Happy New Year!

 

I'm back after 3 amazing weeks full of fun, family and friendship. I'm ready to embrace 2010 with more of it. May 2010 bring you health, love, a greener planet and great projects. And most of all, may 2010 bring all of us together. You know how to reach me.

Love, Alice.

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?

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Mermaid Audrey

Recession 2009 is hitting me big time...
so I've decided to exercise more and go swimming at lunch time everyday and relax. I go to one of New York's recreation centers. It's perfect for me: it's recession proof with a $75 year fee, and a 10 minute walk from home and work. My good friend Audrey decided to join me in this "body makeover" before the summer. I was thrilled to have a friend joining me, thrilled... until she appeared with her Halle Berry look at the pool. While I'm wearing a $50 Speedo, she's wearing a magnificent white Eres bikini. She has this long brown hair and looks like a mermaid when she swims. Sometimes, in between two laps, I have the secret hope she's going to start a synchro show. It hasn't happened yet but I'm hoping. Now, in defense of my Speedo, I have to say that I am much faster than Audrey when it comes to laps and I wonder who will look in best shape coming June 21st.

Tamar Mogendorff

From my good friend Chloé

My good friend Chloé has this unbelievable and natural good taste... and she's sharp. There is no room for error with her. Planning on getting married or decorating your (new) apartment, if you're brave enough and ready to hear that your taste sucks, she's your girl.
So this is the link she sent me this morning, Tamar Mogendorff: amazing dolls. You would be tempted to think this is for kids, well... I think that would be "donner de la confiture aux cochons" like the Frenchs say. Just get these dolls for yourself, you've deserved it and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Just go for it!

Now, more about Chloé... she refuses to admit it or even make a living of it. But if you DO need someone to help you out with wedding art direction or apartment art direction... contact me, I'll see if I can push her a little.