Le Petit Radiguet de la Chanson

I'm having a French morning. Join me? During the occupation period of WWII, a young Nicole Louvier was separated from her family and sent to live in the countryside. During this time, she wrote many poems, and would eventually be discovered by an editor who suggested she turn her poetry into music.

Her first record came out in 1953, with a preface by Maurice Chevalier, who gave Nicole (then, age 20) the nickname "Le Petit Radiguet de la Chanson," meaning "The Small Radiguet of the Song" (after Ramon Radiguet, the French Modernist author). Chevalier was basically commenting on the maturity of Nicole's lyrics. Her simplistic, youthful voice conveyed a wisdom beyond her years and distinctly contrasted the yé-yé girl "Lolita" phenomenon that became popular in France a decade later. (Don't get me wrong- I enjoy that music, too.)

I can't find much information about Louvier online, and certainly nothing in the English language. From what I can discern, she eventually moved to a Kibbutz in Israel where she continued writing, and shared her time between Israel and France. She died in 2003 and is currently buried in Paris.

Source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Louvier

On the Sunny Side of the Street

I'm a huge fan of Desert Modern design, and was fortunate to stay in a home exemplary of the Modern Movement while vacationing in Palm Springs. I can barely work a Polaroid, but regardless, thought I'd share a few photos from the trip.

xx

The house we stayed in was contemporary, with a deep overhang at the entrance. The back interior wall was basically entirely glass, showcasing the pool and the mountain views.

With my husband, striking a prom-pose outside our pad.

All the houses on the street were ah-mazing.

I like this regency pink door the best.

I've never seen an elevated lawn detail like this before.
I didn't snap many photos, but the house was recently sold by Christie's so I found additional shots online.

I'm absolutely in love with this front door.
Desert Modernism is noted for combining indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The objective is to highlight the mountain views (or desert valleys).
I really should have befriended the neighbors...
Movie night, anyone?
Across the street was another beauty.
A closer look at the dramatic colonnade entrance.

Can you imagine owning one of these homes? I'd need to pinch myself daily to make sure it wasn't a dream.