Between the Tombstones

I finally gathered the nerve to take my camera and do a little self portrait session outside in 'public'. I chose to go to the Père Lachaise cemetary figuring there wouldn't be too much people around and a lot of secluded spots where I wouldn't be caught taking pictures of my own silly self. Because yes, it's kind of embarassing. But it's fun, it's like an act or like painting a picture. Trying to convey or express something through a picture of yourself.

Well, I'll stop justifying myself now.

 

Dead flowers for dead people.

A cemetary is not the happiest place to take pictures, especially self portraits. But I love this place, it's quiet and beautiful and there is always a lot of people walking around there. It's almost like a park. It's not as gloomy as most cemetaries.

 

I still couldn't get myself to smile on the pictures. I felt it was inappropriate. So I just look sullen. Meh...

 

 

 All the beautiful romantic statues!!

Minolta X-500

Yesterday I got back the pictures from a couple of test rolls I shot with two cameras I bought off ebay. These pictures were taken with the Minolta X-500.

'It does not have anything to do with anything'

I took the camera for a test at the Père Lachaise cemetary a fews weeks ago and here is the result. I'm not thrilled, the pictures are only ok. But it's my fault as well, not only the camera's, because I shot pretty much anything in order to get the pictures developped fast to see if the camera was working.

The Minolta was very easy and nice to use.That's always nice but I find the colors pretty bland though.

I love the style of these huge paper stickers you can find all over Paris and I finally found out who was the artist behind them: Fred Lechevalier.

All of these street art pieces are right down our place.

Looks like I'm squinting... Don't like my face for sure on this picture...

(picture taken by Greg)

About a week ago we went out for beers at Greg's favorite bar. It reminded me of last October, we just got back from the airport after our trip to Chicago, we were completely jet-lagged and confused, we came there for a beer in the middle of the day. Vacation was over we had to go back to our regular life but with a lot of new plans and motivation because our trip had be so inspirationnal and just what we needed to clear our heads and come back stronger than ever job-wise.

I can't wait for the next trip because I'm running out of turbo right now.

Happy Holidays

Christmas is behind us now. And this year I just didn't feel the Christmas spirit. And the whole thing flew by anyway and boom! I was at work again.

Ever since I was a little girl, I get sick on Christmas Eve. I don't know why exactly. In my family we have a big dinner on the night of the 24th, we have oysters, foie gras (made by my Grand Pa) and smoked salmon. Then the main course cooked for hours by my Mom. Then cheese and salad, evrything with copious amount of wine of course. And then, right before dessert we open the gifts. And that's the precise moment I get nauseous and have to throw up for a while. Sweet right? :) 

Well, I'm used to it now. When I was a child, it was like that as well. I guess I was just so excited about the presents I would make myself sick with excitment. My Grand Ma would hold me in her arms until I felt better. Every Year.

Here is something I've been wanting to share here for a while. We spent a night at my parents' after Christmas Eve feast so I was finally able to snap pictures of my old bedroom newly decorated.

A couple of month ago, my Mom did this. She gathered a bunch of Crayola drawings I made on plywood (not sure if it's the right word, but I don't even know how to call the material I drew on in French). I made these drawings in 2005, so they're getting pretty old now. :) 

Anyways, she gathered five pieces and framed them herself.

The first time I saw this, I was overwhelmed.

First because, the very second I moved out of my parents', my Mom put all of my stuff in the attic and redid the whole room and claimed it as hers. My brother had moved out a couple of years before me and his room is still untouched. I don't care that much about this but I still wonder. But really I'm OK with it. Even though it reminds me of this Friends episode in which Monica explains that the moment she moved out of her parents', they turned her room into a gym and left Ross's room as it used to be when he was still living there.

I was touched she added a 'touch of me' in my old bedroom.

But the main reason why I felt so overwhelmed was because my Mom has never been really supportive of my arts and crafts, she doesn't get it. 

She doesn't understand why I'd like my jewelry to be my job. Maybe not my full time job, but something I could get credit for from her. But in her eyes, it's not a real job and never will be.

But that's Ok, I know what I want to do now.

I've been feeling pretty weary and uninspired lately.Since I'm working part time in a 'Grand Magasin' (Huge store like Macy's) in Paris, the Holiday Season has been rough on me. Some customers have been pretty awful and of course we had tons of work. The manager I worked with at the store quit in late november and a new person came along but she hasn't been trained yet so I have a lot of extra work to do in her place. It's taking a lot of energy and I think about work a lot more than I should. 

I haven't been cooking for a while, nor drawing, all I think about is work, work, work! When it's not work at the store, it's my jewelry. I feel like the thoughts in my head just can't slow down and in the mean time, I'm not getting things done. Things I enjoy.

I spend a lot of time on my tablet, playing stupid games and surfing the interwebs looking at useless stuff. I've had the feeling that I'm wasting my time right now.

Well, not right now. I've missed writing here so much. I feel like I'm doing something constructive for once. :)

I know what I need to change for 2015.

Last sunday we had our Christmas lunch with my Grand Father, my Dad's father, who lives in Paris.

We always go to the same restaurant right on the corner from where he lives and then we take a walk in the Père Lachaise Cemetary.

It was so cold this time!!! We stayed there for maybe half an hour. That's it. It was a very sunny day, as you can see.

That's it for today's post. I hope I'll have the time to write more soon because once again, I really missed this. I can't wait for 2015 to start. 2014 was overall a great year. Well, I tend to gauge how great a year was trip-to-the-USA-wise, I've been to the US twice in 2014 and had the best time so that makes it a rad year. :) But now, I'm just tired and want to turn the page. :) 

March Goal, Oooops!

So I haven't been keeping up with my drawings, for 4 days now! :/
I've been rather busy...
On Saturday, We went to the restaurant for my Grand Father's Birthday. And then we took a walk in the Pere Lachaise Cemetary.

The delicious birthday cake, a fraisier, my favourite!

Jasmine tea, delicious as well!

A collection of Canon Ixus Cameras, mine, my Grandpa's and my Mom's.

Beautiful weather in Paris Saturday.

Père Lachaise.

I didn't draw, but I made lots of stuff, especially today! Business is finally coming back to normal! I hope it will stay that way for the weeks to come!

The purse I made today.

One of the brooches I made today as well.

In the mail I got the zippers I ordered. I couldn't wait to make something with them. :) So I made this pouch.

The Tea Lover.

Ragdoll

These are the neckalces I made using my drawings. I put the links to all the listings in the captions beneath the photos. You can also find some of my stuff on Etsy.

That's a lot of pictures :) I'm not done! :)

My kitty cuz' he's so cute :p 

Me with bananas on my head. No bananas were hurt during the photo shoot (they were hurt after, I made smoothies with them *evil laugh* )

Ok, so now I guess I just have to go back drawing. I'm too tired today. But that's definitely on my to-do list. :o