Wednesday, January 28, 2009

bonne journée!


---Arguably one of the most beautifully shot films in history, "Marie Antoinette"...the birthday scene, posted in honor of Mary Jo Brown .On this day 22 years ago she into this crazy world and has continued to change it for the better.

---Tis quite a shame that we cannot re-create this birthday scene for I live not far from this infamous castle....in fact, here is a petit map:

--Pink dot: Versailles
--Blue dot: Jouy en Josas (me!)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

BENSIMON
This is one of my fave places to stop by while in the Marais.



*This store in particular sells clothing, home items, and adorable shoes!

I am also really diggin' the Bernard's N'espresso machine...would love to have one of these in the states one day! miam miam (that is how the french spell 'yum yum' :)

And...I just got this song in my head. Who knows why...maybe it has to do with the fact that I hang out with kids all day...


Photos of Bensimon store via AptTherapy

Monday, January 26, 2009

6 billion others...


---After church, which was so nourishing...what a sermon! (Check out acp.org to read it please ) well, Alexa and I went to Le Grand Palais to see and understand the new exhibition: 6 billion others. I was blown away. The interior itself of the Grand Palais is one of exponential porportions...I'm sure they could hold the world's fair here, and probably have..turn of the century,1900 mayhaps? A few steps in and you see several tents, each with a different title and color. Love, Fear, Hope, Desires, Genocide, Death,...etc.

---These doc.makers spent 4 years traveling the world and interviewing, well, millions of people...pretty sure not everyone, for I have yet to be questionned! Each tent I was moved to laughter and tears...it was incredible. I just wish I could have been a part of the team, man what a journey... :)

---This next video, with the elder from Pap. New Guinea...hope I'm not being too harsh but the sweet man cracked me up with his nose ring!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

pick me up

Caffeine sometimes just isn't enough. A good read is the ultimate compliment to a cup 'o joe...it's even a healthier addiction, adding nourishment and stimulation to that brain of yours! Here are some literary stand-outs that I have, (yikes!) yet completed:








P.S. Went to a club in Paris last Saturday and waited in the queue for over an HOUR, but it was behind a lady dress almost exactly like Amelia here...who has intrigued me since I first heard of her as a child. Thinkin' I'll be picking up a bio of this first lady to have ever flown solo across that Atlantic pond...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

this one goes out to Mary Jo.

Ice cream=la glace

Must try Maison du Miel's Heather Honey Ice Cream Recipe, that I have borrowed, (may or may not return the recipe...), from 101 cookbooks. This honey ice cream tastes as good as it looks. Four ingredients; plump vanilla beans, heavy cream, whole milk, and honey. That's it.

You can make this ice cream. It is one of the simplest ice cream/gelato recipes I've ever come across. No eggs, no cornstarch, no thickening custards....A great recipe to try if you want an easy way to break in that new ice cream maker you got over the holidays.Or if you did not receive a maker, go out and get a Krup's. That is what I plan to do, as soon as I have money...and a permanent address. :)


Maison du Miel's Heather Honey Ice Cream Recipe

2 plump, moist vanilla beans
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heather honey (or substitute another aromatic honey such as chestnut or eucalyptus)
Flatten the vanilla beans and cut them in half lengthwise. With a small spoon, scrape out the seeds. Place the seeds and pods in a large saucepan. Add the cream, milk, and honey. Stir to dissolve the honey. Heat over moderate heat, stirring from time to time, just until tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let steep, covered, for 1 hour.
Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (note: v. important)
Remove the vanilla pods, and stir the mixture again to blend. transfer it to an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.
From The Paris Cookbook by Patricia Wells (Harper Collins, 2001)

I know the weather is a bit drab, definitely cold and almost always raining to be precise...but ice cream was just on my mind...I guess I will have to settle for gelato, berthillion, or ben & jerry's...I was shocked when I saw one in Paris the other day! :)

Photo via Garance Doré

Friday, January 16, 2009

Bon Weekend!


'To sleep, perchance to dream!'-Shakespeare

This is my silly profile pic. It is stolen from a Vogue mag with Charlotte Gainsbourg as the current muse. It slightly renders the image of me when I wakeup...without the cig and perfectly organized chaotic mass of hair... ;)

Nothing else to say but, BON WEEKEND!
Have fun this weekend, try something new...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

triple ginger cookies & a slumdog millionaire


I could easily eat a dozen of these ginger cookies. Check out the recipe here at 101 cookbooks

Recently saw this preview and have noticed the vibrant posters and ads around Paris, thinking about snuggling a bag of cookies into the cinema this weekend...anybody with me?

Slumdog Millionaire:

Friday, January 9, 2009

leap! for LES SOLDES


Les Soldes. Sales, en français.

It all started Wednesday and shall end on February 10th. In Europe official sales are only twice a year in January and in July. I am sure the rational has something to do with the EU and the economy. Regardless, it makes me wonder if it promotes a lifestyle less influenced by constant consumption? In the states sales are always going on, inticing the consumer to buy, buy, buy. What are your opinions on le sujet? Frankly, I'm eyeing a few items here already at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Need to look over the budjet, but a purchase on my part may be happening soon...eek.
Also, my sister convinced me, well actually when under the influence of boredom one can make rash decisions for a temporary thrill...well, she convinced me to read Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. I read it over the course of the holiday break and now am reading the whole dang series. Sigh...Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I'm human. I am going to see the motion picture tomorrow.

Découvrez Stevie Wonder!



:) Bon Weekend à tous!!!

***Incredible photo of full o grace Hilary Swank from Vanity Fair, photograph taken by the glorious Norma Jean.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

mush mush


THIS is pretty much the view from my window here in Jouy...snow,snow,snow everywhere!I am getting use out of my rain/snow boots. Until today I winced with regret by bringing them...believing that I could of brought more sweaters or...something. Now I feel as though I have avenged those mal penseés...

I must confess though,I would prefer to be at Highland sipping a capp with a favorite read.Look how darling the place looks with all its hoo-ville décor!


Speaking of the holidays, mine were swell! Pictures and stories to come from far away and mysterious lands such as...Germany ooooahhh.
---until then, happy Tuesday!