My 2016 Revolution

Dance All Night, Sleep All DayAlthough I would love to be able to dance all night and sleep all day, it’s not realistic at this point in my life (but you should have seen me 10 years ago!). These days you’ll find me working hard, spending time with my boy, family and friends, travelling and on occasion indulging in a few delicious vices. In short, I’m enjoying life!

However, the first day of 2016 has me reflecting on the past year. This is the time we all start making resolutions on how the next year will be different from the previous one. And inevitably, the resolutions are broken and guilt sets in. But not this year! This 2016 will be the year I embark on a REVOLUTION!

Instead of the age old “New Year, New You” motto I always fall into, I’m jumping aboard the “New Year, Better You” train. I’m in a great place in my life and I love it. I don’t need a new me or a new life. The one I’ve created for myself is pretty darn good. So this year, instead of trying to fix something that isn’t broken, I will work on making it even better. It’s a more positive and fun way to look at the year ahead.

I hope you join me in welcoming the New Year 2016 in a revolutionary way!

Sign-off

MET Gala 2015 – China: Through the Looking Glass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala was held last night. The theme of the 2015 fashion extravaganza was “China: Through the Looking Glass” and the stars were dressed to impress. There was no shortage of ladies bringing outstanding style and their own interpretation of the chinoiserie theme to the annual spectacle. But in my opinion it was couples fashion that ruled the red carpet as they channeled, complemented or highlighted each others style.

Red dominated as the premier fashion choice for many couples. The colour was a less literal take on the chinese motif. Symbolizing good fortune and joy, the elegant and sexy choice was an obvious hit. The men complemented their partners with sleek black in a gorgeous play of yin and yang.

Amal and George Clooney

Amal and George Clooney

Livia and Colin Firth

Livia and Colin Firth

Hannah Davis and Derek Jeter

Hannah Davis and Derek Jeter

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Sarah Jessica Parker went husbandless partnering instead with Andy Cohen. Perfect arm candy with his matching poppy boutonniere. But not much could really upstage that original Philip Treacy head piece and only a fashion icon like SJP could pull it off.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Andy Cohen

Sarah Jessica Parker and Andy Cohen

There is nothing more complementary than partners (or sisters) that don’t upstage each other. Dressed in black, these couples are perfect bookends to this fashion story.

Renee Puente and Matthew Morrison

Renee Puente and Matthew Morrison

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen

Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen

Opposites attract and look simply stunning in black and white. Here style is all in the details (cutouts, embroidery, sparkles) and the men provide the perfect backdrop to their partners outstanding choices.

Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne

Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne

Cassie and Diddy

Cassie and Diddy

Two of the stars that shone the brightest on this night were Beyonce and Kim (no last names required for these two mavens of fashion headlines). In the gala’s most daring and baring dresses, both women were clearly the centre of attention. I’m not sure who the winner of this fashion fight was, but I know both Kanye and Jay-Z were happy to give up the spotlight to these gorgeous ladies.

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z

Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West

Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West

I’d love to hear about who you thought were the galas winners or losers!

 

Becoming a Little French

Books about Paris, France focused on fashion, food and styrle - Amost French, Parisian Chic, Paris Letters, French WomenSo I realize that I am a Polish girl living in Canada…but in my head, there are days, when I feel utterly and completely French!!! I know…shocking, right?! But I feel that I’m not alone in this grand delusion. Hundreds if not thousands of women around the world are keen to find the french girl within. We are riveted by tales of great french passions, secrets of effortless beauty, and simple orgasmic cuisine (a fresh baguette, good cheese and a bottle of wine have been known to illicit some interesting sounds out of this girl!). And we all want to experience it for ourselves.

Do you know what I blame for my personal addiction to this fantasy world? My love of reading! And I plan on taking any of you willing readers down the rabbit hole with me. Here are my top four books to feed your inner French Fille.

1. Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull

I got this book a number of years ago, just after my first visit to Paris. I was smitten with the most romantic city in the world and wanted desperately to live there. Of course, that wasn’t going to become reality anytime soon. So I settled for some vicarious living through Sarah’s account of navigating life in the City of Lights (the good, the bad, and the ugly). For all the amusing horror, this is a seductive book that only intensified my dreams of returning to Paris over and over!

2. Parisian Chic a Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

The fascination with the French sense of style is not mine alone. Many books have been written on how to achieve that almost impossibly uncontrived sense of je ne sais quois that is key to a real Frenchwoman’s look. The difference with this book is that it’s author is a true icon in the fashion world, and yet she writes this book like your best girlfriend, breaking down the secrets of french allure into easy to understand and adapt rules. And if you ever find yourself in Paris, Ines shares the best places to outfit your inner french goddess.

3. French Women for All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano

Knowing my penchant for becoming french, my sister gave me this book for one of my birthdays. I was thrilled to slip further into my francophile addiction, immersing myself into the french way of life. Mireille, best known for her debut book. French Women Don’t Get Fat, delves into the french lifestyle including cooking, shopping, entertaining and even exercising. The best part are the author’s own anecdotes of living in Paris and New York. It was a hit with me right from the start, and I go back to it time and again.

4. Paris Letters by Janice Macleod

Finally, this last book is my newest addition to a must read for any wannabe French girl. It was lent to me by a friend, and I have fallen completely under the spell of Janice’s writing…and painting. For anyone who’s ever thought of throwing it all away and running off to Paris, this is the book for you! The author also has a small Etsy Shop where she sells her beautifully penned and illustrated letters via a subscription. A beautiful and thoughtful gift idea for any travel lover on your list!

I hope you get a chance to check out these great reads. I would love to hear your recommendations for some fantastic escapist reading.

My 2015 Intentions

2015 resolutions on my desk by Cobblestones and CappuccinosI’m baaack! I’ve been having the most wonderful time over the holidays indulging in family, friends, and food. It’s been a whirl wind of twinkling lights, bubbly treats and sleeping in. And although we didn’t get a white Christmas in London, the boy and I have enjoyed the cold weather. We even managed to strap on skates for a spin on the rink at Victoria Park, rewarded by obligatory hot chocolate (bribes work well to get me out of my comfort zone).

But I can’t believe we’re already five days into 2015! The last few months have flown by as I’ve shared my life’s simple pleasures with you. So first of all, I want to thank you for stopping by my little blog and taking the time to chat with me and give me feedback on how I’m doing. I love knowing what you all think and enjoy reading about on the blog. And it’s been fun bringing the things I enjoy to you. Of course, the new year means more surprises, adventures and indulgences. I hope you stick around and share those with me over the coming days. In the meantime, my biggest concern is trying to remember that “5″ every time I write down the date. Ugh, this will take a few more weeks.

I don’t know about you but every year, as champagne bubbles hit my brain and the clock strikes midnight, my bleary brain attempts to make resolutions, which promptly get broken or forgotten as soon as the real world comes into focus. So in an attempt to break this unsuccessful habit, but not willing to give up on bettering myself, I’ve decided to come up with some intentions for 2015, rather than resolutions. Intentions seem more doable and more flexible than resolutions. And this year, instead of making them on January 1, I’ve taken the time to really think about what I want to accomplish this year. So without further ado, here are my 2015 Intentions (in no particular order).

1. Make a new dish that requires blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish. Okay, hopefully not all those. But I want to really make something I wouldn’t normally try. Something completely from scratch that takes hours to prepare and minutes to inhale.

2. Try one new thing each month. Whether it’s a food, an activity, or a destination. This seems like a doable thing, an intention which should further my horizon. Make me a better me – well on the way to becoming “The Most Interesting Woman in the World”!

3.Travel MORE! This one won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me. But this year specifically I want to head to Malta. It’s been a destination the boy and I have discussed for the last three years and have yet to pin down. Hopefully, saying this out loud will commit me to accomplishing it in 2015. This is definitely an intention I’m looking forward to completing!

I will keep you all posted on my successes or failures, and I would love to hear what you have planned for 2015.