Paris 360

{Paris s'éveille, originally uploaded by gadl}

I have not (yet) been to Paris. It was never high on my list of places to go (Italy, Greece, California, Bali, etc.), but lately it seems I know someone who is going to Paris or just got back from Paris or has a cousin in Paris. Even the re-run of House Hunters the other night was one of their International episodes, with an almost-too-cute American couple looking to buy an apartment in Paris (for just under $1 million...). My BFF honeymooned in Paris last July, one of my favorite former neighbors was there (and Amsterdam) just two weeks ago with his BF, and one of my other neighbors is headed there next month.

Hmm, guess I'll just have to content myself for now with this 360-degree photo of Paris By Night. Cue the accordian music...

New bird on the block No. 7

{Little Bird Screenprinted flat notes by sarahparrott825}

Here is a sweet little bird on a thistle, waiting to send greetings and salutations hither and yon. You can buy him and some of his friends at Sarah Parrott's Etsy shop, Things Are Better With A Parrott.

A warm Spring day at last

{Spring is coming...................., originally uploaded by twentyeight}

Some daffodil bulbs are poking their green fingers through the dirt and leaves in the stray bit of garden next to the townhouses on my block. I've been cataloging their progress when I park my car and they are at about this stage today (these aren't them, these are from twentyeight on Flickr. I'd have to lie down in front of a few cars to take a decent picture of our daffodils and I don't feel like doing that).

I love daffodils, so sunny and cheery with their lion's mane of petals around a wee trumpet to herald the arrival of Spring.

{yellow on white..........., originally uploaded by twentyeight}

New bird on the block No. 6

{bird tile by Cursive}

Because every birdie needs a doily! A little modern, a touch of vintage, and as useful as it is pretty. Perfect.

Re-birth of Venus

{Rimi Yang - Heart - mixed media on wood - 12 X 12 inches from Bill Lowe Gallery}

I saw one of Rimi Yang's paintings in a Traditional Home story on an Atlanta-area showhouse, and I loved its whimsy and femininity. He has quite a collection on the Bill Lowe Gallery website, some of it ephereal and lovely, some of it disturbing. I especially like the mixed-media on wood portraits of iconic images, like Boticelli's Venus, above. It's one of those faces you recognize, no matter how it may have been modified.