Edinburgh Open Doors weekend

Image via ifeecosse.org.uk

This weekend will consist of:
1) a baby shower
2) a children's party
3) a trip on a fire engine (if I play my cards right) courtesy one of my favourite free things to do in   Edinburgh.

For this weekend is Open Doors, the city's annual architectural event supported by Edinburgh's Civic Trust. This is when you can saunter into and choose to explore different buildings throughout Edinburgh which are mainly out of bounds to the public for the rest of the year.

Last year we visited the Lothian Region bus depot and rode around on old and new forms of transport, as well as open-top buses. This one is great for the kids. We also popped into the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop to check out the wonderful building there and meet the artists in residence. As previously mentioned, this year there has been a request to visit the Fire Service Museum. There looks to be a very good exhibition by Marseille-based photographer, Geoffroy Mathieu, at the Institut
Français d’Ecosse, too.

Make the most of it if you can, it comes but once a year.

run for the hills

Living in Edinburgh, we are most fortunate to be able to experience the many festivals, almost on our doorstep. I have been loving the Fringe 2013 so far, but with city's population doubling at this time, things can become pretty stifling. Earlier this week we shot off to the capital's Pentland Hills for a bit of a breather.

Paradise lost?

All images via surfacepressure.net

Latest drawings by my Edinburgh-based pal, Tommy Perman. In his recent work, he has taken a look at the seedier side of the capital in this study of the frontages of this city's various 'saunas'. 'I liked the way they try to be discreet but fail by looking tacky and conspicuous'. Read more about the project and take a look at the the whole collection here.

Dick's online is go!

 

 

 

Those lovely people, Andrew Dick and Uli Schade of Dick's menswear and homewares in Edinburgh, have just launched their online shop. Go check out their handpicked range of well-made, quality items from around the world.

Image via Uli Schade at dicks-edinburgh.co.uk

foiled again

Last year I wrote a post entitled 'it's only March' as we were experiencing something of a heatwave in Edinburgh around the same time, a year ago. I missed the boat and did not quite manage to get the top photograph of this post in last week, heralding the joys of Spring and its better weather. A week ago we were experiencing cracking weather and sporting sunglasses (as in the second photo down). The bottom image is of my daughter and me in snowy Edinburgh... yesterday.

on location

Image via locationscotland.tumblr.com

Photoshoot today with my daughter, Location Scotland and Multiply, in this amazing house in Edinburgh.

Tommy's Leith

All images via surfacepressure.tumblr.com

Great new drawings by friend and Edinburgh artist, Tommy Perman. These are of our old stomping grounds of the city's Easter Road and Leith. See more of his work here.

numéro 100

Better late than never, eh? Happy new year to one and all.  

pas mal is starting 2013 in style with post number 100. After a long, leisurely and indulgent festive season it is now onwards, to reality. Right now, reality it looking pretty good for me and my family. It has been an upbeat and positive start to the year for us with many plans and little goals for the year ahead (including those of a 3-year-old who is showing real signs of wanting to learn to play the guitar). A variety of interesting and exciting work projects ahead for me in 2013, with some already underway. With a lot of the UK covered in snow right now, Edinburgh has only seen a mild flurry or two so far. Areas of the city are instead being treated to some rather lovely and unseasonal cherry blossom.

Bonne année, bonne santé.

Dick's

All images via Uli Schade

Towards the end of last week, I was invited to the opening of a new store in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. The people behind Dick's clothing, accessories and homewares, are two of the most decent and interesting new acquantainces I have made in a long while. Andrew is originally from the area and has set up shop with his photographer wife, Uli. Fresh faced and fresh up from London, they have travelled up the road full of hope and new ideas. Here is a refreshing take on style in the Scottish capital, looking like nothing else on offer up here right now. The place is a labour of love. Everything from the clean and simple design aesthetic of the interior, to the carefully selected products, are works of art. We got on immediately, sharing an appreciation of well-crafted, quality products. What caught my eye in particular, was the number of made in France beauties represented alongside wares from across the world. These include such classics as Duralex glasses and Breton shirts (theirs are by Orcival, suppliers to the French navy), that have been previously championed through pas mal. There are also lovely notebooks made in Paris by La Compagnie du Kraft, 'The most unproductive makers of notebooks in the western world!' (so say the manufacturers about themselves); Opinel knives, since 1890 manufactured in Saint Jean de Maurienne in the Savoie region; and great Vetra, workman jackets. I hear there is snow forecast in Edinburgh tomorrow, so thank goodness they also stock a fine selection of unisex woollen goods (not French, but warm and quite brilliant). Let us get behind these guys and give them our full support. Until their website goes live, go like them here. Come on Dick's and do Edinburgh proud; this city needs you.

3 ans

  

 

 

Today we had a bit of an old school-style birthday celebration, for a modern day little girl. A handmade doll's house by mamy Odette (my mum), complete with bone-fide 1970s Playmobil that had been stored in the attic for years and have come out in perfect nick; a cake modelled on a St Michael 1980s classic; and pass the parcel played to a soundtrack of La Danse des Canards (The Birdie Song). Joyeux Anniversaire to our beautiful daughter, Ellie Rose.

Changement de décor

Image via ifeecosse.org.uk

I was sent an invite recently to the launch of a new photography exhibition, Changement de décor, in Edinburgh. A Scots photographer taking shots during the 2012 festivals at the Institut français d’Ecosse, you say? I decided to check him out before heading along. Albie Clark is a most talented young man, with it appears not only a sense of humour, but a penchant for lines. We did not get the chance to chitchat, but glad I at least managed a nod of congratulations in his direction, because frankly, he deserves it. I was delighted to see a great turnout on the night, not only for Albie, but for the venue, too. The Scottish Government's Cab Sec for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, did a nice little speech on the merit of Franco-Scottish relations and the foreword to the rather lovely catalogue (available from the Institute and priced at £10), that accompanies the show. The photo above in no way does the exhibition justice, so you will just have to take my word for it and head along to see his work yourself. My two favourites are not shown on this post either - ones showing a great study of lines and positioning of objects. Because those who know me well, know also how much of an obsession I have with all things alignment... All of the above perfect pas mal fodder. The show runs from 15 November 2012 - 19 January 2013 and is free to get in.

Bon Anniversaire, FFF!

 

 

 

 

 

Lovers of French cinema who plan to be anywhere near Edinburgh, Glasgow or London (plus check the programme for many more UK venues) in the next wee while, the French Film Festival UK is almost here. Celebrating its 20th birthday this winter, 2012 looks to be a vintage year. As usual, it is a glorious mixed bag and there's lots and lots to choose from. The festival runs 8 November - 2 December this year.

 

so Chic

Definitely smiling as I shoehorn-in this post. Back in Edinburgh now, with not too much of a bump. The sun has been mostly shining since we got back from the Gard, the city is buzzing and the Edinburgh festivals 2012 are in full swing. There is so much on here right now that it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming sifting through the thousands of different shows, exhibitions, gigs and more. That is why I welcome a great tip this time of year. Last Saturday night has been and gone, but I can safely say that the tip-off my brother received is hands down, the best to date. We had a feeling with an evening in the company of Nile Rodgers we were in for a good night, but nothing quite this special. Member of Chic (disco and R&B band extraordinaire who for a while pretended they were French to make themselves all the more, well, chic), guitarist, composer, song-writer and who it seems has produced just about everyone (including such greats as Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Madonna, David Bowie and is still at it), was in town to promote his autobiography, 'Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny'. We were priveleged to be entertained by Dr Rodgers (he was awared an honourary doctorate earlier this year) for almost 3 hours. Within minutes he had managed to endear himself to us all and we hung on his every word. Warm, funny, charming, a wonderful storyteller and an amazing musician, it all made up what was I am sure, amongst the very best things across all the festivals this year. And he writes a nice blog, too, documenting his travels and interesting stuff he gets up to, complete with cracking track listings every time he gets on a plane. What a man; what a talent; what a gem. And the brilliant thing about it all was that you could tell he was loving every minute of it. Please come back and pay us a visit, soon.

la flamme

The sun made a spectacular reappearance in Edinburgh today. And as if to mark the occasion, the Olympic Flame is winding its way round the streets of our city.

Cannes I dig it?

The film festival is in full swing, the stars are flocking to the Côte d'Azur, and we read all about it from the comfort of our centrally-heated home. The sunshine made an appearance here today, after a mélange of rain and hail this past fortnight in May. Today has been a near perfect Sunday spent in Edinburgh with a girl friend, for a long-awaited catch-up. We donned our dark sunglasses and did our best to make like we were on the Croisette with the best of them. The glamour-esque day began in the Picture House, at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, where I scooped a bargain silk Escada blouse (vintage, warum?: label reads 'Made in Western Germany'). To toast my peach of a find, we sipped Bloody Marys whilst enjoying stunning rooftop-terrace views of our beautiful city. A leisurely stroll in the sun followed, but as our various festivals are not yet upon us, there were no starlets to be spotted today. The day was capped with some not-so-chic, but tasty and freshly made Mexican grub, and a peaceful sunset. Pity it was so cold here - all day.

return of the mitts

Goodbye blue sky, hello grey. Bye bye sunshine, hiya snow. Off go the sandals, on with the down. This has been the fastest and most dramatic weather turnaround I think I have ever seen. My watch tan line from what, all of 4 days ago, is making me think that the K Jacques St Tropez were all a dream and I had actually been in about the St Tropez tan. Scenes above are ones of Edinburgh, yesterday (today is much the same). Large balls of hail, snow, battering wind and a two and a half hour power cut. There was much watching of this little guy, Didou, below.

You Tube: Didou dessine moi un cheval

a storm and something savoury

That is an aerial at a jaunty angle, because it is about to be blown off a roof. There have been severe weather warnings for Scotland throughout the day and it has been particularly stormy in Edinburgh. The radio warned people to stay at home - so I did. I got my head down and made good progress on an editing deadline for next week. I also did some baking. My husband and I had a cook-off a couple of weeks ago. It was our daughter's birthday party and we decided to make some treats for our guests. One of my contributions was a cake aux olives and it went down a treat. This is what I baked again today, while the storm was raging outside.

Cake aux olives

180g flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
150g cheese (my favourites are comté, mature cheddar, cubes of blue cheese)
100ml olive oil
100ml milk
300g pitted olives (green, black or mixed)
100g nuts (optional)
salt, pepper

Preheat the oven at 180 degrees. Mix the flour with the baking powder. Separately mix the eggs, olive oil and milk. Mix altogether with the olives and cheese. Place the mixture in a loaf tin and bake for 50 min. Best left eaten slighty warm, so try to resist the temptation to eat straight out of the oven.


Source: Author's own.

here comes the summer

Image via apc.fr

Designers must be applauded for bringing out their Spring/Summer collections, in the dead of winter. This last week or so, Edinburgh has suddenly become properly cold and with it has come the ritual of layering and hat, scarf and mitt-wearing. Whilst it is chilly there right now too, I am impatient to get to France and smiled when I opened up an email from apc today. I smiled when I saw the photograph above, which looks to have been taken in the Jardin du Luxembourg, in Paris. I smiled too because it is sunny and looks warm. When the weather is good, I love sitting and lazing around in the iconic green metal chairs. I've earmarked a few pieces from the S/S 2012 collection already and have found myself wishing away the winter, already.