Fashion Victims

Pioneers of modern dance on the streets of Paris?

No- victims of fashion on the cobblestone streets of Paris.

What Shoes Say

The other day I was playing tour guide in the amazing city of Sarlat. Every time I am in this living Renaissance city I see and feel new things, but for the life of me I could not go into the best museum in the city one more time. I had already been in once or twice this year and enough is enough. 

I plopped myself down on an elevated threshold and prepared to have some serious reflections on what I am doing with my tea towel business, LilyO's, and possibly take a nap. It was quite relaxing sitting there and I found myself drifting into a comfortable fog when I saw them. Black patent leather shoes with 3 inch stiletto heels. What the heck?! How could anyone negotiate these cobble stone streets in those shoes? But, there they were striding away from me before I could get my camera out to snap a photo of this death defying feat. Suddenly I was obsessed with checking out the passing waves of shoes. And here is what I saw:

a pair that spoke spanish

the glee of a family

teenagers getting to express their pink side

mom has her style and little Pierre another

a classic look

and a free spirit

one friend is contemporary, the other into men's wear

there was love on the street

and one poor soul that had to work

these are work shoes too

shoes trying to decide which way to go

shoes that had settled in

shoes of a trooper of a tourist

and no shoes needed

They're off......

Off to the Races

Because Labor Day in France was way back in May we have had to find another way to mark the "end" of summer. If the weather is good we head off to the races as our last hurrah of summer fun. And this year's weather was good, actually gorgeous. So a gaggle of folks headed down the road to the world's most charming race track in the tiny village of Pompadour. Yes, as in Madame Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV. This chateau and race track were one of the 16 chateaux she was given for her amusement by the king. 

We don't have a BBQ, but a picnic is just the thing. The local car buffs brought out their gorgeous cars to get our juices ready for the four legged beauties that would soon be the center of attention.

After lunch there is a lull in the conversations as each person checks out the day's racing form. This is a serious and private moment!

I have a different approach to picking my horses. For each race I choose a different way to select the winning horse. For the first race of the day I stood and watched the horses as they paraded in the paddock. As soon as I saw #2 I knew this was the horse for me. She had a look of passionate reserve, she was calm with her handler, and even though she was the slightest horse out there she seemed built for speed. 

When her jockey came on board I could see a twinkle in their eyes that said, "look out everyone here we come."

And they were off! #2 lead the entire course and seemed so happy at it!!

For the second race I consulted with my helper. We went by the jockey's colors this time. We went for the blue on blue silks and by chance once again the #2 horse.

Once again a good pick as Sky Run came in by a good length or so. Too bad I don't ever put a real bet on my choices.

When there is a grey horse in the running I have no choice but to choose them as the winner. My luck continued for yet a third race....maybe I really should have bet - ha!

It was a very quiet crowd spread out along the course under the terraces of the grand chateau.

The gentle fields below the chateau have been carved out for a beautiful course. There are flat races as well as steeple chases. I hold my breath each and every time they jump those seemingly enormous hedges.

Tom spent his time at a bend in the course making sketches. 

He got a bit distracted today and made this his pick for the winners circle.