All posts filed under: author

best books written about paris or are they?

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In reviewing the Guardian UK the other day, I came across an article with their list of top 10 books written about Paris. Of course, you know that immediately grabbed my interest, so I decided to share their suggestions in my blog and ask my readers for their opinion. Are the suggested books the best books written about Paris? Has anyone read any of the books and what you thought about it? if the listed books are truly not the best, please feel free to make a recommendation.

for the writer at heart – a desk and a chair

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I once read that small studio apartments are the most inspirational places for the writer at heart, and after thinking about it long and hard, I realized how true that was, even throughout history. Most well known writers, lived in studios, sometimes in Paris, while they wrote their books. So, as I transition from my past life to the new one, I too have chosen to stay in a studio apartment for a bit in order to, let’s just say, realign my life and get focused on what I want to accomplish from it.  Besides, big houses and too many rooms are not a place for the artistic minded individuals (in my opinion) In line with  the topic I have decided to write about in this entry, I decided to search for  photos of a desk and chair ensemble, to see what actually came to mind when I looked at them. What do you think? Enjoy the photos and have a wonderful weekend.

recommended reads and e-books for springtime

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I haven’t bought books for a while because I am toying with the idea of  “e-booking” – but only for the novels and nothing else (Just in case you are wondering – cookbooks, photography and travel books, collectables I still want in hardcover form). I don’t know, I am not sold on it yet, the e-booking thing, but either way I have made my list of books to read and recommend (above) for Springtime. I would love to hear from those who have read the above books or if they recommend others.

wishful thinking for fall

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Last days of summer and the first of fall, depending on which calendar you look at. It could be September 22 or 23rd but either way, it’s here, so quickly I must add and based on my mood these day, along with probably millions of other people, the transition is not a pleasant one. As I contemplate transitioning to a new career, experiencing a new life perhaps and the desire to relocate to another city, I continue to ponder over this photograph and wonder how wonderful  it would be to live in Paris for while… Either way, Happy Fall everyone.

books i added to my to-read list

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Here is a list of books I saw at Barnes and Nobles which I added to my to-read list for 2010. 1. Good To A Fault by Marina Endicott 2. Purge by Sofi Oksanen 3. A Happy Marriage by Rafael Iglesias 4. Lonely: A Memoir by Emily White I would love to hear from anyone who has read any of the books. Are they a good read or not.

1001 gardens to visit before i die

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I don’t know if you have noticed but in most museum stores, there is a book perfectly displayed, titled 1001 Gardens You Must Visit Before You Die.  Although I hate the words visit and die in the same sentence and normally don’t really look at such books, but because I am a garden phonetic, I actually flipped through the book when I was in the Getty Museum (Center) bookstore couple of weeks ago. From the 1001 gardens listed in the book, I have visited perhaps two or three thus far, and although I would love to make a point to see a hundred of the gardens in the book, I know I am not really going to get a chance to do so, for one reason or another and mostly because some of them are in countries I don’t really plan to visit in my lifetime. So, I would love to  hear from anyone and everyone who has had the wonderful opportunity to visit any of the famous gardens around the world listed in the …

eminem says “can’t you hear the sincerity in my voice when i talk”

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Yes I admit, I am a fan of EMINEM and do listen to what he has to say more so than most rappers but the latest song from him with Rihanna, which has been holding steady at no 1 spot for two weeks in a row is probably the most troublesome. It sounds beautiful, especially when Rihanna chimes in, but if a man wrote a song about me or even spoke the words as detailed in the lyrics, I would join the witness protection plan and get the **** out of dodge. But the tune is pretty, for that thank you EMINEM

a pretty woman moment no doubt

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I had experienced 4th of July fireworks along the cost in Los Angeles about three years ago and it was amazing (minus the traffic jams afterword of course), so I decided since I needed to be in Los Angeles the week of July 4th this year, I could go a day earlier and experience the fireworks along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) once more. Three years ago, we parked around Malibu near Pepperdine University and waited in the cold for hours until the fireworks kicked off around 9p.m., so I decided this time I would park the car along the PCH and walk over to the beach and hang out until sunset and then sit in my car to watch the fireworks in order to avoid being cold. I parked my car somewhere between Getty Museum and a winding street leading up to Bel Air. Without second guessing myself I walked down the sand toward the ocean and began walking along the sand while enjoying the views. Within minutes a security guard ran over to …

eat, pray, love in reference to the woman over 40

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Another one of  my favorite reads last year, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, is being made into a movie with Julia Roberts playing the lead role.  Although the true story is about a woman in her 30’s, Julia is portraying the role while in her 40’s, which in my opinion require much alteration and revision to the film to fit the make up of a 40 year old woman’s lifestyle.  I am not really sure how good the film will be but the book is a recommended read for any woman who hasn’t read it yet. The book can be considered a motivational book and although geared towards the woman in her 30’s, some of us beyond that decade can learn a few things from it here and there. The only downside for the woman over 40 is that, if she were to consider using the methods in the book to self discovery, she must be childless to accomplish the challenge. But either way, it is a solid book and since it is based on a …

step out of that sweatsuit

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I frequent malls and quant neighborhood streets with small shops and restaurants and I must say I can’t help myself get annoyed with women in their 40s wearing outdated or their daughters sweatsuits in public.  I don’t think women in their 40s should wear sweat suits in public but if they really really have to, then it’s best to consider the following: 1. Black pants, no purple, brite green or yellow please. 2. Full lenght preferred over capri style, unless of course you are having brunch with a friend immeidately after a brisk walk or run or a walk with your dog, otherwise avoid wearing any part of a sweat suit for any outings.   3. A zip up jacket rather than a fruit of the loom pullover with your college name or a midwestern town name printed across the front. 4. And finally a pair of tennis shoes, rather than a 3 inch pair of open toe shoes is much appreciated. Below are photos of what not to do and what to consider