Francophile Friday: In a Fainting Fashion

pigment ink pen & watercolour fashion illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm]

Hot on the heels of the wildly escalating popularity of the famed delicacy named the macaron {and not named the macaroon: one errant 'o' creates an entirely different pastry animal}, researchers are discovering the effects of a recently discovered phenomenon known in gastronomic circles as Macaron Fatigue.  In a somewhat contrary fashion, the term refers to both an overindulgence in macarons and a lack of sufficient macarons, both resulting in the risk of swooning.  While a romantic notion if one happens to have a chivalrous male with strong arms and good reflexes within a metre's perimeter, fainting in the street outside of this scenario might not lead to the most elegant of dispositions.   Clearly this damsel is in Macaron Distress, a precursor to and flashing beacon of impending Macaron Fatigue.  Following the convenient theory of homeopathic medicine whereby a small dose of something known to cause something can actually chase that very something away, might we suggest carrying a box of preventative macarons in one's purse {or inside suit pocket for the solicitous male of the species} at all times?  You're welcome.  And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Francophile Friday to you!

PS:  I might be posting more sporadically over the next little while ~ please subscribe to emails over on the right as a convenient way of knowing when I've posted something new.  Merci, grazie, thank you!

Francophile Friday: Early Storm for the Bastille

pigment ink pen & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm]

Aside from Bastille Day arriving here before most other places in the world, thanks to the wonder known as the earth spinning on its axis, Francophile Friday happens to coincide with this auspicious excuse for overindulgence in all things baguette, macaron and éclair ~ with the exception of an inconveniently placed 24 hours.  Quel dommage.  So our kitty and her carousel-escapee friend have decided to secure their place at the head of the traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées by arriving early.  The balloons could be perceived as a somewhat frivolous touch by the French Republican Guard, but a cat on a horse should distract their attention long enough to get away with it.  We're in for a long wait, and might need to ride our duo out of there, so I've chosen attire built for both comfort and speed and secured our snacks.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday and early Bastille Day to you!

Francophile Friday: Le Tour de Kitty

pigment ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

You knew it had to come sometime over the next couple of weeks: a nod to le Tour de France.  Last year's winner of le maillot jaune and one of Australia's favourite sons, Cadel Evans, is in the running again.  {I think he went to the same School of Genuinely Nice Guys as our Hugh.}  It's early days so we'll keep our tinder dry, but he's sitting very nicely so far.  And he's well placed, too.  I avoided the obvious and did not dress kitty in lycra, firstly because I couldn't bear to impose such an indignity on her, and secondly because head gear would be the obligatory accessory and I refuse to give her helmet fur.   Thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens for the wealth of inspiration {you'll find several other bicycles on that post if one simply isn't enough... bisous, ma chère!}  If you'd like to go for a ride, I've chosen a maillot jaune of the more feminine kind, plus something that has a little give without revealing all.  The basket is loaded with baguettes and flowers ~ good for the soul.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!