Bon Weekend: 29 May 2014
by habituallychic
05 . 30 . 14
There is a french word flâneur which refers to someone who strolls or saunters around with no real purpose. This is the perfect word to describe my first two weeks in Paris just walking around taking photos and exploring the city. Another definition is an idle man about town. I like to think that the gentleman in my photo above is a fellow flâneur.
We’ve been lucky with the weather this past week. It’s been chilly and grey but not rainy which has been perfect for my daily walks.
Bouquinistes are the booksellers who line the banks of La Seine. You never know what you mind find when you take a look and could easily get lost for hours.
I explored the charming tip of the L’île de la Cité this week too. It’s like stepping back in time.
You also never know what you’re going to see on the streets of Paris. As I turned a corner a vintage car came out of nowhere. It really did look and feel as though I walked into an old movie.
I’ve also enjoyed exploring the cuisine of Paris. I’m trying to keep my visits to Ladurée to once a week. My friend and I joked about starting an experiment to find the best roasted chicken, chocolates, and other fabulous food in Paris. I also love visiting our local Boulangerie for their fabulous bread and tarte de grand-mère.
Couples dot the banks of La Seine everyday.
I have so many favorite things in Paris but the tiny speciality booksellers and other shops never cease to charm me. I pass this one often on my walks through Saint Germain.
I’m not shy about walking through an open porte to discover what treasures might be hiding behind it. This staircase is old and weathered but the patina is beautiful. It’s these simple scenes that are the best part of Paris.
While in Saint Germain, I walked over to the former home of Serge Gainsbourg at 5 bis rue de Verneuil. It was a bank holiday yesterday and the neighborhood was really quiet and perfect for picture taking.
Every time I think I’ve seen the best thing I could possibly see in a day, I walk by something even better. This old Porsche and the old woman walking her dog in the background made my day. I also happened to run into interior designer Matthew Patrick Smythe a little farther down the street. You really don’t know who or what you’ll see when you take a walk in Paris.
I’m going to have to do an entire blog post on the flower shops and markets soon. This was such a simple but chic display of peonies.
I stuck my arm through a locked gate to take this photo because of the beauty and simplicity of the courtyard. I think it belongs to an antique dealer. I just love how much Paris respects its past and has strict rules about preservation.
On a walk to the Marais this week, I looked up to see a gold angel floating above the street. I know it’s corny to say but Paris makes me feel like I’m floating too.
I also realize that I haven’t been on my A game on the blog recently. As my friend Eleanor pointed out, “you just moved to a foreign country.” It’s something I’m trying to work on now that I feel a bit more settled. One of the reasons I made this trip though was not just for inspiration and content for my second book. I wanted to get away from the rudeness that is so prevalent in the US. (I know this sounds ironic considering the reputation the French have for being rude and we’ll discuss this later.) But what I forgot is that due to the internet, haters will follow you where ever you go.
A psychologist friend of Eleanor’s chalked about the rude emails I’ve received recently to simple jealousy due to the fact that I’ve actually turned my dream into a reality while they haven’t even tried. I get envious of things that other bloggers and people I see are doing but I let it motivate me to work harder. I wish some of you would think about this the next time you want to lash out at me or someone else in this world who’s figured out how to be happy.
Bon week-end !
All photos by me via iPhone 5.
47 Comments
I’m sorry to hear that you have been receiving mean-spirited comments. I’ve been reading your blog for the last year or so and I just wanted to share with you that it is the highlight of my morning.
You’ve inspired me to redecorate and put a little more effort into getting dressed in the morning! I took long for Europe (Rome in particular)and I’m really enjoying all the photos you have been sharing. Garder la tête haute!
Heather, When I read your comment about receiving rude comments, I was flabbergasted! For the life of me, I can’t understand how anyone could come up with rude remarks. I look forward to receiving your posts….they are well-written, creative and informative; one of the best blogs. I traveled to France last summer and completely understand how you feel about the place. It took me by surprise; I was bracing myself for the reported rudeness of the French and returned “in love” with the country and its people. Keep writing wherever you are and we’ll all keep reading.
Your response to “the Hater’s” is elegantly put. I applaud you making your dream come true. And I like what you said about turning envy into dedication and drive. Keep enjoying Paris!
Heather, I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying your posts and Instagram pics from the City of Lights. Your eye for detail is amazing. I feel like you are our virtual tour guide of Paris.
When I see your posts on the blog and Instagram they enliven my day and make me yearn to jump on Eurostar again, April seems as if it were a lifetime ago…There are jealous haters everywhere, but only a few I hope. Keep up the good work.
Yours was my very first blog and I now read 25 or so regularly (except that I am no longer receiving them by email, including yours). You are still a favorite and I’m sorry that jealous people are being ugly to you. Ignore them and know that many, many people love you and your blog. Enjoy your success–you’ve worked hard for it!!
Heather, I am very sorry you have been dealing with this. The world has changed, sadly. Respect is at a premium. Say to yourself, “consider the source”, is this someone whose opinion you value? Remember also, internal locus of control and external locus of control. This works for me. Find a phrase to help you dismiss these unkind comments; then delete,delete, delete! I am going to Paris the end of June with my two daughters, one has been studying in The Netherlands. I haven’t been to Paris since my 20’s. Your pictures have been fabulous. I won’t feel quite so overwhelmed when we get there, thanks to you.
I am grateful everyday for the beauty you have given to me. Thank you! Ellen
Hi Heather,
I’m a longtime follower (although I seldom comment), and I am thrilled for your accomplishments and travel experiences. As a middle-aged wife and mom, some of those doors are closed to me now, but it is still fun and inspirational to follow your journey here on the blog and on Instagram. I will make my very first trip to Paris this fall for a 10-day art study trip (some dreams can happen later in life!) and you can bet I am soaking up every photo and suggestion you post! As for the “haters,” my advice is to ignore and delete. Your gut and heart will tell you if there’s any legitimate criticism in a comment, and you can grow and learn from that, but otherwise enjoy and be grateful for your talent, creativity and opportunity!
I’m so sorry you are getting negative feedback for living positively and sharing it with others! I love your blog and am jealous only in a NICE way!!
x Lily
http://whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com/
Forgive me for disagreeing but, you have been on your “A” game with your frequent posts from Paris. I’m looking forward to more.
Heather, we truly have very little time here on earth to live our dreams…Bravo for doing just that!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Heather,
Your photos leave me longing to get back to Paris. Thanks for sharing.
Lilah
Greetings! As many other have commented, your BLOG is a source of inspiration and joy for me every day! Can U tell me what you use to take your photographs?
Thank you so much for sharing your photos of you adventures in Paris. I have never been and have been taking notes of places to visit when I finally make it.
Can’t wait to see more!
I look forward to your posts and pix from Paris.
I love them.
Keep enjoying your life.
Heather, the mean comments are not about you – it’s projection. People who feel they need to lash out at someone else are doing so because of where they are in their own lives. I know it’s hard not to take the comments personally, but try to remember why they sent them in the first place. I, for one, love your blog and you inspired me to buy my first pair of Roger Vivier sandals! Can’t wait to read more about your stay in Paris.
The internet climate has become terribly mean-spirited, and I find it so dismaying and dispiriting. There seems to be many people who feel an obligation to vent and make rude comments. It’s all so terribly unnecessary. What’s happened to good manners? Common courtesy? I am from the South, and good manners are generally the rule, not the exception. What happened to the old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all”? Heather, I love your blog…I find it very inspirational, and I’m especially enjoying the posts from Paris.
I had you on my blog list for quite a while and would check in periodically, but once you started blogging about your pending move to Paris I dropped by daily. I am so excited to be seeing Paris through you. I was their briefly in 2012 with a large group of family and sadly did not see very much. My husband and I have decided to return next fall and I am so enjoying your posts. Your photos are spectacular as is the commentary. To live your dream and be happy – good for you! We should all be so focussed and lucky. Thank you for starting my day on such a beautiful and positive note.
Love experiencing Paris through your pics and posts!
Goodness, with all the blogs out there, if someone doesn’t like what one blogger has on, for goodness sake, just go somewhere else until one is found to your liking!
No need to spew hatred and unkindness on the poor blogger, what on earth has she or he done to the reader to deserve such unbecoming treatment? I really don’t understand their need to expend their energy to say unkind things, they should just go elsewhere.
I agree with the other commenters . . . consider the source and just delete, delete, delete! Perhaps they will finally get the message and just move on. At any rate . . . don’t let them get under your skin, the rest of us do appreciate your posts! Wish I could be a flaneur right along with you there! (sorry don’t know how to get the accent in there!)
Kudos to you, walk that walk, girl. Everything else is just talk. I add my voice to the others; you make a difference, in a very positive way, for many people, myself included.
Heather–I have been a “lurker” for lack of a better word, for several years now and am moved to comment today. Your blog has always been for me a lovely escape to a place of civility, grace and class–things that are becoming more difficult to find in the world today. Your posts from Paris have been gorgeous and I have been enjoying your pictures and observations greatly as I dream of visiting France myself. I am sorry to hear that you are getting critical feedback and rude comments. While the internet can be a wonderful place with some real bright spots, like your blog, it also makes many feel entitled to behave in an uncivilized manner behind the cloak of anonymity.
I often wonder if the same people would make the same comments to the face of the person they are attacking and believe that most of the time the answer is no. Keep doing what you are doing and enjoying your adventure. I applaud you for following your heart and dreams to Paris and look forward to seeing and hearing more about it in the months to come!
Heather,
Firstly, beautiful photos as usual. My best friend’s boyfriend (he’s French) works at a place where his job is to make routine checks on famous French monuments in order to make plans for maintaining them. He LOVES his job, so I’m not surprised to hear that the French have an appreciation for preserving the history and charm of their city. Actually, seeing that photo with the graffiti made me think about how surprising it is that there isn’t more of that in Paris. Here in the States, it seems like there’s always some sort of graffiti, even in posh places like the UES or Beverly Hills.
In regards to the negative comments, I remember reading a book that made reference to the psychology behind being rude and mean to others, and it’s pretty much like you said: jealousy. People who are rude, whether on the internet, in person, or behind other people’s backs are seeing or recognizing a quality in the other person that they themselves lack and desire, and feel the need to boost their ego to feel better about themselves. And it’s not always a direct correlation between what they’re saying and what they’re actually desiring. For example, someone could say your writing is awful, but they’re just saying that because what they really wish is that they had the opportunity to be traveling the way you are. Your writing may be superb and unrelated to the fact that this mean person wants to be adventurous and travel, but in the end, the person feels like they are somehow superior to you. Which, of course, they never really are. You always feel worse in the end when you’re mean or judgmental.
Also, I thought I’d share one of my favorite quotes by Wayne Dyer (my personal guru for all things spiritual and positive):
“There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there’s only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.”
Much love and congrats to you for making your dream happen. Enjoy it and know that by leading your life in a way that is true to you and your dreams, all the while being gracious and kind, others will follow suit.
xo
– Beeta
It’s such a shame that you have been receiving such mean spirited emails. I’m elated about you moving to Paris, as I’ll be visiting there come this October as a belated 40th birthday present to myself.
I look forward to your future posts!
Hey Heather:
Just wanted to let you know that I left for vacation the day after you left for Paris. As soon as I got home, sometime last week, over a glass of wine I read all your great posts on Paris. I loved all your pictures and even showed a few to Hubby since he was making fun of me for a few that I had taken in Quebec City. Sorry, for some of the negative comments, like you said jealousy and people with way too much time on their hands. Looking forward to all your wonderful posts!
Lisa
By the way, I love your new dress…Parfait!
Sadly, good manners are on the decline in America and around the world. I am from the South and often feel that displaying good manners indicates to some that one is not bright or sophisticated. Our culture glorifies the coarse and the vulgar, and it is unfortunately becoming the new normal. It seems that having good manners is seen to be a weakness, when in fact, it is surely the opposite. A civilized culture cannot survive if civilized behavior is not taught and valued. ENJOY PARIS Heather! Do not inflate the egos of small people by acknowledging them. They are trying to steal your joy. Even if you hate every single minute of being in France (which is not going to be the case), it will be worth every single miserable minute! I turned down a fabulous opportunity to live in NYC when I was in my 20’s. It had been my dream forever. I allowed a negative person to talk me out of it and I turned down a fantastic job offer. That was 25 years ago and I feel a great sadness every time I think about it, which is every day. Now, my precious husband wants me to move to NYC for a few months so that I can realize that dream. We can all behave in a dignified, elegant manner as we live our lives, and know inside that we are of great worth, even if some individuals don’t think so.
xo
I adore this post, as I do all of your posts. Thanks for keeping us a part of your journey, Heather! xx
Thank you for sharing your 2-week vacation in Paris, Heather. It has been SPECTACULAR … you are a GREAT photographer!
On the other matter: Misery loves company….it is but a matter of misery trying to steal joy. A good strategy: “sometimes silence is the best answer” … for haters enjoy the response, so best not to give one.
This quote reminds me of you: “Know it. Own it. Act on it. Become it. There are never any limitations unless you create the boundaries. Today I set no boundaries. Today I allow it to be, how it will be.” – Danielle Maylyn
I agree with all of the comments above. There is no reason for people to take out their frustrations one someone who simply wished to share their passion for living a beautiful life with the public. Personally I have really enjoyed your recent posts, and as I embark on my own international adventures this summer I can only hope that I have an experience similar to your. Thank you for sharing your dreams with those who are willing to listen.
I read your blog daily but don’t take the time to comment, but today I am….I simply cannot believe that people leave rude comments! You are such a talented, inspirational woman, that is making a difference in the world, and yes, SUCH an INSPIRATION for going out and making YOUR DREAM HAPPEN!!!!
Merci beaucoup for all that you do and write. Both my sister and mother moved to Paris and made their dreams come alive there, it is life changing. There will always be haters, feel sorry for them and Vive la France!
Keep the posts coming j’adore tout!
Nathalie
Heather, I too am stunned that you have received negative comments! I love your posts and am excited and inspired by them. We are trying to move to Spain with our 7 and 10 year old kids. It is a thrilling yet scary goal! I am encouraged by you when I get worried about this choice!
Heather, just remember that there are far more people that love, enjoy, appreciate and are inspired by what you share than the few who are mean spirited. Why do those negative folks even take the time to read your blog, much less to spend time complaining to you. Shame on them!
Your blog is a total inspiration to me. I live vicariously through your life in Paris and I enjoy every word you write and photo that you post! You are a blessing to all of us who follow you! Keep striving and living out your dream!
Seriously?! People are leaving rude comments on your blog? Your friend is right…people who are miserable or jealous just can’t handle the happiness or success of others. So they try to spread their misery.
Your blog has been a highlight of my mornings right along with my coffee for the past 4-5 years! I can’t for the life of me see why anyone would be so mean. Didn’t their mothers teach them that if you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all? Or were their mothers rude nasty creatures as well? My guess is, yes.
They can certainly hit the unsubscribe button and just move on with their lives. But they won’t because deep down inside they want to learn how to be fabulously chic from you. Poor pathetic creatures. Don’t let them get to you, Heather. Those of us who are smart enough to recognize class and good taste love you and will always support you. <3
What a shame to hear negative messages are impacting so much you feel a need to mention them. I hope this positive message has a greater impact. You are living your dream, and you are admired, respected and followed… Enjoy! And keep it coming, I am loving the blog
The internet makes it very easy for people to hurl insults at others while hiding behind a cloak of anonymity. You cannot let that bad energy seep into your life. Thank you for being an inspiration to the readers and fellow bloggers, and to everyone who understands how hard it is to put oneself “out there”.
I am sorry to hear that. But – just look at all the positive comments your true audience left. Please don’t let the negativity pollute your blog, do not address the rudeness, it takes away from the beautiful thoughtfulness of your writing and the joyful lightness of our reading. Every morning when I check my emails, I delete the ones I don’t need and then go straight to yours – you are frequently my first read of the day! Have fun!
Heather, I just love re-experiencing Paris through your eyes. As for rudeness, having spent time in France, I feel that the French may be the most polite people anywhere. There is nothing like French politesse to make you feel like a civilized human being. Congratulations on making your dream come true.
so enjoying your pictures and comments… delete the haters and move on please, you are so so special to all of us (me)
I have to admit I check your blog a few times a day to see if a new post is up. (still knowing that you must have a life and fun in Paris and not just post for us)
xxx
I love seeing pictures of Paris but what I love most about your posts is seeing your appreciation for places I’ve surely walked by a dozen times and not noticed the same way you have.
Recommendation you may like:
La Maison du Chou
7 rue de Furstenberg
…unless you don’t like fresh cream puffs 😉
I too am sorry to hear about the negative comments. Please try not to let them get you down. Love your blog and love experiencing Paris through you eyes! Many thanks for sharing.
Heather,
I must tell you how much I am enjoying seeing Paris through your eyes. I applaud you for following your dreams. Let any ugly comments or e-mails roll right off your back. Paris looks like it agrees with you.
Bon chance!
pve
Sorry to hear about the rude emails. Keep posting…it makes many happy!
Love your pictures from Paris … I can look at many of them and say, aha! I’ve been there and done that! And the best part is, I’m going back in September. I just forwarded the picture of the gold angel above the fountain in the Marais to a friend who went with me to Paris in 2012. I made her picture at the fountain, looking up at the angel, and I hope she has fond memories of our trip also.
I have so enjoyed ALL of your post about Paris, the move, your preparation…it makes me long for the day I can partially retire to France, or at least travel there with much more frequency. As they say, “Hater’s gonna hate”, so ignore them and revel in your new found life. And please continue to share!
Roxanne
http://www.roxannestellmacher.com
Heather, thanks for being an inspiration to us all and for sharing your wonderful experiences in Paris. I plan to be in your shoes one day, and your pictures/descriptions keep me dreaming and hoping. Thank you for not letting the trolls get to you (unfortunately they are everywhere and impossible to avoid). Cindy
Heather, thank you for being an inspiration to all those who read your blog. I plan to be in your shoes one day, and your pictures/descriptions of your glorious experiences in Paris keep me dreaming and hoping. Thank you for not letting the trolls get to you (unfortunately they are everywhere and impossible to avoid). Cindy (by the way, we share the same birthday April 18th and I’ve noticed that we like a lot of the same things – go Aries)