Archive | April, 2007

Steamy nights on the Seine

29 Apr

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Looking for the perfect Parisian block party? Whether you are with friends or a lover, the banks of the Seine are a brilliant start (or finish) to a wild night in Paris.

Cliché? yes!

Do we care? no!

Bring a few bottles and park it for an hour or two and watch the craziness. Students, musicians, businessmen, drugdealers, and just about ever social echelon were represented on Saturday night. The Pont des Arts was teeming with with thousands of partygoers from 9pm until 2am.

PetiteBrigitte was in attendance along with several friends, including two of her besties: Chardonnay and Corkscrew.

With feet dangling over the quai, dinner guests on the Bateaux Mouches got an eyeful as PB and other wayward ladies flashed their assets under the glaring beam of the spotlights. Highly entertaining.

One lonely police car cruised along the quai around midnight, looking more interested in joining the party than quelling the debauchery. Vive la France!

Anastacia kicks off honeymoon in Paris

27 Apr

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Pop superstar Anastacia (“I’m Outta Love,” “Left Outside Alone”) was at Black Calvados with her new hubby (and bodyguard) Wayne Newton. The two were married last weekend in Mexico, and stopped in Paris for some amour before heading off to Mauritius for honeymoon part II.

Glowing and fresh faced, Anastacia, 33, could not have been friendlier (with a sparkler like that on her finger…). After a brief chat (during which we discussed her amazing success outside of America– 25 million albums and loads of awards!) she even agreed to pose with the stuffed animal I had been dancing with for the evening. Don’t ask.

Meanwhile, Black Calvados is a small jewel in the club scene around the Champs, and often hosts celebrities and fashionistas such as Jaquetta Wheeler, Pink, Carine Roitfeld, Maria Carla Boscono– Liya Kebede celebrated her birthday there with a cake topped with sparklers. Despite its small size, the club packs a punch as far as hot clientele.

Last night was Cabaret themed, and the costumes were impressive with girls in outlandish flapper outfits and feather headbands. Of course the music was a more of the heavy rock genre– sending the crowd into a frenzy with Nine Inch Nails “Closer.”

Note: dancing on the sofas and tables is allowed and common.

What else would you expect with Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave) as the bossman?

Black Calvados
40 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie
011 33 1 47 20 77 77

Fleur du Male

26 Apr

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Did you happen to see the dashing men driving around in the pimped out Rolls Royce convertible this week? I did. For a second I thought the gay pride parade had started a few months early, but then I realized it was Jean Paul Gaultier up to his promotional antics.

Gaultier is launching a new men’s perfume called Fleur du Male, a witty play on Baudelaire’s collection of poems, Les Fleurs du Mal. And the perfume is just as decadent and erotic as the poetry.

I am generally opposed to men’s perfume (possibly because many men are ignorant of proper dosages), but was pleasantly surprised when I sampled this refreshing fragrance. In fact, I actually spritzed it on my wrist and wore it for the rest of the day!

Fleur du Male is geared towards the same urbane and sophisticated male as Burburry London and Paul Smith Story, but provides something more unanticipated and sensual with notes of petitgrain, lavendar, orange blossom, and coumarin.

Available exclusively au Printemps.

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Queen for the day.

Lolita Lempicka does Etam

26 Apr

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I am officially endorsing the ‘guest designer’trend for major retailers. Some would say that it devalues the luxury pret-a-porter industry, or that it reflects negatively on the designer, but I disagree. Granted, some guest designers are better than others. Look at Madonna‘s miserable collection at H&M, which is still sitting on the shelves weeks after the debut. Terrible! But then again Madonna never had much style sense outside of the 1980′s. Surprisingly disappointing is Milla Jonovich‘s new collection for Mango: a schizophrenic trip into the forgettable 70′s.

April 25 was the debut for Lolita Lempicka’s collection for Etam. It is everything this genre of retailing should be: above-average quality, a reflection of the designer’s trademark style, thematically linked, and desirable yet fresh. I was quite taken with the amazing cuts and intricate detailing. Several easy-to-wear dresses, in whites and light blues. One with a darling rosette motif and sexy criss-cross back. Lots of button detailing, from the dresses to the white sailor shorts. Everything flows together nicely, and is priced at a bargain– nothing over 70 euros!

Lempicka’s is one of the best guest collections I’ve seen (note: this may be overidden when I get to London next week to see Kate Moss for Topshop!). Get to Etam FAST— the collection is very limited and going quickly. I would recommend the big one near Chatelet, the one in the Bastille was low on a lot of sizes.

A very bon voyage: L’Avion making life easier for Paryorkers

23 Apr

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Let’s face it: you are underpaid, overworked, and have yet to meet Daddy Warbucks. It will take divine intervention or the Lotto to cough up the 65 mil to buy your own private Boeing 757-200.

Now you can cross that item off of your “must-haves-before-I-turn-100″— because a brilliant new airline has made private jets completely passé for us Parisians. The company is called L’Avion. Operational only this year, this airline is the answer to transatlantic flying (and hopefully more viable than the ill-fated Concorde!). Call this a ‘premium budget airline.’

100% first class, with high-tech ultra-reclining seats (lumbar support, outrageous amounts of space), excellent menu and attentive service, the flight is comfortable and elegant. And with a price tag that you can afford, but the crying babies can’t. Perfection!

Flights leave daily from Orly to Newark, and cost around 1300 euros round trip– cheaper when you book as a couple! (I make a great +1).

According to king of Parisian nightlife, Fred de Bourguet, who travelled this weekend for a vacation in NYC:

“L’Avion is truly amazing. My best definition: a kind of huge private jet just for a few! With only 30 passengers, the check-in and boarding was very smooth. There was HDTV which was super, even though the DVD’s were a little old… Rocky VI, and Deja Vu.”

And what about the service?

“Everything was great, although you get the feeling that the amount of space might come at the expense of more attentive service. But the flight attendants were very cool– dressed in 50′s style uniforms,” says Fred.

Hmm…. they wouldn’t happen to look like this, would they?

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Visit their site for more information. If you are a Paryorker, this might be a great option for your next trip to the Big A. Many in the fashion crowd have already signed up for the frequent flyer program!

 

 

Chanel Rouge Allure: Bardot still a sensation!

21 Apr


A new commercial by Chanel, celebrating the anniversary of Rouge Allure lipstick, has gottten the nix from the Television Bureau of Canada. And what do you know, our girl BB is at the center of it all!

The bureau does not allow nudity in commercials and wanted portions to be pixilated so that shapes of the actress’s body are blurred out. Chanel’s directors announced that it would not compromise the artistic integrity of the clip. Good decision marketing department! Now everyone wants to see it. (click above)

The commercial spot was inspired by Bardot’s 1963 movie Le Mepris (Contempt)– directed by Jean-Luc Godard at the height of BB’s glory. It shows a sexy swiss model (Julie Ordon) rolling around in bed in front of a man, saying “Tell me, I want to know — do you love my mouth?” and then provocatively applying lipstick. (Great lipstick by the way, I have the one in the commercial- it is number 27 – “excentric”)

Professionally shot by acclaimed photog Bettina Rheims, the short clip even uses the classic soundtrack! Decide for yourself if this is too porno chic! Granted, this model looks no older than 16 but .  . . . she’s really 22.

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Orgasmic Vintage at Come on Eileen

18 Apr

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I am assuming you are seated. If not, and you are reading this on your blackberry while standing up in a metro, grab hold of something!

PetiteBrigitte, shopping victime extraordinaire, has decided to reveal one of the best kept secrets in Parisian shopping. With this knowledge, you will never think of clothes the same way again. Your wardrobe will be revamped to put Kate Moss to shame. And you— you will be catching the eye of many a fashion editor on your walks through Paris.

Three words: COME ON EILEEN.

To fashion aficionados, this musty vintage boutique in the heart of the Bastille is Ali Baba’s treasure. There is not a better selection of affordable vintage designer clothes IN THE WORLD.

After being alerted by a 14-year-old girlfriend who lives in the neighborhood, I made my way to Rue Taillandiers and entered the inconspicuous storefront at Come On Eileen. It didn’t take me long to realize I would be staying for at least 2 hours. I was the only person in there and thank god for it, because I went a little crazy. I have not been this excited over clothes since Elton John’s closet went on sale last year in New York City.

So flabbergasted was I by the collection of exquisite vintage that I almost screamed with joy. I dropped my purse with the cashier, took off my shirt (yes, I was running around in a bra), and launched an assault on three floors of clothes you will never find again. Oh how my stylist friends in New York and LA will be jealous!

Lanvin, Chanel, Courreges, YSL, Leonard, Cardin, Hermes, Dior, Mugler. And at prices that you just couldn’t say no to. All sizes, all good condition, and full of magnificent collectors pieces. The question that kept running through my head was: What genius owns this place, and where does he find these pieces?

I struck up a conversation with Max, the shopkeeper. He tells me a long list of celebrities who visit the store, including well known men who come for the funky suits. It turns out that Max is best friend’s with the owner, and after some prodding, I got the scoop on the mystery man:

The owner is a 38 year-old Israeli, who after a hard-partying youth in Europe, moved to the countryside of Israel and had 6 kids and 10 sheep. He spends the year travelling the world collecting clothes, storing them in his warehouse outside of Paris, and then selling them in the boutique or in markets (yes, markets: marche de montreuil). How exactly he sources the clothes is still a mystery, and Max said he was not at liberty to reveal the secret. My guess is either he has an exceptional network of global contacts, he is part of a clothes mafia that sells off clothes when they rob homes, or he has access to the closets of old Saudi brothels.

“If you hold up any piece of clothing in front of him, he will immediately know the label, the designer, and the year it was produced,” says Max. “He has always had a love for clothes.”

I was so fascinated I immediately asked for a job. I’ll work for free (or for clothes). As it was, I left with a Valentino jacket, a Lanvin clutch, a Bardotesque red sundress, and an Hermes shirt. All for under 130 euros.

Come on Eileen

16/18 rue des taillandiers 75011

monday-friday 11am to 8:30pm

sunday 2pm to 8pm

metro: bastille

I smell a French Lover

17 Apr

… and he is not in bed with me.

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An exquisite new fragrance from Editions de Parfums (Frederic Malle) will hit Parisian stores this April. The new scent, designed by famous “nose” Pierre Bourdon, is called French Lover. One sniff and you will understand why.

The release party for members of the press was held during the first week of April, at Malle’s store on Rue de Grenelle. It was there that I began lusting for French Lover.

Being the acclaimed connoisseur of perfumes that I am, this is how I would describe the scent: “Androgynous in its lack of floral notes– which suggests this is not a flirty perfume– the seduction has already taken place. Now, it is the morning after. The scent of the Veuve Clicquot you poured on your lover’s body lingers in the high thread count sheets… Next to the bed, an open window blows in a woodsy breeze that caresses your sleeping lover and mingles with the faint scent of his designer shampoo.”

All this in a bottle!

French Lover is super-sexy, perfect for summer, and also very unisex, which is a growing trend in the perfume industry, as women’s preferences are migrating towards more fresh/woodsy scents– evident in the resurgence of old perfumes like Guerlain’s Vetiver. Let’s face it: we’re tired of the complicated overpowering florals and cherry vanilla blossoms. French Lover is ‘layed’-back coolness and just a tad naughty. Love it.

Best Karaoke in Paris

15 Apr

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It was Friday the 13th and the freaks came out to party at Showcase for karaoke night.

Among the guest appearances were Freddy Kreuger, Slash, AC/DC, and Lou Doillon. Hosted by party promoter Nicolas, the Friday night Karaoke got off to a retro start, with an opening performance of Brigitte Bardot’s “Harley Davidson,” and quickly progressed to all out bedlam by 2am. Amazing Karaoke, backed up by a full rock band, made the evening unpredictable and entertaining. Promoter, Nicolas, on stage and dressed in his 100th costume change– as a King Kong– made a few enemies, however, when he loaded a syringe full of fake blood and sprayed the audience– destroying many a fine frock and sending several distraught ladies to the bathroom.

A surprise performance by Lou Doillon, daughter of Jane Birkin, went virtually unnoticed by the crowd of indifferent frenchies.

I retract my prior statements about Lou’s intimidation factor. Though she projects a caliber of coolness that few of us could top, her demeanor Friday night was friendly and down-to-earth. She danced with the crowd, drank beer, sang back-up on stage, and partied with her group of friends until 2:30. Wearing a white dress, black tights, victorian-era boots, and a black Fendi spy bag, she was anything but fierce. The only alarming thing was her weight. Before jumping to conclusions, however, one must note that her mother has the metabolism of a 12-year-old boy, so this is likely case of genetic waifishness.

Showcase is a fabulous club, especially for any girls looking to meet hot guys (even if they are a little on the young side). The ratio was clearly in our favor, and the men were surprisingly attractive– some dressed in blazers, others looking more Johnny Depp scruffy. By 3am the place was packed, the DJ had taken over, and there were plenty of men still looking for a lady to shag dance with.

Check out Showcase’s website; by far the best location of any Parisian club.

NOooooooo!

15 Apr

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get ready for it.  speedo season is here.

Swank bares her soul in Intimate Strangers

14 Apr

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Hilary Swank’s life and career couldn’t be looking better: she’s freshly divorced but dating her long-time agent, the new Pirelli calendar girl (featured above), and in post-production for a much anticipated movie (P.S. I Love You, also starring Gerard Butler).

Now the 2 time Oscar winner has her sights set on producing and starring in a remake of French film, Confidences Trop Intimes (2004). The film was a big hit for director Patrice Leconte, with some critics going as far as to say “it is one of the most beautiful love stories ever to grace the big screen” (Garbarz).

The plot is a case of mistaken identity. It is the story of a woman who thinks she is going to a shrink but ultimately ends up baring her soul to a shy accountant. Marvelously interpreted by French actress, Sandrine Bonnaire, Swank has her work cut out for her, but will likely rise to the challenge as she nearly always does (we’ve erased the memory of The Next Karate Kid).

Look for a release in 08. I’ll remind you.

An Open Letter to Madame Bardot:

12 Apr

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Dear Madame Bardot,

 

I have some happy news to report.

As you are well aware, for many decades you have suffered from a bit of a PR nightmare. For a long time, your fellow frenchies thought you were a bit off your rocker. Posing with seals was cute and all, but they really couldn’t handle the ‘unpatriotic’books, the passionate attack speeches, and your marriage to LePen’s buddy.

Of course, I never shared their sentiments. Upon arriving in France, I was disgusted to see posters of Marilyn Monroe lining the stalls of the bouquinistes—instead of you. What did Marilyn ever do for France? Adding insult to injury, I went to 3 video stores looking for Et Dieu Crea La Femme (your first and best), only to find that they didn’t carry a single film of yours! Even at BHV!

I asked myself: has France abandoned its most famous star? Quel horreur. The woman who brought billions in tourism to the Riviera, the face of the nation, the star of the world’s first music video… c’est pas vrai! If anything, they owe you an apology for years of torment from stalkers, paparazzi, and poor behavior! Like the jealous women that would spit at you on the street. You poor thing– the police couldn’t even manage the crowds to get you to the hospital to give birth!

The good news is that public sentiment is finally turning around. After several conversations this week, with the bouquinistes, taxi drivers, and some antique dealers, I feel reassured that the French ultimately love you and feel your persona has been misinterpreted these past few decades. Paranoid you still may be, but crazy you are not. In fact, you have become extremely cool within the fashion crowd, and your CD was playing at Shakespeare & Co. this weekend. Who knows, you could turn up in Colette soon. (You-know-who would be proud of that!)

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So, aside from being the bearer of good news, I would like to invite you to come out of your St. Trop hideaway and join me in Paris for tea at a quiet café where I can do a friendly interview. I want to remind France, and the world, what a contribution you have made to so many genres: film, fashion, music, tourism, activism, and the sexual revolution. And since I know you wouldn’t have fun in Paris without making some attack at fur wearers, I propose we egg someone high profile, like Carine Roitfeld.

As compensation for the interview, I just found an original copy of your first Elle cover, when you were 16. If you sign it for me, I’ll auction it off and give the proceeds to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation!

 

Cordialement,

 

Petite Brigitte

 

 

 

 

 

Calvados: forbidden fruit’s most tempting form

11 Apr

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On a memorable visit to Normandy as a teenager, I had my first experience with Calvados. To be honest, I remember it better than some other first experiences . . .

Surrounded by friends in a cozy saloon in Dinard, I was handed a glass of Calvados. Frightened by the initial warning that it would take my breath away, I timidly sipped the famed liquor, and promptly fell in love.

It would be another 5 years before I was of a legal drinking age, and before I encountered Calvados again. These days, it is my digestif préferé. I am not the only one– in fact, it was James Bond’s drink of choice in 1963′s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Calvados is currently undergoing a kind of global renaissance, although it is still one of the best kept secrets in the world of French fine spirits. Let’s just say, your server will be impressed when you ask for it.

Made from the distilled apples of Lower Normandy, and aged a minimum of two years, the older the age of the Calvados, the smoother the taste. But make no mistake, this baby will burn her way down your throat. It is a pleasant and sexy burn, however, and one that will keep you coming back for more.

Served as an aperitif, in between courses, or a digestif, you will find Calvados in nearly any French locale that serves alcohol. A word of warning to lightweights: sip slowly, this drink is not apple juice– it’s around 70 proof!

For reference, there are many top brands out there, but the most widely acclaimed is currently the Grand Pommier XS, which won the World Spirit’s Competition in San Francisco for 2005 and 2006. (For our few male readers, or you naughty women, this brand was also voted as the best accompaniment to a fine cigar).

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yummy.

Guilty Pleasure #3: Helena Rubinstein Lip Glosses

11 Apr

Yes, that IS Demi Moore. Someone was generous with the airbrush!

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Not all lip glosses are created equal.

MAC is too sticky and unkissable. Chanel creases up. And Lancome is a goopy saccharin mess.

Thankfully Helena Rubinstein, the powerhouse luxe cosmetics line from L’Oreal, found the perfect formula. I have been a loyal user for around 3 years. The consistency, colors, and staying power are ideal– and miraculously, it isn’t a catastrophe when you pucker up!

This season, Spring/Summer 07, HR is offering 4 new limited colors called “Wanted Gloss” (22 euros)— 2 of which I snapped up immediately. The names of the colors are inspired by the line’s Los Angeles based covergirl, Demi Moore. Mine are called “Chateau Marmont” and “Sunset Strip,” and are a sparkly lavender and popsicle orange, respectively. The two others are equally desirable– in a versatile rose (Demi Moore’s favorite), and daring summer red.

Aside from these limited editions, Helena Rubinstein offers around 20 other staple colors. They are perfect alone or over a lipstick. They also make a great gift for any of your American friends— because you can’t buy Helena in the US! My mother is a big fan.

For more information on Helena, including strategic reasons you cannot find her in the US, click here.

Breaking News: Although Printemps carries only 4 colors, Petite Brigitte has just realized that the new Wanted Glosses are out in over 10 colors at Bon Marche!! Get thee to rue de Sevres! Colors in hot pinks, subtle pale rose, and more and more…  They are amazing!!

An unholy Sunday at the Bains

10 Apr

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Unfortunately the majority of French day spas are closed on Sundays, especially Easter Sunday. Thankfully the North Africans realize that rejuvenation should be possible 7 days a week. So off I plodded to the Marais, for my first experience in one of the best known hammams in Paris, which we shall call les BdM.

After a brief tour given by a heavyset Moroccan woman dressed in a black one-piece, I changed into my bikini and hit the hammam. Sundays are co-ed at the spa, so bathingsuits are a must (not so on other days). After 30 minutes of alternating between steam and cold showers, I was already feeling more alive.

Then, it was time for spring cleaning. I went into the utilitarian chamber off from the hammam and got “gommaged” by that same big Moroccan woman. For those not familiar with gommage, this involves an exfoliating glove and a lot of scrubbing, until you have left behind a lot of dead skin you didn’t know you had. There is nothing pretty about it, except the feel of your skin for days after. Though it wasn’t my first gommage, I am now addicted to this Moroccan technique, which is much more effective than the salt scrubs used in most spas.

After showering, I chilled out in the relaxation hallway and read a magazine. Unfortunately, my reverie was soon disturbed by two French men who kept eyeing me and eventually sat down on a chaise longue next to mine. I should have pretended not to speak French, especially since they were total guidos– sporting the white robe AND gold chain look, and with enough grease in their hair to withstand the steam. Unfortunately I was caught off guard and got caught in a conversation.
Fortunately, my masseur rescued me. Or so I thought, until I realized I had just traded one draggeur for the other. Alex (not his real name), a 30-year-old Morocaan, escorted me to the massage room and perceptively noted that I had been getting hit on by the 2 guidos. Yes, I know. Then, once completely naked and lying on the massage table, he went on explaining his relationship status and other stories of his 3 years in France. Somehow, (through no fault of my own, I swear!), the conversation drifted to body types, nudity, and eventually… sex.

Of course, the conversation was passive and subtle, but I couldn’t escape the feeling that he was propositioning me for a dirty massage. Especially when I asked him to place my cell phone (which had been next to me because I was expecting a call) on the side table, and he replied “You might have to pay me to do that, you have to pay for everything these days.” Excuse me?? To put a cell phone on a table? Relevance?

Once this possibility occured to me, my mind started racing and I had trouble relaxing. Call me naive, but in all my spa experiences, a massage had never taken this kind of turn!

Sadly, had I been of a more libertine mindset and actually found him attractive, I would not rule out such an encounter (though PetiteBrigitte would never pay!). It would have been very Samantha in Sex in the City. But in the end, I left feeling somewhat relaxed, perplexed, and very greasy. It was not the ideal happy ending. :)

I dare any of my more kinky readers to try a dirty massage with this masseur. We need confirmation that this happens at les BdM! (I’m so naive– it’s the Marais– of course it does!) Some of you will find him hot– and if you e-mail me, I will give you his real name to request!

Sciences Po vandalized by Spraypainters

7 Apr

“Manu militari!” Use your hands and Masturbate, says LePen.

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Vandals spray painted both sides of the entrance to Sciences Po on Rue de L’Universite Friday night, defacing one of the most elitist institutions in the French education system.

The two poorly written phrases denounce fascism and make references to LePen. They are likely the backlash from Thursday’s forum at the school, which hosted the polarizing politician Jean Marie Le Pen. It seems the visit was less than pleasant for all parties involved.

The 78-year-old former paratrooper and National Front leader faced protests and heckling on his arrival at the event at Sciences Po. After telling the audience that women faced a “social handicap”, he responded to boos by shouting: “Bunch of imbeciles!”

Asked at the debate whether condoms should be distributed in high schools, he resorted to a language we all understand, Latin, to suggest that horny teenagers might take the problem into their own hands. He advised “those worked up” to resort to “manu militari”.

Thanks for the tip. We hadn’t thought of that.

Unfortunately, students have used their hands for other purposes tonight. The spray painting is large and unmistakeable on the limestone facade of the school. It is unclear if the attack was directed at LePen, or the school who organized the debate. Since 2001, Sciences Po has implemented a number of reform policies, including broadening its admissions to include more youths from economically depressed suburbs of Paris. The reforms are intended to expand the socioeconomic mix at the school, but have not gone without controversy. They are the first affirmative action initiatives in France.

Someone clean up that spray paint fast! I want my beautiful neighborhood back.

One would think Sciences Po students, if they were responsible for this act, would be smart enough to find better ways to protest (start a blog people!). Perhaps LePen was right, and they are in fact “imbeciles”….. :)

 Update: Sciences Po is grafitti free as of April 11, after an afternoon powerwash. An impressively fast clean-up: may the sheltered bubble of the 7th arrondisement live on!

Best Ladies’Nights in Paris

5 Apr

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We all need a girl’s night de temps en temps– where we dress up sexy but go out under the pretense of female bonding. The following are a list of places you and your copines may want to drop by this weekend (and in the future as some are weekly soirees). As you may imagine, there are some common themes in these events, primarily “open bar” and cheesy music. Enjoy the long weekend!!

Thursday: Every Thursday Le Wagg (6th) hosts LoliTa happy hours from 7pm to 9pm, for all those hardworking ladies that just need to unwind after a long day! Free entrance, free drinks, massage and manicure stations, body painting, magicians (!), videos, etc. At 9pm the real party starts with music from the 80′s, 90′s, and on… Open bar all night for the ladies! More info here.

Friday: Vengeance d’une Femme. Only ladies allowed into the Six Sept (8th) starting at 11:30– for a girl power hour that involves seductive stripteasers & an open bar! Men finally get admitted at 12:30, and with the women already warmed-up, the dance floor is movin’to the tunes of DJ Narcisse and Marco.

This Saturday: Though you may not admit it now, I know you listened to Boys II Men back in the day! Still noted as the most successful R&B group of all time, with 5 number 1 songs, they are yours on Saturday night at the Rex (along with guest Brian McKnight). Get your girls nice and tipsy and sing along to songs like “I’ll Make Love to You.” The perfect girl outing!

Sunday: Free entry and open bar for the ladies from midnight to 2am at la Suite for the “best DJ of 2007″ DJLORD ISSA & DJ PELPEZ UNDERGROUNG & ELECTRIK SOUND (playing soul, funk, pop, rock, etc..). The soiree is called “Private Penthouse” and there is a dress code and guest list for the men (call Maximilien 0620286883)

Jessica Alba & the Frenchman ? [David Moreau]

3 Apr

We can’t all be blessed with beauty.

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Is Jessica Alba about to pull a Salma? Hollywood’s latest trend appears to be Frenchmen!

The rumor mill is abuzz this week with pictures of French director David Moreau getting cozy with hot actress Jessica Alba. Both are in LA for filming of The Eye. Looks like Alba’s long-term relationship/engagement to Cash Warren might have gone bankrupt. (more details)
Moreau is definitely French. Just look at that wild-eyed scruffiness. —if you’re getting with Alba, mon cheri, better get some hotter pics on google!

Born on the 14th of juillet, the 31 year old Moreau wrote and directed two French films that you probably didn’t see. (“Ils” and “Back to St. Tropez”). Both of the films were well received by international critics, and when he arrived in LA last year, Moreau was immediately greeted by several work proposals, and some dinner proposals as well– with Wes Craven.

Now he is working on the remake of The Eye, a story of a woman who receives an eye transplant that lets her see into the supernatural world. Aside from Alba, the film stars Rachel Leigh Cook and Parker Posey. Release set for October 07.

Moreau has displayed a penchant for directing horror flicks, but also says he is interested in directing war movies, and even comedies. He’s been in talks with studios such as Lionsgate to take on new projects, and this current project is funded by Tom Cruise, so looks like the Frenchie might be in Hollywood to stay!

Perhaps a stylist and PR person might be in order.

Best Bikinis for Summer 2007

3 Apr

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With spring temperatures finally here, shoppers are out in full force for this season’s hot items. Sundresses are flying off the racks, as are espadrille platforms and ballerina flats. Even though your bod might not be ready, time to muster up the courage for bikini shopping. If you wait too long, the best will be gone! (some already are!). All of the following can be found on the 3rd floor of Bon Marche:

1. Thomas Maier (any style: particularly the balconette featured below— selling out fast!)

2. Princesse Tam-Tam: moderately priced, good cuts and prints– especially the red/white gingham!

3. Eres white bandeau bikini

4. Eres black deep-V one-piece

5. Bon Marche mix + match (great value, variety of cuts and colors!)

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…. more to come!

Nouvelle Vague & new obsessions

2 Apr

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I’m ashamed to admit I had never really listened to Nouvelle Vague before arriving in France!

Now, I can’t get enough of them. These latin inspired tunes are soothing, sensual, and perfect for rainy days full of ………. .

 

Marc Collin and Olivier Liboux– the talented duo– released their 2nd album last year, entitled Bande a Part.Collin’s influences included: “a young Jamaican with his acoustic guitar singing Heart Of Glass in his Kingston township suburb” as well as “a young blind girl singing Fade To Grey in the corridors of the Parisian Metro, alone with her accordion, ignored by everyone.” Somehow this all comes together into a coherent and provocative compilation of songs.

With haunting reinventions of cover songs from Billy Idol to Bauhaus, and soulful voices from their female guest singers, both of Nouvelle Vague’s CDs are pure perfection. Each sound distinctly different from the other, but both have been blasted up and down the runways for many Parisian fashion weeks.

While you will love every song, my favorites are The Killing Moon, Tuxedomoon, and Guns of Brixton.

Be sure to see them live April 25 at the Grand Rex!

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