fleurishing

proust q & a...where is bryan?

 

 

 

It continues to amaze me how small our world is...I was introduced (online) to Bryan Pirolli by our mutual friend, Lindsey. Bryan lives in Paris but is also a Philadelphia native, sharing that pa/paris connection that we all have! In addition to reading his blog, I learned just how much Bryan is involved in-he is one talented guy! I was flattered to help Bryan with the Philly launch of COLunching, another great venture he is involved in. It's great to learn more about him via Proust...merci Bryan!

 

If not yourself, who would you be?

I'd be my dad so I could marvel at having such a fantastic son. Just kidding (kind of). But I'd love to be behind his eyes to see how I got this way.

What is your present state of mind?

I'm torn but resolute on a certain issue. Like, I made up my mind, but I'm not happy about it.

Your idea of happiness.

Easy. A chocolate ice cream-filled pool.

Your idea of misery.

A chocolate ice cream pool filled with children who just drank a lot of lemonade.

Your favourite food & drink.

Chocolate peanut butter ice cream, the kind with the ripples of salty peanut butter in it, and a good red wine. For drink, preferably a Loire or Burgundy. Finding the right wine to pair with the ice cream is a challenge...I don't suggest it.

Where would you like to live?

At 22 I moved to the place that I now want to live, Paris, but I still dream of having a farm with an orchard for a backyard (apple or peach) and a small but well-chosen selection of livestock for petting, not eating.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Easygoing, understanding, and selfless.

Your biggest flaw.

I'm naive, as most Pisces are, and I have a hard time saying no...

What gift from nature would you like to have?

I want radar so I can swoop like bats to catch bugs when I fly. Birds can't swoop as well, because without the natural radar, there's nothing to prevent them from swooping into the ground or an object.

Your favourite occupation.

Whale trainer. Or maybe a dolphin trainer, since dolphins are less temperamental and blood-thirsty than killer whales. Really, it's all in the name. "Killer" whale? No one should have been surprised...

 

**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

 

the best of proust...

 

I'd like to close the year with a look back at some of my favorite answers from the Proust questionnaire, featuring some amazing bloggers. I want to extend my gratitude to those who participated in 2011...I enjoyed getting to know you all better! Stay tuned for more fabulous Proust features in 2012!

 

Your idea of happiness... paper + cup sketchbook

To love and to be loved. 

Your idea of misery... stephmodo

Comparison, hate, and port-o-potties. 

What gift from nature would you like to have?... la belle in france

Harmony. Complete and utter harmony. 

Your biggest flaw... love in the city of lights

I often search for perfection, knowing very well it does not exist.

Your favourite virtue... misadventures with andi

Kindness. There is that expression, "love makes the world go round," and in my mind kindness is a degree of love. Simple acts of kindness and care can be applied to every situation out there and makes life so much more enjoyable.  

If not yourself, who would you be? ...haven in paris

I think I would be a cat for oh, so many reasons.

Your chief characteristic...chasing heartbeats

Always have been and hopefully will always be, a dreamer.

Your favourite colour and flower... exquisite banana

I do not discriminate on this one. I love the entire glorious spectrum of the rainbow and every single stem in earth's soil. But, if I have to choose, my favorite color is yellow and my favorite flower is the peony.  

Your favourite food & drink... the wild fleur

Nectarines and rosé champagne. 

Your favourite qualities in friends... bright bazaar

Loyalty, honesty and the ability to make me howl with laughter. Basically, if I'm out of line, I'd like a friend to feel comfortable enough to tell me, and you can't beat those moments when you are crying with laughter. 

Your favourite motto... ill seen, ill said

"Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett, Murphy.

 

 

proust q & a...stephmodo

 

 

 

After reading the tales of renovating a 400 year old stone cottage in the Dordogne region of France, I was hooked to the stephmodo blog. Stephanie Brubaker is inspiring to me as an American who made her French dreams come true, and for her amazing style! Just take a look at her gorgeous home away from home, La Maisonette, featured on Design Sponge. I am dreaming of staying there in my lifetime, as it is available to rent! I enjoy reading about her adventures with her husband and four children, whether in France or Seattle, where she currently lives. Thank you for sharing Stephanie!

image courtesy of Aran Goyoaga 

 

Your favourite virtue.

Generosity in any form (time, skills, means, listening ear, etc.)

Your favourite colour and flower.

My children ask me this all the time and I have the same answer..."I like all the colors". This answer is not their favorite, so I've been forced to think long and hard and realized I'm always drawn to "periwinkle"; in fact, my favorite flower is the hydrangea in the same shade.

What is your present state of mind?

Trying to be more aware of my health-spiritual, physical and emotional.

Your idea of happiness.

Feeling content, confident, and having the three most basic needs covered (shelter, food, clothing).

Your idea of misery.

Comparison, hate, and port-o-potties.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Understanding, non-judgemental, trustworthy & fun!

Your biggest flaw.

Learning to bite my tongue at times.

Your favourite motto.

You get what you get, and don't throw a fit. This is per my children's preschool, but it applies to both adults and children alike. :)

What gift from nature would you like to have?

I wish I had the pleasure of witnessing a thunderstorm at least once a month (as long as I had shelter!)

Where would you like to live?

We would like to live in France again someday when the time is right, and going back to the Bay Area would be lovely too. However, I am a big believer in going where the job opportunites are so I'd like to live anywhere my husband or I have a great opportunity. Wherever that may be.

**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

 

proust q & a...sarah of paper + cup design

 

 

 

I have a new blog (and blogger) crush...it is a beautiful happy place, filled with great design, fun posts, and Paris! Sarah Livescault is the art director of Paper & Cup Design operations abroad, and has been writing blog posts from Paris, along with Minhee Cho who founded the company. The stationary and design company is based in New York and has recently launched a new website! Their products are fabulous, and the blog really is dreamy for design buffs and francophiles alike. With the posts written in both English and French, I'm finding it a great way to practice. Sarah infuses the blog with bits of her personal life (a newlywed!) and anecdotes of French living...I just can't get enough. Merci encore Sarah!

 

What is your present state of mind?

It changes a lot depending on what I'm surrounded by (music, movies, weather, people...). It can be annoying, especially for my husband.

Your favourite colour and flower.

That's a tricky one...I love the combination of black and white and I love love love peonies and orchids.

Your idea of happiness.

To love and to be loved.

Your idea of misery.

A lonely life with no family or friends.

Your favourite food & drink.

My mom's food with a nice glass of wine!

Your biggest flaw.

 I'm very stubborn! 

Your favourite occupation.

Going to the movies with my hubby.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Trust and honesty in good times and bad times.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in fiction.

Peter Pan & Alice (in Wonderland)

Where would you like to live?

If I could, I would go back to New York...but can't complain about Paris! I could reverse Gerturde Stein's quotation: "France is my country, but New York is my hometown". 

**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

proust q & a...the wild fleur

 

 

 

The Wild Fleur is an escape for me...it is filled with all things feminine and fancy. Camille is a French-American who believes, like moi, she was born in the wrong era, and Edith Piaf is singing in the background.  I discovered her blog via my friend Lindsey, and was instantly hooked. The magic that happens when you run your mouse over images sealed the deal for me! It is such a wonderland of beauty and francophilia...I always have a smile on my face after visiting. Merci encore Camille!

 

Your favourite virtue.

Curiousity.

Your favourite colour and flower.

White; Wisteria.

Your idea of happiness.

Cuddling with my puppy, exploring new cities, being with my loved ones, and sitting in a rose garden.

Your idea of misery.

Losing my passport.

Your favourite food & drink.

Nectarines and rosé champagne.

Where would you like to live?

I'm content living between Paris, London and Los Angeles right now, but someday when I don't have any responsibilites I'd love to live in Bali. 

Your favourite occupation.

Does being a Dandy count? The pursuit of elegance is a fairly fabulous occupation. I envy those guys.

Your favourite poets.

Somerset Maugham and Voltaire.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in fiction.

The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) from the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Your favourite motto.

"Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of champagne in the fridge." -Hester Browne

**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

proust q & a...la belle in france

 

 

 

Stephanie , aka La Belle in France, is living the dream of many, including moi! She has lived in France previously, Paris and Provence, and is returning next week to further her studies. We had the opportunity to meet before she heads back, and had an amazing dinner at La Minette, a quaint french bistro in the city (more on that later). It is so great to finally meet someone you've been communicating with online, and even better when you click in person as well. She is such a sweetheart, and I encourage you to follow her travels and adventures via her blog. Bon voyage Stephanie, et heureuse de t'avoir vu! 

 

What gift from nature would you like to have?

Harmony. Complete and utter harmony.

Your favourite colour and flower.

Favorite color is turquoise and for my flower, Lily of the Valley. They are the most adorable, decliate bells and look great in a vase as a single stem or as a voluptuous bundle. 

Your favourite names.

Dresden and Josephine. I love strong names and have never liked shortening them or nicknames. Josephine would never be Jo or Josie. I will never go by Steph.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

I love surrounding myself with interesting people from a variety of different backgrounds and fields. I once met a doctor staying in a hostel in Paris and we had so much fun going to the opera or just talking about our own drive for success, even though she was focused on mediciine while I was (am) trying to make it in the art world. It was a wonderful meeting someone from a completely different world as interested in my world as I was her's-our time in Paris only overlapped for a week but we're still close friends today. So to sum it all up-loyalty and interest.

Your favourite virtue.

Sincerity-I think people would feel much more open to getting to know one another if we all acted on our sincerity. What I mean is, if you think someone is a really neat person, then try to get to know them. Too often we keep ourselves from reaching out beyond our established social cricles and I think we are denying ourselves many wonderful connections in doing so. Of course, I'm guilty of this as well. 

Your biggest flaw.

Independence.

Your idea of misery.

Not having anyone you can ask for a hug when you need one the most.

Your idea of happiness.

Finding little ways to lift others up- a simple smile, a sincere compliment, a phone call, a half hour connecting over coffee during a lonely week.

Your favourite food & drink.

Mexican food is my comfort food-fried pinto and black beans as well as the proper spices are already on the list of things I must pack for my upcoming move to Paris. My favorite drink, honestly, is water. And coffee. 

Where would you like to live?

In a quaint home with natural lighting, hardwood floors and wispy curtains blowing in a soft breeze. And a light, airy, and colorful kitchen. Also a chaise lounge next to my bookcases-a place to sit with my favorite book and coffee in the morning. The only extravagance would be in it's simplicity.

**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

proust q & a...love in the city of lights

 

 

After meeting a handsome Italian in NYC (on Prince Street no less) and falling in love, Kasia Dietz is living her dream life in Paris, where she moved to be by his side. I couldn't help but get swept up in her story, and her blog is just as magical. Her travels are impressive and inspiring (she has journeyed to no less than 32 countries) and her adventures in Paris and Italy are dreamy. She is also the creator of a  chic line of bags, inspired by her love of design, art and fashion. I have enjoyed getting to know Kasia, and hope to meet her next time I'm in the city of lights. Best wishes for your new life chapter!

image courtesy of Chloe Lodge

 

What is your present state of mind?

Anxious excitement, as a new chapter is about to begin. (On June 11th I become a Madame!)

Your idea of happiness.

The ability to live genuinely and take time to enjoy the moments in between, with those in my life most dear to me. 

Your favourite colour and flower.

I have a slight obsession with all things white and recently discovered white ranunculus, my new favorite flower. I also love white orchids with just a hint of color. (Can you tell I'm a minimalist?)

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Loyalty and a sense of humour.

What gift from nature would you like to have?

The ability to sing!

Your biggest flaw.

I often search for perfection, knowing very well it does not exist.

Your favourite poets.

Anaïs Nin (I was captivated by her journals many years ago) and anything by Pablo Neruda. I also love the insightful writings of one of my favorite artists, Paul Klee.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in real-life.

Of the past: Audrey Hepburn, for her timeless beauty, grace, and humanitarianism. Of the present: My mom for her kindness, strength, and wisdom.

Where would you like to live?

Between Paris, France and a coastal village in Italy with frequent visits to New York. (In other words, exactly where I am living.)

Your favourite motto.

Follow your heart. Mindfully.

proust q & a...misadventures with andi

 

 

 

Andi Fisher is the type of person you can connect with immediately, she is so fun and bubbly in her writings. I relate to her in many ways, but the largest one would be our shared francophilia, of course! Married to a French man, and living in Berkeley, CA, she writes about her travels, and anything and everything she is passionate about. She will be back in France next month, so stay tuned for more "misadventures"! Thank you so much for sharing Andi!

 

Your favourite virtue.

Kindness. There is that expression, "love makes the world go round," and in my mind kindness is a degree of love. Simple acts of kindness and care can be applied to every situation out there and makes life so much more enjoyable.

What is your present state of mind?

Restless. I am anxious for my upcoming trip to France. There are also a lot of things I want to do for my blog: projects, updates, series, and it sometimes becomes overwhelming, as I have to juggle it with a full career and my husband. I am able to balance, but I am obsessed with my blog as it is such a creative release for me, something I never had in my life before.

Your favourite colour and flower.

Red. Red. Red. I adore red. Unfortunately it is not a color I can actually wear! Instead I have three pairs of red glasses and any accessory (phone cover, laptop case, etc.) that I can get in red I will. Funnily enough my favorite flower is a carnation but as it is the flower for funerals in France it is one my husband refuses to give me!

Your favourite food & drink.

I have spent my adult life trying to answer this question! In fact I am working on a post right now that describes what my last meal would be (look for it soon). The drink part is fairly easy-I love champagne. But the food, ah that is so hard.  I think if I answered this as one of those proverbial "stranded on a deserted island" questions I would say sushi and how handy that is when I am in the middle of the ocean!

Your chief characteristic.

Generosity. To a fault. I would probably have a lot more money in life if I wasn't always giving it away in the form of gifts or free services. I tried to run my own business two years ago and there are many reasons why it did not work out so well, but one of them was that I would basically give away the knowledge I was selling for free. I felt guilty charging for it...not the genes of a ruthless businesswoman!

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Patience and persistence. I am an introvert (not shy, but like to spend a lot of time alone). Any true friend of mine must understand that they will not see me very often but that does not diminish how I feel about them. My best friend has been my best friend for more than twenty years because she completely gets that!

Where would you like to live?

Paris and the San Juan Islands. When I got tired of being in the city I would take some time off to be in the woods surrounded by the sea.

Your favourite motto.

"It is what it is." I am not a fighter, I am very accepting by nature and try to make the absolute best out of any situation. I am the classic "let's try to make lemonade out of lemons" kind of girl, which annoys the hell out of my husband!

Your favourite names.

Alexandra, Emmanuelle and Jessica. As I chose not to have children, my cat got the name Jessica.

Your idea of happiness.

Simplicity. In all it's many forms. I can't stand too many choices or too much information. I like simply sitting and reading a book for hours in the sun and the rain. I like food that is made of simple ingredients in which it's natural complexity comes out in adept and simple preparation. I read a quote recently, "you don't have to have luxury to feel luxurious." I think simplicity is a luxury.

 

proust q & a...haven in paris

 

 

As the owner and founder of Haven in Paris, Erica Berman is a busy woman, dividing her time between Massachusetts, Italy and France. I discovered her company via the HIP Paris blog, which is always filled with parisian inspiration and fabulous travel tips! I find myself referencing both of her sites often for my francophile fix, and in the meantime have enjoyed corresponding with Erica. I hope to stay in one of her fabulous Paris rentals on our next trip...the hard part is choosing which one! That will be a good problem. Merci bien Erica!

 

Your favourite virtue.

Honesty and the ability to admit when you are wrong. 

If not yourself, who would you be?

I think I would be a cat for oh, so many reasons.

Your favourite colour and flower.

I love the Haven in Paris green, and lilacs for the scent.

Your idea of happiness.

I would love to have more free time and good health to enjoy it with. 

Your idea of misery.

How we are destroying our planet and what is going on in Japan right now.

Your biggest flaw.

I am very critical of myself and often of others as well. I am a workaholic and don't know when or how to stop sometimes. 

Your favourite qualities in friends.

A sense of humor, faithfulness, honesty.

Your favourite food & drink.

Penne Arrabiata, homemade pizza, mint chocolate chip ice cream with sprinkles, a hot fudge sunday with homemade whipped cream, passion fruit, pesto genovese, blueberry pancakes, toll house cookies, caesar salad, vegetarian burritos, and all things local and organic. 

Where would you like to live?

Paris, France, somewhere on the coast of Maine, Brooklyn, Genova, Italy...

Your favourite occupation.

I love to read, walk in the woods, travel, go to farmer's markets, cook, sleep, take photos, snuggle with my kitty and travel!

 

 

proust q & a...ill seen, ill said

 

 

 

Jane Flanagan of Ill Seen, Ill Said is constantly inspiring. Blogging since 2007, she has a great following and readership-I'm always discovering new blogs and artists! With many regular features such as Where We Blog From & Sunday Best, there is never a lack of new material and you can easily become lost for hours...I love it when that happens. I also happen to be a Samuel Beckett enthusiast, so naturally I was smitten from the start. Thank you Jane!

 

What is your present state of mind?

Pensive, which is my default setting.

Your favourite colour and flower.

I love chalky grey-blue colour. Sweet pea is my favourite flower.

Your favorite qualities in friends.

Kindness, intelligence and a mischievous streak.

The reform that you appreciate.

The admission of women to Trinity College Dublin (where I did my undergrad) in 1904, which was progressive at the time (Oxford & Cambridge didn't permit women until 1920/1). 

Your favourite motto.

"Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -Samuel Beckett, Murphy.

Your biggest flaw.

Without question, self-doubt, which sometimes borders on self-loathing.

What gift from nature would you like to have?

To breathe underwater. I am a complete waterbaby and love the idea of being a selkie and taking to the sea.

Your favourite poets.

Philip Larkin, Aram Saroyan, Anna Akhmatova, David Berman.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in fiction.

Sabine & Teresa from Unbearable Lightness of Being. I think most women have pieces of both characters in them. I like that they're kind to each other too, when it is least expected.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in real-life.

Samuel Beckett.