MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris.
Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris.
In each post, I’ll bring you with me on morning walks, market finds, creative breakthroughs, and of course, the small, beautiful tools that help me live and write in Paris. Sometimes the tools will be the perfect pen, a novel from a bouquiniste (bookseller), or the watercolors I’ve found on Rue de Rennes. Think of it as a bit of a journal, or recommendations list, or a window into everyday Paris creativity.
A Glimpse of Paris
May has been a productive month as I worked on publications for my Rainy Day Healing website and practice, launching the Moon, Mood, and Mind Mapping Tracker and Tranquility Mapping. Tranquility Mapping helps individuals, families, educators, office planners, wellness practitioners, and anyone create a visual representation of calm corners, peaceful places, and restorative spaces – and to improve existing spaces to bring peace into people’s surroundings – in a room, garden, home, school, office, or anywhere. Next, I’m developing a Tranquility Mapping workshop.
Taking my own advice, I have been visiting one of my restorative spaces more often – the Petite Ceinture – Little Belt – an unused railway track that is now a nature strip for walking, running, or just enjoying nature. (My article with photographs and a video is here.)
On My Nightstand
France: The Monocle Handbook (July 2024) – A gift from a Parisian friend of favourite places to stay, eat, shop, and visit across France. I always keep it on my nightstand because I use it as a reference book or inspiration to plan my list of things to do. I featured it in the first edition of Martina’s French Ways and it was requested to add it again in this edition. (Find it on Amazon here.)
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín – This is a New York Times bestselling novel and recommended to me by a friend. Out of order, I read the author’s book 2 in the Ellis Lacey series, Long Island, before Brooklyn. With my Celtic roots, I tend to read a lot of Irish and Welsh literature and I love the work of Colm Tóibín. (Pick up a copy here.)
In My Writer’s Bag
Eco Design Notebook – This is a small eco-friendly spiral-bound graphed notebook, made in Ukraine, that I bought either in Ukraine or in Georgia. It’s small and great to write words, phrases, and grammar in as I attempt to learn French. The original notebook is from Shkolyaryk Publishing House which means “Schoolboy.” (The Publishing House website is here.)
Beck Sondergaard Credit Card Holders – In Paris, I bought two 4”x6” Danish leather credit card holders, lined with cotton fabric. They have two spaces for cards and a zip pouch at the back. They are well-used and I love them. (Available here.)
Little Pleasures
Paul Smith + Caran d’Ache Metal Box – A handy 2.5”x7.5” metal box that I found in a stationery shop in Paris. I use it as a pencil case. This is a collaboration by Paul Smith Paris and the House of Caran d’Ache, a Swiss manufacturing company. (Find it on Amazon here.)
Paris Details
I visited the exhibition of French artist Xavier Lafitte who works with paint, but he mainly sketches fine pencil drawings of animals. It was the animals that drew me to the exhibition, and once there, I noticed how detailed his drawings are. Below, I’ve included his drawing of a bee and other insects on a flower. His black-and-white sketches are large and usually circular with animals around the circumference with a centrepiece.
Postcard From Paris
I sent a Paris souvenir postcard to a friend in Australia inside this “busy” pictured envelope identical to the postcard. She liked the envelope, but she said the postage stamps covered part of the Arc de Triomphe. She peeled off the stamps to reveal the full image to keep both matchy-matchy postcard and envelope. I think it means that it was a success.
Until Next Time
I expect to post editions of Martina’s French Ways twice a month.
Thank you for being here.
À bientôt,
Martina
