your style is like no other

photo from "Exactitudes"

There are so many times I see a piece of art, or a certain furniture design....or something along the lines of that, where I say, "why didn't I think of that?" Often they are just simple ideas like.... Velcro shoes or something easy like that.

Ari Versluis - Dutch photographer, and Ellie Uyttenbroek- Dutch stylist have combined their passions and come up with a very interesting style of photography. They spend their day searching for subjects in the metro, or in busy, high traffic pedestrian areas.

photo from "Exactitudes"

You are so French, and so fashion forward!
....but next time, try not to look like
every other girl in Paris.
AND, each of these photos were taken within the 7ème!

photo from "Exactitudes"

All of the photos are taken within a short time, and in the same place.
High-five Ari and Ellie.



Why didn't I think of this!?

please don't throw yougourt at me

The youngest child that I au pair for is 2 years and a bit. He is at that age where he can longer be controlled. shit, because I'm sure it would have been so much easier last year for the previous au pair. He couldn't run, just waddle, and he would be spoon fed, and didn't feel the need to be like his older sisters etc. But that has all changed. He runs, everywhere, he throws food all over the table (and at me) and he refuses to eat in his high chair, so he eats at the table with his sisters but just smears all of the food on the table (or on me). Of course he is still adorable, but just not as tame.

A few weekends ago we went to the "Bon Marche" which in English is translated to "bargain". But, there is absolutely no bargain to be found within those fancy French walls. It was also the first department store in Paris AND was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the same guy who designed the Eiffel Tower. Beside the Bon Marche is La Grande Epicerie, which is a large fine foods from all over the world grocery store. Also no bargain to be found, but it is beautifully laid out and the colours and selection of food and accessories is perfect (if you are rich, or just feel like browsing). Peanut butter can be found in the American section for I think around 6euros, for a small container. That would be about $10 Canadian.

it is monday, but i am writing about saturday night.

The weekend was excellent. The Diesel XXX party was shit though. We got free invitations from a friend, which I thought was pretty exclusive. But apparently so did the rest of Paris, because after 1 hour of arriving, the huge warehouse was completely full. The so-called unlimited free drinks were sacred. The line at the bar was basically a mosh-pit by 11:30. I had 3 watered down vodka and orange juices. Youpiiii! SO, we decided to quit after 2 hours of putting up with the lame party. We went to Chez George, a wonderful, and yet again busy, tourist free bar! I had 4 glasses of red wine, for 2 euros a glass. What a bargain! I love this bar, but I never can find it when I go looking for it on my own, or with other English speakers. I can only find it if I am with my boyfriend. I think the bar is invisible to the English eye, and can only be seen if you are in the presence of a Frenchy.

notes from a page or two

Today I am cleaning my room. It's surprising how many random pieces of paper I have collected over the past 4 months of being here. I have SO many little ripped papers flying around my room, or ideas on the backs of receipts, or ideas and phrases in notebooks. I have not yet completed the organizing of my room, but I would like a little break, so I will share some of the random ideas and phrases that have come out of my brain at some point or another....
(note - sometimes I can't read my own writing, so some things I just had to guess.)

"Grocery list:

cinnamon raisin bagels
butter"


"Paulina.... with the "a". A guy in a band would write an acoustic about you.
Pauline.... with the "e". A woman who wears elastic bottom sweat pants and her basement has wood panel walls and plates with painted huskies on them."


"Donald: ext. 428
email OCAD
DISHSOAP"


"Name ideas from my jewelry....
-corporeal
-moderne
-bicycle theft
-when gramma's attack
-dane"


"Sometimes I forget I am running my own body"


"I'm drunk on the streetcar - thought you should know"


"Email Jean-Pierre Louis. What 'BIG' city do you live in!?!?"


"Random and Stimulating"


"Download song 'keep feeling fascination' - human legue"

time to hibernate

It is cold. There is no snow....but it feels like there should be. I love fall and winter, but I am sick, so no matter how many layers I drape on myself I can always feel the cold. I would love to just climb into this "eco-ball"and sleep for a few weeks....

http://www.inhabitat.com/

oh gee!

Yesterday was a simple, but very good day. Les enfants were pretty well behaved. Olivia and I went out and had sandwiches and pastries for a great price of 5euros90. Not bad, and the drink was included too. The longer I am here in Paris, the less I think it is a super expensive city. I eat out so much more than I did in Toronto, and I am still saving lots of money. This saved money is not to be touched, it is for traveling! And so far, I have had enough will-power to go over 1 month without going near it.

Anway.... we (me and O) were supposed to be going to a concert, but we kind of waited until the last minute and were intending to buy the tickets at the door.... but it was sold out before we even left. Bummer. But wait, things look up. O had found a little cinema last week that plays all old films. We went last night in stead and saw Singin' in the Rain. That was my first time to see it.... and.... c'etait fantastique!!!! After watching it I decided 3 things: I needed my mom to send me my old tap shoes, and I need to start wearing colourful flapper clothes, and break out into song and dance more often.



....it made me laugh.

just deal with it already!

5 facts:

1.
So I have this growing list of things to do. Lucky for me, most of the things don't need to be done for up to as far away as 8 months. But.... I really should be getting a head start. The list is in my notebook and in my pockets on random scraps. I am organized, really.

2.
I want to make paper. I can't explain this growing urge I have to just....make my own paper. I want to make the pulp, then dry it, then use it to do something crafty, or for gifts, or for just using as everyday paper. I want to make the paper from random newspapers I find lying around, and just random scraps that I have that shouldn't just be thrown in the garbage. I am trying to find a simple way to make the paper. These are the simplest instructions I could find. If you read this, please notice the title, "Making Handmade Paper in 10 Easy Steps"!!!!!!!! (I added the exclamation points because thats how imagine it in my mind). So I assume it will be easy....but read on....and it's not so easy. Whats this? I need a.... window screen, frame, large tub to immerse frame?? My room is probably the same size as the large tub....does that count!?!? I am going to try a web search: "how to make handmade paper if you are living in a room the size of a closet with no running water." Good luck coming up with something for that "Google".

3.
My place that is the size of a closet with no running water has also just become an ice box. Turn up the heat please!!!! Oh wait....this apartment building is over 200 years old, and there is no heat in the Chambre de Bonne! I am living in the tiny room that used the be the maids and servants many many years ago. I have an electric heater to keep me warm. It is only the first of October and I have the heat turned up to almost the highest temp. The heater started out on the other side of the room from me. (so, basically just out of arms reach....). And after 35 minutes of letting it heat up my room unsuccessfully I finally moved it directly beside me. I then discovered a draft coming from my window. Swell. Just peachy.

Now for one of the perks. If I leave my water beside the wall it stays at refrigerator temperature. Très frais!

4.
I am sad to have finished the novel Twilight. It was fantastic. I always feel a little bit sad and disappointed after completing a good book. My friend who lent it to me referred to it as a guilty pleasure. This is true, but would it still be considered that if I go out and buy the rest of the series?! At that point I think it would be more of an interest, hobby, obsession, or what have you. I would really like to meet a vampire now. The story is 2 high students that fall in love. Woah, epic. BUT, one is a normal gal, and the guy is an 80 year old vampire. (Vampires don't age). He wants to suck her blood, but loves her at the same time. He is gorgeous, and she can't resist. The book is unfortunately large in size, but it's an easy read and took me about a week, so you shouldn't have to cart it around for too long.

5.
I am now almost positive that it is impossible for me to go one day without tripping up or down the stairs. I have 7 flights to climb, usually about 10 times a day. For that reason, I am open to the fact that I am bound to trip once or twice on occasion. But every day? I am going to re-start taking yoga....maybe if I can connect with my inner balance it will bring me closer to my balance on the stairs.

This photo relates to nothing in this post.
I took the photo near Kensington Market in Toronto.