How Do Parisian Mice Squeak? (And A Musical Gift)

"Denise stood transfixed ... this shop which had suddenly appeared before her, this building which seemed so enormous, brought a lump to her throat and held her rooted to the spot, excited, fascinated, oblivious to everything else.  The high-plate glass door, facing the Place Gaillon, reached the mezzanine floor and was surrounded by elaborate decorations covered with gilding.  Two allegorical figures, two laughing women with bare breasts thrust forward, were unrolling a scroll bearing the inscription "The Ladies' Paradise"."

Emile Zola, The Ladies Paradise, translated by Brian Nelson (Oxford World's Classics), p.3.

This is an extract from one of my favourite books, Au Bonheur des Dames, first published in 1883 which is also, incidentally, the year of Coco Chanel's birth.  For those who are not familiar with this novel it traces the creation and rise of the department store and the love story of provincial Denise Baudu with the hugely wealthy shop owner, Octave Mouret.  It is, as far as I know, one of the few Zola novels to end happily.  It is also a fascinating read which delves into the social history of mid-nineteenth century Paris and is teeming with fascinating descriptions of innovative retail techniques and fashion.  I love it and have until now hesitated to watch last year's BBC adapted series The Paradise.  Have any of you seen it?  If so, did you enjoy it?

Denise Baudu, fresh off the train, has just arrived in Paris when she sets eyes f
or the first time on the "endless spectacle" of The Ladies' Paradise shop window.  This may simply be a department store but the marvel she feels matches my own about Paris in general.  Like humble Denise I often feel "a lump in my throat" as I wander the city's streets.  I may have lived there for a few years, chased metros, blundered past pedestrians on dirty pavements on my way to work and experienced week upon week of public transport strikes, nothing can diminish my love for this city.  Every street corner offers the possiblity of a chance encounter and a flash of beauty.

Please don't laugh at me for I have decided to create a series of mice - and dolls too - named Les Parisiennes.

Please meet the two sisters ; Hortense and Angelina.

For more than a century, the tea room, Angelina, has been a celebrated Parisian address for gourmet pleasures in the heart of Paris on the rue Rivoli a couple of minutes stroll from the Louvre museum and across the road from the Tuileries gardens. The decor, by the famous belle époque architect Edouard-Jean Niermans, mixes elegance and charm. Angelina is still famous for its hot chocolate and Mont Blanc whose centuries-old secrets remain well-kept.  It also happens to be a favourite haunt for these two mice!

Angelina Mouse adores to dress in her finest clothes, eat chocolate cake and sip tea at Angelina's.  She usually invites her sister Hortense to come with her.

Hortense culitvates violets in her small Parisian garden and always carries the elusive scent of violets with her. After tea she encourages Angelina to accompany her across the rue Rivoli to walk in the beautiful Tuileries gardens to admire the parterres of flowers and watch the children chasing hoops and laughing on the colourful merry-go-round.

I have had so much fun making these little ladies over Easter.  Handmade lace, 1900's hand-embroidered tulle, vintage fabric and buttons made this a wonderful week for me.  There were a few French chocolate eggs to hand too although I kept my fingers clean, mostly!  These creatures are longer limbed than my hares and measure almost 18" tall.  The idea behind them is that I will have that much more freedom to make them more clothes: consider them models of some sort :-)  I am hoping to be more adventurous with my themes.  These two are fairly tame!

As I type these words in the early hours of the morning I notice that Angelina has been whisked away - perhaps by a galant Pariisan gentleman mouse?  If you would like to take a peek at Hortense you may find her here.

Please don't skip off just yet!  I would like to share a little gift with you in order to celebrate my first Parisian mice.  A few weeks ago I purchased a CD for Tristan and we have had so much pleasure listening to it that I decided to order an extra copy for one of you.

French nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers.  What could be more apt?  It is the most exquisite harp music.  Le Jardin Féerique or The Fairy Garden.  If you interested in this recording please just leave me a comment below and, if you are new here, it would be marvellous if you could become a follower of my blog.  If you feel compelled to spread the word about this little giveaway just come back and let me know so that you may have two chances to win.  I will announce the winner on my next post.

A bientôt,

Stephanie