Lyon Part 2: Miniatures and Cinema Museum

There was other stuff in this museum but I went mainly to see the props from 'Perfume' directed by Tom Tykwer and based on Patrick Süskind's novel.

Lyon Part 1: Vieux Lyon

Romanesque ruins in the garden where I retreated to enjoy a quiet lunch

I have an weird fondess for the Rhône River, probably because it reminds of the Tour de France.

So...I scooted off to Lyon for the weekend. It's not Paris but it does have it's own charms. These are the first shots from Sunday when it was very overcast. I seem to choose the worst days to do and see photo-worthy things. More shots to come...

Spring

There's a really lovely park near our apartment. It's always, especially on the weekends, full of young couples and their children. It's nice to see that French men seem to be attentive and hands-on fathers. The other demographic which frequent this park is old, bocce-playing men.

Although the trees were still pretty bare there were flowers in bloom, the daffodils were especially pretty. The ducks here are pretty unusual, including some with big lumpy orange heads, for want of a better description. I also finally booked my trip to Lyon for next weekend, which I am very much looking forward to.

Zex

Oliver Martinez for YSL l'homme. He'll always be better Andres Velencoso, just sayin, Kylie

[image via fashin]

Mainstays

Australian airlines only allow you to check in 20kg (~44lb), as opposed to my Canadian friend who says that their airlines let them have up to 100lbs (more than 40kg). Not surprisingly, I had to pack very frugally, especially considering that the coats, jackets and trousers I needed to survive the Parisian winter are super heavy. That said, I do have a few favourite wardrobe items with me that have served me very well.

The Etam grey suede ankle boots which I bought over here. I've posted a couple of pics of them before but didn't mention how amazing they are. Chic enough to wear in Paris but also comfortable enough for everyday wear. Love.

Also bought in Paris, my Kookaï military-esque coat. This coat is super warm and it actually looks really good on the body (I don't have my tripod and my roomie is asleep so I couldn't demonstrate). Although perhaps a little more expensive than the average high-street store, I find that Kookaï items are usually very good quality.

Last but not least, this is the bag that I had mentioned the Printemps SA's jizzing over, my Yves Saint Laurent croc-embossed nubuck Besace. I love that it's a non-walking, non-talking, contradition: humble but luxe; it's essentially a glorified, exquisitely made rucksack/messenger bag. I can't believe I listened when my mum told me to only take one bag, but I'm glad I took this one.

In happier news...

4-0 Manchester United over AC Milan
in the Champions League match tonight.


It was nice seeing Becks back at Old Trafford
[image via Reuters]

Noah Mills

Stole this straight from ~Fashin. Can't believe I never used to find him attractive. The interview is kinda awkward though.

RIP Dr Emile Perreau-Saussine, you will be missed.

Givenchy and Céline

Givenchy this season was right up my alley, plenty of sheer, lace and as always, black. Also really excited to see red this season.

Phoebe Philo seems to have this magical knack for creating pieces that the sexy, modern woman covets. The construction on the clothes looks exquisite.

And yup, I am officially on board the Haider Ackermann bandwagon. There is something I love so much about the Belgian designers: Dries, Ann, Margiela, Roland Mouret. I definitely have to find my way over to Antwerp whilst I'm over here.

[style.com]

Thank you, it's Dior

Saw this ad on the back of a stranger's newspaper on the metro. Could not stop staring. In case you're wondering, the image is of Alain Delon...from 1966. Excuse me now while I go watch Plein Soleil.

Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou

Yesterday we went to Centre Pompidou to visit the Musée National d'Art Moderne. Unfortunately level 5, where the most famous works are displayed was closed, so we had to make do with the exhibition on level 4, which diplays works of feminism. The majority of it was not my cup of tea but there was a video display which was rather moving. Plus, I spotted a Dorothea Tanning installation which was pretty cool. She saved my ass in English Lit in high school when I had to find and deconstruct a work of art to associate with Sylvia Plath's poetry. After an age searching, I stumbled upon Tanning's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (yes, like Mozart's piece) and an awesome mark was mine. The work is in the Tate Modern collection, but not it's not on public display (FML). I'll still go to the Tate to see my favourite work ever, in the universe, to the infinite degree plus one, Salvador Dali's the Metamorphosis of Narcissus.

The gigantic post-modern metal and plastic monstrosity that is Centre Pompidou

The Dorothea Tanning installation Chambre 202, Hôtel du Pavot, 1970

Interior and Exterior of the Musée d'Orsay

It may be humble, but it's my favourite work in the entire gallery. Camille Pissarro's Coteau de l'Hermitage, Pontoise (1873). I love Pissarro's use of colour; my favourite impressionist.

What appears from afar to be a photograph is in fact an oil painting. Rosa Bonheur's Labourage nivernais.

Two of the Musée's money makers, Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Bal du moulin de la Galette and Vincent Van Gogh's Self Portrait. The Van Gogh was underwhelming but I was rather impressed by the Renoir.