vendredi 11 novembre 2011

Heaven is a place on earth with you

Don't know if it's the season, the weather or the moon, or only because I just had to learn how to let it go with a beautiful love, but I'm kind of obsessed with this song right now...

mercredi 1 juin 2011

Thanks

One shall never forget to thank the universe, God or life for what we have. I bump into so many people all the time that complain about the life they have, the bad things happening to them, etc, it's actually scary. (Specially here in Paris, where complaining seems to be a national sport)

Every morning, I open my eyes and I give my gratitudes. I thank life for giving me another day, and I pray to get the best out of it. Maybe happiness is in the details, in these little glimpses of happiness you get along the way. And one shall not be blind not to see it. My life is a blessing, I am what I want to be, every day and precious and can make a difference. Every night before I turn off the light I try to remember the little miracles that happened during the day (and, believe me, there are plenty...), and I read a page of this tiny little book: Inner Wisdom by Louise Hay.

Today I fell in love with the cover of the last Oprah Magazine issue. How can a magazine convey to the needs and to the tastes of women so different across the globe? Whatever you social, education, racial, religious background, women feel like it's been written for them. This is a magazine that should exist for the French as well, to teach them a bit how beautiful life is.

Today I wish you inspiration, gratitude and grace...

mercredi 27 avril 2011

One day my geek will come

To all my single friends who are still waiting for the Geek of their life, here is a new website they should check out:


dimanche 17 avril 2011

A Vogue Idea

I've always been a magazine's collector, and, if I really have to throw them away (one needs to move from times to times), I always keep my favorite pictures or articles.
This is a serie I've been going back quite often recently. Is it because of my last break-up with someone with who I could not have stayed with more than a short period of time, though I really like him, but these images do move me a lot.
It is taken from the US Vogue, July 2010 issue, and the subject is called "Magnificent Obsession". I mean, since when does Anna Wintour makes emotion now?
Wether it's her, Grace or Peter Lindberg (his first subject in Vogue since 18 years now), but these pictures exude so much emotion, one reads it like a movie....

At the beginning they look like the perfect American family from the 60s.


 But soon some shadow is spreading over their perfect couple.
 Maybe her bright smile while talking to this younger boy says it all.
 It's heartbreaking to look over one's shoulder, who observes his wide stepping away from his family.
 Their attitude is very significant; him, the strong man who seems defeated, cannot even look at her, while she seems embarrassed, one can tell from her pout, her shoulders and her pointy feet.

 Then finally she has the courage to leave him, and go back to work. The party is over, but this last picture exudes so much strength and freedom.


Vogue US, July 2010

dimanche 10 avril 2011

Stolen Moments

Few days ago, I found myself with an hour free between a business meeting and a cocktail party.
One hour doing nothing, for how long it did not happen to me?
What was I going to do?
I've been already to Flottes twice that day, and although I really like it, I decided to discover a new place.
I work rue Saint Honoré, Paris 1st, which is quite the center of the center in Paris.
I followed the advices of a customer, and went to the salon de thé hidden on the 1st floor of the Hotel Vendome, which is Place Vendome, 1.
Delicious place...
I was the only customer for an hour, and dear, I really enjoyed this peace...
 I was spoiled by the charming maître d'hôtel, and I had the lovely place all for myself.
I found this cute book (I must admit, the lovely cover attracted me first...), about vintage, dresses and the way you look can change your life. Sounds like the story of mine!

The whole decoration of the Salon de Thé looks like a Dior showroom in the 60s, or like the movie Quadrille, which is one of my favorite. I'm not even sure it has been translated into English, or I'm not even sure it's possible to translate it into English, the dialogues being so French, and so old fashion in the loveliest way ever.
Few pictures of the movie, anyway, just for the pleasure. It is such a master piece, each image seems gorgeous...



Hôtel de Vendome,
1 Place Vendome,
Paris 1st
Salon de thé located on the 1st floor.

mercredi 30 mars 2011

Mademoiselle en Fleur

Between the colors and the flowers that haunt me nowadays, it seems that every pore of my skin is screaming for Spring!
Thank you Marie Claire Italia for celebrating Spring!









Credits Xevi Muntané for Marie Claire Italia

dimanche 27 mars 2011

Color Power

Have you ever noticed that colors can actually make a real impact on your mood?
Wearing bold colors actually give me so much energy, I tend to always look more like a parrot than a sicilian widow.
It gets you noticed too, but in a nice, and funny way, you can feel people are nicely surprised to see someone having the courage to wear colors.
Poster from this lovely Etsy boutique.

I've discovered the power of colors, living for about 5 years in a country were women are covered with black, even with 50 degrees outside. Now that I am back to Paris, I notice with despair that French women like black, grey and fade colors just as much, even if they're free to wear anything else here.
But as the French Vogue, then Elle, Madame Figaro and all the other boring magazines have announced, color block is the trend of the season!
Which makes me wonder if I'm truly happy about it... Not that I'm happy to come across mini-me versions every where in the capital. But after a season, when everybody will be back to their boring sad colors, I'll look old-fashion, which is even worst than looking trendy I guess...

jeudi 17 mars 2011

Detox anyone?

Yesterday morning, my daily happiness moment was all set: having my first coffee in ages.
Being on a detox diet for 9 days, it meant a lot to me.
But when I arrived at my new neighborhood favorite coffee shop, Kooka Boora, I was really shocked to hear the news: the coffee machine was down, and they were waiting for the handyman to fix it.
Nevermind, I got to stick to my detox diet and had a beetroot/orange/carrot/ginger mix instead.
My delicious- but yet surprising- detox juice

And so did all the people that stepped into the coffee shop that morning.

Not only did I follow my diet, but so did all my neighborhood.
And maybe it's me, but I felt people were more relaxed reading their newspaper that morning, their faces less tensed, some were even engaging conversation with their neighbor, or only commenting on the surprising beetroot juice (not really in the French culture), but I felt the detox was somehow working on everyone...
The handyman should not have bothered to come that day.

mardi 15 mars 2011

Fruit Salad

What if, happiness after all was not all about "when I'll get this", "when I'll be that"...
But only a succession of small gifts life is offering you?

Saturday morning, I'm having my usual breakfast on the café terrace across the street.
On a detox plan that's killing me since 5 days, I am about to dive into the divine fruit salad I prepared for myself, when an old lady passes by.
I don't know why, but I always smile to old ladies. And this one looks particularly charming, and... old.
Our eyes meet, our smiles answer to one other.
And then she goes:
- You are so pretty with your fruit salad! It reminds me of Bourvil*! Do you know Bourvil?
And she starts singing:
- Salade de fruits, jolie jolie...

She made my day.
I only regret I was not quick enough to invite her to sit with me.
Guess where you'll find me next Saturday morning, looking for an old lady who sings?

* An actor/singer/comic you cannot know if you are not above 50 years old and French.

dimanche 13 mars 2011

Of Men and Gloves

It's hard to tell why I like Vintage so much. Is it the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of the discovery, the story behind each item, the tough negotiation...
I like to know, or otherwise to imagine, where my treasure comes from, where it has been, in which condition it was bought,... I am very inventive when it comes to giving life to a mere piece of fabric.

Last week-end there was a flea market in my street.
As always, I like to chat with the sellers and try to know "the stories".
I found some fabulous pieces, but my best treasure is the story of "the Man and the Glove Box".
I bought some gorgeous laces from the 19th century to a delicious lady, Mrs Monique S (her stand is called 'Wardrobe Secrets')
When I asked her for the gloves, she had to reach for the glove box which was out of sight.
As I was diving into it, she told me the story.
It's been at least 3 years, every time she exposes (meaning about 18 times a year), she gets the visit of a man, about 55 to 60 years old, who comes and goes straight to her glove box on display. Then he spends one hour detailing the content of the box, looking carefully at each glove, one by one, to replace them all in the box and leave without a comment. After about 3 years, she starts to find this game a bit strange or fishy, and therefore keeps a lid on the box, and keeps it away from the display.
Last time he came, about a month ago, he was speechless to see the box covered, out of reach. He did not dare asking the lady if he could have a look, and left empty-handed.
She hasn't seen him this week-end, he hasn't come to the rue des Martyrs market.

This story gets my imagination running. I find it extremely romantic, and I'm sure there is a beautiful story behind. Maybe he is looking for a lost glove from a pair, maybe he is looking for gloves which belonged to his true love, maybe it is the gloves his mother used to caress him with he is looking for desperately. Suddenly I wish I could meet this man and know more about his story. It sounds like the beginning of a book.

The Glove Box from Wardrobe Secrets, by Mrs Monique S.


It also reminded me a short story I have read few weeks ago, called 'The Dreamer from Ostende' by the talented Eric Emmanuel Schmidt.

Flirting is in our genes

A super cute video made by Benefit to promote the benefits of a nice smile and translate body language. Nothing new under the sun, but it's just super cute...

jeudi 10 mars 2011

Spring is in the Air...

Winter does not seem to end...
I feel like Spring again, the rebirth of nature, running in flower fields...

These polaroïds by Kristen Dunst for Boy by Boy of Outsiders make me dream of Spring...

And to celebrate the seasons, here is the song that's always cheering me...

mercredi 9 mars 2011

Mmmh...

Tonight, I feel in the mood for... some jazz...
You know these evenings, when you like to get cosy, few candles, some wine (I wish, I'm on a serious detox plan right now!)...
I cannot really tell if it's the detox that is pulling me down, or last night's date that keeps me guessing, but I felt quite nostalgic all day. Like when you feel something is coming, and you have to be prepared. Therefore, this week, I'm paying all my bills, getting all my dues, cleaning up my apartment and finally getting this ibook fixed.
God knows what is coming to me now, but I just feel like embracing it...

dimanche 6 mars 2011

Learning French

For those who want a taste of Paris, and wonder wether they should learn French...

vendredi 4 mars 2011

Be inspired...

I've spent my whole night thinking over many things last night.
After 8 months in Paris, it's about time for an appraisal.
Am I happy, happier, happiest?
Have I found what I was looking for? Do I know what exactly?
I realize how spoiled am I, but is it about time to stop dreaming, and get back to reality?
So many questions...

Here is a little inspiration to kick off this cold but sunny day in Paris...
I like to read it sometimes, when I feel a bit blue...
Have a fantastic week-end!

jeudi 3 mars 2011

Today is -already- another day

Today, for the first time in years, I feel a bit down.

When the Galliano-gate is on everyone's lips during this Paris boring fashion week, who honestly cares about the lousy Oscars ceremony, the 2012 French elections and the potential wannabe/don't wanna tell candidates or Jen Aniston's new haircut (was last week's buzz, which means, 23 years ago already).
Honestly, is it a reflection of our times, or are the medias running out of news?

For having been living in a non-democratic country for years, I guess I must have crystallized about how skilled and professional were the journalists, and the news back home.
Alas, it is with great sadness I realize it was a view from my mind.

A bad flu is putting me down today, and when I woke up this morning, I've head the sad demise of a Great Woman I truly admired, Janine, who has been fighting with illness for years.
God bless her.
No wonder I do not want to hear the rumours of the world today, shall it leaves me alone.
Forget me.

I wish we were already tomorrow morning.

lundi 28 février 2011

Bubbly week!

A secret admirer recently sent me this picture, saying he immediately thought of me. Well, I do not really know how to take it, but that's cute, so here it is!
Have a bubbly week everyone (here, fashion week kicks off, which means a lot of work in perspective...)!

dimanche 27 février 2011

Sundays are for lovers

And what if life is all about changing your coffee shop?
New coffee shop, new perspectives?
One of my favorite pleasures during the week-end, when I happen to be in Paris, is to buy the press and settle at the terrace of the coffee shop across the street. I just adore sinking in the news, getting drunk with the crazy rumours of the world, being ravished by the colors of Elle...
There are so many things to express, and so little to say.
And what if happiness is all about this kind of little pleasures?
My boiling café-crème, the first bite in my almond croissant, picking up the grains of sugar on the table,  finding a coin under my chair, chitchatting with the garçon de café, with my old neighbor, with the florist, the baker, the janitor...
Some times ago, an ex pretender would get upset with me sinking in the newspapers on Sunday without paying attention to him, he thought we would soon look like an old couple, having nothing to say to each other. Well, truth is that I realized I actually had nothing to say to him anymore, and the problem was soon solved. I still enjoy my reading on Sundays, and I'm better alone.
But this morning, there was no more table for me at my favorite spot. We had to find another one, which happened to be even sunnier than my usual one.
At least Gizmo lets me read Le Monde and Elle, while he is sunbathing. I gained fresh ideas on a problem that is torturing me, a wise decision, and some freckles on my nose.
New terrace, new perspectives.

Gizmo sunbathing at the terrace of Café M, 1 rue de Maubeuge, Paris 9th, Sunday 27 February, 10h24 am.

vendredi 25 février 2011

A touch of Glamour

I know it's been all over the net few weeks ago, but someone I love* once said "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield into it". Therefore, I cannot resist to share this video with you.


It is the first Tom Ford RTW woman show in years...
Even though I am not a Fordesque-fan, I must admit I was quite impressed by his movie last year, "A single Man", which, for many reasons, and not only the performance of Colin Firth, really moved me. And his boutique palaces I have visited in Milan or Dubai reflect an opulence and a bravoure that one should underline in such a difficult time.
But it is not the clothes that capture my imagination and ravish me in this show, it is the glamour that exudes from every plan.
I have no idea if the real life show was that fantastic, but Mr Ford took 3 months to prepare and polish this video, which is the best teaser, and the best PR ever on a collection.
Only divas, or "women who inspire him" were featuring his clothes, and they seemed to enjoy every moment. Known for his attention to each detail, Mr Ford left nothing to the unknown: the mesmerizing music by Karen Elson, Terry Richardson shooting the divas, the bright red lipstick and big smiles on all lips... Karen, Daphne, Julianne, Natalia, Emmanuelle, Marisa, all seemed to enjoy the champagne, the party and... -one hopes- the fashion.

* you surely have recognized Oscar Wilde, haven't you?

mercredi 23 février 2011

Welcome Home!

Welcome to my new blog, which is the English "reflection" of my French blog Mademoiselle Fanny A Paris!
Here I attend to share my passion of Paris, travelling, shoes, art, books and many other things!

After many years spent away from home (I've been living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, these past 6 years), I've finally returned to Paris. Maybe that's why I have a special eye on Paris and Parisian situations, I'd like to share here.
Also, I consider myself blessed and I cannot be thankful enough for the luck I have. My life here seems like a dream, and even though I have no f%*¨)&@ idea what projects I will kick of, I know i am exactly where I should be right now....

Last but not least, after 5 years in a melting pot such as Dubai, I have many friends from everywhere in the world (Peru to Taiwan, South Africa to Japan, San Francisco to Beyrouth) who want to know what to do and where to go in Paris the second time around, once you've seen and visited all the touristic shitty places such as Champs-Elysées, and Eiffel Tower. For your information, a real Parisian never goes there, unless there is a really good reason. Instead I will whisper you insider's secret about Paris, crème de la crème addresses where to go, what to do,... so you'll soon feel home in a place like Paris!

So follow in my footsteps, and enjoy!

PS: Although I'm a French national, I'll try to write in English, so excuse my French, sometimes.