2016 International Women’s Day.. at the OECD

Speaking recently to the American Ambassador in Paris’ office regarding a request for her support to our local charity, I was told by her assistant that the “protocol” department will not be able to treat our correspondence in the coming week, as Her Excellency will be extremely busy attending International Women’s Day events taking place in Paris. That was an excellent reminder for me to arrange to cover this poignant day, which brings to light globally the importance of celebrating women, and related issues such as gender parity, equality, equal opportunity, etc… bref, all the things that affect me as a professional woman in the 21st century.

On the 8th of March, I found myself entering the impressive halls of the OECD Conference Centre close to Porte de la Muette… The halls were full of people there to attend the myriad conferences and plenary sessions that the OECD hosts every year. I was transported back to a time when I was a member of the hallowed young professionals set, all well-dressed in suits, conference delegate identification tags around their necks, impressive C.V.’s, and the confidence to go with it…

Read more

Lettre de Paris Interview: Emma Sawko.. of Wild & the Moon

New York born, Dubai-based entrepreneur Emma Sawko is launching in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris this January an urban, organic health food and juice bar called Wild & the Moon.. together with her husband and a group of fellow food lovers, chefs, nutritionists, and naturopaths.

The Wild & the Moon concept, which has already opened in Dubai, is based on the belief that food should not only be healthy and delicious, but also good for the planet: “through food we align with the rhythm of nature”.

Read more

Paris will.. Always be.. Paris…

In spite… of the recent…

“Atroce.. barbare”….

“Paris… sera…

Toujours… Paris”…

Walking down our charming.. rue du Bac… in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.. which we have greatly missed.. was a delight… having been strongly advised by the police not to venture out too much.. during the time Paris was under temporary siege of terror.. and in a state of emergency…

Our much-loved “rue intime”… flanked on both sides of the “trottoir” by little boutiques and cafés… all lit up with twinkling lights on Christmas trees…

With chocolatiers.. pâtisseries… flaunting their exquisite delicacies… taunting us with temptations of deliciousness…

Read more

Homage to Paris.. Café de Flore…

À Paris… aujourd’hui…

We… celebrated…

Life… at…

Café… de Flore…

“Toujours”… reminiscent of “les grands philosophes”.. artists.. poets…

Proust… Sartre…

Voltaire… Balzac…

Matisse… Camus…

Oh… and Coco Chanel… among the many that represent and embody the great civilisation that is…

La.. France…

Read more

A Poignant Love Letter…

“You Taught Me How To Love”

Dear H,

Knowing me as you do, you’ll remember I despise love letters – so pompous and posturing – emotional blackmail invariably the aim. However, I feel I owe one to you, the love of my 30s, thanking you for the years we spent together; a letter from one no longer in love, who can now love all the stronger because of you.

Our relationship taught me how to love as an adult, and you remain the only man I have ever set up house with. People declared us opposites: introvert and extrovert, sportsman and hedonist, music lover and word obsessive.

Read more

Maison.. de la Chantilly…

Maison de la Chantilly…

“A ouvert… ses portes…

Il y a… quelques semaines”….

Opened… its doors…

A few… weeks ago…

We literally stumbled.. on this “petite boutique”…

With its lovely eclectic.. light blue and white façade…

Cosily ensconced on the charming rue Cler.. dans le 7ème arrondissement…

Read more

Brooklyn.. Rive Gauche…

After last year’s spotlight on Japan.. in its annual cultural theme.. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche… has yet again launched it’s effervescent rendez-vous with the autumn season.. its “Made in Brooklyn” exhibition…

Visiting my favourite “grand magasin à Paris”.. with my arm still in a sling having fractured it recently.. I was transported to the enchanting, dynamic, exciting “arrondissement de Brooklyn”.. in New York…

Read more