Around the World in 80 hours

Bonjour mes amies!

            I am finally in the land of cheese and croissants. It has been quite the adventure to finally land in Charles deGaulle, and the sad part is that I am only about three-fourths through my journey. At the end of this trip I traveled(layovers and wait time included) 23 hours. Oh the things we do to experience the wonder that is Europe. Let me recount my time and bring you along on my journey

22/8/2010:

6:10 PST – Fly out from home airport heading for Phoenix in black boots, a gray sweater, and carrying a thick wool coat. (Gotta save space where you can!)

7:50 PST – Arrive in Pheonix. Run like mad to make boarding time at 8:15. Board plane. Getting ready for about a 6 hour flight to NYC.

4:50 EST -  Arrive in JFK. Eat. Wait. Wait. Wait. Delay due to rain. Wait. Wait. Wait. Take off at 0:00 EST. Will not make connection to Lyon.

sleep.

23/8/2010:

13:10 (France) – Arrive in Charles deGaulle. Deal with missed connection. Devastated at having to leave at 21:45. Wait. Wait. Eat. Wait.

20:55 (France) – Finallly board last plane to Lyon. Sleep.

21:45 (France) – Take off.

22:30 (France) – Arrive at Aeroport de Lyon, tired. Get baggage. Run to catch the last bus to Grenoble.

24/8/2010:

0:30 (France) – Arrive at Hôtel de l’Europe. Shower. Unpack necessities.

2:20 (France) – Type up post. Pass out.

Phew. My day(s) were eventful to say the very least, but I’m glad that I am now here. It’s my first full day in Grenoble, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.

Here are a few pictures so you can really follow me on my journey.

Á plus tard!

Krystyne

A few tips of the trade

Mes amies,
My time at home dwindles down to a mere week, and bittersweet emotions bubble to the surface. As the siren call of my life in France continues to entrance and excite me, I also will miss all the people that I leave back home. With my bon voyage coming closer and closer, I decided -- well actually prompted my ever cautious mom (thanks mom!) -- to research a few tips and tricks to stay safe and sound in the streets of Europe. No one wants a memorable time in Europe to look like a scene out of Taken.

I have complied a list of three of the tips I found on venturing in the City of Love.

1. Beware of pickpockets. I know that this may seem like common sense, but with the glistening lights and beautiful sights of the city this thought may slip from your mind as easily as that wallet from your bag. Try to stay away from particularly busy places. This is especially important during the night. If you happen to find yourself in such a situation, keep that bag close at hand. I strongly recommend having a shoulder bag with a zipper close to ensure the greatest amount of protection.

2. Here in America we typically add a substantial tip to our bill when we eat out. However, in Paris they typically add the gratuity in the total price before they give you the check. Over-tipping is a major faux pas. Make sure that you only give a couple of euros if you feel the need to tip particularly magnifique service.

3. This one is aimed straight at those amazing women willing to explore the world. DO NOT make prolonged eye contact or outwardly flirtatious gestures toward those French men you happen to see walking the street. While here in America, slapping a big smile on your face is a way to say, "Hey! I'm friendly come talk to me. I'd love to make a new friend." In Paris, it says. . .  well. . .  we've all seen Taken, right? 

I hope that this has helped a few of you wanting to safely visit the wonders of the City of Love. I'll be sure to post more as I find them. If you have anymore, don't hesitate to comment and let us know! Kate and I would love to know the ins-and-outs of traveling Europe.

A bientôt

Krystyne

Audrey Hepburn

My obsession of the moment is everything Audrey Hepburn. Well, that's not completely true. I have always loved the charm and grace of Ms. Hepburn from a young age, but my current summer read Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m. has me falling in love with this independent and enchanting dah-ling all over again. Being inspired by Kate's own inward transformation, I would like to a little more Audrey in my life. While technically not French, she was born in Ixelles, Belgium, and French is one of Belgium's official languages. I hoping with that logic I may justify including Audrey in our list of glamourous French idols.

Audrey in Paris for Funny Face

Audrey exuded a peculiar beauty and innocence about her, far from her contemporaries' ideal of the perfect Hollywood starlet (this was a time where the curvaceous silhouettes of Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe ruled). Audrey had none of that. She was too skinny, too gangly, and not at all shapely. Her teeth and mouth were too big for her face and the size of her feet were positively manly. Oh, how the ideal of beauty has changed! Today, she is the one of the most idolized and respected actresses -- model of independence, success, and effervescent wit who was unafraid to challenge society's mold of fame and beauty. She was simply Audrey forever and always. 

Due to my crazed current obsession I threw myself a mini movie marathon today. I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's (of course) and my favorite Ms. Hepburn movie, Sabrina. For this post, I think that I am going to share with you why Audrey is -- in a word -- timeless. 

  

Audrey through the years

The birth of the little black dress (by Givenchy of course)

One of my most favorite dresses. (Sabrina)

Even toward the end of her life, she was a vision of classic elegance.

Audrey the Philanthropist

Audrey the Style Icon and the Givenchy neckline

Hepburn and Givenchy. . . 

muse and designer until the very end. 

I hope that you enjoyed that little stroll through the boulevards of my mind. 

Au revoir,

Krystyne

For my fashion renovation, I look to Catherine Deneuve for guidance. Why? Simple as this:  Miss Deneuve was Mr. Yves Saint Laurent's muse. Mr. YSL's designs are to France as baseball and apple pie is to America. Yeah, the French don't mess around with their fashion.

Miss  Deneuve graced all her photographs in quintessential French fashion that we all know and love. From sophisticated trenches to impeccable black silhouettes to girly and dainty touches such as bows and chiffon, I will definitely be thinking of Miss Deneuve as I pack my bags!

Here are my picks to re-create a modern day Miss Deneuve:

                              For her reoccurring black and white and sophisticated necklines: (both from forever21.com)

For her  bow and chiffon motif and the Belle de Jour look-a-like cut out dress: (both from Urbanoutfitters.com) 

For her signature brand: (both from barneys.com)

 

While I have fun feeling chic, it is most important that I feel confident and comfortable. It may be a little bit cheesy, but I want to conduct a inward makeover as well! And besides…the french love their cheese!

So for this part of the makeover I turn to yet another French native. Despite her humble beginnings, this very chic woman's accomplishments were legendary. I think she makes for the more-than-qualified role model as she qualified in the Time's 100 most important people of the century list. Plus, she achieved it all looking fabulous in pearls and perfectly tailored suits. I believe this lady is stylish inside and out: Miss Coco Chanel.

 It is quite the task to incorporate Miss Bardot, Miss Deneuve, and Miss Chanel in one makeover, oh la la, what have I gotten myself into?! Ha, souhaitez moi bonne chance!

Avec amour,

Kate

A Slice of Cannes Right in Your Own Living Room

Have you ever had the odd feeling of watching so many foreign films in one day that you start to think that the actors on screen are actually saying the words you are reading on the bottom? No? Well, maybe you should. It is absolutely one of the most odd yet delightful experiences. Plus, a day like that does wonders to your cinematic street cred. With Kate and I getting ready to say au revoir in about a month, the introduction of French film to our movie repertoire was a natural step in the process of embracing our new home. Word of caution to those that may want to attempt to throw their own little Cannes Film Festival, have an open mind to the artistry behind truly creative cinema, be ready for all of the reading, and American movies will never be the same again.

After a couple of days of only watching documentaries and foreign films, I am now hooked. I have been scouring the internet for more film and documentary titles, attempting to saturate my mind and satiate my new appreciation for the artistic outlet that is film making.

Here are the trailers to a few of the movies Kate and I have in our Netflix ques as well as ones we absolutely adore. As you will see a number of them are about the fashion industry, but what else do you expect from the country that has blessed the world with icons such as Chanel, YSL, and Louboutin. Enjoy!