If They Come

Pin Up Photo-shop

2011-04-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

What do we think of these?

On the left hand side we have beautiful natural women and on the right hand side we have the 50's Pin Up images that we have spoken of before and are well accustomed to.

A few inches off the waist, bra-less, longer blonder hair and more defined make up; this is the photo-shop we live with omnipresently today. But somehow I didn't think it existed back in the 50's. Like today, serving to haunt women into being more colourful, dramatic and 'beautiful'.

With the photo-shop we're used to today, celebrities and models look like themselves just with inches of skin carefully razored off (or not so, a quick Google search will reveal countless photo-shop errors of missing limbs and misplaced body parts) but with these images it's clear to see the painterly photo-shop and marked changes.

Using paint and a brush, someone had to sit down and meticulously trace the original photo to create the newer version. Painstaking adjustments have been made and the level of detail needed is an amazing feat for any artist. We can see new backgrounds, new poses, new outfits, new feautres; bigger breasts, smaller legs etc. These adjusted images aren't just that, the talent behind these 'photos' makes them great works of retro art.

But what about the women? Unlike what I had originally thought, has there therefore ever been any period in time where a growing girl/ established woman hasn't felt the need to conform to social expectations? These models seem perfectly happy to pose for the camera but then again that is their job, who knows if off camera they dealt with the levels of pressure properly and no-one knows how they dealt with the inevitable insecurity of knowing that they themselves weren't enough and their photos required hours of 'touching up'. And furthermore thinking wider, what was the average 1950's housewife feeling and thinking when showed these images by a jealous husband? In an era of male domination and closed off emotions, was this glamorous 50's lifestyle image not detrimental to the working family? It seems my original idealistic view of life in the 50's was misguided and yes, obviously idealistic.

Need a further example, watch Revolutionary Road and the transformation of a 50's heroine to a psychotic vulnerable mess. The role played by Kate Winslet shows the deterioration of an independent woman within the confines of suburban America and a 2 kids 1 car family.

Every cloud has a silver lining but clouds all do rain at times too.

Call girl's Soundtrack

2011-04-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

I think it was last week that the last episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl was aired.

It had me in tears, not particularly for the acting but the storylines are good and the soundtrack is always amazing. It was such a glamorous and escapist programme that I will miss it now it's gone. It was perfect no-thinking-needed TV that was a good lift me up or in the case of the last scene a perfect tear jerker.

I think it was the poignant choice of Adele's Someone like you which had me in tears. But it got me onto researching other tear-jerkers from the series and there are quite a few. Depending on what mood you are in these songs are beautiful or tragic or both.

The Philosopher's Diet: Fat Chapter

2011-04-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Today's read is a new 'diet' book I picked up the SOS book sale.

I picked it up thinking it would be a funny guide to dieting and although it's written seriously, it still gives a laugh with its critical yet fanatical view on what a diet should be.

Aimed at overweight Americans, this diet puts you on a lifestyle of 900 calories a day, banning all processed sugar, white flour and packaged foods until you reach your ideal weight, which it conveniently confuses to let you know what it actually is. The book says the government formula for America is 100lbs for the first 5 feet then 5lbs for each inch above that; making a 5'3' woman ideally 115lbs. But according to a Dr. Sheenan the best weight is 10% under average so around 103.5lbs and then another Doctor, Dr. Ernst van Aaken says the best weight is 20% under average. Basically on this diet you are allowed to eat just raw ingredients and best still raw, raw ingredients; therefore something not to be undertaken by the light-hearted reader like myself.

At the end of the Fat Chapter, Richard Watson (the author) says: "As people mature and get on in life, they just naturally get bigger. Nervous, skinny people are annoying." And I couldn't agree more.

"Throughout history a fat baby has been a healthy baby. Fat men were rich, and fat women were sexy... The men have bellies like barrels, the women arms like hams."

Fat has always equated to wealth and why shouldn't it; we need fat to survive and if you can afford fine foods why-ever-the-hell-not eat them!

I like this book even if it is asking me to cut out over 1000 calories a day. I like it's combination of dieting and respect for fat. As it points out, fat gets negative press but in times of famine it's the skinniest that die first, fat women then stop ovulating when they lose their weight and therefore birth rates drop and there aren't deaths to be had as there are no people!

It has extreme principles like eating practically nothing, but in less extreme examples they are ones we all know: If you want to lose weight, you have to eat less, but it's what you eat that's important. A fad diet of just cabbage or meat is not going to work; it is not viable in the long run and is not healthy in the slightest. My dad has always told me weight relies 80% on food and 20% on exercise.

This book seems to skip and join two ideas of fat and it makes an interesting read. I like the bits where he praises weight and thus I laugh at the idea of only eating 900 calories worth of food a day and having an addiction of calorie counting.

I can't figure out if the book is a Hollywood-esque extreme diet that is trying to subconsciously turn you off the lavish idea of fat as a sign of affluence or if it is a realist's book that laughs in the face of 900 calorie a day diets.

Having read 'Fat', I'm just starting 'Food' but I may skim read it, I want to get through to 'Sex' before the end of the day. I'm interested to read the philosopher's diet of sex.

'Ellie G' vs. Jessie J

2011-04-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

These two are so cute together.

Ellie Goulding makes a really great interviewer and these two are able to bounce off each-other more so than talking together in a traditional interview format. It feels we're watching through a spy cam in a green room.

Ellie Goudling looks gorgeous here: I much prefer this relaxed look than her trying-but-failing normal style, I like Jessie J "am loving the new hair'/ glad she's hiding the weird shaved patch.

It's nice to see two female artists getting on rather than cat-fighting and squabbling, aka Cheryl Cole and Lily Allen.

Googled Gaga

2011-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

This is such a great Google tribute to Lady Gaga.

Rated as number one employer in the world and said to have multi-coloured slides and fireman's poles instead of stairs, I would love to work here and in my lunch break get to have a private audience with world famous celebrities like Gaga. Over an hour long you have to get comfy to watch it all, but the first 5 minute is definitely worth a glimpse at least, for the amazing Google introduction.

I wouldn't mind befriending a Google geek and getting techno vids like this for the blog: would make it so much more fun. Also my hypothetical Google friend could take me out for lunch all the time with those enormous salary packets they all get!

I love how innocent she looks on realising her skirt is a bit too short for the chair.
We are all human.
Gaga admits to planning her outfits months ahead so we know for sure that she isn't spontaneously styled.
She is really candid in this interview and great answering the staff's questions; even a fanatic woman dressed in a onesie fleece bunny outfit who she invites on the stage for a non-awkward hug and a man with a tin foil dome on his head who she tries not to laugh at.

Gaga's answer to what you think of Rebecca Black is that she's a genius and anyone who calls her cheesy is talking bullshit.

Gaga may look crazy and "half Marilyn Monroe half Iggy Pop"; it is shame she is wearing sunglasses inside, but she knows more than many people how to make the most of her features and hide the ones she doesn't like.

I have a brand new respect for Gaga. Today's new Idol.

War's On

2011-03-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

I've done my essay but I just can't seem to get imagery of World War Two out of my head, or should I say I don't want to.

I've become riveted by the 40D series 'Apocalypse: The Second World War' which has put together war history with re-coloured real war footage. It's directed just the way I like; the narrative is my opinion of history and the imagery is draw dropping.

I watched the last two episodes yesterday for 'research' on Paris' liberation and the run up, and I've watched the first 3 episodes today; okay, albeit I've been doing other things too.

Episode three is not for the teary-eyed, trust me.

I've loved the history but I've also loved watching the clothes each nation wore, the differences in their civilian's clothing and their military uniforms.

I think it's really interesting but then again that may just be!

"In 1999, GQ editor James Brown named Field Marshal Rommel and the Nazis in his magazine's guide to "the 200 most stylish men of the 20th century". The article praised Rommel for being stylish in the face of adversity and pictured him in a uniform personally picked out by Adolf Hitler. Brown resigned his position at Conde Nast soon after when he was criticised for glorifying the Nazi regime. Brown also named Humphrey Bogart and John F Kennedy in his list." ... http://www.mediaweek.co.uk

Forums.simulation-france-magazine.com: Rommel

The GQ editor got lambasted for saying the Germans dressed well. I understand this is a sensitive subject but making a comment about fashion and glorifiying the Nazi regime are, in my opinion, two completely different things. This may be me taking the punishment out of context of the crime; the article may have been more condemning than it appears or it may be another example of politicising unforeseen in-politically correct errors about fashion. This does not however mean that I accept the 'recent' comments by John Galliano as 'unforeseen in-politically correct errors' before anyone says anything: they can never be explained as anything more than inexcusable.

But war has always inspired and inflicted itself on everything; architecture and clothing are the primary realms which come to my mind. War and military prints can be seen everything from trainers to dresses. Everyone remembers how fashionable camouflage was in the nineties? I dressed head to toe in it just because VB of the spice girls did.

This shoot for Dazed and Confused Japan, December 1999 is really emblematic of all the nations involved in WW2. Fashion from the 1930's and 40's is still on-trend now and after posting about the 50's and having been watching a series on 40D about Lily Allen's new shop 'Lucy in Disguise' I can't get enough of the 'set' hair and dramatic make up.

This shoot included the cover shot for the magazine; shot by Yasunari Kikuma, styled by Lotta Volkova and modelled by Anya Kasakova; this editorial is modern, vintage and military. The art direction has kept simple as to let attention be drawn to the clothes and the model. I love the poses, they are so defiant and rich but I don't think the cover is in-keeping with the spread. I understand as an editor you don't want to scare prospective readers of with a stern front cover but that wide grin completely counteracts the theme.
Military fashions are meant to empower the woman wearing them: not turn them into a giggling girl in costume. Luckily the rest of the shoot looked serious yet still elegant and approachable.

Do you get a Russian vibe too?

Glamorous Parisian resistor?

British RAF?

German definitely.

And finally, a front line Allied Florence Nightingale.

Procrastination Problems

2011-03-30T04:28:00.000-07:00

It's essay period and I have until 1pm tomorrow to get a text commentary down.

1500 words should be ridiculously easy to write but it turns out I've written over 1500 words of what I believe to be rubbish and it's not changing for the better very quickly or very easily.

As with all essay and exam periods, procrastination's ugly head arises about once every four minutes: either to change song on Itunes, or to re-stumble on StumbleUpon or to refresh on Facebook or Twitter, and many more.

A combination of these led me to these funny icons: '10 types of Facebook friends from Highschool' by Class Finders. Although obviously aimed at Americans I think they are still relevant, there's something in each one that reminds you quickly of somebody you know.

There are tons of social media stereotype parodies out there but I thought these are quite fun and simple. An easy distraction from writing about Charles de Gaulle when I should probably be writing about Pétain or somebody else; hell probably Stalin.

So in English University terms, this is somebody like me. Continuously uploading status' about events which are in the wrong country for most of my friends or about University goings on when a lot of my friends have never heard of my University before, let alone know anything about it or go to it.

I see 'The Dreamer' more of the philosopher, the person that uploads deep meaningful status' which you quickly skip past to see if someone has written something more filled with drama or gossip. This stereotype is obviously also for those you see on Facebook who have the big dreams, yet those you know probably will never make whatever their dream is.

Unfortunately, 'the Ex' was probably your friend before your relationship, during and after. All the ins and outs of your relationship were publicised and the dreaded "... no longer in a relationship" got more notifications than all your most funniest status' put together. Hopefully though seeing your ex on the news feed doesn't bring back all 'those' memories but instead makes you think, thank god I escaped, what the hell are you doing with your life?

Probably 30 - 50% of your friends on Facebook. No more needs to be said.

Finally the person that makes you insecure and jealous every-time you refresh your news-feed and probably undeservingly so. Could be a best friend or an exaggerated acquaintance but your watch their profile with envy and stealth (secretly hoping something bad will happen to them so they'd fall back into line with the rest of us).

These little excepts from Class Finder's Facebook friends are a fun advertising strategy, by showing you what you'd find irritating or funny, you are subconsciously tempted to try out their site and pay the presumed inscription fees.

Anyway, I reckon it will be less than four minutes until I refresh Facebook and less than four hours until my mind wonders and I find something interesting to blog about.

Random act of kindness.

2011-03-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

So this is from the 'archives' I should say. Drafted back in the beginning of February when my laptop was broken I had tried to use University computers to fix my then blogging addiction but it wasn't to be, the photos wouldn't upload and the formatting settings were different. I wasn't happy back then and decided to post-pone. Hence I am publishing it now as I have just found it saved in my drafts.

The Elle magazine I am talking about is indeed the 18th of Febuary edition!

...

When sat on the metro last week I was offered this months Elle magazine: shuffling awkwardly on her seat the women opposite me eventually asked if the magazine would interest me before getting off at her stop. Of course, I replied, rather unaware why but nonetheless happy; is my love for Elle tatooed on my forehead?

Saying this however, I haven't always been a great fan of the version à la française. And this one unfortunately seemed to follow the same trend: they are always behind the English version in news, fashions and stories. Taking up a couple of pages to talk about Black Swan I'd become sick of reading about wasn't a great start and carrying on to persuade me to buy Adele's album which I knew every word to didn't help the cause. French Elle seems to use a lot of 'fillers' to pad the pages out, which are not even good quality paper anyway.

The devil is always in the... details.

The front cover most certainly didn't hold any promises and I didn't think it worthy of a photo. A plain background with a model lost in a stripy outfit had lost my interest within seconds. Yet a lovely exposé on Emily Blunt did engage me and is worthy of a mention. It was a shock to see our upcoming English rose being given such a generous spread but her stunning and natural good looks would have yearned for a double page had they've been confined to a corner. I've yet to read the text but I just love the pictures. She's described as a pretty Brit punk and I have to say I think French Elle got their description spot on.

Using red, white and blue to show a crossover from France to England the photos are given some energy b their simple backdrops but the real drama is in her face. Set up like photo-booth print outs, Emily Blunt is shown to be expressive, fun and beautiful. What girl wouldn't be happy with a centre fold like that to look at in old age, I have no idea!

The editorial that caught my eye was this tell-tale European shoot called 'Parfum de Femmes' shot by Jean Baptiste Mondino and directed by Friquette Thevenet. I can't put it more simply than close your eyes and imagine a sexy sulty European woman in what you think is her natural habitat, open your eyes and see if this relates!

I think these images are stunning; Italian Prima Donna eat your heart out.

Model Bianca Balti looks phenomenal!

50's Pin Up Girls

2011-03-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

So it's been a week since I said I would post tomorrow about a party I went to last night.

Do you follow?

The theme was 50's pin up; the occasion a friend's birthday; the location said friends apartment in Paris.

I had been working, as my last post says, helping set up a book-sale so my smelly hands from old books and my tired arms and legs didn't help me feel too glamorous before I left. But after a few glasses of wine I got into the swing of things and started to quickly research what I could muster together.

I would have loved to have looked like Eva Longaria in this 2009 shoot for GLAMOUR magazine if I had taken it upon myself earlier to get my act in gear! This modern soft take on 50's (apart from the gingham underwear shot) would have allowed me to get on the metro without funny looks and make me look modern and 'sexy'. The opposite of what I did look like I should add after 30 minutes of hasty hair rolling and fake tanning.

Eva Longoria is simply stunning. She always looks like the Hollywood star that she is. I wouldn't say she has curves and is 'curvy', as nowadays this can be a euphemism for being overweight which she is definitely not, but she has a womanly figure. She is the 'desperate' housewife that every girl wanted to be and still wants to be in the future; sexually aware, care free and glamorous. Aspects of her character Gabrielle's marriage and look gave and give women inspiration and aspects proved and prove that sometimes you can be too gorgeous for your own good! Either way, even when you watch the show on repeat now, she is the one you envy and want to be!

Just before her appearance in GLAMOUR Eva Longoria featured in a promotional shoot for Desperate Housewives in American TV Guide. Photographed by Andrew Eccles the following images capture the flirtatious and fun personalities of the actresses and their characters. Embodying the glamour of the 50's pin up this shoot is so charismatic of the era and post-war liberation euphoria. The simple design and styling of the shoot is fitting and emblematic of the old 50's postcards.

The original images of 50's pin up girls are a mixture between fancy dress and burlesque. Common themes and fashions were military-wear, under-wear and swim-wear. These original pin up postcards show the similarities between the Desperate Housewives modern photo-shoot and its original inspirations. The poses may be fixed but there is such energy in the models faces and cheekiness in their eyes!

Hair in victory rolls at the front and all around the back was often the look as the 50's was a new era of women at work, and practicality was key. All women would need were curlers, pins and hairspray; simplicity was further achieved by the fact long hair went out of fashion and short hair came in. Make up too was simple. Foundations were creamy or pinky tones, and lipsticks were pink or red. Eyebrows looked thin and high but very defined and feminine... not like that of a scarecrow or stick-man!

For good 50's idols think Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor and Doris Day: old school Hollywood!

So after all this inspiration what did I come up with? Well a very poor show! After a you-tube tutorial my hair came out okay but dropped when making the journey to the party, and my outfit consisted of a coral Topshop dress and flower: very mediocre. I tricked myself into thinking I was a Hawaiian style pin up but for that to be case I really should have gone in a grass skirt with coconuts over my boobs and flower garters round my neck and hips.

Number one pin up was without a doubt the hostess with the mos-tess. In a flirty polka dot concoction with matching sun umbrella, our birthday girl looked amazing. Her hair as well as her flatmate's and another friend's had been done by our American hairdresser and looked fabulous. All in all I think it was a great show, lots of fun and authentic 50's dramas.

These photos are thanks to our party paparazzi Linh- Chi and include the whole gang. PM me if you'd like any to be taken down.

And we danced the night away to rock and roll, like something out of Dirty Dancing or Grease.

So, doesn't 50's look fun?

YSL Fever

2011-03-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

I have definitely been quiet because of having a broken laptop and not from being boring!

It has been killing me seeing friends update their blogs and mine quickly vanishing into the internet yonder years. I have had so much to post about but all of which is now forgotten, out of date or unrelated to anything at the moment... just fantastic!

So I'm going start my 'posting' with today's weird and wonderful events. Last night I had a brilliant 50's themed party (which I will post about tomorrow) and today when hungover and hungry I had to break my morning-after-the-night-before routine of rolling around in bed, eating anything and everything, and feeling sorry for myself the whole time as I had to attend and help at a charity book-sale. SOS helpline is a cause I have blogged about before and no doubt will do in the future. It is very worthwhile and is in desperate need of money so after a few strong words to myself I eventually didn't mind rolling out of bed midday to sell some old literary hand-me-downs.

The sale was held in the 16th, not far from the current YSL rive gauche exhibition. As you come out of Métro Alma and walk up Ave Marceau you can't miss the YSL building on the lefthand side of the road; with pink and orange banners fluttering in the wind and an ornate chandelier visible through the windows, it really looks like something special! Open 'till the 16th July it will still be there around exam time which is a relief as I'm currently avoiding grammar revision to blog about YSL and can use the exhibition to avoid the future ones too.

Yesterday we set all the books up and today we sold them. There wasn't a lot for me to do at the sale apart from tidy around people. This constant book stacking meant I had plenty of time to, like everyone else, scour for a gem. Not the greatest fan of second hand things I had two criteria points for looking for a book; not too battered and not too historic. I was in awe when I cam across this baby: Yves Saint Laurent a Biography by Alice Rawsthorn. How I didn't know about this book is beyond me. I used to read Rawsthorn's journalistic pieces on fashion as they'd pop up in The New York Times and after all the buzz in The Devil Wears Prada I started reading NYT quite often. I can't wait to get reading as the images are so sumptuous and I know the text will no doubt be better still.

My new 'fave' book and the YSL exhibition brochure, found in a bakery a few weeks back.

YSL and Pierre Bergé, men of business, in the Ave Marceau YSL Mecca.

This photo is irresistible: love at first sight.

The 1962 YSL couture show and YSL dressing Zizi Jeanmarie.

The work behind the '62 couture show.

This drawing is so perfect.

I also found an All Dressed Up: The Sixties and the Counterculture book but was disappointed by the lack of any pictures bar the psychedelic front cover. It's a big book so over summer will provide me with plenty of sunbathing reading and inspire me further to complete my life goal of being Brigitte Bardot. That woman is an idol. That era is a dream.

If you go to my other blog > iftheycomeinspiration.blogspot you will see no end of 60's imagery and inspiration!

If They Come Inspiration

2011-02-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have launched a new blog in partnership with this one which is dedicated solely to inspiring images.

It is nothing serious just a semi-conscious stream of beautiful thoughts, pictures and photos that I come across on the internet or on my daily walks and wanderings.

I'm going to try and add an image each day; something that has caught my eye and raised an emotion.

There is no rhyme, reason or words and I like it that way.

http://iftheycomeinspiration.blogspot.com/

Concerts, Gigs, Shows

2011-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

After an extremely quiet, cold and teetotal January it seems promoters, clubs and acts are slightly warming up as Paris reaches a warmer climate.
My hot tickets (those still available and not overpriced) are as follows:

17th Feb. FATBOYSLIM & Guests, 20€. Social Club.

4th Mar. 2MANYDJS dj set, 22€. Showcase.

4th Mar. Gruff Rhys, 20€. Café de la Danse.

5th Mar. Eliza Doolittle, 20€. Nouveau Casino.

10th Apr. Chase & Status Live, 30€. Elysée Montmartre.

Usher, Rihanna, Katy Perry and more are in Paris; if you are into that, but I have gone into my views of extortionate prices and overcrowding before.

Lets hope the concert situation gets better as reading my blog entries from around this time last year makes me sad with envy of my busy night-life full of concert happenings.

Music Video Favourites

2011-02-15T11:05:00.001-08:00

After going through my internet favourites today I re-found a Russ Chimes video for 'Midnight Club, Part One'. My boyfriend had suggested I watch it and listen to the song. The music is catchy and has a near prefect balance between electro and melody. The video is captivating; a slightly bizarre storyline focusing on a relationship, a friendship and a kidnap. The video adds another element to the song, it hooks you to want to hear 'part two'. I wouldn't say it's a favourite song but I do love the shooting of the video; the disjointed frames make this a narrative driven piece of electro music.
Uncommon but fantastic.

From the disjointed frames I was reminded of the video to Sebastien Tellier's 'La Ritournelle'.
This video presents an idealistic view of romance. Despite not liking anything too soppy or indeed too hopeful/ highly unrealistic, I have to say this is probably one of the best videos and songs that I have ever come across.

It's beautiful; I once was told it would make a perfect wedding song, 'our song' for it's balance between French and English, not that I'm in any way French. Heart breaking or heart mending this song has power behind it, en captured at the end of the video this song talks of everlasting love.

As 'the only love song' Sebastien Tellier gives us a dream, even if we don't want it.

Homme et Femme not necessarily French

2011-02-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

French Connection's new campaign pushes at the limits of craziness. They have apparently searched the entire world to find their new ambassadors of style. Embodying the French Connection attitude these men and women feature in some of the strangest images and videos yet.

After last years 'Man' and 'Woman' campaign, this year we see the brand venturing in the same direction but questioning what it is to be a man or a woman in the 21st Century. Either challenging or presenting stereotypes the campaign is undoubtedly intriguing. Confusingly glamorous, these new models really are from all countries and show us that French Connection is continuing its international drive. French connection SS11 videos are all over blogs, youtube and websites; making this the most successful campaign yet.

Betrand Le Pluard, Paris.

Daniel Hills, London.

Ludmilla Dom Perigon, Paris

Eden Clarke, Isle of Wight

Paris Inspired Free People

2011-02-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

It is just over a week after my last post and about the same time as I found this video of 'The Free People' January look-book for this spring.

In a hipstamatic-esque blur, the video conveys the city of love at it's best. Ruffles, lace and floral patterns teamed with edgy leather jackets and boots are pitched as this springs covet-able look.

Long tousled hair and natural make up make these beautiful girls' looks appear attainable.

It is clear that this video presents a strong 'want to be' and 'want to buy' within the subtleties of a romantic voyeuristic view of these 'Free People' girls' lives.

The February look-book is set in Southern California, I can't help thinking surely for a primarily American audience Paris would have been a more suitable location for the month of Valentines shoot. Either way these videos are yet another perfect example of up to date fashion advertising and marketing using new internet methods.

Savoury Sundays

2011-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

Why are the shops never open on Sundays?

Even as the best of a bad bunch my local bakeries are still only open till 1pm. That is definitely not handy for when it reaches half 2 and I'm hungry for a snack or when it reaches 8pm and not thinking ahead I didn't get an evening treat.

My mind is being haunted by the image of the Religieuse I had last week, I can still faintly taste the dark chocolate ganache and whipped cream; life right now seems thoroughly unfair.

It's as if Paris is telling me I need to lose weight and this is making me dig my heels in even further and say no if I can't have a cake then...
"Pass me some Pasta".

Stuck on Repeat

2011-02-06T01:28:00.000-08:00

Diplo for Alexander Wang

Montmartre hungriness

2011-02-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote a restaurant review for another blog but as it hasn't yet been published I thought I would write a different version for here on the same tale of events. Sometimes it is so hard to judge when walking around Parisian tourist districts which bistros serve good typical French cuisine and which bistros are out to make profits from lost Anglophone wanderers thus it is always hard to know where you will be robbed blind.

Montmartre is home to a daily tirade of visiting flâneurs soaking up the atmosphere of Paris’ mini-village and that is exactly what I was doing last week with my boyfriend; aimlessly and relaxedly wandering around. I tried to point out to him though that from this flood of visitors comes many businesses out to rake in money off poor unsuspecting holiday makers by offering the traditional soupe à l’oignon and moules et frites, but in reality just serving substandard versions at exaggerated prices.

Montmartre has been portrayed in numerous ways thus giving each person a different experience; whether you look for romanticism or history, the small windy streets, artists and of course the Sacré Coeur offer a day out for all. We gravitated around the Sacre Coeur though I think that wasn't intentional but more my great navigational skills always leading us up there and not many places elsewhere. But I didn't mind for synonymous with escapism, Montmartre always gives me a breath of fresh air and a rural feel which I do miss when here in Paris.

From climbing all ‘those’ stairs and trundling up and down the hilly landscape, a healthy appetite was bound to be worked up and in ignoring the skepticism of finding a good meal and going home for lunch we took the plunge and found ourselves outside La Villa des Abbesses.

Down the hill from the Moulin de la Galette, and up the road from the Mur des Je t’aime, it is a 5 minute walk from any of the sights but we happened to just stumble upon it. With a surprisingly affordable lunch menu and wine list, I could have easily overlooked this place as a tourist favourite but upon entry we found a cosy, warm French atmosphere. There was a healthy mix of French families and couples and those sheltering the cold from taking pictures of the many quirky features of the area.

Nestled into comfy leather chairs, with wood paneled walls, soft lighting and restaurant music the time came to hungrily place our order. From 11.90€ to 14.90€ the lunch set menu is conclusive yet extensive and if going à la carte there are entrées from around 8€ and plats from 17€. We opted for the set menu and glasses of house red which at 3.50€ were entirely delicious and quickly consumed.

My duck terrine to start was perfectly rich but at the same time light and the green salad garnished with walnuts and dressing looked far from simple and pleased the hungriest of men. Just from a taste of my boyfriend's main I was in heaven waiting for mine. His duck confit melted in the mouth and was served with a complementing sauce that was neither the stereotyped and overused plum nor orange plus a generous portion of mini New Jersey potatoes expertly seasoned and crisped. My traditional brasserie steak and chips with pepper sauce was again far above average; cooked to perfection, exactly the way I asked to be the steak was a good cut of meat and a filling size, the sauce was again good but the pièce de la résistance were the handmade chips cooked in what must have been a good quality fat for they weren't greasy but gorgeously crispy and fluffy inside.

Having not tasted the deserts but eyed with envy, the café gourmand has since remained a persistent regret for it would have filled the stomach further but surely would have been worth it.

Set menus for the evening start at 20.90€ to 30.90€, and open ‘till 2am it can be imagined hosting numerous people spending the evenings relaxed and happy nestled in the heart of this beautiful district. Opening again at 8am for breakfasts, La Villa des Abbesses must be used to satisfying the hunger of a consistent stream of passersby. The terrasse too playing home to those liking to watch the world go by with a café allongé and cigarette in hand.

I thoroughly recommend this place if you're out for a treat or have parents in tow!

An ELLE Addiction

2011-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

I'm going back to England on Thursday for a flying stopover, whistle tour, of creature comforts and family cuddles. Having only left England and the nest for the last time on the 3rd of January and having the luxury of a visiting boyfriend last week, it was really quite a rash idea to go back so soon but a bank balance of student loan and week to 'read' imaginary texts left me thinking of what to do with my time.

It shall most likely be a covert operation of get into Bude and get out with hopefully a stomach full of roast dinner. I'm not foreseeing any wild nights out rather a comfy stay in front of the wood burner, a trip to Bristol to damage the student loan with Topshop and Urban Outfitters and a bed that's not like my Parisian one here, like sleeping on practically spongey wood.

One of the things I'm looking forward to most is touching down on Bristol airport 'soil' and getting myself to WHSmith. The new issue of Elle is obviously out and just in time as I have finally finished devouring and analysing the February one.

I escaped the confines of Vogue loyalty last year when I found British Vogue to be imitating the air of its American counterpart in becoming too high society based. I obviously still love Vogue and would never turn down the page flicking of one but recently my affections have moved on. Just as Grazia has replaced Vogue's younger sister Glamour, the fashion bible of Vogue has been replaced with Elle.

Since my transfer to the Elle readership I have found the new seasons collections to be covered more succinctly and colourfully, the articles are more diverse and the editorials more attainable. In my current dog eared February issue, with Cheryl Cole emblazoning the cover, I found at least two articles of particular note worthiness and two shoots of expected beauty.

'Tales of the unexpected' is a profile of the multi talented artist Sam Taylor Wood, who has recently run into controversy by having a child with Aaron Johnson the then 19 year old star of 'Nowhere Boy', the film she directed about the childhood life of John Lennon. The article poses interesting questions about age difference in relationships and highlights the contrast between Taylor Wood's established and accredited career compared to Johnson's first steps on the acting ladder.

The journalist Rachael Combe obviously tries to stay impartial and non judgemental though you can hear through the text that even when trying to defy others who have "tended to infantilise Johnson" she talks down to Johnson by highlighting his immaturity; "when he talks about his love for Taylor- Wood, he sounds exactly his age".

What caught my eye was the bold photo of her floating above a chair, entitled 'Self portrait Suspended iii, v, vii' it is indeed not a clever editorial shoot but in fact one of her pieces of art. I had recently seen a series of photos called 'Fallen' from photographer Toby Burrows which is certainly more mystical and ethereal than Taylor Wood's domestic version. Burrow's series explores tragedy and celebration by pulling and releasing his model through the air in surreal surroundings. Obviously not fitting to the Elle article but this shoot stills acts as inspiration for any photographer or escapist and I was blown away when I saw it.

'What's sex got to do with it?' serves to act as another article which tries to dispel media conceptions as 'The tales of the unexpected' attempted to about age being a problem. By categorising the image of lesbians into "the miserable ones with an unfortunate haircut, the firece man haters in a suit, or the comfortable flat-shoe-wearing butch ones" the journalist goes against the grain to ask why can't a modern day woman or man fall in love with a member of the same sex if it is advantageous and feels right for them without being stereotyped.

I applaud Elle for publishing an article on this subject, for it's more normal in a magazine of this genre to broach the topic of sexuality when doing an interview with, for example, Lindsay Lohan. I find the journalist is sensitive and persuasive, and without being preachy is able to make contact with the predominately heterosexual female audience.

My one criticism is the choice of image by the photo editor; when the journalist talks about the sweeping stereotype that bisexuals are "seen as hot women who want to have sex with anyone, or desperate men who want to have sex with everyone" why choose such a sexually charged image and not one that is more romantic and reflective of the article.

An editorial for Bambi Magazine successfully shows scenes of romantic bliss without paying unnecessary extra attention to the fact that the two lovers are women, it instead pays attention to subtle and tender looks of love. I think anyone of these photos would have been more fitting for Elle's article. Granted Elle readers expect fashion, beauty and glamour but it goes to say that this expectation could easily be injected to anyone of these scenes with perhaps sharper light, more defined make up and styling.

I didn't buy Elle because Cheryl was on the cover with her 'Rebirth' but I knew it would make for a good photo shoot; whatever this girl's strength and faults are she is an undeniably good model for she is able to portray a sense of self knowing but also show us hints of vulnerability, which is what has made her so well loved by the British public. Her big doe eyes are inviting and Elle has managed to style her out of accustomed fake tan and short dresses making her high fashion worthy and showing her as her normal natural beauty.

The accompanying interview with Cheryl is touching and conclusive, covering her life over the last busy yet traumatic year. The ups and downs are all covered with what seems like less reserve than in the Pierce Morgan interview everyone was glued to, and I was slightly bored by.

As I mentioned earlier Elle has the ability to cover the big trends in a way that is attractive to the average middle class reader but whom cannot afford to drape themselves in Chanel. The editorial for these seasons collections was shot by David Vasiljevic. It is simple, clean, bright, fun and above all adaptable; you can imagine a shopper taking this photo shoot as inspiration with them to Topshop etc. and remaking the look to suit their budget.

After the February issue was done and dusted my obsession as a foreign reader and in hunting down the cover to this March's Elle, lead me to the new Keira Knightley shoot. A sneaky few shots from her spread has left me biting at the bit to see the other looks. If Cheryl's interview is anything to go I should be looking for ten if not twelve pages of my favourite actress.

I avoided reading the interview online as I'm still old fashioned and enjoy seeing things in print, plus Elle has such lovely paper. It's apparent she's modelling the new Tom Ford collection, his first in too many years, and I presume she will be publicising her new film 'Never Let Me Go'.

The jumpsuit she wears on the shoot is gorgeous and she can pull off short hair like no one else! As said in the video she is naturally angular yet this styling really makes her looks sophisticated and mature without looking harsh. This clip from Elle TV is just another great example of fashion on film and the way a magazine can self promote before it is released. It is certainly more enticing to watch a behind the scenes video than be subject to the run of the mill 'coming up next issue' adverts and those god awful subscription cards you find shoved inside every magazine. The lighting, song choice and editing of the clip is absolutely flawless and shows Keira very differently from her up coming film.

From Kazou Ishiguro's novel 'Never Let Me Go' the film of the same name is set around three characters who spend their childhood in a seemingly idyllic boarding school however as a dystopian story all is obviously not what is seems. Having not seen the trailer before watching the film (yet to come out in cinemas) I was completely unaware of the history/context of the story. I found Keira's character Ruth to be very manipulative, snide and hard to emphasise with throughout the film.

It's a story about love and relationships, the audience can really find whatever they want out of this film as it covers most bases. I know it can't and couldn't be classified as a thriller but I certainly found it a haunting, 'edge of your seat' tale. Compared to Keira and Carey Mulligan's previous works this story is uncompromisingly bleak and brutal but above all centred around hope. Casting couldn't have been better and it is that for me which makes this film so memorable and Keira Knightly's Elle interview so anticipated.

Fashion's MEN

2011-02-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'm too tired to properly post now but isn't this just the best thing since sliced bread.

Thank you Jak & Jil blog for brightening up my evening.

Boys of Milan & Paris FW2011 from Justin Wu on Vimeo.

I think I'm in Love?

Bobo - Nono

2011-01-31T14:24:00.000-08:00

When we think of a Parisian bohemian we think of a free spirited writer from Montmartre circa the Belle Epoque. We have an image of the Moulin Rouge; we imagine a troupe of impoverished Parisians practising the arts and discovering true happiness over a helpful goblet of Absinthe. The charming ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and love spring to mind; an unwavering search for human and moral perfection.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

I think of the clothes in the Moulin Rouge film; worn down suits but diamond emblazoned dresses, costumes for the theatrical can can yet lingerie for the courtesan bedroom. The sets too being mystical, exaggerated and musical; lighting soft and seductive, soundtrack lively yet tender. Baz Luhrmann installed in me an idealistic view of Paris from an early age and a mythical view of a true bohemian.

Nowadays however bohemian Parisians have entirely different connotations; as champagne socialists they can be described as left wing but wealthy; using the term bohemian to separate themselves from the traditional haute bourgeois. Conscious of fashion and the environment, they are ultra modern, 'cool' and ideally young. Dominating central and eastern Paris, bobos can be seen wearing the latest trends, dining in the most desirable bistros and generally displaying their wealth but in supposedly subtle ways.

Despite being an English brand inspired by the tailoring of Saville Row and the style of English rock and roll icons, The Kooples embodies the 'look' of the modern Parisian bohemian. Looking slightly grungy but evidently rich, the 'dandi' slightly androgynous brand suits the bohemian ideal to rebel against the norms and the traditions set in place. Deviating from the hippie look The Kooples say "This world needs to acknowledge that black is its base color and that clothes have to fit the mood. You can hardly imagine heading for a Parisian night out in a stuffy Moroccan tunic." The Kooples adverts adorn metro stairwells, subconsciously gaining territory into the mind of a Parisian youngster.

I cannot proclaim to be a Parisian bobo and nor would I really want to. For it is said that no Parisian would admit to being a bobo, who would want the confusion of having money but having to act like you don't and trying to be environmentally friendly but lavishing foreign holidays and that non-eco nespresso machine. Infact the term nono has arisen for those ashamed of the 'badge of honour', meaning not bourgeois and not bohemian.

The furthest I've ever got was to visit the Mecca of socialite life 'Chez Prune', where traditional working class drinks and meals are spun into a web of Canal Saint Martin middle class prices and busy bobo atmosphere. Saying this, I only made it to the front door, being too busy at 7pm to serve our large table food and wine we were ushered on elsewhere. We returned to a familiar haunt, equally bobo 'Atmosphère' offers the same view of the canal with less of the crowds. The house red cost 19€ a bottle and a steak €22, making for a quite expensive but classy meal. As a penultimate good dinner to an extravagant weekend, my life as a Parisian bobo came to an abrupt end.

I have to say that the modern day Parisian bohemian's effort to appear to not make an effort seems a lot more complicated than the lifestyle of their 19th centruy poorer counterparts whose liberal thinking inspired the modern day myth of Paris as a city of romance, revolution and rhapsody.

City Hunter and Gatherer

2011-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

After seeing a hog roast on the Invalides Esplanade yesterday I thought it was ironically timed with this years Paris Men's Fashion Week and the trends for city country heritage, and the modern hunter gatherer, that we have been seeing.

Obviously fashion week and the strange since disappeared hog roast were not related, despite the stone throws distance to the petit and grand palais' (as always the homes to many of the seasons shows). I couldn't have imagined the fashion pack crowding around in these cold winter conditions eating roasted pork with a paper serviette on one of Paris' biggest inner city crossroads.

Thom Browne's collection had to be the single most fun show that I'd seen, it was originally and theatrically staged with models in gorgeous checks; taken back to the eighteenth century with founding father Thomas Jefferson's sojourn in Paris.

The models played a game of musical chairs as they left the 42 seat dinner table to catwalk around it whilst their dinners of sweet corn peas and steaming turkeys were left untouched on the table. It was the mad hatters tea party of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland mixed with all American heritage and 60's accessories.

His lunacy of showmanship took six months to plan but obviously the clothes did the talking too; he shows a riding and hunting influence to the AW11 collection but keeps it cool and his signature alienist style with the cropped hair, Lennon glasses and contrasting textures of materials. Seeing these images turned my head simply for their craziness.

I can totally imagine a Browne model strolling around the Marais with a dead vintage ferret in hand.

Reflections and Musings

2011-01-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

Every Monday I tell myself "when on your way to SpokenWord you must take pictures of the Belleville graffiti" and I have always consequently forgotten my camera. Fate has been against me but one day I will take photos and I will post them and it will all be lovely or grimy depending on the image.

This Monday's SpokenWord night featured all the lovely regular poets. David read a poem about a brutal Valentine cursed love and Alberto read about his previous love of rain. Sydney based but born in Tokyo, Mimi-Red-Lips provided some funny Japanese based laughs. There were also gay and crude poems from Troy and a new song from Tyler. Stand out moment for me was a French style farce written and performed by two regulars. I'd taken a newbie as in my friend Josh and we were all shocked by his level of laughter which is without a doubt a good thing, the table of the four of us thoroughly enjoyed each others company, the conversation and the atmosphere; all in all one of the best sessions I've been to and it was much needed to improve a previously hard week.

Tuesday saw me sign up to support SOS helpline; I gave my 6 month commitment to help advertise support and fund-raise for the charity support line for the ex-pat community here in Paris and my friend Sophie signed up to be a listener. I was surprised there weren't that many more there as they only hold recruitment sessions once or twice a year, I was also surprised to hear that they only really have two big book sales per year to raise money; hopefully this is where I can step in and offer something to the group. It seemed to be a fair mix of American and English women; a few token men and one surprisingly good looking young guy Sophie soon had her eye on. I had wondered whether we would be walking into a women's institution for the lonely and single stranded English but no, I was pleasantly surprised.

The SOS helpline relies on volunteers to man its phones and fund-raise, completely non political and non religious, it demands quite hefty commitments from its volunteers but rightly so. I will obviously talk about this more as my work with them starts and progresses, as it stands I'm in a department completely separate to the the listeners hence I have no confidentiality clauses etc. to worry about and no desperate telephone calls to answer. Training is on the 12th March so until then it's all quite on that front.

After signing up and feeling selfless and happy with myself, I met a visiting cousin for dinner in the Opera area, having a lovely meal washed down with big glasses of red wine and new conversation was another great way to end a good day but what I felt was a bad week.

Not being able to see my cousins in England apart from weddings and big holidays, it was nice to sit down discuss grown up things like work, houses, marriage and babies but also family dramas like dementia, more dementia and the fear of dementia as well as what we like to do; travelling, surfing, sun, sea and sand?.

One things for sure, I don't want to wish my life away, I'm not ready to be a young professional and to have to think about what career to choose by the best salary and location. I am happy in my oblivious state to think that I can find a job I love and not worry about money: I have another year of this ignorance so I am going to treasure it.

Wednesday, indeed yesterday, saw me fulfilling the job of picking my best friend's girlfriend from the Eurostar and escorting her to a connecting train; I have made that sound like a chore for which it was definitely not. Unfortunately she didn't think she'd need a passport to get to Paris so she arrived around 6 hours later than I'd expected and bless her after a traumatic and busy day was tired and hungry so I could think of nothing better than to take her to Bastille and Rue de Lappe for cocktails and canapés; and a quick Chinese.

Being with Jade reminded me of a few things; how good it is to be young, responsibility free and in a capital city where you can just go out for cocktails at 7pm and be drunk by 9pm free of judgement, where you can miss your train but it not be the end of the world and where boys can have friends that are girls who can get on with their girlfriends.

We laughed at French men being well... French men, we laughed about the Spanish men Jade had met when au pairing and we moaned about University and all things about trying hard and still failing but carrying on with life and carrying on to the next cocktail bar. I am not at all surprised I got on with her so well, obviously we knew each other before but any girlfriend of Max's can't be too far off either him or I as we are the opposite end of the sensibility scales anyway.

Whip your Hair

2011-01-26T06:50:00.000-08:00

I have long hated the Willow Smith 'Whip my hair' anthem adopted for 'fierceness' by models, dancers, performers and everyday girls alike.

Perhaps if anyone else had sung this song I would not have such a disdain for it but being told to 'whip it real good' in a crazed manner by the 11year old new style prodigy child of Will Smith has never sat comfortable with me. Back in the fall of 2010 Willow was signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation record company and was released to the public as the new, mini, over-styled Rihanna.

Willow Smith - Whip My Hair Clip HD Official (High Quality)
envoyé par 123jeunesse. - Regardez la dernière sélection musicale.

Now as one of the duo of Smith babies competing it out in the starlight, she is undoubtedly talented with a mature voice and media savvy approach to the world but one can't help thinking she's undoubtedly manipulated to contiune a Smith- Pinkett legacy. Dressed and styled from head to toe everyday Willow Smith, sharing the same name humour and charisma of her dad, has grown up a lot faster than her 11years should of allowed. Time will tell whether the fashion pack carry on acclaiming her eccentric mirage of trends and celebrity pre teen good looks or whether she will have to keep pushing the boundaries of her age to keep fighting for attention.

The whipped hair that has caught my eye henceforth is obviously not Willow's but a hairtography series by Marc Laroche. 'The wild whipping hair series' is sophisticated and simple yet dynamic and lively, all at the same time. Soft lighting against a dark backdrop lets the beauty of the whipped hair literally shine through; giving each strand a life of its own and the 'want to be' appeal.

With this set of (copywrited) photos in a portfolio brimming with naturalistic model head shots, Pantene and its competitors should be knocking Laroche's door down. 26 and from Luxembourg, Laroche's style is understated and allows the carefully placed lighting to do all the talking in his photos; real beauty is evidently his quest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stygian/
http://iso-nerd.blogspot.com/

Check out the Hair series as well as the Tanja albums, who must be one of his model muses.

I wonder if either Willow Smith or Marc Laroche took tips from the 2009 Glee episode Hairography, far outdating Willow Smith's single this episode featured American rapper Eve making her sitcom debut as an instructor of a glee club for petites criminals girls, astutely good at hair whipping and booty shaking. The hair routines turned out quite disastrously for the resident glee club with the ultimate low point of being made to witness a song with little white Artie in a wheelchair with a rasta wig; surely this cannot be politically correct? So I imagine I have answered my own question that no they probably, most certainly, didn't take inspiration from Glee and at the same time I may have just found the origin of my dislike for hair-whipping teenagers.

Top Songs Twenty Ten

2011-01-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

Awhile ago Hype Machine published the top 2010 songs artists and albums. The blog Zeitgeist joined forces to ask 5 Dj/bloggers to mix a twenty something minute remix or mashup of their favourites. After listening to all 5 a fair few times it's fair to say that they all have their pros and cons.

http://hypem.com/#!/zeitgeist/2010/songs

My favourite of the 5 was The Knock's version. The quality of the mixing is not the greatest; often opting for the stop/start method rather than diligently working the songs into each other but the choice of songs is the most representative of Hype Machine over the last year and has a good balance of all genres.

Starting with Gorillaz On Melancholy Hill after a short intro from Cults' Go Outside, then followed by Robyn Dancing on My Own and Dan Black and Kid Cudi's Symphonies the remix has a very spring summery immediate feeling; my favourite section is the next track, an Ellie Goulding and Chiddy Bang remix of Under the Sheets, it's super reflective of Hype Machine's dubstep and hip hop tendencies and moves the mix onto a bit heavier night time vibe; then we have Gyptian's Hold Yuh which sounds a lot funkier in this Knocks remix then in the broken down Major Lazer version; Kanye West's Power follows to feature before a song that hurts my ears sounding like background noise in a garage and a rip off MIA, and I consequently lose interest for the next few minutes until Dancing with the DJ and my ears prick up with music happiness.

Gypsy Jazz Paris

2011-01-23T03:56:00.000-08:00

'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' on Channel 40D
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/4od

A garish explosion of colours, materials and sparkle; this documentary followed four couples setting off down the aisle. The girls are aged from 16 to 22 and all their wedding dresses resembled something I would have made for my Barbie out of scrunched up paper, glue and glitter.

It has to be said what they wore in this documentary is far from the traditional gypsy clothes one imagines when envisioning a countryside scene of flowers and traditional gypsy caravans.

Any misconceptions of a fairytale lifestyle were unfortunately blown away by this programme which showed their weddings to be full scale drama rather than to be that of free spirits.

Studying Parisian gypsy jazz is a far more romantic way to view these travellers lives, or their roots as a travelling community for now they seem boxed in by their brutish caravan estates.

Django Reindhart's music has always been at the forefront of Paris' historic relationship with gypsy jazz; it is upbeat and whimsical and doesn't seem to date despite it being over a century since his death.

When listening to the old music played in halls such as Hot Club de Paris, you gain a sense of the combining of native cultures and mainstream Paris. The music represents the inter war period where people looked for escapism from their mundane and controlled lives; they looked for exotic fields where they could imagine freedom and joviality.

In this 1992 Vogue photo shoot we see some of the biggest names in fashion paying homage to the gypsy lifestyle. Photographed by James Webber, styled by Grace Coddington and featuring clothes from legends such as Christian Lacroix; it offers a glamorous portrayal of a hard lifestyle.

Whether it be this alluring depiction of gypsy lifestyle or the media's quest to show them as thieves and frauds, is easy to understand how rumours run rife around the modern day gypsy as they have always remained almost mythical.

Over summer, with some success 'we' tried to dress as gypsies for a birthday theme. We took our inspiration from the interpretations seen in high fashion of the nomadic traveller and not that of the English caravan or dodgy fairground.

Using Vogues we went for the material draped, gold embellished look with big eyelashes and bold lipstick.

Nowadays there are still places in Paris where you can see and hear gypsy jazz at its most authentic.

La Chope des Puces, Epace Django Reinhardt, north 18th arrondisment, is a bar next to the Saint Ouen Marche aux Puces, the flea and antique market on the actual spot where Reinhardt's family had moved to from their native Belgium and where Reinhardt had been caught in a terrible caravan fire which resulted in loosing three fingers but fortunately forcing him to create this new style of jazz from this 'distinctive jazz phrasing'.

This bar on a Sunday afternoon is host to guitarist Ninine Garcia, the number one figure of modern day jazz manouchists. You can sip your drink at the bar or huddle round a crowded table, enjoy the scenery of fairground memorabilia in this concert venue and glimpse backstage to the little jazz school and string instrument makers.

A video from 1965 which shows the bar not too dissimilar from how it remains today.

Café Au Lait

2011-01-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

After stumbling on this beautiful Marais Café last year I have fallen in love with it. The coffee tastes good, the service is great, you get a complimentary chocolate and glass of water without asking and for only €2.50 upwards. Today rich smells of croque monsieurs filled the room as tables were set divinely for a fairly busy lunch period. On the menu were the normal bistro snacks of salads, quiches etc all of which the waiter politely described; I had already settled on just a café allongé as beans on toast was ready waiting at home.

The sugar cubes themselves deserved a photo for their intricate illustrations.

Helen went for a hot chocolate which at a fairly pricey 5€ came out as a double espresso of liquid dark chocolate and a large jug of frothy milk but it was perfectly presented for those picky about strength.

On a previous visit to the same coffee shop I had captured Sophie with the bookshelf behind: this café is perfect for wasting away an afternoon in pure bliss of reading, listening to the soft bistro music playing and watching the fashionable Marais world go by from the ceiling to floor mirrors.

Finding itself on Rue des Hospitalieres St Gervais in the 4th, it is just around the corner from Place des Vosges and easy walking distance from Hôtel de Ville or Metro Saint Paul if you're lazy.

Priceless

2011-01-18T10:38:00.000-08:00

I know it has been out for an age but if you haven't yet seen 'hors de prix' then watch it soon on bbciplayer before it disappears into the realms of lost TV treasure. The French farce featuring Audrey Tautou makes brilliant hangover TV. I would happily trade university life for the French Rivera if it was as easy as her gold digging character Irene makes it seem before she falls for the penniless barman.

I am happy to pay homage to Tautou's beauty and elegance any day... The use of costume in this film transforms her from the pixie cute of Amelie to a vixen poule de luxe. The classically beautiful chain Azzaro gown in the first bar scene is to die for.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00xf5fn/Priceless/

Also on the BBC is the original 'Le diner de cons', again undemanding ideal French comedy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b007sfr0/Le_diner_de_cons/

Half Term Holidays

2011-01-18T08:59:00.001-08:00

Reading week is approaching, I have a date with Bristol from the 10th till 14th and potentially Berlin for the rest of the week but FatboySlim @ Social Club on the Thursday is tempting me to stay and protect my purse strings.

Before half term we've seen a great deal of nothingness on the gig front. Unluckily for us it seems agents and promoters are hiding in the shadows until this grey month is over. Yesterday being long described as the most depressing day of the year: BLUE MONDAY. What we can venture out and see though, that is of note...

The Chemical Brothers @ Le Zenith 14/01/11

Klaxons @ Bataclan 20/01/11

The line up for Rock en Seine should be annouced soon. All is not lost.

The Black Keys are at the L'Olympia 15/03/11

Listed in the top songs of 2010 on hypem.com they are a bloggers favourite... personally though, not one of mine.

Thanks to some lovely advice I've been listening to...

or I should stay coveting the style.

Two months on...

2011-01-18T06:46:00.001-08:00

Last time I blogged was in November.

A whopping two months ago, so as you can imagine over the holiday season lots occurred and quite a few bits were indeed interesting.

Paris Vegan Day turned out to be a very worthwhile job opportunity. Justuman tshirts were made of a basic American Apparel design with humanitarian slogans printed upon them; we didn't sell many but they weren't embarrassing to wear or to try to sell, so all was good.

A lot better than I had previously predicted in an article for Parlons magazine, which I am now an Editor I can add!! My article was published just before Christmas and was based on both my predictions for modelling at Vegan day and the prospect of ever having to 'suffer' a vegetarian Christmas again. Originally printed with 200 words cropped off the end (?) it has now been corrected on the website... http://parlonsonline.wordpress.com/ My previous articles are fashion related having been on PFW AW 10/11.

The highlight of the whole day was being able to watch/ hear the main speakers; there was an American ladies cyclist champion, a French doctor, an American travel writer and many more but my favourite had to be 'The Discerning Brute'. We were perfectly positioned at the left of the exhibition room to observe the talks in front and ahead, to sell to circling passer-bys, and to smell the pretty lush products to the right, the dairy free cakes infront and the questionable non-meat kebabs on the opposite side of the hall.

Joshua Katcher's name I still remember now, as the discerning brute he gave an educational presentation on animal cruelty used in fashion marketing as well as the cruelty involved in the production of clothing.

This photo of mine shows how he talked about live animals being used like 'sex' to sell fashion to the masses. It was shocking that no matter how trivial you thought of the subject he had such numerous examples to convince even the furriest of fur wearers to think twice.

It was illuminating to realise how many top end designers lie about using real fur, advertising their clothes as faux fur. As it's cheaper, better quality and better sounding these designers constantly abuse our trust that a higher price tag equates to us believing in transparency and quality.

A picture from his website of the day... Our 'stall' was next to the window.

His blog is wonderful: http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/. He scours America, and Europe for eco friendly clothes whilst commentating on restaurants and other hideouts for vegetarians and vegans alike.

I couldn't believe he was so good looking; but that's probably due to the fact that unlike the majority there he wasn't trying to force soja down my throat.

He also ran the 'fashion show' bringing in vintage 'recycling' clothes with April 77 boutique fake leathers, and the more common hippiesque stereotypes we are used to.

It was amazing to think that a vegan not only just eats non-animal products but also has to not wash/ make-up with animal tested or contributed products and wear no silk, no leather, no wool, only certain cottons and other animal attributed materials.

Our Justuman stall was next to some pretty Lila Cerise handbags, 'Lila' herself was tucking in to some McDonald's fruit which I did tell her despite being fruit may just well be seen as inappropriate: we shared a common meat love, both going hungry at lunch bar some chocolate to snack on and we had each other to swap disdainful looks for the vegan brainwashing at times.

After Vegan Day, I was fairly bogged down with exams which I managed to fail despite working for them unlike others. But I did have a lovely week of parties and socials before a Christmas dinner with my Parisian friends.

To drown my sorrows of exam blues, I must admit quite a few beers and cocktails were consumed and I ended my Parisian year on a diet of McDonald double cheese burgers, chocolate and mint Cornettos and various alcoholic beverages... all washed down it beauty and style, obviously.

Jollying back to England for a long awaited art course I was met on my arrival by a dear friend for a necessary guilt free Starbucks, drinking from the commercial giant in Paris is equivalent to committing blasphemy or so I've been told.

First day to Schelay McCarter's Art Direction winter short course at Central Saint Martins, saw me nearly £400 poorer but in the company of some of the worlds brightest talent. Our aim for the week was to present a brief for an editorial photo shoot or branding campaign, having learnt about the fashion industry and its history especially in the realm of publications.

The first three days we listened dutifully to Schelay in the morning in lecture style conferences and in the afternoon watched fashion films as a way of advertising... one things for sure I want to be Marc Jacobs miracle love child and inherit his talent and WEALTH.

On the course we had to name a few some gorgeous Swedish girls both stunning and funny, a handsome and talented Mexican, a Portuguese stylist, a Maltese student... a Japanese girl no one could understand or could understand anyone else as well as girls from China, Greece, Germany, Russia and a guy from Spain. And not to forget my darling partner in crime from Amsterdam.

I was it turned out the only English rose, and a tainted one at that having turned by back on home for Paris lights.

My work for the week consisted of organising an editorial photosphoot for NYLON magazine on AW trends 10/11. I came up with a granny theme much to everyone's amusement yet this did give me a one up on the many 'lula' inspired shoots, in the original aspect.

I always like to go away from the norm.

I have omitted half of my concept boards to protect my coppppywrite... wouldn't want anyone stealing my A+ directions but here is an example of the presentation I gave to Schelay and fashion photographer Simon Bottomly.

The photo shoot title and copy

The design brief I created, presented and organised

The mood board I used to develop ideas

(One of the examples of) The hair styling and artist

(One of the examples of) The make up styling and artist

The clothes styling

(One of the examples of) The photographer

(One of the examples of) The model

(One of the examples of) The Location

(One of the examples of) The Art Direction

In a reference the lovely Schelay did say: "Alys has shown that she has potential to be an effective Art Director in the fashion promotion world... With excellent communication and people skillsand an instinctive feel for fashion and style trends Alys approached her

project research with professionalism and enthusiasm..." Great, now why am I doing French?!

Having done now a grounding in merchandising and photography I thought back to the Lafayette and Printemps Christmas windows I'd seen just a week before and I'm convinced I could done a better job...

I did like these film inspired windows, with music blaring from My Fair Lady to Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins depending on the display they managed to capture a large audience and effectively use all the window space effectively. Also able to show current trends in menswear, womenswear, childswear, homeware and lingerie.

The smaller puppet animated windows I was not as impressed with as apart from entertaining children they served no purpose and wouldn't have contributed to sales.

The reassuring Christmastime pink decorations were back but would it not be nice to see less recycling and maybe a new colour for a change? Red perhaps so Santa didn't clash.

Having rushed through a week in London with my international cool kids, it was back to Bristol and Bude to the humdrum of being home and catered for, Christmas and an inevitably messy New Years.. if I ever forgot where I was returning to in January my Mum reminded with helpful reading.

2010-11-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Paris Vegan Day

19-21 Rue Boyer

28 Nov. 11am - 9pm

I am modelling slogan tshirts. I have no idea how this is going to go.

Least said about it at the moment the better, maybe...

www.parisveganday.fr if you want to have a look.

Dear Santa...

2010-11-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

As it is snowing in Paris now, I feel it is okay to ask for number 1 christmas wish.

Please turn me into a wildfox girl!

If that's too much to ask, then a t-shirt would be fine.

Fudge you Tony.

2010-11-26T01:58:00.000-08:00

Completely UNRELATED.

But anyone can appreciate how cool this school is for this SCARFACE remake.

Take me back there NOWwwww.

2010-11-26T01:23:00.000-08:00

So I went to sleep last night realising all kinds of cool stuff I'd left out: must have been tiredness, having eaten too much icecream and a little bit of anxiety... And the fact that with my mish mash of a blog it is quite possible they were mentioned way back when I had heard of them.

For starters, PAILLERON ice rink is playing host to a whole bunch of out-of-this-world djs.

Next up EdBanger on the 3rd of December.

This would make an insanely cool ice disco if only I could ice skate without ending up in A&E.

For mains, Paris this November is home to 'Mois de la Photo' and...

'Mois de la Photo OFF'

...so that leaves you a few days to scrounge and rummage for the last photo exhibitions. Anyone could've exhibited and anywhere: look out for one of the one hundred and one 'OFF' artists as this is the edgier fringe festival. Probability is you, like myself, have probably walked past an exhibtion without realising or even through one as they have also taken over public places.

Having already been and gone this is a taster of what is out there to snatch up before December...

Episode 20 - L'Atlas - Mois de la Photo OFF from ICONOMANIE on Vimeo.

And for dessert, I'd heard this song a few fair weeks ago and it has been on my ipod since. Mainly for walking around in the cold and the dark under street lights. You know those kind of Paris nights? Well I found: vey cool video. It has me hynotized. Massive attack meets John Cocteau's 1930 Legacy 'Le sang d'un Poète'.

BOGOF

2010-11-25T15:02:00.000-08:00

PAST ITS SALE BY DATE

NOT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION?

...not on this blog!

Remember as always to keep reading down down down as old posts may, should and will contain details of events in the close and far future even if the one before may have errrm happened.

'If They Come' is just one big jumble sale of BOom Ting information in no rhymable reasonable or logical fashion or order.

Bon Nuit. XXX

Something for the weekend?

2010-11-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

Basement Jaxx

26 Nov. Social Club

Tickets 18€ on Digitick

I haven't mentioned or gone to Social Club in awhile and this makes me sad:

neither will I be able to tomorrow night.

But if I could I would: no sign of a DJ set, so this looks actually promising! I think I have blogged about Basement Jaxx before saying 'very good show' old chap!

2010-11-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

Until 20th Feb

Maison Victor Hugo

6 Place de Vosges

As part of November "Month de la Photo (OFF)" the Maison Victor Hugo has put together an expo exploring the link between writers and photographers.

(good one for Langue/Image/Music students)

Three different collections including obviously works from Victor Hugo, but also George Sand, Samuel Beckett and Alexandre Dumas.

Don that Hat Darling!

2010-11-25T14:27:00.000-08:00

St. Catherine's Day 25th November

So today is St. Catherine's day; what is that? I hear you say.

The day where women under 25 go out wearing hats and search for husbands, of course!

Girls traditionally left there workshops early, dressed in their glad rags and specially made hats and strolled around town as a welcome change and relief... Girls participated in devotion groups of their garidenne St. Catherine and would place their hats on her statues, only leaving the groups when married and under the protection of their new husbands!

X Factor INSPIRED

2010-11-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

X Factor has been known to massacre songs, but it also serves to remind us certain songs exist. With the help of my trusty music blogs I refound this Beatles song which has been remixed by A.Skillz; contemporary and party-worthy. And Mike Posner has also been a recent guilty pleasure after Cher started and then failed to sing his song 'Cooler than me' at the judge's houses, as a fan of dubstep this remix is quite a dirty change to his sweet with swagger version...

At least here you'll find no idiot Katie collapsing/giving up on life on stage.

2010-11-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Gruff Rhys "Secret" FrEE show

29 Nov

Point Ephémère

Super soft voice Gruff Rhys is solo artist who has collaborated with many groups such as the Super Furry Animals. Really cute innocent welsh sound similiar to Belle & Sebastien, Taken by the Trees and the likes (obviosuly without the welsh though!!..). I like.

He's in Paris performing a 'secret' gig on Sunday if you can catch it at Canal Saint Martin, I would!

CandyLion: Blue Peter eat your heart out; I love, miss and adore you.

nothing to do with Paris but...

2010-10-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Waaaaaaaaay LATE link to Cheryl Cole New Album Material

She nailed her performance on Xfactor. Yet again... Good Girl!

2010-10-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

Tough Love Records: " In cities where people still laugh at the clothes of others, difference is considered a weakness and progression measured in chain store volume, bedrooms become portals that the immediate outside cannot offer. Up in those closeted sanctuaries you discover who you are, shoulders curled forward over screens amidst the foggy dream of other worlds. "

2010-10-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

CHOCOLATE GALORE

We had seriously, with every effort and intention wanted to go this 'salon du chocolat' last year but being lazy first years we didn't get our tickets in time. This year with them already being 12.50€ on FNAC we are on form to finally going to this chocoholics dream.

Featured in Simon Kitson's favourite history programme Blood and Chocolate with the awe inspiring, I kid you not Sandrine Voillet, this salon means business!

So armed with your ticket, from the 28th Oct to 1st Nov, turn up to porte de versailles with a sneaky container and steal samples from the many chocolate sellers. There are speakers, demonstrations, lessons and tastings. As well as the semi finals of the world chocolate masters competition, the international cocoa awards, the chocolate fashion parade and many french tv and cinema personalities walking around, making the most of the free chocolate!

Buy One Get One Free.

2010-10-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Henry Moore Exposition @ Musée Rodin

Until 27th Feb. 10am- 5.45pm

Buy One Get One Free 6.30€ Tickets on DIGITICK

I've seen posters up for this exhibtion all over the metro: reminiscent of A-level art where we'd jump in the car and head to have a look at good ol' Babara Hepworth. Set in beautiful gardens next to the sunny beach it was always a good trip out; after GCSE's my parents took me away for the weekend to a spa at St Ive's, The Tate and Hepworth were a must even then. Fluid shapes, polished surfaces: organic, natural and friendly, it makes sense the two and fellow ben nicholson were all in cahoots. There is just something nice, unpresuming and calming about their sculptures.

DIGITICK drew my eye to the one and only Katy Perry!

At the Zenith

7th Mar. 2011

For... 50€

OUCH! That's one very expensive ticket in one very big place so one MAJOR rip-off. What a shame considering she is such a girl crush of mine! If only she'd stop doing crazy things to her hair, be blonde and gain a few more stones we could be twins! Ah one day.

Definately not her best song or video it seems but the whole album seems pretty Paris inspired so we can let her off!

I don't know where to start?!

2010-10-22T07:38:00.001-07:00

Maybe where we left off...

Mystery Jets were A.Mazing and I was a very surprised girl. La Maroquinerie was definitely a good venue; you could chill on the sides or at the back with a great view and a perfectly intact drink or you could still shuffle around a bit at the front as the crowd's not too intense. They played pretty much 1 song on the new album to every 1 'older' song which was great for me: not the biggest fan in the world... But newly converted.

Recently I've started going to 'spoken word' in Belleville: every Monday an open poetry night in a small culture café. Featuring famous/ published poets, prose and song writers alongside new poets and us ordinary folks who just have writing as a hobby, it's a really relaxed supportive and chilled atmosphere. Highlights from last Monday were: regular speaker Michaele and his poems based on irreality and American poets and author Laura Mullen and Jennifer Dick...

Topics from miscarriage, war to xray volleyball players were covered in haiku, slam, beat and many more styles... Drinks are fairly cheap as well which always helps for dutch courage or just to go with the ambiance!

http://spokenwordparis.blogspot.com/

Helena and I befriended a South Sfrican, living in Amsterdam but stranded in Paris poet: beautiful voice and a great poem considering he hadn't started 5 minutes before he got called for his turn.

Last Tuesday we (ULIP art soc) went to a vernissage for the opening of 'FRESH HELL' at Palais de Tokyo... didn't really understand alot of the concepts but there were free cocktails, whisky and beer which made the modern art a little more interesting or should I say engaging. Artists were given a 'carte blanche' to create whatever they felt like: resulting in video installations, sculpture, paintings and various other medias. Always a beautiful space, filled with beautiful people; a definite productive use of a day off lectures. Show your yellow student card and you get a reduced entry rate of only 1€, 12pm till 12am Tuesday to Sunday!

http://www.palaisdetokyo.com

'you are alone SLOW DOWN you have no one to please but your...'

and yes they are jeans filled with concrete

and yes that is a tower of film/photo film.

Métro: Iena

PppppS. Going to Palais de Tokyo is worth it just to play with their fun photo booth for 2€!

Just remember as soon as you put your money in it starts and there really is no telling when the next flash is going to come; a couple of attempts are normally needed!

Okay and now for what's coming up:

I made some quick notes the other day on the metro;

Hurts @ la trabendo. 29th Oct. 26.40€

SoulWax and 2Manydjs @ Grande Halle de la Villette. 23th Dec

The Swell Season @ La Cigalle. 13th Oct

Usher @ Bercy. 24th Jan

Vampire Weekend @ Zenith. 17th Nov. 35€

Scissor Sisters @ Casino de Paris. 4th Nov

Mark Ronson & Business Int @ La Cigalle. 19th Nov. 25€

As you can see they are in no particular order and missing a lot of information but they are all quite self explanatory (some are definitely not worth going to and some very much so)... unfortunately the only one to get my pulse going was soulwax; and as they are the eve of Christmas eve, may just be at home with the parentals.

23rd Nov. H&M Champs Elysées and more!

Lanvin and H&M's first collaboration follows in the many footsteps of Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel and my favourite... Jimmy Choo (and more). Having queued up for one of these shopping events before, and if you know anyone who is planning to, I have a few tips...

1. Get there REALLY early: 6am got me there just in time. They have a very strange and specific order of doing things; they will let the queue form and grow but for Jimmy Choo they only let the first 100 in, they also split the 100 into groups of 10 meaning if you were in 1-10 the world was your oyster, 90-100 and you got the leftover scraps!

2. Take coffee, a book and an umbrella!! It rained, we were there for hours and bored: I made friends with a Chinese Canadian, we shared an umbrella and a pack of sweets whilst waiting in the cold, dark and rain.

3. Don't underestimate people! I was quite close to the front and therefore didn't really need to push, girls behind me were fighting; there was hair pulling, spitting and scratching: you name it!

All for a pair of these...

Knowing the drama of H&M + Designer I would say stay away but for the chance to get my hands on Lanvin, I'm tempted or simply like some big burly Choo buying men were; selling it for double on Ebay straight after...

Chelsea Girls by Andy Warhol

1st Dec. 7pm. 8th Dec 2pm. 15th Dec 5pm.

CNAC Georges Pompidou

6€/ 4€ Reduced Tariff

http://www.centrepompidou.fr/

Screening of Andy Warhols 60's film: split onto two screens, the film portrays the 'scraps' of life pulled together from rooms at the Chelsea hotel. I haven't seen it so I'm going to try and make it over there as a Christmas treat to myself.

If you like Warhol you may for some reason like Hockney.

His first exhibition in over 10 years here in Paris and it's an unusual ground breaker:

David Hockeny Les Fleurs Frâiches @ La Fondation Pierre Bergé, YSL

Tuesdays to Sundays until 30th Jan. 11am-6pm

5€

Over 300 paintings made solely from an Ipad or Iphone; shown on a brand new screen of 'ravishing' colours. http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/david-hockneys-fresh-flowers/

I love this song today... MIA Steppin' Up Nacey Remix

I swear everything she touches turns to gold. This girl is just too cool; the clothes she wears, the music she makes, the art she's famous for: winning the 'alternative turner prize', the uni she went to, the man she's engaged to... I'd happily have her life.

And I was loving this song yesterday...

Really chilled, pretty dreamy; perfect for anytime I need to zone out. Their albums are always my metro soundtrack, that and HotChip lets not forget. This song is amazing with a heavy bass... Too cool.

It would be perfect for a surf/ skateboarding video and I have to share this next video as it's new and it's home in a nutshell: the polar opposite of Paris, and you can see my house. Well you would be able to if it wasn't all filmed floor height. Makes me slightly homesick. And I don't even skateboard.

Totally different tangent now but:

In this months 'A Nous' they have the most beautiful designer treats and trickeries.

Galliano rose and ginger macarons from Ladurée: 14 for 38€ Anyone want to buy me a present? Love you forever?

I need this Issey Miyake Evian to keep my Lagerfield diet coke company! Next time I happen to be in a Miyake boutique I'll have to remember to pick one up... hmmm?!

Slightly more realistic is Elizabeth Hurley's new food range; at 1.5O€ I can manage this bite of celebrity culture! But hopefully without the bananas, eurgh.

I feel I should mention these InRockuptibles posters up around Paris at the minute: it appears to be a festival but no no, a festival weekend of which a fair of the gigs I haven't mentioned above this post without realising and in the post previous I believe. I would just quickly like to add these dates to the diary as they look good man.

BeachHouse, and others @ La Cigale. 4th Nov. (starting FROM) 7pm. 29.60€

The Drums, and others @ La Cigale. 5th Nov. 7pm.

The Coral, and others @ La Cigale. 6th Nov. 7pm

Kele, and others @ La Cigale. 7th Nov. 7pm. 29.60€

LCD Soundsystem, and others @ Zenith. 8th Nov. 7pm. around 40€

By the way, Kesha and James Blunt are in Paris within the next couple of months: but that is all I will say as I would rather... do many horrible things to myself before my ears got close enough to hear a whisper of their... ./

And/ But the new album by Matt and Kim is out the 2nd Nov

That will be good and for now their website is cool to waste time

http://mattandkimmusic.com

2010-10-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Next UP...

Professor Green and Guest @ Nouveau Casino
1 Nov. 7.30Pm
22€ from FNAC

Pop Rap Hip Hop Soul Funk... this boy covers all bases. Is still fresh and not that bad. I quite like to laugh at him; the music can be cheesey, his voice irritating but suprisingly catchy and good feeling and he uses good samples from other people. Oh and have I mentioned before that I LOVE Nouveau Casino: those chandeliers and small space: yum yum yummy!

Travis McCoy and Bruno Mars @ Nouveau Casino

3 Nov. 7.30Pm

26€ from FNAC

I wanna be a billionnaire so FRICKING bad...
Well that was a summer song wasn't it. I think it says it all.

109 Rue Oberkampf
Métro; Parmentier or Ménilmontant

(Photos on older posts.....)
Bus; 96

2010-10-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Tout Le Monde!

Film update: Bercy UGC Cinema is €3.90 per screening for the time being, as is MK2 Bibliothèque and probably many more (these are the ones close to me)... I am making the most of it by going to watch the new film Kaboom tonight with friends.

A little sexual awakening film is always good for a sunday evening. I do have this months film reviews but I'm still pressed for time at the minute so that can be saved 'till tomorrow.

Just took a walk down to our market on the corner (Daumesnil) and was greeted by some adorable micro-pigs.

So watch out at your local food market as there may be some of these cuties hanging around: however hopefully in real life form and not in sausages! This market did put me off my planned run around Bois de Vincennes though: too many people stood gawping for my liking. Shame as today is perfect for swan and people watching by the lake.

Other news, whilst I'm rambling: I have just booked tickets this week for Biffy Clyro 2nd Nov at La Boule Noire...

and Mystery Jets this tuesday at La Maroquinerie..

Excited muchly: two very small venues and two cheap tickets.

And finally, for those who like sport, friends have just booked tickets for Paris vs Toulon rugby for 5€ at Stade de France: sounds like a good deal to me. Although I'm personally not too bothered.

There are also tickets available for an upcoming game/ match whatever between France vs Australia (starting from 15€).

2010-02-01T07:22:00.001-08:00

So everyone has a blog these days; I may as well get in on the action.

About me; English girl in Paris. Done.