Showing posts with label things to do in Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label things to do in Paris. Show all posts

Friday, January 20, 2012

French Recipe Friday

French Recipe Friday

France has a wonderfully diverse mix of cultures contributing to the delicious food choices you can find not only in Paris, but in various regions across the country. Enjoy!




Thursday, December 15, 2011

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide

New York Times does a Holiday Gift Guide each year to point you in the right direction, check out their link and see if anything sparks your fancy!


Nothing you like? Take a step further and check out their "gift guides on the moment!"


Where do you go for ideas?!


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Paris in the Spring Time

Paris in the Spring Time

Everyone LOVES Paris in the Spring time for a variety of reasons... so if you are one of the many planning a trip then and have absolutely NO idea what to wear, take a look at these photos and get some great ideas as to what will be HOT when you arrive in the City of Lights!


If you are like me, then being able to afford half the high end fashion in these photos is not realistic, so do what I do... find a few styles that you love, figure out why you love them... is it the color, the style, the accessories, the shoes... whatever it may be... then bargain shop and create your own look!

I love boutique shopping for this very reason, I get ideas in my head and mix and match a bunch of things until I feel comfortable enough to really OWN the outfit... whether I save up to spend the $200 on that great pair of shoes only to match it with a dress and bag I got on sale... or buy that AMAZING scarf that adds that extra panache... whatever it is, it's yours and you rock it!

Gotta love Paris in the Spring :)


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

It Doesn't Fit

IT DOESN’T FIT….

No kidding…unless you are buying your clothes “sur mesure” or you are the universal clone size, some clothes that would be otherwise absolutely stunning won’t be without a tuck here, a dart there or some alteration.

Every designer and every woman who appreciates style knows not to underestimate the value of a good tailor.

REALLY, all kidding and cliché’s aside, I recently went shopping with my mother, yes mother. She tried on both a leather blazer and a suit that were nice but I was less than impressed…until she let the tailor (this store had one on site) take a look.

The result was transforming…. both to her appearance and my perspective. I never imagined the difference a few minor alterations could make, let alone the value of a timeless piece that becomes a style chameleon with an accessory or make up change.

In the photo she is wearing the blazer and the pants from the suit with one of our flea market treasures…. a Dries Van Noten scarf.

I am now a convert and from now on my “prêt a porter” finds will selectively come under the tailor’s scrutiny for that little extra transforming je ne sais quoi.

As to the accessory magic, more to come on that one…. stay tuned!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

World's Best Places to Visit

World's Best Places to Visit

Have trouble believing why we love Paris so much? Our countless blogs have yet to convince you that Paris is a MUST VISIT city... movies don't have you hooked either? Here is just one more reason why you HAVE to go to Paris...

US News Travel does a list of the 25 best places to visit around the world and guess what is number one on that list.... ding ding ding, if you said Paris you are CORRECT! Check out the link to see more about Paris and the other cities that made it into the top 25...


What's your favorite place to go?


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

NFL Women's Line

NFL Women's Line

For those of you women out there who enjoy football as much as me, then today's topic is right up your alley! Suzanne Johnson, wife of JETS coach Woody Johnson, has decided to help the NFL launch its revamped women's collection according to WWD. Johnson says "They could have taken a supermodel, who is going to look good in a paper bag. But we are the ones wearing the clothes when we cheer on our teams every week." SO TRUE!

She started by rounding up her pals and wearing green Jets jerseys to Badgley Mischka's runway show which got quite a positive response!

In addition to the NFL women's line, all 32 teams have pieces for college girls through the Victoria's Secret Pink collection. All gear is being sold through team stadium shops, select retailers such as Kohls, and through NFLshop.com.

According to WWD, as if that wasn't enough, fans can get fashion tips about how to show their team pride via NFL.com/women. They also explain that the NFL now has a 44% female fan base and about 350,000 women attending games each week... nice work sports fans!

This past Sunday, Suzanne Johnson hosted the first women's wear pop-up event before the Jets/Patriots game. "I have wanted a Jets jersey, and I have been wearing little boys' small for too many years."

She created a pregame Miami-nightclub-inspired shopping experience... where fans could browse racks of NFL-inspired apparel, handbags, footwear, and jewelry.

O wait.... THERE'S MORE! Besides an accessories collaboration, the NFL will most likely team up with Tiffany & Co. for the Super Bowl in 2014... I wonder what that could mean!!!

To find out more... check out WWD for the full story... or check out the clothes on NFLshop.com for yourself!


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Versace for H&M

Versace for H&M

Yes Please! For those of you who LOVE Versace but can't afford it... it's your lucky day! As many people have been anticipating... Versace presented their line for H&M last night to a packed house in New York City.

According to the New York Times, Women's fashion section... "The collection, studded with gold medallions and covered in loud, tropical prints, gave a respectful nod to Versace’s 1980s self while simultaneously clocking a lot of what’s trending now, namely dynamic prints, minibags, head scarves, chokers and flouro pastels." Click the link below to see more pictures and read more about the line!

The collection will be available in select stores on Nov 19th... start counting down!


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe

The name alone I'm sure evokes a number of reactions... for those of you who are fans of this fashion icon would be happy to know that from Nov 10-13 there will be a two day photo exhibition at New York's Milk Gallery. There they will show her "transformation from angelic teenager to the glamorous, sophisticated, platinum sexpot that became her visual legacy." Check out WWD to see the full story!

She managed to embrace scandalous innocence in a way that no other woman since has managed to accomplish. Whether you love to hate her, love her films, photographs, or hearing about the latest scandal, Marilyn Monroe had her own style that people to this day still emanate.

Dior has re-created this black dress which will also be part of an exhibition preview today and today only! A great quote from Staley of the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York, about Marilyn, accurately sums up her charm... "The key to it is that she has been so photographed, and was so photogenic that, in a way, people are drawn to her image even more than her movies."

If you are in and around New York, head over to Milk Gallery and have a look for yourself!

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” Marilyn Monroe

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Travel Tip Tuesday

Travel Tip Tuesday

You have to see it to believe it...

You hear things through the grapevine and of course who's to know what's real and what's fake... well after many years of testing this theory, it's safe to see this works!

For an unknown reason to me... if you have the answer PLEASE share I would be delighted to know... if you book a flight on Tuesday night it's always cheaper! I am sure you are thinking... this lady is crazy! But trust me I have tested this time and time again and each time it has proved to be correct.

So I dare you to take the challenge... look at flights tonight and then look again tomorrow and you will see no deals and an increase in price... or try Monday night and then look again Tuesday... no matter what it's always the same!

Safe Travels!


Monday, November 7, 2011

Fashion at a Glance

Fashion at a Glance

If you are like me, then some weeks you are sooo in your own world you miss everything that goes on around you. Well last week was one of those weeks... which now leaves me trying to catch up on what happened... in the next 5 minutes... hmph.

In trying to sift through my WWD's, I stumbled across "15 vital pieces of info you might have missed this week"... can we say PERFECT?!

Take a look and click stories that sound appealing to you... and skip over the rest that you can... well... leave for another day...


Happy Reading!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Bistros

Bistros

Do you love the new trendy Paris bistro or the iconic Paris staples? No matter what you choose, the Paris Bistro, for me, is one of my guiltiest pleasures…more about a state of mind. Brasseries are great for on the go but a lovely Bistro is where you go to bask in the French experience, breathe in the perfumes of well cooked food and a great glass of wine.

Travel and Leisure has showcased a few this past month, both iconic and chic. They are predicting great things for Septime in the 11th arrondisment with its “farmer chic vibe” and “poetic…deliciousness”. As much as I have taken mental notes on this and other recommendations, I can’t always help myself from going back to a few favorites.

Chez l’Ami Jean is just around the corner from my resting place so you might say I go there for convenience sake…not true. Well maybe a wee little bit… but just thinking about the lingering meals with just the right wine and carefully packing dessert into the minutest of space left afterwards leaves me…well…not quite daintily drooling. Chez l’Ami Jean 27 rue Malar

I do venture out of the seventh though for one Bistro that really epitomizes the Bistro experience…. Bistro Paul Bert. The food, the atmosphere, the people, the food ….did I mention the food. All orchestrated by one of my heroes…I really like food, don’t I! Well, when in Paris who doesn’t.


Anyway, if you venture over to Paul Bert, one of our favorite shopping guides…Angela just might give you a wink and a smile and serve some of the best Bistro fare in Paris…at least according to me. Bistro Paul Bert 18 rue Paul Bert 11th.

Bon appétit!


www.cjshoppingtours.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Travel Tip Tuesday

Travel Tip Tuesday

Check out this handy link that provides a list of AWESOME travel tips... where to get the lowest airfare, getting the best seat in coach (who even knew there was a way to do that!), best days to fly, best credit cards for frequent flyer miles... and the list continues!


Enjoy! Safe Travels!


Friday, October 28, 2011

French Recipe Friday

French Recipe Friday


Mouth watering deliciousness... Coq au Vin... in its simplest terms is chicken in red wine sauce with vegetables... although that doesn't do this dish justice!

Coq au Vin is a very classic and traditional French recipe, there are a ton of ways to prepare it, but today I found a recipe for those of you who don't have time to spend the entire day in the kitchen preparing... I like to call it Speedy Coq au Vin!

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.... go ahead, try it!!

Bon Apetit!


Monday, October 24, 2011

Fashion Thoughts

Fashion Thoughts

When I buy fashion magazines, I not only look at the obvious...fashion... but I love reading the articles that they choose to put in each month.

The November issue of Elle has a great article written by "Fashion know it all" Anne Slowey about her experience in fashion, relationship with her mother, obsession with her appearance, and her complete transformation once she gives birth to her first child... I'm sure many of you can relate! I was simply captivated from page to page... some things I could relate to, some I found completely ridiculous... but all in all I thought very well written.

Slowey explains "...to me, getting dressed is a creative act of imagining all of life's complex pleasures at the beginning of every day. The best of fashion- the joy of endless possibilities, choices, and attitudes of expression- is what has made me tick for more than 20 years in the business..."

Such a great quote!

What does fashion mean to you?


Friday, October 21, 2011

French Recipe Friday

French Recipe Friday


What better way to start the weekend then with a French Recipe! Today our focus is on Profiteroles... mmmm DELICIOUS!

If you've never had one, never heard of them, or have no idea what I am talking about... then take a look at this video and learn how to make them yourself! Wow your guests this weekend with an amazing dessert that will be SURE to knock their socks off!

Bon Apetit!


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Fall Handbags

Fall Handbags


Looking for the perfect handbag, but need a little nudge in the right direction? Watch this quick video to get some ideas!

What I love about style and fashion is that you can make it your OWN. See a great bag, but can't afford it... NO PROBLEM! Pick the best qualities about the bag and find one similar at a much cheaper price.

There are tons of bargain websites now...outlets...department stores... you name it and you can find a place to purchase your dream bag at an affordable price!

My go to style is across the body... BUT with arm straps to make it versatile... what's yours?