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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Slapsgiving everyone!

 

I woke up this morning hoping that it would snow today, but truth is: I'm wearing a sleeveless top.  It's crazy to think that this year is the first time I'm hosting a Thanksgiving dinner and I'm very excited about it. I usually fly back to Europe to spend time with my family.
A special thought to my friend Rick in Germany: it's probably his first Thanksgiving away from home. We'll toast to you today!

This year, I'm thankful for having a caring family, fun friends, a smart-cute-funny-talented husband and great projects to work on. What are you thankful for?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A mermaid got married


Remember my friend Mermaid Audrey?

Well, she got married last July. I know it's about time I share the pictures. The wedding took place in Gers, in the south of France where one of the main attractions is foie gras. Needless to say that when she announced her engagement I booked a one-way ticket right there.

The point is: she wore a gorgeous Lanvin—right under the knee—dress. She looked as stunning as she was relaxed and fun to hang out with that day, like almost any other day with her.

Congratulations Mermaid!

Holiday wish list #2


Careful there... not for tomboys.
Here it is: edition #2 of my holiday wish list.
Dear friends and family, please coordinate so I don't have to return duplicates. In advance, I thank you. And yes, I like necklaces and things that shine (just remind yourself I never wear it all at the same time).

1) Kate Moss for Topshop strapless dress. 2) Michel Varian gold necklace. 3) Faux fur cape. 4)Tulle Necklace. 5) Pasties from Agent Provocateur (it's the holidays for everyone after all). 6) Grey Necklace. 7) Faux fur earmuffs. 8) Multichain necklace. 9) Ysl Easy T Strap shoes.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Holiday wish list #1




For those of you who've been frantically asking me what I want for the holidays and for the others who haven't yet... Here's my holiday wish list #1. Yes #1. There will be many more.

1) Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag. 2) Cow rug by Maison de Vacances. 3) Champagne Flutes from the MOMA store. 4) A west village apartment in New York. 5) Casio watch in gold. 6) Bird ring by Kenneth Jay Lane. 7) Weekend luggage from Reiss. 8) Grey cape from Maje-Paris. 9) Fred flats from Christian Louboutin.

I'm cheesy



There's a reason why I moved to the United States more than 6 years ago and it didn't take me long to figure it out: the holidays!
Why? Because of how big trees are, how bright the lights are, how the stores are decorated, how good the food is, how romantic the movies are and most of all, because of the Christmas carols...Yes, I know how cheesy this sounds but it's okay: I am cheesy. The same way I cry in front of a stupid life insurance commercial, I dance watching Crispin Porter's new Gap Holiday commercial.
Nothing revolutionary but it feels oh-ho-ho so good.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Buro Beluga



 

Quatre Cinquieme was sent an email this week from a creative platform, Buro Beluga, based in Paris who specializes in sets and display windows. I was amazed by the talent and the level of creativity. Looking at their website, it made me want to switch career. They have done work for Les Galeries Lafayette the past two Christmas. It's inspiring, it's dreamy, it's Tim Walker-ish, it's well executed and I love the fact that they sent me an email. I hope our paths cross one day. Congratulations!

Please send your work to Quatre Cinquieme so we can all share great inspiring moments!

Friday, October 23, 2009

M.A.C.



Spotted in Soho this morning: M.A.C. cosmetics having a little gig at Bloomingdales for their new Magic, Mirth and Mischief line. It definitely attracted a big crowd, not to mention all the people stopping to take pictures...which created a pedestrian traffic jam.
Oh Soho Joys!!!
I'm digging the blond wig in the back. Could this be my Halloween costume? Just need two nice escort boys, any volunteers?

The final countdown



I've obviously been away too long from the streets of New York. After 10 days of intense work I've finally taken some time to walk around and sip a lemonade on a bench in the West Village this morning. The city has turned orange, literally ORANGE... and is reminding me that I still do not have a Halloween costume. And the clock is ticking. I've thought about dressing up as pumpkin, a disco ball even but seriously... Any suggestion would be a great help. What are you wearing this year? What were you wearing the previous years or what great ideas have you spotted on the street the past seasons?

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Apologies

 

Sorry for the lack of post these past days... but this is what's happening to me. I'll be back soon and I'm still piling up stories for you guys. I'll see you on the other side.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Fun Theory



My friend Boris posted this on facebook tonight and it made me smile so much that I have to post this here. Watch it, share it... It's cute and refreshing. It's called the fun theory initiated by Volkswagen and it's great viral marketing.

Black Alert


Looking closely at my wardrobe today, my eyes wide opened, I think I've finally found the reason why I'm having such trouble getting dressed in the morning. I do NOT own one piece that is not black, grey or white... Action needs to be taken. And I know for a fact that I am not the only one with this pattern... right Jennifer?

Monday, October 12, 2009

Little C.




Thank you Camille for such a great weekend!
Thank you for the prosciutto risotto, for the banana and chocolate tart, the smoothies, the lemon sauce chicken. You were a great chef this weekend, but careful not too become to bossy in the kitchen.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Attic treasures 2


I've had a great response to these family portraits this week, so I've selected a few more to share with you. Some many are great, it's a tricky editing process. But there will be more soon.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Friday Escape



Le Clos Bourdet in Honfleur
Two hours away from Paris in Normandie. The bed and breakfast is lovely, very nicely decorated if you are looking for something very French and the croissants are homemade in the morning. Don't miss the Saturday morning fresh market by the Church. If you are a gourmet and like fish, you MUST make a reservation at Sa.Qua.Na for an amazing eleven course dinner. Otherwise, just enjoy all the seafood restaurants every corner in the village.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

London Baby!

 


A few of my friends have recently moved to London and are trying to persuade some of us to move there as well. I would personally move back to Paris before moving to London. But in order to be fair play and show some interest in England I've decided to feature some great interior elements done with the Union Jack.

Frame from Maison de Vacances
Couch found on this great blog the urban lifestyle decor
Interior picture found on this other blog

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Greetings from Paris



Postcards are so 20th century...
I'm sending you Eiffel Towers from my hometown. xoxo, Alice.

1- Grid Eiffel Tower Chair at 3 Rings 2- Eiffel Tower Fabric at the Fabric Finder 3- Eiffel Tower sticker at Etsy 4- Eiffel Tower plexiglas chair at Barrocomundo 5- Eiffel Tower lamp at Absolument Design

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Halloween costume



Looking for inspiration for this year's Halloween costume party , I decided to go back to what makes me smile and I came across this. Here's a little video to cheer you up while eating your lunch in front of your screen. One of my favorite scenes of Singing in the Rain.

Now, I'm just missing a few good girlfriends to dress up the same and I'll let you know when rehearsal sessions start.

Too much


I confess: I have been a fan of Gossip Girl, but after last night's episode... I think I've had it. How many celebrities do you need to make a show exciting? None if the writing is good. And yesterday, we all had the "honor" to watch Hilary Duff, Tyra Banks and Tory Burch along with "Upper East Side's Elite". Too much, way too much. It felt like getting too much sun... you know this headache you get at the end of the day plus that orange tan-kind of like Serena's tan actually.

I think it's time to move on to something more appropriate.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Ah Paris!



Last week my friend Cécile went to France for a wedding.
Air France lost her luggage and she was left with a nice envelope full a AF' cash to make up for the "inconvenience". As a result Cecile, back in New York, arrived at a party last Friday dressed with the best clothes ever. People say French women dress better, this is not a myth. It's because they have great-almost affordable- brands that even New York does not have. (I'm not complaining New York, I'm just stating the truth). Among them: Maje and Sandro.

So, guess who's going to Paris tomorrow hoping Air France will put my suitcase on the Hong-Kong flight?  Needless to say, my luggage will be full of the clothes I was planning to give to the Salvation Army.
Mom, you can start cooking that incredible chocolate mousse. Dad, it's time you open those 1979 bottles of Bordeaux. Camille, please clean your room before Wednesday.

Attic treasures




About 10 years ago, one of my aunt found around 2400 pictures taken by my great great grand father. We had them scanned so we could all have access to this humongous treasure. Most of them are family portraits. I think they are absolutely terrific! So here are a few of my great grand mother. The weird part is... I looked exactly like her at the same age.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday treat



I like moving furniture around. Every 6 months I paint a wall in the apartment I live in. Last month was the lower half of the living room wall in cadmium red. Six months before it was in the dining area: chalk board paint that time. I don't know how long this can last... So until I move into a new place and paint new walls I'm looking for inspiration. Today, I'm craving bookshelves everywhere. This image comes from Maison de Vacances. They have a great store in Paris.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

+J



+J, Jil Sander's line at Uniqlo launched 2 days ago in the New York store. The poring rain has finally taken care of the ridiculous one hour line and I've managed to drag Thomas and Martin there after a well deserved brunch at the Odeon. So here is my selection: men, the gray suit looks very nice and if you're not a suit person, just grab the jacket. Women, well if you haven't been there already, probably all the good stuff –meaning the short khaki jacket I had an eye on– is gone by now BUT they have great black slim pants for $49.50, perfect for work.



Friday, October 2, 2009

Top three






Having dinner with some good friends the other night the subject came to movies that inspired us or left a huge impression on us while growing up. We all made our own list, didn't agree every time but it was a fun conversation and brought some great movies back on the table. So here's my top three along with a few pictures:

1) Singing in the rain
2) The Wizard of Oz
3) Death on the Nile

Please share yours with me.

Fall Craving



The one pair of boots you should fall for this season... with jeans, skirts and shorts. I've had an eye on these for a year now and am seriously considering the purchase. Brown, black or gray leather... they're available at Madewell.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Ricardo Mosner



I'm obviously in the illustration/painting mood today so I thought I would share the old but so good 2003 Lanvin advertising campaign painted by the talented Ricardo Mosner. Ricardo Hugo Mosner is a painter and sculptor from Argentina who has been living and working in Paris for over 40 years. Deeply inspired by his roots, his painting are colorful, figurative and a bit nostalgic.

If you ever wanted to get in touch with him, QC might be able to help you out. You know how to reach me...

I'll drink to that


When most of liquor and fashion ads are looking just exactly the same in magazines, a few brands still manage to stand out. This week's winner has to be the Grand Marnier illustration ad on the back cover of this week's New Yorker. It's fresh, fun and giddy.
Nice job Grand Marnier!

I've been trying to find who the illustrator is but no success. So if anybody wants to share the info with me, please...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Alonissos

Alonissos' Cemetery overlooking the water

my new friends Petros and Nikkos


Traveling on a plane with my man regularly means being ashamed of his giggling/ laughing to tears over the most stupid movies I usually manage to avoid in New York. A year ago, traveling back to Europe I had to watch Thomas (yep, that's his name) clap his hands with a bright smile on his face for 98 minutes while he was watching Meryl Streep and her 3 boyfriends dance around and sing on a Greek island. (by now, I fear you all know what movie I am referring to).

Well... I spent 10 days on the island in August. No exactly that island but the one next to it in the Sporades: Alonissos. To get there is hell (11 hour flight from New York/ 3 hour bus ride / 5-6 hour ferry), but once you've arrived you're in heaven. There was no electricity in the house and day after day I started to let my hair loose, walk bear feet, drink Resina, eat tiropita like there is no tomorrow... in other words transform myself into a hippie.

A real vacation.



Saturday, June 13, 2009

Arrivederci

I'm not sure everyone has noticed but things are changing this June.

1) I discovered my first white hair while brushing my teeth one morning.
2) my blogger friends are having a hard time writing posts more than once a week. Which actually might be a sign things are picking up...
3) And more importantly.... last week the famous and so iconic DKNY wall on West Houston and Broadway was painted over! I told some friends over dinner one night, nobody seemed to know what I was referring to (maybe I should get new friends). Any tourist in New York takes–or should I say used to take–a picture of this specific cross street in Soho. The twin towers were on that wall! And all of a sudden: ciao, bye-bye, arrivederci. It had been designed by Peter Arnell and up since 1992.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Family Trip




My parents try to visit every year in May.

So I decided to spice it up this year and organize a little family trip to Cape Cod, MA and Newport, RI over Memorial Day weekend. We left the city around 1:00pm on Friday which could not have been a worse idea. We were stuck in traffic for over 8 hours. Thankfully, the driver-my parents' son in law- is generally speaking a calm person and drove us all the way while I was in charge of the atmosphere. I started with Leonard Cohen that my father loves so much, then a little ABBA to cheer up my mother after 2 hours at Mile 15 (she loved the Mamma Mia movie so much, it's embarrassing). After loosing inspiration and my father asking for classical music, I decided to shut it off and start a game. The "Portrait" game where someone picks a personality and the other ones have to guess who it is by asking questions. Bad idea.... My mother would pick the most obvious celebrities and it would take us 2 seconds to guess. My father on the other hand would pick unknown polish scientists and then would argue that all of us are a bunch of ignorants.

We finally arrived in Harwich Port at 9:00pm at a very cute B&B, Captain's Quarters where any flower lover would feel they've reached heaven. My parents picked the pink flower curtains-pink flower cushions- pink flower pillows cases- pink flower rug- pink flower wallpaper paper- pink flower comforter room. We picked the green plants curtains-green plants cushions- green plants pillows cases- green plants rug- green plants wallpaper paper- green plants comforter room.

Over the two days we went for walks across the Cape, visited cutes places and had meals in different types of restaurants one of them being Bucca's where we had dinner twice. My mother is tall, skinny, and out of my 3 sisters and myself she has the greatest body. She cares about healthy food, olive oil and steamed vegetables. Well... the virus got to her over the trip (I'm not talking about the swine flu). I'm talking about my mother eating fried clams, fried calamaris, French fries, four cheese raviolis in a creamy mushroom sauce, goat cheese risottos... and don't get me started on the cheese cakes.

We left early on Monday to drive to Newport spend the day and cut the road in half. We went for the touristy walk on the harbor, had lunch there and then went to the Castle Hill Inn for dessert and coffee. We sat in Adirondack chairs and ended up spending the afternoon watching the sail boats on the water. We did absolutely nothing and it was just perfection. That's when I knew my parents were really happy.

One last thing: at some point on our way back to New York, I saw my mother take a serious look at a McDonald's drive-thru. (Yes Mom, I saw you!)

Friday, May 29, 2009

Warning!




Get Ready People...
After 2 crazy weeks, I'm about to make a major come back in the blogging world this weekend. No, I did not forget about you, I was just doing some research: and I mean all types of research.


Monday, May 18, 2009

Art-dvertising

A painting? No, this is the Expression of Joy.
BMW's latest and how refreshing advertising campaign is brilliant. They asked actor Robin Rhode to capture the joy and emotion of driving a Z4 on a massive canvas at the Downey studios, CA. Intricate paint dispensers captured the fingerprints of the Z4 as it drove across the space, using five colors: yellow, red, blue, green, and gray. The result looks just great but more than the result it's the concept, the experience and the message that BMW sends out that is just right in this time. Take the time to watch the video, but also the behind the scenes. It's time well spent.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Coney Island


I took Yvonne to Coney Island yesterday (how brave of me)... She sort of behaved. It took her about an hour to get ready and still managed to forget to put sunblock on.

We took the F train and went straight to the New York Aquarium. First, there was a sign that the walruses were "off" (they probably went to Manhattan for the day). Second, a class of 30 kids arrived at that same time. So we ran off and went for a walk because the amusement park wasn't opened yet. We sat on a bench and started talking the way only two good and old friends do. Meanwhile Yvonne still hadn't put sun block on. Then, we went to Brighton beach for lunch, sat at Tatiana's terrace, ordered a bottle a Sauvignon blanc to a Russian waitress who understood English as well as Yvonne does, ate a "Russian salad" that was as Russian as I am.

Yvonne took a little nap on the beach while I was taking pictures of people around. Asked a man if I could take a picture of his daughter, he answered I could take a picture of his son... Decided it was time to take off and look at the Cyclone from a bit closer. Yvonne chickened out when we were about to purchase $8 tickets for the roller coaster ride. She got into a fight with a man at a stand (clearly taking advantage of tourists), threatening her to call the cops.
That's when I decided the day was over. We quickly headed back to the train station.

We had a great day. Yvonne got back safe to Manhattan with a lobster tan and tank top marks. As for myself, I'm just hoping my pictures will turn out well this time.



Shoe Craving


I've scanned and kept these images from Eric Boman in my "what inspires me" folder. They were published in a British Vogue a few years ago. It's smart, it's fun, it's inspiring... a great way to tell a story. Eric Boman actually did a book for Manolo Blahnik in 2005, Blahnik by Boman: Shoes, Photographs, Conversations.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Day Dreaming #2


I had dinner with a bunch of friends and then didn't sleep enough last night. So of course, I'm day dreaming about what a nice bedroom would look like. High ceilings, high ceilings again... What I am really liking in this room is the wall covered with frames all from different materials and colors. It gives so much warmth to any space with a sense of life and a story behind each picture. I collect pictures from friends, from photographers I've worked with or when I have a coup de coeur from people I don't know. So when I get back home tonight Yvonne might see me with a hammer, knocking walls down, and hanging frames everywhere. I hear it's very relaxing...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Zebra Cruella

What does a pair of Azzedine Alaia Zebra shoes have to do with a Ford Mustang? Answer: me

I finally found an occasion to wear these amazing shoes.
As strange and tacky as this can sound, I'm a huge Ford Mustang fan. When I saw this zebra one on the street today I couldn't believe it. How stylish would it be to drive this car wearing those shoes? I know you're not suppose to match your shoes with anything, my mother would think this is poor taste and I'm probably never going to be driving this car but visually... this is too much fun.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Xuanmin Jin


My youngest sister lives in Shanghai.

She's there for 6 months and from what I hear, I think she's having the time of her life. Apparently Chinese people stop her in the street to take pictures with her (I told her she should charge them for that and pay her rent with it). Take Scarlett Johansson, take Blake Lively, put both of them in a shaker, add a ton of humor and kindness, shake-shake-shake and you get my sister Camille. Not bad, right?

Anyway, she sent me an email this morning with some unknown to me photographer work: Xuanmin Jin. He takes these black and white pictures and picks a few elements in the picture to color. It screams East meets West (or at least the Pop part of the West). I got an instant and strong reaction to these pictures and wanted to share this with you.

So what did I do next? I reminded Camille that my birthday was in February and that she kind of had not sent me anything this year... Will let you know what comes in my mailbox soon, he he he...

Monday, May 11, 2009

Arrgh!



Juliette is going to be so disappointed.

We talk blog together, but work also and give each other tips and advice from our own experiences. We usually meet at the pool, swim for 40 minutes and then exercise in the "exercise lane". That's when the conversations start. I have been telling her about this photo-reportage I want to do. We've been talking and talking about it. She's been great listening but most of all pushing me to stop talking about it and just do it (that would actually be a great line... hum).
So last Thursday, I did it. I took my camera. I took risks. Got yelled at by people. Hurt my hand rewinding the color film and today finally brought the film to the lab. You know this feeling you have when you have the pictures in your mind, and you're like a kid, impatient, so impatient to see the result. I made the lab hurry, I called twice to check they were on schedule. And they were... I got back to my office all sweaty with the negatives, rushed to my desk, turned the light table on... and there was nothing. Absolutely nothing, nada, niet!

Juliette, I don't know what happened. I've been using this same camera and same film for over a year and had great success with all of it. This is such a disappointment. And this is why I have nothing to show along with this post.

Jennifer Cecere




When I was in Art School in Paris and dreaming about what my life would be like... I thought I would be a painter or a sculptor, living and working in a loft space in New York, surrounded by talented artists/friends. I would be working on very unique pieces, getting shows all around, awards of course and great reviews from famous critics.

This is not my life (except I actually am surrounded by talented friends), it's Jennifer Cecere's.

Yesterday was the opening of the State Fair-Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens were Jennifer has 3 amazing pieces hanging in the trees. My favorite piece being the 20' white doily: it seems the piece always belonged there and at the same time it was great to see how the contrast between the green and the white made it stand out. There was definitely a lot of wind yesterday in New York and it was very special to see the doily dance. I can't wait to see more of Jennifer's work at that same scale. Congratulations!



Saturday, May 9, 2009

Daddy's little girl



A while ago, when my 3 sisters and I all lived at home with our parents we had this contest.

On weeknights, we all knew that between 8:00 and 8:30pm my father would be back from work. The second we would hear the key in the door, the hallway would become a battlefield. The four of us would run, run as if we were running for our lives... to be the first one to "kiss welcome" our Dad. While we were running, we were also screaming, tackling and catching each other's poneytail. He might have been disappointed not having a son, after obviously trying so hard... But I doubt sons run evening after evening, year after year, relentlessly the way the four of us did.

Truth said: we were all Daddy's little girl...

My father's birthday is May 20th. To make sure he would get his gift on time this year, he planned a little trip to New York with my mother to spend some quality time with me (or so he says...). People, the pressure is on! I need to find a great gift for my Dad's birthday. And NO, we are not thinking recession gift, I want to treat my father. If I asked him what he wants he would say:1)a nice drawing or 2)for everybody to get along (which we do) or 3)grand kids. Let's agree that none of these are gifts. I thought about a 12 minute helicopter tour over Manhattan with my mom during their sightseeing but I'm afraid he doesn't like helicopters, or 3 nights in a nice B&B in Cape Cod over Memorial Day weekend but I'm afraid he won't accept that kind of a gift. So please help me with your ideas! I need to find the greatest gift for one of the 2 greatest men.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Feeling special

so special...

Here's the picture: another rainy morning, you had a little bit too much fun the night before at your friend Julien's Gigot Party, your hair is getting way too curly because of the humidity level, there's a pile of clothes on your bedroom chair, Yvonne is on her way, you need to clean the apartment, go to the Post office send a stupid joke to some friends, find a costume for Friday night's Aerobics party (don't ask, I don't even know where to start), write a post about something clever because you foolishly did your own promotion the night before, write a Lettre de Chateau a.k.a Thank You Note to last night's host (he clearly and heavily insisted on it), go to work, find some brilliant ideas for a campaign and most of all smile.

This morning, I need to be cheered up.

So here's a sample of things that would help me feel better, recession spirit as always... Start the day in style by drinking my 7:30 am coffee in a 2 carat diamond cup for $15 only at the Moma Store. Chocolate Pretzels for $10 from Jacques Torres along with a 4:00pm hot chocolate with a shot of espresso in it from the same place. A priceless love letter from my perfect man. A 45 minutes pool session with both my friends Juliette and Mermaid Audrey, but mostly... what I really am hoping for is this rain to stop.

Please send me your "Feeling special" treats and tips.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Yvonne is in town!


(Tim Walker Photography)

When you live in New York (more often than if you lived in Mulhouse) your friends will come visit you. That is what's happening to me tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after and... My good friend Yvonne* a.k.a La Princesse au petit pois is arriving tomorow for TEN days. So if this happens to you, here are a few ideas to make sure everybody is happy and your friendship remains a friendship**.

1) give her a set of keys right away
2) call in all your single male friends and make sure she meets them the first day
3) pretend you're a sport addict (pick sports she wouldn't even consider trying out) and each time you feel a tension: go to the pool, to a ring, hop on your bike... no she won't be up for a quick 20 mile loop at 8:00am
4) leave early to work, you won't have to fight over the tiny bathroom
5) prepare a list of all the sight seeing highlights of the season
6) ......
7) Heeeeeelp!! Please send me your precious tips here

I think it's time you give back a little after what Quatre Cinquieme has done for you. Quatre Cinquieme needs you. Thank you.

*I had to change her name just in case she reads my blog. But even if she does, she confessed yesterday she doesn't understand half of what I'm writing: I'm safe. **Don't get me wrong, I truly and deeply love Yvonne. And this for the past 18 years.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Day Dreaming


"Ca ne coute rien de rever"
(It doesn't cost a thing to day dream) would tell me my mother...

Coming back from Staten Island to Manhattan on the ferry last Sunday after the 42 miles, I was day dreaming about taking a hot bath. Any type of tub would have been fine on Sunday: except I don't even have one in my apartment... I'm not complaining. I'm just saying: my bathroom sucks. I actually HATE my bathroom, hate it. So instead on focusing on the hate part, I've decided to focus on the dream part /when I'm an adult part (oops...)

This is what my dream bathroom would look like.

At first glance it does look nice but not that fancy... well it is. Can you imagine having that much space and light in a bathroom? And don't get me started with the brick wall and the wood beams... This is just heaven. So what I've found is the faux wood beams for you. It's not that I like having "faux" things at home, it's just that I'm trying to make the best out of a situation. If you haven't read my post about the faux brick wall: 1st) shame on you, 2nd) here's where you need to go, rosebrand...

See, I already feel better. I'm still going back to my tiny bathroom tonight, but it's okay. I'll just close my eyes while knocking myself down in the shower looking for the slippery soap.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The heat is on!



The 5 boro bike tour is a 42 mile loop in New York, first Sunday of May every year. I woke up this morning at 6:30am for a 8:00am start in Battery Park. Let me tell you that the pouring rain did not stop the 30,000 bikers, at all. Americans are so great in these types of situation, they cheer, they honk, they have fun, they talk to people they don't know. We're all in it together and that's what really matters. The atmosphere is just perfect.

In the Bronx, I passed a guy with a boom box on the back of his bike, playing The heat is on. I sooo wish he would have pedaled faster to be with me the whole time. All along, there were these 2 men biking on each side not far from me, the serious biker types with the leggings and the funny shoes. At some point in Queens, the first one smiles at me, I smile back. He smiles again, I smile back again. A few miles later he says: "keep going, you're doing great". Nice, right? Then, in the end, halfway up the Verrazzano Bridge, after this long and painful up hill, the second one says: "So you've done the whole thing?... You started in Battery Park this morning?..." and I naively answer: "Of course, where would have I started from?"

I know I don't have the proper attire, nor equipment, that my cute shorts are not comfortable, my white Converse soaked and turning gray, my bike weights a ton and the basket in the front does not look very professional...well guess what guys? I went as fast as you did, and next year I'm planning on getting the whole attire/equipment and spending the race with the winners.

See you next year!

Friday, May 1, 2009

July 4th Wedding


It's raining today, still May 1st which means we're entering Wedding Season... If you're the bride and you're getting married during recession 2009, well... good luck! You should maybe have a look at a few blogs like a $10 000 Wedding, or $2000 Wedding...
For the other ones, the real lucky ones, attending the wedding and planning on having fun, like me, I've done some research. I have this wedding on July 4th (seems like a lot of people are getting married that day). I think it would be appropriate and patriotic to pick the right color palette and rise to the occasion. Obviously, I can't wear white (or could I?...) which leaves me with red and blue.
Option #1: Bright Red $90 Wrap Dress from Topshop, with $79.99 J.Crew high-heel slingbacks. Option #2: Navy Blue $90 Ruffle Dress from Topshop, and a $69.99 pair of metallic blue sandals from J.Crew.
Concerned about the length of the dresses? Yes, this season we are showing our legs, because we haven't been swimming everyday for nothing and it's time to cheer our own troops.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Wall Paper? Wall Sculptor?

How would you call this?

Before I comment on this, I first want to say how big of a fan I am of Anthropologie. It's not that I buy very much over there, it's just the experience in their stores that is amazing. They've created such an individual and very recognizable brand image. I have this routine: a weekly trip in one of their stores nearby my office just to check out the new display windows and the inside installations. Very inspiring...
This week, they have this kitchen/bakery installation where they've created this real bread/real muffins/real scones/real baguettes wall paper... or wall sculptor I should say? My first thought was ahhhhh cool and took a picture for my "what inspires me" folder. Back home, I didn't feel so great about it anymore. Don't get me wrong, the concept is great... it's just the idea of food hanging on a wall I think.

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