Bon va falloir s’habituer à ce genre de délation si  caractéristique des équipes de rugby…

Et bientôt, le trophée du Michel ou du bouc d’or va se matérialiser avec un pendentif à porter à chaque fois que l’on vient au club sous peine d’amende…..Pendentif que les juniors et les séniors B vont devoir porter car il devrait en avoir 3….

Mettre en avant les beaux gestes rugystiques est juste une habitude perdue dans ce club et je veux la réinstaurer… Alors voila pour cette semaine, je ne retiendrais que certaines belles attitudes

Notre ami Thomas Esteoulle qui transperce toute la défense pour servir suite à une superbe glissade un adversaire qui était en infériorité numérique.. on retrouve là la grandeur d’âme de ce joueur qui ne veut pas marquer qd cela devient trop facile…je te comprends

Gaby Doz pour ses percutions du tronc qui démonte 2 adversaires sur le coup… manque de chance ils étaient 3, un de trop d’où un beau début de cathédrale ( il est venu le temps de cathédrales…souvenez vous du bossu de notre dame…)… ce sont les entrainements à rentrer dans Quentin et Vaha qui te font cet effet là?

Julien Trémillon pour son coup de pied qui met KO un adversaire qui lui-même ne se rend pas compte du coup qu’il vient de faire la plus belle action de rugby de sa vie en offrant un essai à ses partenaires. Bon comme ce qui tue pas rend plus fort, cet aléa ne nous a fianlement rien coûté et a permis de voir la capacité de réaction de l’équipe

François Colcombet qui passe en moins de 15 jours de statut de joueur cadet à la voix qui n’a pas mué à l’énorme papa en première expliquant la vie aux vieux séniors et surtout prenant ses responsabilités dans le jeu.Plus le même gamin, pardon, homme

Le grand vainqueur est Julien Trémillon qui doit donc ce mardi et jeudi vérifier ma litière ( la remplacer en mettant de la paille fraiche, remplir mes mangeoires de foin et vérifier que j’ai de l’eau…)

Je ne pouvais rêver mieux! Une arrivée vendredi soir, depuis un coffre de voiture, dans ma nouvelle demeure, plus des présentations longues et complètes dès le samedi pour enfin arriver aux victoires des séniors et au match de touch du dimanche matin.

Ce week end fut épuisant mais voilà je suis présent parmi vous au Saut de Loup et bien content d’être là…

Parlons avant tout de Samedi…Savez vous ce qui s’est passé Samedi vraiment? Sans faire la taupe, puisque je suis une chèvre, que dis-je un bouc… samedi matin, une horde de séniors plus dévêtue les uns que les autres sont venus m’arracher des bras de Morphée pour une séance photo ou shooting comme cela se dit dans le milieux autorisées… Rien que pour moi, une vingtaine d’humains plus un photographe, des lumières…Avouez que pour une arrivée dans un club, il y pire…C’est que le rugby à Paris, c’est show biz ou paillettes…En tout vers chez moi à l’Aigle, on n’a pas tout ça…

Remarquez, pour un bouc qui vient de l’Aigle, de faire la taupe et le modèle photo, personne n’arriverait à me croire.. Bon comme je ne sais que bêêler, je ne pourrais rien raconter en plus.

En tout cas, je ne suis pas déçu par l’école de rugby… que de rugbymen en herbe sur le pré à défaut d’en avoir …dessus… C’est impressionnant, va falloir que je m’y habitue… En tout cas, je vous attendrai à chaque fois avec impatience…

Ah le Dimanche, j’espère voir autant de monde à chaque fois avec :

-la tribune pleine

-les panses plaines d’un bourguignon divin (m’a-t-on dit car je vous rappelle que je mange que du foin et de l’herbe…)

- une main courante garnie avec des voix caverneuses encourageant Boulogne…

Les  matchs Acbb – Versailles.

Bon pour la B, je dois dire que je suis resté dans mon abri (merci christophe) car la première mi-temps fut de facture très moyenne puis une seconde mi temps plus relevée mais où il ne faisait pas un temps à mettre un bouc dehors…Score finale 28à 10. Bravo à la B qui maintenant maitrise l’art de la glissade.
Pour la première, le début de match est pris en main par Versailles qui dès la 1′ a une pénalité qui termine sur le poteau. Parti remise car à la 6′, Versailles ouvre le score sur une pénalité à 10 mètres des poteaux plus un carton blanc pour Boulogne. Versailles domine contre le vent mais Boulogne se réveille et son pack met à mal les versaillais. Boulogne revient au score mais prend un essai (entre les poteaux) bien construit par la ligne des 3/4 de Versailles qui traverse toute la défense… Juste avant les citrons, Boulogne enfonce le pack bleu sur un ballon porté suite à une touche (Mi-temps 10 – 10). Boulogne contre le vent continue sa moisson en touche et les ballons portés se multiplient sur le terrain gras. 2 essais seront marqués par le pack noir dont un de pénalité. Versailles revient dans le match sur un ballon contré et une poursuite au pied dans l’en-but boulonnais (27 – 20). Boulogne marque à la dernière minute du match. Score final : 37 – 20.
Les équipes qui ont joué contre le vent, ont dominé pendant cette période…

Bon match de haut de tableau entre 2 équipes qui n’ont rien lâché avec des conditions de jeux difficile.

Arriving from the Versailles left bank train station, the public lane view may you give the skill to turn back straight ahead. Furthermore, there are 2 lanes at rush hour high-season. One is to get your ticket to visit king Louis XIV and queen Marie-Antoinette appartments. The other is to get in the casttle. One solution to avoid the first lane and earn time as angerness loosing your holiday time among an impatient crowd, is to go across the right entrance gate leading you to Réservoir and Robert de Cotte streets. There, the “Brasserie du Musée” sells Versailles tickets for the same price. Count 13,50€ with an headphone to guide you inside and 5,80€ for the round trip billet. The package sums 20€. Compared with 54€ and 67€ fot the guided tour with a tour operator including pick-up and dropp-off at your hotel, it’s worth to read Parissimo! Isn’it?

Though it’s typically full, it’s rare to see a line outside of Versailles restaurant in Miami.  It’s only on the rare cold night that it actually reaches capacity, especially when there’s a run on churros.  Any day that dips below 65 becomes an impromptu holiday in a summer town, a Miami snow day of sprinkled sugar and fried dough.  The lines form and the usual late night orders for medianoches and mariquitas become churros and hot chocolate.

I think it’s the special occasion quality I associate with churros that keeps me from buying them in New York (though I’d never pass them up in Madrid – I’m not crazy).  Yesterday, deciding I needed a little Christmas now, I brought out the churrera, that my mother who hates to cook but loves kitchen gadgets sent, and my monster of a deep fryer to make my own.  Churros go from blisteringly hot to too lukewarm in a few seconds, like a puppy that growls first then licks your hand, so it was great to have them fried, sugared, dipped and eaten straight away.  Making it snow in my apartment was easier than I expected, and I’m looking forward to having friends over for churros and chocolate over the chilly months ahead.  I loved the churros but missed the crowds.

Churros
Adapted from Nitza Villapol’s Cocina al Minuto. I looked at a few different recipes for churros, usually a straightforward flour and water mixture with a little salt, similar to pâte à choux pastry dough.  Villapol’s recipe combined equal part milk and water with a little added butter and had a slightly creamy texture that I really liked.  This time I stuck to a simple cinnamon and sugar mixture to cover, but plan on trying flavored oils and filled churros next.

1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

Vegetable oil, about 1 1/2 cups if using heavy pot or minimum amount required to fill deep fryer per manufacturer’s instructions

In a heavy saucepan, heat milk, water, butter and salt over medium-high heat until it just comes to a boil.  Off heat, add all of the flour at once and beat with a wooden spoon until blended and mostly smooth.  Set aside to cool slightly.

In a deep fryer or heavy pot (3 1/2-4 quarts wide), heat oil to 375 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick liner.  Fill the canister of the churrera or pastry bag fitted with large star tip.  Form strips directly on baking sheet about 1″ thick and 5-6″ long.  Carefully add strips to oil 5-6 pieces at a time and fry till golden, turning occasionally, about 3-4 minutes.

Drain directly on cooling rack placed over lined baking sheet or on paper towels.  Roll in sugar-cinnamon mixture and serve immediately.

Setelah sempat “diam” sejenak, Versailles akhirnya bergerak lagi dengan mantap. Kematian Jasmine You dijadikan sebagai motivasi bagi mereka. Beberapa hari setelah V-ROCK FESTIVAL 09 yang diselenggarakan Oktober yang lalu, BXtE.info mendapatkan kesempatan untuk mewawancarai mereka mengenai banyak hal, termasuk visi ke depan dan arti lagu-lagu mereka. Berikut ini kutipannya.

BXtE.info: Thank you very much for making time for us today.
KAMIJO: Thank you [for coming].
BXtE.info: I am Rika from BXtE.
KAMIJO: Nice to meet you. (Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.)
BXtE.info: To begin with, could you please introduce yourselves?
KAMIJO: I am KAMIJO, Versailles‘ vocalist.
HIZAKI: I’m HIZAKI on guitar.
TERU: I’m TERU on guitar.
BXtE.info: For Versailes, the last year has been one of both very good and very bad tidings to which I would like to get to a little later. Before coming to those, I’d like to ask about something you did even before your major debut, your European tour and performances in the US.
HIZAKI: Our first overseas lives were in Europe and the first country we went to there was Sweden. I remember I was impressed how beautiful the cities were there. They were very beautiful in all those European countries, really that impressed me.
BXtE.info: What about you, KAMIJO?
KAMIJO: In the US we played in New York and Los Angeles and at two conventions. So we played twice at conventions and twice solo lives, and that so many people came to our solo lives, independent of conventions, that they were excited about our lives, I couldn’t just see it but could physically feel it then, so in turn I got very excited myself.
BXtE.info: And you, TERU?
TERU: It was my first time ever to go overseas so I was surprised by the differences in culture, environment, food. Naturally the reactions of fans over there were very different from Japanese, too. Just everything was so new to me, it was great.
BXtE.info: How were the fans’ reaction [over there] different from your Japanese fans?
TERU: Because they live in a different part of the world, we usually don’t get to meet them so it felt as if they’d really been waiting for us, they were very welcoming.
BXtE.info: What was your strongest impession?
TERU: First of all, they were very loud. (Laughs) That really was great.
BXtE.info: By the way, since you are Versailles, did you have a chance to visit Versailles [while you were in Europe]?
KAMIJO: Sightseeing? Versailles in France? No, we weren’t able to.
BXtE.info: That’s a bit unfortunate, I think. But, to return to your current activities, you finally had your first post major debut live at V-ROCK FESTIVAL ‘09. It was wonderful that it happened, but was it maybe also somewhat sad, as it was only the four of you on stage?
KAMIJO: No, it was a 5 people performance, I really believe Jasmine You was there as well. And because of that, I think we made our [major] debut in a really great way; that it was our best live to date.
BXtE.info: Putting it like that… What kind of person was Jasmine You to each of you?
KAMIJO: He had a very strong sense of who he was, and stayed true to himself until the end, so in that sense he was a very impressive artist.
TERU: To put it simply, for me he was an artist. He was also my senior as an artist, so there are a lot of things I learned from him.
HIZAKI: I knew him for quite a while, he used to be someone I talked with when I had problems and it feels lonely not to have that anymore. I guess I will just have to do better/get stronger by myself from now on.
BXtE.info: He worked with you in your own HIZAKI Grace Project, too?
HIZAKI: Yes, that’s so.
BXtE.info: How about you, YUKI?
YUKI (01): What kind of being… simply said, he was a very good person. I’m not really sure how to say this, but I think Versailles in general is very strong in its visual expression, but even within that, he played an exceptional part. After it was just the four of us on stage, I feel just how strong his impact was more than ever.
BXtE.info: Eventually you will have to choose a new bassist though. When that time comes, do you think that will turn into a different 5 members Versailles, or more something like what X JAPAN are doing in regards to HIDE now, keeping it as a 6 member band?
KAMIJO: Of course Jasmine You will always be a member of Versailles. Though I suppose that at some time in the future (02), as a band, we’ll have to decide on some form to continue, make some choices… But I do think that Jasmine You will always be a member of Versailles, for sure.
BXtE.info: Coming back to your live at V-ROCK FESTIVAL ‘09, I would guess that was not how you imagined your first post major debut live to be, but how did you feel playing there?
HIZAKI: [We] were troubled… but then the V-ROCK FESTIVAL ‘09 was like a whole big Visual Kei party, so there wouldn’t have been any point in just us carrying around our sadness, so we decided instead to just go and party there together with Jasmine You.
BXtE.info: It was a great stage, you were more gorgeous than ever. Actually, KAMIJO, you talked a bit about Visual Kei then, would you mind telling us that again?
KAMIJO: Not at all. “Visual Kei” is the name for artists who have the ability to use every/any and all means to express themselves. It’s something that goes beyond technique.
BXtE.info: How would you like to see Visual Kei from now on? In Japan as well as overseas.
HIZAKI: In Visual Kei until now there has been a tendency to over emphasize the importance of appearance, but I think the music should be as flawless as the look.
KAMIJO: I believe that, that both the music as well as the visuals, are very important, is the philosophy [behind Visual Kei]. Artists who believe that can successfully combine the musical and visual expression [into a whole]. That is why I believe everybody needs to take that philosophy very seriously.
BXtE.info: Do you think foreign artists can do that?
KAMIJO: Not limited to Visual Kei, I think any artist has to have a vision of what being an artist means.
BXtE.info: Back to Versailles, you achieved your major debut in a remarkably short two years. How do you think you were able to do that?
KAMIJO: Hasn’t that been rather a long time?
BXtE.info: No, it’s quite short.
KAMIJO: That since our formation, when we created “Lyrical Sympathy” as our first release, as a debut album, that so much time has passed since then, only hows that we’re still pretty inexperienced…
BXtE.info: Is that so?
KAMIJO: Yes, we should be able to get further than that.
BXtE.info: I am sure you will, but I still think that from formation to major debut is quite fast.
HIZAKI: Becoming major was never as such our goal, it’s more a means to an end, so it doesn’t actually matter that much if it was fast or slow.
BXtE.info: I see. Though, there has been some concern about your going major overseas, as some bands do change once they go major. It’s not all that rare a story that they lose artistic control [after that]. So, how about Versailles?
KAMIJO: Nobody is really worried about that?
BXtE.info: Some people were, overseas…
KAMIJO: Really? They don’t trust us… (laughs)
BXtE.info: Sorry… (laughs)
KAMIJO: If they want to worry I suppose that’s okay, but I don’t think we’ve done anything to cause anyone worries.
BXtE.info: So, you’ll stay “Versailles.”
KAMIJO: We went what is called major for the sake of doing what we want to do, (because what we want is possible there). We intend to become even more flamboyant.
BXtE.info: That’s great (laughs), really it is. I guess that has actually already answered my next question, but, has anything changed for you with going major? Or was it rather, as I would guess it was, a natural step in your further developement?
HIZAKI: We are now pretty much in a place where we can really concentrate on the music and the band, so all that’s left is to become even better.
BXtE.info: So where do you think Versailles will be 5 or 10 years from now?
HIZAKI: I think [my/our] hair will be thinner. (laughs)
All: (loud laughter)
TERU: I’ll be alive…
YUKI: In 5 years… or 10…
KAMIJO: I think we’ll be an even better band.
KAMIJO: Whether we talk about 5 years or 10, I think time is necessary for people to grow, so shouldn’t we really be an even more wonderful band then?
BXtE.info: As Versailles is, all of your songs are part of an ongoing story, but what about yourselves? Are you actors in that story or “only” the storytellers?
KAMIJO: What I want to tell people when I sing our lyrics, that is, to the end, only my own personal view, just from my position, so I believe that the others, in their own performances, each for themselves create their own substories.
HIZAKI: I think I can’t really write songs for other people yet, it’s mostly for myself that I compose and perform. So, yes, I think I do create my own substory, that fits me, from the lyrics KAMIJO writes.
BXtE.info: Could you explain how you mean “for myself?”
HIZAKI: To improve myself more.
BXtE.info: How about you, TERU?
TERU: Naturally I’m not really a character in the story, but during lives there is a certain empathy, that makes me slip inside the story as I play. In that sense it’s my own story, too.
BXtE.info: And YUKI?
YUKI: I haven’t written any songs of my own yet. But when I work on the drums phrases, adding things like sudden speed changes or complicated rhythms to a song, creating the flow of the percussions, it’s something I really enjoy. That’s where I am just now.
BXtE.info: A question for KAMIJO [as the band's lyricist], what kind of world is it the story takes place in?
KAMIJO: What kind of world?
BXtE.info: Yes.
KAMIJO: You mean, all elements combined?
BXtE.info: Yes.
KAMIJO: It’s the story of the descendants of roses. (laughs)
BXtE.info: (laughs) Maybe you could elaborate a little on that?
KAMIJO: You mean in some more detail/a bit easier to understand? That would become rather long…
BXtE.info: No problem with that.
KAMIJO: If that’s the case. Let me see how I can put it. It’s a story for the sake of people becoming more beautiful, the quest for beauty by a vampire.
BXtE.info: I see…
KAMIJO: So, I explained it more easily to understand. (laughs)
BXtE.info: Any plans for overseas? Do you want to play there again? If so, any ideas when?
HIZAKI: Maybe after a new album and a Japan tour, we’ll go on a world tour…
BXtE.info: What countries do you want to go to?
KAMIJO: As many places as we can.
BXtE.info: Does anyone have any place you particularly want to go to?
KAMIJO: Any place in particular…
HIZAKI: Everywhere. I want to go everywhere we can.
BXtE.info: As an idea from Europe then, as it seems performances at the Palace of Versailles are possible, how about “Versailles in Versailles?”

The Versailles Royal Opera picture is used under Fair Use Agreement. Copyright belongs to EPV.

KAMIJO: Versailles Royal Opera? Looks great. That’s in France, isn’t it?
BXtE.info: Yes, that’s inside the Palace of Versailles.
BXtE.info: It’s an idea from over there, for you to play there…
HIZAKI: Over there?
BXtE.info: Europe. That is, from European fans.
HIZAKI: Oh, for a moment I thought it was from there [Versailles Palace administration].
All: (laughter)
BXtE.info: Sorry [for my lousy explanation], no, it’s an idea from chatting with some of your European fans, who’d like you to think about it.
HIZAKI: Ah…
KAMIJO: That looks a lot like the cover of our next album.
All: (laughter)
BXtE.info: Really?
KAMIJO: Totally.
BXtE.info: Interesting. For your first major album, then, if you can and want to say something about that, would you please?
TERU: Well…
KAMIJO: Somebody say something.
TERU: I think there will be so many cool songs in it that everybody will be surprised, but for current fans, I think one thing is that they can still listen to Jasmine You’s bass in it. For that, too, I’d like everybody to listen to it.
BXtE.info: Anyone else?
KAMIJO: In my singing, I intend to express many different feelings, every way I can, so please, allow yourselves get drunk on my voice.
BXtE.info: We certainly will and thank you all for your time today. May we, as the last thing, ask you for a message to your foreign fans to post on our website?

You can find the messages from KAMIJO, HIZAKI, YUKI and TERU, in their original audio version, here.

(01) YUKI had not actually arrived yet at this stage of the interview (he was delayed and joined us later); however, we decided to add his answer here for consistency.
(02) KAMIJO uses “mirai” as a term for “future” here, which is one that implies the distant future rather than something that will happen soon.

Interview by: Rika
Transcript by: Mie
Translation by: Rika
Edited by: Ina

Sumber: BXtE.info

Versailles sous Louis XV

Ne manquez surtout pas l’exposition Louis XV au Château de Versailles…….

This delightful cultural and epicurean journey through the south of France features colorful markets, charming villages and landscapes that inspired master artists. A cheese tasting, a visit to a famed vineyard, and a scenic cruise past villas and gardens in Nice unveil the magic of the French Riviera. Enjoy a relaxed three-night stay in a restored farmhouse in Avignon and soak up the essence of Provence. Embrace local culture at a tour and tasting at one of the region’s famed vineyards. A hands-on cooking demonstration reveals the secrets of authentic Provencal cooking.

• Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Wine Tasting, Cheese Tasting, French Cooking Class, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes, St. Rémy-de-Provence , Les Baux-de-Provence, Olive Oil Tasting, Train des Pignes, Nice

• Experience a cooking demonstration in one of Avignon’s famed restaurants.
• Follow the fascinating Cézanne Trail in Aix-en-Provence, visiting areas immortalized by the famous artist.
• Enjoy a two night stay in Nice, capital of the Côte d’Azur.
• Visit the charming village of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and shop for local crafts and specialty foods at their local market.

AVAILABLE DATES

Call Char & Linda – 530-676-1208 for booking your travel!

Con questo post inauguriamo una serie di articoli, che speriamo divengano sempre più numerosi, dedicati agli spazi di lavoro e di vita di alcuni artisti. Ci interessa focalizzare l’attenzione sulla dimensione intima e quotidiana che sta dietro il loro lavoro, dietro il loro aspetto pubblico: gli arredi, gli oggetti, gli angoli, le abitudini dei “geni al lavoro”. Iniziamo con lo studio di Xavier Veilhan, artista francese, di cui si chiude tra un mese la spettacolare mostra all’interno del Castello di Versailles che tanto ha fatto parlare gli addetti, ma sopratutto i non adetti, ai lavori.

Sia che si tratti di  fotografia, di scultura, di video, di istallazioni o anche solo di esposizioni, Xavier Veilhan struttura le sue opere attorno ad una colonna vertebrale: la rappresentazione. Uno dei tratti più caratteristici nella sua arte  è il ricorrere a un lavoro sulla visione generica  delle forme, degli oggettil: renderli lisci, senza dettagli nè psicologie. Le figure di Veilhan sono degli archietipi ridotti all’essenziale, preparati affinchè lo spettatore vi si possa proiettare immediatamente, e oltrepassare lo stato dell’aneddoto, ne rivela sempre la struttura portante al fine di non creare nessuna illusione: la sua arte è soprattutto costruzione.

Fino al 13 Dicembre al Castello di Versailles la sua mostra, per approfondimenti potete ascoltare questa sua bella intervista.

]]> http://bigkidlife.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/versailles/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:13:22 +0000 bigkidlife http://bigkidlife.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/versailles/

A king once lived here…many actually. There was even a crazy signing of some war ending agreement made here. I however, had a different experience. I had three teenagers finding every excuse possible to make this very expensive (20 euro per adult) trip obnoxious. Here is the family picture of us on the steps all happy:

Another Happy Day in France

I found some slight solace in drawing, which I’ve been doing more and more of. I drew a giant headless queen trampling through the gardens of Versailles. I figured it was totally appropriate:

Drawing a Masterpiece

…klassiches Designermöbel aus dem Schloss Versailes

Funstück #46

This past weekend me and my friend Chasity went to Paris for three days. There’s a lot to see in Paris, so it was quite a busy weekend with lots of running around. Our train didn’t get into the city until about 11 PM on friday, so that night we went to bed, knowing that we had a lot of exploring to do in the morning.

On saturday we got up and went straight to l’Arc de Triomphe. It’s this huge arch in the middle of a giant intersection, which is pretty cool. It was definitely one of my favorite things to see. We saw the arc, and then went down the Champs Elysées, which is one of the main shopping streets in the city. It has any store that you can think of, and also has a good view of the arc from the street.

After having some lunch, we headed up to Monmartre, which is where our hotel was, but is also where the Sacré Coeur and the Moulin Rouge are. We went inside the church and took some pictures of Paris, because the Sacré Coeur is up on a huge hill that overlooks a lot of the city.

That night we headed down to the Eiffel Tower to get a look at it all lit up. It is certainly fun to look at. The tower is right next to the river, so then we went on a one hour boat tour down the Seine which showed a lot of the famous sights in the city. It was pretty cold and windy, but it was nice to be on the river and see all the different places that we had to go over the next couple of days.

Sunday was spent in Versailles, which is a huge palace built by King Louis XIV about 45 minutes outside of the city. You can tour the palace and the humongous gardens that surround it. The palace is definitely the most lavish thing I have ever seen. The pictures don’t really do it justice, because it is ridiculous how much money it must have cost. But I guess when you’re the king of France back in the day you can do whatever you want pretty much.

Later that day we headed over to Notre Dame, which was very cool to see. It is famous for its huge stained glass windows, which were incredible. The top of the church also gives a great view of the city.

That night we didn’t really know what to do with ourselves, so we headed over to the Arc again to see it all lit up. There were lights on the trees lining the Champs Elysées, but for some reason they weren’t lit up.

On Monday we went to the Louvre. It is absolutely huge. There is way too much to see in a day. We did our best to see the highlights while still having time to see other things in the city later that day. They first thing we did was head to the Mona Lisa before it was too crowded. It was cool to see, but overall underwhelming. Next we saw a little bit of sculpture (which was my favorite), including the Venus de Milo. After that we saw some Asian and Egyptian stuff, then more sculptures!

The rest of the day was spent walking around the city, then going to the Eiffel Tower at night to go up to the top. Unfortunately for us, that night the very top of the tower was closed, but we still went to the second level. It was a Monday night, so there was no line at all to get to the elevator. We were still disappointed, but it was really cool to see the city at night. There was a soccer field right next to the tower that I will surely play on one day. After we got back to the bottom, there was a crazy light show on the tower. It was cued to music and the tower was changing all sorts of colors. It was pretty awesome.

It was a jam packed weekend. I feel like I never sat down except when on the Metro, going from place to place. I had a great time and definitely want to go back someday to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and see some of the other museums in the city. It was definitely one of my favorite trips so far.

Total, I took 663 pictures over the 3 days, but only 392 of which were decent. They can all be seen here and here.

We created this whimsical Corpse Bride Halloween cake for a wedding reception that was held at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY.  Each tier of the cake was a different flavor and covered in freshly made marshmallow fondant.  The spider web is actually edible.  It was created using Sugar Veil.  The silver on the cake was all hand painted and we fished the cake with colorful butterflies and a hummingbird.

Best wishes and congratulations to Ben and Devina.

To order a cake or to schedule a complimentary wedding cake consultation, call The Twisted Sifter Cake Shoppe at 859-285-0306 or email Pam@TheTwistedSifter.com.

For more information visit our website at http://www.TheTwistedSifter.com

This spooktacular birthday cake was created for a grand mummy’s Halloween birthday party.  The cake was Italian Cream with a vanilla buttercream icing.  The eyes were made out of marshmallow fondant and colored with edible markers.  The cupcakes were made to look like little mummy heads.

To order your cake  and cupcakes call The Twisted Sifter Cake Shoppe at 859-285-0306 or email Pam@TheTwistedSifter.com

For more information visit our website at http://www.TheTwistedSifter.com

A brief lesson in 18th century French furniture styles

Working as a copywriter at Christie’s, I have had the great privilege to learn and write about many rare and fascinating objects. From exceptional bottles of fine wine to limited edition watches, every day brings a new discovery my way. But one of my favourite lessons was revealed to me during an interview with a furniture specialist in Paris. We were discussing 18^th century furniture, and he taught me, on the spot, how to tell the difference between Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. I had a vague idea beforehand, but he explained with great clarity. I will try to do the same, and next time you go antique hunting, you’ll be able to wow the salesmen with your impressive knowledge putting yourself in a good bargaining position.

So, first, a quick historical recap of the kings concerned:

And now the hallmark features :

Louis XIV Style – Baroque Grandeur

In 1661 Louis XIV started working on a detailed expansion project of the Château Versailles, with the plan to relocate the French Royal court there once the building was complete. Sure enough, in 1682 the court of Versailles became the centre of political power in France. Louis XIV surrounded himself with grand Baroque furnishings. He was concerned with showing off the wealth, power and civilization of the French. The chairs of this period are very formal; tall and throne-like with high arm rests.

Louis XV Style – Rococo Luxury
During the Régence period, Philippe moved the court to the Palais Royal in Paris, where the new king was surrounded by a far more relaxed and intimate environment than Louis XIV. There was a growing taste for elegance and comfort in the home. Playing cards, writing letters, gossiping and flirting became popular pastimes for both men and women. As a result, armchairs became smaller and more feminine. The fauteuil en cabriolet was usually upholstered with a concave cartouche-shaped back for comfort, and padded arms often curved outward to accommodate the full hooped dresses of the period. The popular style shifted from throne-like grandeur, to refined curvilinear forms with cabriole legs, feminine scrolls and shell and flower motifs for decoration. This is my favourite style of them all.

Louis XVI Style – Pure Neoclassicism
By the mid 18th century sophisticated society were growing tired of fussy rococo designs and were ready for a new look. Inspired by increased travel and the excavations of Pompeii, furniture makers started to incorporate elements of Greco Roman architecture marking the dawn of the Neoclassical era. The Louis XVI style actually started about ten years before his reign commenced in 1774. There was a transitional period from Rococo to Neoclassical when furniture makers were adapting their stock to suit new tastes. As a result you could find Rococo curves mixed with the rectilinear forms of Neoclassicism. Lines gradually became straighter, legs were fluted with tapering feet and key patterns. The backs of chairs were often medallion shaped and in many instances arm posts were discarded altogether.  The Neoclassical style was favoured throughout the Empire and Directoire periods following the French Revolution.

Well I hope you found this interesting. Test your knowledge when you next find yourself wading through a sea of French 18th century chairs. And if you want to buy any, be sure to check out the furniture sales at Christie’s.

Karl Lagerfeld a organisé dernièrement un défilé Chanel très « champêtre » (sic), avec un décor, bottes de paille et prairie enherbée, le tout sous la nef du Grand Palais, inspiré du hameau de Marie-Antoinette, à Versailles. Le défilé a démarré au chant du coq, avec des paysannes de luxe certes, mais surtout sans culottes ! en petites robes, juste vêtues d’une discrète guirlande de roses, ou en minijupe ouverte sur les cuisses .

Mais, pour rajouter au ridicule de la situation et en amplifier l’imbécilité, au lieu du conventionnel aller-retour du catwalk sous les applaudissements, les mannequins se sont livrés à un…batifolage libertin dans le foin, sous le gloussements de gêne mêlés à des rires étouffés du public présent !

Décidément le monde de la mode et des médias, confirme qu’il est victime d’une totale désorientation sur le plan moral !

RENDONS HONNEUR, CONTRE LES PERVERTISSEURS DE MEMOIRE,  A LA REINE MARIE ANTOINETTE : CADEAU DU CIEL A LA FRANCE !

This cute Tigger cake was created for a birthday party for two boys.  We delivered it to KC Gymnastics.  The cake was milk chocolate with a milk chocolate ganache and a vanilla buttercream icing.  Tigger was created out of fondant.

To order your cake please call The Twisted Sifter Cake Shoppe at 859-285-0306 or email Pam@TheTwistedSifter.com

For more information visit our website at www.TheTwistedSifter.com

This wild cake was created for a bridal shower.  The cake is covered in a hot pink fondant and then the stripes are black fondant.

To order a cake or cupcakes – call The Twisted Sifter Cake Shoppe at 859-285-0306 or email Pam@TheTwistedSifter.com

For more information visit our website at http://www.TheTwistedSifter.com