Shopaholic goes to Paris
It’s probably a good thing I don’t permanently live in Paris. This month has been a little hard on the budget. As most of you know, I like to indulge in the occasional shopping binge every once in a while ---ok, that is a bold face lie ---it’s more like a perpetual shopping binge. In Holland, however, my fashion addiction has been pleasantly under control. I can’t say it is due to a new found will power though. No, the sad reality is, I just can’t find anything to buy!! (Shocking, I know!!) Dutch fashion leaves a lot to be desired. There’s not a huge amount of individuality in the fashion scene, and not matter what season it is, prepare yourselves for racks of bright orange, red and pink clothing!
In Paris, however, I can barely even step outside my apartment without seeing something I love. The short ten minute walk to the metro is painful and includes a walk by Miss Coquines (a shoe/accessory lover’s paradise), Naf Naf, and a handful of adorable boutiques.
And so, phone calls have been made to the credit card company, money has been juggled amongst accounts, and tags have been promptly ripped off newly purchased items which have been immediately hung in the closet (“This new? Nooooo, I’ve had that for years!”)
I have found that by cutting back on my grocery bill, I can easily accommodate a tad more shopping. The discount supermarket down the street has become my friend, along with its range of (slightly tasteless) no-name products. The sacrifices we make!
After a particular bad spell of over-spending, I called my mom in Canada to confess my sins. Turns out she too had been hitting the racks that weekend and amongst the two of us we were able to justify every item we had purchased. (“You needed that new jacket Mom, your old one was in a horrible state.” “You have to look professional for meetings C, I would say you probably even need a few more suits”)
It was music to my ears! I can always count on the momma!
Anticlimax
: an event (as at the end of a series) that is strikingly less important than what has preceded it.
I’ve always been really bad with endings. I just can’t let things go. I hate to see things come to an end, for people to move on, for things to change.
My event this weekend was a huge success. And to be honest, I can’t believe I actually pulled it off. The day passed by relatively hiccup-less. Over two thousand people showed up, the presentations and seminars were very popular, and the exhibitors thrilled! Most importantly my bosses were highly impressed, and are already anticipating next year’s edition. The whole team was taken out for dinner, in my honour---to a spectacular place in Paris (Barrio Latino--it’s definitely on my top 3 coolest resto/bars I have been to in Europe).
This morning I woke up with a pounding headache and a heavy sense of loss. What will I do now? I really revelled in the challenge of this project, and now that it is over my day-to-day work seems trivial in comparison. Luckily I have one more week in Paris, to actually take in the sights and sounds, and kick back a little.
It’s too early to start planning next year’s edition, but I have already have a couple tricks up my sleeve to bring me back to Paris a few times over the next couple months ;)
Ahhhhh.....its now time to relaaaxxx....
The Wacky World of the Wide Web
Oh dear, the World Wide Web is a silly silly place (who still calls it that anyways?! Probably just my mum!) Turns out that if you type the following keywords into google or MSN search you will be directed to yours truly!
And so, which do you think best describes me???
yawning + jaw popped out + help –-hmmm, I hope my “ testimony” isn’t suppose to be scientific. I still need some answers!
justifying his affair –I pitty da foo who typed that in!
ending a marriage –no expert here, and hopefully will never be!
throw momma off the train –loved the movie! Hey Danny, where ya been?
And last but certainly not least,
spanking in amsterdam --can’t say I am all too familiar with this one, although I do now live around the corner from the red light district.
Will keep you posted...
The Big Day
And so, over six months of planning and work will culminate this weekend into a 1-day, 8-hour event. The big exhibition I have been organizing in Paris is no longer a horribly complicated project plan in Excel, but a (daunting) reality.
I know there’s still the possibility of a million and one things going belly-up on the big day, but I am surprisingly calm about the whole thing. Truth be told, I can’t wait until it is all over. I can’t wait until the day comes when I can leave work at a decent hour, not even contemplate checking my work emails at home, and have a work/stress free weekend. I have been happily daydreaming of all I am going to do with my new-found free time!
I still find myself under the curse of Paris, however this time she has managed to seduce me entirely. Days are spent imagining myself living here full time and calling up M. in the middle of the night suggesting “let’s move back to Paris!” I do love it here...
Fashion frenzy
And so Miranda and I were luckily enough to attend not one, but two fashion shows over the weekend. The first one was by Russian designer Alena Akmhadullina. The clothes were a disappointment (who likes shapeless granny dresses anyways?!), however, the over the top hairdos and masks were definitely worth the wait (that’s them above!!)
The best part of the show, however, had to be the spectacle that took place in the audience. Between the dramatic entrances (“Bonjjjjjourrrrr Cherieeeeeeeeee”) the elaborate living accessories (dali-esque moustaches, babies slung eloquently over one arm,teacup Chihuahuas skittering around), and the mandatory 3 kisses (muuu-aah!), I felt like I was on the set of some Fashion Mockumentary.
The second show was Gardem (“the 29 year old, Lebannon born, Paris based independent designer who label has been stirring up the boutique crowd for several seasons”). The clothes were absolutely stunning and the models freakishly beautiful. Miranda and I were in awe...After the show we gawked in amazement as each stunning model left with a hairy, less-than-gorgeous boyfriend who barely reached their waists!
You can only imagine how much work I have to do, as today I was invited to the Lagerfeld show, and painfully declined!!! Quelle Domage!!
"Please, no pictures"
