'Tis The Season!

Hellooooo everyone, its December again and that time of the year! I've been MIA for about 6 months now, sorry, life happens. Wigglemonster will be a year old soon, and I've been spending most of time entertaining her, running after her, bringing her to gardens to look at ducks, etc. You mommies understand, this is a full time job! I have no regrets, having a mini-me is the best thing in the world...

Anywho, it's December and super cold in Paris. Most days it is grey, cloudy and miserable, but you do get a few sunny days here and there. The Christmas market on the Champs Eysées is in full swing, stores are showing off their best in their display windows, and it smells like the holidays. Thank God I've gotten all my Christmas shopping done, the crowds are starting to be major in most of the department stores. People are lining up to buy Moncler jackets like they are buying bread! Geez its the crisis people...

Here are some pictures from Printemp's windows. A Winter Wonderland, a Parisian Christmas inspired by Dior. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, while clutching hard to my handbag of course (yes you still have to be VERY aware of pickpockets. ESPECIALLY during this time of the year). Ahh that Lady Dior in marine blue is definitely on my list. J'adore!

Pictures by Me

Parisian Townhouses

Back in the day, what was considered Paris was just the little strip of island that we now call Ile Saint Louis. Everything else that surrounds it was considered the countryside. As Paris grew over the decades and centuries, the 20 arrondissements were formed. This is why today we find townhouses or even villas and bungalows in Paris itself.

They are not common, but can be found in the 20th, 13th, and 18th arrondissements. In the "Parisian villages" you will find old architectural structures usually made from stone, little winded alleys and cobblestone streets. Each townhouse or villa usually comes with a private garage and a garden. What used to be popular and middle class neighborhoods, these areas are now highly prized by the bourgeoisie who flee from what has become very touristic areas to find tranquility and peace in the middle of the city.

I don't suggest tour groups coming here and snapping mass photos, it remains private homes after all. But a little ballad off the beaten path with a loved one won't bother anyone..

Photos by Yamil Gonzalez

Picture of the Day

Carousel in front of Hotel de Ville

Photo By Me

Blending In

Without sounding too pretentious, if you are looking to blend in, I must say right away that you should leave the following behind:

1) Your Coach bags
2) Your Juicy Couture bags and/or sweat pants and matching sweatshirt
3) Non-basic clothing from the Gap or Old Navy
4) Your fake Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc.
5) Tropical print shirts

Please bear in mind that bringing in fake goods in France is a serious offense. If you are caught, your fake product will be confiscated, and you will be given a ticket equivalent to the original price of your fake goods. Other than the embarrassment, it could be costly.

Paris is also the city where I see the LEAST branded bags with huge logos. The French are not impressed with names. You will be regarded curiously if you had a monogram LV bag with a matching belt and matching monogram shoes, for example. Having style does not mean having a bag stamped with a logo. You will definitely be more chic with a pair of Repetto ballerinas and a Nightingale Givenchy bag. Subtlety is key, if you want to blend in. If you are fine with going around with a camera around your neck and comfy walking shoes, by all means, go ahead. This post is directed to those who want to blend in, experience la vie Parisienne, and not be targeted by pickpocketters.

If you wear a hijab, that will not be a problem in Paris. With a 10% Muslim population, the French are used to the headscarf. A burqa, however, will pose problems. A law has just been passed to make the burqa illegal in public areas, and you will be summoned if you cover your face. A man who forces his wife to wear a burqa can be jailed up to 1 year and fined €30,000! These will be doubled if the person forced is a minor.

For your electric goods, the voltage is the same but the plug isn't. You will need to pack an adapter, NOT a transformer. I use some of my electric products from the States too without problem, but verify the voltage or you risk blowing something up.

If you come in the summer, don't think that just because you are in a European country that "less is more". The French are quite conservative in terms of showing skin, and wearing a pair of short shorts will get you labeled as an American right away. (No racism intended here, just showing the stereotypes) Neither are they keen on very tight clothing. This summer baggy and off-shoulder was very in, paired with pencil jeans or tights. Come to think of it, I feel way more comfortable in KL and NY in my miniskirts/dresses, not here! This is something I'm starting to appreciate more and more, and I am more convinced that French women are just so chic and natural, no matter what social class!

Hope this was helpful!

Cartoon courtesy of Google Images

Les Arrondissements

Paris is divided into 20 "arrondissements", meaning neighborhoods. Shaped like an escargot, the 1st arrondissement starts in the heart of the city, and goes around clockwise. In general, the central and western arrondissements are considered to be more chic and bourgeois, ie. more expensive to live in. My mother-in-law's husband recently explained why this is so to me. It is all because of the wind! The wind apparently blows from west to east, and all the pollution ends up on the eastern side. So logically, back in the day, the poor people ended up with the eastern neighborhoods and the richer in the west. And that has mainly stayed until today.
However, there are many pockets of nice areas in each of the eastern arrondissements that have risen over the years. Bobos have picked the 3rd, 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements as "cool" spots to live in.

Excusez-moi, parlez vous anglais?

Most foreigners start with this phrase. "Do you speak English?" Often, they are shocked by the quick response of "non!". Well, if they didn't speak English, they wouldn't know how to answer the question correct? The first rule of the trade here in the City of Lights is to try your best to speak French, even though speaking French to you means repeating phrases out of a guidebook. The French people like seeing this, foreigners struggling so hard to speak their language, and you'd be surprise to hear them *finally* making an effort to speak English!

Not everyone is as anti-English speaking as I make them seem to be. There is a growing number of Bobos (short for Bourgeois Bohemian) who are young international Parisians with open ideas of mixed marriages and very influenced by American ideals. Many salespeople in department stores and luxury stores are also more than happy to practice their English with you.