Friday, 18 January 2013
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.
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
le pre-Noël en Bourgogne
After a wonderful week of festive cheer: spending time with family, opening presents and overindulging in cheese and wine here in Burgundy, we head back to Edinburgh tomorrow, to get ready for Christmas...
Monday, 17 December 2012
Paris, jour et nuit
We arrived in France a few days ago for what has now become our annual pre-Christmas Christmas. Before heading south to Burgundy, we spent 24 hours or so in a pretty damp, Paris. Soggy, but beautiful as ever and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of a city in full festive swing.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Dick's
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| 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.
Sunday, 18 November 2012
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.
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Changement de décor
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| Image via ifeecosse.org.uk |
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
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