The always gorgeous Tiff visited me in Paris last weekend. We spent one afternoon wandering through le marais where I introduced her to one of my favourite little gardens in the entrance to the Musée Carnavalet.
Swirling hedge designs are bordered by seasonal bright flowers and even some rainbow spinach. I used to live just around the corner and it was a always peaceful spot for me to escape the bustle of the street.
All photographs by Olivia and Sophia Kaplan.
I visited the High Line in New York for the first time in summer last year and it was top of my list of things to do when I was back in town earlier this month. This rambling walkway park is made from a disused rail line and runs from Chelsea to Meatpacking.
Its historical past is beautifully evident in the old tracks and planting design which mimics the self-seeded landscape which once covered the unused tracks.
Sydney recently proposed its own version of the High Line, which they’ve called the Goods Line. Hopefully we get to see it get made.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
We are about to venture into the California desert but while I’m still sitting in a nice hotel in my robe in Las Vegas, I can post some pics from New York. As per usual we basically just ate our way through the city. We stayed in a beautiful apartment in Soho with giant palms, caught up with loads of friends, visited Union Square Park Market, went to a few shows at New York Fashion Week, partied on rooftops, and visited a bunch of little gardens.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
This last month I have been on a pretty incredible road trip through The Alps, northern Italy, Corsica and Monaco. For the first post I’ll share some pics from Morzine and Les Laix in The Alps.
One thing that really struck me about The Alps is the amazing healthiness of the place. Nature is bursting at you everywhere you look and you find yourself being super active and eating well from the land. I loved the constant buzzing of the insects, the clear streams of water running down the mountains every hundred metres or so, and the deliciously warm sun. Because of all this the plants are absolutely thriving. I was in complete heaven with a smile I could not wipe off my face picking wild flowers and berries which covered the earth.
Along with picking what seemed like a million wildflowers we also went to the annual méchoui (spit roast) party of a friend, spent a morning summer skiing in Tignes, hiked through the mountains, swam in the glacial streams, went mushroom foraging, fishing (not so successfully), and made delicious salads with goodies picked straight from the portage (organic vegetable garden). This place makes me happy.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
Sunday is the best day in London as its when the Columbia Road Flower Market takes over said street. My comrades were a little tired and became somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people and the yelling of the stall holders, but I basked in it.
The same weekend we visited renowned florist Rebel Rebel, who had a truly beautiful selection of blooms on display and some gorgeously overflowing bouquets out the back waiting to be taken to some special event or other.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
My sister and I just got back from a few days in London visiting friends. We stayed with very good mate Sam near Broadway Market and spent a lot of time in his jungle of a garden. Here are some pics of us arranging flowers and planting roses bought at the Columbia Road Flower Market, while eating raspberries and playing with little Iola and Jobie.
All photographs by Olivia & Sophia Kaplan.
My first weekend in Paris we went to the Parc de Bagatelle, a beautiful picnic spot in the wider Bois de Boulogne. The Bagatelle was built in 1777 by the Comte d’Artois, who managed to complete the project in 64 days, winning a bet against Marie Antoinette who wagered that it could not be completed in under three months. It’s changed hands a few times since then and is now open for the rest of us to enjoy.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
I have to apologise for the lack of posts, it’s been an incredibly busy first couple of weeks in Paris. I will try and get to you a little more often I promise!
Since I left you we have visited a bunch of amazing private gardens, cycled all over the city, had a couple of BBQs, gone kayaking, horse riding, had lunch with a donkey, overloaded on fruit and veg at the market and I even managed a few hours actual work for a friend.
Tomorrow I will share some photographs of the Parc de Bagatelle.
All photographs by Sophia & Olivia Kaplan.
Paris is the city of my dreams and I am so incredibly happy to be back here again.
Keeping our priorities straight, on the day of my arrival my sister and I went to the Marché aux fleurs on Ile de la Cité to get some plants and herbs for our apartments. Walking back with our arms full of green we could not stop smiling.
Today the sun came out so we cruised around town in Pierre’s little 1984 Volkswagen and then took a stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg. Plenty more Paris to come!
All photographs by Sophia & Olivia Kaplan.
Being a happy tourist at the Osaka Aquarium with my mate the whale shark and at Tenku no Noen rooftop farm in amongst the city.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan & co.
The Secret Garden 