A Bientot Chez Nous!

Bonjour Blogsphere!

So it is official! After nearly two years of debating and searching, Thomas and I are finally buying an apartment of our own here in the Paris metro area! :-) As long as we make it through all of the French bureaucracy (the process here is very different than in the US) and red tape over the next 2 and a half months (a small forest has already given its life for the first round of paperwork), we should be able to move into our new home by October 15! And what an apartment we found!

We found a beautiful 3 piece apartment (in Paris, apartments are sized by pieces, ie rooms) which has a big living area (pictured) and two bedrooms. The apartment is on the 7th (and top) floor of a 1930's art deco style building (with elevator) and in addition to being full of light, has a long balcony with an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower and Paris. How lucky can a girl be? That large window you see in the picture leads to the balcony which goes the full length of the wall. I can already envision watching the New Year's and Bastille Day fireworks with friends.

The bedroom pictured here is the larger of the two. Both bedrooms are quite long in length- only a third of the bedroom is actually pictured. In the main bedroom, there is a large closet (YAY!), while the smaller bedroom has light wood paneling, which reminds me of my childhood home (no western PA house built in the 1960s-70s is complete without wood paneling- although our guest bedroom's is a much lighter shade). We'll probably use the smaller bedroom for now as a guest bedroom and office.


The kitchen is small, but it has enough room for a dishwasher, a washing machine, an oven, a fridge, and everything else I could need. I really like how it is open into the main salon area, and love the big window. Ah.... :-) I'm so excited.

The apartment also has a cute little bathroom which has a decent bathtub and shower. No photo of that yet, but we'll post one after we move in. Keep in mind that all the furniture and decoration you see pictured belongs to the current owner. I have so many ideas for decorating already!




But where is this fabulous apartment, you ask? For those of you familiar with Paris, the apartment itself is actually in the city of Issy Les Moulineaux, right by Porte de Versailles (and a five minute walk to the Metro 12, T-2, and T-3). If you cross the street, you are in Paris's 15th arrondisement. The building is pictured here. The VERY top balcony and window you can kind of see in the photo will be ours. Woo! There is a cute cafe downstairs, and the quarter is brimming with life- lots of restaurants, markets, bakeries, etc. The more we visit the quarter, the more I like it. It is also a 10 minute walk to my favorite gym and an 8 minute tram ride to the HP office. The metro gets us to St. Lazare (where we live now) in about 25 minutes, and stops at a lot of great places. Issy Les Moulineaux is also cool because it is one of the main business districts of Paris.Most of the media companies have their offices here, as do many tech companies because the price is lower than in Paris proper and because there are not the building restrictions. (There are a lot of larger office buildings in Issy, in fact there are about 85,000 jobs in the city and 60,000 inhabitants). So, it mixes the modern urban feel with classic Parisian.

We're very happy with the apartment. Now onto the paperwork. Our offer was accepted and today we signed a contract which is a permission to buy the apartment (after going through the full diagnostic of the apartment and hammering out additional contract details). Next, we send the permission to buy to the bank to secure our loan. Then we work out with the lawyer the final contract and finally sign it (and transfer the money) to the buyer. So, it won't be ours officially until October, but we're off to a good start!

And now, I'm exhausted after going through an evening of contracts and formalities in French. Time for bed!

A bientot,
Liz Anne

Fashionable French and their Wedding Ensembles

Bonjour Blogsphere!

So, this post is a little late- like a week or two late. ;-) The whole buying an apartment and new job has sapped a lot out of me! Anyway...

Recently we celebrated my husband's birthday with the my in-laws. (Side note: did you know that the French don't use the term "step" or "in-law"? Instead, they use "belle famille", which translates directly as beautiful family. I think it is kind of nice.) We tried to have a picnic in Parc Monceau, near the apartment, but mid-dessert we got kicked and had to finish the festivities outside the gates. (We joked that it was a party homeless style, although I don't think many homeless are fortunate enough to have real champagne!) Good times were had by all.
Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Kudos to Karen Millen by Lapin a la Mode featuring Karen Millen

As I mentioned in my last post, Thomas and I are headed to a wedding in two weeks. Like our wedding last year, this wedding is going to be quite the destination wedding event, this time taking place near the lovely city of Montpelier. But where to get a dress? Right now, the hottest formal dress designer (in the affordable mid-tier market) in France is Karen Millen, a British label that has absolutely taken Paris by storm. I know of at least three girls who will be sporting Karen Millen to the wedding, and more who are looking! The nice thing about Karen Millen is that most of the dresses are designed with matching shoes and handbags, making accessorizing fast and easy. (It's nice to not have to endlessly search for the perfect pair of matching shoes!) There are a few Karen Millen stores in the US these days and of course there is always the faithful online shop. The dresses make a definite statement- check out my lovely maid of honor Katie in her matching Karen Millen ensemble at our wedding last year. True class. :-) UPDATE: I saw at least four Karen Millen dresses, including two lovely ones sported by the lovely Iris and Katie.


Click of French (European) Culture
When Thomas and I were in the US, we were actually pleasantly surprised at how many people were watching the World Cup. It is true that in Europe, soccer (ie football to Europeans) is THE sport. One of my coworkers posted the following status awhile back, "Hello World Cup! Goodbye all work in Europe," and it's true that while the World Cup (which only takes place every four years) is on, a lot of people stop working, especially during the first week. As the French (absolutely no comment) and now the US are both out, I'm cheering for Germany.

Much like my beloved American football team (the Pittsburgh Steelers), the individual countries have their own songs supporting their teams. This year's UK Song is Shout featuring Dizee Rascal, which is essentially a ghetto remixed version of the classic Tears for Fears song. I personally prefer the classic Three Lions. Germany must have also decided that since the world cup is in Africa, they also needed a rap song as their official 2010 World Cup Song. Their old song (which I am searching for) was really cute. The overall theme song for the World Cup is Shakira's Waka Waka (This Time for Africa). I must admit I'm slightly disappointed that they gave the theme song to a non-African singer. (But then again, 2006's Dance with Somebody remix with Fatman Scoop and Lumidee is not exactly German either, nor was the Euro 2008's song, Feel the Rush, Swiss or Austrian.) This song, Wavin' Flag, better captures the spirit of the games- everyone in Europe is out waving their flags for their countries- it's the most patriotic time of the year!

Soccer's still growing on me, but I prefer more violent sports, like rugby. The Paris team's rugby music video may convert many of you female readers into fans with the nice shots of the players. But there's only one rugby player for this girl- my handsome husband!

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Burning Up and Cooling Down

Bonjour blogsphere!

Woo! Like the Ladyhawke song, Paris has been burning during the last few days. While it is nothing like the 98 degrees and insane humidity my husband and I experienced in Washington DC last week, 90 degrees with light humidity can still be brutal when you don't have air-conditioning!

The bi-annual French sales also started on Wednesday, but sadly I won't be a huge participant this year. :-( With the big trip to the US, the upcoming whirlwind tour of France with Brandon and Nicci (can I just say that I will never be able to move back to the US because I would never be able to give up my six weeks of vacation?) and our plans to buy an apartment this summer, my shopping budget has been greatly reduced. But in a way it is good- if I stick to my intensive weight loss program, I will not be the same size next summer (my goal = size 6-8 US. In high school at one point I was a size 4, but that will be my stretch goal). However, I am in need of a dress for a wedding later this month... and some new gym clothes to inspire me to go to the gym...

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Save Me From Sunburn! by Lapin a la Mode on Polyvore.com

Even the most prudent sunscreen reappliers can get burned. This always drives my husband crazy when we go to Florida- he constantly reapplies his sunscreen and stays under the umbrella while I do maybe two applications and practically live in the water, and he is the one that ends up resembling a cooked lobster. For the most serious of burns, I like the traditional Elizabth Arden 8 hour cream, which they are now marketing as hand cream (Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand..., $17). L'Occitane Verbena Soothing Body Ice Gel, $22 has a refreshing scent and feels lovely after a day in the sun. For a little bit of some extra self-tanning kick, I use Clarins Sunscreen Cooling Gel Rapid Tanning SPF 8 6.8 fl oz, $34. (Clarins, in my humble opinion, makes the best sun-related products, whether it is self-tanning, sunscreen, or after sun) I am also a fan of , $20 as I am known to burn my lips. Even if you are not the same color as a tomato, using after sun products and moisturizers (especially body butters) will help you retain your tan longer.

Click of French Culture

Unlike in the US where we load up our cars with lots of food, the French tend to only grocery shop for a few days at a time. They also tend to eat specific fruits and vegetables when they are fresh and in season. Summer means lots of yummy melons! One of my husband's and my favorite meals is melon with parma ham. The salty ham mixed with the sweet watery melon (we use any kind of melon other than watermelon) is just absolutely delectible! For a fancier recipe, try this.

And with that, I am off to the grocery store to find some melon and ham for our dinners this weekend!

A bientot!

-Liz Anne

Reboot, Refreshed.

Bonjour blogsphere!

Ah. Change is in the air for this chickie. :-) I've just come back from a fabulous visit to the northeast of the US, and feel refreshed and ready for a reboot! Today marks a turning point for me- I have a new job (within the same tech company, but with an entirely new team) which has the benefits of being A) European (meaning no more conference calls at 11 pm and crazy working hours), B) Strategy/Consulting related (meaning no more battling with various data systems or working with massive amounts of data), and C) Part of Sales/Business Development (an area which my company is expanding and investing in, which gives me much more job security). Possibly the best part of my new job is that with normal working hours, I can get myself onto a regular schedule and start on a work-out routine which will enable me to shed all of this excess weight I've gained over the past 8 years. It's also a relief to be going back to the kind of work I've previously enjoyed in my first position within my company (as opposed to the data-driven reporting I've been doing the last year and a half thanks to a company reorg). Part of this reboot will hopefully see me blogging more regularly as well, as I also want to develop a better work-life balance, and that means disconnecting from my job and doing other things!

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Summer Scrubbers by Lapin a la Mode on Polyvore.com

With the sun's rays beaming down on us and regardless of the unending skin cancer warnings, most of us girls will probably work on achieving a healthy bronze glow. A little known fact- just like when self-tanning, you will develop color more quickly and evenly when you have exfoliated before sunbathing. My personal favorite body exfoliators are the Sephora line of Gommage Corps (Coconut is my summer choice as it is absolutely delicious in smell) or Clinique's Sparkle Skin. I also like the Fat Girl Scrub from Bliss, because it helps to promote circulation in the massage process, which helps to reduce the appearance of the dreaded cellulite. After exfoliating, don't forget your sunblock- the worst sun damage to our skin is a result of sunburns and new skin is more susceptible to burning!

Click of French Culture

For those of you who know me well, you know that I do not drink "flat" water. I just have never liked it, unless it has a plethora of ice cubes and from the town I grew up in. (It is also a fact that the water from my hometown is apparently some of the best tasting water in the US. Maybe this has mentally blocked my ability to drink tap water from anywhere else?) My beverage of choice, however, is sparkling water, which most Europeans adore! (They even had free sparkling water on tap in the German offices of my company) France's most iconic sparkling water is of course Perrier. The water itself is naturally carbonated and comes from a spring in Vergeze. The spring has been used as a spa since Roman times (legend has it that Hannibal and his army found the drinking water to be quite refreshing), but it was an Englishman who bought the spring around 1900. In order to get a return on his investment, he first started selling the sparkling water to the British army in India. Once the British Colonies became big patrons, he then went on to conquer the English market at a time when anything French was considered super chic. So, ironically, it was the English who first became addicted to the bubbly beverage in the pretty green bottles. Today, Perrier is now owned by Nestle and has a few different varieties. The normal Perrier still contains the same level of carbonation of the original water in Vergeze, while Eau de Perrier is lighter with less carbonation. For more on the story of Perrier (and some of the other flavors), click here.

All right, it is the birthday of my lovely husband (and most devoted reader), so I must run! Enjoy the sunshine!

A bientot!

Liz Anne

Sunglasses and France's Favorite Fail Blog

Bonjour Blogsphere,

The fabulous weather is continuing here in Paris! I've been taking advantage during my lunch hours and exploring some local parks and basking in the sun's warm glow. The weekend looks promising as well- more sun and good weather! (Plus Tasha's birthday party! Woot!) I am also planning on cutting my long locks a bit, so hopefully I'll have a fresh new hairstyle for the party! (Nothing short, but my hair's getting all dead and icky. Boo!)

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour
Flirty and Floaty by Lapin a la Mode featuring Dorothy Perkins dresses

So now that the sun is shining brightly again, it's time for my yearly public service announcement: wear sunglasses. Sure, sunscreen is important in the fight against skin cancer, and just as important. However, in the fight against aging, sunglasses are a great line of defense. The eye area is the most sensitive and tends to be the place wrinkles start showing up first. Wearing sunglasses keeps you from squinting and deepening the lines. Sunglasses with UV protection also protect your vision. When buying sunglasses, always keep one thing in mind- it's not important what brand you choose, it's more important that the frames fit your face. Investing in a more expensive pair can be worth the money, because better sunglasses allow you see through the lenses regardless of the amount of light. So, if you are driving and pass through a tunnel, you don't suddenly become blind. The investment's also worth it because if you're like me, you end up wearing your sunglasses almost every day. (Note, the sunglasses in the photo are my new pair for spring! Absolutely love them.)

And yes, I am still obsessed with cowboy boots at the moment. After picking up two pairs at Fripes Star (my favorite cheap vintage haunt) for a total of $35, I've been sporting them everywhere. Both are vintage pairs from the 70's, and fit like a dream. Perfect for galavanting around Paris! I have to say, if you're looking to pick up a pair, definitely try the vintage shops. They're preworn (which gives them authentic character), and only a fraction of the price you pay in the department stores!

Click of French Culture
Even though Paris has a fabulous public transportation system, there is still heavy traffic in the city, and often many traffic jams, especially around the Peripherique (the high speedway wrapping around the city). One common place where bouchons (French word for traffic jams) occur is around the Champs Elysees tunnel. This tunnel has a lower height clearance than most; however, almost daily at least one vehicle misjudges their height and leaves the tunnel slightly shorter. It's such a joke in France that someone's even developed their own sort of FAIL blog based solely on the daily losing gambles of drivers. You can check it out here. It's in French, but the photos are pretty hilarious.

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

I Love Paris in the Springtime....

Bonjour blogsphere!

Finally, I am back! For those of you who know me well already are well aware that I detest the grey skies of winter and would be happy to fastforward through most of January to March. I absolutely adore spring- flowers blossoming, green leaves bursting from the barren trees, birds singing, more hours of sunshine... YES. I would also have to say that the old sayings about springtime in Paris are also true- this city is brimming with blossoms and just gorgeous. Tash has some great photos on her blog from some of her walks through. This is a shot she took. Gorgeous, right?

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

So, traditionally, I've never been a huge H&M fan (Brandon and Nicci, I know this is total sacriledge). Usually their cuts never work on me, and I'm not a huge fan of the color palette. But this year, I was quite impressed with some of their collections. Their nautical line was instantly snapped up here in Paris, and if you go out to any venue where there is alcohol, dancing, and young people, it is almost the uniform de rigour at the moment. The collection that impressed me most was H&M's latest Garden Collection. Not only is the array of clothing and accessories chock full of interesting yet tasteful pieces, but the collection is made from sustainable materials including recycled polyester and organic cotton. If you have an H&M near you, definitely check it out before the collection is completely gone.

Blossoming Garden by Lapin a la Mode featuring Prada shoes

Click of French Culture

Paris has an abundance of parks, which are a perfect place to pass a lazy afternoon. One of my favorite locales is Parc Monceau. It's more of an English style garden in that it has more curved walkways and random statues. (French Gardens tend to be very geometrical.) It's a good place to jog, and tends to not be as packed Luxembourg Garden or as dusty (and packed with tourists) as Tuileries. It, like many of the Parisian parks, has the added bonus of free wifi. For a good list of parks in Paris, click here.

All right, it's time to get back to the daily grind. :-)

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Dreadlocks and French Truckstops

Bonjour blogsphere!

One perk of working from home is that even if I am forced to be on conf calls until 10 pm at night, I can take a few hours for shopping in the afternoon and still work an 8-10 hour day. Today was one of those days where my trusty shopping partner Tasha and I took in some retail therapy at my neighborhood department stores. I believe I have found the ultimate pair of sunglasses for me, but am going to pray they are still available next month for purchase. (I think.) They are gorgeous Tom Ford shades that fit perfectly and are a blonde color to match my hair... *happy sigh, wishful prayer*.

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

So, preface- while I am definitely not remotely as skinny as the cartoon girl on my blog header, my hair is actually as long as hers these days. My hair has always been a point of pride and rebellion for me. My mom is a sporty version of Mrs. Brady, and when I was very little, the three of us shared the same short haircut. I decided at about age three that I wanted to have long pigtails and get to wear ribbons in my hair, so I begged and cried to my parents to let me have long hair. And since then (other than an unfortunate time in 8th grade when I was persuaded by our town’s main stylist and my mom to cut my hair nearly to my chin- definitely the height of my ugly duckling phase), I have maintained hair at least a little past my shoulders. I have always wondered what I would look like with hair down to my waist, and swore I would grow it that long before having children. My hair has not reached that point yet, but it could be a reality in six months if I don’t cut my hair. (Although, I waiver weekly on whether or not my hair is too long and needs a few inches chopped off… thanks to my haircare products, the ends are very healthy still, so it’s not a necessity) My hair has, however, always been a challenge. It’s not *really* curly, or *really* straight, and left to its own devices, my hair would turn into fabulous natural dreadlocks in approximately 36 hours. (The greatest discovery of my childhood was conditioner).

So suffice it to say, once I found products that tame my tangles and smooth my frizz, I became very loyal to said products. I swear by my Matrix Sleek Look shampoo and conditioner (As well as their smoother used prior to flat ironing). The only problem is that while I can buy the industrial sized tubs in Walmart in the US for about $20 on special, the small version of these products cost about $30 here in Europe. So, anytime I go back to the US, or family or friends come here, these products indubitably find their way into the traveler's suitcase.

That being said, there is a point which my hair reaches when it gets too much of Sleek Look built up in it (I wash my hair every single day. Otherwise, I become a disgusting greaseball.), so I try to use a deep cleaning shampoo once a month or so to refresh my hair. (It usually works to give my hair back some bounce). No matter what kind of shampoo you are using, it's good to change it up now and again (or use said deep cleaning shampoo) in order to get rid of any build up.

Click of French Culture

Growing up in the remote woods of western PA, our main hangout was the Truckstop (My little hamlet happens to have Interstate 80 traverse it), which always had good, basic food at low prices. While France does not have the TA (Truckstops of America chain), they have something called "Relais Routiers", which is basically an association of super cheap restaurants that offer a lot of high quality meals and sometimes even accomodation. These restaurants tend to buy ingredients in bulk, focusing on low cost seasonal ingredients, so the menus change regularly. Thomas and I are lucky enough to live a 3 minute walk from Paris's only one. We've only been one time, but not only was it the cheapest restaurant we've tried in the area, but the food... absolutely delicious! The fries were just... indescribably yummy! Everything was definitely homemade, and the menu was just handwritten on a piece of plain white paper. We definitely need to head back! (hint hint to my husband who is a devout follower of this blog) For more on Relais Routiers, click here.

Speaking of food, I need to start on dinner! A bientot!

-Liz Anne

The Scent of Spring and Sunday Brunch

Bonjour blogsphere!

So, I started the treatment for my adrenal insuffiency on Friday, and I have to tell you, it was like a miracle cure. I feel like I've come out of a very deep slumber and all the cobwebs have been dusted off my brain. I have energy. I want to go running. It's bizarre, but I'm loving every minute of it! Let's hope it continues (and continues to inspire my gym trips!)... I had so much energy, that Thomas and I actually woke up in time to brunch! More on that later... :-)

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Scent of Spring by Lapin a la Mode on Polyvore.com

I have always been a fan of matching my fragrance to the current season. The picture above features some of my favorite scents to wear in spring. All of the scents are light and airy with a soft kiss of flowers. I have never been a fan of any overbearing floral scents, especially anything heavy on gardenia. I tend to go for clean florals featuring iris (Narcisso Roderiguez) or orange blossom (Escale a Portofino). I also like my spring fragrances to have a bit of an earthy smell to them, which is probably why I am obsessed this year with Philosykos. It is also probably the main reason that for the last 8 years, I have worn Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey- it has a bit of a woody undertone to it, but it is a gorgeous scent and has amazing staying power.

Click of French Culture
Most vistors to Paris flock in droves to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, but Paris is overflowing with many great smaller museums that not only allow you to avoid long lines but also have some great offerings. Today Thomas and I visited the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, which is just a few minutes walk from chez nous. (We see it every single time we drive to and from our apartment, and we've been saying for nearly two years we should go visit. Well worth it!) This museum was a gift of its former owners to the city of Paris. At the end of the 19th century, the area where I currently live (oringally called Monceau) was encorporated into Paris. All the buildings were torn down and big avenues were created and new houses were built (named after their architect, Hausmann). Many of the upper middle class and the rich flocked to this area and built townhouses as well. The original owners were art collectors, so there are a lot of beautiful pieces on display (including some gorgeous sculpures), but what is most notable is the architecture and the furniture, etc. in the house itself. The house is pretty much in its original state- so you get a great feel for what it is what like to live there. The most impressive part is the double helix stairway in the light and airy winter garden (complete with full skylight and tons of mirrors).

If you go, I recommend going for Sunday Brunch. The museum converted one of the rooms into a fabulous cafe so you get dine surrounded by sumptuous decor. In summer, they open up tables on the terrace as well, with a view of the small French garden and courtyard. The food is limited- there's mainly salads, pastries, and on Sunday a special brunch, but it is excellent. For more on the cafe, click here. For any of you who are lemon merengue pie fans, theirs is not to be missed!

Alright, the apartment is still not 100% clean and I can hear Thomas's stomach rumbling from here! Oy!

A bientot!
Liz Anne

How French Socialized Medicine Literally Saved My Life

Bonjour blogsphere,

Today's entry is going to be a little different from the normal one, due to the importance of the subject (and my lack of time to polyvore). For the past year, I have seen many of my American comrades bash the idea of socialized healthcare and state how horrible it will be if a uniform healthcare bill passes in the US, how it will ruin the quality of treatment, blah blah blah...

In France, we have a mix of public and private healthcare. Everyone has access to the same basic coverage through national insurance funds, to which every employer and employee contributes. The government picks up the tab for the unemployed who cannot gain coverage through a family member. This equates to everyone having a basic level of healthcare. You can choose your own doctor. If you pay a bit extra, you can have additional insurance that will also cover you if you want to have better care, such as more expensive doctors or private hospital rooms. For more on French Healthcare, click here.

The French doctors have literally saved my life and have diagnosed something through a routine check-up (and a battery tests to confirm the results) that the American doctors completely missed. For the last 12 years (and maybe longer), I have been constantly been suffering from being tired all the time. US doctors tested me for mono at least 6 times, allergies, and a few other things. They never figured out what was wrong with me, and just chalked it up to a virus each time. It was expensive (I had blue cross blue shield); I usually had to pay a lot out of pocket to see the doctor and pay for the prescriptions until I hit my deductible. I came into the French doctor's office looking to have a yearly check-up and talk about starting on a weight loss program, not mentioning any symptoms (after 12 years, I am used to it and just chalked it up to me being normal). The doctor ordered a series of bloodtests to check everything, and caught that I had extremely low cortisol levels- the hormone that is produced under stress. They have now diagnosed that I have adrenal insufficiency for certain, and I am now undergoing more tests to find the cause of it. This adrenal insufficiency explains so many things, including my constant craving for salty foods, my love of potatoes, never have the energy to exercise, and my constant fatigue. The problem is not life threatening, the hormones can be replaced with daily medication, and I will be able to live a long and healthy life. However, undiagnosed, people who have this disease can go into shock and even die. I have actually gone into adrenal shock before (it happened earlier this year for sure based on the symptoms- we called the doctor in the middle of the night and he came and gave me a shot... please note doctors in France do make house calls) at least one time and possibly more. So I have the French healthcare system and the French doctors to thank for the rest of my life; they were able to diagnose a serious problem that the American doctors overlooked for years. I am so relieved to finally know that there really is something wrong and that it can be easily fixed. The doctor is still going to need to find the underlying cause of the adrenal insufficiency, but at least I can start treatment right away and will finally be physically awake again!

Do I pay more taxes in France than I did in the US? Probably. But I don't need to pay for healthcare, which ate up some of my old salary. I also have no deductible, and am 100% reimbursed for all the many tests I have had performed. The prescription pills which I will most likely need to take for the rest of my life cost 4€ a month (the rest covered by my basic social security). It is also nearly impossible to cut people's salaries (when my company announced their job cuts, my American coworkers saw their salaries drop the next paycheck by 5-10% or more. They could not do anything with French workers- also be aware that my company is cash rich and was not really in a position where they would be even close to going bankrupt without the salary cuts- they used the recession as an acceptable excuse to cut costs all the while padding their own bottom line.), sever permanent contracts, and you have a lot more unemployement benefits. And to be honest, at the end of the day, I make more than enough to live a comfortable life and have the ability to splurge on the occasional Jimmy Choo pumps or Chanel sandals, and I doubt I would be making nearly as much as I currently make if I still resided in the good ol' USA.

So, lesson is that socialized healthcare is not necessarily as evil or as rotten as you may think. It just may need to be deployed properly. France's system is not perfect; but it is definitely better than any treatment I have received in the US and technically, I owe the French medical system my life.

A bientot,
Liz

Sailor Tops and St Lazare

Bonjour blogsphere!

One major benefit of our location (aside from the fact that I live in the middle of Paris's best shopping district) is that we live right next to St. Lazare, one of Paris's biggest train and metro stations. I can get to practically anywhere in the city without having to change metros more than once, and there is a line that is a straight shot to my office. Monday, I was finally motivated to actually shed my pj's before noon and head to the office. I was all proud of myself for being ready to head out the door by 8:15, hoping to pounce on my e-mails before 9. When I entered the crowded station, I realized that it was the first day of the month, ie the day all of Paris recharges their metro pass and I too would have to brave the lines because I was out of one way tickets. Thank goodness I had made a last minute shoe switch and was not wearing my highest Jimmy Choo booties that are the kind of shoes meant to be stood in for five minute intervals only!

Lapin a la Mode Tips du Jour

Weekend a Normandie by Lapin a la Mode featuring Jimmy Choo pumps

Today's collection is inspired again by my vintage shopping- Fripes Star had a massive garbage bag full of blue and white sailor tops for 1€. I have always liked the nautical look, and was really excited last year when D&G had a decidedly maritime spring collection. I am still kicking myself for not buying the dress in the picture- it was nearly what I wore to my legal wedding (although I have to say the Jean Paul Gaultier dress was perfect- it matched the decor of the Mairie, the town hall we were legally hitched in. Plus, the legal ceremony took place in March, and it was not exactly halter dress weather...).

Today's makeup tip- if you are tired, bronzer is one of the best ways to perk up your visage. Bronzer adds a bit of natural flush and glow to your skin without looking unnatural like some hues of blush. If you are low maintenance, you can use it instead of pressed powder for a quick pick me up midday. The key to application is to essentially make a W; go down the cheekbone, up to the nose, and down and up the other cheekbone. My bronzer of choice is Chanel's; I have used it for years, and it is one of the few items I consistently buy. Their choice of shades also tends to veer away from the orange tinge some bronzers have. I also like bronzers by Borghese and Lancome.

I have become decidedly obsessed with Proenza Schouler bags recently. I don't know the reason why, but their aesthetic really appeals to me. I horribly picky about purses, so being enamoured by one is particularly rare. Too bad I can't stomach the price tag right now.... But I can dream... (Also, I have not really seen Proenza Schouler here in Paris- maybe that will be one of my next shopping missions)

Click of French Culture
The classic blue and white stripe nautical shirt has its origins in the Normandy region of France. During the latter part of the 1çth century, recruits to the French navy wore the blue and white striped shirts during their training period, while sailors would wear blue and white striped sweaters (Officers got all blue sweaters). Saint James, a company named after its town of origin in Normandy, began mass producing these sweaters in the late 1800s. When visiting the region, Coco Chanel fell in love with the look, and began wearing one of the blue and white t-shirts, feminizing it a bit with ribbons. To read more about the history of these shirts, click here. Saint James is still alive and kicking today, with Angelina Jolie as a recent spokesmodel for the brand. Click here to visit their website.

All right, it is time to boot up the work computer and dive into more e-mail. Yippee.

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Western Dream

Bonjour Blogsphere!

It's another lazy Sunday here in grey Paris, and it is the perfect kind of day to curl up with a good book or snuggle under the covers and watch a movie. Speaking of which, yesterday my lovely husband took me out to see "From Paris with Love". While the movie did not have much of a plot and required little to no thought, we enjoyed it. Not only was it fun to see a movie that takes place in our city (especially when Thomas nudges me and goes, "Look! it's the street near Chatelet I got horribly lost on!" or when we see the 93, Paris's version of Compton, and flash back to the time we accidentally ended up there after dark when we forgot to change RERs and had to walk for more than 20 minutes to another metro station because all taxis refused to attempt to pick us up there....), we also enjoyed the references to Pulp Fiction. John Travolta really seemed to enjoy playing an insanely crazy dude as well.

But now it is Sunday evening, and we've come to the part of Sundays which I always hate- reality has started setting in that tomorrow, I have to actually work again. Bleh. Bleh bleh bleh.

Lapin a la Mode Tips du Jour


Ruffled 'Round the Edges by Lapin a la Mode featuring Faith boots

Ever since vintage shopping last week, I've started salavating over cowboy boots. I don't know why I suddenly want to own a pair, but I do. They can add a bit of dirt to a girlie outfit, or they can countrify an ensemble. My tip for purchasing a pair is to check vintage and consignment stores. I saw a huge selection of cowboy boots at Fripes Star for 30€. Not only are they cheaper, but having a pair of worn cowboy boots (as opposed to brand spankin' new) add a bit more authenticity to the whole look.

See that cute pink powder puff on the bottom left? That is one of my favorite Benefit products- it contains a soft glitter powder with a very light scent. It can give you a sparkle without dealing with messy powders, and is a lot more subtle than what the 13 year olds down the street are dusting all over themselves for the school dance.

Click of French Culture
My sweet husband has suggested that today's click of French culture revolve around what has him fixated on his iPhone screen- the Paris/Marseille match. The French, like many other Europeans, absolutely worship the original football- SOCCER. The biggest rivalry in French soccer is Paris Saint Germain vs. Marseille. Paris is by far the biggest city in France, but much of the rest of the French find the Parisians to be slightly snobby. Marseille, on the other hand, is mainly a blue collar city, focused on shipping routes in the Med. It is full of crime (heard of the original French Connection? This is the city.) but historically is the best team in the south of France. So, the Paris SG vs. Marseille match is a symbolic match between the proud Parisians and the rest of the country. To read more, click here. My husband, born and raised in the Paris Banlieue (suburbs) is a diehard Paris SG fan, so I will be chanting, "Paris SG c'est Magique!" tonight!

A bientot!
Liz Anne

Flowers and Philosykos

Bonjour blogsphere!

As I sit through another marathon session of conference calls, I can't help but daydream about the sunny days coming with springtime in Paris. I can't wait for the leaves to turn green and the many parks of Paris to be brimming with flowers... The legends really are true- Paris is magical in the spring! For now, I'll just be thankful to be in a country that is not getting absolutely pounded with snow, and possibly pick up some pretty flowers to break up the grey.

Lapin a la Mode Tips du Jour

Flowers and Philosykos by Lapin a la Mode featuring Proenza Schouler bags

I've been obsessed with the Philosykos fragrance line from Diptyque since September of last year, and I finally broke down and bought both the perfume and the body lotion last week (it is hard to justify any perfume purchases when you have accumulated over a hundred different scents over four years of working in cosmetics.... boy do I miss all the gratis from those days!). Let me just say, I am so glad I finally got it. The scent is just delicious and perfect for spring. The main note of the fragrance is fig, but it also has an earthy tone to it that reminds me of soil after a spring rain. It is very unique.

A second item in the collection that deserves to be written about are the Guerlain Meteorites. Before bare minerals was even dreamed up, these babies were created to even out skin tone and texture as well as provide your complexion with a soft luminescence. It is the perfect product for people who don't wear makeup, or the perfect finishing powder for those who do. An additional plus, the box containing the product is said to be a replica of Marie Antoinette's jewelry box!

Click of French Culture

One of the most previously popular haunts during fashion week (and now more of a tourist attraction) is the Hotel Costes, located on rue St. Honore. While the bar and courtyard cafe are known as a place to see and be seen, one of the original draws to this locale is the music itself. The DJs play this fabulous lounge music which fits perfectly with the dark, plush decor, and just has a way of seeping into your consciousness without being too loud and distracting. For those of you who don't want to pay the 17 euro cocktail prices, you can still enjoy the music at home through their collection of cd's. Not only are they perfect for a classy soiree background, but they are a great way to discover some lesser known artists. (My husband's and my favorite discovery was a band called Slow Train.)

Eeeek. Outlook Reminders popping up! Looks like I need to jump on yet another conference call. Have a fabulous day everyone!

A bientot,
Liz Anne

Nibbles and Nail Polish

Bonjour blogsphere,

The weather is getting warmer, but the sky is grey and rainy so I'm perking myself up with a nice warm cup of my Dammann Freres tea. Ever since we received a basket of their teas last Christmas, I've been a fan, but after finally taking the time to check out the shop two weeks ago and discovering the Cerisier de Chine flavor (green tea with cherry), I'm completely addicted! It's definitely a great defense against the end of winter blues.

Lapin a la Mode Picks du Jour


Fishy Feet by Lapin a la Mode featuring Bliss socks

So, while on my honeymoon to Thailand, I dicovered a phenomenal, ilbeit bizarre foot polishing method- FISH SPA! For those of you who are Ugly Betty fans, you may remember Vanessa Williams dipping her feet into a bucket of fishies for the perfect pedicure. It's a real treatment, where the fishies eat off only the dead skin, exposing healthy, soft skin. No, dear readers, it does not hurt, just tickle slightly. And afterwards (especially if the fishies are snacking for at least a half hour) I tend to feel the circulation in my feet improve. I've just discovered that a new Fish Spa has opened in Paris and am absolutely psyched to try it out, even if it is much more costly than the Thai prices. For more on the fishies themselves, click here.

To maintain soft, smooth feet at home, I love using the Spa Socks and Sock Salve from Bliss (available at Sephora). I am also a big fan of Sephora's nail polish stickers- it's like french manicures for dummies that have a seriously long lasting power!

Finally, if you are looking for some summery shoes and want classic, investment pieces, check out Jimmy Choo's new 24:7 line. The house has rereleased some of the most popular shoes of the brand in this capsule collection (including the red shoes pictured).

Click of French Culture
If you're ever jonesing for some asian cuisine while you are in Paris, the location "moins cher" is the 13th arrondisement. This area is known as the Chinatown of Paris, and is chock full of restaurants catering to many Asian tastes including Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Szechuan, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. Usually my lovely husband and myself can gorge ourselves silly while spending half of what we would at restaurants in other areas. Also, the asian grocery store chain (HQ'ed of course in the 13th), Freres Tang, hosts every ingredient you could possibly need for cooking any type of Asian cuisine and some of the cheapest (and freshest) produce in Paris.

On that note, I'm starving- I think it's time to rustle up some dinner for my hungry husband!

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Printemps and Perfumistas

Bonjour blogsphere!

The days are finally getting tangibly longer and today it was nearly warm enough to traipse around the 8th without a coat. I can feel myself coming out of a long hibernation which the grey days of winter always traps me in. While this weekend weather may be only a preview of spring- it would be amazing if my compatriot Punxsutawney Phil is actually wrong about his weather prognastication of 6 more weeks of winter! (Yes, dear readers, this blogger grew up in the wilds of Western PA, in a town next to that of Groundhog's Day fame.) I am absolutely ready to don my favorite Chanel wedges and throw on one of my many floaty spring dresses and pack my collection of boots up for another year!

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour
Lately, I have been spending some time with fellow blogger Tasha (www.fashiondevotion.com), whose awesome blog focuses on her journey of replenishing her wardrobe on budget and her acclimation to life in France. (We are both foreign girls who have fallen hopelessly for our Frenchmen) Keeping in that vein, today's tip is for those of you feeling a strain on your pocketbook and can't rationalize doling out the money on your usual skincare. The single most important part of any woman's regime is her moisturizer- sacrifice everything else first. My personal drugstore brand of choice has always been L'Oreal; not only do they own some great high end brands like Lancome and Kiehls, but they spend the most on research and development of any cosmetic company.

Click of French Culture
As many of you know, France is famous for its perfumes, but did you know that one of the ancient royal parfumeries is still alive and kicking? Many of you know Guerlain from the mass marketed Insolence and Shalimar (of classic renown), but did you know that the house of Guerlain was given the title of His Magesty's Official Perfumer and created fragrances for the likes of Queen Victoria and Queen Isabella of Spain? Guerlain's perfume Jicky (created in 1889) is considered to be the first modern fragrance, and the first to incorporate synthetic scents. Shalimar (created by accident in 1925 when another bottle spilled into a bottle of Jicky) is one of the top fragrances of all time, but the house has many fabulous lesser known perfumes available only at the Guerlain stores or some high end department stores. These fragrances are much more complex and sophisticated than most of what is available on the mass market, giving Guerlain a real cult following amongst perfumistas... My personal favorites are Cuir Beluga, Iris Ganache, La Petite Robe Noir, and Spiritueuse Double Vanilla. If you are in Paris, be sure to check out one of the Guerlain shops and take a whiff of some of these unique scents.

Speaking of shopping- I need to go grab some grub for dinner! Have a great weekend all!

-A bientot!
Liz Anne

Walking in a Winter Wonderland.....

Bonjour blogsphere!

Well, another year is upon us, and I have decided to resurrect my blog. Part of this inspiration comes from the influence of my friend Fashion Devotion - check out her blog- and part of it is my new year's resolution to get back involved in the world of fashion I miss so much. I even found myself waxing nostaligic on working the cosmetics sales floor during the holiday season.

But anyway, I'm baaaaaaa-aaaack! And ready to blog for 2010! So with that...

Lapin a la Mode Picks du Jour:

• Invest in a Burberry coat for winter. You won't regret it. I have two, and not only are they incredibly warm, but I have one that has weathered three winters and still looks brand new. The best way to score a good deal on a Burberry coat is to either pick one up at the end of season sales, or to visit one of their many outlet stores. You can find many a classic Burberry trench coat at the outlet stores as well. Coats like these are classic pieces that never go out of style.
• Keep your lips well hydrated- winter is definitely chapped lips season! My personal favorite products are Lancome's Primordiale Lip (which also has anti-aging properties) and Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Lip Tints.
• Jean leggings are awesome. I have been searching for years to find the perfect pair of skinny jeans, however most of them do not conform properly to my figure. I discovered a pair of denim leggings at Uniqlo. Not only do they have an amazing fit for practically everyone, they look and feel like jeans when you are wearing them, and they only cost me about 20 euros, making them by far my cheapest denim purchase EVER.
• If you want to add a little sparkle to your eyes, Lancome released a limited edition of their Oscillation mascara in both gold and silver sparkle. This mascara goes on like a top coat, and adds a subtle glitter to your lashes. It was a hit for me at all of the holiday parties I attended.
• Want to indulge yourself without breaking your New Year's resolution of weight loss? Try any of the delicious Philosophy foaming shower gels. They are delightfully decadent (with flavors such as Red Velvet Cake, Belgian Waffles, Coconut Frosting, and Double Rich Hot Cocoa) without any caloric intake!
  
• As always, click the photo for more information on the products. :-)

Click of French Culture:
In a previous post, I mentioned Benabar and the French style of storytelling through song. I now have another of these songs stuck in my head by the new artist Charlotte Marin. Even if you do not speak a lick of French, you will probably be able to relate to Charlotte's Boire ou Bien se Conduire (which translates to "To drink or to behave").

And with that, me and my cute new Dior moon boots (best early christmas present ever!) are going to walk on down to check out the soldes in my neighborhood. Deuxieme demarque should hit Thursday! Woo!

A bientot!
-Liz Anne