my husband recorded. It brings some perspective into the <a href="http://youtu.be/NOOxpovAyt0" target="_blank">view</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> And by the way. Today is the 8th of March. The international Women's Day.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Congratulations to all my lovely lady-readers.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>See you soon, have a wonderful weekend and a March break full of fun.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>All images are © Natalie Rapoport</o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-66865951223978673832013-02-12T15:29:00.003-08:002013-02-12T15:31:52.560-08:00Strasbourg. City or Fairy Tale? Part 2.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<i>(The beginning of the story is <a href="http://jewelyettofind.blogspot.ca/2013/02/strasbourg-city-or-fairy-tale.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</i><br />
Not only culinary delights attract thousands of tourists. The city itself is unique and its world wide known Cathedral is the jewel in the crown. Though during the WWII the historic core suffered extensive damages from Allies air raids it survived and slowly was restored.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Look at this woodwork at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Maison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #606060; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Kammerzell. It's 500 years old</span></i></div>
Recently the whole city was unprecedently proclaimed World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO because it persevered as unique urban ensemble since early Middle ages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>I admire those honeycomb windows often covered with lush vines</i></div>
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As Amsterdam already claimed the name of Northern Venice it leaves Strasbourg which is exactly half way in between, what, Semi Northern Venice? The historical medieval part of Strasbourg is an island surrounded by picturesque canal, that makes it a half-brother to Italian beauty. Otherwise they are completely different but beautiful all the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Half-timber colorful houses, maisons de bois, up to 7 stories the skyscrapers of medieval times with high, golden/red/dark steep rooftops and tiniest mansards, bright flowers overflowing from every window, many facades covered with elaborate wood carvings. Elegant Baroque hotels particuliers, Art Deco houses and Renaissance villas, beautifully laid out squares, giant lush weeping willows dropping their branches into water of busy canal bubbling with tourist boats running back and forth via narrow lock with revolting bridge, the swans floating in lazy slow motion oblivious to all this hubbub, beautiful quais mostly overtaken with cute restaurants and huge centuries old trees still enjoying their glorious reflections.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The remnants of fortifications, towers, bridges, spires and churches.<o:p></o:p></div>
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22 years old Mozart was playing in this city in 1778, with its well known university and flourishing culture one of the main centers of the European Enlightenment / Aufklarung…….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Goethe at the same young age a few years earlier was studying there and walking these streets. He loved Strasbourg but couldn’t foresee his own statue on Place de l’Universite at that time of course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are cities glorious and glamorous. One simply can’t call Paris or London or NY with all their grandeur cute. Strasbourg with its elaborate doll houses is fabulously idyllic and cute. Add to that relaxed pace and slow down rhythm and you’ll get a perfect vocation spot not to mention dozens of delicious pastry shops which were endlessly tempting with their sweet offerings and ice-creams of uncounted flavors, each window a masterpiece of Choco-berry-vanilla-cinnamon perfection.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cobble streets and narrow passages of a medieval city, quiet late walks and peaceful river splashes, far away laughs and a glow in the night reflected in twinkling water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Beautiful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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To be continued.<o:p></o:p><br />
See you soon.<br />
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All images © Natalie Rapoport</div>
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Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-48734092590189014972013-02-08T08:21:00.002-08:002013-02-08T14:26:09.335-08:00Strasbourg. City or Fairy Tale illustration? Part 1.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ga1n7oA5M2E/URUfLk-R57I/AAAAAAAAJ5w/hWwlufgZ-uU/s1600/P1090921-fixed-reprint-bloged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ga1n7oA5M2E/URUfLk-R57I/AAAAAAAAJ5w/hWwlufgZ-uU/s640/P1090921-fixed-reprint-bloged.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Welcome to Strasbourg, the heart of Alsace. </i><br />
<i>Strasbourg is famous for its maisons de bois, half timber houses, Fachwerkhous</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
Like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>maybe all cities
on the border between two countries, whose history was torn apart so many times
and the identity war-fully and peacefully disputed over the centuries, they
have the best advantages of both worlds as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoTML5t-4uA/URUfLbzUidI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/1n0_DlzwFv0/s1600/P1090924-bloged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoTML5t-4uA/URUfLbzUidI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/1n0_DlzwFv0/s400/P1090924-bloged.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9nx-3iwoD8/URUfLFJf5pI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/sfn8shfXnNI/s1600/P1090933-bloged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9nx-3iwoD8/URUfLFJf5pI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/sfn8shfXnNI/s400/P1090933-bloged.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<br />
Tested by time, distilled to the very best, only the most
beautiful, delicious and admirable stays: architecture, cuisine, customs are so
tightly entwined, better to say absorbed and dissolved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there’s a word Spanglish, there should be Franc-Deutsch
or something to reflect this duality of two sided coin.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That is certainly the case with Strasbourg the central city
of the French province of Alsace. Even judging from the names one can easily
know it was originally German <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mentioned
as Strazburg (fortress at the crossroads) since 9<sup>th</sup> century, proudly
independent city <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>since 13<sup>th</sup>
century, later a prosperous independent republic in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14<sup>th </sup>with city government and
guilds long time before Louis XIV decided that it should be His foreign
province retaining its independent status and Protestant majority. Since then
it’s French, though the Germans weren’t particularly happy about it and tried
to get it back on several occasions including two World Wars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY71e36iQkA/URUg3lMST7I/AAAAAAAAJ6w/dmTLgTgxn4w/s1600/P1090856-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY71e36iQkA/URUg3lMST7I/AAAAAAAAJ6w/dmTLgTgxn4w/s400/P1090856-blog.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtknduPDMug/URUfQQ3DjYI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/yW6hoaA4UlE/s1600/P1090940-bloged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtknduPDMug/URUfQQ3DjYI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/yW6hoaA4UlE/s400/P1090940-bloged.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<br />
Nevertheless this is the status quo and today citizens and
visitors can freely walk across the bridge from one country to another without
even noticing it and German language is far much more spoken here than French,
at least in the tourist crowd. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />
Not to mention that this is an ideal place for several
European institutions like <o:p></o:p></div>
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Council of Europe, European Parliament, International
Institute of Human Rights and several other significant seats.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many instances when different cultures friendly
co-exist sharing the area but not mixing, like water and oil. But in this case
it looks and feels like everything was shaken and stirred in one homogeneous
solution to bring to life a unique creation: Alsatian 50/50 split. It shows
everywhere like in the name Maison <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kammerzell</i>,
one of the most beautiful ornate medieval houses well preserved on Cathedral
square since early 15<sup>th</sup> century. It’s unique and typical for
Strasbourg to have La/Le+French word+German last name of the founder or vice
versa. Such a great example of mutual adaptation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The woodcarving is so elaborate </i></div>
(Unlike something I experienced in Belgium where beautiful
Bruxelles is totally French speaking,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in
and out French, when no less wonderful Brugge (Bruges) is only 30 min away and
completely Flemish and deaf to French, but very friendly to English. But
actually it’s the same thing going on with Quebec and the rest of Canada and
I’m still wondering why the differences should be emphasized in unfriendly
manner if they could be celebrated to benefit. But of course it’s a rhetoric
question.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Back to Strasbourg. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The fruitful fusion is proudly reflected in Alsatian cuisine
predominantly German with its staple recipes of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choucroute</i> (French for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sauerkraut, sour cabbage with variety of meats and sausages) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">baeckeoffe</i> , baked potato-meat
casserole) and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">flammekueche</i> (tarte flambee, flame cake, sort of a very thin crusty
pizza savory or sweet with fruits topping). The portions are famously uber
generous so one casserole is a plenty for two. And when you lift that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>heavy ceramic cover and breathe in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those delicious aroma – you’re already in
love with Alsace even if you still haven’t seen Strasbourg… <o:p></o:p></div>
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Alsatian vines light and semi dry (or semi sweet) Rieslings
I grew<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be a huge fan of sanc doute…. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And after such a happy meal and a glass of chilled local
white the city appeared to be even more beautiful, but it is indeed.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This restaurant looked so inviting and tables were set so nicely</i></div>
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Stay tuned my friends.</div>
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To be continued...</div>
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<br /></div>
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All images © Natalie Rapoport</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-30349057728541512952012-12-29T16:22:00.001-08:002012-12-30T09:45:40.914-08:00Paris you have never seen before. The last Impressionist.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since Camille Pissarro<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and his Avenue de l‘Opera and Boulevard
Montmartre in various seasons, the early moving towards the impressionism,
since Claude Monet’s Boulevard des Capucines full of golden light and impressionist
fame, numerous sketches of everyday Montmartre life depicted by Utrillo in
early 20<sup>th</sup> century, there weren’t significant French artists
inspired by their great city. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The glory passed to
photographers like Atget, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brassai, Cartier-Bresson
and Robert Doisneau who pioneered photojournalism , reportage de la vie,
documentary, mainly interested in Parisians and their daily moments. But it was
later,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in 40-60s when Paris became a
glorious backdrop then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Between the wars Paris was
so to speak seemingly unattended by painters. Here comes BUT….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of the last
impressionists was the prominent Russian artist Konstantin Korovin (1861
(Moscow) -1939 (Paris)). He fell in love with Paris on his first trip in 1885,
shocked and utmost happy to discover Impressionism which was recently proclaimed
into a recognized movement . This freshness and light was exactly what he was
aspiring for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was successful and
famous in Russia<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for his innovative and
creative talent, the leading member of several influential artistic groups, the
protagonist in the Pleiades <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the best and greatest of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He had a sunny personality, cherished
loyal friendships throughout his life and was adored with fellow students. Full
of joie de vivre he was always a center of any friendly gathering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Korovin was passionate about
art ever looking forward, developing new ways of color expression, worked a lot
for the theatres changing the perception of stage design and decoration. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1900 he designed one of
the Russian Empire pavilions for the Paris World Expo for which he was awarded
the Legion of Honour by the French Government. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He later became an
Academician of Painting and a professor in Art School.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He traveled a lot and left a
precious legacy of Russian landscapes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But one of his favorite
themes was undoubtedly Paris since 1890-s. He created beautiful cityscapes like
no one French artist of the time. In 1923 with failing health and a handicapped
son in his care he got a lucky opportunity to leave Soviet Russia to Paris with
lifetime of works for the personal exhibition he hoped to sell to secure his
future. To his gravely dismay the collection vanished on its way to be never
retrieved. The ageing artist who was heartbroken to leave his homeland and
friends behind came to Paris devastated and totally financially broke.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He painted Paris Boulevards
and Cafes well into 30-s to make ends meet along with Russian Winters for
displaced and nostalgic compatriots immigrants. He also worked tirelessly on
stage designs for many leading opera theatres throughout the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/R1jUb6DA5eI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1jUb6DA5eI" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Always known as a stylish gentleman,
generous and cheerful, bright and ever talented<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>he slowly succumbed to the bitterness and hardships of the time. His big
heart gave up just a few months before <i>his</i> Paris painted in its splendor and glittering lights, with glorious sun and mysterious shadows, colorful <i>fete de la vie</i> and oblivious crowds, its <i>grisaille</i> and <i>tristesse</i> was defeated<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and occupied by Nazi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Konstantin Korovin left a legacy of beautiful
paintings of Paris he remembered and loved.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><b style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Happy New Year and the Best Wishes to everyone!</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting and supporting my blog in its first year and see you in 2013 !</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Many thanks to someone who put together this collection along with one of my favorite songs by Francoise Hardy.</i></span></div>
Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-32114477398909837082012-12-26T12:36:00.000-08:002012-12-28T08:12:14.621-08:00The Highlight of the Holiday Season: Anna Karenina<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Classics screen adaptations inevitably sparkle the
controversy. It’s virtually impossible to make everyone happy and to fulfill
all expectations.<br />Having read the ravishing reviews in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1274239472"></span>NY Times </a> and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/anna-karenina-the-taming-of-tolstoys-masterpiece/article5795288/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail</a> I thought I was prepared. It turned out I almost was. The movie is even better. It’s the highlight of our holiday season.<br />A brilliant translation of remote realities, customs, moral laws into free spirit strive for happiness. If you haven’t yet seen, don’t be afraid of XIXth century enormously heavy Russian classic novel by Tolstoy. It’s a brilliant contemporary adaptation undoubtedly calling for several Oscar nominations. At least for the Best Director, camera man, for set design and costumes, for music and choreography. It will be hard to approach and turn any other foreign classics into decent movie any time soon and not to be under the spell of this splendidly choreographed masterpiece, not to fall into a mocking parody.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cast is fantastic and
the understanding of characters is profound even in such a condensed form. You’ll
be utterly impressed by Keira Knightley’s work but you certainly won’t forget
Jude Law’s tragic Kerenin easily. The only question mark is Vronsky (Aaron Johnson).
In movie’s theatrical and playful stylization it might have been intentional. I
don’t believe in director’s mistake. As if Shakespeare’s prankster Puck
accomplished his stint and dropped the magic juice in Anna’s eyes and she was
cursed to fall in love with the first creature she would see when she wakes up.
And it happened to be this pretty Barbie boy, curled and blue eyed,
nonchalant, sexy and shallow. As the
movie’s poster claims: <i>You can’t ask Why
about love</i>. The decadent and sensual waltz among people-mannequins is breathtaking! THIS ANNA with such Vronsky – the tragic irony of fate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I simply can’t tell it
better than the authors of highly analytical <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/arts/dance/sidi-larbi-cherkaouis-choreography-for-anna-karenina.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">reviews</a> .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the quote from Diana Vreeland (though about
Diaghilev)*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would perfectly sum up <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the impression: “The flavor, the extravagance,
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allure</i>, the excitement, the passion,
the smash, the clash, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crash</i>…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were two most notable
Annas on the screen: iconic Greta Garbo (who was glamorous, cold and static as
a moon stone, wordless blurred close-ups worked magic) and beautiful Vivien Leigh passionate and alienated in that pedantically realistic rendition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The new version is very
innovative and courageous approach to classic which isn’t viewed as untouchable,
sacred, frozen exotic treasure or a hopeless transplant in place and time which
can’t survive without massive injection of action and explicit scenes. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s
pulsing, it has a heart beat, it’s breathing. Joe Wright’s adaptation is
elegant, exuberant, dynamic and deeply touching and not superficial at all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A
delicate ballet with passionate splashes and grotesque exaggerations (as in: you
can’t be serious about obvious absurd of reality) embroidered with meaningful dialogs
and quite serious revelations. The flawless rhythm of virtuoso orchestra led by a fragile and unstoppable soloist. And it’s not only the most famous adultery story
as one critic pointed out. There’s so much more indeed and it doesn’t sound so
distant as one might think. Real and surreal are inseparably entwined. The colorful Theatre of Absurd but a very beautiful one.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>D.V</b>.© 1984 Diana Vreeland, ECCO An Imprint of HarpersCollinsPublishers, 2011, p.13.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-1915876164570535692012-12-14T08:22:00.003-08:002012-12-19T09:17:57.771-08:00Rouen<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Rouen is beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A medieval treasure of Normandy a bit NW of Paris.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At_rBUl1bHM/UMtEJAvMb8I/AAAAAAAAJy4/SO5rgtTivdA/s1600/P1090329-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At_rBUl1bHM/UMtEJAvMb8I/AAAAAAAAJy4/SO5rgtTivdA/s640/P1090329-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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August, noon, empty streets as if towners deserted it
completely, leaving behind a fantastic decoration after the finished play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange feeling of overwhelming quietness
after overflown Paris. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Only between Cathedral and Market Place a few groups of tourists,
mostly German, filled narrow street with sound presence. <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN-AmYdie7k/UMtHHxhC45I/AAAAAAAAJz0/-Nk0BWXFtOc/s1600/P1090235-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN-AmYdie7k/UMtHHxhC45I/AAAAAAAAJz0/-Nk0BWXFtOc/s400/P1090235-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcXJT1wfICE/UMtHECV58SI/AAAAAAAAJzs/1OeVbkZ7iTk/s1600/P1090227-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcXJT1wfICE/UMtHECV58SI/AAAAAAAAJzs/1OeVbkZ7iTk/s400/P1090227-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
Otherwise the whole city is asleep, paused in time like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>castle inhabitants in Sleeping Beauty.
Stopped on the move: store doors open, flowers blooming, sweet aroma from
pastry shops whiffing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and almost no
people around. The restaurants where closed by 2pm probably until evening, open
only for drinks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The quiche, croque monsieur and mille-feuille gateaux
available <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the pastry shop for take
out under café umbrella were fantastic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Maybe it was traditional vacation time and everyone<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is blown away with travel rush. Or maybe it
was rain on and off all day long, light or heavy at times. It made me juggling with umbrella and camera and still it
was wonderful. We had the city to ourselves. The same impression was with Bourges.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJk4P3KQJkk/UMtHLVmAYwI/AAAAAAAAJz8/7mZIjy_qsQ8/s1600/P1090290-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJk4P3KQJkk/UMtHLVmAYwI/AAAAAAAAJz8/7mZIjy_qsQ8/s640/P1090290-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Please walk with me, touch the walls of maisons de bois -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>half-timber houses. They are real. So many
where destroyed during the WWII in heavy fires and bombing, almost a half was
gone and the scars left forever. What could be saved is restored lovingly like
a magnifiscent landmark Palais de Justice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Built at the very end of XVth century<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with all attributes of flamboyant gothic
architecture <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was almost destroyed in
the XXth but slowly revived to be sincerely admired.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVu_Gl36ucc/UMtH4S9FbtI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/2HNrZJ2GQm4/s1600/P1090293-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVu_Gl36ucc/UMtH4S9FbtI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/2HNrZJ2GQm4/s640/P1090293-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The city today is
beautiful as ever even if it took the tromp l’oeil murals to bring back the
Market Place close to the original look. Today this square is dominated by a huge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ultra modern chapel/museum<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of Joan of Arc. Gigantic structure for this
space. It makes surrounding buildings look like pigmies theme park
maquette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s beautiful but it’s just
the scale that is utterly wrong.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Poor courageous girl Jeanne d’Arc. She was what today is defined
as a charismatic leader with obviously paranormal abilities. A brave girl with
military talents eager to save her beloved France from English occupation and
stop an endless war. She wasn’t only cowardly betrayed by a miserable king
Charles VII, she was actually sold to English for money by duke of Burgundy.
The tragic end of her short life in May 1431 is well known. She became a legend
for eternity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
And Rouen, the capital city of Normandy since medieval times,
a prosperous trading city on the Seine then, today is capitalizing on this
legend heavily. <o:p></o:p></div>
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500 years later the heroic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>girl was proclaimed the Saint<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jeanne d’Arc. Her images are everywhere slightly varying between Mila
Yovovich and Barbarella, most of the time it’s a sexy Barbie in shining armor
with angelic face, or Xena the warrior with the triumphant look of Amazon
winner. Usually it’s a funny kitsch, but whatever it takes to help sell the
goods. St. Jeanne became a trade mark.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Street signs are antique and touching traditional, some are
modern designed logos over the chic windows. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Contemporary urban sculpture interacts so well with medieval
square. I like when present doesn’t dismiss but respects the past, they made pretty
good friends in here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAD2o47y-s/UMtP6824kTI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/CxRkImHtriI/s1600/P1090370-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAD2o47y-s/UMtP6824kTI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/CxRkImHtriI/s400/P1090370-blog.JPG" width="298" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UtRa6unND4/UMsr4eTXdII/AAAAAAAAJxU/lnwc3pxlJ-o/s1600/P1090152-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UtRa6unND4/UMsr4eTXdII/AAAAAAAAJxU/lnwc3pxlJ-o/s400/P1090152-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
Famous for it’s traditional faience and porcelain production
Rouen carries on. There’re many shops around town with artists in the windows <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mastering their craft, richly ornamenting with
delicate flowers plates and cups and saucers right in front of by passers’
eyes. There’re many beautiful fragile pieces to admire. The same style for
ages. This tradition is very much alive despite the slow demand I believe. The
craftsmanship is amazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYAZdxrCh5k/UMtCF9M3w0I/AAAAAAAAJyY/3tGLKjakpFU/s1600/P1090263-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYAZdxrCh5k/UMtCF9M3w0I/AAAAAAAAJyY/3tGLKjakpFU/s400/P1090263-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PfXFFP4Nyc/UMtBp9O6ScI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/XEgdSwGkO-Y/s1600/P1090252-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PfXFFP4Nyc/UMtBp9O6ScI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/XEgdSwGkO-Y/s400/P1090252-blog.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Hidden narrow passages and tiny courtyards covered in
unstoppable vines are very cute and cozy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several beautiful churches grace the sky with
their spires. I’ve posted about Notre Dame de Rouen Cathedral <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://jewelyettofind.blogspot.ca/search/label/Rouen%20Cathedral" target="_blank">here</a>.</i> This is the heart of the city
along with the Rue du Gros Horloge. The huge golden gilded and ornated clock is
tirelessly ticking since 1389. And the rhythm of life obviously hasn’t change
much since.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rouen is relatively a small city today but well loved and
cared by Rounnaises.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s historical core is a wonderful day walk not far from
Paris.</div>
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<br /></div>
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*All images © Natalie Rapoport</div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-51708391866842555282012-12-04T07:34:00.002-08:002012-12-10T18:06:50.490-08:00It has been a YEAR!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dear friends, it has been a YEAR! The First anniversary
of this exciting journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>Jewel Yet to Find</b></i> is one year old. Can’t believe it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to all my readers who found the time to
follow<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the blog, for encouraging
comments and friendly support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m delighted to make a few wonderful friends in blogosphere
universe, to virtually travel the world and exchange the thoughts, to share
interesting moments and finds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I appreciate each and every comment. The feedback is soooooo
important. The fellow bloggers know this anticipation. I'd love to hear from you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading. Lately there were so many posts about books<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vs. electronics, regarding vital necessity of
reading in our lives. I still can’t switch to digital readers. I love the feel
of real book , love to touch and turn pages, hold in hands, simply look and
can’t help it. Electronic book it’s like speaking over the phone, you can hear
all right but you can’t look in the eyes , see the face and gesture. It
is…well… different in many ways, easier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember how excruciatingly hard it was before our move to
Canada back in 1996 to part with my home library. Because I remember how I’ve
got each and every book either saving from scholarship, or friends pooled
together for a birthday present richly illustrated art album<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I coveted so much. The starting point was
bits and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pieces of my father’s library.
And there came a moment when I had to let it go. I donated to a large
Performing Arts library, to friends but like with a pet one forced to leave behind
I was looking for the good hands. It was then, long time ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we all have internet, click and ta-da! All you need to
see or to know is at our fingertips. And still…I love books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This short video is an homage to Joy of Reading, little
masterpiece of ad art created in Toronto tells it all in a dynamic and touching
story. Not laud and flashy but beautiful and moving. I love it along with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more than 3 million viewers .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKVcQnyEIT8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">here</a></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Books come to life when we open them, they have souls and
personalities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s always a world behind the cover: simple and
insignificant or colorful, soothing, provocative, mind blowing revelations,
complicated, profound and unforgettable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s to the joy of reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you and see you soon. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-70996658394169915562012-11-26T06:34:00.000-08:002012-11-27T06:40:17.259-08:00Small gifts.As Holiday season approaches so the dilemma comes what may surprise your friends and loved ones?<br />
<br />
Another decision to make what to give to teachers? How many mugs they can possibly collect? Gift cards and baskets are expensive in quantities needed. Greeting cards make to recycling been instantly.<br />
People are buying the pre-written cards and just sign the names at the end. No, no for me.<br />
<br />
This year I came up with not so original but at least a handmade idea to make desk top photo calendars.<br />
<br />
Unmistakable glimpses of Paris (or other beautiful places) are commonly appealing and they aren't the stock images but my shots so the calendars will have a personal touch which is nice.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQfJIuqU-MA/ULN4dYxHQUI/AAAAAAAAJug/kyxIaU0iUhU/s1600/Calendar-2013-5x7+-metro1-Burlap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQfJIuqU-MA/ULN4dYxHQUI/AAAAAAAAJug/kyxIaU0iUhU/s640/Calendar-2013-5x7+-metro1-Burlap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMcKxPQ-vDY/ULN4hyCzzGI/AAAAAAAAJuw/A7MWgr0OIkU/s1600/Calendar-5x7-Paris-cafe1-burlap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMcKxPQ-vDY/ULN4hyCzzGI/AAAAAAAAJuw/A7MWgr0OIkU/s640/Calendar-5x7-Paris-cafe1-burlap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xknfpgLnAVI/ULN4j3Lu0gI/AAAAAAAAJu4/UwhRy5doT1Q/s1600/Calendar-5x7-Rouen-shop-Burlap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xknfpgLnAVI/ULN4j3Lu0gI/AAAAAAAAJu4/UwhRy5doT1Q/s640/Calendar-5x7-Rouen-shop-Burlap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7eLqvH06wE/ULN4baZVseI/AAAAAAAAJuY/x3eBLD9DFxM/s1600/Calendar+2013.Paris.Cafe-shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7eLqvH06wE/ULN4baZVseI/AAAAAAAAJuY/x3eBLD9DFxM/s640/Calendar+2013.Paris.Cafe-shop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQv1-sS1VFA/ULN4flAEAtI/AAAAAAAAJuo/r3H3pGxT5q4/s1600/Calendar-5x7-Efel-shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQv1-sS1VFA/ULN4flAEAtI/AAAAAAAAJuo/r3H3pGxT5q4/s640/Calendar-5x7-Efel-shop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_hM2Hy229U/ULN4WVgUCWI/AAAAAAAAJuI/-R5_vZ9Oxh4/s1600/Calendar+2013%252C+Koleso.+8x10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_hM2Hy229U/ULN4WVgUCWI/AAAAAAAAJuI/-R5_vZ9Oxh4/s640/Calendar+2013%252C+Koleso.+8x10.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkuvOE4aSDM/ULN4YwW7pKI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/oRJdqY-zXAc/s1600/Calendar+2013%252C+Paris%252C+Carousel+8x10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkuvOE4aSDM/ULN4YwW7pKI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/oRJdqY-zXAc/s640/Calendar+2013%252C+Paris%252C+Carousel+8x10.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjkzshqfxeM/ULN4UOM1U3I/AAAAAAAAJuA/RTLXoHA7Kf0/s1600/Calendar+-5x7-Guell-Burlap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjkzshqfxeM/ULN4UOM1U3I/AAAAAAAAJuA/RTLXoHA7Kf0/s640/Calendar+-5x7-Guell-Burlap.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The calendars also available in 5"x 7"</i> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClickAwayPhotography" target="_blank">here</a></div>
<br />
I know, everyone has almost everything, whatever they don't you usually can't afford too. But small gifts to show appreciation and for the joy of giving are irreplaceable. What do you think?<br />
<br />
* <i>All images © Natalie Rapoport</i>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-45651819654426340732012-11-17T17:37:00.000-08:002012-11-17T17:45:07.692-08:00Rouen Cathedral<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_cY-zhOc48/UKgit6RRTdI/AAAAAAAAJrM/kKJuFbRMtQQ/s1600/P1090238-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
can’t even tell how many happy hours I spent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>in various museums near the Rouen Cathedral by Claude Monet. In National
Gallery in Washington, in Musee d’Orsay, in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paris Marmottan museum, in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pushkin Fine Arts Museum in Moscow <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when I was a teenager fascinated with his
light and sun and shadows, pastel tones and vibrant morning splashes, fading
sunset colors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and melting forms,
anticipating, guessing, feeling, flying…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmJOxr0XFZI/UKgmN-SJjXI/AAAAAAAAJr8/Vynj_3OIau0/s1600/P1090277-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmJOxr0XFZI/UKgmN-SJjXI/AAAAAAAAJr8/Vynj_3OIau0/s400/P1090277-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_cY-zhOc48/UKgit6RRTdI/AAAAAAAAJrM/kKJuFbRMtQQ/s1600/P1090238-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_cY-zhOc48/UKgit6RRTdI/AAAAAAAAJrM/kKJuFbRMtQQ/s400/P1090238-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Monet loved to immerse himself in series of enamored subjects. It could be a Rouen Cathedral which was immortalized by the artist in 30 paintings , a tantalizing task to catch the ever-changing daylight bit by bit. Or endless variations of water lilies in Giverny, from tiny sketches to huge canvases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Therefore many renowned museums throughout the world can proudly exhibit in their collections one or more of his Cathedrals painted in Rouen in 1892-1894.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I84iXXHaQVw/UKgjSjKfU1I/AAAAAAAAJrU/ztVkRi0uCFE/s1600/P1090239-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I84iXXHaQVw/UKgjSjKfU1I/AAAAAAAAJrU/ztVkRi0uCFE/s640/P1090239-fix.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Before France grew to love Impressionists</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">many of their masterpieces unaccepted by the contemporaries</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">were acquired</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">by visionary collectors</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">in States and progressive connoisseurs in Russia at the dawn of 20</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">century and brought the artists success, fame and recognition.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGcR_kh2EkY/UKgkh1XyFgI/AAAAAAAAJrk/k5Jh_oSqHyo/s1600/P1090242-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGcR_kh2EkY/UKgkh1XyFgI/AAAAAAAAJrk/k5Jh_oSqHyo/s640/P1090242-fix.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">There’s no other building in the world which had the same honor of being painted so many times</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">by the Master. Even Notre Dame de Paris can’t compete. There are so many other beautiful cathedrals in France sort of very well known but kind of little bit put aside by the history and locations.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nap7elr4p0/UKgj42IbSpI/AAAAAAAAJrc/fKDmCHtT_lY/s1600/P1090240-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nap7elr4p0/UKgj42IbSpI/AAAAAAAAJrc/fKDmCHtT_lY/s640/P1090240-fix.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">This won’t be ever the fate of Rouen Cathedral the genuine masterpiece of gothic architecture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Being the main Cathedral in the capital city of Normandy since the 12<sup>th</sup> century it had such a tumultuous history of construction and reconstructions, fires, destructions, looting, lightnings and burnings, devastating bombing during the WWII which caused unforgivable damages, relatively recent natural disaster and never stopped restoration since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And it’s proud spire still points to the sky, beautiful rose windows grace the facades. Magnificent structure!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLpcbUtCDVk/UKglqhO6iLI/AAAAAAAAJr0/5ciWE1t3d-Q/s1600/P1090276-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLpcbUtCDVk/UKglqhO6iLI/AAAAAAAAJr0/5ciWE1t3d-Q/s400/P1090276-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--nO8j9K7GfU/UKgiB3AfbAI/AAAAAAAAJrE/dZkZSTJQuek/s1600/P1090215-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--nO8j9K7GfU/UKgiB3AfbAI/AAAAAAAAJrE/dZkZSTJQuek/s400/P1090215-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Always
wanted to see it once for myself and last August we made a day trip from Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I’ll
show you the medieval and quiet city of Rouen in the next posts meanwhile enjoy
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>architectural details and stone
carving, masonry and grandeur of the Cathedral admired by Claude Monet 120
years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Have a wonderful weekend my friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">See you soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">*<i>All images (except C.Monet's paintings) copyright Natalie Rapoport</i></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-4618133386193509542012-10-30T15:26:00.004-07:002012-12-10T18:07:25.108-08:00Thinking of NY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz54A2VYEXM/UJBJao0wzyI/AAAAAAAAJo8/1qA6DcXktxA/s1600/DSC08656-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz54A2VYEXM/UJBJao0wzyI/AAAAAAAAJo8/1qA6DcXktxA/s640/DSC08656-fix.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
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<i>A serene view at Central Park.</i></div>
By the noon the strong wind just stopped abruptly. It didn't subside it just has cut it out. Very strange. Storm alert is still on but rain stopped and it's strangely calm. Down town Toronto is dealing with the damages, mostly fallen trees and electric lines, lots of households experienced power shortage but it's a small aftermath compare to disaster in NY. So today I feel like share a few images of the city I love. My tiny tribute to a Big Apple.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6fNS_HR7L0/UJBJmgSiAII/AAAAAAAAJpE/0nT8706VwR4/s1600/DSC08076-fix-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6fNS_HR7L0/UJBJmgSiAII/AAAAAAAAJpE/0nT8706VwR4/s400/DSC08076-fix-1.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XsvQrCIJQo/UJBI74q7ooI/AAAAAAAAJo0/3JzVWRgh_WE/s1600/DSC08594-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XsvQrCIJQo/UJBI74q7ooI/AAAAAAAAJo0/3JzVWRgh_WE/s400/DSC08594-fix.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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The CNN reports are frightening and the courage and dedication of very brave reporters exposed to harsh elements, freezing rain and winds, some standing in the raging water above their knees is incredible. They kept the world updated.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcllS9g1ejs/UJBK7LQ8YgI/AAAAAAAAJpM/nuT-svZfeXE/s1600/P1020061-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcllS9g1ejs/UJBK7LQ8YgI/AAAAAAAAJpM/nuT-svZfeXE/s400/P1020061-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>The quiet corner of NY Public Library. </i></div>
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<i>A delicate china is ready for an elegant tea for a few special guests. </i></div>
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<i>What the patrons will be talking about? </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxu2ImqmgWQ/UJBLNLVrkcI/AAAAAAAAJpU/OA6Xjgd2Mfc/s1600/P1020063-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxu2ImqmgWQ/UJBLNLVrkcI/AAAAAAAAJpU/OA6Xjgd2Mfc/s400/P1020063-fix.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aSVcjVuyy0/UJBLhjiK1yI/AAAAAAAAJpc/C__M2iGOzXI/s1600/P1020079-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aSVcjVuyy0/UJBLhjiK1yI/AAAAAAAAJpc/C__M2iGOzXI/s400/P1020079-fix.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i>NY has the most elegant and stylish shop windows in the world.</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOzuohuSSwQ/UJBL-yq2YCI/AAAAAAAAJpk/ZNcHbYhtmNk/s1600/P1020104-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOzuohuSSwQ/UJBL-yq2YCI/AAAAAAAAJpk/ZNcHbYhtmNk/s640/P1020104-fix.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i> The breathtaking views from Rockefeller Tower Observation Deck.</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU9S0lEdxEw/UJBMYj4gx9I/AAAAAAAAJps/E4TMGl5i1v8/s1600/P1020112-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU9S0lEdxEw/UJBMYj4gx9I/AAAAAAAAJps/E4TMGl5i1v8/s640/P1020112-fix.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i> Manhattan ship is proudly sailing towards ocean</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGIsHjhYhb8/UJBNRYKwEkI/AAAAAAAAJp8/OoJ0okIM-PY/s1600/P1020126-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGIsHjhYhb8/UJBNRYKwEkI/AAAAAAAAJp8/OoJ0okIM-PY/s640/P1020126-fix.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbjxLxYAW6Q/UJBOECder-I/AAAAAAAAJqM/es7p9Dj6Uf0/s1600/P1020185-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbjxLxYAW6Q/UJBOECder-I/AAAAAAAAJqM/es7p9Dj6Uf0/s400/P1020185-fix.JPG" width="301" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2JhXjkOMd4/UJBNqtYr1rI/AAAAAAAAJqE/kUOHo3JMIoY/s1600/P1020140-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2JhXjkOMd4/UJBNqtYr1rI/AAAAAAAAJqE/kUOHo3JMIoY/s400/P1020140-fix.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpwwYyvQul4/UJBOk8EHLAI/AAAAAAAAJqU/I5plMhjdOGs/s1600/P1020186-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpwwYyvQul4/UJBOk8EHLAI/AAAAAAAAJqU/I5plMhjdOGs/s400/P1020186-fix.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i>How small is our planet...How fragile and helpless the almighty humans can be.</i></div>
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Tragic times. People lost their lives, my heart is going for them and their loved ones. </div>
The damage is colossal but there's no doubt the resilient city as NY is will spring back as beautiful as ever. A Big Apple has been bitten severely. I wish new yorkers strength and courage.<br />
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May everyone stay safe.<br />
Till next time.<br />
Natalie.<br />
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*<i>All images copyright by Natalie Rapoport</i>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-54054318788040226442012-10-29T15:10:00.002-07:002012-12-10T18:07:56.764-08:00Living room is for living<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWVhvcdMLmg/UI731ZaqZXI/AAAAAAAAJm0/vjk2WWfSQA0/s1600/DSC04364_distort-fixed-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWVhvcdMLmg/UI731ZaqZXI/AAAAAAAAJm0/vjk2WWfSQA0/s400/DSC04364_distort-fixed-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At times like this it’s so
nice to stay safe and warm at home. The gusty winds are huffing and puffing
outside. Oh that nasty hurricane wolf Sandy! Hopfully our house will withstand
this ordeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pouring non stop like crazy.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brr…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Family, home, safe - repeating like mantra...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm trying to cheer up and invite you to my home and recently renovated living room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As much as I admire<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wonderful Greet Lefevre designs of <a href="http://belgianpearls.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Belgian Pearls</a> and her elegant decorating ideas and timeless style it’s just a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dream and inspirational but unattainable ideal
for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The resent lighting
collection of formidable Francine Gardner<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Interieurs of <a href="http://fg-artdevivre.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">L’Art de Vivre</a> left me speechless. Her taste, style and
unstoppable quest for original modern solutions with industrial twist are so
fascinating as if I ever will have a duplex on the upper East side. I wish… But
next time in NY I’ll definitely visit the showroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(Just read her comment on
Heather’s Lost in Arles. What an adventuress she is going for a walk in wild
wind! WOW!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We have a very small house
but eventually we’ll probably downsize to apartment when the second son leave
the nest too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Before</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF5Mt__1Jgs/UI73TkyjvyI/AAAAAAAAJmk/0xQgDwFIM6c/s1600/N676114_3-dir..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF5Mt__1Jgs/UI73TkyjvyI/AAAAAAAAJmk/0xQgDwFIM6c/s320/N676114_3-dir..JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>This is what it looked like when we saw it for the first time with previous owners.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile I’d love to make
changes from time to time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you ever have seen the
movie Bang Bang Sisters with Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn you probably
remember the crucial scene when the Sarandon’s character opens her huge closet
full of expensive numbers and has a sudden revelation: “Everything I had before
was in beige!” and dives into drastic changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeNQ5xeMVbw/UI738LprTtI/AAAAAAAAJnE/hUrbiSEWo8E/s1600/DSC08256_fixed-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qeNQ5xeMVbw/UI738LprTtI/AAAAAAAAJnE/hUrbiSEWo8E/s640/DSC08256_fixed-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">All of a sudden I wanted
something in Kathryne Ireland vibrant and colorful style. But … within given
budget. That means that IKEA furniture stays and the fabric and color should do
the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcdcdSOo3ko/UI74uDNf2NI/AAAAAAAAJnU/2Q34wHBsfAk/s1600/P1070776-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcdcdSOo3ko/UI74uDNf2NI/AAAAAAAAJnU/2Q34wHBsfAk/s640/P1070776-fixed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The same room just different palette. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To find a textile in Toronto
with both fabric stores chains closed is mission impossible . It leaves only
garment district where one can find plenty textiles for bridesmaids gowns or
ballroom contest costumes but not for curtains or upholstery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On-line research brought me
to fantastic source <a href="http://www.newtoto.com/">www.newtoto.com</a>. They
have an impressive selection, mail as many free swatches as you wish and ship
promptly your order. Very affordable and the quality is excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So I made myself a slipcover
for the couch and shams for the pillows, covered the armchairs and repainted
peachy beige walls (which I couldn’t stand any more) into subtle pastel green.
Now it works perfectly with our open concept kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MGqIN6rfrLk/UI73tkKM9wI/AAAAAAAAJms/Fdh0RwTbEzk/s1600/DSC04355_fix-fix-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MGqIN6rfrLk/UI73tkKM9wI/AAAAAAAAJms/Fdh0RwTbEzk/s320/DSC04355_fix-fix-1.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">The only decorating element
are my numerous travel pictures which act like windows and visually enlarge the
room. Each vacation brings new replacements. That’s all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9RBI30swJE/UI78YaDmLeI/AAAAAAAAJoE/syr3uS29FSU/s1600/P1070710-fixed-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9RBI30swJE/UI78YaDmLeI/AAAAAAAAJoE/syr3uS29FSU/s320/P1070710-fixed-1.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
But what a difference color
brings! With houses built so close<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
sun is rarely gracing the living room, so natural light is very occasional. I
needed to withstand the general gloominess therefore the colors and nautical
motives.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now it’s distinctively
different from the prevalent brown/beige/cream/gray neutrals which people mostly
prefer choosing ready made, dull and predictable vignettes from the stores. I
like it this way: cheerful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope all and everyone who
were affected<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>safely escaped the
Hurricane Sandy hardships. So far the forecast still sounds scary for our part
of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wish everyone be safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Natalie</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-12505124876595194702012-10-24T19:51:00.001-07:002012-10-25T19:33:12.423-07:00Le Chateau de Fontainebleau<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The last few warm and sunny days of Indian
Summer are over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s depressingly dark
by 6pm and raining non stop in Toronto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some light is much needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not to turn for some glam and glitter to
the most authentic sparkling images. Palace of Fontainebleau is less than an hour away from Paris, proudly displays a spectacular collection of chandeliers different in every room.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss1r60L1yUM/UIg1VQMa7AI/AAAAAAAAJgw/0lu_3lO97x8/s1600/P1080732-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss1r60L1yUM/UIg1VQMa7AI/AAAAAAAAJgw/0lu_3lO97x8/s640/P1080732-fix.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The sky was pretty dramatic, so low and heavy, and menacing.</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Say France and Royal Palace and one immediately is thinking of Versailles and its parks and canal and fountains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’m taking a risk to be misunderstood if I dare to say that I wasn’t that much impressed with all that grandeur and glamour of Kings chambers with all those some when white ostrich plumages covered for centuries with layers of dust and simple plank floors. For some reason I expected …more.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>The historical staircase where Napoleon bade farewell to his Old Guard.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yes , world famous Hall of Mirrors is very
impressive, who would argue, otherwise it’s all very fragmented, well staged
and restored glory of the past, whatever survived Revolution and Commune cataclysms
and people’s violent rage against kings. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Too much was lost to be never retrieved. Nevertheless
millions of tourists grown up on Duma’s and Druon’s loosely historical novels
or at least Anne and Serge Golons’ Angelique series are flooding the palace and
gardens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Versailles is surrounded with aura of a Myth.
One still can envision unimaginable festivities staged by Moliere for King Sun,
fantastic fireworks and feasts, nobility crowds, enchanted sweet music and
ballet scenes, or be carried away by fragrant dreams of Petit Trianon and the
hay days, or better to say nights, of the glamorous and nonchalant Marie
Antoinette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc9WE11zPv0/UIg3OXOyTKI/AAAAAAAAJhQ/zMO0xkJ5Nsc/s1600/P1080808-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc9WE11zPv0/UIg3OXOyTKI/AAAAAAAAJhQ/zMO0xkJ5Nsc/s640/P1080808-fix.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The very least I’d like to sound dismissive
regarding the pride and masterpiece of French architecture, arts, landscaping,
royal glory <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and history. Not at all of
course! Who am I to not to become speechless<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>walking through those gold gilded rooms with crystal chandeliers? It
took the whole country resource to build Versailles so the Sun King Louis XIV
could proudly shine upon the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSHXh6U3KKs/UIg4tSnCEuI/AAAAAAAAJho/vOQEFcnEryI/s1600/P1080822-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSHXh6U3KKs/UIg4tSnCEuI/AAAAAAAAJho/vOQEFcnEryI/s400/P1080822-fix-blog.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSPdrDNYTJM/UIg4NJ4bU7I/AAAAAAAAJhg/0j5ro-3STpw/s1600/P1080820-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSPdrDNYTJM/UIg4NJ4bU7I/AAAAAAAAJhg/0j5ro-3STpw/s400/P1080820-fix.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Imagine for a moment that somewhere in Europe there
are not one but several as strikingly beautiful palace complexes larger and
more glamorous, which suffered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more
looting and disrepair and heavy bombarding during WWII, and catastrophic
vandalism, but were painstakingly restored to their formidable splendor up to fantastic inlayed
floors and silk wall coverings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">The palaces, gardens and fountains I’m referring
to are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterhof_Palace" target="_blank">Peterhof</a> built by Peter the Great and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Palace" target="_blank">Catherine’s Palace</a> in Saint
Petersburg area which are now World<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heritage Site and Russian heritage. But this would be the whole new
story…A propos so to speak.</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb5eAolUdoM/UIhAd7wUDrI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/zr-UosEHfMY/s1600/P1080781-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb5eAolUdoM/UIhAd7wUDrI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/zr-UosEHfMY/s400/P1080781-fix-blog.JPG" width="302" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CioXHWhNrCw/UIg-cq8ZYdI/AAAAAAAAJiw/JDBeWk3uvQw/s1600/P1080761-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CioXHWhNrCw/UIg-cq8ZYdI/AAAAAAAAJiw/JDBeWk3uvQw/s400/P1080761-fix-blog.JPG" width="302" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back to France. Versailles has largely
overshadowed another Royal Chateau of Fontainebleau to such an extend that we
were almost the only visitors on that summer day not to mention a Japanese
group of overexcited tourists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJh6mPn6Ac8/UIg-9Kv49-I/AAAAAAAAJi4/bwJhgAsbae0/s1600/P1080762-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJh6mPn6Ac8/UIg-9Kv49-I/AAAAAAAAJi4/bwJhgAsbae0/s640/P1080762-fix-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Very unjust, though it is on a smaller scale but
nevertheless beautiful, lovingly restored, with a huge park which we couldn’t
explore as much as we’d like due to a thunderstorm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Todays Fontainebleau is a classic layered cake
as much as the famous pastry of Mille Feuille and equally delicious.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjQtawn_nR8/UIhBhkCEZwI/AAAAAAAAJjg/YmCrljSHlRg/s1600/P1080796-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjQtawn_nR8/UIhBhkCEZwI/AAAAAAAAJjg/YmCrljSHlRg/s640/P1080796-fix-blog.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As always the case with Royal Chateaux each suzerain
starting with Francis I, who invited Italian architects and Leonardo da Vinci,
left his mark adding the wing or the court, the gallery, the new garden layout
or just redecorating. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w47mpHPK_l8/UIhCDW5a97I/AAAAAAAAJjo/qG9-gCHAMRk/s1600/P1080799-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w47mpHPK_l8/UIhCDW5a97I/AAAAAAAAJjo/qG9-gCHAMRk/s640/P1080799-fix-blog.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Several kings of France were born here and many
honorable guests including Peter the Great of Russia stayed there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By the late 16th century the Italian Mannerism
introduced to France was reshaped into highly influential Fontainebleau style
which transformed metal and woodwork, sculpture and painting, interior style
and outdoor patterned gardens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSkbXjlhDgY/UIhCe38JzrI/AAAAAAAAJjw/NWXJkkrA8Go/s1600/P1080802-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSkbXjlhDgY/UIhCe38JzrI/AAAAAAAAJjw/NWXJkkrA8Go/s400/P1080802-fix-blog.JPG" width="303" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh8dq2CRzeU/UIhC2ZWZcTI/AAAAAAAAJj4/8qZa2iN7Tf4/s1600/P1080812-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh8dq2CRzeU/UIhC2ZWZcTI/AAAAAAAAJj4/8qZa2iN7Tf4/s400/P1080812-fix-blog.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While the Revolution left Versailles savaged
and empty the same fate was destined to Fontainebleau which was in desperate
condition before Napoleon decided to </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">transform the Château de Fontainebleau into a symbol
of his grandeur. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncybNFk2rSo/UIhDaWr8bmI/AAAAAAAAJkA/B3cysZJYY0g/s1600/P1080817-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncybNFk2rSo/UIhDaWr8bmI/AAAAAAAAJkA/B3cysZJYY0g/s640/P1080817-fix-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bonaparte made Fontainebleau
his home<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>later in1814 he bade farewell to his Old Guard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>from
the top of the famous staircase at the main courtyard before going to exile. His
Empire style is well preserved till our days and that’s what visitors can see.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbExw0YAViQ/UIhSDTb6zYI/AAAAAAAAJlg/tjR0R7wqEc0/s1600/P1080825-fix-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbExw0YAViQ/UIhSDTb6zYI/AAAAAAAAJlg/tjR0R7wqEc0/s640/P1080825-fix-blog.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today the Chateau is the home to the Ecoles d'Arts
Americaines founded in 1921, which is primarily<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the American<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conservatory
offering the best musical education to young musicians. At various years it’s
staff included<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ravel, Stravinsky,
Mstislav Rastropovich, Leonard Bernstein and Nadia Boulanger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The École des Beaux-Arts at
Fontainebleau, founded in 1923, is focused on architectural education which is
only natural considering the setting and live history surrounding the students.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While we were walking trough
the enfilade of stately rooms the whole palace was filled with sweet sounds of
violin and piano as a regular rehearsal was happening in the beautiful arched
hall.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUd0ahWfU1Y/UIg2vJn16jI/AAAAAAAAJhI/QigRYMogqX4/s1600/P1080798-fix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUd0ahWfU1Y/UIg2vJn16jI/AAAAAAAAJhI/QigRYMogqX4/s640/P1080798-fix.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The chateau is surrounded
with a small<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and very nice little town
of Fontainebleau with traditional carousel on the central square near the park.
A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>few days prior to our visit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there was a European Pony Championship. I
wish I knew earlier, what a cute competition we've missed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So if you happen to be in the King's mood but not up to spending hours in the line to visit Versailles you can be better off with a wonderful day trip to Fontainebleau: equally beautiful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">N.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">* All images copyright by Natalie Rapoport</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-78655947029059134432012-10-04T09:29:00.000-07:002012-12-10T18:08:56.261-08:00The Skylights of Le Bon Marche<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Today’s post by Vicky Archer of French Essence about 160
anniversary of the famous Parisian department store Le Bon Marche inspired me to
do a bit of a research.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sk3SLkbRMc/UG2yeUZMo_I/AAAAAAAAJe4/iUYR10cdxr8/s1600/P1090565-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sk3SLkbRMc/UG2yeUZMo_I/AAAAAAAAJe4/iUYR10cdxr8/s640/P1090565-fixed-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Notice the perforated ceiling base. And the modern furniture installation is quite at home.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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It happened to be a world’s first department store
established by Aristide Boucicaut and located on Rue du Bac. (Actually the Brits has another opinion regarding <i>firstness</i>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Later the successful growth of the business lead to new
additions when architects Boileau and Laplanche were commissioned to enlarge
the store sugnificantly between 1869 and 1887. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Around 1877 they contracted Gustave Eiffel to built the metal/glass
roof,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the first structure of this kind
in the world . That’s why the Bon Marche building is considered a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>monument of architectural innovation and a landmark
not to be missed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCzs_5aF4_c/UG2yJtQTNMI/AAAAAAAAJew/fXRemqVYhOA/s1600/P1090563-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCzs_5aF4_c/UG2yJtQTNMI/AAAAAAAAJew/fXRemqVYhOA/s640/P1090563-fixed-blog.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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The ceiling is magnificent !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The day light is streaming trough the ornamented glass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpmVolF54Bo/UG2y7E4-2oI/AAAAAAAAJfE/7nvcIAu-_04/s1600/P1090568-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpmVolF54Bo/UG2y7E4-2oI/AAAAAAAAJfE/7nvcIAu-_04/s640/P1090568-fixed-blog.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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That is exactly why I was there, to see beautiful interior design and take a glimpse of furniture/lighting department which was quite impressive.</div>
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I can only imagine how beautifully the store will be decorated for the upcoming event.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67MtJCeMDqo/UG2xs-VBdBI/AAAAAAAAJek/LcxKa6Dv_Vw/s1600/P1090561-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67MtJCeMDqo/UG2xs-VBdBI/AAAAAAAAJek/LcxKa6Dv_Vw/s640/P1090561-fixed-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This handmade lounge chaise caught my attention as well as a very original light fixture below.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP75rnBA1JE/UG2zTbI8AII/AAAAAAAAJfM/2LAuRheJurA/s1600/P1090569-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP75rnBA1JE/UG2zTbI8AII/AAAAAAAAJfM/2LAuRheJurA/s400/P1090569-fixed-blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was probably too preoccupied with the skylights and didn't pay much attention to the goods. Just wondering the galleries was a pleasure. Maybe next time in Paris...<br />
<br />
<br />
* <i>All images copyright by Natalie Rapoport</i><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-26500677537698324022012-09-20T20:16:00.001-07:002012-12-10T18:09:36.912-08:00Hector Guimard Legacy. Part 2.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The Castel Beranger gate is an iconic masterpiece included in every Art Nouveau book.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywD7Wrft2T4/UFu9-ajzovI/AAAAAAAAJbo/lozylsJvSRk/s1600/P1080063-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywD7Wrft2T4/UFu9-ajzovI/AAAAAAAAJbo/lozylsJvSRk/s400/P1080063-fixed.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6ljVPeEfKs/UFvAsmGjYVI/AAAAAAAAJcY/CP0yacffHJM/s1600/P1080075-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6ljVPeEfKs/UFvAsmGjYVI/AAAAAAAAJcY/CP0yacffHJM/s400/P1080075-fixed.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at these calligraphic lines. There's no such thing as a small or unimportant detail for Art Nouveau artist. Every stroke is meaningful even a grill on a side window.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0fRuEztwh8/UFu9gd9p3KI/AAAAAAAAJbg/1oQqJyh8Hig/s1600/P1080062-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0fRuEztwh8/UFu9gd9p3KI/AAAAAAAAJbg/1oQqJyh8Hig/s640/P1080062-fixed.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>A few dragons on a side and sleeping lions are pretty friendly non ferocious beasts.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7ChYCfOy64/UFu8_c4G6TI/AAAAAAAAJbY/Oah6DMvpzc0/s1600/P1080061-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7ChYCfOy64/UFu8_c4G6TI/AAAAAAAAJbY/Oah6DMvpzc0/s640/P1080061-fixed.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>To get a clean shot one should try in winter when trees aren't obstructing a view.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fOevg1ZJEA/UFvBarE1msI/AAAAAAAAJco/9s_E42wWYC0/s1600/P1080094-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fOevg1ZJEA/UFvBarE1msI/AAAAAAAAJco/9s_E42wWYC0/s320/P1080094-fixed.JPG" width="244" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxrTcWW_jiA/UFvBMLhhfYI/AAAAAAAAJcg/W1HrGJhUJNY/s1600/P1080093-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxrTcWW_jiA/UFvBMLhhfYI/AAAAAAAAJcg/W1HrGJhUJNY/s320/P1080093-fixed.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The side view of Castel Beranger apartment complex. I'm wondering how does it look inside? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Notice the stained glass in windows.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nN-dZsk9ELw/UFu8jO1n96I/AAAAAAAAJbQ/9RmvY_9tjIE/s1600/P1080053-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nN-dZsk9ELw/UFu8jO1n96I/AAAAAAAAJbQ/9RmvY_9tjIE/s640/P1080053-fixed.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastel green, brick and stone texture, curvaceous lines.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybsXTYew03s/UF0UFKmOIlI/AAAAAAAAJds/o8BC9TXH5-c/s1600/P1080083-fixed-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybsXTYew03s/UF0UFKmOIlI/AAAAAAAAJds/o8BC9TXH5-c/s640/P1080083-fixed-blog.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inner doorway to the enclosed courtyard. Looking through the gate.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qt53HWuel9Q/UFu-WD8EgYI/AAAAAAAAJbw/y3Em0P8rrJk/s1600/P1080064-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qt53HWuel9Q/UFu-WD8EgYI/AAAAAAAAJbw/y3Em0P8rrJk/s400/P1080064-fixed.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>This building won for Guimard a much deserved recognition which is proudly noted on the facade </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>and signed by the architect.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Meeting Victor Horta, the
most prominent Art Nouveau architect in Brussels, seeing his works, had the
most powerful impact<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on Hector Guimard’s
own style and life time devotion to Art Nouveau diversity and flexibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By that time his masterpiece
Castel Beranger, a three building apartment complex in Paris 16<sup>th</sup>
Arrondissement was already under construction and Guimard reworked it to test
his own ideas of complex outside/inside design, exterior/interior artistic
connection. He designed wall panels, wall paper, mantels, furniture, lighting,
window glass staining as well as ceramics and miscellaneous decorative
artifacts up to the door handles to create the whole new experience for a modern dwelling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As an architect, engineer, designer and decorator striving for stylistic harmony he could successfully play any instrument, be a conductor and soloist in this creative orchestra. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This work of 1895-1898 was
highly praised and right after that Guimard got his Metro entrances commission in
1899 which made him immortal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRlLbyCGIww/UFuOSTsvlEI/AAAAAAAAJZc/gZN7pGMLwo4/s1600/P1070972-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRlLbyCGIww/UFuOSTsvlEI/AAAAAAAAJZc/gZN7pGMLwo4/s640/P1070972-fixed.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Hotel Guimard, 1909. In this house Hector Guimard and his wife Adeline lived for almost 30 years. It could be Museum Guimard, but helas...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In 1909, at the age of 41,
Gimard married Adeline Oppenheim, a New Yorker from a wealthy Jewish family,
who studied painting in Paris. And they lived happily ever after in the Hotel
Guimard, a wedding present built by Guimard on Mozart Avenue, the most unconventional
house in the 16<sup>th</sup> Arrondissement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There were a few more prosperous years before WWI </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">when Art Nouveau rapidly faded giving way to Art Deco and various Constructivism ideas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC2LSBo2-zA/UFuQBa3uRzI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/TJ7gNq1wRCc/s1600/P1070992-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC2LSBo2-zA/UFuQBa3uRzI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/TJ7gNq1wRCc/s400/P1070992-fixed.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqIK_l6IItM/UFuPElLKf-I/AAAAAAAAJZs/pAuFRgD0g3o/s1600/P1070977-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqIK_l6IItM/UFuPElLKf-I/AAAAAAAAJZs/pAuFRgD0g3o/s320/P1070977-fixed.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="182" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The discrete initials HG above the ornamented door. Elegant wrought iron balconies.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Guimard tried to adapt taking on industrial projects. But by 1930s he was out of vogue and his talents not in demand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In 1938 at the onset of anti-Semitism
and WWII a couple fled to New York and settled at the Upper East side. In 1942
one of the most distinguished French architects Hector Guimard largely ignored and
forgotten in his homeland died in New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hotel Mezzara , 1911. Not open for the public but judging from books it has a fantastic hall on the ground floor with skylight ceiling and galleries. </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q5C83aPFFI/UFuSodIlX0I/AAAAAAAAJaU/SXiCTCTwO1k/s1600/P1080024-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q5C83aPFFI/UFuSodIlX0I/AAAAAAAAJaU/SXiCTCTwO1k/s320/P1080024-fixed.JPG" width="243" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3gHaUIMop4/UFuSPe2hpfI/AAAAAAAAJaM/66G9pSmVFCw/s1600/P1080023-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3gHaUIMop4/UFuSPe2hpfI/AAAAAAAAJaM/66G9pSmVFCw/s320/P1080023-fixed.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></span></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Balcony and door. Hotel Mezzara, 1911. </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice the details and surface textures.</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After the war in 1949 his
widow made all gracious efforts to donate Hotel Guimard to France to open a
Guimard Museum in Paris as it was proudly done in Belgium where Victor Horta’s
home became a museum in Brussels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Regretfully her generosity
wasn’t met positively and didn't find a support. Simply speaking the gift was refused and
the house was sold and the interior was divided into apartments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s an apartment building
now available for rent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whatever could be
removed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was auctioned and only a few
things, including hand carved wood paneling and content of la salle a manger, ended up in
Musee d’Orsay much later when his name was rediscovered. But reconstructed as a vignette it looks as a fragment of the beautiful wing which once belonged to an exotic and rich colored butterfly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Otherwise the priceless
collection and archives moved overseas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The ensemble of each room
and a house as a whole, the unification of all the elements of the building was
very important for the architect’s vision and Madame Guimard devoted another 23
years of her life to commemorate the legacy of her great husband donating his
work to various US museums and collections.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHeaBwxcewM/UFu_Ob-AYYI/AAAAAAAAJcA/dAaM_ciGV5I/s1600/P1080067-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHeaBwxcewM/UFu_Ob-AYYI/AAAAAAAAJcA/dAaM_ciGV5I/s400/P1080067-fixed.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you enjoyed this brief overview of Hector Guimard's legacy.<br />
To be continued.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And have a wonderful weekend my dear friends.</div>
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*<i>All images copyright Natalie Rapoport.</i><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-70697077368547214962012-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:002012-12-10T18:16:32.202-08:00Le Style Guimard . Part 1.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Whenever someone thinks of
Paris or tries to imagine, a few hallmarks inevitably come up to the
mind: Tour Eiffel,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Notre Dame, Café,
Metro. Then shortly come balconies, street lights, river banks and bridges, and
then miscellaneous things that make Paris yours</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">if only for a moment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrImhg7BYr8/UEjbtz0TXLI/AAAAAAAAJYo/fjBcjDO88W8/s1600/P1090459-BWcolor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrImhg7BYr8/UEjbtz0TXLI/AAAAAAAAJYo/fjBcjDO88W8/s640/P1090459-BWcolor.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">These familiar staples sketched
in the memories, glimpsed in the corner of the vintage postcard, or blurred
in the background of an old photo immediately whisper Pa-ris …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That’s the instant power of
the image over the words.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol0IuEo_tzQ/UEjY0utcpQI/AAAAAAAAJXw/Lzi8gEpxvEk/s1600/P1080985-fixed-BW-color.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol0IuEo_tzQ/UEjY0utcpQI/AAAAAAAAJXw/Lzi8gEpxvEk/s640/P1080985-fixed-BW-color.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> If you've ever been to Paris you won't forget Metro, it's exotic jewel like entrances. I love the elegant inscription : Metropolitain, not a subway, sub or tube.</o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">L'architecte d'art Hector Guimard is best of all
known as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the creator of Le Style Metro for
those Parisian metro entrances built in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1900 for the World Fair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_ZtMHx0t_g/UEjaGF3U8_I/AAAAAAAAJYI/LjE7SJSdh2o/s1600/P1090759-fixed-BW-color.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_ZtMHx0t_g/UEjaGF3U8_I/AAAAAAAAJYI/LjE7SJSdh2o/s640/P1090759-fixed-BW-color.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Style Guimard made him immortal. He was one of the most prominent architects and the gate keeper of this highly influential and sharply declined Art Nouveau style flourished in France and throughout the world somewhat between 1895-1914. Not all of his masterpieces survived. Several were demolished in his life time like the beautiful concert hall Salle Humbert de Romans among others. Many metro entrances were removed much later. (One found a new home in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art in Washington as a sample of style, the other serves the purpose in Montreal metro station).</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLSNqJpU2lE/UEjZTZVLpkI/AAAAAAAAJX4/7vRCwZ2Ks2I/s1600/P1080994-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLSNqJpU2lE/UEjZTZVLpkI/AAAAAAAAJX4/7vRCwZ2Ks2I/s640/P1080994-fixed.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Strangely enough not much is known about his life. The only thing is certain: as much as he was a talented master devoted to a style he invented and developed along with Victor Horta in Belgium and a handful of other distinguished artists and architects , he probably wasn’t much of a promoter and businessman. In other words his networking as we call it today in finding wealthy clients capable to fully appreciate and support Guimard’s artistic aspirations wasn’t strong enough to bring him noteworthy commissions. He was too ahead of a time and though he rose to a much deserved glory after building Castel Beranger and winning the commission for metro entrances, he was fiercely criticized at the same time. Even the famous lettering of Metropolitain was much mocked for being too ornate, illegible and pretentious before it became recognized all over the world (needless to remind that Tour Eiffel also was ostracized at the very same time and called disgrace and a colossal monster. Nevertheless…)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zFEGZzrCDQ/UEjZtt26XXI/AAAAAAAAJYA/a0Ng45i86Cw/s1600/P1090754-fixed+-BW-color.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zFEGZzrCDQ/UEjZtt26XXI/AAAAAAAAJYA/a0Ng45i86Cw/s320/P1090754-fixed+-BW-color.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCHF85eSWBs/UEjYV3ahdhI/AAAAAAAAJXo/gHMqUsrcMz8/s1600/P1080981-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCHF85eSWBs/UEjYV3ahdhI/AAAAAAAAJXo/gHMqUsrcMz8/s320/P1080981-fixed.JPG" width="256" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTtXgGubAjw/UEjbTLYUdGI/AAAAAAAAJYg/-1LVP3rO3eQ/s1600/P1090422-BW-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTtXgGubAjw/UEjbTLYUdGI/AAAAAAAAJYg/-1LVP3rO3eQ/s320/P1090422-BW-fixed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">What Guimard created was innovative indeed. He introduced public to five different kinds of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">modular entrances made of cast iron and glass. Some on narrow streets were given only ornate railing, some were more elaborate with glass canopy, called dragonfly wings, as on Place d’Abbesses, the other</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">looked as a small and elegant pavilion like the one on Porte Dauphine station. Most of them with distinctive flower stems arched over Metropolitain signature. Once the elaborate floral motives were masterfully designed they were easy to reproduce. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">New materials and cost effectiveness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">along with a progressively modern look and elegant artistism won over heavy baroque-style tradition</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">proposed by Charles Garnier</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">the president of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">the Architects Society at the time, who envisioned mini Grand Opera at every metro entrance.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNvlsnEjxFo/UEja52iHfBI/AAAAAAAAJYY/eisAKmbAl44/s1600/P1090419-BWcolor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNvlsnEjxFo/UEja52iHfBI/AAAAAAAAJYY/eisAKmbAl44/s640/P1090419-BWcolor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hector Guimard <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>unknowingly autographed every corner and
square of his beloved city. And for over the hundred years his signage welcomes
you to Paris…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To be continued...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>*All images Copyright Natalie Rapoport</i></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281814286773672288.post-45459556677522402102012-08-29T17:05:00.000-07:002012-12-10T18:10:17.305-08:0016th Arrondissement<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The highlight attractions are frequented and besieged by
tourists as if their main purpose is to deliver the instant image, to remind
the visitors put a check mark in a guide book: what can you do if you have
1,2,3 days in Paris...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkltkhi_hTk/UD5oQrekzdI/AAAAAAAAJVA/fYNJUtQ3i-E/s1600/P1080014-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkltkhi_hTk/UD5oQrekzdI/AAAAAAAAJVA/fYNJUtQ3i-E/s640/P1080014-fixed.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
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Then comes the question: what would <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you</b> like to do if you have….as much or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as little time in Paris? <o:p></o:p></div>
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This time I’ve decided definitely to avoid long lines,
navigate away from crowds, take it slooooowly, waaaaalk, enjoy and take the
lunch time seriously.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6gb5Elo_hY/UD5m4g5j5NI/AAAAAAAAJUo/JYMV03d8EV8/s1600/P1080006-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6gb5Elo_hY/UD5m4g5j5NI/AAAAAAAAJUo/JYMV03d8EV8/s400/P1080006-fixed.JPG" width="303" /></a>That means keep in mind an itinerary as a mere suggestion.
With pausing, shooting, stopping and taking ice cream breaks it’s only an
outline, a slight gesture towards a certain direction. Let’s say 16-e
arrondissement.<o:p></o:p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CTOcNsaqO8/UD5n4OFh0AI/AAAAAAAAJU4/C_EYT615W_8/s1600/P1080012-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CTOcNsaqO8/UD5n4OFh0AI/AAAAAAAAJU4/C_EYT615W_8/s320/P1080012-fixed.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>
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<br />
The Art Nouveau treasures by Hector Guimard are mainly scattered
throughout this elite residential neighborhood that’s what I wanted mostly to
see but couldn’t help<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to admire all this
grandeur and leafy perspectives proudly stretched out. Wrought iron balconies, excessive ornamenting, <i>rotondes</i> and <i>coupoles, </i>Art Nouveau fluid lines and Art Deco geometry, elaborate gates and fences, creamy cakes over the roof tops and beautiful edifices. Architecturally delicious if only sometimes too sweet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So Guimard series are coming in next posts and this is just a
pretext, a glimpse to surroundings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_02wyomwRk/UD5hQ0-YraI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/yIbQjnccV1E/s1600/P1070955-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_02wyomwRk/UD5hQ0-YraI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/yIbQjnccV1E/s640/P1070955-fixed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of many interesting things I love about Paris is that
all arrondissments are very distinctive in character. The 16-th is very aristocratic
and displays probably the most expensive and sought after property dated mostly
fin de siècle.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0e7fQ40n5EA/UD5gKxuq0kI/AAAAAAAAJS4/731-iqwAvUM/s1600/P1070945-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0e7fQ40n5EA/UD5gKxuq0kI/AAAAAAAAJS4/731-iqwAvUM/s400/P1070945-fixed.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbHKumYjnEI/UD5gkFLCH5I/AAAAAAAAJTA/WYbz0ZF-Cn4/s1600/P1070946-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbHKumYjnEI/UD5gkFLCH5I/AAAAAAAAJTA/WYbz0ZF-Cn4/s400/P1070946-fixed.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuBsx-4cxSM/UD5g4ma_kgI/AAAAAAAAJTI/JJ1L_BCnclc/s1600/P1070951-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuBsx-4cxSM/UD5g4ma_kgI/AAAAAAAAJTI/JJ1L_BCnclc/s400/P1070951-fixed.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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What a beautiful triangle formed by Avenue Mozart and Avenue
de La Fontaine. Far from high season frenzy, quiet, with very mild traffic,
lush green with the parade of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well
maintained elegant buildings, hidden gems and gated villas for wealthy. Seems like a natural habitat for haute couture clientele.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In fact there were very few pedestrians at all and
occasional residents looked at me and where I was aiming camera with curiosity.
Of course, they used to surroundings to the point of not noticing.<o:p></o:p><br />
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This part of the city between Trocadero and Bois de Boulogne
is often referred as Parisian Upper East Side: straight-laced, uptight,
buttoned up – polished and impeccable. But not as imperial as Avenue Foch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No big stores just<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
few exquisite boutiques (closed for August), beauty salons, traditional<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>patisseries, few cafes,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wonderful Marmottan museum underrated and overlooked
by tourists, parks and hidden green corners. <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XolXb5hsTJA/UD5nXRO1chI/AAAAAAAAJUw/hkk5Y7Xv4lA/s1600/P1080009-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XolXb5hsTJA/UD5nXRO1chI/AAAAAAAAJUw/hkk5Y7Xv4lA/s320/P1080009-fixed.JPG" width="242" /></a><br />
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<br />
Sparkling golden plates on buzz panels at ornate entrances inform
you of businesses inside: lawyers and gynecologists the most common tandems,
the buttons of latter are shined better. Therapists and physicians are ranked below.
The ratio of doctors and lawyers is amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My son was very excited about these toys on wheels and mastered a collection of these cute puppy cars.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HboH_jt2G_I/UD5q9U3eLSI/AAAAAAAAJVo/uJIkXLAfZeU/s1600/P1080123-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HboH_jt2G_I/UD5q9U3eLSI/AAAAAAAAJVo/uJIkXLAfZeU/s400/P1080123-fixed.JPG" width="303" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0prw1E7FTfU/UD5sZY_0EYI/AAAAAAAAJWA/RHUTyc2kMhs/s1600/P1080132-fixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0prw1E7FTfU/UD5sZY_0EYI/AAAAAAAAJWA/RHUTyc2kMhs/s400/P1080132-fixed.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
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And just as I promised to my small team not to miss lunch and remembering that one won’t get any after 2-3pm we stopped at the corner of Avenue Mozart and Rue de l’Assomption at Bo Zinc. A very nice place as you can see. </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The meal was delicious and portions generous. Prices were very reasonable and the staff welcoming which was a bonus. The waitress wasn’t tired of tourists and even smiled back and service was fast and friendly. Not to mention a delicious dessert. Definitely would recommend it as a lunch stop if you happen to be in a neighborhood.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The happy and adorable residents of the 16th arrondissement.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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See you soon my friends.</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>*All images Copyright Natalie Rapoport</i></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02300340001289844045noreply@blogger.com4