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Paris when it sizzles - a few favourites

There's a little entry on the calendar scribbled next to a date very close to Christmas that has got me bubbling with excitement.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that my heart belongs in Paris. This isn't a love affair caused by a holiday as a child or the fact that I'm a sucker for a cliché; it's more of a spiritual/cultural/meaningful connection that means I feel more at home in Paris than anywhere else in the world.

I once visited Paris on my own when I found out my Parents were getting a divorce. Sitting on a picnic blanket outside the Louvre in the "jardin de tuileries" with a small bottle of wine and some freshly baked bread and cheese I realised that the city could help to mend broken hearts as well as it could join two together.

So, after that lengthy intro I think that a little post of my favourite Parisian/French favourites is apt now that we're planning our next trip there.

Music

This song never fails to make me smile and Ms Denamur's sexy French vocals are the perfect soundtrack for a wine fuelled evening.

Films 

Midnight in Paris

A Woody Allen film that captures some of the literary greats such as the infamous drunk Hemingway and Gatsby writer F. Scott Fitzgerald as well as artists Toulouse-Lautrec and Dali.


The story itself is magical, romantic and delightful. It won't feature on any "cool" critic's lists but that won't matter because the scenery, the era, the costumes and the script will bring a smile to your face and make you wish you were wandering the city at midnight too. 



Before sunset

The second in the trilogy and my favourite of them all. (Quelle surprise!) The continuation of 2 strangers on a journey who meet through Europe and fall in love. Who doesn't love a film that features everyone's favourite Parisian bookshop?





 Paris when it sizzles, Charade, Funny face...



Audrey Hepburn is essentially the most beautiful screen siren/Parisian tour guide there is and numerous films featuring the starlet are set in the city and capture both times gone by and how some things about Paris will never change.

Places 

The aforementioned "jardin de tuileries" holds a bitter/sweet place in my heart and will always be my destination should I ever need to escape by myself. For anyone that's seen Amelie; the steps at the Sacre coeur are where Nino finds clues and where you can ride the traditional merry-go-round and is a beautiful look out point over the higgledy piggledy chimney tops of Paris.

The "Shakespeare and company" book shop situated near to the Notre Dame is now infamous and well worth a visit for bookworms and/or English speakers alike. On exiting the bookshop you are round the corner from some of the best record and second hand book stalls in Paris.

Whilst famous landmarks such as the Eiffel tower and the Concord are worth a trip, I definitely think that a walk to the top of l'arc de triomphe at night is the best time to go. The twinkling lights of the city and the darkness surrounding you makes it feel like you're the only ones seeing the landmarks of the city; a stolen view that could mirror what Hemingway or Hepburn saw whilst arm in arm with another.

There are a zillion other places that I adore but to save this post and your eyes I'll end it there with a clip featuring Ms Tautou... 

A break, some sun and my talented friends

LoveBox 2013 

It's been a while since we settled down in front of the laptop with a steaming cup of tea surrounded by notepads and French design catalogues (rock and roll). During a Twitter chat a few weeks ago someone told me about the "5 month curse" and it rattled me a little. I was told that it takes approximately 5 months before your nerves/commitment/effort and enthusiasm start to quiver and you decide to stop blogging/writing/creating.

I was sure that I wouldn't be one of those to cave under the pressure despite what life was throwing our way or let myself drift but much to my disappointment, life threw us some curve balls  rocks and the blog took a hit at exactly 5 Months old.

It was a conversation with two good friends at my best friend's beautifully sunny Birthday BBQ this weekend that made me feel excited about blogging again. As I spoke to my talented teacher friend about her starting a blog I found myself describing all the reasons why it makes me smile. Never because I feel like anyone out there would want to hear what I have to say but simply that I love putting pen to paper and fingers to keys.

There are a lot of big changes happening soon and whilst those may not feature here amongst the photos of Danish furniture and heavily filtered photos of our cat (did we mention we have a cat?), they will be there grumbling away in the background reminding us that sometimes having people you love around you is far more important than lovely things.

When life throws you lemons...

And now for the exciting part of this post - to introduce one of the people who made me smile this weekend. I suggest you put the kettle on, settle yourself down with your laptop/phone/cat and enjoy the witty dialogue and hilarious prose in her very first blog post. After nearly 12 years of friendship she still makes me laugh so much I'm nearly sick. (The highest of compliments!)





Bebe Armitage - Teacher/Dieter/Singleton


My beautiful, talented, honest, brave and funny friend who enjoys a beer as much as a book - the perfect date!

This isn't her but it very nearly could be! Read her brand-spanking-new blog here