MUTO

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

MOROCCO!

I just came back from Marrakech with my boyfriend!  The colors and smells and tastes  of this city were unreal.  By day, we walked around the Djemma al Fna Square, the souks, and the shops that could be found along quiet side streets, taking everything in.  By night, we ate couscous and tagines in the the open-air restaurants in the square.  

Josh and I found that shopping along the quieter side-streets was particularly enchanting.  The people who worked the shops kept bringing us mint tea!







One day we went on an excursion to see the Cascades.  Words cannot describe.



And I told Josh I want to move here with him:



We finished each evening with an auburn colored tea of ginger, cinnamon, and a myriad of other spices.


I have to say, Morocco is quite a romantic place.

Egypt

People on the edge of the Black Desert



Mika and I riding camels at Giza



DONKEY CART!



Marmoot at Crystal Mountain



Man riding in a trunk in Cairo traffic

Spring Has SPRUNG in PARIS!

It's true! And I've been wandering the streets of Paris with my giant camera! Here are some photos of my neighborhood:

" bo

************************************************************************************

And this photo was taken at a cafe in le Marais (it's a little blurry but I still love it!):

The Tomb of Oscar Wilde

Le Paris Paris: Le Hottest Club in PARIS

Last night I found myself with two of my best girlfriends at Le Paris Paris, one of the hottest and exclusive clubs in Paris at 5 Avenue de l'Opéra.  To get in required the approval of three bouncers, one of whom was wearing a pink bunny suit! LaFrench was in charge of the music and the mood.  The bartenders were fun, easy going, and bubbling with personality.  

We sipped the most unbelievably scrumptious drink ever:

Le Paris Paris: Champagne, Vodka, Fresh Strawberry Puree. Le Paris Paris was a pleasure.  If you can get in, it's the place to go. 

Food For Thought

click here to see the context of this photo.

Commentary is welcome :)

Arlene, On A Rainy Day In Paris

Me, On A Rainy Day In Paris

Brittany, On A Rainy Day In Paris

Paris Fashion Week: A Sneak Preview of Winter '08

Friday afternoon I found myself wandering around the Jardin Tuileries, wistfully staring at the oh so exclusive looking white tents pitched out for fashion week. A group of trendy looking people stood outside each of the openings of the tents, gayly puffing on cigarettes and chatting up a storm. Past each group of fashionistas I caught glimpses of handbags, jewelry, sweaters, and so-forth. On a whim I decided to walk into one of the tents. A guard greeted me immediately with a flirtatious smile and when I asked him if one needed an invitation for entry, he responded that no, one had to pay for a ticket. I never found out how much those tickets were, however, since he simply handed me a ticket and let Viv and I in for free! When we had had our fill, another guard escorted us to the other tent and snuck us in for free, once again. Ah, lady luck! 

The expo turned out to be a trade show for the season of Fall-Winter 2008, open to boutique buyers from all over the world. The collections were mostly from new and upcoming designers who were not yet big enough for their own showrooms.  Things tended to be loud and original with personal edginess.  Vibrant colors, bold cuts, and iridescence was a dominating theme, as well as the natural, neutral, and organic style and attitude.  Some articles that stick out in my mind were golden  slippers lined with rabbit fur, knits in surprisingly feminine shapes, sunglasses in wooden frames, and a delicate necklace with a funky lipstick charm.  Skull logos will continue to be a trend.  Also keep your eye out for kafia, traditional Arab head coverings, worn as scarves.  

For some photos of trends, go to FACEHUNTER,  LATimes, Style,  and French Vogue.

.Vivian.

My favorite photo from a lazy Sunday afternoon in Paris.

Some Rad Posters

"These posters don't suck."- Parez Hilton

Mona Lisa Goes to South Beach

As an American living in Paris, I cannot help but laugh.  I must say, though, that many French people emphasize weight gain when recounting week-long vacations in the States, as opposed to so-called beautification.  

Thoughts?

YSL Cigarettes

A Ledge in Montmartre

Visions of Wildlife

This is my boyfriend Josh, The Emperor of Merveilleuse.

My colocatrice(roommate), Vivian.  

Humans riding the metro.

Metro CHATEAU D'EAU, Paris

Window display of a wig store.  This reminds me of the dolls mangled by the bully in Toy Story.

Metro PIGALLE, Paris

">
">

An excited monkey at the Erotic Museum.

coca light VS diet coke

I am obsessed with Coca Light.  Not Diet Coke, but Coca Light. And yes, there is a difference.  Apparently, Coca Light is not sold in the US or the UK due to a ban on cyclamate, a type of artificial sweeter.  My roommate and dear friend Vivian is convinced that the European version of sugar-free Coke is addicting.  While I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say that I am addicted, the availability of Coca Light in my daily life is perfectly lined up with the first and only time I have ever actually craved soda.  I found an article in the new york times that elaborates on the issue.