Rebecca In Paris – Day Four

Bonjour from Paris!  On Saturday I had great intentions of heading back to the show, but after three consecutive days of sleep deprivation I was feeling pretty ill.  So I slept like a sloth most of the day and felt MUCH better when I woke up.
Jackie Von Tobel organized an informal meet up of international design bloggers Saturday evening at the Hotel Duo lounge.  Although we had quite a few no-shows, those of us who were there had a wonderful time.  I learned so much about the whats, the whys, and the unwritten rules of blogging that I feel like I got a free seminar and private coaching session!  Jackie plans to form an international design bloggers association to help legitimize this 21st century form of journalism and create a distinction between serious design bloggers and hobbyists for the purpose of press privileges.

From left to right, here’s Maryann Flaherty from Brenham, Texas (www.beadboardupcountry.blogspot.com), Mélanie Aussandon from Aubagne, France (www.enseignedegersaint.typepad.fr), Sarah Youngblood from Alpharetta, Georgia (www.youngbloodinteriors.blogspot.com), Jackie Von Tobel from Las Vegas, Nevada (www.jackiebluehome.blogspot.com), Tammi LeNair from Ephrata, Pennsylvania (www.couturewindowfashions.wordpress.com), and me, Rebecca Deming Rumpf from Charlotte, North Carolina. 
Afterwards, Mélanie, Sarah, Jackie, Tammi, and I went to a great little restaurant right down the street called l’étincelle.  The quirky restaurant décor was so French; check out the fun single light sconces scattered all over the walls behind Sarah and Mélanie:

After eating Italian food two nights in a row in Paris, I was ready for some French food and I was feeling adventurous, so I ordered (and ate, and really enjoyed!) an appetizer of escargots before the meal.  Who knew snails could taste so fabulous?!  If you’ve never had them, I’d describe it as a similar taste to shellfish like clams, but with an earthier flavor almost like truffles.  Delicious!  I don’t think there’s any such thing as bad French food!
By the way, while I was slothful in bed this morning, Susan took some of our group to the Vanves and Clignancourts flea markets.  When you hear interior designers talking about “shopping the flea markets in France,” these are the ones they are talking about.  My roommate, Maria Vila, picked up this pretty Sevres porcelain cherub bowl at the flea market as a souvenir — I don’t know if it’s an authentic piece or a reproduction, but it’s very pretty in a Victorian-Valentine’s-Day kind of way:

As you’ve probably noticed, I’m having so much fun that I’m getting a bit behind myself.  My next post will show and tell you all about my second day at Maison et Objet – it was much easier to take pictures after Susan got me a press badge.  A bientôt!