Cute and comfy shoes… check
Paris map… check
New polka dot luggage… check

I’ve been subscribing to Vogue since I was 13. So yes, I’m a fan. And like most Vogue subscribers, I wait patiently for the issue to end all issues - September. I cannot wait to see the new film, The September Issue, which follows the team at Vogue as they create the biggest issue of the year. Watch Anna and Grace in all their glory in the trailer below…

After posting yesterday’s video containing footage of the Fall/Winter 2009/2010 Haute Couture Chanel collection, I started doing more digging into YouTube and found this great video. When you ask yourself, “why are certain clothes more expensive than others?” Well… here’s why! Watch some brilliant craftsmanship at work at the Lagerfeld-driven house of Chanel.

I love just browsing YouTube; you can find the best stuff! For example, who knew that Chanel has been making promotional videos? I didn’t. Enjoy some great footage of the beautiful Karl Lagerfeld-designed Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2009/2010 collection.

My vacation is so close I can taste it. I don’t know if it is a good thing or a bad thing that I’m so busy leading up to the trip. Of course, I feel like I’ll never get everything done in time, so that’s the bad part. But the good of being so busy is that I can’t just sit here staring at the clock wishing it to move faster! It will be here before I know it!

So, blog readers, now is the time for suggestions! I’d love to hear what you’d do or see if you were in Paris. Have you been? What was your favorite spot or activity? Don’t be shy, let me know! Oh, and we’re going to pop over to Amsterdam as well as other parts in Northern France, so feel free to toss those in those suggestions too!

Just for fun, enjoy some classic Paris photography…

I was totally a kid of the 80’s. I graduated high school in 1989, which makes all my impressionable years during the era of shoulder pads, big hair, and Dynasty. But the thing I longed for in life at that time was to venture off to the big city (I think I thought Chicago at the time most seriously, but really, any city probably would have been fine) and live an eclectic life with artists, fashion, and kooky adventures.

Upon the death of Brat Pack maker John Hughes, I talked with my friends about how influential some of his roles were on me, like Molly Ringwald’s character in Pretty in Pink for example. But it also got me thinking about what other things I was watching at the time. I loved Slaves of New York, Valley Girl, Desperately Seeking Susan, and other films that centered around a wacky female lead and their misadventures in a big city. And now, I sorta am one of those gals. Be careful what you wish for!

Desperately Seeking Susan

Pretty in Pink

Slaves of New York

Valley Girl

If you read my blog, you know that I’m off to France soon. One major detail left hanging is the care of my 3 loving kitties - Sally, Pinta, and Lloyd. So, I call out to you, my readers and friends, to see if maybe you know of someone perfect for the job? Read on for all the details…

Here are the details:

Free rent for most of September in exchange for caring for my 3 kitties- Sally, Pinta, and Lloyd.
2 bedroom (though second bedroom is my studio and not a bedroom).
Large living room with dining area.
Full kitchen and bath with tub.
DSL plug for a laptop.
Small TV with local channels only - no cable (I’m rather low-fi!).
Record player/radio/8-track in living room with lots of records to play (see, what’d I tell you!).
Located in Koreatown, near 8th and Vermont (about 2 miles West of Downtown LA. Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Echo Park are all within 10-15 minute drive. The beach, Venice, and Santa Monica is about a 20-30 minute drive away.)
Urban setting, ie, sounds of neighbors and such. Not a “loud” area, but this isn’t the country!
Street parking only.

Contact me if you or someone you know is interested!

Thanks

My upcoming trip to Paris is 30 days away and I’m beside myself with multiple emotions- excited to go to this place I’ve dreamed of visiting as long as I can remember; nervous about the flight (though I travel all the time, I hate flying!) and financing the trip; anxious to finalize all the cat sitting details so I can go away; and so happy to have an opportunity to leave it all behind for a bit and get away to regroup.

I’m also in the planning stage for the trip itself. We don’t want to plan anything to do on any given day until we get there, but in the meantime, we’re gathering lists and taping together a scrapbook of ideas, just in case we grow tired of the vegetable markets and wine on the balcony.

One spot that I know we want to visit is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the 19. I read about it in the guidebook, but then spotted another blurb about it along the way with photos and am thrilled that it is in Eastern Paris, not far from where we’re staying. This park, which started as battlegrounds in 885 and then later made into a city park by Napolean III in 1862, is now one of Paris’ most beloved relaxation spots. Full of lush grass, blooming flowers, waterfalls, and cliffs to look over the whole of Paris from.

I have also read about the traditional Parisian guinguettes, which are the classic outdoor venues with dancing, lights, and cocktails, that are usually located beside a body of water. Below, is the classic images you see of these uniquely French institutions.

In reading up on the trip, I’ve found Rosa Bonheur, a new guinguette terrace cafe, overlooking the Parc des Buttes Chaumont and made in the traditional style, but look, it’s all hot pink! And apparently there’s dancing and drinks until 2am every night. Yeah, we’ll be going there!