New Year's Eve

The end of the year is fast approaching... Time once again to look back and celebrate all that we have experienced and accomplished. And, with only a few days left in 2011, there are usually two big questions everyone is asking:

What are you doing for New Year's Eve?
and
What are you going to wear?

And hey, if you only have one last chance to make an impression in 2011, better make it count right? Here are some New Year's Eve outfit ideas to get you inspired for the big night!

THE DRESS

French Connection Samantha Sequins Dress / Tibi Metallic Jacquard Dress / Haute Hippie Sequined Strech-Silk Dress

Nothing says "let's celebrate!" more than metallics and sequins. The French Connection silver sequined dress is the perfect balance of classic and fun with the wrap-over detail, powerful shoulders, and eye-catching sequins. While the silver hue is beautiful, the dress also comes in gold (check it out here). Tibi's Metallic Jacquard Dress is a little less flashy, but equally fun with its olive, gold, and black metallic finish and, major plus, forgiving waistline (hey, it is the holidays after all!) If you would prefer a dress with some sleeves this Winter, try something like Haute Hippie's Sequined Stretch-Silk Dress. While the cut of the dress is rather simple, the all over bronze sequins and low back ultimately steal the show. For a similar, less expensive option, check out Nasty Gal's Gabby Sequin Dress.

THE SHOES

Christian Louboutin Bianca Patent Pumps / Kurt Geiger Scatter Suede Booties / Steven Angels T-Strap Pumps

When you're working with sequins, the easiest thing to do is to contrast the party on top with some black basics. These sky-high Christian Louboutin patent pumps are a coveted classic, while the Kurt Geiger suede booties provide a little more edge. For some added feminine detail, the Steven t-strap pumps can be worn over tights to enhance an elegant evening look.

THE ACCESSORIES

1) Wolford Matte Opaque Tights
2) YSL Rouge Volupté Lipstick in Exquisite Plum
3) MICHAEL Michael Kors Sloan Python Patent Leather Clutch
4) Maison Martin Margiela Patent Leather Envelope Clutch
5) OPI Nail Polish in Lincoln Park After Dark
6) YSL Large Patent Leather Clutch
7) DANNIJO Coco Rings

So... What will you wear for New Year's Eve? Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! À bientôt!

A Few Things

Amazing knits

All the way buttoned-up blouses and leather jackets

Big coats and leather gloves

Jay-Z
All photos via Jak & Jil

A Holiday Gift Guide

1) Pretty Ballerinas Rosario Soft Green Suede Flats: All of Pretty Ballerina's flats are beautiful and really well made. Choose from suede, quilted leather, patent cap toes, embellished details, rounded or almond shape... You're bound to find the perfect pair for anyone!
2 & 3) Zara Knitted Mittens and Pompom Hat: You can't go wrong giving someone a hat and gloves during the winter. I love the bright color and knitted texture of this set. A very simple and cozy gift!
4) DANNIJO Stanton Bracelet: This beautiful Swarovski crystal cuff would be beautiful layered with other bracelets, or simply worn on it's own to elevate an evening look. Particularly during the holiday season, everyone loves a little bling!
5) Votivo Holiday Red Currant Candle: When all else fails, give someone a candle. This one by Votivo not only smells amazing, but it also comes in a beautiful glass jar and case for the perfect gifting option.
6) J. Crew Handknit Fair Isle Sweater: Everybody loves a cozy sweater! Not only is this one perfect for Winter, but it's also 30% off today at J. Crew. Just enter code 'JINGLE' at checkout and make someone very happy for less!
7) Stubbs & Wootton Richard Black V Slippers: The Stubbs & Wootton slippers are the perfect gift for that stylish friend or family member in your life. A fun blend of classic and edgy, they can be worn both around the house and around town. The 'Yes and No' pair are fun and quirky while the 'Croc Black V' are a little more luxe and timeless. There's sure to be a pair to suit anyone on your holiday gift list!
8) Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray: Perfumes can be tricky to gift since everyone has their own favorites, but I just love this fresh floral scent by Chanel. Everyone always comments on how great it smells and it makes for a great basic, wear-everyday scent.
9) Cambridge Satchel Co. The Classic Satchel: Not only are these coveted bags the perfect classic carry-all, but they are also surprisingly affordable! Give someone the look of a Proenza Schouler PS1 satchel for less and choose from basic colors like saddle brown and black, or lime green and bright yellow.
10) Michael Kors Runway Chronograph Watch: A nice watch makes a great gift, and Michael Kors makes some of the best in the $200-$350 range. This gold oversized watch is attractive, well made, and simple enough to wear with everything.

Happy holiday shoppping and à bientôt!

A Christmas Wish List

1) Alexander Wang Metallic Bouclé and Mesh Sweater: Alexander Wang is awesome and this sweater is no different. Made of yellow, white, and metallic blue fabric, this piece adds an unexpected touch of cool to any outfit.
2) Céline Horizontal Gusset Cabas Tote: Unfortunately, this bag is sold out everywhere but I want it soooo baaddddd and can't stop obsessing about it. It's the perfect shape, big enough for all my crap, and looks so cool with the exposed zippers.
3) Irreverent by Carine Roitfeld: I posted about Carine Roitfeld a number of weeks back and mentioned her book, Irreverent. Since she stepped down from Vogue Paris, Carine has been working on this book of more than 360 pages chock-full of images chronicling her extraordinary work in the fashion world since the early 1990s. It would make a great gift for anyone interested in fashion.
4) J. Crew Silk Polka Dot Nightshirt: You can't go wrong with getting someone pajamas for Christmas. I love J. Crew's nightshirts - they're so comfortable and you don't feel like a total slob wearing them all day. This silk one makes a nicer gift, and if you shop online at J. Crew today, you can take an awesome 25% off your entire order. (Just use code "MERRY" at checkout)
5) Alexander Wang Intarsia Pullover: Okay, so anything Alexander Wang is pretty much dominating my Christmas list this year. This sweater is ridiculously expensive, but so flipping cool. I want to wear this with everything and never, ever take it off.
6) J. Crew Flannel Boxers: Who doesn't love flannel? These boxers look so cozy and would make a great gift. Again, they're 25% off today only!
7) 3.1 Phillip Lim Fine Stretch Jersey Top: This piece looks super basic, but the sheer chiffon sleeves and partial sheer chiffon back elevate this black top to a whole new level. It would be beautiful paired with a leather pencil skirt or with black jeans and heels. It would also look super cool worn with a vest like Isabel Marant's Sleeveless Tuxedo Jacket, or underneath a dress like they have it styled on net-a-porter.
8) Dessine-Moi Un Parisien by Olivier Magny: I just bought this book while I was in Paris, but I wanted to include it again here because it's absolutely hilarious. The English version is called "Stuff Parisians Like," and couldn't be more spot on in pinpointing the mysterious ways of the Parisians. Study up and enjoy this book to be mistaken for a Parisian or to simply laugh and be transported into the daily Parisian life.
9) Kurt Geiger Sweep Boots: I wear short black boots pretty much every day, so adding an alternate pair with a small heel wouldn't be a bad idea (hint, hint).
10) DANNIJO Mariella Earrings: I normally don't wear earrings, but for these beautiful crystal chandelier ones, I will make an exception. Actually, the only earrings I ever wear are big ones like these. This pair would really make an all black outfit stand out and look gorgeous contrasted with a sharp, strong-shouldered blazer.
11) Alexander Wang Leather Shorts: these leather shorts are exactly what I've been looking for. A lot of designers make a nice, clean leather short, but I love how Alexander Wang ups the badass factor with crinkled leather and exposed buttons up the front. With the perfect baggy fit, I want to wear these shorts all year round with tights and big, baggy knits in the winter (like the Intarsia Pullover!), and with casual tee's in the Spring/Summer.

More great Christmas gift ideas (for everyone) to come this week! À bientôt!

Paris in November

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but now that finals are over, it's about time I shared some photos from Paris...

Along the Seine River - Notre Dame and the Pont de l'Archevêché



Afternoon walk through Père Lachaise cemetery

Afternoon sunset at Père Lachaise


Croissant cooking class at La Cuisine de Paris

Clear, sunny Sunday at Sacré Coeur

Chanel purse in the Karl Lagerfeld's Printemps Christmas windows

We absolutely lucked out with the weather during our stay in Paris. 9 days out of 10 we had clear, blue skies, a soft orange glow from the distant sun, and little need for a coat. My mandatory visit to the Père Lachaise cemetery was hauntingly beautiful at sunset and the view from the top of Sacré Coeur on a Sunday was stunning. Couldn't have asked for anything better!

One morning, Francesca and I took a croissant cooking class at La Cuisine de Paris. Just along the Seine and two blocks down from l'Hôtel de Ville, this charming little cooking school offers cooking classes in French and English. For three hours we worked in pairs rolling thick layer upon layer of butter into dough to create classic croissants, pain au chocolats, and croissants aux amandes. It was a fun class (definitely made me appreciate croissants more!) and the chef we worked with was really great. Check out Lost in Cheeseland's interview with one of La Cuisine de Paris's founders, Jane Bertch, or head straight to their website to see their full schedule of classes!

Now, I'm back in Portland for the holidays with lots of fun things lined up in the next few weeks... Got tickets to see Foster the People on Wednesday, picking up the Christmas tree tomorrow, and most of my friends will be home by the end of the week... Life is good! Hope you are all well and staying warm wherever you are!

À bientôt!

A Few Things

Fuzzy, cozy sweaters

Leather and studs: the perfect DIY project for a cold day inside

Fall layers
All photos via Jak & Jil

Back from Paris: New In

Well, we're back from Paris! I'm slowly recovering from jet lag, but I think the overall lack of sleep these past 10 days is the real reason I keep falling asleep at 7:30pm every night. Needless to say, it was a very successful séjour à Paris. Among the many things we accomplished... Many a strolls through the Jardin des Tuileries, Concorde, Père Lachaise, and St. Germain, lovely breakfasts at Eric Kayser, shopping at the Bon Marché, Printemps, Isabel Marant, and Zara (to name a few), a makeshift Thanksgiving dinner at the Bristol, a visit to the Grand Palais to admire the incredible Stein collection of paintings, many long dinners with friends and family, several fabulous nights out on the town, and an abundance of champagne and rosé... I'm still in the process of uploading/organizing all of the photos, but visuals of these adventures will be up soon!

I just wanted to share with you now my favorite purchase of the entire trip: this lovely Jérôme Dreyfuss bag. I already did a post on this fabulous French designer back in September, but my love for this label lives on. I instantly fell for the sac Bobbi as the perfect going-out bag. It has just the right amount of surprise with the gold chain strap, rich burgundy python leather, and zip details on the bottom, without overpowering the rest of a look.

This next week is packed with papers, projects, and finals, all while simultaneously trying to take my mind off the fact that I'm no longer in Paris... But, it's the last day of November which means the Christmas festivities may commence! And there's no reason to be down during the holidays. I just can't wait to go home next week, take a deep breath, relax, and fill my days with friends, family, cooking, great food, and Christmas music, movies, and parties.

I hope you are all doing well! If you're overwhelmed with work like I am, well, "Bon courage !" as they say in France. More updates on the trip to come this week...

À bientôt!

First Night in Paris

Oh man... words simply cannot describe how great it feels to be back in Paris. Yesterday, Lily, Francesca, and I quickly found each other at the airport, exchanged big hugs and loud greetings at arrivals, grabbed a taxi that barely fit our bags, and made our way into Paris. Tired from jetlag and our inability to sleep on the plane (due to excitement bien sûr) we arrived at our apartment, lugged our bags up three flights of stairs, and instantly felt at home. I have to keep pinching myself because it all seems too good to be true, but I'm not sure that the fact we are actually here has totally set in yet.

Last night, we dressed for the town and met up with ma tante at the Bristol for drinks... Not a bad way to be welcomed to Paris! A few coupes of champagne and a perfectly delicious club sandwich later, we emerged refreshed and ready for a night out. And oh, what a night we had! A cheerful reunion with french friends complete with a constant flow of wine, a noise complaint from the neighbors, a walk past the Christmas displays at Printemps near midnight, and dancing at a club near Madeleine.

Lily, Martha, Me, and Francesca

This morning we enjoyed a delicious omelette with pain, confiture, et orange présée at Eric Kayser, stocked up on the immediate necessities at the pharmacie, and even picked up some groceries at the Monoprix. Walking around Saint Germain in the crisp morning air smacked massive and permanent smile across all of our faces. Ahh pure bliss!

Well, you know you're in Paris when a protest just broke out outside of your apartment... Like I said, it feels great to be back! Now I'm off to get ready for dinner at Le Comptoir. Can't wait for some delicious French food!

Hope you are all doing well - à bientôt!

Bon Voyage!

Ahh, finally... tomorrow is the day that I leave for Paris. I cannot wait to walk off the plane, find Lily and Francesca, and move in to our beautiful rental apartment for the next 10 days. But most of all, I cannot wait to wake up every morning to the incredible city of light.

Photo by Summer :)

All finished packing! Now it's off to bed so I'm well rested to navigate the busy airports tomorrow. I hope you are all having a wonderful week and looking forward to a Thanksgiving filled with family and friends! Updates to come ASAP.

À bientôt!

Looking Forward to Paris: Part 3

I am so excited for Paris right now, I don't even think I can manage an introduction.... So we'll just get right to it - A few more things I simply can't wait to do while in Paris.

Drinks at Prescription Cocktail Club: You could easily walk past this two-level bar near Odéon without even knowing it. Down Rue Mazarine you won't hear any sounds and you won't see any flashing Prescription Cocktail Club signs either. As much as this gem of a bar has tried to keep under the radar, in the past year or so it has become quite the popular spot for the chic after-work crowds. On weekends, the place is packed with 20-30 somethings sipping on Prescription's delicious drinks and loudly talking over the hip music. On weekdays though, this little bar is usually pretty mellow; a stylish spot to enjoy a drink before going out on the town. When you walk into the dim lit space it feels as though you've walked into someone's lavish study. Books line the walls and a spiral staircase openly connects the two floors. Even if it's not your "scene," the drinks alone are worth it. Freshly squeezed juices from every fruit imaginable are kept cool and masterfully mixed with top quality alcohols to create a drink that is truly unique and delicious.

Photos via 60 by 80

Photo by Carter

Shopping and Drinks/Snacks at Merci: A beautiful and spacious concept store in the Marais district of Paris, Merci has become one of my new favorite shopping destinations. It's a little ways from the center hub of the Marais, but the walk is absolutely worth it. The two-level, lofted space (apparently, this post is dedicated to multi-level establishments) is home to men's and women's clothing, unique jewelry, home and kitchen goods, as well as books, stationary, art, and a beautiful little flower shop. Plus, a portion of the profits are donated to charities, so you can feel good about your purchases. Then, when you're all shopped out, go sit and enjoy some fresh squeezed juices or home-made iced teas with a small bite to eat at Merci's charming little café. It's the perfect way to spend an afternoon!

Photos via Sunday Suppers

Photo by Carter

Picking Up the Essentials at the French Pharmacy: French pharmacies are heaven. Whenever I come to Paris, I always have a list about a page long of all the things I need to pick up for family and friends, and myself of course, at the pharmacy. So, whenever I'm walking about the city and see one of those flashing green pharmacy signs, I scurry on in to pick up the essentials. My friend Sophie swears by Spidefen, a French ibuprofen, for her headaches, and their massive selection of beauty products are magic. As for me, I'm a huge fan of the Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oatmilk and the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré facial cream. I've also heard great things about Bioderma's Créaline H20 make-up remover, Biotherm's body scrub, and Darphin's firming body cream. The pharmacy is full of great finds so I'll be sure to share them with you when I get back!

Photo via Cosme-De.com

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday! À bientôt!

Seeing Stars

The Fall 2011 runway at Dolce & Gabbana signaled the serious return of the star. We're talking stars on everything: star printed dresses, blouses, pumps, and clutches, massive star-drop earrings, stars in sequins... The whole collection was just one mega star-studded event. And rightfully so! Stars were never just meant for your flawless homework in the 1st grade or the American flag... Oh no, stars serve many a purpose and luckily, Dolce & Gabbana felt like reminding us of their fashion worthy status.

D&G Fall 2011 Collection via Style.com

Fans of the stars rejoiced at the Spring/Summer 2012 shows when ACNE made sure to secure the stars for at least another season or two with its fabulous ready-to-wear collection. Leather clad stars, cut-out stars in tops and skirts, star studded jackets and pants... I think it's safe to say the stars are here to stay.

ACNE S/S 2012 Collection via Style.com

Thankfully, Zara remains on top of the runway fashions, making it possible for us mere mortals to wear this season's best without breaking the bank. So when I stumbled across this gorgeous star printed blouse while browsing through their online store last week, of course I snatched it right up. It's the perfect piece to throw on with jeans for day or for going out at night with some smokey eyes, leather leggings, and booties. Cheers to versatility!

Zara Stars Printed Shirt

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! The countdown continues at THREE days til Paris!!!!!

À bientôt!

In Case You Didn't Know...

J'ADORE Isabel Marant.

Check out this fun video of models expressing their love for the Parisian designer too:

Come on... A short sleeved, over-sized field jacket? Embellished vests? Metallic dresses? Short shorts and chunky knits? Heaven. Finished off with that perfectly messy hair and easy, natural make-up, the Isabel Marant girl is effortlessly cool, edgy, and confident.

You know you're looking at a great designer when they have succeeded in establishing such a powerful brand and image of what it means to live life in their clothes. It's inspiring moments like these that make fashion the fascinating industry that it is.

Looking Forward to Paris: Part 2

Oy... these days leading up to Paris are just too loooong. Nevertheless, the countdown continues at 7 days to go! Here are a few more things I will be looking forward to until then...

Our Rental Apartment in Saint Germain: When I visited Paris this Summer, I booked a lovely apartment on Rue du Bac through vacation-rental agency, Haven in Paris. I was so impressed by the quality of the apartment, the incredible services offered, their friendly staff, and the simplicity of the rental process, that I booked with them again for this trip. In my opinion, there is nothing better than seeing Paris like a local, and having your own apartment as opposed to staying in a hotel is key to achieving this. I love getting to know the neighborhood and being able to cook in the apartment (we plan to make a Thanksgiving dinner!), entertain friends, and enjoy a leisurely apéro before stepping out for dinner. Not only do you end up saving a lot of money, but you also get a lot more space for your euro, which is great - especially when you are traveling with friends!

Photos of the apartment via Haven in Paris

A Walk Through the Jardin du Luxembourg: Every time I go to Paris, I have to visit the Jardin du Luxembourg. The park is absolutely beautiful and I've had so many great memories here of all the times I've visited since I was a child. On weekends, the park is always full of couples sitting and chatting with friends as their children run around playing and floating boats in the pond. It's a truly charming scene and I couldn't be happier that it is less than a mile away from our apartment this trip! I love walking through the park, sitting on a bench, people watching, and then enjoying un café or un verre de vin at Le Rostand, a classic cafe just across the street.

My mother, Harris, me, and Francesca walking through the park in late March of this year

The fam

Shopping at Le Bon Marché: My favorite department store in the entire world. Enough said. But seriously, this place is heaven on earth. Every floor is meticulous; beautifully designed, organized, and the sales people are usually very friendly (I've only had one bad experience out of many). Of course, they house every single one of my favorite French brands (Carven, Céline, Isabel Marant, Sandro, and Maje... just to name a few) and La Grande Épicerie is absolutely to die for with specialty foods from all over the world and a bakery section that smells divine. It just can't get much better than that - except at this time of year, when they put up their annual Christmas decorations. Oh la laaa c'est beau!

Well, that's all for now... More to come later this week! Have a very happy Wednesday and à bientôt!

Je Voudrais...

Admired these caged heels by B Brian Atwood at Nordstrom today. Sooo stinkin' cool!! Being me, I'd probably go for the black, but the neon pair are equally awesome.

B Brian Atwood Clio Sandal available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

Looking Forward to Paris

With Paris only 9 days away, my head is just swimming with thoughts of all the things I want to do while I am there. In case you are wondering - yes, I am totally that person who makes lists of all the places they want to see, all the restaurants they want to try, and all the museums they need to peruse. And while this may be an organized way of traveling, I realize now that I cannot put so much pressure on myself to get everything checked off my list because Paris is a city full of surprises. Linda Donahue put it nicely in a piece she wrote for one of my favorite expat-in-Paris blogs, Lost in Cheeseland, when she said "each time, I would inevitably abandon my itinerary and allow myself to just get lost."

This may sound horrifying at first... get lost? In a big city? But getting lost in Paris, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to truly get to know it. Instead of looking down at your little map, or reading every passing street sign in order to navigate the way to your next location, you are simply lost... It's a romantic idea that may arguably only work in Paris, but once you've allowed yourself to let go of the itineraries and schedules, only then will you begin to take in everything that surrounds you. And it is this leisurely calm and joie de vivre that I love most about the French.

Nevertheless, there are things that I am looking forward to. No plans or itineraries, but simple delights I will be enjoying in 9 days time...

The Express Walkways at the Charles de Gaulle Airport: this may sound strange, but for me, there is nothing like arriving in Paris. As such, I've taken a liking to some of the little things about the airport that make me pinch myself and realize I really am in Paris. Sure, but the express walkways?? I'm telling you, these walkways are so cool. They seem miles long and connect the terminal going up and down and all around. None of that fussy American stuff where you have to get off every 40 feet.

The Ferris Wheel and Vin Chaud at Concorde: every year around this time, Place de la Concorde transforms and takes on a cheerful Holiday spirit with a Ferris Wheel, little shops selling candy, games, and vin chaud. There's just nothing like being a total tourist for 30 minutes and taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel to get a gorgeous view of the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries, the Champs Elysées, and the Tour Eiffel. Followed by a nice, long walk through the park with some vin chaud (hot spiced wine), you just couldn't ask for a better afternoon.

Lily on the Ferris Wheel

Lily eating some delicious candy in the park

The vin chaud stall

View of the Champs Elysées from the Ferris Wheel

View of the park and the Louvre from the Ferris Wheel

Dinner at La Bocca della Verita: Lily and I discovered La Bocca della Verita, a quaint little Italian restaurant hidden away on a tiny street in the 7th, around this time last year when we were living in Paris. The décor is incredibly warm and simple, the service is always friendly, and the food is absolutely to die for. Appetizers consist of gorgeous plates of grilled vegetables, rocket salads with shavings of parmesan, special Italian meats, and creamy mozzarella. Entrées consist of lemon-artichoke-pepper pasta, white truffle cheese tortellini, goat cheese ravioli with thyme and honey, and beautifully prepared meats and fish... just to name a few. With a stellar wine list and the perfect ambiance for a relaxing dinner among friends, this restaurant has become one of my absolute favorites in Paris.

Photos via La Bocca Della Verita website

Ahhhh these pictures are getting me so excited for Paris! Many more of these "looking forward to Paris" moments to come this week.

Happy Monday and à bientôt!