dropping like flies

That's a truly vulgar expression isn't it? Unfortunately, it was the only thing my post-Baron self could think of to accurately describes the state of affairs around here. Tonight we're toasting the departure of yet another New York beauty and it makes me so sad. In order to keep myself from a complete emotional meltdown, I've decided to ignore my imminent departure and focus on more fabulous things. For this afternoon that means expositions and espresso.

Paris I love you, just sayinnnn

beginning of my Paris end

Ahhhh George

In honor of my last full Paris Saturday, the sister and I decided to treat ourselves to lunch atop Centre Pompidou. Dining at George, we indulged in dry martinis and beautiful views, before spending the rest of the afternoon wandering through the marais. When the weather took a turn for the worst we promptly headed to Ladurée on Royal for gossip and afternoon tea. Post-macaron haze, I skipped dinner and contemplated staying in. But who am I kidding? I'm meeting the darlings for drinks on rue Cler before running off to Baron. It's imperative that we say a proper goodbye to our favorite.

Bon weekend!

Friday night

It's my last full weekend here. Ce soir we're doing dinner at HAND then giving our Jersey boy a proper Paris send off.

See you stateside Mr. Chen.

here we go again

1 exam down 1 to go

Tonight's agenda?

Montmartre dinner with Bunny and dancing to Black Lips at Chez Moune

See you there darlings

studious

Sorry for the lack of posts but life has been so amazing lately that I haven't had time to write about it. The last 10 days have been filled with long lunches, expositions, Versailles excursions, Baron dancing, wine tastings, macarons of every variety, sits by the seine, bisous, unexpected encounters, and more sunshine then I know what to do with. I've been living in a permanent state of euphoria only now disrupted by my looming exams and the departure of my favorite.

Though my day is going to be all about studying, I'm dashing to Café Flore to stake my claim on the terrace. In between facts and figures at least there will be beautiful people and café crème.

Wish me bon courage!

vendredi

perfect breakfast

This morning I woke up for Ladurée brunch on rue Bonaparte before heading off to the spa to spend the rest of the day relaxing. Now I'm dressing for dinner with the sister and darlings. There are too many parties going on tonight. Must strategize over duck confit. Also must try not to forget to pick up boy at CDG demain. A tout!

NY present

Arrivals at CDG

This week was my last week of classes at Sciences Po and I couldn’t be happier. Terribly sad that it means my time in France is coming to an end, but ecstatic because I can now fully devote myself to enjoying Paris. Fortunately I’ll have many people to enjoy it with. Apart from my usual darlings, Saturday I’m heading to Charles de Gaulle to greet a very special arrival from New York. Can’t wait! A plus tard dears!

sand and wind

Wish I was in the South enjoying the sunshine.

It's positively freezing in Paris

early morning

Why is it so hard to choose a shoe at 9am?

somuchbetter

Even after years of writing exams at McGill walking into the exam room still causes my heart to palpitate a little. Writing in the gym is like taking exams under the Nazi regime. Everything is regimented, organized, and meticulously controlled. You can always tell everyone is just a few minutes away from having a complete mental break down. I once saw a boy burst into tears the moment he looked at the exam question. Writing exams at Sciences Po is not nearly as stressful. This afternoon I had my final evaluation for my American Conservatism class, which basically consisted of me and my prof drinking espresso at a cafe while we debated the merits of Strauss vs. Hayek. Coffee and intellectual banter, pretty much a standard activity in Paris. Maybe I will stick around Sci Po next year.....

kisses

my little self agrees

Today I'm appreciating the classiest woman I know

Thanks mom

You taught me about compassion and couture

Without you I never would have grown up to be the cultured anthropologist

it's raining but I don't really care

Girls of Chez Moune photographed by the ever fabulous Olivier Zham

Tonight bunny and I are doing dinner at Hotel Amour then dancing at Chez Moune for Château Marmont. Maybe we'll swing by Baron après for the LCD after party.

See you tonight darlings!

Colette lunchbox

Is it wrong that I want one?

local beauty

Heidi braids and too many baubles

NFT

My copious amounts of spare time have lead me to look for side projects. Lately I've been doing freelance writing for an unusual series of guidebooks called Not for Tourists. They're a great alternative to the generic ones that point you in the direction of the nearest Micheline star restaurant. I bought the New York guide last year and have been hooked ever since, so I'm thrilled to be contributing to their Paris project. The book is still in the works but you can find the online postings here.

late afternoon

Nothing better then girlfriends and gossip to break up an otherwise mundane school day.

dinner in Amerrrrrica

Having been in Paris for almost a year now I should have already learned my lesson about “American” restaurants in this city. The French think they have the best chefs in the world and yet I find myself constantly marveling at their ability to screw up a hamburger. If you can’t master ground beef then I’m not sure you should be allowed to call yourself a chef. That said, Paris is chalk full of American-style restaurants, most of which are terrible. There are a few exceptions, one of which is HAND, which stands for Have A Nice Day. With that type of trite cheery sentiment you might be surprised to learn that the owner is an impossibly beautiful French man who always turns out classic comfort food with a cheeky grin and a wink. Hier soir I died of happiness while we munched on mouth-watering bacon burgers and hand cut crispy French fries. For dessert we spoiled ourselves with cupcakes, crumble, and milkshakes. After our decadent meal we lingered until closing chatting with the owner and sipping Côtes du Rhône. I just discovered they do take out. So indulgent. So dangerous.

HAND
39, rue Richelieu
75001

beautiful weather. beautiful people.

These days it seems like every time I'm eating it's off of my lap. I can't remember the last time I sat at a table. We seem to be making the rounds of the best picnic spots in Paris. Champ de Mars is our regular spot, but tonight we're planning on going to Canal St. Martin to sit by the locks and watch the world go by.

orient-express

Paris really does have the best expos..

This weekend the Institut du Monde Arabe is paying tribute to Leila Menchari, the women who creates those wonderful storefront windows for Hermès. The show is really breathtaking and fun. Sometimes it's nice to go see something that is beautiful and not impossibly serious. In addition to the displays, their are Hermès artisans making those magnificent hand stitched saddles and bags. If I ever have more money then I know what to do with, the first thing I'm going to purchase is an Hermès saddle.

On until June 6th.