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