Passion Chocolat

I swear that Vinohrady is becoming - for those of you who know London - the Prague equivalent of Islington. All cafes, design shops and uber-trendies (well, er, maybe those who would at any rate like to regard themselves as such). For exactly the same reasons that I never wanted to live in Islington, I find myself turned off the idea of moving to Vinohrady. But we have to move sometime soon - somewhere. Sadly, although I have now seen the house of my dreams, we can't afford it, so the vague intention to move continues unfulfilled. Meantime, back in Vinohrady, this cafe review (see below) typifies what's happening there. I mean, yes it's great and yes, I would love to live near a good French patisserie (maybe it's better that I don't though, thinking about my tendency to put on weight if I even glance at a meringue). But, well, I still am not convinced you know. It all seems suspiciously "could be absolutely anywhere in upmarketified Europe" to me. Dear God, I think I am becoming an elderly lady Czech in my thinking. Then again, there are worse things to be. I mean - howl - I want to live somewhere where I have a REAL garden and a few chickens and some fruit trees, a place where I can make my own jam and knit a bit. Oh goodness, yes, that's it, I am now officially possessed by the spirit of a Czech babicka. Is this reverse snobbery? I'm not sure. ______ Anyway, to finally get to the point I've been meaning to recommend this blog for ages (if I haven't already done so, honestly I can't remember). If you're coming here it's a really reliable way to get good, not-tourist-oriented restaurant, bar and cafe reviews.

Passion Chocolat

I swear that Vinohrady is becoming - for those of you who know London - the Prague equivalent of Islington. All cafes, design shops and uber-trendies (well, er, maybe those who would at any rate like to regard themselves as such). For exactly the same reasons that I never wanted to live in Islington, I find myself turned off the idea of moving to Vinohrady. But we have to move sometime soon - somewhere. Sadly, although I have now seen the house of my dreams, we can't afford it, so the vague intention to move continues unfulfilled. Meantime, back in Vinohrady, this cafe review (see below) typifies what's happening there. I mean, yes it's great and yes, I would love to live near a good French patisserie (maybe it's better that I don't though, thinking about my tendency to put on weight if I even glance at a meringue). But, well, I still am not convinced you know. It all seems suspiciously "could be absolutely anywhere in upmarketified Europe" to me. Dear God, I think I am becoming an elderly lady Czech in my thinking. Then again, there are worse things to be. I mean - howl - I want to live somewhere where I have a REAL garden and a few chickens and some fruit trees, a place where I can make my own jam and knit a bit. Oh goodness, yes, that's it, I am now officially possessed by the spirit of a Czech babicka. Is this reverse snobbery? I'm not sure. ______ Anyway, to finally get to the point I've been meaning to recommend this blog for ages (if I haven't already done so, honestly I can't remember). If you're coming here it's a really reliable way to get good, not-tourist-oriented restaurant, bar and cafe reviews.

Ready for a visit to one of the best marionette shops in Prague?

I found this panorama of one of our favourite shops. The lady who manages it will engage you in a looooong talk about the time Susan Sarandon bought some pieces from them or why she loves the way Gerard Depardieu behaved when he came in - or the weather, or Prague, or her bad leg (ouch!) or... be prepared to spend quite some time chatting - she's fun! http://www.prague360.com/fs.html?loc=locations/shop/marionette-shop-charles-bridge.p36

The early autumn newsletter is now up. At last.

This kept getting held up by various things - mainly waiting for bags to be made and photographed. Anyway, I will email it out tomorrow, but if you'd like to - or prefer to - read it on the web. Here it is (please click here or on the picture). I hope it's enjoyable.

Life here is often more than a touch surreal

More from the conference of film special effects soon. And much, much more of the larger-than-lfe Bohemian Cat (modelled on our Eight of Wands cat).

The Queen of Pentacles

I think there are shades of the Bluebeard type of story here. The young woman who marries a rich man, and then begins to look around his lavish house and wonder... I like this one - you could build an entire story around it in a reading.

Alternative (not blond girls in stilletos) fashion photographer in Prague?

Or willing to come to Prague? Just thought I would ask in case anyone knows anyone. I need a photographer that can photograph in our style - sort of down-at-heel Baroque with a sense of humour and a bit of magic/fairytale thrown in. Everyone I've found here so far does sort of over-made-up BIG blond hair high heels and glossy lips type stuff. Ickitty. I need a stylist who can put a baroque wig on a woman in jeans and photograph her in a bizarre and beautiful (NOT studio or "club") setting. I really, really want to find someone as the new bags are coming out SO well and need a photographer to do them justice. Help! ps - we can with luck provide a beautiful young actor dressed as a Bohemian Cat. He is apparently going to be there as a prop and support for my upcoming appearance at a Film Special Effects cum Vampire-ish conference this weekend(at which we are doing something - though as yet we have no idea what and Alex has just informed me that I am expected to read the tarot. Well, at least that I CAN do). I am going to ask him if he would like to do a reprise of this as a model. So - two women models, a life-size cat in a Baroque costume, our bags and the whole of Prague. We will even pay for Barrandov costuming if necessary and we can probably get some beautiful things from our antique shop friends. Come on photographers out there, this is a rare opportunity to make something gorgeous and strange!