Although we have been in our apartment for now almost a year, I still recognize with gratitude that for the first time in this French life of mine I finally have my own space. With my own things, my own furniture, my own knick-knacks. Never did I think it would have taken over three years to acquire this kind of "status", but I guess it makes sense considering my life here has been far from linear.
What I missed most when living in these temporary crash pads was seasonal entertaining and decorating, something I never really bothered to do as my heart wasn't invested in a place that I knew I'd be leaving in six months. With those days behind me, and to kick off the autumn season on Friday, I hosted a small dinner party celebrating what I believe to be the most wonderful time of the year. Because autumn isn't marketed as ferociously as it is in the States (is it me or has everything gone pumpkin in America?), I had to make do with what Paris has to offer. Let's see how she did...
After our dumpster-dived dinner in the 20th, we found a stack of these old Parisian windows in front of a building set out for the trash. We only managed to take two (they're heavy!), which now add a warm country feel to our apartment. As for the leaves, I had my teen-age students color and cut out them out, which bought them twenty minutes of Wii time. Evil, I know.
I find the little glass jars that yogurts and honey come in just charming. They also make great storage jars or in this case, DIY vases.
Apéro table for snacks and bubbly.
On a recent trip to Marché Saint Pierre, the fabric district over by Sacre Coeur, I picked up a few yards of burlap and orange silk leaves to transform our table from an Ikea finding to a rustic autumn table. Since the party, I've taken the large piece of leftover scrap and am using it as a runner down the middle of the table for an autumn-light look. Autumn-light? Now I'm just making stuff up.
No fall feast would be complete without autumn accoutrements like pumpkins, cabbage bouquets, and such. There lovelies were picked up at different marchés around town (I had to go to a few). So is it me or are the cabbage heads totally "Little Shop"? I'm waiting for one to open its mouth and demand, "Feed me Seymour!"
Aurel's homemade pumpkin and crème fraîche soup which involves a rather violent pumpkin masacre in the kitchen.
As you can imagine, these guys are not that easy to open.
Why on earth is there a sparkler shoved in our cheese?
Because cheese should always be celebrated.
For dessert, our guest Allison (who also whipped up our wedding cupcakes) made almond-buttercream frosted Halloween cake.
Boo!
We've been eating it for dessert since.
So what do you think? Did Paris pull off that autumn vibe?
I think so. She made me work for it by running around town,
but I wouldn't be in Paris if it was easy!
It's been a lovely weekend.
I hope yours is just as toasty!
Happy Sunday!