Café Pouchkine

I walked past Café Pouchkine, a Russian pâtisserie at Printemps on Boulvard Haussman, on a day when I was feeling particularly broke. So I didn't go in, I just window-dreamed.


I later found out that it is such a spectacular pastry shop that even the hallowed chef and food critic/blogger David Lebovitz has given it his seal of approval.


MUST RETURN TOUT DE SUITE


"Yes" is the only word I can think of for that one. Who knows what awaits within those pockets of flaky crust?

Good Lord, Montmartre.

You are so pretty.

A Day To Wander

Last Sunday I attempted to go to the Colette Carnaval. However, as I found in New York, in Paris if there's a free thing to do, everyone will be there. When I arrived, I found the line to be nearly the length of the Jardin des Tuilleries and decided to wander instead.


The light that day was incredible - the weather was cool but not cold, and it was sunny, and all over the gardens there was a pale haze that settled over the new flowers and grass. The light was neither cool nor warm - actually it was both.






These bare branches may not remain bare for long.


I wandered north and my ears were drawn to the boisterous sound of a brass band. I stumbled upon this fiesty group of femme horn players.


They were fantastic! I have no idea who they were.




Not bad for an afternoon of changed plans!

Paris, A Nice Place To Have A Cigar

I beckon thee!

Joyeux Anniversaire

Nicolas' birthday last weekend was a two-day affair.

On Sunday, he and Adrien made homemade maki for me and Nico's mom, who was visiting for the weekend.



YUM, MORE WASABI PLEASE


Then on Monday we arranged a dinner for him at Le Crépuscule, a delicious organic crêperie just near our apartment.


Ughhhh so good! It might look like a mess, but this tomato/goat cheese/potato/ham crêpe was delish.


Julian came out and waited a super long time to let me know he speaks English perfectly.

(also below - incredible dessert crêpes filled with vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, and topped with vanilla ice cream and chantilly.)


Back at home after dinner, Nico had transformed my birthday message to him (Joyeux Anniversaire spelled out in colorful Post-Its) into a not-quite sensible declaration to me.


Rafi, another friend, came over and we had some breath-holding contests, made honest by clipping our noses.


Rafi won the first round.


And also against Adrien.


Finally, there was no one to breath-fight with except himself.


A fine birthday, I hope! Bonne anniversaire, colloc!

Soul Mate

I don't know who this "Guy Boulanger" is, but his name is perfect and I think we should get married and have babies named, like, Cambozola and Miel.

KEEP GROWING

My article on Huffington Post about Robert Doisneau.

GROW

Got a new article up on Girls' Guide To Paris about the beautiful drawings on display now at Musée Rodin.

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!

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.

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...

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.