Along the quai de Seine, vendors sell vintage prints, posters and magazines out of green wooden stands that fold and lock at the end of the day. Despite the trend in tourist-oriented refrigerator magnets and rainbow-colored postcards, there are still a few who specialize in authentic vintage prints.

via { sl }

Random internet-browsing through online auction sites has left with me a desktop full of .jpeg files, the source of a new section of posts.

It took 5 seconds after landing in CDG to realize how many beautiful men France has to offer. In the spirit of holiday countdowns and yearly wrap-ups, feast your eyes upon the 12 French men who have made my heart skip a beat over the past year.


1. Brand-new to France, (and unaware of what I was about to get myself into) I stumbled upon reruns of un gars, une fille and the glorious face of Jean Dujardin who would soon become famous worldwide for The Artist. 

2. An afternoon screening of Nos Jours Heureux introduced me to the adorable Lannick Gautry. Beau beau beau!

3. The hilariously charming Gad Elmah played a detective in Midnight in Paris, but is better known for his hilarious stand-up. Also we are birthday twins.

4. A lazy vacation afternoon resulted in an impromptu trip to see Radiostars in theaters. I'll remember it for two reasons: the killer soundtrack, and the adorable Manu Payet. Homeboy can wear a hoodie.

5. Male model. Enough said. Gaspard Ulliel

6. Black swan would have lost a lot of creep factor without the mysteriously handsome Vincent Cassel. 

7. Stuck in the north of France watching the Olympics day and night had it's perks the minute the swimming relays began. Two words: Camille Lacourt.

8. To understand the lives of French ados, watch LOL. The age of consent is lower in France so you don't need to feel guilty crushing on Jeremy Kapone.

9. Orelsan. The fact that he wrote "Pour le pire" means he would be the shittiest boyfriend, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at him.

10. Canal + is the coolest cable channel and Vincent Clerc is their newest presenter.

11. Rugby is the closest you can get to football over here, which makes Bertrand Chameroy the equivalent of Tom Brady, but better, because he's French. 

12. Ever since Roman Duris pulled off the Dirty Dancing choreography in L'Arnacoeur, he's been France's favorite rom-com star. FOR GOOD REASON.

The last weeks in December inspire reflection on the past year: what we'll remember, what we'll do differently and how we've changed.

350-something days ago, I left behind my parents, my dear Simba cat, amazing friends, and a beautiful life to become an au pair in Paris. With a false sense of security in my French minor, I embarked on a new life in the city of lights where I would soon learn that ten years of American-taught French had not prepared me to speak French in France.

In the basement of an Anglophone church, I met the girls who became my best friends. {Almost} every Thursday afternoon at 14h, we would gather around baked-goods and tea to discuss how insane living in France was. Intro questions of, "how many kids do you have," and "what arrondissement are you in," soon morphed into deeper, meaningful conversations. As newbies, we figured out how to successful respond to text messages in French, confidently answer the home phone, learned bus routes and how to coordinate weekend schedules.

With these girls I learned that tea with milk is actually quite good, that 'heaps' can be added to any phrase, that check/mate is the best metro game and that American accents are really harsh-sounding. Despite my awkward sense of humor, constant tardiness and shopping addiction, I found girls who understand and loved me for my strange vocabulary and tendance to slip into a ghetto accent.

In February, I walked into a surreal apartment not knowing a soul and walked out with a life. That apartment would set the scene for many, many exciting events. Lesson #1: Slicing limes is best left to other people. Lesson #2: Don't think tiny cups mean you can drink twice as much. Seemingly overnight I had found my niche, all while overlooking the Eiffel Tower. There is nothing more comforting than having a team of Americans on your side while you battle the awkward sea of French dating culture.

Lesson #3: The South of France is still cold in April. Bring socks. Spending my 23rd birthday in Saint Tropez was a beautiful time that I will always cherish. A word to the wise (and poor-traveled), you will find no beach there, but there are tons of Bridget Bardot posters. Summer in Paris was brutally hot. Americans, you will never miss anything more than air-conditioning during the months of July and August. Lesson #4: Get yourself a damn fan.

Cheers to the many months of adventures: museum exhibitions, vintage shopping, bar-hopping, picnic lunches, countless café allongées, flirty drinks and a panicked Ryanair flight or two. Life in Europe has been confusing, sometimes depressing, but always interesting. 

Bref--
I will always know which direction I need to take to get home on the line 9 thanks to an over-the-top rap video set at Pont de Sèvres.
I will always type a space before any exclamation point or question mark, à la française.
I will never go into a movie without first reading the plot summary. {Les Infidèles + Paperboy are the worst films of 2012.}
I will always check lebonbon before I make definite plans.
I will always grab a copy of A Nous when I leave the metro.
I will always recommend Les Etages for a first date. Bring your friends.

xoxo.

Attention to detail is one of their strongest points, as seen in the inspiration range of period-inspired hairstyles. Exaggerated waves, afros, and braids are featured.

Focusing on 16 most influential pieces, the retrospective spans five designers, from the work of original designer Gaby Aghion to (my favorite) Phoebe Philo, up to present-day designer Clare Waight Keller.



As assistant to Stella McCartney before taking over as head designer in 2001, Phoebe Philo can be credited for establishing Chloe as a modern, polished, classic French brand. Notice her distinct style, in few of her best ad campaigns above.







xoxo.

The bustling center of Châtelet Les Halles is a confusing mix of chain restaurants, wholesale shops and an expansive, never-ending construction site that contributes to a confusing environment and attitude. 

Marnie: The totem of chat is as follows--Facebook is the lowest, followed by Gchat, then texting, then email, then phone; face-to-face is of course ideal, but it's not of this time.


I've already professed my love for HBO's Girls, the show created by Lena Dunham, the often-naked girl I love to hate (yet secretly understand). A la Sex and the City, each of the four main characters offers a distinct style and personality. Anal-retentive Marnie is by far my favorite, mostly for spending hours in sweats stalking her ex-bf to the soundtrack of post-rehab Demi Lovato. She's pretty and keeps it real.  Just when you peg Marni to be a self-absorbed prep, with no concept of reality and lacking self-actualization, she spits out the "totem of chat," a surprisingly articulate and socially astute analysis of communication in the 21st century. 


I swear I have a point. Living abroad makes a lot of things difficult, but thanks to iMessaging and internet-based communication, keeping in touch with the East Coast is something simple. 

Every au pair should have access to VoIP. EVER HEARD OF IT?! I hadn't either, but it is the best thing ever. Nerd out and learn how it works. Then go call your mom. 

xoxo. 

Each year at Christmas, Galeries Lafayette celebrates the season with an enormous sapin de Noel. This year celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the stores gorgeous coupole, and in accordance, Swarovski has collaborated in designing The Most Gorgeous Christmas Tree.



Move over, Rock Center.

Over 21 meters high, the tree is studded with over 5,000 crystals and perfectly illuminates the gorgeous cupola: panels of stained glass and gilded woodwork.

Reaching the 12-month mark of living in Paris inspired me to switch over all my electronics from English/American-based in favor of full-blown French.

Making the transition from an Anglophone iTunes store to one in French offers a world of new podcasts. December marks the end of my 'probationary period' here and with fluency so close within my reach, I've taken it upon myself to immerse myself completely through French podcasts for native speakers.

Oddly enough, Le College de France offers complete lectures of a various range of subjects including the History of Perfume. { So, so cool. }

Proving yourself to be a true French speakers is difficult, and the test is often won or lost due to the ability to understand and use slang! The search to improve my knowledge of idioms, l'argot and verlan led me to a hilarious { English-explained } podcast, katia and kyliemac. Once a week, this duo of Anglophones pick out obscure, useful phrases and break it down for textbook-taught French speakers.

Even better, the ladies analyze each phrase for appropriateness in certain settings: when speaking with children, colleagues, bosses, and in-laws. In addition, they offer crucial tips on proper pronounciation. { Forgot the "t" in "chat" or you will be sorry. }

 Short and sweet. Funny and practical. In under ten-minutes, you'll learn something new. Voici your new defense again boredom on the métro in 128 podcasts. 

xoxo.    

Tucked away on the quaint streets of the 7e is Cotume Cafe, a modern cafe with indie-design and sleek feel. The American-inspired sandwiches and 3 euro coffees are pretty basic fare, but the atmosphere is young and fun. We sat at our tile-topped table in-between two bilingual couples who wisely ordered the lunch special, an amazing platter of mixed greens, smoked salmon and herbed potatoes.


A few streets back from Le Bon Marche, it's subtle enough to retain some French style, but I get the impression that is a favorite of ex-pats and English-speaking visitors. In search of cool design? This is your place: glass beakers a la high school chemistry serve as carafes d'eau, and there are stacks of burlap sacks of coffee the back corner. One has to wonder if this is part space-saver, part-installation art?



47 rue de Babylone
75007 Paris

via {lpvn}

There is nothing Parisians love more than a Chanel-sponsored event, especially when it's gratuit. From the 10th to the 25th of Novembre, visit the appropriately black-and-white photo retrospective by Karl Lagerfeld & Carine Rotfield. 




In honor of their project, La petite veste noire, Un classique Chanel revisité, the Grand Palais will play host to the photo exhibition of 110 celebrities, actrices and models styled in various little black (Chanel) jackets. 

But really, do you? This one goes out to my mom, who managed to raise a (somewhat) functional, responsible daughter.

Love you, lady.

PS. If you haven't seen the preview for season two of GIRLS, you can watch it here. As much as I hate to admit it, this show captures most of what I and my twenty-something friends deal with on a daily basis.

Except for the whole, I-live-in-Europe thing.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit to scrolling through endless quotes and GIFs when everyone is annoying. Despite her constant need to be naked, Lena Dunham gets me.

Chocolate macarons the size of your hand for breakfast.

la rentree has come and gone, which means most au pairs in Paris are back to work! Happy Wednesday to my fellow enfant-guarders. Here's hoping you avoid any possible crises and that you not have the responsibility of watching over a child like Wednesday Addams.

via { vr }

xoxo.

Something about the change of seasons and arrival of fall makes me feel new. The air is crisper now and the leaves are changing colors, making Paris even more beautiful. Sweater weather is upon us my friends! Scarves, cozy knits and cuddling are all I'm interested in. So go find someone who makes you laugh and play this music for them on a Sunday afternoon. 






listen { here } 

xoxo. 

via { imgf }

It is a day like any other. It is a Friday afternoon waiting in the line at Starbucks. It is a Monday morning at the post office. It is a quick coffee with a friend on Thursday before school lets out.

I ask for the check. I could really use a napkin. I need some stamps.

I do not forget to use "vous" nor do I forget to invert the verb + subject, as I have been taught to. Inverse over inflection, when asking a question.*

Maybe it's my makeup or my denim shorts that tip you off. It's probably my accent and my order that lead you to realize that I am also an "Americano." No matter how hard I try, it will be obvious: in the past 9 months my hair has physically rejected bottles and bottles of chestnut brown hair dye, a la française. My hairs have collectively decided that they will not be disguised. I cannot pull of ankle boots, I cannot fit into skinny jeans, I cannot smoke a cigarette without looking stupid: I am not French.

I understand that when you realize these things, you think it would just be easier to respond to me in English.

It's not.

The thing is, I used to live in America. Then I moved to a French-speaking country. I live here -- I have a french address, a french bank account and a carte Navigo. Those may not seem like important things to you, but they mean that I am established here, that I am not a visitor. There is a reason I moved to Paris and it wasn't to speak English. I like your culture, your language and your history. Why won't you let me participate?

I understand l'argot and I employ verlan any chance I get. I realize when it is appropriate to use "prenne" rather than "prends" and I know the difference between "serai" and "vais être." So when you respond to me in English, I will continue to speak to you in French. If you find my accent cute or charming, get in line. I've dated French boys who have no problem understanding me. I can successfully hold phone conversations with customer service officials, tele-marketers and anyone else who calls. I understand everything Kyan says on Bref. Boom.

I'm a customer, patron, someone in need, and that need is to become fluent. Maybe you want to practice your own English. That's cool. I've got a 0-6, let's have language exchange sometime. Sometime off the clock.


*I like the sound of that, so I am officially copyrighting it's usage. Cool.

French breakfasts can get boring after awhile, so when the urge for omelettes and pancakes hit I headed down the street to my favorite place for a taste of home. Coffee Parisien has the best range of diner-style food (get your omelettes and burgers here) but offer other yummy classics with a twist: chicken tandoori, avocado + grapefruit salad, raspberry pancakes...

Plus, being the only nacho-serving restaurant within 800m from my apartment earns the mega-points on lazy Sunday afternoons.





The American History major in me is obsessed with these Presidential-time line placemats. Order something that needs ketchup: Heinz in a glass bottle is something you can't find everyday.



I'm not the only one obsessed--they've expanded to three locations: 

4, rue Princesse - Paris 75006 - 01 43 54 18 18

7, rue Gustave Courbet - Paris 75016 - 01 45 53 17 17

46, rue de Sablonville - Neuilly Sur Seine 92200 - 01 46 37 13 13

Au pairs, take note: if you want happy kids, you need to know which Kinder is best. Your cheat sheet can be found below.

4. Happy Hippo: the best of both worlds, you get a frosting-filled cookie dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. Animal shaped foods get bonus points with everyone under the age of 7.

5. Joy: these are the weirdest of the bunch and most delicious. Dig out the chocolate crunchies from a pot of white chocolate. The perfect blend of fun and yum.

xoxo.

It's Friday night, which can only mean one thing for of us living in the city of love: it's date night. 

One of my favorite fashion-based sites, Refinary 29, just published the best dating go-to guide for single the ladiez on the prowl. This handy guide deciphers the 13 of the most popular shoe choices that you may encounter tonight. Eyes may be the window to the soul, but shoes are the window to personality. (What's the difference, really?)

Unintentionally hilarious (but unnervingly on-point) this guide breaks it down for anyone who would have otherwise thought that a dude sporting a pair smoking slippers should make the cut. 


Verdict: Desert Boots, all the way. "Out of the gate, you know this dude is not afraid to sprinkle a little swag sauce on his outfit." 

xoxo.

via { raygun } Graphic tees may be 'over' but having spent the large portion of my teenage-hood rocking screen printed tops (i still luv you, Delias), they will always hold a special place in my heart. This one in particular combines my favorite things: rap lyric puns, blogging and soft tee shirts. The things you can find on Pinterest, man. Amazing. Check out more pins here.  xoxo.

True story: there is not enough space in my apartment for a clock. In the hierarchy of my possesions, priority goes to purses and shoes, or anything with glitter. So-called "practical" necessities like an alarm clock or a cutting board don't make the cut.

The geniuses over at 9301 designed Fliqlo, a retro-style flip clock screensaver that helps your computer serve double duty. It's available for free download, so get. on. that.

via {9301}

xoxo.

I have a mind-crush on you, Ryan O'Connell. Of all the posts on Thought Catalog (my go-to internet source of self-reassurance) your posts have earned a worship-status in my heart. Maybe it's your heavy use of the #20something tag or your perfectly chosen pop culture references, I can't decide, but I am addicted. 

It's as if you know me. I'm talking connaitre over savoir. This is a soul-mate, BFF-level connection.

Browsing through your archives is a weekly ritual I take part in with my best friend: sharing your most appropriate (and insightful) posts over gchat, we copy and paste our favorite passages, replying with a series of "remember whens" and "this is so my life," finding comfort in knowing that we are not the only ones who feel this way about, well, everything. 

My most recent obsession, What I Want Out of Life, is a short-but-sweet piece that echos the sentiments I've found myself discussing (ie. lamenting) with friends. Sometime after turning 23, the allure of having a settled, 'real-person' life with responsibilities infiltrates your brain.

"I want good sex, comfortable sex, exciting sex, and boring sex all with the same person."

"I want to be one of those older, sophisticated adults who not only looks like they have it all together but actually does!"

"I want to always be able to do what I love and never imagine a different reality."

Amen. Jobs that pay the bills are necessary, but the luxury of happiness lies in cultivating a career of your own choosing, with someone who gets your jokes and is willing to stick around. So, how do I do that? 

xoxo.

LOFT design by... has got the perfect canvas tote to keep your life organized while hopping between the two.

xoxo.

Who knew?

xoxo.

Just in time for the last few days of July, here are the tracks that have me hitting replay again and again. 

6 hours ahead of time, the 4th of July has hit Paris and I'm loving all things red, white, and blue. {Not that hard to find, considering they're the same as the tricolor and whatnot...}

Off to an American-hosted barbecue, I'll bike pass the Parisian Statue of Liberty, located on the Ile aux Cygnes, facing West towards her American counterpoint in New York.

xoxo.

Paris has been unseasonably cold and rainy for the last month, leaving me with no other choice than to rock my winter tights and dream of sunshine that I can enjoy, bare-legged.

These adorable heart-shaped YSL tights are the perfect part of transition tights: fun enough to pair with summery dresses while still offering some coverage from this unseasonably cold temperatures. In light of the new name change over at chez Yves Saint Laurent, it may be time to get your hands on some whimsical (and almost giraffe-like) printed tights before YSL becomes simply, Saint Laurent Paris.

via {n-p}

At 35€, on sale, they're a splurge but an adorable and completely necessary purchase, since I'm guessing you don't already own a pair. Paired with a classic black ensemble and a bold red purse, these suckers add a subtle touch of sass. 


xoxo.

A self confessed hair idiot, I've been wearing the same Sienna Miller-inspired side bangs since high school, and regularly leave the house without brushing my hair. So you'll forgive me for only now jumping on the fish-tail braid bandwagon.

I love this tutorial from thebeautydepartment, co-founded by every girl's fashion icon, Lauren Conrad. Besides being constantly flawless, she's been setting the trend in hair braiding ever since her days on the guilty-pleasure Laguna Beach, single handedly inspiring girls around the world to french braid their side bangs. (At last, a chic way to grow out your fringe!)


My favorite styles have to be the two side braids, top left corner, for being so effortlessly cool.

xoxo.

via {ef}

Happy Birthday & Bonne Anniversaire to my lovely and inspiring maman!

xoxo.

In the spirit of a cliche springtime in Paris, I paired a lightweight chambray top with a new favorite piece: a high waisted lace cream skirt. My latest obsession, the rentable Parisian bike system: Velib, has got me pedaling almost daily along the Seine, an easy and beautiful ride. The most enchanting part is how in the early afternoon, the sunlight bounces off of the water and onto the nearby buildings. In honor of this, I find myself wearing more jewelry and sparkles than ever before.