The Last Leaves of Fall

As Thanksgiving ends and Christmas approaches, I thought I would share a few final pictures of Paris this Fall.  The cold is rolling in and the Christmas season abounds.

Au Revoir my Parisian Fall.  I hope our paths will cross again one day.

As I was walking around soaking in the last few days of Fall, I loved spotting this newlywed couple taking pictures on Pont Alexandre III.   Paris does have her flaws, but romance is certainly not one of them.  

This bridge embodies all that is Paris, to me.   It is so decadent and over the top, gilded with gold statues complete with a perfect view of the Eiffel, Invalides and the Grand Palais.   You can't visit Paris without standing on this bridge and taking in her beauty.

What you have to realize about Paris, is that it is the apex of extremes.  One minute you are walking past the most extravagant bridge in the world and the next you are eyeing graffiti on statue next to a trash strewn park.  But that is Paris.  And when you take her for all that she is, I think she is still the most beautiful city in the world.  

And last but not least, I had to show you this picture for the sake of documenting of our first teeny tiny Thanksgiving as Mr. and Mrs.  I'm sure some day I will get to set a beautiful Thanksgiving table with the my beloved wedding china china and beautiful French crystal, but I will always have special place for our first Thanksgiving in Paris.  On our little sofa with Ikea plates and Zara placemats and all.....

Bourgogne Bleus

Bourgogne bleus, where have you been all my life?

There was rusted Bleu embraced by ivy...

pale, stone wrapped Bleu bathed in sunlight

and my very favorite, the luscious grey kissed Bleu.

There were new coats of paint

and Bleu ironwork

and there was Bleu leading to places that you wish you could go.  

Old Bleu with weathered door knobs

 

and more door knobs inviting a second look.

There was Bleu remembering Jesus.

and green hued Bleus having tea.

There was Bleu on white washed walls and Bleu on yellowy sandstone hues

and even a Bleu for the Mr. at the local Pickwicks pub.

There were Bleus in need of a little TLC

 and more grey Bleus begging for a second glance.

 
There were little attic windows

 

 

and even an unintential Bleu or two. 

 Bleus decorated by flower baskets



and awnings you'll never forget.

 
Bleus jeweled with eye-catching henges 

and shutters to match the gates

and there were Bleus subtly camouflaged by the vibrant leaves of Fall

 And finally, my favorite, a Bleu that comes naturally without any paint at all.

Allée

Photo courtesy of Veranda magazine

French allée and potted hydrangeas. Paris meets Alabama.  Love.

(A little bit of hydrangea obsession lately...)

Current distractions....in case you haven't yet discovered.  Pinterest and foodgawker.  Thank you, Miss Grace.

An Alabama Backyard

Can't get enough of the Southern backyard.  Ferns, benches, statues, ivy, gardenias, hydrangeas, hydrangeas, and more hydrangeas..... And of course, the King of the land.

  

 See you back in Paris next week!