Les Essentiels: Juin

(Photo by Tommy Ton at jakandjil.com)

Essentiels (Fr.)/ Essentials (Eng.) (adjective): absolutely necessary; indispensible.

Ten things that I can't live without right now:

1. All things Google (general search, google maps, google translate,etc.)
2. Kiehl's lip balm
3. Baies and Figuer Diptyque candles (burning simultaneously)
4. Cartier tank watch on a black crocodile strap 
5. SALT aviator sunglasses
6. Skype
7. Creative Inspiration: OFR Bookstore in Paris never disappoints as an ongoing source of inspiration.
8. Wine (specifically Amphibolite Nature vin blanc and Les Pieds Rotis bubbles from Paris Terroirs)
9. Avocados
10. Clouds in the Luxemborg Gardens

What's on your list?

Mars: Les cinqs premiers

Mars is a big month for me, not only because it signals the beginning of spring, flowers and wamer sunnier days ahead, but also because it is my birthday month. And all of those reasons give me PLENTY to be grateful about.

1. Finding a new love-- in the opposite direction.
Up to this point, I have been in a monogamous relationship with the Jardin de Luxemborg. But in an attempt to avoid wearing running gear in such a crowded springtime destination, I ran in the opposite direction. Straight into the arms of a new love, the Jardin de Plantes de Paris. And lo and behold, as it is so aptly named, there were cherry trees in blossom, tulips, poppies, an art deco wintergraden, trees being supported by large structures, and um, monkeys! Who would have thunk it? Right in the middle of this large jardin is a melangerie of animals. C'est magnifique! In keeping with the springtime theme there are new beginnings and discoveries happening within a couple of blocks of my home. (What else have I yet to discover?)

2. Stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I know I go on and on about my favorite Diptyque scented candle, Baies. But in honor of the fresh start of spring and a new year for yours truly, I figured it was time to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. Enter, Figuier candles. And I didn't stop there, I picked up a couple of new eau de toilette scents to try out, for good measure.

3. Things just showing up.

I have tried just about everything on my list in order to improve my French. Attending my weekly lessons, cd's, French movies, attending French dinner parties, reading only French magazines, random tutoring from a handsome man, yet there was one thing that had eluded me until now-- a language exchange partner. One day, while picking up some home repair supplies at the BHV I encountered the most darling young, freckle-faced cashier, Sevrine. She spotted my poor French accent immediately and jumped at the chance to try out her English (side note: Really? Me saying "Pardon" was a dead give away!?). She asked me if I had ever read Eat, Pray, Love (who in the world did she think she was talking to? Is it that obvious?). I immediately replied, "Oui, beaucoup!" She said that she really wanted a language exchange partner like in the Italy chapters of the book. 

So now I have a language exchange partner. Check.

4. Game day decision leading to a perfect celebration.

With an infinite amount of ways that one could spend their birthday in Paris, I found myself paralyzed by the possibilities. This indecision left me with only one option-- make a game day decision. My game day plan? Have one glass of champagne at Le Baron Rouge with my beautiful friend before dinner at a new Mexican (yes, that's right, Mexican!) restaurant, Candelaria. If you want to hear God laugh, then tell him your plans. (see also: we never made it to dinner). What I didn't count on was that we would spend the evening with Bernard Delis. He is the oyster man from Cap-Ferret, who brings oysters from the sea to Le Baron Rouge every weekend during oyster season. Not only was it my birthday, but it also marked the final weekend of oyster season. We over-celebrated both by eating oysters and drinking champagne in the street, like ya do.

5. Overflowing with love and abundance.

Although I was many miles away from the majority of my family and friends, I felt the incredible love vibes from afar. But especially on my birthday. I am so grateful for all of the phone calls, skype messages, birthday wishes on Facebook, birthday singing videos, emails, cards, surprise packages, gifts, and drunk dials. My cup runneth over.

I have one word for Mars: Merci!

Janvier: les cinq premiers

It is hard to keep up with all the reasons why I adore Paris. In an effort to put them into words/images, here is January's top five list of the things that make me happy in Paris.

1. Handwritten notes.

I have received more handwritten notes in the one month that I have lived here than I receive in one year back in the states.

My first handwritten note was taped to the front door of my apartment by my crabby-ass, crazy neighbor.  I, of course, handwrote my rebuttle (with some localization help by my French friend who is a stickler for French nuances).  A couple of weeks later, I received another handwritten note in my mailbox. This one is from an anonymous source instructing me that I must have a couple of professional plaques made for the intercom and mailbox as the inkjet printed version that I have inserted into the slot will no doubt give all the other tenants license to junk up all of the common spaces (uh, okay).

Just when I began to think that I was being singled out and was beginning to take it personally, a friend gave me some great insight... "Just because you are getting handwritten notes, don't think that you are special or that it is personal. It isn't that way in France. In the US, you write a note when you want someone to know how meaningful and special they are. In France you handwrite a note because you refuse to accept and don't know how to use any other forms of nouvelle communication, like a phone, email, etc."

Sometimes, it feels really nice to know that it's them, not me.

2. Baies candles and the Diptyque mothership right down the street.

Diptyque's flagship boutique on St. Germain

Anyone who has ever been to my house in the states knows that I love Diptyque's Baies candles. I suppose you could say that it is my home's signature scent. So, when I realized that Diptyque's original flagship store was a 4 minute walk from my apartment in Paris, I couldn't get there fast enough.

My knowledge of Diptyque (thanks to my friend Trey) seemed to impress Jean-Luc at Diptyque. And while I intended only to stock up on a couple of Baies (and perhaps an eau de toilette for good measure), what I came home with was another story. Jean-Luc stock piled my bag with every scent that he thought would be sympathique with my taste. Plus, a book about Diptyque and the formulas for their scents to further my Diptyque education.

In addition to an apartment that smells like home, I have a couple of brand new scents that are awakening my senses.

3. Octopus by Philippe Decouflé

My darling girlfriend had a recent Friday night free (her parents would watch her 3 year-old over night). Her desire was that we somehow secure tickets to a sold out (and highly sought after) dance performance of Octopus that was choreographed and directed by Philippe Decouflé at Théâtre National de Chaillot. I assumed that this task was impossible. Alas, proving once again that she has magical powers for manifesting ANYTHING she wants, we miraculously had two tickets for the Friday night performance. Not just ANY two tickets; we would be sitting in the front row, center stage for the performance.

Théâtre National de Chaillot

I experienced a dance and musical treat unlike anything I have ever seen before. The dancing, the costumes, the artistic back drop, the live music and the subject matter was beyond my wildest dreams. If I were to try and explain the theme, I would say that it was one of love and beauty; of contrasts and opposites. With co-dependency, jealousy and independence as some of its sub-themes. Here is a small glimpse. 

 Oh, and the live music that I mentioned could have been a show unto itself. Nosfell performed live on stage with a partner who periodically chimed in on the cello, piano, and drums... like ya do.

4. Half a baguette.

I have been getting very concerned about my carbohydrate intake and its aftermath. Much like it is for every other Parisian, it has become part of my routine to pick up a baguette at some point almost everyday. God forbid I be without one when searching for a conduit for my cheese, avocado, nutella, etc. Yet having a baguette in my apartment means that I inevitably end up eating the whole freaking thing. So I was delighted to learn that you can ask/pay for half a baguette. "C'est normale." Whew!


5. Paol's Tour of the Basquiat Exhibition.

Paris is hosting the largest Jean Michael Basquiat Exhibition until January 30th at the Musée de' Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MaM). Usually when I go to the museum, I go by myself equipped with some form of soundtrack... like music or an audio track to explain the work in more detail.

This time was different.

I was given a guided tour by Paol, who works at the Musee de' Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Paol is a friend of my Parisian friend, so he gave us the tour entirely in French. I chose to go it without a parachute (i.e. no English translation pamphlet as back up) and therefore, found myself paying rapt attention. Here are five things I learned about Basquiat:

- He had a long-term girlfriend, Suzanne Mallouk, who is now a Phychiatrist.

- In the early 80's he cheated on her with pre-fame Madonna.

- Suzanne beat up Madonna as a result, at The Roxy.

- Basquait paid tribute to the scuffle in a couple of his paintings. (like this one below with an image of Suzanne wearing big shoes, and several punching fist references)

- His art career was short, from age 20 until he died at 27. In that time he created over 1,000 paintings and 2,000 sketches.

- He was obsessed with Charlie Parker.

And while his painting were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G, they also came infused with little bits of inspirational wisdom.

Good luck Février, you've got some big shoes to fill.