Bad Blogger. . .Good News!

Dang, it's been a while since I've updated this thing! Apologies to the (maybe) 2 readers of this blog :)

While I've been a bad blogger, there is some good news: I'm going to Paris in the spring! Per usual, I'm traveling alone, so if anyone will be in the city or is an expat in the city, I'd love some company! As much as I love to travel, I admit that traveling alone kinda. . .sucks at time. I mean, who's gonna snap my fabulous pics? (I kid, I kid.) This time, I'm coming to the city of lights with a plan: I belong to so many international networking sites and have amazingly kept in touch with people I met in Europe almost two years ago. So in the words of Rhett Butler, "I shan't be lonely."

There are some AMAZING spring fares to Europe now, so I encourage anyone who wants to go but is alone or is afraid of making to 8 hour trip to charge it and think about it later! You WILL get on that flight!

Anyway, bisoux. I'm going to download my french cd's onto my mp3 player and kick my basic franglais into high gear. Vive la France!

Getting Organized

My life is not totally out of control, but I feel like I need to manage my time better. I've decided to invest in a grown up planner, the planner pad. I had a wonderful planner at my all girls high school and remembered desperately wanting the same planner when I was in college.

I am truly a mess with missing appointments, paying bills late, etc. It's just not acceptable at my age. I also waste a lot of time on the net. I always forget to buy something at the store even though it was written down on a sticky note that got lost. . .

Especially since I'm a member of the JL this year, I have a lot of social and volunteer commitments coming up. I need to make sure my word is my word when I agree to sign up for things. I HATE canceling on someone at the last minute.

The planner pad has a unique three-tiered system for getting organized. First, you list all the things you need to take care of for that week. Then you funnel those tasks into days of the week. Finally, you schedule individual appointments day by day. You can check off as you go and look ahead to things you need to accomplish as the week goes on.

I think I'm a touch to ADD to keep having nebulous thoughts in my head for what I want to accomplish for the week. It would be good to see it in black and white (and color). Oh, and I don't think an electronic system would work for me. The process of writing down my thoughts would be better.

More French Chic: Olivia Chantecaille

I love her style and always look forward to seeing what she's wearing.
Credit: Park venue Peerage

Perfect Summer Picnic

I'm currently on the lookout for a nice basket and blanket. Any suggestions?

Mon Foulard (inspired by Une Femme)

I love scarves. Absolutely cuckoo for them. I think a lot of people my age think a silk scarf may be a little mature and pretentious. But I don't care. They add a touch of class and charm to my outfits. I would much rather wear a simple black turtleneck or white dress shirt or trench and jeans and dress it up with a scarf than wear the latest trendy monstrosity. Yesterday, I wore favorite scarf that I purchased in Switzerland for 20 francs. (I'm still yearning for the grand dame of scarves, Hermes. Un jour. . .)

I'm somewhat particular about what I like in terms of colors and prints: navy, beige, hunter and kelly green, equestrian themes, etc.

I also have a love affair with pashminas, but they are not all that weather appropriate now. So, I think I will just throw on my silk scarves when I feel bare.

L'Hymne a L'amour

Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer,
Et la terre peut bien s'écrouler,
Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes,
Je me fous du monde entier.

Tant qu' l'amour innondera mes matins,
Tant qu'mon corps frémira sous tes mains,
Peu m'importent les problèmes,
Mon amour, puisque tu m'aimes.

J'irais jusqu'au bout du monde,
Je me ferais teindre en blonde,
Si tu me le demandais.
J'irais décrocher la lune,
J'irais voler la fortune,
Si tu me le demandais.
Je renierais ma patrie,
Je renierais mes amis,
Si tu me le demandais.
On peut bien rire de moi,
Je ferais n'importe quoi,
Si tu me le demandais.

Si un jour, la vie t'arrache à moi,
Si tu meurs, que tu sois loin de moi,
Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes,
Car moi je mourrais aussi.

Nous aurons pour nous l'éternité,
Dans le bleu de toute l'immensité,
Dans le ciel, plus de problème,
Mon amour, crois-tu qu'on s'aime?

Dieu réunit ceux qui s'aiment.

Perfect Skin

If you didn't know, the MAC mineralize skinfinish liquid foundation is a hit! I use this along with the Mineralize powder and I love how my skin looks. I haven't been photographed in this makeup yet, but my sister sent me photos of herself with it on (she's a makeup artist) and it looked like she had perfect skin.

My skin is NOT perfect, but I've started using a mild strength TCA peel and my skin is getting so much better! This acid actually causes your epidermis to fall off and the stronger the acid is (or the more layers you use) the more peeling you get. The first time I did it, my skin peeled for a solid week. This time, I used one layer an I'm getting a nice gentle flaking. I should say I started out with Lactic Acid peels before using TCA. I STRONGLY recommend that you do your homework before using it. I've known about TCA peels since 2004 but it's taken me all this time to do my research and think carefully if I wanted to use it. It's possibly the best skin decision I made!

My skin use to be really finicky but it's really calmed down the past year. I know skincare in France is life, and the next time I go back for a visit, I will be making time to get some French goodies to use on my skin.