Francophile Friday: Festive Frivolity

ink & watercolour illustration, cropped from 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm]
'Tis time to scoot around for the festive season.  We're all decked out and ready to go.  The party-size tower of violet macarons is safely strapped on board. Hugh flew in especially to rig the engineering and head the scootercade.  I hope the dear man has sufficiently recovered from the "Oprah Incident".  We wouldn't want to lose our precious cargo, would we.

We're wearing our fluffiest party frocks.  Our furry friends have been bathed in eau de violette then gently blow-dried with a diffuser attachment to tickle kitty and retain puppy's curls.  First stop: the Louboutin store and headquarters on rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Paris to pick up some dancing shoes.   {Thanks to dear Katie for the photo inspiration!}  Next stop:  I'm open to suggestions.  And after we've licked the last crumbs of macaron from our fingers, kicked off our Louboutins and waved au revoir to Hugh at Charles de Gaulle, I'm taking a weensy blog holiday while I relax and unwind.  {Rumours of a spa detox will be grossly exaggerated...}

Thank you for another year of fun and friendship, both here and chez vous.  See you in the New Year.  Wishing our furry friends warm beds, full tummies and loving homes ~ and the same to you.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday and Festive Frivolities to you!

44 comments

  1. Oh sniff sniff, I'm going to miss you dear Shell but we anxiously await your return. I shall think of you often as I roam the streets of Paris in janvier looking for more inspirations pour toi! :)
    Bises,
    V

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  2. Of course you deserve a deto...I mean, holiday. You've been a wonderful addition to my year. (When you return, you must tell me where you found the doggy goggles.)

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  3. Je sens déjà que tu vas me manquer beaucoup, mais il faut que tu profites de ces joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année comme tout le monde !
    J'aime beaucoup ce petit clin d'oeil au rose au violet. La Vespa rose et les macarons à la violette, j'adore, quant aux ballerines Louboutin, très bon goût ma Chère Shelley.
    Je vais à Paris fin janvier et je penserai à toi...quant à Venise tu peux la voir tous les jours !
    bises
    Danielle

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  4. However did you manage to get so many things dear to the female heart in one illo? Shoes, frocks, jewels, pets, VM's and in PARIS? You are, my dear, quite the genius! (Love the doggie goggles!)

    You are most deserving of a break. I am glad that it is only a break as one of my favorite bloggers (and you know who you are, Katie) closed down shop this year. According to my rules only one favorite blogger per year is allowed to retire. Don't let me hear that behind my back you were illo-ing for some other blog. None of this "we were on a break" stuff! ;-)

    Hugh's da man! Talk about pick yourself up, dust yourself off,
    start all over again. What an inspiration.

    All the best to you, Shell. Enjoy your detox/break/holiday. May you be surrounded by those you love who love you. And that includes us. Happy FF and FF to all and to all a good night!

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  5. I will miss my regular dose of wit and whimsy until you return, but wish you a restful yet festive holiday, my dear! In the meantime, you've left us with plenty to think about: macarons and Louboutins and Hugh—oh my! All together, they make for one excellent fantasy.

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  6. Blogging holidays are good ideas. I enjoyed mine earlier in the year. But I'm worried about Hugh? What did Oprah do? I missed it.

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  7. Great idea, a holiday outing! Just think of a pack of violet scooters zipping down the main street of the shopping district! Shopping, fine dining, then music, dancing. And the next day will be a spa day....
    Have a wonderful holiday break! :)

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  8. I'm with from cali--there are so many good things in this illo. If Hugh had also been in it, on the scooter in back with his arms around me, my eyes would've popped right out of their sockets.

    Speaking of Hugh, Margaret, Oprah accidentally kicked him in the face while giving him a lap dance.

    Wishing you a warm and wonderful break, Shell. Thank YOU for sharing your beauty with us all year long. See you in 2011!

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  9. Thanks, everyone!!

    Virginia ~ {Ahhhhh.} Likewise, I'll certainly be thinking of you in Paris in janvier. And in January, too. ;)

    Cafe ~ gesundheit!

    Hiker ~ you could try these these on Phoebe or Albert for size.

    Danielle ~ oooh, moi aussi, je penserai à toi à Paris le mois prochain. Bisous! Et une étrainte grosse pour Micio, s'il te plaît.

    We were on a break... LOL, Cali! I'm right there with you in missing Katiefornia. I promise I won't be moonlighting. ;)

    Alexa ~ I'm happy to be leaving you with some sweet daydreams... I tossed up somehow squeezing in a glimpse of Venice as well, but the afternoon grew too long.

    Margaret ~ PCN's take on the Oprah/Hugh incident was the 'insider' version. :) Here's the public one.

    Ms M ~ and at the spa, I'd lean towards some kind of chocolate wrap...hypothetically-speaking.

    PCN ~ I just couldn't risk injury to any of you, so I erred on the side of caution and left Hugh out of screen. You're most welcome. :)

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  10. Fantastique! I love everything about this fabulous illustration; the details are amazing (such beautiful shoes!) and the colors are just perfect. And I'm not shy to admit that I so want to be this woman (and not just for the tower of violet macarons). Your illustrations are true treasures; thank you so much for all the amazing artistic gifts you've given us each week! I totally understand your need for a weensy blog spaliday to relax and recharge though. Have a delightful holiday and we'll see you next year!

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  11. I think I like PCN's version better, but I watched the clip. Poor Hugh! How can Oprah even live with herself now?

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  12. Thanks, Katie ~ much appreciated. And if I find that dress, I'll be happy to acquire it!

    Me, too, Margaret. If only someone on Oprah's production crew had arranged PCN's version...

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  13. I absolutely adore this illustration with those furry friends. You're a true treasure. Enjoy your respite.

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  14. Thanks, Susan ~ I had a feeling you'd enjoy the kitties and pooch!

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  15. Oh Shell! This might be my new favorite illo! I will have it to gaze upon while I miss you. I don't begrudge you a break. I hope you go to Paris or Venice. Or Rome, or Moscow, or Istanbul, or...

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  16. Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année et bonnes vacances, bien méritées !!

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  17. Thanks, Petrea ~ I'm glad you love it! Perhaps when I'm dozing I'll take a magic carpet ride to some of those places.

    Marylène ~ merci! À bientôt...

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  18. Shell, your precious art and quick wit will be missed, but everyone needs a break (or detox, etc) from time to time... some time to refresh the creative juices.

    Enjoy your time and we will be waiting to see the surprises you bring us upon your return!

    Bises,
    G

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  19. Bonjour Shell ~ Miss kitty all freshly bathed in eau de violette oh my!! and I sure do hope those violette macarons don't topple of the back. Fabulous post ~I just love it.
    Have a wonderful Christmas-time Shell! Your paintings have made me smile I look forward to more in 2011.
    Keep safe
    with much love
    xx
    Dianne

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  20. I think that you have drawn the most stylish way ever to arrive to a holiday soiree.

    Happy Holidays, Shell!

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  21. Genie ~ yes, a little spell will be a healthy tonic all around. Bises!

    All things French ~ right back at you! And I'm relying on Hugh to have tied the delicate tower firmly yet gently. Something I suspect he's quite adept at doing.

    Amy ~ I can see you in this outfit, with the addition of a silver raygun belt. Happy holidays to you, too!

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  22. Hi, gorgeous woman whom we all adore, including what's his name (oh, yes, no I remember .. Hugh), have a wonderful R&R, we'll miss you, but understand ..

    Buon Natale, Shell. may all your wishes come true. Baci e abbracci.

    PS There was SNOW, let me repeat, SNOW, at Mt Buller. This is nothing like the deep north, let me tell you.

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  23. What I want to know is how on earth did Katie manage to take my photo? ;)
    Have a pampering, relaxing holiday my dear. I shall miss my weekly smile at your pictures and your cheekiness. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next year.
    baci xx

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  24. Happy Christmas, Shell, and thank you for all the dainty prettiness and giggles you've brought us, the finer and funnier things in life encapsulated.

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  25. A fabulously zesty way to end the year Shell! You capture our imaginations in the most delightful way, Thank you!

    Merry Christmas dear Shell and thank you for your support! Wishing you a joyful break!

    <3

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  26. O, love this! I hope your holidays are lovely and full of violet macarons :)

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  27. Yvonne ~ the weather is nuts!! I'm glad you had a nice snug coat with you. Baci back at you, bella!

    Thanks, Debs! As for Katie, she can be very sneaky with the camera. :)

    Mise ~ thank you, and likewise to you and your lovelies. Stay warm and eat fudge.

    Favourite Vintage Finds ~ you all inspire me, with your kind and generous comments and your own fine blogs. Thank you, and here's to a safe and abundant Christmas.

    Indie.Tea ~ I hope so, too. A toast to the holidays...

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  28. Merry Christmas Shell :-) I think I just found the perfect illustration for next years Valentine's Day Cards. This print is perfectly festive! Fingers crossed that the original is still available to add to my wonderful collection. Have a beautiful and relaxing holiday.

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  29. That's a lovely idea, Kelle! And this scene fits your collection beautifully. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  30. Hey ! Hope you're not in the part of the area that faces floods ! Is it as bad as it looks from here ? Hope not ! Terrible way to end the year.

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  31. Marylène ~ thank you for your concern. We've had some solid drenchings here in Brisbane, but the hard hit areas are country towns, pretty much under water, a few hours or more away from here. I really feel for them ~ it is pretty bad. They are such amazing folks. Hopefully the New Year will be kinder to them. All the best to you and yours.

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  32. Happy new year, Shell! I love seeing your art on your blog!

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  33. Thank you, Ms M! Happy New Year to you, too. May it be a sweet one.

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  34. And a Happy January and full food bowl to you, dear Cafe!

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  35. Happy New Year, Shell. I'm glad to read the floods have not reached your neck of the woods. My heart goes out to your country neighbors.

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  36. Thanks, Susan! I heard yesterday the floods in our state cover an area approaching the size of France and Germany combined. Very sad. Our country folks are tough and resilient ~ I just wish they weren't being tested so much and so often!

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  37. Happy New Year to you dear Shell (and you-know-who)! ♥

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  38. I have just came across your blog, fantastic drawings, hope to see more soon

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  39. Fabulous scooter! So lovely! Have a beautiful day, Kellie xx

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  40. Thank you, dear Favourite Vintage Finds ~ right back you {(and you-know-who)! ♥

    Hi, Ola ~ welcome! Thank you for dropping by ~ regular programming will resume soon. :)

    Have a beautiful rest-of-the-week, Kellie!

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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