Little Black Jacket

 With winter just around the corner, tiptoeing every so slightly a little closer, I started thinking back to winter in Paris and realised that I had completely forgotten to share the details of an exhibition that I saw in November at the Grand Palais. So, without further ado here is a little reminiscent post about the Little Black Jacket exhibition that I went to see with Miss JJ and IS.

The collection was put together by the Chanel fashion house and was comprised of hundreds of photos of influential fashion people, actors, musician and other recognisable faces all wearing a little black jacket. The photos were mainly in black and white and were largely taken by Karl Lagerfeld himself. We spend an hour of so wandering around appreciating the diversity, simplicity and beauty of the photographs and the fashion. I find it amazing that such an iconic garment can be so universal but so unique at the same time. Each person imprints their own personality and life into the jacket and yet the jacket in itself makes a unifying status that is instantly identifiable.

The best thing was that entrance was completely free and we were all given a poster of one of the pictures as a souvenir. An absolute bargain way to spend a chilly afternoon. Although the exhibition is finished in Paris now, it is making its way across the world and will next be arriving in Shanghai!

Mood – Chilly 

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Twenty three

Yesterday on the 09/09/2013 I turned 23, an age I consider a little boring. It holds no special significance, marks no particular landmark and seems just another rung on the ladder to the big 3.0!

In order to jazz up the dreaded day I have decided to make this year more exciting with a few goals. Some of which I think are very achievable, some are silly and simple and some are a little more crazy. 

Here goes:

23 things to do while im 23!

1) Read 23 books
2) Visit 4 new places
3) Get a haircut that differs from the usual
4) Get a degree
5) Do something that scares me
6) Find a lipstick colour that suits me
7) Learn some Spanish
8) Learn how to shoot in manual with the camera
9) Host a dinner party
10) Watch less trash television
11) Set up a linked in profile and use it!
12) Make a proper Christmas cake
13) Finish a knitting project
14) Run 5k
16) Have my first massage
17) Redesign my blog
18) Wear yellow, at least once
19) Make far too much effort on a dressing up costume
20) Try a new style of dance (twerking not included)
21) Bake homemade bread
22) Attend a Ted talk
23) See the sunrise

Here goes!

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Breakfast in America

Sometimes croissants and and baguettes get a little too much when you eat them everyday. Hard to believe I know but it is nevertheless true. I know as soon as I get home I will regret ever saying this and will be wishing, praying and begging for some freshly baked parisian goodies. With that said, my fellow blogger and beautiful friend IS and I headed out to find a different brunch spot and decided to try a much talked about place called Breakfast in America. A typical American diner providing pancakes, crispy bacon, bagels, fries and eggs sunny side up.

We feasted on delicious brunch's of American-sized portions in an amazingly authentic and fun surroundings. The whole diner was buzzing with happy and well fed voices chatting away with friends on a lazy Sunday morning. Breakfast stretched into lunch as we helped ourselves to yet another milkshake, feasted on fluffy pancakes and gorged ourselves on great conversation.

I would recommend Breakfast in America to anyone needing a little taste of the US of A or even just a little break from the boulangerie!

Mood - Feeling full just thinking about it!

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Musee d'Orsay

One of the first things that I visited when I arrived in Paris was the Musee d’Orsay, to check out Degas’s ballerinas and to see the giant clock. In reality the museum is so much more than that. It is an old train station and so the giant clock provides a window into Paris as well as being a nice reminder of the past. There is a romantic atmosphere to the whole museum, which I feel is largely due to the rich history of the building. It is easy to stand on the balcony and conjure up images of lovers meeting on the platform after months apart and families being joyfully reunited. Basically, the same sort of warm, snugly feeling that you get at airports watching people in the arrivals hall comes across you, but in a much more reminiscent and romantic way.

Of course the paintings are also beautiful and time passes so quickly as you wander through gallery after gallery. Ironic really as time is watching over you in the form of the giant clock, a bit like Midnight in Paris, when the hour comes it is time to go back to reality and to the busy streets of the city.

The museum is well worth a visit, several times in order to have time to enjoy each painting as it should be enjoyed as well as to stop at the lovely little restaurant which only adds to the romanticism.

Mood - Charmed

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La Pagode

English speakers are spoilt in terms of cinema and film as a large quantity of films are produced in English, and therefore we are used to just being able to watch whatever we want to watch very easily. In my opinion this has created a sense of linguistic apathy amongst the English-speaking world. This of course is a very generalised opinion but in my experience it is true. I believe that foreigners speak English to a much higher standard than English people speak foreign languages. This, of course, is largely due to education but I think that media and culture play a role as well. Simplistically, English speakers do not need to learn other languages because a large majority of popular culture, including films and television, are produced in English. Whereas, other language speakers often are forced to learn languages and are much more pro-active about learning other languages whether this is driven by need or desire. Films and television often are a crucial way that other language speakers learn English, whereas English speakers very rarely view media as a linguistic tool. These views are, as I am aware, very generalised and maybe exaggerated but nevertheless are an interesting observation.

My point in noting these opinions is to highlight the number of independent cinemas in Paris that focus on showing artistic, smaller budgeted and often foreign films. I completely respect and appreciate the existence of these cinemas. Sure we all want to go and see the next big blockbuster, however there is a whole world of beautiful cinematography and interesting, engaging and fun forms of media that people are often not aware of. I used to include myself amongst this group of people and it was only in Paris that I started to become aware of this new world of film. Not only did I discover some of the most incredible films and documentaries that I have ever seen but I also discovered some amazing independent and unique cinemas. One such cinema is la Pagode in the seventh arrondissement.

Based on a Japanese pagoda this cinema has two intimate screens, each with hand painted frescos and chandelier lighting as well as a natural tea garden overflowing with ferns and grasses. AS and I arrived early and spent a while having a drink in the garden before taking our places. Sadly, we were two of about 15 people who had shown up to see that evening’s showing and I couldn’t help but wander how many people were just up the road in the bustling UGC cinema on the Champs Elysees being crammed into one of its twenty screens. I enjoyed what felt like a private showing in my plush red velvet seat in on of the most incredible film theatres I had ever visited. (This includes my visit to the Cinema Paradiso a few months ago). I cannot wait to go back!

Mood - Thoughtful

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Haute Couture Exhibition

The Paris Haute Couture exhibition was on recently at the Hotel de Ville and provided a unique insight into the world of high fashion, designers and craftsmanship. I was needless to say very excited to visit, especially with promises of over fifty uniquely crafted dresses providing a visual history of haute couture. I was not disappointed, in fact I was dazzled with row after row of exquisite detailing, flawless tailoring and the most beautiful accessories. 

The museum started with several  display boxes outlining the beginnings of the couture world, explaining the strict guidelines and specifications a fashion house must follow in order to eligible for haute couture status.

The dresses the provide a timeline of the development of fashion but also fashion techniques and tailoring and also displayed some iconic fashion pieces, such as an original Chanel little black dress. I have never felt such wardrobe envy and can only dream of ever owning such an incredible piece of clothing but also a little piece of history. 

Mood - Dazzled

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Lately

I had a very busy final few months in Paris, the days flew by quicker than I would have liked. It definitely felt as if I might blink and miss everything. It has been lovely to re-visit and re-experience all the things that I got up to through writing this blog, it gives me time to think back, process and reflect and I am grateful for that. With that said, what follows are a few highlights of my final few weeks. 

Firstly, AS and I was lucky enough to be invited by JM for dinner at le Cercle, a private club and restaurant in Paris. Needless to say, it didn't take me long to accept the invitation and I was very glad that I did. We were treated to a delicious dinner with the most spectacular dessert spread I have ever seen in my life, and that is a bold claim. The surroundings were very impressive, dinner was delicious and the company was the best. Thanks JM for showing us all a fantastic time, and not for judging me and my love for dessert! 

Secondly, YA and I decided to check out the hype about a bar in Paris called Andy Wahloo and we were certainly not disappointed. To access to the bar you have to cross a tucked away courtyard and enter through the door in the corner in to a hidden room. The bar has a Moroccan/ grunge American style and effortlessly modernises classic arabic decor with Bronx graffiti tags and a thumping electro DJ set. Undoubtably, this is where all the cool kids in town hang out. 

Finally, SP and I had an odd craving recently for Indian food, and despite being in a city and surrounded by world cuisine it is surprisingly hard to find good Indian food in Paris. There was only one place we could go to satisfy such a need, a little place tucked away by the side of the Canal St Martin called Marcel. It feels a little like eating authentic curries in the middle of old-school colonial India with dark wood panelling and rich, flavoursome dishes. Definitely a must-visit if you are in need of a little spice in Paris. 

Mood - Reminiscent

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