France - Europe's top country in terms of quality of life

My mum emailed this to me today, which I immediately shared with friends and colleagues. Looks like I made a good choice then, ditching the UK (for now) for France...?


I certainly notice the increased annual hours of sunshine, and it does actually make a bit of difference. The holidays are definitely a bonus too, and the more spread out bank holidays. There was also an article saying that the French are the most productive in the world, which is probably not so surprising if you really think about it.


In all, im not that surprised. After all, I'm not stupid, I didn't move to France because I thought that it would be worse than Britain


France: Relaxed, Productive, European number 1 for quality of life!

For me, September = Monza GP

As September is beginning to leave us behind, this is one of the few things that I associate with the month of September. I like watching F1, it started from the first time I went to a race (Silverstone 2005), and I've been lucky enough to go to Silverstone (UK), Monza (Italy) and Monaco (Monte Carlo) so far.

I didn't actually plan to go to Monza until quite late, Felipe Massa had his accident and there was talk about Michael Schumacher replacing him for the rest of the season - the temporary 'come back', before we later found out that he would fully come back for a team other than Ferrari! I decided to not go Spa (Belgium) but wait until Monza, where the atmosphere would be far better. Needless to say, Schumacher had his neck injury ruling him out, and Badoer was replaced by Fisichella (contrary to what the programme shows).

I remember this race clearly, I could see the start/finish line, and surrounded by the tifosi. Needless to say, when Lewis crashed out from P3 on the last lap promoting Kimi to P3, I along with the crowd* went wild!

Here's a picture of Teddy Felipe, sitting on the stands and waiting for the race to start in Monza

Monza GP: Loud, Fast, Tifosi, Wild

* excludes the friend I went to Monza with, who was being patriotic and supporting Lewis Hamilton, unlike me...!

Pan Bagnat

One of my best friends, and the only one who could successfully pretend to be me and pass it off for a week, visted me in Paris! He lives in Ireland, and we see each other an average of 1.5times per year since University, "He" is @NextManStanding.

The last time he visited me, it was in March this year, and I was living in the (too) quiet Fontenay sous Bois. However, an upside to not living in Paris was the full kitchen! I don't have an oven where I live, which means I can't bake any brownies :( booohoo. Anyway the first night we decided to recreate something I first had in Nice, a Pan Bagnat, a Nicoise Salade sandwich. We used a baguette here though, which made it far more easier to eat and no less yummy than a circular bun.

I tried to make mine as good looking as it tasted, and here is what I came up with. The filling was: Olive Oil, Pesto, Lettuce, Tomato, Egg, Anchovy and Tuna. As the say in France...miam miam!

Pan Bagnat: Nicois salad in a baguette, yummy, filling

Paris: A Capital of Fashion Part II

As promised, this does link on to my previous post. These videos (plus a subsequent one from Chanel on how sunglasses are made from their Facebook page) got me thinking about Chanel vs Dior, and also Longchamp vs Lancel. (For all you Twitter stalkers, you might have been following my tweets on the right hand side where I ask the world.) Out of the two 'brand offs', I know which ones I prefer, simply because I own or want to own a bag from their range.

Before you go on though, please note that I am not, no do I claim to be an expert on these brands. This is just what I, an average Jane, associate with these brands.

Chanel: French, Timeless and Classic. I like their necklaces and bags (I really want the flappy bag). However you get many fake CC items so its pretty hard to tell.

Dior: French, J'adore Dior, Charlize Theron. Thats what I came up with. I'm not really sure about Dior...I have no opinion? I'm not sure if I get 'it' right now...

Chanel vs Dior: Chanel. I have my eye on the flap bag (2.55), to me if I'm going to spend alot of money on a bag, I will want something that will last, go with any look, look classy at any age and still be of some value (I hear the flap bags are continuing to increase.. I better start saving up for one asap!). That is going to be my 'promotion' bag splurge, or something along those lines. I can't afford to spend so much for an impulse buy..but no promises that I'll stick to that! 


Longchamp: Mainly work bags. Generally practical but like the French quite simple and neutrally dressed, ideal for work. I think of the nice leather bags (Roseau Vernis Patent Leather Tote Bag), or the brightly coloured material bag (Foldable Tote) that is EVERYWHERE.

Lancel: French classic yet understated, not as well known I think. Bucket Bags (Premier Flirt). BB bag (Brigitte Bardot). HQ in Opera, In LOVE. Playful.

Longchamp vs Lancel: I own a Lancel Bag, in fact I own two. This picture in the post is of my first Lancel purchase (Plume). Lancel seems more playful yet stylish and practical? Both my Lancel bags were impulse buys and I haven't regretted it. I literally went into the Lancel section in Galeries Lafayette, had a look round, asked the guy to bring me this bag from the top shelf, held it in the nook of my arm/elbow, looked in the mirror, and bought it a few seconds later. The whole thing took no more than 5 minutes. When you know YOU KNOW!
Only later I found out the extra bits like front pockets, inside pockets, inside design etc. The same goes for my other Lancel bag (I don't know the name but its a holiday messenger bag).

However, from all the above that isn't to say I wouldn't want either of the Longchamp bags mentioned earlier...it's just that I'm okay right now with Lancel.

My beloved Plume bag, which is also my current work bag: Blue, Leather, Amazing.

Paris: A Capital of Fashion Part I

I'll admit, there are no photos for this post, just videos. However, bear with me since the point of this post does link in with my next one.

This youtube video was brought to my attention (aka Facebook newsfeed), which I thought was quite brilliant. Interactive and shows sights of Paris. J'aime ca beaucoup!

Longchamp:

This video, also bought to my attention (youtube always tends to do that..), another Paris (well actually Versailles) based youtube video.

Dior:

I think the reason I like these youtube videos is less that I am a die hard fan of these brands*, but more into preferring French brands vs other brands and the Parisian theme of these videos/brands. Plus I have been to the videos' locations, how brilliantly awesome is that!

*in fact I don't own anything from Longchamp, or Dior**

** I used to own a Dior necklace/choker, given to me by an ex for V-day however I lost it (accidently). Honestly though, I own necklaces for 1 pound that I prefered to that necklace!!

Paris is alive, with the sound of music

So as you have already figured out aleady (hopefully), I live in Paris (smiley smiley) and if you read my previous post, I live in the 5eme arrondissement. To be more specific, I live exceptionally close to the Notre Dame. (I'll probably end up writing more about my location in a future post and not here, because it's not that relevant.)

As in many capital cities, you always have shows. People singing, rollerskating, playing music, fire dancers, singers, the lot. I can hear the shows that goes on by the Notre Dame area every night, and I love it. I love being in the Capital, having been in a (too) calm banlieue (suburb) the past year. I love having people around, the noise, the ease of going out or getting home..you get my drift.

Tonight, I was able to hear a really good singer who reminded me of James Blunt, and also some other jazz music group. It was like being at a concert, but in the comfort of my own home! So here's TWO photos of my first music event I've ever been to. The BRITs in 2006 - James Blunt (I can't remember what song he sang) and Kanye West (Touch the Sky). We won tickets for the Brits and the Grammy's in 2006 through a Mastercard competition. (I know, how brilliant is that!)

The BRITS: Music galore, Singers, Red Carpet, Awards

My favourite performance out of the BRITs and Grammy's was Kelly Clarkson, this song (and the Breakaway Album) was a firm favourite of mine for ages. I know it's always better hearing a singer live, but here's what gave me the chills:

PS. I recent helped @NextManStanding write his blog on Gay vs Straight dating. You can check it out here

One year and One week

So I moved to Paris* 1st September 2010. I got my job offer on the 13th July 2010 (I remember this clearly because I got my offer in the morning, and that afternoon I found out about my Uni results. Needless to say that day stuck in my mind forever, and every 13th of the month I feel that I have more luck).

However, I spent three days in August trying to look for an apartment, which was harder than hard. Paris is mainly closed in August, and on top of it being difficult to rent seeing that apartments are scarce and you need a dossier (Employment Contract, Bank Account, ID, etc) I was looking at Craigslist posts as well as agencies.

After encountering many scams, I finally found an apartment which I viewed and accepted. It was in the 5eme and the best/only option I had. I returned a week later to sign the contract, only to be told two weeks before my moving date that they would be taking someone else. Luckily my cheque didn't get cashed but that put me in a bind to find a place within one week, as I was on holiday the last week of Aug. (This story will no doubt be continued in another blog post)

Anyway, one year and one week later I find myself living in the 5eme after all! This picture is where I would have been living

Apartment searching in Paris: Frustrating, Challenging.... an experience

*As the original place in the 5eme Rue du marche des patriarches fell through, I ended up living in Fontenay sous Bois. And since August 2011 I've living in the 5eme, so if we're talking technicalities I've only been in Paris for a month.



Le singe n'est pas sur la branche!!!

So a few weeks ago I saw the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, or in French La Planéte des Singes: Les Origines with a friend. This particular friend was visiting me in Paris for the weekend, and during school would always quote Eddie Izzard: 'Le singe est sur la branche' during French class. Therefore it seemed fitting that we see this film (in Version Originale) even though Singe = Monkey and Monkey =/= Ape.

The whole weekend we'd be quoting Eddie Izzard, and would find it hilarious with any mention of Caesar or Singe as the name of a shop (we found one of each!). So it was obviously hilarious when I was walking back home (Chatelet -> Notre Dame) and I saw the below photo which I promptly took a photo of on my Blackberry, and sent it via BBM to said friend.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!

Les Singes: Fantastic, Brilliant and Legen....wait for it...dary

P.S. The Eddie Izzard Youtube video which I am referencing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1sQkEfAdfY



Food is always the answer!

This post isn't going to be about my holiday, its actually about how I'm feeling now. I couldn't wait to get back to Paris, and now I'm here, I'm feeling quite lonely. Perhaps it's because I've been used to being surrounded by friends or family. I am tempted to text someone to try and do something but being a Sunday evening, its probably not the best idea as I have work tomorrow.

So whenever I feel lonely (or sad/upset) I do one of the following: speak to a friend (@NextManStanding is definitely one worth shouting out to), listen or play music, read, watch something or....eat. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do don't mention food, or am not seen with food at hand, something is definitely up. So right now, I'm opting for the ultimate cure: food + watching all the tv shows I've been missing out on this past week.

Here's something I baked myself, it was as yummy as it looks. Miam miam


Brownie: Moist, Chocolately goodness, Heaven