Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Back in Paris - Some News

As I was about to board the Eurostar at London's St Pancras, I spotted this fun illustration by the extraordinary Quentin Blake on a wall outside the station... I love the joy it conveys. I've always been a huge Roald Dahl fan, and I suspect Blake's drawings had something to do with this adoration...
In Paris I was reunited at last with Benjy, aka The Oracle. While I was away, he was bitten on the neck by a large dog on the street... But fret not! Benjy is in good shape and can't wait to resume his guest-blogging. Don't hesitate to leave him questions about Paris, fashion, lifestyle or anything else in the Comments section.

If you're interested in France and food (who wouldn't be?), you might want to know that I've started writing for CalorieLab. See for instance my piece about Smart Choices At French Bakeries and today's article on a French Bill seeking to criminalize encouraging anorexia nervosa.
I miss Uruguay, its beautiful horses and views, so I was happy to stay in touch via this blog's Comments, with Natalia, one of the Maldonado Liceo students whose picture I snapped last week; she's kindly answered my questions about what she and her friends are into, especially when it comes to music. Give Uruguayan rock a go with NoTeVaGustar...

I was delighted to receive this award from 36 Shea's Jill. With her lovely family and fine eye for beauty, not to mention her talent as a seamstress and designer, Jill's enchanting; I also feel I have a special bond with her because she lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I spent two years in the late 1990's. Thank you so much, Jill!

17 comments:

Chloé Van Paris said...

Bravo pour ton article sur calorielab à propos des boulangeries Françaises.Je te félicite, il est trés bien documenté, drôle et insructif.C'est l'article que l'on aimerait voir plus souvent dans la presse féminine.
Cancan embrasse Benjy.
J'ai une question pour l'oracle: comment font les parisiennes pour marcher avec des talons de 12 centimétres ?

Kwana said...

Wow you've had a lot going on. I'm so happy to see Benjy but so sorry for his woes! I hope he is well. Congrats on all your wonderful news. I'm glad you're back home. I'll check you out in all the hot spots!

Best,
Kwana

Jill said...

Thanks Mary-Laure! How kind you are! I really appreciate your nice words about me...my day just got 100% better:) Congrats on your new writing jobs...I just read the piece about French bakeries and now I'm very hungry. I hope Benjy is feeling better and has a speedy recovery.

yasu said...

congratulation for the articles! They are very helpful as I'm going to be living in Paris from June! excited.. Oh and Benjy, poor benjy.. I'm glad he's better!

marie said...

oh benjy is so cute..he still looks like a pup :)
i loved your article too! rye and raisin bread, miam! mais i do love a croissant (ill have to have a few when i get to paris..but ill do lots of walking too!)

Elina said...

Oh, poor Benjy... But good that he's recovered! Those horses really do look beautiful although I know nothing about horses.

artycho said...

Welcome back then! Glad to know that your Benjy is ok! I too am a big fan of Roald Dahl we have him reading his own stories on CD His voice and intonations are brilliant too! As soon as I have more time I come back and check on your bakery article? also the award Jill has honoured you with is well deserve it is always such a pleasure to read you Mary-Laure! Have a lovely day back at home!

pve design said...

le petit pauvre... benjy.
congratulations to you!
ah, french bakeries!!!!!
just give me a fresh baguette!

Unknown said...

Me encantaría leer tu articulo pero no puedo desde mi Pc.
Me gusta mucho tu blog

Jo said...

those illustrations are amazing!

i´m glad benjy is ok!!!

Mary-Laure said...

Thank you all for your enthusiasm about my article on French Bakeries. I wrote a companion article on Smart Choices for Dessert at French Restaurants and will let you know when it goes live if you're interested...

YASU - if you're going to be in Paris, we should get together; email me before you come!

EKUB - you don't need to know anything about horses; their beauty is obvious to all...

Unknown said...

Hi,

Love your article. Made me feel hungry! Benjy is gorgeous. I would like to bring my doggy, Carmelita to Paris sometime soon. I'd love your advice on good places to walk my girl. I see mainly pure breed dogs in Paris...Carmelita is a real mix..I hope dogs won't look down on her for being a mixed breed?!! Being vegetarian has got easier in Paris the last few years, but do you have any fav veggie restaurants? Thanks for your comment on my blog too. x feel free to email me direct if you like everybodysaysdont0@gmail.com

/// said...

AWWWW, welcome back, Benjy! :)

Andrea Tachezy said...

Poor Benjy, I hope he is all right. I was a big fun of R.Dahl too!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back cute, cutest Benjy! I feel terrible for what happened to you and hope you'll be fine soon.

Mary-Laure said...

Wow, so many of us are Roald Dahl fans! He was a pure GENIUS, I love him.
ARTYCHO - could you give me the reference of the recording you have? I'd love to buy it...

EVERYBODYSAYSDONT - Carmelita sounds wonderful. It really doesn't matter she's a mixed breed, everyone will love her.
As for veggie restaurnts in Paris, there aren't many but one I like is LE POTAGER DU MARAIS on the RUE RAMBUTEAU (3rd arrondissement)

You can call me Betty, or Bethany, or Beth ...Just don't call me late for dinner. said...

poor Benjy..

kisses from me and Milo for his pupness.