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Friday, September 16, 2011

A French Connection (Weekend Reflections # 104)

Newport Beach, California

One day I was daydreaming about going to France while I was walking around a nearby outdoor shopping center. Then I looked at the shop window to my left and saw these paintings of Paris, a second later I saw the reflection in the same window of the store on the right called L'Occitane en Provence. I was glad that my camera was in my pocket. It's sort of a French two-in-one coincidence.

If needed, please click the link near the top right corner for Weekend Reflections instructions. Now, lets have some fun with Weekend Reflections!
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49 comments:

  1. JackSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Nicely done, James. I predict that your image will be popular today.

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  2. MalyssSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    So you found Paris even in California!It's no more coincidence, it's a sign! In a former life, you were surely living in Paris..Ü

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  3. Sylvia KSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    What a wonderful reflection for the day, James! And what a great find! Don't you love it when that happens? Well, I love it when I have my camera with me!! Enjoy your weekend!


    Sylvia

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  4. SivindenSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Interesting - and a challenge to discover what is reflection and what is "real".

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    The 'Le Paris' sign is neat!!

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    The ultimate reflection James -- your mind to the camera. This is a very nice photo, great composition and lovely colors.

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  7. Gerald (SK14)September 16, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    a great find

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  8. EbieSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Nice! I thought it was Paris! The reflected bicycles on the frame look like a picture itself!

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  9. 'TsukiSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    The paiting looks so real I first thought it was the reflection you captured on that shot : I took me a while to get that it was the "l'Occitane" the reflection... Very tricky, once again : nice sharing !

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  10. LewSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Very nice! Looks like multiple reflections with the paintings in the shop.

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  11. DianneSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    serendipity?
    or
    coinky-dink? ;)
    I love when that happens
    wonderful shot

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  12. Ms. BeckySeptember 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    this is fun, love the colors and the light. it's truly a fantastic reflection shot. I believe this means that France is in your future...
    thanks for hosting WR each week James. happy weekend to you.

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  13. LauraSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    BEautiful James...I love when things like that happen...feels like all is right in the world.

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  14. KarenSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    A great shot James! Yep, a visit to France is in your future!

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  15. LeoviSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Beautiful photo, I love those shades of color and those great reflections, great composition.

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  16. UnknownSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Very cool and colourful, James!

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  17. Genie -- Paris and BeyondSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I think that this is a good omen... You will be returning to Paris.

    This is a great reflection and you captured so much that is French in one frame!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  18. imacSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Great find James.

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  19. CélineSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    He he, Paris en Provence... you need to revisit your geography courses ;-)
    I'm sure you spent time to find the right angle to have everything at the right place! Really nice shot.

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  20. AlexaSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I had the same thought as Malyss: It's a sign, for sure. You should definitely go!

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  21. GattinaSeptember 16, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Looks really as if you had been there !

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  22. DinaSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Tres jolie. It must be a sign that you will soon be in Paris somehow.

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  23. rafSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    A fine capture, James. Great when it comes together so nicely!

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  24. HalcyonSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Great reflection! I like the two in one. :)

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  25. TexWisGirlSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    great job and kismet coincidence! :)

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  26. JimSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    What a Frenchy combination in Newport Beach.

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  27. jooSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Awesome photo!
    Have a great weekend:)

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  28. Gemma WisemanSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Each reflection seems to be in intimate conversation with the other, perhaps discussing Paris secrets! A beautiful photo!

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  29. Simon September 16, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    James...you ARE the master of reflections....the maestro. This is wonderful. I love how the word Paris pops out on the left and the bicycles in the art work on the right. Fabulous.

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  30. VioletSkySeptember 16, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    very nice.
    had I been with you, you might have needed a credit card in your pocket, too!

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  31. lotusleafSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Serendipity! Good that you had your camera with you to get these wonderful reflections!

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  32. JanSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    That's so cool and that's why we walk around with our cameras, all the time.

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  33. Louis la VacheSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    "Great capture," wrote Francophile «Louis la Vache»...

    The name L'Occitane has an interesting history. The "Oc" is from the southern French dialect known as "Langue d'Oc", which also gives its name to a provence in southern France: Languedoc. The "Oc" means "yes" in Langue d'Oc, and the "cit" is the root for our word "city"' thus the unlikely name "City of Yes".

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  34. MarieSeptember 17, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Merci beaucoup James :-))

    L'Occitane is everywhere.

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  35. ArijaSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Hi James, I have tried twice now to link my post and somehow at the end of following every step, nothing happens. Can you help please?

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  36. FranciscaSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Bien vu, James! And unless you believe there are no meanings in coincidences... Mind you, the meaning might be found in a past life, rather than in your future... :-D

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  37. AlexaSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    James -- I see no e-mail address for you so I'll answer your Venice vs, Florence question here. My answer is very subjective, I'm sure, but here goes: A very difficult choice, since both are small and "doable," both have fabulous art and plenty to do, both have some great food. Florence wins out in the food dept., since it's much easier to find a really good meal that doesn't cost too much there. Ditto hotels, though if I'm in Venice for at least 6 days, I rent an apt. (and take full advantage of the Rialto market). But for atmosphere—and photo ops—Venice trumps Florence for me (even with that world-class view of the city from San Miniato or Piazzale Michelangelo). I love to wander around late at night or early in the morning and have the city almost to myself. You can also beat the hordes on Murano and Burano by going early, and there are all those other outer islands as well that hardly anyone (including me so far) ever visits. Hey, do you really have to choose? Que peccato!

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  38. Small City ScenesSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Hello! This is my first time posting on your blog and I cannot seem to get my picture smaller to link up. I made it smaller in my camera but it won't translate to my computer. Can you help???? MB

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  39. T. BecqueSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I think it's meant to be, you should go back! Neat photo. Have you made your travel plans yet?

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  40. DimpleSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    How nice to find what you were dreaming about without all the details of actually going there! Of course, it's still not the same!

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  41. CarolaSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Awesome shot, with wonderful colors and fantastic reflection. Outstanding.

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  42. Margaret Gosden September 17, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Evocative, James!

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  43. CildemerSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Great finding and very nice capture!
    Merci pour le partage;o)

    ***
    À bientôt, James****

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  44. MargaretSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    There are a number of beautiful entries this week! Yours included! Thanks for hosting.

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  45. Elisa N ViajesSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Bien trouvée James!
    Amitiés
    Elisa, en Argentine

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  46. UnknownSeptember 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Cool reflection James. Hope you get to France one of these days.

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  47. forgetmenotSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    James, You must go to France someday--an interesting place to visit with so much to see. I do like your reflection. Have a nice week. Mickie :)

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  48. OwenSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Very French connections going on there... hope that brought back some good memories... Sorry I couldn't make it this week, too much stuff going on... Life's like that sometimes...

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  49. Inger-MSeptember 19, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    A wonderful reflection shot!

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