It’s all a-buzz here in le petit bateau because today my partner Romain – aka French Boy -  has just released his first album. It’s been a year in the making -  while I’ve been working intensely on my book, he’s been working on his album, rocking the houseboat down. How did we manage to both work from home on two completely different projects without a hitch? I have no idea. But it’s been wonderful, a year we will never forget, for all the right reasons.

So “fiction”, what’s it all about? Well, Romain is a rock and blues guitarist, and this self-produced album is a collection of instrumental songs which take their inspiration from various decades of pop, blues and rock. This is definitely an album for guitar enthusiasts (it ain’t mainstream music) and for those who love to rock on! Believe it or not, I am one of those people  – even though I play mostly classical piano, I love to listen to loud, feet stompin’ rock. “Fiction” is exactly that. I have lots of favourite songs on the album, including ruffian,  jungle path and la loue (which was inspired by one of our walks along the river loue in France, where Romain is originally from), but I think my favourite favourite is the album title song fiction – a fab mix of pop, synth rock & blues. I also love lawlessness 1 & 2 – Romain composed these for a dance piece titled “restlessness” choreographed by my dear friend Heidi here in Amsterdam earlier in the year. And the colour purple & stone are pure, beautiful head bangin’ rock.

A big congratulations to my french boy for taking his passion to the next level and producing something wonderful. Please be sure to spread the word about “fiction” to all your guitar-loving friends, and to listen to the songs, you can click here or listen to some of them on his myspace here. The album & individual songs are available for purchase on both itunes and cdbaby. For those interested in purchasing music the good ol’ fashion way – that is, on a CD – Romain will look into it in the new year.

And my contribution to the album? Yes, it’s the cover. I made a few different versions but this was the one we both loved the most. I hope you like it too.

xx

Related Posts :

music I am inspired by right now...

point quiet...

music to my ears

my better half + the ultimate houseboat...

music: rock the (blog)house!

some sweet editorial features...

…you were probably hoping I’d moved on from this subject already. But you know, when inspiration hits, I just go with it. And homemade jam just happens to be my inspiration right now. Bare with me, dear readers.

Related Posts :

Hi, I'm Riley!

more inspiration...

abracadabra...

inspiration: the beauty in the decomposing

INTERIOR INSPIRATION

today's inspiration...

…………………………………………………………………………..

The weather in Amsterdam this past week has been glorious. and I have been able to enjoy alot of it in between work. It’s been a busy week – for me and my gorgeous guests – so we are all going to take a breather this weekend and get back to posting on Monday. Riley, Yvette and myself have some awesome things coming your way!

…………………………………………………………………………..

For now, here is a list of some of the “day enhancing” things I’ve been taking pleasure in this week which are all part of the local landscape here in ol’ Amsterdam. Perhaps some of these things will enhance your day too…

…the smell of this flower which I planted in my little garden by the bridge of mon petit bateau.
…………………………………………………………………………..

…the fine company of this wonderful lady who I met for the first time yesterday, while on her way back home from an intense month spent in Africa. She was one of my first ever readers, and it was such a treat to meet and get to know her in person. We enjoyed pancakes for lunch, wandered these streets, and had some morning tea here.
…………………………………………………………………………..

…enjoying tea and lunch in my beautiful friend’s incredible abode. I can’t wait for her to show & tell!

…………………………………………………………………………..

…spending time with my (blog)house guest, buying herbs for each other’s gardens.
…………………………………………………………………………..

…having another divine massage and facial at this fabulous place.
…………………………………………………………………………..

…soaking in the afternoon sun while sitting on a gorgeous old French fisherman’s chair which i bought at this lovely boutique(which I’ve featured here before).
…………………………………………………………………………..

…floating around in a long cotton dress I bought at this store(who knew they had dresses!?).
…………………………………………………………………………..

…incredibly touched that this piece reached family members far and wide.
…………………………………………………………………………..

…enjoying dinner at this lovely restaurant with my new friend (who you will learn more about soon!) (and who ordered a lavender & honey parfait for dessert that was to-die-for-delicious)

…………………………………………………………………………..

Hmm, now looking at this list, perhaps I’ve over-indulged a little…?

xx

PS have a fabulous weekend! Please let me know what you get up to, wherever you may be in this world.

Related Posts :

show + tell: yesterday, i spoiled myself...

catching up...

welcome Cath Conroy, our new guest in...

a mini blog favourites...

a poster from Paris: Made By Hand...

amsterdam: happy one-year anniversary

…or pay me so i can justify spending precious hours on these fanciful creations… “hello, my name is pia and i’m currently addicted to creating whimsical ribbon girls who where clogs and top hats”.

Related Posts :

fancy pants clogs to brighten your day...

all wrapped up...

dialogue...

edible immigration tales in sydney...

20 days to go to let your heart show...

dressed in ribbons...

…and a pair of clogs. where is a girl to go dressed in such finery?

Related Posts :

all wrapped up...

fancy pants clogs to brighten your day...

somebody stop me...

paris soundscape, series 4, final: spring...

night has fallen, etc...

show + tell: Diane's giveaway! and my...

top left:snow! pathetic i know, but that’s all we got here in Amsterdam; top right: i made a banana smoothie for breakfast; bottom right: more evidence of snow on the boat rooftop; bottom left:a morning visitor

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty fab – the highlight being a Valentine-inspired dinner over at our friends on Saturday night. We brought the champagne, melted chocolate and strawberries, and they provided a feast and great conversation. and oh how we laughed!! I don’t remember what about exactly, but it was hilarious at the time.

this gorgeous gal decided to land on the roof of le petit bateau and stomp around.

I also spent the weekend working on something that I can’t wait to ‘reveal’ to you very soon! Yes, it has something to do with this (blog)house of mine. Shall I tell you? No? Yes? No? Let me know. Because if you want to know, i will tell you! But if you like surprises instead, then I shall not give it away. but oooh I can’t wait for it to be completed!

beautiful creatures but awfully aggressive, non? this guy was making grunting noises at me. that can’t be good?

I also want to take this post to say a big thank you for all your awesome comments. Please be sure to read the comments to the posts if you have a moment because they add so much to my initial words and often provide the answers to questions, or simply different perspectives… and you all have an incredible imagination! I love it when you add an idea to my photos or creation, it creates this wonderful layering effect.

my messy desk, my morning guest leaving, and one of my many notebooks

One of my favourite (how many times do I say this word on the blog?!) commented posts is one from last month called a little tucked away treasure – it is my photo of bakers twine which I found tied to a branch in the Jardins Des Plantes in Paris, and I had this fanciful idea that someone had tied a love note to the branch for their lover to find. Raluca wrote a fabulous comment which showed I wasn’t too far off – she explains a tradition in Romania that totally explains the twine tied to the branch, I’m convinced now that the person who tied this string is Romanian! Go back and read it if you didn’t catch it at the time. Thank you Raluca! I am always amazed at how many corners of the world this blog reaches, and to learn these amazing facts about other cultures that I never would have known otherwise. Yay to comments!

Okay, I’ll let you get back to work. Have a wonderful day! But before I go, I made a little creature, just for you…

A friend of Harriet’s perhaps? She needs a name – suggestions welcome…

xx

Related Posts :

a little tucked away treasure...

this morning...

i've been wandering...

enjoying...

if only I was living in london...

have you popped your head into the (blog)house...

A little while ago, Clayton West, creator of the über stylish Australian Edge website which showcases Australian creativity, asked if I would answer a few questions in an interview. I said yes of course! And so here it is, I hope you enjoy it. The photograph of me at the beginning of the interview was taken by photographer + friend David Finato, just the other day. Thanks again Davo! I am a bit more smiley here you see, I am getting better at it I think.

……………………………………….

PS the above image has nothing to do with anything, i just felt like doing a little doodling, I was hoping it might make you smile.

PPS also in an attempt to bring a smile to your face, I am going to give you a sneak peak in my next post of what I have installed for you here in the (blog)house next week, it’s going to be fun!

Related Posts :

oh santa, baby...

My new guest has arrived!

a bit of blogging fun...

fun with feathers and twine...

60 sec interview with: Marcus Thyer

fancy a weekend trip around the canals?

So, here we all are. In le petit bateau. With me. Hmm. Has everyone got a drink? Is everyone comfortable? I suppose you just want me to get on with it, right?

Please click on the flower button below which is currently loading, to hear my first ever piano solo composition, accompanied by one of my little whimisical drawings. This piece is called Mes Ailes. Which is French for ‘My Wings’. I do hope you enjoy. Thank you in advance, for lending me your ears for the next 3 minutes…

Related Posts :

holiday gift guide interlude: a little...

ne me quitte pas...

Blog Action Day: part two, the question...

for all aussies out there, expats &...

inspiration abounds: "the stories from...

for russell...