Archive | August, 2007

Alert: Celebrity Invasion in Deauville!

31 Aug

Brad in town to promote Jesse James. He hasn’t looked this hot since Legends of the Fall!brad.jpg

Who knew the Deauville American Film Festival could pull such big names?

 Brad & Angelina, Matt Damon, Ben and Casey Affleck, George Clooney, Monica Bellucci and Katie Holmes, are just a few of the big names attending the event.

Starting today and lasting until September 9th, the town of Deauville will play host to the 33rd annual American Film Festival, where this year’s honoree is Michael Douglas. Michael will open the ceremonies today with the screening of his film, King of California, directed by newcomer Mike Cahill.

Deauville, located in Basse Normandie (Calvados), is traditionally associated with its world-class equestrian centers and famous horse races. It is a favorite holiday escape for wealthy Parisians because of its beaches, harbor, and casino (which was the inspiration behind Ian Fleming’s James Bond Casino Royale). With this year’s high celebrity turnout, the city can expect an even more glitzy image than before.

Stars have been arriving at CDG all week, with most of the big names expected this weekend hot off the Venice Film Festival. Many will transfer directly to Deauville, but others such as Matt Damon plan to spend a few nights in Paris. Stars will reside at the Ritz, and the new Fouquet’s Barriere on the Champs Elysees/George V, which is the sister hotel to the Deauville Barriere.

Mr. & Mr. Elton John stop traffic in St. Trop

26 Aug

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Elton John is officially the whitest man in St. Tropez.

Sporting some not-so-beachy attire, Elton and husband David Furnish closed out the summer season with a visit to St. Tropez.

The once idyllic beachtown, made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960′s, has continued to make a comeback this season after many decades of bad reviews. A long line of A-listers hit the riviera hotspot this summer: Diddy, Longoria, Paris, Bruce Willis, Joan Collins, and Karl Lagerfeld all vacationed here.

Elton and David share a fabulous estate a few hours down the coast on Mont Boron, which overlooks the city of Nice.  Perhaps Elton should keep that outfit for the privacy of his home… red RayBan wayfarers might look good on Charlotte Casiraghi, but they are not for everyone! David, on the other hand, looked casual chic with a Bottega Veneta tote.

Don’t miss Elton’s concert in Paris: September 11 and 12! Tickets at Fnac.com

this guy likes Paris

26 Aug

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Bruce Willis is always in Paris.

The star of DieHard4 was spotted dining and drinking at Hotel Costes on Friday evening.

Though we recently reported that his daughter, Scout, was enrolling in the Sorbonne this year, we are still seeking confirmation that this is still the case.

Bruce has spent much of the summer on the riviera, and is a regular party fixture at places like Cafe 55 in St. Tropez. 

Katie & Suri summer in the city

24 Aug

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Katie and Suri Cruise are spending the next few days in Paris as part of their European holidays (the family is in Germany this summer for the filming of Tom’s next movie, Valkyrie).

The adorable pair were in high spirits as they visited the Louvre and then made their way to rue St. Honoré to shop at Colette, Fendi, and Lanvin.  An afternoon treat at Ladurée completed the outing.

 Katie looked chic and Jackie-O-esque for most of the day– except for the close call when she pulled a Britney Spears as she tripped with Suri in her arms! Thankfully a bodyguard stepped in to save the day, though Katie suffered a scrape to her knee. She promptly returned for a wardrobe change and came out wearing knee-high boots.

Fortunately, that was the only ressemblance Katie had to Britney yesterday. No unfit mother here!

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Britney Spears fleeing to Paris?!

23 Aug

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Pop-star turned lunatic Britney Spears appears to have fled the United States. Numerous sources report seeing her in Antwerp today, and certain news agencies including the National Enquirer(always credible) are reporting that Britney is headed to Paris.

Rumors are swirling as to the druggie divas motivations in leaving the country. Is she planning a comeback concert in Paris? Is she entering a European rehab clinic?

Keep your eyes open Parisians….. Spears will not be hard to miss: cheap wig, slutty clothes, and incoherent babbling might tip you off.

A Jolie Villa in France

14 Aug

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Johnny & Vanessa may have started a trend…

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently purchased a massive 1000 acre vineyard north of Aix-en-Provence in the Luberon region, called Chateau Val Joanis. Dating back to the days of Roman occupation, the property boasts a villa, several out-buildings, pool, eco-friendly orchards and gardens, and a well respected range of wine. Pretty much a self-sufficient little village.

Rumors continue to suggest the couple may move their permanent base to France from the US…. and what a welcome addition they would be!

The couple has fallen in love with the tranquility of southern France, and surprised the small town of Angouleme last month by stopping in for a 10 day vacation with their  children. The couple rented a chateau and stopped in at local attractions such as amusement parks and bowling alleys.

“We’re a small little town, we’re not used to having celebrities,” said one resident. “We don’t get French celebrities, so it’s completely crazy to find yourself standing with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the most chased-after couple in the world in front of you. Completely crazy.”

Cinema Chic on the Champs

10 Aug

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Going to the movies on the Champs-Elysées has been a favorite PB pastime for many years. Not only are you guaranteed a VO (version original), but there is nothing quite like exiting a theater to the sight of the Arc de Triumph. La Grande Classe.

Going to the movies on the Champs should call for a bit more effort than your typical outing to the megamall in Podunk. I know the MacDo is right next door to the George V cinema, but BigMac’s and popcorn are far too middle America for full-time Parisians.

Here is how to bring a little chic to your next flic.

1. Instead of popcorn, stop in at Ladurée and pick up an assortiment of macaroons to go. Try the new summer flavor “menthe glaciel” which is my favorite new option– it tastes like a mojito. Other winning flavs are pistache, chocolate amer, rose, and fleur d’oranger. 

2. Walk up towards the Arc to the Drugstore, where you can pop in and grab a demi-bouteille of Veuve Clicquot, pret-a-boire and easily stuffed into your oversized raffia YSL bag. Don’t forget to ask for 2 plastic cups (assuming you’ve brought un ami). Proceed across street to George V theater.

Champagne and macaroons will make even the most mundane of blockbusters, like Fantastic4 & the Silver Surfer, seem enchanting.

Bonne séance! For a nice apres-drink, cross the Champs and head towards the Arc to Sir Winston’s, a favorite watering hole of the 8ème crowd.

 

 Movie listings at allocine.fr

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Summer Reading List: French Trysts

7 Aug

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Paris Hangover was Kirsten Lobe’s sensational first novel. So how does her second novel, French Trysts: Secrets of a Courtesan, stack up to the fabulously witty debut?

The novel tells the story of Alex Ward, a student-turned-high-class-whore operating amongst the top corporate and political figures in Paris. Rife with tales of orgies, black AMEX cards, and pink diamonds, the storyline is shockingly devoid of morality as our heroine makes her way from bed to bed, while still managing to feel intelligent and guilt-free throughout all of her promiscuity. Even PetiteBrigitte was stunned by some of the dialogue, which included graphic sex tips and mesmerizing justifications for living the life of a ‘courtesan.’Lobe was correct in stating that this novel makes Paris Hangover “read like the Bible.”

It took me all week to figure out why I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as her first. Sure, the plot was mildly disturbing, as well as predictable. But there was something else. Finally it dawned on me: Kirsten Lobe is a powerhouse of wit and intellectual banter. Paris Hangover kept me laughing the whole way through. Her fatal mistake was throwing SO MUCH of it into one book. C’etait trop trop trop. The novel jumps from witty remark to witty remark faster than you can say “bouquet intime” (yes, that’s her name for you-know-what). This renders the remarks less witty, less plausible, and dare I say, boring? On top of this, the heroine constantly addresses her readers, which distracts from the unfolding scene and makes the plot even harder to follow, not to mention exhausting. (Her use of exclamation points and parentheses are so rampant that the heroine literally apologizes for it!!)

French Trysts is a glaring case of E.U.I., otherwise known as Editing Under the Influence. Where the editor of this book was (in bed perhaps?) is the enduring question. My best guess is that Lobe’s stunning looks, the gorgeous blond hair, the new maternal glow, so mesmerized the editor that he/she could not bear to cut even the most superfluous of text.

PetiteB still loves KLobe, and sends her best with these parting words: Keep it up, third time’s the charm!

French Trysts is available at W.H. Smith, 15 euros.

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