Andy Warhol & Pittsburgh

Pop Art painter Andy Warhol & his hometown Pittsburgh!

Women at the court of Versailles

Behind the grandiose court of Versailles let's focus on life of women at the palace.. from the queen to the  king's mistress and ladies in waiting & servants.
Life in Versailles was rooted in a complex hierarchy & rigid etiquette with nobles exhausting themselves to please the king since he was the one deciding on their social advancement. In this world of competition & backstabbing where the ultimate goals were favors from the king or queen, women were often used in strategic alliances. 

The Queen..Marie Antoinette's private apartments

Marie Antoinette's necklace which led to the infamous "Necklace Trial"

The queens of France lived a life under constant scrutiny where every action was governed by rules of etiquette & where they had very little regard in French politics. Marie Antoinette, the most famous & last queen of France sought solace from that public display in a small circle of friends.

The king's mistress..Mme Du Barry's apartments

Mme Du Barry, a former seamstress who was the last mistress of king Louis the XVth. Born Jeanne Becu, she made a name for herself in court with the king's support, thus becoming the prey of courtesans as well as the king's close family who hated her. As her power in court grew stronger she got involved in politics, thus playing a part in the Duc de Choiseul exile & dismissal of his ministerial role. Her golden age stopped with the king's death. She was beheaded during the revolution.

The servants apartments

Servant's bed

The servants, a population living in the shadow, behind the scene away from the opulence & extravagance of the royal salons & festivities.

Versailles gardens

Notre Dame

Had a fun day seeing the gargoyles on top of Notre Dame:)

By the window

Nutella Madeleines

Wanna have a taste of Bastille day a bit before the 14th of july with Frenchy yummy madeleines?:)
Check this out...

For 24 madeleines:

- 75 g unsalted butter, melted & cooled slightly
- 2 tablespoons plain floor, for dusting
- 75 g caster sugar
- 3 medium eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 60 g self-raising flour
- 15 g cocoa powder

For the topping:
- 125 g Nutella
-60 g icing sugar


Preheat the oven to 180. C/ gas 4
Brush 2 madeleines tins with melted butter, dust with plain flour & invert the tins & tap out of excess.

Place the sugar, eggs & vanilla extract in a large bowl & whisk together for at least 5mn or until pale thick & able to hold a trail on the surface. Carefully sift the self-raising flour & cocoa powder over the mixture then fold it with a large spoon.
Pour the melted butter down the edge of the bowl & fold it in the quickly & gently.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of the mix into each of the madeleine moulds. 
Bake for 10mn, remove from the owen, transfer to a wire rack using a palette knife & leave to cool completely.

To make the topping mix together the Nutella, icing sugar & a touch of hot water to loosen the mixture slightly & spread over the tops of madeleines.
                                               Enjoy!