Awaken to Seine River Cruises

Bonjour everyone,

Can you picture yourself floating along here…

aboard a boat on the glassy waters of the Seine? A twilight cruise with other tourists, although cliched, can be one of the best ways to see Paris transform into two worlds; the glittering city of Paris by night comes to life at twilight as it glides by on its glorious, mirrored world of reflections.

Go with a friend. Go without. It makes no difference here. Feel the breeze and relax on board any one of the boats referred to by the French as ‘ les bateau mouche”. Buy your ticket at the dock. Most boats dock at Pont d’Alba near the Eiffel Tower which you’ll see from here…

and it will cost you about 12.50 euros. You may want to pick up a bottle of bubbly from here…

as well. I do recommend you go a little earlier to get your tickets and be top of the queue to secure your choice seats- undercover or at the bow if you feel like doing a ‘Titanic’ with arms outstretched.

You can reserve tickets online at the official site here: http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en

To capture the experience, my french awakening insists you give a thought to employ the lovely and creative Australian- come- Paris- resident, photographer  Carla Coulson who offers a four hour photo shoot anywhere in Paris. Her unique forte lies in photographing women in Paris. She not only highlights Paris glamour and sheer femininity but manages to intensify inner beauty so well that it makes not only for an unforgettable momento of portrait shots but an altogether uplifting experience in itself. You can see her gorgeous work at  her website gallery in ‘Carla Loves Photography’ at  http://carlacoulson.com or her many published books.

Imagine yourself under Paris light. It’s not too difficult is it?

Best Wishes, Therese

Copyright@2014 Therese Waddell

Awaken to French Women

Bonjour mes amis,

It’s an undeniable fact that French women are lithe and slender in stature, would you agree? Over the years, my french awakening turned into sheer curiousity as to why this phenomena is true.

It’s initially quite strange to comprehend. French women (including many of my friends) have at their fingertips and regularly enjoy red wine with lunch and dinner, buttery sauces and dressings and of course their desserts of pastries, gateaux and creamy concoctions. Under normal circumstances these would undoubtedly expand the tummies and explode unsuspecting lipid deposits beneath any skin. But not the female French skin. Hmm…

According to the author Mireille Guiliano who wrote ‘ Why French Women Don’t Get Fat’…

There are a number of fool proof techniques/philosophy that French women employ in order to maintain their petite girl-like bodies…

1. French women eat for pleasure (not diet for misery).

2. Leek soup seems to hold magical powers.

3. Eat slowly and steadily.

4. Drink plenty of water.

5. Eat a variety of foods and increase more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

6. Use portion control.

7. Eat only at the table sitting down, not in front of the tv (a rule my mother still insists upon!)

8. Avoid the bread pre starter.

9. Make adult choices about what foods go into your mouth. Go for quality.

10. Try to find new interests and move your body more.

All these things make a lot of sense and one can’t deny that most French women look fantastic for any age. They must be doing something definately right even though they are surrounded by boulangeries and patisseries at every corner!

Mireille also shares with us a few french beauty secrets, including home made remedies to stay young and healthy, at:

http://mireilleguiliano.com/

‘Why French Women Don’t Get Fat’ is filled with thoughtful insights into French women, French foods, French eating and French recipes.

The only question I have, knowing now why they don’t get fat, is HOW DO FRENCH WOMEN BALANCE THEIR LIFE with work and family and kids and…

with less time in the day given the fact that three meals are generally consumed daily with a long lunch in between? Arhh the juggling act!

Any ideas?

Au revoir,

Best Wishes, Therese Waddell

copyright@2010 Therese Waddell

Awakening To French Models in Galerie Lafayette

Bonjour mes amis,

Several French models appear half naked, suspended from the ceiling of the  Galerie Lafayette store in Paris. Lafayette at 40 Haussmann Boulevard normally is a must see for those of you lucky enough to be in Paris. Always full of surprises though, Lafayette certainly knew how to draw the crowds  in and this amazing exposition on suspended glass staircases was no exception.

Eye catching gorgeous French models toned and taut are strutting their incy wincy silver stuff above us, in what turned out to be fantastic marketing ploy for MAC Cosmetics for the Parisian clientele.

My French Awakening was well and truly opened when we walked into  Galerie Lafayette and wondered why crowds were multiplying and   voyeurism intensified . Everyone craning their elegant little heads upwards for a better view!

Just thought I’d make your day!

Au revoir,

Best Wishes, Therese Waddell

Awakening To Paris Fashion Parades

Bonjour mes amis,

Now, we’ve all wanted to snatch up a ticket to a Fashion Parade in Paris and I’m going to tell you how to do just that!

Did you know that fashion parades are held continually on the seventh floor of  Galerie Lafayette flagship store at number 40 Bld Hausmann.

Well, yes they are! And they are a gorgeous introduction to many of the top brands sold within Lafayette and France itself!

Only people with the confirmation letter from Lafayette may enter into this exclusive event.

So how to get a booking for the fashion parade, means you have to email Galerie Lafayette sometimes as long as six months in advance of your intended trip. And that’s precisely what I do when I’m going to Paris.

The email  should be sent to the wonderfully helpful Catherine Domenech of the Galeries Lafayette Promotion Internationale  with Fashion Show Reservation in the subject line.

Email address reads cdomenech@galerieslafayette.com

Or, ligne directe: 01.45.96.69.62 and FAX: 01.42.82.80.18

Firstly, you need to first of all know when and where you are staying in Paris in order to secure a ticket.

Secondly, BE NICE and in your email to Galerie Lafayette, explain to them that you are very interested in Parisian fashion (and you’re NOT lying about that!) and would love to attend a fashion parade in their beautiful “grande magasin”.

Thirdly, if you are lucky and have given them plenty of time, you will then be asked where and when you are staying in Paris (hopefully you have an address near Hausmann Boulevard  and they will send a confirmation email for the number of seats (usually two) you have requested.

Fourthly, when your confirmation email does arrive and you’ve picked yourself up off the floor- DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT forget to pack it in your bag, because no amount of pleading at the door will let you through when you finally get there!

Lastly, arrive at least an hour earlier than the starting time as it is “first in best seats” scenario even though the letter will possibly read,

“‘please present yourself 15 minutes before the beginning of the show”.

The private lounge is located on the seventh floor so once you’ve walked into the street level of the main store, take the escalator “Mogador” as it will take you directly up to the show lounge. If you can’t find it, ask at the “Welcome and Information desk” located near the Cartier counter (street floor). They’re very helpful too.

And when you’ve made it, with your little programme in hand and quite possibly shocked your friends you have left at home who by now are receiving your text messages from your seat, pat yourself on the back and remind yourself how lucky you are and that being well prepared has its own rewards!

The show will last for about thirty minutes or so. Oh, and of course the dress code is smart casual.  More smart than casual afterall, you ARE in Paris!

Enjoy darlings!

Au Revoir,

Best Wishes,

Therese Waddell