Photographer Todd McLellan takes apart old trinkets and neatly arranges the disassembled pieces. The complete organization of it all makes me giddy.

{ old flip clock }

{typewriter }

{ old camera }

{ images via here }

The makeup. The makeup. THE MAKEUP….

{ images via www.misspandora.fr }

Luisa Bianchin by Karine Basilio in Black Fire: I love the sheer, the lattice, the maxis.

{ images via Fashion Gone Rogue }

Every once in a while you see a photograph that you love. This time I thought I’d share it with the world.

{ image via http://www.leblogdebetty.com/en/ }

I’ve been a fan of these for quite some time, and in the spirit of continuing to share my love of all things Paris, I thought I would share these with you all. Graphic designer Vahram Muratyan has created a number of comparisons between the Big Apple and the City of Lights, and their accuracy is clever and amusing. Take a look at his website to see all of them–you can also purchase prints to hang in your apartment or dorm room. J’adore!

{ images via http://parisvsnyc.blogspot.com/ }

I’ve thought about Paris every day since I left…whether I was reminiscing about the taste of a pain au chocolat or my trip to the Musée d’Orsay or dinner at Entrecote. That’s why my heart melted when I saw this photoshoot on Lulu’s blog. I love how the photographer cleverly captures the Eiffel Tower in each shot, whether it’s in full focus or artistically blurred. Paris will always be a city of romance, possibility, and beauty.

{ click on first picture for image sources }

Hello all! As you can see, I took a brief hiatus from blogging during the holiday season. I spent the last few weeks resting up at home, being with my family, and vacationing in the Caribbean. But with the onset of the new year comes my re-entrance into the blogosphere!

Earlier this week I saw the highly anticipated movie Black Swan with a friend. It was truly one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had in a movie theatre. The ballerina protagonist Nina Sayers is haunted by her ultimate goal of perfection, and she emanates such high tensions and anxiety that even the audience can feel her emotions–I found my heart beating out of my chest on numerous occasions.

On a lighter note, the costumes designed by the Rodarte sisters were gorgeous and provided a childish (what girl didn’t take a ballet class when she was younger?) and elegant element to an otherwise dark and twisted film.

{ images via google, www.thestylerookie.com }

Christmas time in Paris: decorations in the window of the colossal department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, christmas markets on the Champs Elysées and La Défense, bright lights in alley ways and side streets, seasonal ferris wheel in Place de la Concorde, chocolat chaud and vin chaud…..le sigh…

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!!

{ images via le blog de betty }

It’s been some time since I’ve shared some of my favorite music, and there are certain songs that I have not stopped listening to lately!

Last week, I went to not one but two concerts here in Paris. I saw Vampire Weekend at Le Zenith, a large concert hall in Parc de la Vilette. The next night I headed over to the Moulin Rouge to watch Chromeo perform at La Machine, and underground club connected to the famous cabaret hall. I thought I’d share my favorite new Chromeo song, “Hot Mess,” from their new album…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm4JVkH0T-E

And a few more songs I can’t get enough of….

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGluHyRRoAA

{ Florence and the Machine – You’ve Got the Love XX Remix }

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaUI6Tvd1sA

{ Coeur de Pirate – Comme des Enfants }

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqg_ZGcuybs

{ Talking Heads – This Must be the Place }

Two paterissie posts in a row! It’s a lot of sweets, but my stomach has been more than ready for it…

This time around, my palate took me to Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki, a Japanese inspired patisserie several blocks from my apartment. The clean-cut, modern looking design of the shop made it stand out on street occupied by classic French architecture. The colorful, rainbow like pastries contrasted with the white interior made them look even more attractive. The first thing I noticed when looking at the treats was that many of them had the word “mâche” in their title; I learned from the lady behind the counter that it meant “green tea.” She was all smiles and happily answered my questions. At her recommendation, I settled on the Tarte au Caramel Beurre Salé, which translates to a “salted butter caramel tart.” I was very impressed with the fact that she wrapped my tart in a cute little white box for me, and right after I finished paying, she gave me a green tea macaron on the house!

As I got back to my apartment to study for a quiz, I devoured both the tart and macaron. The tart had a graham cracker crust filled with a thick layer of salty caramel, and was topped off with spirals of chocolate mousse and cocoa powder for a finishing touch. The green tea macaron, although it doesn’t rival those of Ladurée, was a unique twist on a French dessert.

It goes without question, I will be returning to Sadaharu for yet another French-Japanese treat!

{ Tarte au Caramel Beurre Salé }

{ Green tea macaron and another green tea treat }

{ Store front on Rue Port Royal }

{ Inside the shop }

{ Assortment of macarons }

{ images via google, sadaharu website }