Coasters

So tonight I decided to do something crafty.

We had several boxes of coasters laying around the house. But not just any coasters! The kind that act like a picture frame and display whatever photo you want. So I scrounged around through my old pile of Paris business cards, postcards, and random pieces of paper, and I got to work!

The finished product…

Jonathan Adler Needlepoints

There is something so “grandma-chic” about Johnathan Adler’s adorable Needlepoints! I especially love the glasses case…it makes me realLy want to take up needle pointing as my new hobby! Trishy, what do you think? Ill send you a key chain… 😉

xx

ss

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Happy Birthday to my fellow blogger, Shannon!

I hope your day was filled with lovely things! Je t’aime. Gros Biz!

 

Kate + Garance = A genial American/French Collaboration!

I am lusting over the new Garance Doré for Kate Spade collaboration for so many reasons. I’ve been obsessed with Garance for years now and after having met her in Paris where she was so kind and sweet, only made me adore her more. The lovely Kate Spade hails from Kansas City (holla!) and has always been a very favourite of mine as well, what’s not to love? Garance’s adorable illustrations combined with Spade’s classic girly look makes for a chic, fun & young collection that any girl (not just me) should be lusting over! Here are some of Rue’s favourites from the collection:

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xx
ss

From Sea to Shining Sea

 

 

 

When my friend Katie told me she was ready to leave the east coast and return to her home state of California, I jumped on the opportunity to join her on a cross-country road trip. 

 

 

 

I had been daydreaming of the trip for months, but when I told some people how I was spending a week off, they looked at me like I was nuts. Although I did have some visions of wanting to drive off the Grand Canyon, I was still super excited for our big adventure.

 

So we packed her little Toyota Corolla to the brim and jumped in the car for our whirlwind tour of America.

 

Here’s a little sample of our travels from Pennsylvania, to Nashville, New Orleans, Austin, Santa Fe and finally Los Angeles (I think it’s safe to say we took the scenic route!). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Paris I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down”

What a wonderful and easy read by Rosecrans Baldwin. Not only was I drawn to completely relating to the title but I also adore the cover design so very much. Rosecrans vraiment hits the nail on the head when describing the trials and tribulations of being an ex-apt in Paris for 18 months. At times when I was reading late into the night I would burst out laughing when he would so accurately describe Parisienne situations. It also made my heart yearn for small Paris almost forgotten delights such as Picard, the wonderful all frozen-food grocery store that should really be brought to the States some time soon!
So, in conclusion, if you haven’t already, pick this livre up! I promise both ex-pats and non-ex-pats alike will enjoy Baldwin’s writing.
xx
ss

C’est Pittsburgh!

Salut!

How I missed this! 

I still daydream about my days wandering around Paris. Nothing to do but get lost and have to find your way home before school let out. I don’t know how much wandering and getting lost there is to do now, considering I am living in my hometown, but I have decided it is now my mission to dig out the best hidden treasures that Pittsburgh has to offer. 

 (I couldn’t leave out a picture of one of the most beautiful Pittsburgh coffees I’ve ever had…)

xo, 

tb

C’est CHICago!

I fall in love with Chicago more and more every day. Working a full time job after a year of very little responsibilities in Paris was a difficult transition, but c’est la vie! I am currently working for Stark, an interior design showroom in the Merchandise Mart, a beautiful building right on the Chicago river. And guess what? There’s a Stark on rue du mail in the heart of St. Germain 😉
I can’t wait to start sharing all of my wonderful discoveries I’ve found so far in Chicago while exploring the many different neighborhoods, not unlike Paris’s arrondissements, actuellement!
Stay tuned SVP
xx
ss

One Year Later…

Our dearest Rue Spontini readers,

It’s been exactly a year since Trisha and I left Paris and not a day goes by that we don’t day dream about our fabulous past lives in Paris for that year that went by much too quickly. Trisha and I have both began new lives in 2 of America’s greatest cities; Chicago and Pittsburg. We still are the best of copines even though miles separate us and we no longer spend our days wondering the worlds greatest museums, sipping espressos, eavesdropping on Chanel fashion shows, and traveling Europe-Le sigh.

Why now you may ask? The other day we got an email from a reader asking if she could use one of our photos for a published art history textbook. Of course we were so honored and said “bah, oui!” After this and several other emails from readers asking what to pack for a euro adventure, Francophiles needing advice on how to deal with their reverse culture shock and our missing Rue Spontini and the creative outlet it brought to us has made us decide to return to our beloved digital souvenir!

Of course some things will change as we are no longer in The City of Lights but we promise to bring to you le crème de la crème of Steel City and the Windy City with a magnifique French twist…bien sûr! Because after all, we did leave our hearts there…

xx

ss & tb

Mercredi Heureux!

Happy Wednesday!

This lucky lady is on a cute card I received from my pen pal friend Abigail. Merci!