Actually we covered a lot of ground, that day, and this is the first of a series of posts about the trip which I hope you’ll enjoy!

Architecture

One of the inescapable beauties of Paris, is the architecture. It’s always amazing to walk around looking at the buildings and the streets, admiring window boxes and monuments. As a lover of Contemporary Art, I have always found the Centre Pompidou to have great exhibitions, although, we skipped this time. But I’m always so inspired by the building itself, the colorful exoskeleton and the sheer uniqueness. Coupled by the fact that so many buildings around are so old and classically beautiful on a grand scale.

Pain de Sucre

Pain de Sucre, is this little patisserie near the Centre Pompidu on your way to the heart of Le Marias. It had a modern interior, and the little baked goods were not only beautiful, they are amazing little morsels of heaven. I bought a box of macaroons (a must), a chocolate bar, a strawberry marshmallow on a stick, and this amazing loaf of bread with whole dried figs, apricots and some other fruits baked inside. Gorgeous. The bakery was always full of people but not obnoxiously so, a good sign, and a great find.

Sneaks, you’ll need them..

I had never seen so many second hand Converse in one area. I know that they are more expensive in Europe than Stateside, but these pre-loved already broken in Cons run about the same price as what you would find new at an outlet store in the States. Not bad… and if you’re looking for DIY material.. you’re in heaven. Rag, a cute little vintage boutique (83 Rue St Martin) is on a touristy little street just near the front of the Pompidou, but there is a lot of great shoes and clothes all at reasonable prices. Certainly worth a peek. We found a boutique with a great selection of women’s Spring Court high tops, but the shopkeeper accused us of shoplifting, just after I gave her my business card… it was a cute boutique, I like the shoes, but I’m going to leave their name out. Sorry.

Incognito

Between mirrored Jackie O style sunglasses from Tara Jamon, to classic paper masks in the shape of Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie), window shopping in itself was probably the nicest thing to do that day. I was tired from the day before, so a nice way to hide the puffiness in my eyes would be lovely.

Chats et Chiens….

I love cities that love their pets. I miss my kitties every single day. As a woman who can spend all day looking at Cute Overload and I Can Haz Cheezeburger… seeing all the adorable French Bulldogs is just lovely. Also, it’s always nice to see notices of kitties that have been found, I hope the owner sees this notice soon!

And of course, there is an American Apparel, a Muji (love), and a Ted Baker, but for the most part the neighborhood is streaming with lovely charm.

Happy Valentines Day! I know, it’s the most loaded holiday out there, along with New Year’s Eve and, well, New Year’s Eve, it’s the holiday where you feel very grateful for someone in your life, or you feel the very absence of that person who’s ’supposed’ to be there. I personally have never been very good at Valentine’s Day. Aside from my ex-husband, I’ve never celebrated this holiday with anyone. Most of the time I would look at cute pictures on the internet and eat candy. That would be my great joy. Heck, it’s still one of my great joys, thank god for Cute Overload! So tonight, with my first real boyfriend in 5 years we are going to dinner and then to see Love Sick Fashion Show. Should be nice!

Until then, I’ll be looking at cute animals…

And if anyone hasn’t said they love you today,
I love you.

Rocky and I captured the last sunset of 2007, which was phenomenal. The clouds and the colors were unreal… above is a view from my bathroom window! Later, we went to dinner at Plouf, a great little French restaurant on Belden Lane (which has a little Parisian vibe, with outdoor seating, French café chairs… you know…), ate the best dinner, then we took a nice stroll along to the Ferry Building to watch fireworks. The perfect evening.

At dinner we talked of New Year’s resolutions… Last year, I know I made one to quit smoking, which I actually did, so this year, I’m going to share with you some that I’ve been thinking about…

1. Eat better, exercise more… I kinda lost track of things when I got so involved with blogging
2. Let my friends and family know I love them more often
3. Listen to more music
4. Take more walks in nature
5. Be kinder to my feet
6. Develop more earth-friendly habits
7. Travel… I saw this photo in the NYT that made me crave the air of another country.
8. Last but not least… refine my wardrobe. What is my style? How does it reflect my values? Who I am? How much fun is it? It’s a lot of fun. That much I can say right now.

Smiles, warmth, and love.
Have a beautiful day.

Hmmm… what else… 2007, has been an interesting year. 2008, will be even better… I know it… just by trying my best, and not giving up.

Of course I wish for all of you who read this little blog, the very, very best New Year.

Anyway, I’m going on a road trip to Southern California… I may post from there, but just in case, I just want to say thank you for coming along with me on this wild blog ride this year. I really wish you the very best!

“I felt the spirit of Christmas was being lost,” says Banksy “It was becoming increasingly uncommercialised and more and more to do with religion so we decided to open our own shop and sell pointless stuff you didn’t need.” quote from Guardian UK

I have a feeling he’s being a bit cheeky.

Previously Santa’s Ghetto has been located in the heart British retail madness, along Oxford Street, but this year they moved to Bethlehem, just across from the Nativity Church, where Jesus is said to been born. The new shoppe is nestled just about a mile from a security wall in this conflict riddled city. All the proceeds from the art sales will go to help children and young people in the area.

Now, I’m not a religious person, but even I find it disturbing and sad the present day circumstances of the city where Christmas began. Santa’s Ghetto isn’t meant to make any bold political statements, but it brings attention to a reality that is often buried under candy canes and plastic lawn-Santas. After all, thinking is what good art should really make us do.
From top, clockwise from left: Gee Vaucher,’Hands’; Swoon, ‘Untitled’; 3D, ‘No Surrender’; Bast, ‘NY Headband’; Conor Harrington, ‘Dislodge the General.’ The artwork can be seen at the Santa’s Ghetto site, and the Shoppe will be open online (for those who won’t be able to make it to Bethlehem.)

Don’t feel the need to ‘keep up’ for the holidays. Keep it real. If you aren’t feeling in the mood until December 24th, that’s ok. I generally get my tree, put up my lights the first weekend of December, and enjoy the month.

The most important part of this post:

Xmas Deadlines via USPS
(my personal favorite way to mail):

Letters and Cards: December 20th
Priority Mail: December 20th
Express Mail: December 22nd (Note: delivery is attempted 365 days a year, even Christmas Day in many areas)
Parcel Post: December 15th

“Dear God. We paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing.” ~Bart Simpson

Gifts Everyone pretty much gets what they want for themselves. This I’ve learned over the years. It’s way more impressive to get something personal, that reflects your relationship, or something telling them that you pay attention. Last year my sister got me a tin card-holder with the Eiffel Tower on it. I keep my cards in it, and every time I leave my calling card, I think of her. It’s not expensive, but it’s useful, and thoughtful. If you don’t know someone but you have to get them a gift, you don’t need to spend a lot, it’s the thoughtfulness that counts.

Personally, I like to buy several copies of David Sedaris’ Holidays On Ice. He’s hilarious, I love reading the Santaland Diaries (his experience as a Christmas Elf… hehe) during the holidays, plus, it’s a gift under $10.

If you are baking cookies…
(I like to conduct a Christmas Sweatshop Party every year):
Don’t pack soft cookies with crispy cookies… just don’t do it.
You can keep them in separate containers.
Parties Last year, I decided I needed to go to a shrink and get medicated after a night of overbooking myself. I almost killed my best friend and her boyfriend. Kidding, well, I certainly needed to take it easy. I’m saying this as 15 minutes ago, I sent my boyfriend an email asking him if he would mind going to my work party before going to his work party (on the same night)… but try not to overbook, or do it, but know things may not go as you envision in your head. Remember, people just want to see you and have fun, so take it easy!

Oh yeah, if I missed something… let me know, at 32 I’m still trying to figure out how to get through Christmas resembling an adult.

1. Be thankful for tunic blouses and leggings
   
2. No Belts
3. Elastic waist is encouraged
   
4. White shirts/dresses are prohibited (uh, cranberry sauce)
5. Bring back-up clothes (you never know) snuggly socks are always good

And no matter what, all bets are off on Thanksgiving, I can eat as many slices of pie as I want.
Oh, and here is Mothra’s favorite poem of mine… I wrote it in high school…

Turkeyhead, turkeyhead
you baste yourself
and fall asleep.

And last but not least, some great Americana… recipes… oh and of course, Happy Thanksgiving!

top photo by Nicole Ackstein
middle photo by Amy Stein