(Insert witty title here.)

So,I had my results back (from that figures-based test I was telling you about in an earlier post) and it wasn't so good, so I had to take a step back and re-prioritise. I did pass it but not as well as I thought I would. Oh well...

Went to Bhudda bar (in the very chic Place de la Concorde area) with my flatmate and her friends on Friday and I really loved it. The decor, the charm, it all added to this kind of exotic ambiance. The food is quite amazing too, I hear, so will definitely be going back to try it :o) I wish I had been better dressed though as the impression I had had was that we were just going down to a local bar for a little while. I ended up going still dressed in my school uniform! Quel horreur!!

Then it was off to Le Bon Marche on Saturday for a class project (no,really.) Think Harrods and you get the idea. It was like asking an ex-smoker to go and work in a tobacco factory. My friend fell prey to all the temptation around us and bought this gorgeous Balenciaga bag. She claimed it was a present for her mum but judging by the sheer joy on her face, hmmm, I'm not so sure.

The long search for an apartment may finally be over. I went for a viewing in the 18me arrondissement (district.)This part of the 18th is not quite Montmatre but it's three stops away. Does that count? Lol. The apartment was bare and all the stuff in it were kind of on their last legs. Hah ahaha. It wasn't that bad really. But I'm at a stage where I'll take anything right now. Totally exhausted from searching.

And on a final note, Anna Wintour (US Vogue editor) is in the news for having single-handedly re-arranged Milan Fashion Week to fit her schedule. My question is this. How can one woman (a tini-tiny one I might add) wield so much power? Even reducing grown men to quivering wrecks (have you seen the September issue?!) I don't get it. OK, so she has a unique eye, has discovered some amazing talents and helped establish others such as John Galliano . But so what? Personally, I think the woman has some voodoo powers that she's not telling us about. I'm on to you Miss Wintour!

PS: Erm, Miss Wintour, could you please put in a kind word for me at Paris Fashion Week? Pretty please...

Bisous!

Bon Weekend.

Off for a fun night out with my lovely flatmate. And then I plan to hit the books the rest of the weekend. Ooooh such fun. NOT! Hahaha.

Bon Weekend!

PS:

Looked out the window at school today and the homeless gentleman I told you about in last night's post was gone. The cardboard, plastic bags,the old suitcases...all gone. I wonder if the store had something to do with it? Or maybe he found something better.I hope he is OK.

The old woman who lived in a shoe.

Day 37...
OK, in this case it's not a shoe but a makeshift shelter of some sort, made out of cardboard boxes,plastic bags and loads of tattered old luggage. And 'she' here is a 'he'. I am talking about the homeless man that lives across the street from my school. I first noticed him about 3 weeks ago, while I was looking out of the window,people watching. I noticed this huge pile of rubbish just by a clothing store opposite. I remember thinking to myself "oh they do have to clear out that mess." Suddenly, the pile moved and I thought "Oh my God! Rats!" Then I saw a hand reach for some food.
From that day onwards, I would always look out that window just waiting until I could see who lived underneath that huge pile of rubbish. Today he emerged from his 'home'and my heart sank. He went about quietly tidying his little home. Swapping old cardboard boxes for new ones from the stores' garbage bin. Changing his clothes and so on. I am really intrigued by him. What's his story? Why did he choose that particular location (it's not particularly hidden?) How come he has so many clothes? Has he just recently been made homeless? Why hasn't the store tried to move him? The station closest to me is always filled with 8-10men sleeping right by the platform. And we all just go about our daily business. Not sure if both are cases of 'live and let live' or just us pretending there isn't a problem here.
Just my observation of the not-so-belle part of Paris. I could be wrong. Any insights are welcome.

The French do love protesting. Been here a month and already I have witnessed two demonstrations! I asked one protester what the problem was this time. Apparently, Monsieur Sarkozy has tightened the education budget and the schools are really short of resources - especially teaching staff. Teachers from the primary to the university level came out in support. I hope Elysee Palace was watching.

Bisous!

Getting to know you,getting to know all about you...

Day 36...

Just had a look at Halston's AW10/11 collection (Suzy Menkes' article on the New York Times website) and I can't get over how skinny the models were! I know this is a tired topic but...WOW. I just had to say something. The clothes were fabulous and they would have looked even much better if the models didn't look so damn hungry and depressed. These were not size 0 models. They were like size -4 or something! I felt like having mercy on them and shoving a juicy burger down their throat!!!!

Anyway,I mentioned in my last post that I would be going to dinner with the rest of my class tonight. Got back some time ago and well what can I tell you? It was such a fab night. We went to Pizzeria Vito (rue de Archives; about 5mins walk from Hotel de Ville metro station.) The food was deeeelicious.I had lasagna (not terribly adventurous but I love it and can't help ordering it every chance I get) and it was the best I'd ever tasted. Just the right consistency. Yum,yum,yum. I should mention too that our waiter was charming and absolutely gorgeous :o)
Oh and the company was great. We were making so much noise at one point (saying "cheers" in our respective languages), I thought we would get thrown out of the restaurant! Lol.I'm really glad I went as it was a chance to know my classmates a little better. And they are such lovely people I must say. A delightful evening and I can't wait to do it again.

Bisous!

How to lose friends and alienate people....TD syle.

Day 35...

We had some glorious sunshine in Paris today. Which was fantastic as we've been freezing our butts off this past month. Spring in Paris should be awesome. I can't wait!

Yet another test today. Fashion Communications. I do find this subject quite interesting as it deals with fashion media and how it's evolved over the years.I find it intriguing how fashion has always been used to reflect the times. It also helps when the teacher is a former editor of Marie Claire. Hehe. I should do well in this one :o)
Next up, a group presentation on Alexander McQueen - which strangely enough, we started working on a few weeks back. So imagine our shock when we found out our subject matter (whom we now feel we know in a strange kinda way) was dead. The strangest part was having to change every present tense to past tense. Surreal.

After the hectic past couple of weeks that we've had, it was decided that the whole class ought to go out for dinner. Lovely idea as I need to make ammends for the last time we went out. Which was a total disaster!
Now, I am a really warm, friendly person. Really, I am! Once I get to know you. Lol. But something just takes over when I am placed in unfamiliar surroundings. I just turn into this 'Ice Maiden' type person. And that was exactly what happened this night in question. We went to this nightclub (forget what it was called but it was by Temple Metro station.) It was filled with people jumping and screaming to techno/dance music. Making an already difficult night even more unbearable. The definition of a good night out for me is some good food with some light conversation. And to top it all off,the whole night cost me 40euros!!! Tried to crack a smile or two but I just couldn't shake off my discomfort.
Spoke to my mate about it who rather wisely told me to snap out of it. "Tos, you can't go around acting like that!" He said. "You've got to be more open minded. At the end of the day, you'll be better for it." I have taken on board what he said and I hate to admit it but dude does have a point.
Afterall, one of my main reasons for moving to belle Paris was to get out of my comfort zone.So tomorrow, I'm gonna go let my hair down. Wooohooo!!!
OK, maybe not totally. I'll just let down a few strands to start with. Rome wasn't built in a day you know?!

Bisou!

Hmmmmmm...dead fashion walking?

Day 34....

Hey people, hope you had a fab Valentine's day with your loved ones. I had a much needed rest after a very hectic week.
I had a Buying Management test today. It was 100% figures based. Urrrgh. Don't they know that us creatives and numbers are like oil and water?! Try as we may, we just never seem to mix well together. Result in a week’s time. Fingers crossed, eh?

Aaaanyhoo, still on a mission to find an apartment. Got a viewing booked for tomorrow. It’s in the 18^th district (5th apartment in the 18th in 2wks!) Montmartre seems to be beckoning and I am certainly not complaining :o) The area is absolutely stunning. After Le Marais, it's my 2nd favourite area in Paris. Looking forward to those long walks on lazy Sunday afternoons, strolling past the little cafes and shops,slowly making my way up the steps leading to Le Sacre Coeur (gorgeous catholic church), stopping by at the artists' market and then back down again. Siiigh....oh apartment, my apartment, wherefore art though?

Lately, I've been reading about this technological revolution that is supposedly taking place a le monde de la mode (and that's about all the french I know. Lol.) A trend apparently started by Michael Kors some seasons back, it is now catching up so fast that most luxury fashion houses are planning on streaming their fashion shows online. The aim being to appeal to a wider range of customers. I can almost feel the fashion glitterati shuffling uncomfortably in their Louboutins at the prospect of letting Joe Public into their world! And I can understand why. Don't get me wrong. I do understand the urgent need for a change in the way and speed at which information is relayed – especially under the current climate where competition is fierce for the ever so savvy and cautious customer. Not to forget the astronomical costs of running traditional fashion shows. But where will this lead? Please correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the whole point of luxury fashion was its exclusivity? This exclusivity in turn breeds a sense of excellence (in craftsmanship and quality) in those that work in that sector. I am afraid making it accessible to all and sundry defeats the whole purpose and eventually that mentality of excellence will suffer. A very fine balance has to be struck here. Or maybe I'm just too old fashioned.

One thing's for sure though. The battle line between creativity and the bottom line has now been officially drawn. 1^st round goes to the bottom line :o(

A cheaply made Bottega Veneta Knot, anyone?