I’m sorry. I just haven’t been able to bring myself to talk about Paris. The experience was so overwhelming. Each time I’ve come to write, I’ve been at a loss of words. That is what Paris does to a young … Continue reading
Adieu.
La vie nocturne à Paris.
Rules for getting wasted in Paris.
- Pre-game with a bottle of wine – Drinks at a nightclub can be from 15-20 euros a pop, which can tally up to quite a bill. Pre-gaming will loosen everyone up for the long, cold metro ride to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, or wherever you choose to party. (Plus your heals won’t hurt so bad).
- Check in your coat – Even if you have a table, don’t leave your coat laying around, especially if you’re keys and wallet are in your pocket.
- Set aside cab money – While the ideal night includes going home when the metro opens, it’s best to set aside some cab money just incase someone gets too drunk, the club is awful, or your just too tired.
- Don’t accept drinks from men – When a man buys you a drink, you’re stuck with him for the night. Remember to only accept the drink you poured yourself.
- Stick with your girlfriends – The night ends up so much better (and safer) if you’ve brought your best friends.
- End the night on stage with the band– that is you’re ultimate goal. Begin by slipping into the VIP lounge if you don’t already have a table. Dance on the couches, eventually the party on stage will let you on.
The best nights at dawn when the metro opens after dancing all night on stage. Let loose and have fun, it’s Paris.
10 jours jusqu’à Paris.
Returning to Paris is like being flung by the legs into another universe….
…you’re never quite sure how you’re going to land.
Nothing is ever certain — not your finances, your friends, or the place that you will stay. The weather is unpredictable, the exchange rate mght be down, the Parisians will probably be moody and irrational. When traveling to Paris, you must remember that love is like oxygen… without it you will suffocate. So be sure to bring enough with you or find some when you get there…
And then there are all the Don’ts you must remember…
Don’t wear shorts or bright colors even on a sunny day. Don’t walk around smiling like an idiot. Don’t eat croissants on the metro. Don’t hand the woman at the bakery your change. Don’t step in dog poop. Don’t refuse the revered smelly cheese. Don’t pour wine for a gentleman. Don’t expect French people to show up on time. Don’t go out before midnight. Don’t dance like a stripper at the night club. Don’t go home with the cute boy on the moped.
(All these, of course, I have done….
…and will probably do again)
Peter.
I recently had the privilege of interviewing a young Swedish boy visiting Los Angeles.
In this brief webisode of my Flirting in Paris series, Pete discusses what it’s like to date Swedish girls. MMMM. Sweeeedish girls, some of you silly boys may be thinking. But according to Peter, Swedes come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, Asians take the ticket.
Not going to lie, he makes Lund sound like an all you can baiser buffet.
More documentaries to come in February!
Bonne année, tout le monde!
We can all agree that 2010 was an eventful year…
So many “damn, did that really go down” moments. Can you believe that we are at the beginning of a new decade? Wow. As custom, I’d like to provide a list of important lessons from the past year.
- Do not misjudge your place amongst a group of boys. A woman is an “invited guest”. She is there either because she is someone’s girlfriend, a potential hook-up, or extremely charismatic (and still a potential-hook up).
- Pour les hommes — eggs and rice are not okay to cook for a lady on a first date at your place. Period.
- College boys, be gone! There are far more satisfying options elsewhere.
- On-line dating is the future. If you’re in a rut, maybe you should give it a try. You’ll be surprised.
- Don’t be discouraged if a hook up doesn’t happen immediately. Give it time. When the moment is right, everything will work out. Trust me.
- Pour faire l’amour la première nuit est bonne, mais seulement si elle se passe en français.
- Don’t place so much pressure on love and relationships. Things come and things go. Just live and enjoy the present moment.
Sexy Christmas Wish list
I’m sorry…but I just had to compile a Christmas wish list.
Not that it matters…I’ll be celebrating a rather humble holiday season with family in rainy Los Angeles (last night we put up our fake tree), but it’s nice to dream about our fantasy Christmas. The one that we might one day have, once we’ve married a super sexy Super Bowl champion quarterback named Tom. Okay, that probably won’t happen, but we can still indulge in a fabulous Christmas dream. Take notes, gentlemen.
Champagne Henriot 1995 Cuvée Des Enchanteleurs I don’t think a true Christmas would be complete without a delicious bottle of holiday Champagne. This deliciously bubbly splurge is accented with notes with honey, almond and hazelnut. Mmmm, crisp and bubbly, yummy.
1995 Cuvée Des Enchanteleurs
$170
La Maison Slip from La Perla Every girl dreams of wearing Italian luxury lingerie brand La Perla to bed. A short babydoll silk nightgown is my personal choice, but for Christmas I be happy with as little as I can get.
La Perla Slip
$449.00
ROUGE VOLUPTÉ Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15 Ever since I spotted this lipstick at Sephora I’ve been hoping some kind hearted individual would get it for Christmas. Christmas deserves beautiful red lips, and these hues are so radiant, rich and creamy.
Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15
$34
Chloé ‘Specialty’ Holiday Set Am I the only one willing to admit that Chanel number 5 smells like my grandmother? Yes, upon my death I will probably have to repent to the gods of elegance for that statement, but the truth is I find it hard for a man to find that scent sexy. He would fall in love with Chloé Eau de Parfum. Compound those feminine, floral fragrances with the matching lotion to make Chloé last all night.
$125 ($195 value)
Tiffany & Co. Snowflake Charm and Bracelet They say that diamonds and gold are where you should invest your money with this dying economy. So this gorgeous snowflake charm bracelet seems like the perfect investment. What a smart way to say “I love you”.
Snowflake Charm and Bracelet
$2,745 (Charm $675)
Merry Christmas!
Les Bros.
The thing about guy friends is there always some sort of political game.
Everyone starts out somewhat neutral, bound together by a common friendship. Guys are easy to kick it with. They’re chill and easy going, they love to just have a good time. Girls are so complicated and annoying, you think, these boys make me laugh.
And then someone starts liking you.
More often than not it’s the unattractive one. Everyone knows about it — including you. It’s cute, but you put your foot down immediately. Hell no is anything happening between us, you think.
And then you start to develop feelings for one of them
Usually he’s the leader of the pack…the one who calls all the shots….maybe he’s the funny one. It didn’t matter before. You could tease each other, pick fights, laugh, joke, wrestle, tickle — it was all just fun. But now, with this silly crush, you cannot help but blush when he pokes fun at you. And the funny thing is…
You can tell he likes you too!
That’s when all the silly drama starts. The boys start acting all weird when you come around.
- If you kissed him, that pleasant platonic friendship is over and everything is askew.
- If you didn’t kiss him, well, you’re still not welcome. He doesn’t want to be bothered by some hot chick who rejected him when he’s with his bros.
Sigh. I still prefer guy friends over girlfriends. But sometimes…
Boys are so complicated.
Natan et Gary
This short interview features two of my friends from Paris who visited Los Angeles during the summer.
I think it’s pretty funny. Their relationship brings to light an important question about Frenchmen:
How metro is too gay for even the Frenchman?
This interview got me thinking…
When I ask the boys about American girls in France they answer immediately “Obiously to have fun…to have sex.”
But they have it backwards.
In truth, in such a situation it is the Frenchman who is looking for fun and sex.
To the Frenchman (not all but many), the American girl is an exciting, fun loving creature and desperate for romance. (What a breath of fresh air compared to the stuffy, complicated Frenchwoman who sees through his tactics).
He also knows that the American girl is obstructed from the values of her culture — thus vulnerable. And so he seduces her, failing to recognize (or care about) how she feels. This — in turn — leads to an insecure, bitter, angry, woman.
It’s a constant circle : men don’t care, women get hurt and become crazy, women terrify men, men don’t care.
Antti.
Here is my third interview for the Flirting in Paris series.
Antti is a friend of a friend who was kind of enough to give his opinion on dating in San Francisco. He’s Finnish, French, and Luxembourgish. Listen to what he has to say about American girls versus European girls and dating in each of the cultures. He’s quite adorable.
Thanks, Antti + Anna!
Baisers des hommes dans le lit.
I’d like to take a moment to discuss a rule…
Kissing men in bed.
I used to think this was an innocent ordeal….
“I like you, there is a bed, no one is home, let’s just kiss each other.”
And in my opinion it should be this way. I DON’T SEE WHY NAUGHTY ENDEAVORS MUST ALWAYS LEAD TO SEX!
Sometimes things are left best in their simplicity. But some things aren’t that simple.
I mentioned the rule to a French friend of mine over coffee today and he quickly interrupted me:
“Agh! I would be extremely offended if a woman took me into her bedroom, kissed me, led me on, but then refused to have sex! THAT’S JUST PLAIN WRONG!”
Yes, yes, I know. Believe me, I learned this lesson the hard way.
If you don’t want make love to a grown man, don’t be cruel and fool around with him.
But I cannot help but wonder if this is the same rule for a boy.
Surely they are not as complicated.
Flirting in Paris. 