Joyeux Anniversaire - Wishes

I don't believe in accidents and I don't believe in luck. I believe in fate. I believe that everyone you meet in life has been brought to you for a reason. Whether the circumstance is good or bad, the encounter/relationship is no accident. This post is dedicated to a friend that has recently been brought into my life and I have been smiling ever since. Someone who has helped me during the low times. Someone who keeps all of her friends smiling, laughing, dancing, eating, and running. In other words, she reminds us all to enjoy life!

I wish you good health.

I wish you happiness.

I wish for many more good times filled with laughter and smiles.

I wish you love from all those who are important in your life.

I wish you a Happy Birthday!

Elle Parle Ma Langue

She speaks my language.

Je vous présente, Betty.

Twenty-something, Parisian with style. And a Vespa. And a bunny.

Need I say more? Her blog speaks for itself, "Le blog de Betty".

Let's Talk French: Parisian Chic, Latest Trend?

You've always heard that French women have that certain "je ne sais quoi". Literally meaning "I don't know what". Well apparently we do know what. Or at least that's what we are being told by the fashion and luxury markets.

Lately it's becoming more of a trend to turn ourselves into versions of the this chic Parisian woman. As much as I personally love all things French, including the stylish women, I am a bit disgruntled by this. Yes, the French are known for setting the standard in matters of style and luxury, but should they themselves become a trend?

A Parisian woman is not something that I believe falls into the 'trend' category. From my understanding trends come and go. One day it's in, the next it's out. There is more to it than just the clothes she puts on her back or the messy hair she has failed to comb. Are we taking the time to really understand her, her culture, her language, and her "joie de vivre"?

French fashion house Sonia Rykiel for, sorry "pour", H&M.

Online retailer Shopbop markets certain styles and designers to capture their version of "Eclectic Parisian Chic".

Polyvore's interpretation of Parisian Chic

YSL's new fragrance "Parisienne" has a great blog "Experience Parisienne" that covers everything an aspiring French girl wanna-be, like myself, should know. For example, the picture above shows how to create the "perfectly messy bun".

Even WikiHow has their own set of tips and steps on how to obtain "Parisian Chic". WikiHow...Seriously?

Please don't misunderstand the point I am trying to convey. I am very excited that people are becoming more aware of the certain style that these women own. However, it saddens me that they're not being shown in their full glory. These women are confident, smart, witty, and posses many more great qualities. All of which I believe embody the complete essence of "Parisian Chic".

save a tree

My "soul sister" and I have decided that we

will both encounter our own 'trees' this year.

Trees that have strong roots and have

been planted in the best soil.

Trees with leaves that have not fallen and

been trampled by the steps of others.

Trees with a tough exterior, yet with a bit of

sweet maple inside their core.

If you happen to stumble upon any trees that

meet these characteristics, do not,

I repeat, do not, cut it down.

Save a tree for me

home. sweet. home.

Every now and then a girl has got to get away.

I will be away for the weekend spending much needed time with my family & friends.

Until next time darlings...

Thoughts and Prayers for Haiti

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti.

For ways to contribute to the Disaster Relief, click here.

new start, new fragrance

Meet Viktor & Rolf

Two men who have captured a fragrance that I am obsessed with. A fragrance that, in their words, is "all about the power of transformation. The power of every individual to turn anything into something positive." Ladies, meet FlowerBomb.

With every spritz from my 1.7 oz bottle, I start my day with a positive attitude. I could of had a bad night or encountering a bad hair day, but as soon as I put this on, I think to myself "I smell fabulous". With just that simple spritz I have now transformed the negative energy into positive energy. Another perk, this fragrance has also attracted compliments from members of the opposite sex.* The fro-yo guy in Palo Alto likes it. The cashier guy at The Grove likes it. The random guy on Muni likes it. The only disadvantage is that I don't smell it on myself for long. But I've heard that if you can't smell your fragrance throughout the day but others can, it means your body chemistry works well with it. I guess fragrance and relationships have a lot in common. If it is the right one, you'll have good chemistry and feel positively good!

*On a side note, the ex, didn't like it. Should of been a sign right there.

Boudoir Photography

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Snippet and Ink, and I came across this sponsored post. If you are familiar with me or this previous post, you know that I love lingerie. I think it is a powerful way to make a woman feel sexy and confident. Which in the end, will make this world a better, not to mention prettier, place. Agreed?

Kristen Hudson of Haute Boudoir also seems to embrace this in her own way. In her words, her photography captures and helps women release their "inner diva, vamp, vixen, ingenue, flirt, femme fatale, starlet, supermodel, or sex kitten". In other words, she captures women, in a tasteful way, when they are feeling their most confident. Now, strike a pose...

Expectations vs. Reality

I think most of us have been here before.

Expect nothing. Or risk disappointment.

Hey vs. Hi

I'm sitting at a cafe listening to young girls, roughly 18 - 20 years of age, gossiping over a guy who is sending one of them text messages. They are trying to decode what his message means and whether or not she should text him back. Five minutes of giggling/squealing later, she has now decided to write back. Now the conversation is about whether or not she should start by saying "hey or hi". I want to let her know that truthfully, it doesn't matter.

Oh to be that young again. Wait, my girlfriends and I still do that. Why?! I am pretty sure that whatever he said, it does not need to be decoded. As much as I hate to admit it, men aren't as complicated as we make them out to be.

When it comes to guys and trying to figure them out through texts, ladies (and gents), let it go. Breakup with the "text decoding". You'll never get to know someone that way. Trust me, I have made many "what does he mean in this text" mistakes and in the end, it's not worth it. Say what you want to say in person or over the phone. If you have the guts to that is.

Now when it comes to chatting about guys at cafes, carry on with that. It's fun for you and friends...and for those eavesdropping.

Dear 2010,

I must say, so far it has been great getting to know you. I know we've been together for less than a week now, but I can already tell that this is going to be a great relationship. Much better than the relationship most of us had with two-thousand-whats-his-name. Oh right, 2009. Sure we had some great times with that year and I will keep those moments dear. But in the end, "oh nine" became a real pain. Anyways, I hope we bring each other great things and I am looking forward to making great memories together. I hope you treat all those around you with the same amount of love and happiness that we all deserve.

For those that are lost, find them.

For those that are hungry, feed them.

For those that are lonely, love them.

xoxo,

moi

p.s., if you can bring me to South Africa to watch the World Cup, you'll score mucho brownie points. Hot men playing soccer... that will surely make 2010 unforgettable. thanks.

New Year, New Me. I'm back...

It's a new year which means new beginnings. New relationships. New journeys. New experiences.

You may be wondering why I have started blogging again. Did I brake up with another person or am I still not over my past relationship? Sorry to disappoint, but neither are true. I've left many things in 2009, people and relationships included. Truth is, I've missed blogging.

So here I am again. 2010 and back to writing. Writing makes me happy and that is one thing I have promised myself I would achieve this year... to be in control of my own happiness. And perhaps to allow others to contribute to that happiness.

Happy New Year Darlings, I've missed you...