Le Bon Corn Syrup

A couple of days ago I was enjoying a lovely day with one of my fabulous new-found friends when we came across something so funny and disturbing that I just have to share it...

I had met up with my friend for some tea and jaunt through the park very happy to reconnect and catch up with her after my two month hiatus to the States. We strolled through some of her most favorites spots enjoying the sun and the much needed girl-time. Then, my friend asked if I had been to Le Bon Marché yet. I had heard tales of the famed Le Bon Marché, but being that I would probably never be able to afford anything in that incredibly lavish, beautifully designed department store (consider it as if Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s had a baby, and then that baby married Saks Fifth Avenue,) I answered “no”. This was quickly answered with a “I have to take you! You’ll love it!”  Trusting the infallible instincts of my Paris-savvy friend, I followed.

And off we went to Le Bon Marché ...and it was everything my broke self imagined it would be. I could feel my wallet tremble the moment we walked in. I mean, every square meter (and since this measurement is neither in inches nor feet, I can’t really tell you exactly how much this is, but trust me, it’s huge) was covered with name brands, the kinds of brands mostly seen either on catwalks or in Architectural Digest. Marc Jabocs canoodled with Dianne Von Furstenburg while Calvin Klein lazily napped on a James Eames chair. Even if I had wanted to buy something, I wouldn’t have been able to afford so much as the pen with which to sign the credit card receipt. But, at least it was free to look. (Thank goodness for window shopping!)

Then my friend suggested ...

I Love Paris in the Springtime

Last Saturday marked the first full weekend day that Pierre and I had together that didn’t involve either a trip to Ikea (phonetically pronounced “Ee kay ah” here in France), apartment redecoration, or a family gathering. Ecstatic to get out of the house, we decided to do what one does best in Paris....stroll. And since the weather was absolutely perfect for a day hike through the city, we put on our best walking shoes (I’m still learning what are my best walking shoes as the ones I chose to use were not them) and hit the town.

As soon as we stepped out of our building, we quickly realized we weren’t the only ones with this brilliant idea. The streets were packed!  People of all shapes, colors, genders, ages, and socio-economic status were enjoying the, what I came to find out later, unusually warm and sunny Spring. In my mind, this is exactly what I pictured springtime being like in Paris...sunny, warm, and romantic. After all, if Cole Porter sang so lovingly about it, there had to be something to this whole Spring thing here. However,