After chasing the Tour for the better part of Sunday afternoon, Mr M and I headed home to feed the dog and watch the Arc de Triomphe be "lit yellow" - as we'd all been told would happen - from the comfort of the couch. I was not prepared for the light show performance that was actually presented - it. blew. my. mind...

Le Tour de France 100th edition Closing Ceremony (recap)
Concept and production: Auditoire (for A.S.O.)
Graphics: Les Vandales
Projection: Cofely Ineo GDF SUEZ
Sound: startrec

Since witnessing the 3D mapping light show on the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims in May I've been somewhat obsessed with the process of this specialised art form. It literally leaves me speechless. The way it brings an inanimate object to life so captivatingly and so unpredictably with such precision renders you spellbound. It's definitely the new "fireworks spectacular". I just wish I had an indication that this was what they were referring to when they promoted that the Arc de Triomphe was going to be lit up yellow, I would have stayed at on the Champs for sure!

I love that some of the day-before prep is included at the beginning of this video . I would love to see an entire "behind the scenes" film on this performance - being the events-nerd that I am, behind the scenes/ construction/ installation footage is just as interesting, if not more so, that the final product - to me anyway!

(Thanks to my Mumma for emailing me a link to this video: I was on the phone to her during the ceremony while I was desperately trying to find out who was responsible for the display. My Googling skills are usually above par but it took my Tour-fanatic Mum coming across this presentation for me to be able to share - even 17,000 kms away she's still helping out her eldest kid. Merci Maman!)

xx

Kinfolk Paris Community Gathering :: June

Image: Nico Alary @nicoalaryjr

Image: Nico Alary @nicoalaryjr

Back in April when I was putting together the Pelouse en Fête picnic I went researching how I could incorporate a little of the Kinfolk magazine spirit into the event. Kinfolk, a magazine published just four times a year out of Portland, Oregon, in the US, is probably one of the most beautiful and charming magazines on the planet. Their mantra 'a guide for small gatherings' encourages its readers and followers to embrace the simple and everyday with intention and eschew the complex and unnecessary. Something I resonate with deeply.

What I didn't realise was that Kinfolk had changed their involvement in world-wide dinners and instead put in place themed workshops, facilitated by representatives all over the world, to encourage readers to engage more in their food and re-harness long-lost skills. There was no way my picnic could be involved for April, but the advertised theme for June - charcuterie, butchery, cheese - fit so well with the amazing produce that comes from this country that an event of this kind could not not happen in Paris. I had to inquire into holding an event.
As it turned out, Kinfolk had already received interest from someone in Paris. My heart sank. I was so upset that I was too late and that I wouldn't be able to contribute to an event here. I reached out to the girl Kinfolk put me in contact with, to say hello, to offer a hand. Miraculously, but really, when you think about it, not so unsurprisingly, the person on the other end of the email said yes, please.

Images: Nico Alary @nicoalaryjr

So I met the lovely Lise. And together we brought the June Gathering to a small wine bar in the 17th last Saturday. And people from all over Paris came; some we contacted to invite as we knew they'd love it; some that had just happened upon the event's details and thought it would be a nice way to spend the afternoon; some whose work we'd admired and adored from afar, and some we'd made online friends with that we were dying to meet in person.
The little wine bar, Le Garde Robe des Batignolles, only selects the best meat, cheese and natural wines that they are able to source and we had the privilege of sampling such a variety and learning about their makers and production. The event could not have happened without Axelle, who works at Le Garde Robe; her passion for the produce of her land is inspiring and she brings such joy to the simplicity of preparing food, eating and sharing.
The meal ended with traditional French cherry pies, clafoutis, made by Lise, a qualified pastry chef and passionate cook, and the culinary expert of the two of us. It was the loveliest evening spent in a very long time and I'm so grateful to everyone that came to make the Gathering as special as it was.

Image: Nico Alary @nicoalaryjr

--
A handful of the photos above (the good ones!) belong to Nico Alary. We came across Nico's work in the last two Kinfolk issues and when we realised he was based in Paris we had to say hello and let him know we were hosting an event. He told us straight away that he and his girlfriend would join us. So, not only were we blessed with their excellent company, but with also his talent as a photographer. Nico has posted more pics of the event on his Flickr and is currently in the process of opening up a café with his girlfriend Sarah, which they are amazingly chronicling the process here.

xx

Dietlind Wolf @ The Hive, Berlin

**This post was going to be part of my recap post back here but I just couldn't bring myself to lump it all together.**

As soon as I was able in the lead up to The Hive I signed up to join Dietlind Wolf's styling class as my chosen intensive workshop on the second day. I'm not a big consumer of European magazines - I've given up reading French monthlies and internationals are still quite expensive - so the extent of Dietlind's work that I'd seen was limited to what she posts on her blog and whatever a Google Image search conjured. But I had devoured and adored all the eclectic and creatively hand-made images I saw. And god knows I need help in the styling department. So I was thrilled that it was not yet full and I got a place.

As we all piled into the room where the workshop was to happen Dietlind was busy laying out all her wonderful things collected whilst on journeys all over the world and her hand-made ceramic bowls (bottom image). When she finished and stood off the the side facing us the room quietened - you could've heard a pin drop on the carpet - everyone was completely captivated. Dietlind started by speaking of her education in visual communications and her early career in textile design in Milan. Disenchanted with the fashion industry producing "brothers and sisters" of more famous designs, she moved home to Germany and, at the advice of a friend, announced she was to be a prop stylist. Despite this announcement it took seven years before she felt she could actually call herself one. 

Then Dietlind shared the most heartbreaking stories of not receiving the right recognition and credit for her work. In those days, and sometimes even now, the "esteemed" photographer took all the stylists rights (read: and good chunk of money) away as soon as he hit the shutter button on his camera - "Click!" - and like that all the ownership of your hard work was gone and was now the property of the photographer. Her tales were so crushing to listen to.
But from hardship comes lessons learned, and now Dietlind is also an accomplished photographer (although she waited 13 years this time before she called herself one!) and primarily produces all shoots herself to be sure she is the rightful owner of her work.

After telling us her story she then went through her props, describing to us their different uses and value, how to hand-make "undergrounds" and piece them all together. She then asked her little, captivated audience if we'd like to break up into groups and do some styling of our own, or, watch while she put something together - unanimously everyone asked her to do it. A little thrill went through the air we all realised we were about to watch a magician perform magic, but with no smoke or mirrors; simply with just beautiful talent.

She showed us how she colour matches her props, how to build a scene and how to best capture it on camera. While her technique was easy to follow, you could tell that most of what she does comes from within, that every decision is done with feeling and while hanging onto every word and scribbling down everything that left her mouth can teach you the basics it can't teach you that flawless style that makes each stylist perfect in their own way. But, from now on, I'll try a little harder and cleverer. 

Danke schön Dietlind xx

Dietlind promised to finish the scene she created at the conference on her blog which she has posted here. She's now promised to finish the story, so stay tuned...

The Hive 2013, Berlin

**Warning - mammoth post and crappy iPhone pics ensue!**

If you follow my Instagram feed you'd know at the end of last month I was in Berlin attending The Hive, the European blog conference. 200+ bloggers from all around the world took over the incredible co-working space Betahaus to hear both online experts and blogging colleagues speak about what it takes to produce a great blog and to also connect in person with fellow bloggers - some already good friends, some only online acquaintances, some strangers. The two day conference was anchored by key note presentations by renowned companies such as Pantone and Canon and down times were spent making lipsalves with Etsy Germany and having our pictures taken with blog network Styebook BlogStars.

Calm before the storm. Betahaus | Café. Image: The Hive Flickr

'The Hive' was born from a text sent from Peggy to Yvonne back in November 2011. Both were bemoaning that there was nothing like the wildly-successful Alt Summit conference that happens a couple of times a year in the US. Taking on the notion that if you want something done you've got to do it yourself, Yvonne and Peggy sent out to create the first European-based blogging conference and launched last year to great reception. Now that the second is done and dusted they've just announced an offshoot conference, smaller and more hands-on, will be held later this year in Copenhagen.

 Yvonne and Peggy. Image: The Hive Instagram

The timetable was arranged so that, apart from the keynote speeches and the intensive workshop on the second day, there were multiple talks at the same time and you could float through the building to sit in on whichever struck your fancy. I had the privilege of hearing from some wonderful speakers and bloggers.

Day one started with Tiffany Muehlbauer talking us through how newsletters are useful to your blog and business, which I found particularly helpful as I really have trouble liking newsletters! We then listened to Tina Fussel, aka Travelling Mama, speak about blogging for the fun of it; this one put the biggest smile on my face, was so beautifully presented and so well shared. Tina is one funny lady! I then listened to Eleanor Mayhofer from e.m.papers speak about blogging for your business, which will come in handy soon - wink, wink - and then Google on the inner workings of Google Analytics. Pantone talked us through how Emerald was chosen to be put on its yearly pedestal and I caught the end of The Wednesday Chef Luisa Weiss' presentation on how to organise your on- and offline life and the benefits of an editorial calendar.
We then split into mini discussions and I joined Emily Meyer's group on how to find great and innovative content. Emily, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Tea Collection, a US-based clothing line for kids, talked us through her inspirations and how easily translatable they were for the blogging world; her passion for travel, creativity and people was infectiously delightful. She is one of the warmest people I have ever met, I was really very pleased to have had the opportunity. After this discussion I caught the end of museum maven Jenni Fuchs' presentation on niche blogging, which I'm go glad as she finished with a super cute video of her favourite museum.
We were then so very lucky to hear from Erin Loechner, creator of super-blog Design for Mankind, via Google Hangouts. The level of detail she went into describing her ups and downs and the amount of insight into her success that she was willing to share was so kind it blew me away. Listening to her keep it real was a definite highlight. To finish off that first day I listened to Kajta Hentschel from the successful travel site Travelettes talk travel blogging, from which I took away one of my favourite quotes from the weekend. 

Sunday opened with Kristen Jassies introducing us to blog networks, how they operate and how they benefit bloggers. A former mag girl, Kristen described her career from setting up online presences for her titles and then making the transition to the web; a path I easily related to!

Then, then!, it was time for what I had been looking forward to the most; Dietlind Wolf's styling workshop. (I got so much out of Dietlind's workshop that I'm going to save it all for another post. It deserves one).

I walked away to lunch, happily by chance chatting to Dietlind, so thankful for not only the practical skills she bestowed us with but also her stories and the really personal advice she shared. The final day ended with graphic designer Janna Krupinski talking us through how to "pretty up" our blog posts with use of simple graphics and motifs and then a heated discussion with the whole group on how to turn a blog into a brand.

Apart from Danielle, whom I'd briefly met the week before, and Anne, whose map making class I am enrolled in online, I knew no one at the conference, however some really lovely moments meeting some really lovely people stood out and these are what made the conference so special to me.

+ Erin, who along with her sister Emily above, were the first people I spoke to at the conference and set the tone for the whole weekend for me. They turned around, said hello and asked me where I was from. I was really put off guard as life in Paris doesn't prepare you for that kind of interaction, where everyone keeps to themselves. They helped me open right up straight away and I thank them for it.

+ Holly from Avenue Lifestyle I met right after Dietlind's workshop while I was taking some pics. As soon as she said "Oh, I'm sorry, was my foot in your shot?" I knew she was a lovely Australian! She now lives in picturesque Delft with her little, gorgeous family and takes beautiful pictures of really stunning houses.
+ Also at the end of Dietlind's workshop I mustered the courage to go say hello to Anne from Anne's Kitchen. I'd commented on a post saying I would do so, which was not only the first post of hers I read but was also a recap of the cover story she'd recently done for a magazine I'd just recently discovered and loved, The Simple Things. I was so happy to have come across her, her blog and the chance to say hi in person at the conference. Do yourself a favour and clear 2 and a half minutes to watch this gorgeous video of her preparing a macaron recipe post. She's currently self-producing a television series on eating and cooking in London for her home country Luxembourg which I love following 'behind-the-scenes' on her Instagram.
+ Bronwyn, who produces the cutest travel log book for mini travellers, sat next to me one session and of course quickly we worked out we were both Australian, also, and flew into a discussion comparing blogging reception in Europe to home. Her log books, 'Simply for Flying' were in everyone's goody bags so I luckily have one to give to my nephew.
+ Judith from Joelix.com mentioned me in a Tweet (as to why I won't mention now, but the tweet does give it  away) and I "thank-you" replied saying that I'd love to do it in person, so she invited me to look out for someone wearing pink glasses. She was someone I'd been following on Twitter for a while and had admired from afar so I was really nervous to approach her but she was so sweet I'm really glad I did.
+ Scrolling through the #hive13 tag on Instagram I came across this pic, which stopped me in my tracks! How could someone's notes be that awesome! I was so very embarrassed by my scribbles. And then, a little while later, I was sitting on some raised seating and I look down and there was more of the same amazing notes! So I poked the woman holding the pen and she happened to be Elise, a French woman living in Copenhagen and one really beautiful creative lady.
+ Waiting for Dietlind to start I sat next to the really sweet Giova from One Bunting Away, who had the most adorable sewing-machine stitched business card. While chatting to her, her friend beside her asked what my name was and after I gave it she said "Oh, we follow each other on Instagram! I'm Jillian in Italy!" She then gave me her fun button magnet "card". I'm still in awe at how brilliantly crafty these two women are and how (seemingly) easily they travel with their families!
+ As we waited for day two to start I sat next to a pretty girl in a hot pink blazer. I was wearing my cherry-red blazer and I told her that I liked how our blazers looked together. At the end of the day, when the conference was over, she sought me out and said she'd wanted to meet me (again, for a reason I won't delve into now) and that she didn't realise it was me sitting next to her that morning. Her name was Andreea, which is also my sister's name, and runs a very cute fashion and lifestyle blog, Stylish Dreams.
+ Lastly, Danielle and I had the pleasure of meeting Tobia from Craftaliciousme, a newby to blogging like me, but so friendly and enthusiastic. She was so kind, she helped Danielle and I around on the U-Bahn at the end of the conference so we could go play tourist without getting horribly lost.

Erin Loechner via Google Hangout

All the food you could fit into your stomach and as many bottles of yummy soda you could pop open were provided by the Betahaus team both days, and on the Saturday evening they called in reinforcements to put on a bbq dinner for those at the conference that wanted to spend more time connecting with each other. (What actually happened was that Anne, Danielle and I went for a margarita apéro and then, back at the dinner, Danielle and I sat in a corner talking each others ears off and gossiping. But, that in itself was really very fun.)

Never in all my life had I been in the presence of such a kind, inspiring and encouraging group of women. It astounded me how willing each attendee was to give up any snippet of knowledge they possessed to support the person sitting next to them and how easily well-known, established bloggers mixed and mingled with those just starting out. Nobody was too important or too established - everyone was there to have a great time and celebrate something that we all love to do - blog, share and be creative.

xx

Road trip day 1 :: Art at Reims

The first stop on our trip was to be Reims. Thank goodness blogging is primarily about the written word and I don't have to pronounce 'Reims' for you; it's like 'rice' with an 'N' in it and then a hiss at the end. I will never be able to pronounce it properly, I just sound like I have a nasty cold.

The city of Reims is very grand and very gorgeous, and while delightful to stroll around, it's quite a large city and you don't really get the the feeling you're in the Champagne country side. That is until you venture just outside the city limits and huge champagne production houses greet you on every block. Even if you don't drink or like champagne the production houses and their cellars are really worth a visit. Two years ago Mr M and I visited the city and the Taittinger cellars so this time we'd made arrangements to visit one of the other major houses, Pommery.

Bequeathed the family company when her husband died too young, Madame Pommery, mother to not-yet-one-years-old Louise, eschewed tradition of handing the company back to her husband's family and rolled her sleeves up to transform the champagne house from the small business it was 1858 to one of the most successful in her time, giving it the grounding to become one of the most well-known and beautiful in the world. She purchased 18 kilometres of chalk pits underneath the estate and surrounding area and transformed them into the cellars still housing her champagne today.

To conform to the regulations of champagne appellation which dictates where and how champagne is produced, most cave tours will tell you the same thing: the types of grapes used in the production of champagne - Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, the length of time it takes to produce a bottle from vine growth to store (about five years) and the fact that no human influence can shape the growth of the vines. This in particular blows my mind; there are no irrigation systems in Champagne, the vines receive all their water from the sky.

In our thirty minute tour all of this was explained in beautiful, succinct detail. However, this visit to Pommery was extra special. Since its acquisition of the Pommery brand a decade ago, parent company Vranken Pommery Monopole has used the site to annually showcase artists of all backgrounds to make visits more unique and to share their love of the arts. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of these exhibits the house entrusted Bernard Blistène, director of cultural development at the Centre Pompidou, to imagine Expérience Pommery, an original exhibition of a selection of formerly featured artists with works displayed in the chalk caves below and the surrounding grounds above.

Pascale Marthine Tayou, 'L’arbre à palabres', 2012

 Philippe Ramette, 'Lévitation de chaise', 2005   

Richard Fauguet, 'Sans Titre' (Opalines), 2012

There are currently forty artworks scattered all over the estate, including a dozen installed amongst the aging bottles that are highlighted in the cave tour, which of course, ends with a glass of Pommery bubbles.

Our first night on the road was also the opening night of Rêve de Couleurs - 'Dream of Colours' - a 3D  mapping light and images performance by prolific Paris-based group skertzò, projected onto the front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims with an accompanying soundtrack emitted from speakers installed surrounding the cathedral's forecourt. Commissioned by the Mairie de Reims, Rêve de Couleurs brings to life all the creatures and characters that inhibit the façade of the cathedral and takes a walk through the cathedral and the city's history to delight the town's inhabitants and visitors. 

I'd seen 3D projection mapping at work previously, but this show, with its attention to the intricate detail in the stonework on the cathedral's exterior, was just gasp-out-aloud spectacular. The photos below and above do not in anyway do this magnificent piece justice.

I left Reims feeling a little light-headed and giddy - not from an excess of champagne consumption like I imagined I would but from the incredible talent and creativity that this city is more than willing to share and celebrate. The short but sweet visit made me see the city in a new, flashing fluorescent, light.

xx