photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Romance: Not to be confused with love, and not to say it is better. No no no, strictly romance for romantic sake. Below you will find illustrations of the oh la la. Every girl needs a touch of romance in her life...
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero un (lesson number one,) You are beautiful. Just the way you are. Believe that your body is a sacred temple, and that angels dance at your feet. Trust that your beauty is evident.
Lecon: In the evening go outside, and be bathed by moonlight. Preferably without clothing.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero deux (Lesson number two,) Whisper your name on things that you find attractive. Do you know they are reflections of you? If you see something intriguing, something that makes your heart flip flop, whisper your name on it.
Lecon: Wear flowers in your hair.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero trois (lesson number three,) Let life kiss your hand. Eat chocolates, taste the wine, dance to the radio, sing for no reason, and when you wake up each morning, smile. Today is going to be an amazing day.
Lecon: Kiss the hand of time.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero quatre (lesson number four,) Trust that the desire of your heart is heard, and that your words are music.
Lecon: Perfume your letters with your scent.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero cinq (lesson number five,) Caress the ideas of wishful thinking. Learn the habit of daydreaming. Practice pretending.
Lecon: Wear a ring on your little finger, preferably oversize and sparkly.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero six ( lesson number six,) Surround yourself in tenderness. Tie a ribbon around your soul. Weave pearls in your hair. Paint your walls pink. Create a boudoir.
Lecon: Wear bells on your toes and dance in the shower.
photo: A detail of a French illustration that I found at the flea market yesterday. Circa 1914. To purchase a copy, contact me at my email located on the sidebar.
Lecon numero sept (lesson number seven,) Let your hair fall where it may, wear red lipstick. Dream as a way of being. Cast your gaze on the moment and label it good.
Lecon: Wear red lipstick, and kiss everyone on the cheeks twice. A touch of whimsy never hurt anybody.
Beautiful lessons, beautiful illustrations. The lady in lavender looks as tho she knows a secret.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | 18 May 2007 at 12:58 PM
So many beautiful pictures...
How to choose?
So many lecons?
How to choose?
I'll take ALL :)
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 18 May 2007 at 01:00 PM
My heart is ruled by love and romance........
I have missed visiting you each day.
I have missed you.
I love you
Jeanne
Beautiful postings as always.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 18 May 2007 at 01:27 PM
ohh la la! Tres Sexy pictures Corey! Thanks for sharing....
Posted by: MyMelange | 18 May 2007 at 01:28 PM
corey, i kiss you on both cheeks!
Posted by: susan | 18 May 2007 at 01:30 PM
Romance makes the everyday tolerable.
The illustrations are definitely, absolutely and beautifully romantic.
The lessons, while some are learned, others need work.
I will begin my homework now, with lecon numero sept..
Posted by: sheila | 18 May 2007 at 01:31 PM
I love #5... in fact, I shall endeavor to find that sparkly ring for my pinkie finger today...
Kiss you on both cheeks as well!
x-x
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 18 May 2007 at 01:46 PM
Thank you. All importantt lecons. I will pin them on my wall so I can always remember.
Posted by: constance | 18 May 2007 at 01:56 PM
OK!! Walking around naked and getting kissed sound like lecons I can master...with the proper instructor, uh, I mean instruction.
Posted by: patpaulk | 18 May 2007 at 01:57 PM
Beautiful illustrations and lovely and wise sentiments, Corey.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 18 May 2007 at 02:03 PM
Love it! So poetic. So Corey when are you going to write a book? Daily devotions, or such. Such an inspiration, each and every day. Brava.
Posted by: Lorie | 18 May 2007 at 03:20 PM
Oh Corey, you must have been picking up my vibe. I really needed to see this in print today. Thanks again, you've provided the inspiration to move forward today.
Double smooches, my dear.
Posted by: Paula | 18 May 2007 at 03:26 PM
Quelle grande jour you had at the marche au puces!
Okay, Corey I'm inspired to let myself dance and sing and live life to the fullest today :)
And...what issue of Victoria do I find your article?
Posted by: shabbyinthecity | 18 May 2007 at 03:33 PM
These are all so beautiful. I tried to pick my favorite and I couldn't. Your words have once again inspired me to live this life I have more fully and with now with romance!
Posted by: Penny | 18 May 2007 at 03:36 PM
What beautiful pictures to go with beautful words and lovely lessons ~
Why we have let the world tear what and how we think about ourselves and our bodies. Corey, thank you for this thought provoking lesson!
I love it!
Posted by: angela marie | 18 May 2007 at 03:42 PM
Oh! Oh! Oh! I truly needed lessons #1 & #6 today. My spirit is restless and my soul needs some tenderness. I will take all the lessons to my heart today. Merci! Rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 18 May 2007 at 03:53 PM
These are all beautiful and oh so essential lessons for a charmed existence, which may be summed up by an affirmation a dear friend reminded me of yesterday: I AM the lover of my life! How's that for romance ;-)
Posted by: Chantal | 18 May 2007 at 04:18 PM
Romance can fill our days is such unexpected ways. Thank you Corey.
Posted by: Cleopantha | 18 May 2007 at 04:34 PM
Planning to start with Leçon n°1 tonight...
The prudish sun must have guessed... and has just clouded itself...
There may be no moonlight tonight ... bad luck !!!
Thank you for all those nice pictures...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 18 May 2007 at 04:45 PM
I tied bells on my toes and danced in the shower but the noise upset my husband!! I'll try something quieter now...maybe the red lipstick.
Posted by: Elizabeth Meredith | 18 May 2007 at 04:51 PM
I would dance in the moonlight, but fully dressed! I guess I need to re-learn the lessons you've just taught!
Posted by: beachy | 18 May 2007 at 05:10 PM
Did you always have these romantic tendencies, or did France seep into your blood?
Posted by: Shannon | 18 May 2007 at 05:13 PM
Thank you for this post today. You have no idea what it means to this crippled, middle-age divorced, 10 lb. overweight, lonely woman. How I long for romance and lovliness and a little tenderness. Even a very little.
Posted by: pam | 18 May 2007 at 05:15 PM
When we long for these things we can reach within and find beauty.
Amen to the seven leçons.
There is something really magical when we finally get it! When we believe that beauty comes from within it always seems to manifest itself outwardly so others see it as well.
Merci for the most lovely words.
Posted by: cheeky | 18 May 2007 at 05:47 PM
what a good teacher you are Cory!
Posted by: carlene | 18 May 2007 at 06:15 PM
Oh so Coco...
How's Sheba? Come back, little Sheba!!
Posted by: Franca Bollo | 18 May 2007 at 06:29 PM
Truly lovely words and illustrations.
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: kristen robinson | 18 May 2007 at 06:41 PM
Oh, that I could live these lessons and let my old ways fall behind! Too caught by the routines, the traps of square thinking...to live a life of whimsy. Maybe if I write a story of change, I can see myself put each of your suggestions into play...I'll let you know!
Meilleurs voeux!!
Posted by: bluevicar | 18 May 2007 at 07:19 PM
Merci beaucoup mon belle professeur!!! Vous etes tres charmante!!!
Bisous deux,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | 18 May 2007 at 07:47 PM
Thank you Corey. Beautiful pictures and words.
Posted by: Tamara Giselle | 18 May 2007 at 08:00 PM
The french know how to romance, to soak in that bit of moonlight and to kiss the hands of time -my heart is in France today.
Posted by: cruststation | 18 May 2007 at 08:16 PM
L'école française est en session ! Merci professeur Corey. Aujourd'hui je croire que je suis beau (même si je haine immobile mes cheveux).
lauren
Posted by: lauren Mumford | 18 May 2007 at 08:27 PM
haine "immobile" mes cheveux ? Non. Ce ne peut pas être exact... Que diriez-vous de , même si je "continuez" à détester mes cheveux ? Correct ? Non ?
I give up.
Posted by: lauren Mumford | 18 May 2007 at 08:34 PM
what beautiful pictures-I think I need to go to the flea market with you someday....
Posted by: Jann | 18 May 2007 at 09:02 PM
Hi Corey! Love the illustrations, love the lessons! Thank you for lovely images and wonderful words!
Posted by: Marge | 18 May 2007 at 09:29 PM
Beautiful pictures, and the things that you wrote, gave me the goosebumps.
I love it all.
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | 18 May 2007 at 09:31 PM
Thank you for that lovely post Corey! I'm feeling rather sad - sackie and fragile today and lessons six and seven were exactly what I needed.
Posted by: Sally | 18 May 2007 at 09:39 PM
That was really GREAT! How did you know I needed that today? huh?,,,,,how did you know?
Posted by: Wendy B | 18 May 2007 at 11:49 PM
Oh,Corey, what a beautiful soul you are. You've got to write a book of your memoirs! Where did you learn to write and dream so amazingly!
Posted by: janie | 19 May 2007 at 01:07 AM
Wonderful, wonderful lessons, Corey! I'm wearing my red lipstick and I kiss you on both cheeks for writing this.
Posted by: Lynda | 19 May 2007 at 01:27 AM
wonderful lessons, all of them. thank you, corey!
Posted by: Veronica TM | 19 May 2007 at 01:48 AM
This could be your BEST post ever! I love it!
Posted by: pam aries | 19 May 2007 at 03:54 AM
Sigh.
Posted by: herhimnbryn | 19 May 2007 at 05:03 AM
Oh Corey.....this is one of my all time favourite poosts on any blog!!!!!!
I totally, totally love it!!!!!!
This will "lift" me for the month.....maybe longer....
Posted by: Gypsy Purple-Chamara | 19 May 2007 at 05:04 AM
Les belles leçons chere Corey ... merci mon ami. Bisous, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 19 May 2007 at 05:46 AM
You are SO embracing your French experience. Just think of the people who have had your chance to live life in a foreign city and failed to take advantage, instead staying inside their homes/apartments and feeling sorry for themselves. I love the accompanying illustrations but being very broke right now I will just enjoy them in your blog.
Julie
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 19 May 2007 at 06:19 AM
P.S.
Such wonderful illustrations would never, ever be found at our local flea (junk) market. But perhaps I need to seek out beautiful images right here in North Dakota.
Julie
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 19 May 2007 at 06:24 AM
Your illustrations make me long for a society where skinny isn't inny!!!
I love that old fashioned robust figure. I think we need to bring that back!
Thanks for the lecons!
xoxo
Posted by: Blue | 20 May 2007 at 05:41 AM
If I looked like the one who has a ribbon around her waist, I might go naked all day !
Posted by: Sandy | 20 May 2007 at 06:11 AM
I love these illustrations, they're so beautiful and the words are so beautiful and inspiring. :0)
Posted by: Mlle Smith | 20 May 2007 at 06:21 AM
I would hurt myself if I tried to dance in the shower. :) Graceful, I am not.
I love your encouraging posts. I've been having a hard time lately and they make me smile, if only for a little bit.
Posted by: Amy | 20 May 2007 at 06:09 PM
sigh...Corey, the BEST!! I am saving up for a French Flea Market trip.
until then, I live vicariously thru YOU!
Thanks so much.
Lidy
Posted by: Frenchgardenhouse | 21 May 2007 at 06:17 AM
Beautiful post, Corey. Just beautiful - like you. x
Posted by: Nora | 22 May 2007 at 07:27 AM
This is GORGEEEEOUS esp. illustrated with the artwork. Sadly I can never carry off red lipstick. The last girl is so beautiful! And so is the last lesson. :D
Posted by: [a} | 24 May 2007 at 09:34 PM