Year: 2010

museum envy or “transforming culture into a consumer product?”

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While in Paris, enjoying the Louvre Museum on a rainy afternoon, I noticed the above poster hanging over the self-purchase ticket kiosk in the lobby of the museum. I actually stared at it for a long while and then decided to take a picture of it just to ponder over in the weeks to come and to remember to research the reasons behind the “project.” When I returned to the U.S. and shuffled through my photographs on my computer, in order to organize them, the above picture popped up, reminding me of what I had to do. As a  supporter of the fine arts and an avid museum goer, I must say I have trouble with this decision. I  believe this is the first time a museum is opening a “branch” and although the article I have included here justifies the means to the cause, or rather explains the reasons behind the decision, I have mixed feelings about the endeavor.  Perhaps I am wrong to think this way, but I strongly feel all things historical …

fashion oversights to consider

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First I want to clarify that I have nothing against anyone in fashion or those who are  consultants of the trade, but I do want to state that as a woman, who loves fashion and appreciates a fashion conscious celebrity, I am entitled to an opinion on what I feel works or not on the most influential models for the rest of us to follow or perhaps envy. In recent weeks and months as I flip through magazines and search the net for information about writing entertainment news and film reviews for my other blog, I cannot help but notice  how some stars go from having the right look to the wrong look to a “never finding the right look, no matter what” as they frequent parties, gatherings and movie premieres and so I wonder how can that happen to almost anyone, when its time to select the right gown for that special event? I am not sure if sticking to the same look that works is better or exploring different options to seem versatile is …

all things coffee

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I didn’t start drinking coffee until I hit 40-somthing. I guess I was naturally hyper enough in my younger days and didn’t need the stimulant to jump-start me. But now, if I don’t have a cup of coffee in the morning, I simply cannot get in gear. I try some days to not have a cup and I am okay with it, but by the next day I feel it is somewhat crucial to down a cup. I love to explore unique coffee shops, especially while traveling and often times settle on out of the norm places, because of the type of coffee they use to create their blends, the style in which the coffee is served, and the ambiance and decor. The type of music emanating from their speakers helps as well. My  favorite coffee shops are of course throughout Europe, mostly France and Italy and while there, it is really difficult to turn any corner without seeing a unique coffee shop or coffee bar. What is most enjoyable for me is the fact, …

interior affair for this woman over 40

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If someone were to tell me I won a good amount of money to redecorate my home, of course after relocating to Paris or perhaps to New York, I would immediately go to the internet for the most inspiring styles and decor to incorporate or copy for my nice, new loft or apartment. For a person like me, who likes change almost on a weekly basis, it is really  difficult to pin point any particular style. I use what I like and sometimes that may mean it is too unconventional, somewhat bizarre or even  eccentric for my circle of family and friends, but for the most part it works for me. The way I see it, I really don’t feel that every room has to be the same in style, I also like mixing and matching furniture, colors and themes as long as there is some interesting flow to what I have created. So, although some of the photos I included are just the tip of the iceberg of what I see happening around me, …

chef at heart and gastronomy

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I love food and admire anyone who is able to cook, and  although I consider myself a pretty good cook, I prefer watching others do it more.  With that said, one of my favorite French word  gastronomie (gastronomy: the art and science of good eating) is probably what I live by.  I do not like to rush through a meal and will spend a good amount of time making sure what I put together and where I eat satisfy my artistic pallete. I must admit, I have had the great pleasure of tasting some of the best cuisines around the globe and of course have followed some great chefs on television throughout my life. First my mother and aunts, then in the old and golden days I watched Julia Childs and Jacques Pepin on television, then thought Betty Crocker was the most amazing, and admired  Mrs. Fields Cookies founder (Debbie Fields) and loved  (still do) See’s Candies Chocolatier. But in the last decade or so gourmet cooking became the in thing to do and thanks to …

fashion nightmare for the woman over 40

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As I walk through the mall and eyeball the fall collection slowly making its  way into the department stores and boutiques, I must say I am freaking out because I realize more and more that, what the fashion industry is churning out these days cannot possibly work well on the average woman over 40. I mean sure there are amazing blouses, sweaters, pants and skirts and handbags and shoes that I dream of owning and wearing now but know that they are better fit for the woman under 40. Then I flip through magazines and watch fashion shows and realize more and more, no one is targeting to the woman over 40. I don’t understand why that is so. I mean don’t we deserve trendy clothes and fashionable shoes at our age? Have we been overlooked because most women in their 40’s are either married with kids, divorced with kids, overweight, bulging in all the wrong places, or perhaps has let herself go for more reasons than one and not at all interested in looking …

Parisian chocolat and teaser desserts

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I am not a fan of desserts but once in a while, I do get a sweet tooth and feel the need to sample a light and fluffy dessert and/or a piece of quality chocolate. My favorite dessert of course is French dessert and although they have been infused into the American culture via restaurants and some gourmet grocery stores, it is not the same as eating one in, say Paris or anywhere France. What is the most amazing is, the number of chocolatiers or “chocolat” (French Spelling) boutiques around the city of Paris and some in the French Riviera. The neatly and beautifully displayed chocolates and desserts in a perfectly temperature controlled boutiques give you a sense of experiencing being “a kid in a candy store” except for adults. I had trouble deciding on which piece I wanted to sample and had a blast pointing out the creations to my husband while we travelled the region. The flavors, aroma, quality and care taken in the masterpieces are something I will miss until the next …

dog heaven in france and a few cats

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I know I keep writing about my trip to France but there are so many elements of it that I just can’t let go of or want to forget, so I jot them down as they come to mind  in order to reflect and because telling friends and family about your travels can sometimes get boring, it’s best to write them down instead for those who care enough to read and enjoy. I think the hardest part of going on vacation is leaving your pet behind, in my case it is a dog. First the guilt trip, then the tears and then when you are on vacation, you can’t help wonder how your pet is doing, day in and day out. With that said, I have to say that while  in Paris we did not see too many dogs outdoors because of the downpour I suppose but when we got to the French Riviera, there was a dog on a leash on every corner in every town. The worst of it was that they were …

ode to summer 2010

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I usually get very restless and sad at the end of August because this is one part of the year I don’t really look forward to, transitioning into fall.  I think I have stated a dozen times before how much I appreciate warmer weather and worship the sun as a result of it and although we are just beginning “our summer” here in San Francisco, I still know it’s fall. The days are shorter, there is a certain crispiness to the morning air and the evenings are colder rather than cooler. So, in my own strange way of saying goodbye to summer 2010, I have included my favorite reminder of summer in a  classic and old fashioned kind of way.

the french riviera in a nutshell

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You’ve seen one, you’ve seen ’em all goes the saying and if I were to sum up my visit to the French Riviera last week, it would be just that (not in a bad way). The French Riviera consists of seven major towns (Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, Menton, St. Tropez and Saint Raphael) and a dozen or so smaller ” plages” (Sea) access villages from the Cote D’Azur shuttle train. If you happen to have a Multi-country railpass (which includes France) or a French railpass, you can have unlimited rides on the Cote D’Azur shuttle train between the towns and the beaches. Our plan was to stay in Cannes for several days while we touched up on the towns to the west of it and then move to Nice for a few more days in order to access the towns on the East of Nice. So while in Cannes, we hit up Saint Raphael, St. Tropez and Antibes and when we stayed in Nice we touched up on Monaco/Monte Carlo, Villafranche Sur Mer and hopped over …