Luckily for me, she's quite pretty!
Monday, March 12, 2012
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Sometimes I look so much like my mom, without even trying, that it's kind of scary.
Luckily for me, she's quite pretty!
Luckily for me, she's quite pretty!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Paris Cheapskate
Friends, family, fans! I proudly announce the creation of my newest site, ParisCheapskate.com. I know, I know, like I need another blog. But I was getting frustrated that every time I'd Google "Cheap things to do in Paris" I'd get a list of parks and museums with free first Sundays. I know for a fact that there are cool cheap things to do here, and expats and visitors deserve to know! So I decided to just start the site myself.
Go tell all your friends! And here's a cool picture from my 'hood.
Go tell all your friends! And here's a cool picture from my 'hood.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Fini
You probably already know, but I have to make it official.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have finished my first novel.
This is how I felt. (I think I made the same gesture sitting at my desk.)
And the next day this is what I looked at: a cloudy sky about to rain, little to-be fruits dangling from the trees.
It was one of the best feelings of my life, after 30 years of wanting and beginning and stopping and trying and finally writing this:
And now, onto the next...
Ladies and gentlemen, I have finished my first novel.
This is how I felt. (I think I made the same gesture sitting at my desk.)
And the next day this is what I looked at: a cloudy sky about to rain, little to-be fruits dangling from the trees.
It was one of the best feelings of my life, after 30 years of wanting and beginning and stopping and trying and finally writing this:
And now, onto the next...
Friday, March 9, 2012
Paris In Concert
Last night I saw an awesome concert at Nouveau Casino - Phenomenal Handclap Band.
I just started listening to this New York band a few weeks ago, but quickly fell in love with their infectious, psychedelifunky sound. Imagine my good luck to find that they'd be playing in Paris for just €15! I splurged.
I arrived at the venue and The Fantastic Nobodies opened up the show.
They were pretty good; I really liked their sound but the lead singer took a few songs to open up.
I can understand being intimidated - Parisians, I've found, do not dance at concerts. It's very sad.
PHB came out and all SIX members of the band tore up the stage with their bass-pumping beats.
Lead singer Laura Marin was gorgeous and guitar player/vocalist Luke O'Malley, decked out in a sequined shirt, brought a lot of sass and enthusiasm to the show.
I stood at the front of the crowd and there was still five feet between me and the stage. But YES, I DANCED!
For one song, PHB said, "Paris, we need you to get down!" and the whole band crumpled into a dancing crouch. I yanked on Elsa and Vincent's sleeves to get them to get down with me and the one other dancing audience member standing beside me. Finally, O'Malley leapt off the stage with his guitar and MADE us get down.
And yes, Phenomenal Handclap Band did clap their hands a lot.
It was great fun, right Elsa?
Right, Sound Guy?
Right.
I just started listening to this New York band a few weeks ago, but quickly fell in love with their infectious, psychedelifunky sound. Imagine my good luck to find that they'd be playing in Paris for just €15! I splurged.
I arrived at the venue and The Fantastic Nobodies opened up the show.
They were pretty good; I really liked their sound but the lead singer took a few songs to open up.
I can understand being intimidated - Parisians, I've found, do not dance at concerts. It's very sad.
PHB came out and all SIX members of the band tore up the stage with their bass-pumping beats.
Lead singer Laura Marin was gorgeous and guitar player/vocalist Luke O'Malley, decked out in a sequined shirt, brought a lot of sass and enthusiasm to the show.
I stood at the front of the crowd and there was still five feet between me and the stage. But YES, I DANCED!
For one song, PHB said, "Paris, we need you to get down!" and the whole band crumpled into a dancing crouch. I yanked on Elsa and Vincent's sleeves to get them to get down with me and the one other dancing audience member standing beside me. Finally, O'Malley leapt off the stage with his guitar and MADE us get down.
And yes, Phenomenal Handclap Band did clap their hands a lot.
It was great fun, right Elsa?
Right, Sound Guy?
Right.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Anndra Neen In Paris
On Monday evening I had the good fortune to get myself gussied up and attend the Anndra Neen Fall 2012 collection preview & cocktail party.
It was held at the très chic Hôtel Plaza Athénée, just off the Champs-Élysées.
The Stephens sisters recently won the Dorchester prize to help establish their brand, an incredibly artful collection of jewelry that's already gained the attention of the likes of Vogue magazine, Drew Barrymore and Michelle Obama. The ladies celebrated the honor with their trademark poise and warmth.
I can't tell you how amazing their work is. It looks heavy but wears light, and feels like wearing a sculpture on your body. These are not accessories; they are pieces of art to base your whole outfit around. And considering that their father is an artist and their grandmother was a painter as well, it's clear to see the creative streak that runs through them both.
You can see here how the Stephens sisters expertly wear their own work (can you believe these necklaces? I can't even call them necklaces).
As ever, it was wonderful to see and talk with these beautiful ladies, who manage to maintain an amazing amount of elegance even while joking around and welcoming friends and potential buyers alike to their fête.
It was a lovely night and I wear my Anndra Neen with pride (and care)!
Also, Eiffel Tower right there. The perfect view to finish the evening.
It was held at the très chic Hôtel Plaza Athénée, just off the Champs-Élysées.
The Stephens sisters recently won the Dorchester prize to help establish their brand, an incredibly artful collection of jewelry that's already gained the attention of the likes of Vogue magazine, Drew Barrymore and Michelle Obama. The ladies celebrated the honor with their trademark poise and warmth.
I can't tell you how amazing their work is. It looks heavy but wears light, and feels like wearing a sculpture on your body. These are not accessories; they are pieces of art to base your whole outfit around. And considering that their father is an artist and their grandmother was a painter as well, it's clear to see the creative streak that runs through them both.
You can see here how the Stephens sisters expertly wear their own work (can you believe these necklaces? I can't even call them necklaces).
As ever, it was wonderful to see and talk with these beautiful ladies, who manage to maintain an amazing amount of elegance even while joking around and welcoming friends and potential buyers alike to their fête.
It was a lovely night and I wear my Anndra Neen with pride (and care)!
Also, Eiffel Tower right there. The perfect view to finish the evening.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Kitchen Adventures
I hope Santa's grandma sent him some long underwear for Christmas, because hell may have frozen over.
That's right, fans, I have been cooking.
I have this Bookmarks folder on my browser of recipes I want to try, so I decided dammit, it's time to start! Dreaming of a five-cheese baked macaroni dish I used to have eons ago, I found what seemed to be similar and began my culinary journey with this recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis, but adapted it to switch out the egg noodles to the far-superior fusilli as well as to forget the parsley (on accident). I also added way more cheese on top than what was called for. As I always say, more cheese!
When the time came to mix the noodles with the flour/cream/milk/cheese mixture, I decided to follow my grandma's advice and get my hands dirty. Sometimes that's the only way to blend. And it's also kind of fun.
It turned out pretty good - well, the crusted part on top was good, but the inside could have used more flavor. Next time I would probably add more salt and some butter, and maybe some cheddar? Let's live on the edge, Giada.
And there's nothing like leftover mac-and-cheese crust!
That's right, fans, I have been cooking.
I have this Bookmarks folder on my browser of recipes I want to try, so I decided dammit, it's time to start! Dreaming of a five-cheese baked macaroni dish I used to have eons ago, I found what seemed to be similar and began my culinary journey with this recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis, but adapted it to switch out the egg noodles to the far-superior fusilli as well as to forget the parsley (on accident). I also added way more cheese on top than what was called for. As I always say, more cheese!
When the time came to mix the noodles with the flour/cream/milk/cheese mixture, I decided to follow my grandma's advice and get my hands dirty. Sometimes that's the only way to blend. And it's also kind of fun.
It turned out pretty good - well, the crusted part on top was good, but the inside could have used more flavor. Next time I would probably add more salt and some butter, and maybe some cheddar? Let's live on the edge, Giada.
And there's nothing like leftover mac-and-cheese crust!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
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