Lavender Honey

Recycled Yarn

2009-07-09T21:39:00.003+02:00

There's a new button on the right side column of my blog.

Click on it for La Droguerie's latest offering ... yarn from 100% recycled fibers. My favorite yarn shop collects old knit sweaters from social organizations, discarded knitted goods from industrial clothing companies, sorts them by color, by material, then unravels the knitting. They test teh fibers to determine which ones have longevity for reuse, and for rewinding into new balls of knitting yarn. Each ball of yarn is organized to be composed of a mix of 38% wool and 22% cotton.

I have two balls of this recycled yarn but discovered too late that the finished goods must be handwashed or dry cleaned only. This makes it impractical for me to use for clothing or blankets, so I have to think of new ways to use the yarn, as a home accessory or décor which does not need washing. Any ideas?

Searching for a green home in France? Check out Toit Pour Moi, a website for eco-home buyers in France.

Eco Paris

2009-07-07T21:37:00.001+02:00

CNN reports on the greening efforts of Paris.

Petanque Mondial

2009-07-06T11:24:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we dropped by the world petanque competition in Parc Borely. This is a typical game of leisure in southern France, and every year, both amateur and professional players gather in Marseille.

Various street performers entertained picnicking families.

Throughout the park, large groups placed blankets and mats on the ground to eat, sleep and build a tan.

Amateur players lined the park's pathways to play all day.

I don't have photos of the professional games because I left Michel to enjoy those alone. There were no parasols or roof coverings and it was boiling hot. I kept on sweating buckets and had to rehydrate with bottles and bottles of Evian, until I went home due to discomfort.

Creative Begging

2009-07-04T11:04:00.003+02:00

In Cassis last Saturday, this guy stood on a chair and began to recite poems. His friends sprayed water on him with water guns, each time he made a funny point. As a street performer, one has to differentiate one's talent from the others. There are musicians, singers, dancers, magic acts, statue acts. If you don't have all of the above ... then there's poetry reading in costume.

Puériculture

2009-07-02T11:26:00.006+02:00

It was only yesterday when I realized why I had two midwives attending to me ... one for weekly home visits and one based in the hospital.

The home visit midwife is sent by the French government, to see if my living conditions are healthy and suitable for a baby. Her objective is the protection of France's infants. She gets to see if I'm smoking, drinking, taking heroin, if my husband is involved with the whole process. If the furniture I acquired for the baby does not meet security standards, she would send a puériculturiste or nursery expert, to correct and review these items. Of course she checks me too, like my size and health, but she also checks the baby's heartbeat and if he's moving a lot or not.

This is my first baby and I got only four large items.

An Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper Mini, which can be attached to my side of the bed at night. It's really more practical than it is stylish. I chose it because for the first few months, I plan to breastfeed every two hours, even in the middle of the night. I don't want to get out of bed, walk all the way to another room to feed or change diapers at 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. This bed allows me to breastfeed, then return the baby back to his bed while I collapse into sleep, without worrying about him being in the way or being crushed by my weight while unconscious. I acquired it from a French website called Mama Nana, which specializes in breastfeeding. In French, the Co-Sleeper Bassinet is called the Berceau Cododo.

I got an ergonomic baby bath with a stand from Baby Moov, so that I could wash him without having to bend over. I'm already anticipating that I may have painful stitches to deal with, and the last thing I'll need is to bend over and break my back during each bath session. This I acquired from the French website Vertbaudet, which specializes in pregnancy, children and mothers.

I have a diaper changing table trolley by the German brand Geuther. It has many shelves for diapers, cotton squares, baby wipes, toiletries, and can be converted into regular shelving when the baby is older and no longer wears diapers. This I also acquired from the Vertbaudet website.

For diapers, I debated for the longest time whether to use disposable or washable. That's because millions of diapers end up in the landfill every year, and I'd hate to contribute to this. So I'm using a happy compromise ... Wiona diapers which are disposable but 72% biodegradable and the rest being non-toxic and neutral in terms of environmental impact. These I acquired from another French website Green Republic. The baby wipes and absorbent sheets I'm using are also biodegradable from Wiona.

For strollers, I chose the Quinny. Mac Larens are the lightest but their small plastic tires will be easily destroyed with Europe's cobblestones. About 20,000 Bugaboos were recently recalled due to a defect with the brakes. So my best choice is the Quinny, which has large and durable rubber tires that can withstand rough cobblestones, and it's small enough to fit into my Mini Cooper and tiny elevator when folded-up ... which was a major point of consideration. I got a Quinny Buzz in black so that it's gender-neutral, in case I have a baby girl someday. What I really wanted though was this limited-edition Quinny by Henrik Vibskov. But at €1,100 it's double the price of the regular Quinny Buzz.

To avoid being accused of putting my baby in danger, I made sure that all items are available in France and therefore meet French safety standards and regulations.

Anyway, back to my midwife story. The second midwife who is hospital-based, is in charge of my actual birth. She has all my medical records, pregnancy history, she booked my birth classes and she, together with the hospital ... gave me a list of what I need to pack for myself and the baby when we check-in. All I did was to hand over the entire list to my pharmacy, and they prepared everything for me from disposable panties, to maternity pads etc. All I lack are breastfeeding bras and nightgowns which I can't buy until I reach 36 weeks, where more or less I'll know my new breastfeeding bra size.

My hospital asked me to prepare all this in the 7th month. This turned out to be good advice because after I ordered the large items, there was lead time necessary for delivery and assembly. After I opened the boxes, there were fumes from the packaging, protection and plastics. So now all items are assembled and being aired thoroughly so that there would be no fumes when the baby arrives. I could spend the final month placing all textiles in the laundry ... from towels to clothes to wash cloths ... and drying them thoroughly.

Nesting on steroids.

Add On: The nursery expert just called and I discovered that she can assist me after the birth. I need her to help me figure out how to use the breast pump and clean it after, the bottle sterilizer, how to give the baby a proper bath. What a relief. It's just me and Michel at home and we're both first time parents so this additional service is very useful.

Future Fashion

2009-07-01T11:50:00.001+02:00

A look into the trends of the future ... for those in the fashion and design industries.

The Première Vision is held twice a year in Paris.

Bailotherapy

2009-06-30T15:01:00.002+02:00

Very fashionable in France right now ... bailotherapy or dance therapy, an aerobic workout or sport in the form of dance. You lose 800 calories an hour without knowing it.

I saw this group beside Prado Beach in Marseille. Isn't dancing outdoors so much more fun for summer? For music, they had live percussionists. Maybe I'll try this out someday after giving birth.

I Love The Sun

2009-06-29T14:53:00.000+02:00

I spent the weekend in Marseille's Prado Beach ... swimming, working on my tan and watching an international beach rugby tournament.

It was a happy scene ... cheerleaders with the mountains and sea as backdrop.

Summer Knitting

2009-06-28T14:47:00.000+02:00

It's too hot to make anything in cashmere. So I made these instead:

Handknit washcloths with bamboo yarn in cool Mediterranean colors. I found the wood buttons in Perpignan. Bamboo is known for its anti-bacterial properties.

My Twin Was Robbed

2009-06-27T16:15:00.006+02:00

Someone broke into my sister's house. It was an inside job because he/she knew exactly where to find the safe, which was very much hidden. It contained passports and a gun ... now all gone. So now there's a robber on the loose ... with a gun.

My sister's house is filled with close-circuit video cameras. They saw the getaway car which was a silver CRV. The thief broke in at 5:00 p.m. on a Sunday, with my sister and husband in their bedroom, and a cook in the kitchen. Good thing the children were away in my parents' house. If he was caught by my family, the scene could have turned ugly.

Other family friends were also targetted recently. One chef got a kidnap threat so now she walks around with a team of bodyguards. An uncle caught an intruder at home and scared him away in time. A friend's house was attacked by art thieves who got paintings and a locked up Lalique collection. This is a sign of hard times.

I dislike living in fear, caution and paranoia. It's a kind of prison. When I moved to France I tried to look as anonymous as possible, to blend into the crowd and not draw unneccesary attention to myself. That's because I have no support team here, no contacts like authorities and government officials to help out in case I were attacked. I left all my possessions with noticeable luxury logos at home, bringing only basic shapes and colors. Only if one looked very very closely, they'd notice that my non-descript sweaters are made of real cashmere, my hunter green coat is lined inside with real sable (I removed the Fendi tag which was also inside), my apparently plain leathergoods are Valextra ... an Italian brand for discerning people with clean lines and no logos. This is all because I don't want to be mugged while in a foreign country.

Eye Covet

2009-06-24T07:05:00.000+02:00

In southern France, life is not possible without sunglasses, even in the winter. Here in Marseille, there's this bright glare from the sun's reflection on the sea, and Provence's clear blue skies magnify the sun's rays.

I've gone through many pairs of sunglasses since I arrived here. Some were stolen, some lost, some broken, some worn until their last dying breath.

Always on the lookout for great sunglasses, Zanzan just came into my radar. They're handmade in France and I love their unisex retro aesthetic.

Only 100 pairs of each style are made, and the exact pair I wanted is sold out already.

Claire Pain

2009-06-23T14:28:00.004+02:00

If you are in the fashion accessories industry, check out Under Le Louvre.

26th june-28th june 2009
10am-7pm.
Caroussel du Louvre
75001 Paris
tube station: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre

For Under Le Louvre, Claire Pain launches in a preview shown two new collections :

“Tweety by Cathy Guetta”: a collection inspired by a new connected brand “Tweety by Cathy Guetta”. A couple of necklaces and brooch, mixes of coloured mirrors, acrylic and pearls will make you come into the magical Cathy Guetta and Tweety’s world.

Discussion with my horse, Spring : Summer 2010. From American Show Jumping to your first attempt at horseback, this collection is a festival of ribbons and rewards in the equestrian universe.

Claire Pain will bring her famous collection “Mamie Lucette” (Fall / Winter 09/10). A large collection in homage to her Grand Mothers in which she reinterprets all our souvenirs about forms and matters. Necklaces made of Porcelain or inspired by embroideries, sauerkraut plates, silver wool pendants, diamond rings made of wood and acrylic.

Claire Pain
342 rue des Pyrénées
75020 Paris
clairepain@free.fr
www.clairepain.com

The Alpha Mom Strikes Again

2009-06-21T19:39:00.003+02:00

Have you ever come across an alpha mom? She's the one who competes with other moms on everything from claiming to have the cutest kid, the smartest kid, the best parenting skills, the best mommy fashion, the designer baby stroller and when you Google the subject of Over Parenting, her face would probably come up on your laptop screen.

A certain Alpha Mom has been grating on my nerves the past few weeks. After the birth of her daughter several years ago, she told me in the recovery room, "Wow, my OB must have also given me a tummy liposuction together with the Caesarean. Look at my tummy it's so small now". In reality, she looked like she was still 200 pounds. Yes, she reached 200 pounds on the ninth month of pregnancy. Two kids later, Alpha Mom got a real tummy tuck in order to return to her pre-baby size. Her tummy remained misshapen and large despite daily sessions at the gym and breastfeeding each child for one year.

She's constantly shoved photos of her daughter in my face, claiming that she has the cutest daughter in the world. In reality, her daughter is moustachioed and looks more like a boy than a girl.

Alpha Mom saw me in my sixth month of pregnancy. Took one look at my tummy and said, "Wow, your tummy grew both frontwards and sideways. When I was pregnant with my son, my tummy grew frontwards only." In reality, after her son was born, Alpha Mom got a thyroid problem and now her eyes are permanently popping out of their sockets. This side-effect is irreversible. After her nasty comment about my tummy shape I almost screamed at her, "At least I can exercise and diet after the birth. There's nothing you can do about your now protruding eyeballs."

Finally, I am doing everything I can to have a normal delivery. I need all the positive reinforcement and support I could get for this. However, Alpha Mom claims that my chances are low, because my Mom and both my sisters had Caesarean deliveries. There is no scientific proof or evidence that Caesarean births are dependent on genetics. Other factors come into play too, like the baby's position, your weight and size, prayers and plain old good luck.

I'm sitting here chanting, "Think positive! Don't listen to her!"

Is There Such A Thing As Overplanning?

2009-06-18T18:40:00.003+02:00

I haven't blogged for awhile because all week, I had a battalion of commitments with my health care workers (again) ... a cardiology exam, an obstetrican visit, two different blood tests, a lung test and meeting with the midwife.

I've made my birth plan in Hôpital Beauregard. They now have all my current medical records, and I still qualify for a normal delivery because of my current health / weight / size / cervix situation. I also have the heart and lung capacity to withstand labor. I was asked to choose between three different birth preparation courses ... water or swimming pool, yoga and breathing or massage ... where my midwife will massage my lower back and Michel will learn how to do it too. Which one should I choose? I can take all three but only one will be reimbursed by the French government and I don't want to overdo the preparation either, because anything can happen during a birth anyway, so all plans fly out the window.

On top of that, it's burning hot. I spend all weekend at the beach. I bought a portable air conditioner for my apartment because most European apartments have heaters, but no airconditioners. Remember that summer heat wave when lots of senior citizens died? They had no airconditioners. This will never happen in my hometown where every mall, restaurant, cinema, office and house has very cold airconditioning. It's only June ... I can already imagine the heat siutation in August.

Why Lavender?

2009-06-14T08:56:00.003+02:00

Fine lavender in the form of 100% pure and essential oil can treat:

Lavender soothes ...

1. Insomnia, 1-2 drops on your pillow
2. Irritability, spray into the air
3. Headaches, massage on temples

Lavender disinfects and heals ...

1. Cuts and burns, 1-2 drops
2. Eczema, 2-3 drops on cotton wool smoothed on patch
3. Bedsores
4. Sunburn
5. Insect bites

Lavender fights infections, relaxes and relieves pain ...

1. Colds and sinusitis, inhale 1-2 drops
2. Sore throats, 1-2 drops on sugar lump or in a spoonful of honey
3. Cramps and rheumatism, rub in several drops

Lavender fights parasites ...

1. Head lice, 1 drop behind the ears as a precautionary measure
2. Intestinal parasites, 1 drop on a sugar lump, take three consecutive days

Repurposing

2009-06-13T07:00:00.001+02:00

Michel kept this wood box for storing toys, which he owned and used as a child. It was kept in a dark basement for many years and was filthy ... so I thoroughly washed it, then dryed it under the sun for the sun's antibacterial effects.

People were beginning to send me wood toys and small plush toys for Giuliano, and I needed to store them all somewhere. The box needed some lining, because its bottom was scratched and had splotches of paint.

I unearthed an unused throw pillow cover, which I accidentally ruined in the washing machine. It fit the bottom of the box perfectly. I filled it with lavender, which also has antibacterial effects, before putting in the toys.

Start Them Young

2009-06-13T07:00:00.000+02:00

Another interesting piece I picked up from My Red Boots is this vintage warming plate with a bird stopper, all in porcelain. It is gold-rimmed and in excellent condition. Pillivuyt France 6774 is written in green ink on bottom of the dish. Pillivuyt has been master French porcelain makers since 1818.

A warming plate is a baby's dish bowl with a compartment in the bottom for hot water. The stopper keeps the water in ... which then keeps the plate warm.

My main reason for buying this is that I think children should learn at an early age how to live with precious objects. I've read about children living with antiques, art and high quality furniture most of their lives ... and understanding how to respect such pieces or treat them with care. Just how it's important that they learn to sit with the family at the dining table at all mealtimes to understand manners and politesse.

I hope to pass this dish on to generations of children as an heirloom piece.

Let Me Count The Ways

2009-06-12T10:11:00.004+02:00

I love surfing design websites as there are so many beautiful home décor ideas, most of which I store in my head for future reference. One of my favorites was a doll chandelier featured in Apartment Therapy. Below is a photo:

I someday want to make a boy's version of this chandelier, using these French vintage wood table soccer game figurines. They are from a babyfoot game dating back to the 1920s. They are handpainted and the set includes 19 pieces in total.

I bought them from Tricia of My Red Boots. Check out her shop at www.myredboots.etsy.com.

While I hunt for the perfect chandelier-maker in France who understands my vision, these figurines can be used in many other ways ... as décor for a Christmas tree, as individual toys ... my imagination is the limit.

2009-06-10T09:29:00.000+02:00

In Lounge Mode

2009-06-09T15:51:00.005+02:00

I'm enjoying this very warm day in house pants by Louise Hedley. They are made in a relaxed fit with vintage cottons.

The package.

The pants.

Her shop is www.sohomode.etsy.com.

It's Suddenly Too Quiet

2009-06-08T07:00:00.000+02:00

My two rounds of family visits just ended, and although I was completely harassed, my schedule and daily routines grossly disrupted, with non-stop walking into my third trimester ... I will miss them. I'm so happy that they saw my corner of the world.

Photo taken in the village of Bonnieux.

Little Pleasures

2009-06-07T07:00:00.002+02:00

I'm also working on a 100% wool sweater for a five-month-old. By then it will be the dead of winter and I won't be able to make anything due to sleepless nights and fatigue. So ahead of time, I'm making this winter top with Anny Blatt's Bouton d'Or Baby Superwash in color Ficelle. It looks like the color of wheat. The yarn is machine-washable and these small blue knitted buttons will go on it.

I ordered the buttons from British knitwear textile designer Amanda Sainsbury. Check out her shop at www.amandasainsbury.etsy.com.

A Tiny Breather

2009-06-06T18:00:00.003+02:00

Back in Marseille, I have a full evening to myself. I skipped out on my family's shopping / museum / cathedral visit to catch up on laundry and manage my apartment. There's a load of mail, and my food stock needed replenishing. Michel is in a football tournament so he's also out of my way today.

My sister gave me a green button-down top that's perfect for maternity and breastfeeding. The problem is it has hideous plastic green flower-shaped buttons. I'm replacing them with these small vintage buttons to add contrast and some cool factor.

Provence On Steroids

2009-06-05T23:41:00.003+02:00

Normally when Michel and I visit Provençal villages, we do one village a day, leisurely wandering through after a big lunch. Since my sister and family are here, we've been doing something like 10 villages a day. Today alone we visited the chateau of Pierre Cardin in Lacoste, which used to be the chateau of the Marquis de Sade. Then we lunched in nearby Bonnieux, strolled about there, moved on to the Musée des Lavandes, then Gordes, then a nearby abbey, then La Fontaine dela Vaucluse, through L'Isle Sur La Sorgue ending in Chateauneuf du Pape.

I'm in my thrid trimster of pregnancy and am exhausted.

Two Minutes To Blog

2009-06-04T08:04:00.003+02:00

For the past few days, I've been touring Avignon with my family, and collapse in bed after a long, hot shower. We're at the l'Hôtel d'Europe, one of the oldest residences that belonged to the Vaucluse aristocracy. It dates back to 1580.

It's very well-appointed with beautiful French antiques, large glass jars of dried lavender, art from Arles, lovely courtyards with topiaries, fountains, large trees, fragrant jasmine and handmade candles.

We've been to the Palais des Papes and explored the walled city by foot. But I'm getting heavy. It's like wearing a backpack in front. My legs have to carry so much weight all day and I'm now reduced to wearing honeycomb yoga slippers for walking.