Art deco

Although Brussels is more known as an Art Nouveau city because of the works and houses by big names, such as Victor Horta, Henry van de Velde and Paul Hankar, there are many art deco treasures to be found in the city.
The term art deco found its origin in the 1925 Paris "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes".

I particularly like this shop in Saint-Gilles with the finest light fixtures, chandeliers, lamps.  Owner Anne Bastin is an Art Deco lover and specialist.

www.artdecoannebastin.be

No time to waste

On way to birthday party

The chairs are still out

Whether as decoration, as a means of attracting customers to the shop, as a necessary commodity for the public before or after festivals and events.... the chairs bring color to the city. As long as they are outside, it seems to me that summer is not quite over yet, even if people have to wear coats to enjoy the chairs!

Jeff de Bruges, chocolates of course

When traveling, I am always delighted when - without looking for anything in particular- I just happen to stumble upon what I consider a photo op for This is Belgium.  Jeff de Bruges is one example. I do not recall ever having seen Jeff's chocolates in Belgium. This shot was taken in rue Daguerre, Paris, a favorite street in the 14th Arrondissement. 


Explanation by Jeff  himself on http://www.jeff-de-bruges.com/tout-sur-jeff.html

Question : "How was Jeff de Bruges started ?"

Philippe Jambon: " With passion, as, from a very young age running around in the chocolate makers' workshops, I was able to observe the magical effect of chocolate. Since then, when creating Jeff de Bruges, I have relentlessly imagined a thousand and one ways of turning our stores into uniques places, gourmets' worlds, where fine and delicious chocolate could also be accessible and fun to bring pleasure and quality to all "

Question: "You are French and have created a Belgium chocolate brand, isn't that surprising ?"
PJ: " Even though I have French roots, I have been immersed in both French and Belgian chocolate culture;  I feel close to this country and I found it dynamic but also different to associate these two types of knowledge. "

Question: "Why did you choose the name « Jeff de Bruges » ?"
PJ: " When your name is "Jambon" (ham in English) and you want to sell chocolate, you have to be practical and realise you will not be able to give your own name to the brand. In fact, it all started in Bruges, as the first chocolate factory was installed in that town. Furthermore, choosing as a symbol the town also know as the "Northen Venice" seemed appropriate for a chocolate brand. My passion for Jacques Brel and the song entilted "Jef" did the rest and I imagined the name "Jeff de Bruges".

Amélie Nothomb

I love books and bookstores and I hope that in this day and age of digitalization there will always be a place for both. 

When abroad,  one of my very favorite things to do is to make a trip to the bookstore to explore and see what is on the shelves.  A few weeks ago, at the end of a Provence vacation, I walked into a bookstore in the magnificent city of Avignon and found Belgian star author Amélie Nothomb's new book advertised as the main "attraction".
Amélie Nothomb is a very accomplished and famous writer. Her first novel was published in 1992, and she has published many books since at the rate of about one novel per year. 
In the "top 10" section of this book store in the Gare du Nord in Paris,  Amélie's newest book is # 2.

Mannequins

 

Whether in boutiques or on markets, creativity and inspiration are what attracts the eye of the potential customer.

Back to school

Ready or not, here we go!