Paris Princess

Birthdays

2010-09-10T13:34:00.000+10:00

While my Birthday was in April, I wanted to share a couple of my favourite photos. Thanks to my awesome friend Sue Vittori (who does the most amazing photos - but isn't taking on any new jobs at the moment) for taking these amazing reminders of what was an amazing and pivotal night for me.

The whole party

Can you spot the theme??

Me and my man goofing around.

My lovely friend Sue and me

My new umbrella (Yes it is open inside. Fingers crossed the bad luck missed me)

Notice a theme on the presents?

Oh lovely

My favourite of me and Mum in the background (and my Dad, and my brother and his girlfriend in the mirror)

A present from a wonderful friend that everyone got to sign. Such a great momento.

Such wonderful memories of a great night. Remind me again why we always wait till our birthdays to get dressed up and party?? Nights like this should happen more often than once a year!

Looking forward to my next excuse to get dressed up and have a great night our with family and friends.

Anniversaries....

2010-09-03T09:25:00.000+10:00

Firstly, it is unbelievable that it has been nearly a month since I have had the time to post!! Where has the time gone??

Which leads me to what prompted this post - It was 12 months ago this week that my Mum and I set off from Melbourne to France on our dream adventure. Four full weeks of travel, culture and amazing sights and sounds. It truly was an adventure. While Mum and I have spent a few days this week reliving our holiday, I have a special surprise to present to her this weekend. I have had the top 250 of our photos made into a coffee table book for each of us. I have enjoyed flicking through our memories and remembering the feel of strolling down a Paris street. Am so excited to present mum with hers as she has no idea what I have been up too.

If you too have a pile of holiday snaps that you want to preserve why not make a photo book that you and everyone else can admire. I made mine with software from Momento (http://www.momento.com.au/). Software is free and the finished book product is great quality. Depending on the number of pages it can be a little costly but what price can you put on a lasting memento from a special occasion?

I know I have shared a few pictures before from our holiday and not being at home at the moment I don't have access to any more. Though I will post an assortment over the coming weeks. Sharing the memories with others keeps the holiday feeling alive for a little longer I think.

Wishing everyone a fabulous Friday. I am off later to visit the family in the country so we can all celebrate Father's Day together. A bit special as this will be my first trip out there in my car. (So the family are calling daily with helpful advice about the country roads and how to handle the traffic and the weather.) Looking forward to being in the country for a couple of days.

Till next time....

From interiors to clothes.....

2010-08-05T18:39:00.001+10:00

My fashion tastes have certainly changed throughout my life. While I was a cute little girl for my Mum to dress up, I threw tantrums when she wanted to dress me in pink or heaven forbid, a dress! So it was pants, tshirts and anything else that didn't look 'girly'.

Growing up in the 80's saw me wearing big hair, and many scary designs. Thankfully I was a little to young for shoulder pads. The 90's saw me develop into a tom boy and live in jeans and when I wanted a girly look, I added some knee high boots! Summer time it was more denim in the form of shorts. No skirts for me.

Then in 2000 I moved to the city and my life changed. Strangely I moved with about 5 pairs of sneakers and only 2 pairs of 'girly' shoes. And those had clunky thick heels to keep me balanced!

Those who knew me back in the 90's may not recognise me. Now I can't get enough of the 'girly' stuff. High heels, dresses, and make up. I consider it making up for lost time!!

I now have a wardrobe bursting with dresses and heels!! I have at least (at last count) 45 pairs of stunning heels and only 2 pairs of sneakers (1 pair that lives permanently in my gym bag!). I certainly love girly clothes and dressing up and you would tend to find me dressed in my good 'going out' dresses at work. (Why save them only for night time when they make you can wear them anytime??)

So I thought I would share with you some of the things that I covet and can't wait to find them in wardrobe sometime. (Anyone know a man with plenty of money who would be happy to support my shopping habits?)

(Image - This Is Glamorous)

I like the look of this one. Girly and fun without taking itself seriously. Can just imagine wearing to the office with some sedate heels and then after a change of shoe, onto the bar after for drink and dance.

(Image - Miu Miu)

What about these amazing swarovski encrusted Miu Miu heels?? I love them.

(Image - Louboutin)

These amazing and fun looking Louboutins are destined to find their way into my collection.

If only I could wander around Paris in a dress like this? So girly and pretty.

So I would say my style is girly with an eclectic mix. There are so many pieces and looks that I love and lust after. Some that just look crap on me no matter how hard I try. But once I find something I like, whether it be glam, rock, or girly or even corporate, I just gotta have it., And as i said before, why save your favourite girly pieces for just the odd night out? I say, if you like it, it makes you feel great then why not figure out a way to wear it to work?

I'm looking forward to earning much more so I can not only fill my wardrobe with wonderful pieces but also a new wardrobe to put it all in.

maybe one that looks like this -

(Image - Concrete and Honey)

I would LOVE to have this space.

Till next time.

Interior Designs I love...

2010-08-05T18:18:00.000+10:00

I got to thinking about what i had blogged about so far and thought it was time to add a little more depth to the picture. While I love all things French and yes, am planning to spend some time there at some stage again, there is more to me, my passions and my life.

Another thing I love is interior design. While I do not confess to have a wonderful home (a rented 1 bedroom apartment does not allow for much in the styling department), I do know what I like and what I can't wait to incorporate into a home of my on.

At the moment I am loving WHITE. White walls, white floors, white furniture with pops of colour coming from accessories - rugs, lamps, frames, vases etc.

(Image - This is Glamorous)

Can't you just imagine relaxing in this lovely bedroom? I think it looks so peaceful and classy.

(Image - Skod Hem & Little Emma English Home)

Relaxing, classy and welcoming. I can just imagine myself holding a dinner party for friends in this room.

(Image - Champagne & Macarons)

Such a decadent looking bathroom. Notice the very cool distressed mirror? This would be my weekend bathroom for long relaxing baths.

And because most homes these days have more than one bathroom - this one has to be in there too!

(Image - Ada & Darcy)

I love the pink background int he shower and the pop of colour on the floor tiles. This would be my morning bathroom for an invigorating shower.

(Image - Belle Maison)

Everyone needs a cosy place in the sun to relax. I can imagine laying here in the sun with a good book

(Image - La Dolce Vita)

A lovely bookshelf to store some of my huge collection of books.

(Image - Plain English Design)

The huge kitchen for cooking all those wonderful meals in. Check out the shelf storage on the far wall. I reckon that is as big as my current kitchen!!!

(Image - A life more Fabulous)

The study area. If this was my study i must admit I would certainly be less reluctant to get on top of all those bills. Such a fun looking space for such serious stuff.

(Image - Rachel Ashwell)

Love to have a space that is just crying out for this chandelier to light it.

While there are plenty more things and interiors I love, these are a few of my current favourites. I just love the look of the all white room. To me it seems decadent, and classy without being pretentious. I can't wait to own a house so I can decorate it as I please. (Though knowing me, I would just finish the house when I change my mind and start all over again. Hee Hee. Think I might need to marry a man with plenty of money.)

Goals...

2010-08-01T19:33:00.000+10:00

So I have been doing lots of dreaming lately and talking about dreaming. So its about time for some action! I have been working on some goals for the next 12 to 18 months so thought it was time to share. (Figuring once I put things out there then I have to do them, right?)

In no particular order

I will take a french language course (at least then I may ask for directions or order a macron in french)
I will pay off the loan for my car in 18 months (making it Dec 2011)
I will have the loving and fulfilling relationship I deserve with the man of my dreams
I will put together a business plan for this crazy idea I have (about stationery)
I will find a job that I can enjoy (That doesn't drain my energy) and use it to catapult me into a job in Paris
I will cook an amazing lunch with many courses for family and friends (Taking cooking classes and learning from family and friends all I can along the way)

How's that for a start? A mix of career and finance and fun. Doing this process got me thinking about all my dreams and goals. About getting my 5 to 10 years goals in order with logical steps so I can achieve them. So this is it. The start of something awesome. While I have no complaints about my life so far and what I have done, achieved and experienced, I know that I still have heaps more I want to do. So if I don't start taking steps and ticking them off I'll never get there. Nothing worse then regretting the things you were too lazy to get around to doing. Better to regret the silly things you tried that didn't work!

So here's to breakfast in Paris -

(Image - Mary Ruffle)

Winter near the Eiffel Tower

(Image - Bardot in Blue)

And many more amazing adventures!!

Till next time.

Miracles..

2010-07-29T14:06:00.000+10:00

I trawling through the many blogs that I subscribe too lately, I came across this lovely quote and thought I had to share as not only is it so pretty but just such a great quote.

(Image from blog La La Lovely)

So I am off to go create a miracle or two of my own.

My Paris...

2010-07-27T19:39:00.000+10:00

Since I am in the mood for favourites, I wanted to share some pictures from my trip to Paris with my Mum in Sept 2009. Since there are sooo many photos and I have only been to France the once, I will limit the pictures this time so i can share more later.

Mum and Me - Eiffel Tower

Monet's Garden

Chateau - Azay-Le-Rideau

Carousel at the Eiffel Tower

I loved our trip and the memories we made. I'm really looking forward to making plenty more memories. We spent 3 weeks travelling around France and then a week in the UK. My favourite moments were those that felt like living the 'french life'. Walking to the market to get bread. Buying a Metro ticket without speaking in English. Ordering food in french. And seeing my Mum enjoy her first overseas adventure.

Just imagine the adventures my family could have with me when I finally realise my dream.

Till next time.

Love.....

2010-07-27T19:21:00.002+10:00

So where did my love of Paris and all things French come from? Like most girls, I loved reading and I loved dreaming about making my life bigger and better. Growing up in the country made me want to know more. Be more. See more. After reading so many novels about Paris and French life in general I started to fall in love. Not just with the characters and their happily ever after, but with the surroundings and the lifestyle of France. Years or reading fictional books led me to reading the stories of those that had the dream and packed up their lives and moved to Paris!! What a dream, what courage and what an a amazing adventure.

I thought I would share some of my favourites (In no particular order)

Fiction Novels

Vintage, Olivia Darling
Three Weeks in Paris, Barbra Taylor Bradford
Plan B, Emily Barr
Paris Hangover, Kirsten Lobe
French Trysts, Kirsten Lobe
Left Bank, Kate Muir
Wild Lavender, Belinda Alexandra
Weekend in Paris, Robyn Sisman

Non Fiction Favourites

A Year in Provence, Peter Mayle
The Accidental Renovator, Barbara Biggs
Almost French, Sarah Turnbull
Lunch in Paris, Elizabeth Bard
Last Tango in Toulouse, Mary Moody
La Vie Parisienne, Janelle McCulloch

My Favourite Coffee Table Books

French Essence, Vicki Archer
My French Life, Vicki Archer
Paris Tango, Carla Coulson
At My French Table, Jane Webster
Shannon Bennett's Paris, Shannon Bennett

I would love to know what favourites other people have. What books have made you fall in love with a country or lifestyle?? Feel free to share your favourites about France so I can add them to my list!!

From Dreams to Goals....

2010-07-21T11:54:00.000+10:00

After yearning for so long to live the Paris life I have finally decided to turn those dreams to tangible and achievable goals. I have signed up for a women's only goals group. It's exciting to finally be able to put some of my energy into actually taking steps to achieve.

I have lost count how many times I have said I wanted to do something but have never actually got around to putting anything in place to actually help. So it is time for action! Gone are the excuses and the 'if onlys'. Bring on plans, steps and actions!

So here it is in black and white - I WILL live in Paris! I am still sorting out if this is a 1-5year plan or a 5-10 year plan but it WILL happen.

I want to be the next Bardot In Blue or Carla Coulson. These wonderful ladies are living the life. Check out their blogs, which are favourites of mine.

So check back regularly as I not only put together my action plan but tick off steps on my way to living my own dream.

Paris Metro here I come!

(Photo courtesy of Bardot in Blue)

Dreams...

2010-07-16T20:05:00.000+10:00

I have been dreaming of Paris lately. Well to be honest, I have been dreaming of Paris for years! But it is only lately that I have finally decided to not only do something about the yearning I have for this wondrous city but to put some of those dreams on paper (or the web). So this blog has been born.

You may be wondering why Paris? Well I am sure there are plenty that understand my fascination and plenty more that think I am mad. But what is there not to love??

Champs Elysee - Bastille Day

Maybe it was just the passing of Bastille Day this week that has turned my thoughts once again to my favourite city. There is just something so compelling about Paris and France in general for me. This blog is all about me and hopefully will share a little bit of that love and passion with the world.

My New Car

2010-06-17T15:57:00.000+10:00

What better way to start my very first post then with the new addition to my life. So please meet my new car - a Nissan Micra in (of course) Paris Blue.

What do you think? I am thinking of naming her. (A good friend said that you have to name your car for you to have a respectful and long-term relationship). I'm thinking of something French. Perhaps Angelique. Do you like that name car??