Visit Paris with me - this weeks Paris in July Posts

Join this event here

Paris in July, the blogging event which brings lovers of Paris from around the world out to play, started last week with an amazingly rich collection of posts. If you're following the posts, you'll agree with me - it's like tasting Paris and all things French in my own lounge room. I've had a glance at many of the posts linked in here and I'm just blown away by the diversity and interest in things from Paris. I'm sorry but I've just been away for a few days, so I haven't prepared my 'summary' post for the last week, but I will do it soon.

Here, I invite you to link in your posts from this week. Visitors can use these My Linky links to follow other  bloggers.

Un Petite Defi! (a little challenge)

This week I propose a little challenge for a little gift . Post something about the character of Paris, where you see that character, and/or how you like to celebrate the character of Paris. I believe we can see the many aspects of the complex character of Paris in history, in romance, in stories, films, food, wine, poetry, in their strikes, their festivals, and the sport of Paris.... the choice is endless. Don't forget to link your post here when you're ready.

My Paris in July Intentions

 

I may have bitten off more than I can chew for this years Paris in July reading list.... but I'm hopeful. 

For my foody book, I've chosen My Paris Kitchen by David Lebovitz because I follow his blog and I love the stories he tells of food and markets in Paris. Most of my followers know I love good food, essentially fresh cooking and add in some stories of Paris I don't think I could loose interest. 

The memoir I've chosen is from an Aussie author who followed her dream to discover writing from Paris. Patti Miller's 'Ransacking Paris' has already captured my attention and I've only pages into it. She's a down to earth Aussie women, who visits with the Ghosts of classic Paris based authors to discover herself. Loving it so far!

For some fiction, I've chosen "The Paris Apartment", because I love to look inside Paris Apartments - but also because the story takes us on a journey to discover a charismatic woman of the past and we will learn more about women living in an epoch of the past. 

And a little bit of mystery - the Red Notebook - is almost a detective discovery and romance in one. Written by a modern French Author with other great successes,  I hope this will be a fun read and engaging.

Now, I haven't found this one yet - but I am going on a search for it - a Armadillo in Paris. This is a children's book, which I dont think I'll enjoy on the Kindle.

Other than trying to read copious amounts of books (for me this is a lot in one month) - I also hope to cook a french inspired meal for 14th July, to watch a french movie or two, and discover some new french musicians.... And of course, visit all the participants in Paris in July regularly!

Dont forget to sign in to the Paris in July Mr Linky if you haven't yet - and each week, I'll post a new Mr Linky for your weekly controbutions.

Paris in July 6

Less than 3 days - it's Paris in July

This week marks the start of our Paris in July blogging event. Dont forget to sign in here if you haven't already... So far we have more than 20 excited participants, many of whom have already posted some of their intentions. Here are some ideas

Nari at The Novel World has posted her intentions, including the Santa Barbara French Festival. She also has a page of suggested reading.

Molly at My Cozy Book Nook will participate again and continue her weekly French Friday posts.

A Strong Belief in Wicker has already posted some memories about visiting Versailles.

Faith, Hope and Cherrytea has posted her intentions and ideas, and has set up a Paris in July Pinterest Board too. She has a collection of books including cooking books as well... as the lovely book shops!
This is her Paris in July pinterest board. Then there are her fav French movies, music, travel ideas, patisseries,and her city's own French Quarter to share during July! New Starters: It's exciting to see we have some new people joining in this year. I love the variety that we get in this event, and the more the merrier!
A great way to get others interested is to post you're Paris in July Intentions, include one of your favourite Paris in July buttons, and link your post to this Mr Linky. Others will follow your lead and link in too.

Each week I will post a summary of the previous weeks activities, and I'll post a Mr Linky for you to link in your weekly posts (and you can always do more than one a week, just link it in so we all know you're being active).

I do randomly announce little competitions, or give away prizes for fun, creative, new, and amazing posts... so watch out!

Link your Paris in July intentions here

Buttons for Paris in July - Winners

After announcing my intention to host Paris in July 6, I then launched the Buttons competition - and it's a pretty impressive line up. Thank you to everyone who joined in. Here are the entries.......

Deb Nance from Readerbuzz

Lavender in France

Lunch in Paris

Romance under the Tower

Memories from the Louvre

Faith Hope Cherrytea

La joie de vivre!

Long Days in Paris

We Love Books

We Love Books (Red)

Lisbeth from The Content Reader

Summer Perfume

Secret Cafe

Jeanie from The Marmelade Gypsie (who didnt really enter but I entered her art)

Jeanie's Art

My Choice of Winners!

So I've taken the liberty to name each entry, I do hope the artists are not offended.

First Place:             Summer Perfume! 
Second Place:         Jeanie's Art
Third Place:            Memories from the Louvre

Lisbeth - email me your postal address and I'll send you a little gift!

Use the Buttons

I think the winning button should be used on the participating in Paris in July 6 Blogs - but I also think there are so many wonderful options - it'd be lovely to see them all used during the month.

What do you think of these options? Which one captures your Paris in July hopes? Is there one that really captures your love of Paris? drop us a line.....

Dont forget to sign in over here... if you haven't yet joined in for this years Paris in July!

Button Time 4 Paris in July

Competition Time!

Paris in July #6 needs a button. 

I'm inviting the early birds in Paris in July, to invent the button. 

There's going to be a prize, or little gift, to the one who creates a Paris in July #6 button 

that highlights what it this blogging event means. 

In the past, our buttons were created by Karen, and I've found a few for your inspiration.

Post your creations on your blog this week, and leave a comment here when you've posted your creation. I'll be ready to judge the entries Monday 23rd June, in time to announce the official Paris in July button by Sat 27th June..

The great thing about an official button, is that you can promote the event to other bloggers and on facebook and instagram with a consistent image.

I look  forward to see the offerings! (Jeanie, I expect an entry!) 

Paris in July #6

Bonjour mes amis! 

Le temps est venu pour un grand voyage!

It's Paris in July time.

Paris in July is about to enter into its 6th year and probably doesn't need too much of an introduction for many of you. For newcomers to this event - Welcome :)

The aim of the month is to celebrate our French experiences through reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking and eating all things French!  There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of this experience – just blog about anything French or Paris, or Paris-like, and you can join in! Some ideas might include;

• reading a French themed book – fiction or non-fiction,
• watching a French movie,
• listening to French music,
• cooking French food,
• experiencing French, art, architecture and travel 

I hope to post regularly on a range of fun, colourful, food, film, book and other cultural highlights from Paris and France. I'm keen to bring a little bit of Paris into my Wintry July. For what ever reason you love Paris in July, join in - each week or just once - we'd love to learn about what Paris in July means to you. 

Here's the Mr Linky - you can register your interest to join in here. 

My Quinoa Salad

  If you didn't know - I love my garden!

Fresh parsley inspired this recipe

 Fresh leeks bring beautiful flavour to any dish

 

a touch of fresh mint.... 

 

Fresh Celery, trimmed

Tri coloured Quinoa

Lots of green things

Parsley, Mint, Leeks, & Celery

a special touch of red

Cranberries

And a final touch of salt, pepper and Lemon Scented Olive Oil

My Quinoa Salad. 

Dont you love quinoa? 

what's your favourite quinoa recipe?