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

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