Les Essentiels: Octobre

“It’s the funniest thing that you don’t really understand before it happens, what it is. So you sort of go running right towards it like yeah, this is exactly what I was seeking and when you get there you realize that the things that you thought would be great about it are not. But there are much more interesting things that come from it that you really appreciate...” 
- George Clooney, DID BBC Radio 4, 2003

My top ten favorite things in October:

1. The smell of the fire in Noyers. And when I am in Paris, the smell of Feu de Bois.

2. A final warm weekend spent in my favorite Parisian park, Buttes des Chaumont.

3. The automne issue of The Gentlewoman. How am I going to wait six months for the next issue?

4. Long walks in the Bourgogne countryside. You just never know when you will round a corner and run into a pagan house or a chateau.

Abandoned pagan house, with a pristinely kept lawn.

Chateau de Jouancy

5. Homemade bread.

6. I have switched my girl power soundtrack from Neko Case to Lucinda Williams.      

7. Desert Island Discs (DID) podcasts. I still can’t believe that this exists. I always thought that if I had an interview show, it would be structured this exact same way... Name five albums that you would take with you on a deserted island. And then VIOLA! Here it is. It is true when they say everything has existed before, and apparently it's been going on since 1942! I’d provide a link to the free downloads on iTunes, if only I knew how. Instead, click here to see the entire archive. Or have a listen to Mr. Clooney's interview:

8. Catching up on my museum visits. From Saran Wrap overhead tunnels to incredible portraits by the master. 

Inside at Musee Palais de Tokyo

Musee Picasso Paris

9. Vendange (late wine harvest) at a friend’s vineyard, followed by a lovely lunch that overlooks Noyers.

10. Mushroom hunting in Foret Domaniale de Val de la Nef.

Guest post by Karen: Growth Opportunities

(Paris apartment balcony)

One of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit me this summer. She was in Paris for a conference so we enjoyed a little bit of Paris together, with the added bonus of a side trip to Brussels, and then some quality girl time at my house in Burgundy. Karen is a delight, she is beautiful, generous, kind, smart and an overall inspiration. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. Today's guest post is about her takeaways from her time with me in France.

(11th arrondissement in Paris)

Guest post by Karen:
This summer I was the guest of a beautiful friend-- living nine hours ahead with her, staying in gorgeous locations, and found myself surrounded by abundance-- the food and spirits of the gods and the company of vibrant and inspiring people.As Joseph Campbell said, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are" To expand on that, the privilege of my holiday was being with a friend who allows me to me myself and loves me for it, in France no-less.

 (walking thorugh the street in Noyers-sur-Serein, Bourgogne)

To add to my personal jackpot, I find myself blessed post journey with the “gift of giggles”.  You know that experience after an adventure, when you recall something that makes a shit-eating grin spread across your face? It is the travel gift that keeps on giving.

(La Serein in Noyers)

Growth Opportunities

As I re-enter my day-to-day life I am armed with a treasure box of what I would call “holiday nuggets” for future growth and enlightenment.  You know the feeling when you piece together a list of things to explore at a later time?  You may have heard about a new book, recipe, philosophy, or even find yourself inspired by a new outlook. Maybe you decide to embrace a new, (or an old), side of yourself.  Whatever it is, the feeling is often palpable after trip.  It is a fire within. You vibrate at a more intense level. I would further opine that this may be even MORE true when you journey to France.  To me, France itself is a magical and inspiring place where possibility seems to dance on the wind.  Below is a list of some of the take-away “nuggets” in my post travel treasure box.  

(upstairs attic at the house in Noyers, referred to as 

"Growth Opportunity")

1.    A call to meditate (download this app).  Slow down and shut out the noise. 

  

(My room in Noyers, referred to as "Little Cambodia")

2.    Learn French. Take a class. Host an exchange student. See what I can learn in my own backyard.

3.     The Wild Unknown Tarot  What are my questions? To frame the question is the first step to finding the answer. Look within.  Be mindful. Be brave. 

4.    Asian cooking. Yes, I come back from France inspired to improve my culinary skills.  My Asian skills in particular.  I learned how to make Sushi and a Korean dish called Vegetarian Bibimbap.  (Note: add fermented soy paste and Kimchi. Delicious and nutritious). My next goal is to self-learn spring rolls.  Yum.

5.    Tracy Anderson Arms. Seriously, there are these deceptively simple and short clips on You Tube. The trick is to carve out the time. Do it with a friend, do it on vacation, and then try to “high five”. I dare you.  

6.    Tuning Forks for the human condition. Who couldn’t use a tune up from Noreen?

(prototype for Noreen's large scale rock installation in Noyers)

7.    Be nice to your candles and they will last longer. Push the wax down when they are warm, use a snuffer, keep the wicks short.

(Cypres, Figuer, Baeis, and Feu de Bois. The gifts that keep on giving.)

8.    Be open. If the universe throws you a perfect pitch, you might as well swing at the ball. Don’t be afraid. What is the worst that can happen? You fail?  That is just an opportunity to grow stronger. It’s not that complicated.

(the beginning of the rock installation on the hill near the chateau in Noyers)

9.    Listen to your inner voice. Sometimes you have to find the melody alone.  It is OK. Reminds me a Avett Brother’s song...

10.  I am pretty sure I have a few unmentionable “nuggets” to unwrap as well. This was France, after all. Viva La France!

In humble gratitude to Jules.  Thanks for helping me light up. Thanks for the gift of giggles that keeps on giving.   Thanks for the treasure box of “nuggets”. Thanks for the simple abundance of your friendship. 

Transition ritual

I have been spending a lot of time in the country. There is so much to do to the house, yet I am still taking time to enjoy my friends and the village before the extremity of winter.

It seems that I have a transition ritual when I return to Paris after having been in Burgundy.

• Discard any plant casualties.

• Turn on KEXP to drown out the sounds of the neighbors.
• Order Thai food
• File my nails and oil my cuticles. Twice.
• Dust. The lack of movement in the apartment for periods of time can produce an obscene amount of dust.
• Bathe (vaporize) my scarves and coat in the Diptyque Vinaigre tonic to remove the smell of firewood. 

• Text my Paris friends to remind them that I am still alive and (somewhat) relevant.
• Lament the country house before and after photos that I forgot to take.
• Plan my return.

The upstairs WC before and after:

The mint green WC was unbearable.

Gris Gallet is much more tolerable. I only wish I hadn't run out of paint. It desperately needs another coat, and white baseboards.

The living room enduit before and after:

Living room enduit before (notice the discoloration which seemed like a dusty/cottony film)

I think it is important to put intentions into a new home. Here are some of the energy words that we painted into the walls of La Bonne Etape.

Living room enduit after. The Blanc Caisse color gives a modern feel and really brightens things up. The stone-coved ceiling now has a chance to be the star again. 

l'été: supérieur cinq

Top five favorite things so far this summer:

1. Finding the Cos summer sale on day one. Check out this cool online magazine that they publish.

2. Coriandre Diptyque candle. It goes well with Baeis and Figuer.

3. Making this kale salad (with the kale from my balcony),

while drinking San Pelligrino with Chlorophyll drops. Sounds weird, but it is super refreshing, plus some extra health benefits.

4. Hoist the rag by Tom Waits. (I always have to listen to it two times in a row.)

5. Martini Rosso (in Barcelona or at a Parisian bar) or Pastis (at home or in the village), just depends on the venue.
-Martini is made from four ingredients: wine, botanicals, sugar and alcohol. I prefer it on the rocks. 
-Pastis  is an anise-flavored liqueur and apéritif rom France, typically containing 40–45% alcohol by volume, so I dilute it with a 1:5 Pastis/water ratio. Sometimes I add menthe flavor, which is called a Perroquet (French for 'parrot').  

Les Essentiels: Octobre

The list of things that I adore about Automne in Paris is far too long for just one blog post. However, I realize that there is power in simplicity, so here is my attempt to boil it down to only ten.

1. Automne walks in Paris. The coloring of leaves is always beautiful, watching it happen in Paris is breathtaking.

2. Philosykos eau de toilette by Diptyque: fig leaves + fig tree wood + white cedar = perfect Automne scent. I seriously bathe in this.

3. The Artist's Way book/program: this 12-week program is guaranteed to clear out your pathways to allow more creativity into your life. I am currently on week four. Each week I have to take myself on an "artist date". This week's artist date was seeing silent film, The Artist. How apropos.

4. Isabel Marant oversized black blazer.

5. Julie and Aurelian's delicious restaurant by day/ charming wine bar by night. They tell me that its name is Invitez-Vous a Chez Nous (or something like that, meaning, You're Invited to Our Place). However, there is absolutely no signage signifying that there is any sort of name whatsoever. So we just call it The Red Bar. It is probably the single most inviting spot in all of Paris, so I suppose the phantom name is fitting.

6. A new haircut with light bangs.

7. Love from afar, like surprise packages of habanero hot sauce from Oregon and loving, supportive visits from Georgia.

8. A cathartic and magical evening with Bon Iver at the Grande Halle de la Villette.

9. Private dinner parties and wine degustations at Paris Terriors.

10. My writing group at Shakespeare & Co.

Les Essentiels: Trey Russell

(Trey at Versailles)

It's no mystery, September is my favorite month. Having grown up in the desert of Arizona, September signified the beginning of manageable weather. But more importantly it meant new outfits for the new school year. I could milk the new school clothes by combining every possible combination until the inspiration (or the clothes) wore itself out. Which usually happened just in time for Christmas... and a whole new batch of outfits and combinations.

So it delights me to no end to have had one of my oldest and dearest friends and fellow fashionista come visit me in Paris during the month of September. Trey Russell is the stylish owner and creative force behind Aris on the Coast in Laguna Beach. Over a bottle of Sancerre, I asked him to share  his 10 essentiels for the month of September.

Ten things Trey Russell can't live without in September: 

1. 2 cups of coffee with creme first thing in the morning.
2. Pizza. I seriously can't live without it. Any kind, but right now fig is my favorite topping thanks to Pink Flamingo Pizza in the Marais.

(Pink Flamingo pizza)

3. Swimming. The bigger the pool the better.
4. Flowers. Single arrangements, cut low. One variety, one color, tres chic.

(All white floral arrangements in the lobby at the George V, in Paris)

5. Diptyque cologne and candles. Right now I am obsessing over the Coriandre candle and the Eau de Lierre fragrance. They are both grass scents and perfect for the transition from summer nights into fall days.
6. Le cinema. Melancholia tops my list for a must see this month. Loved it!

(Melancholia by Lars Von Trier)

7. Aviator sunglasses. No brainer.
8. Eddie. (Trey's adorable pug who holds court at his boutique in Laguna Beach)

(Eddie aka Eduardo)

9. Texting. "There, I said it." I can live without Facebook, the phone, email, but I seriously can't live without texting.
10. My Porsche.

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!