I'm back!

If one thing has become clear to me during this trip that is the impression one city causes, can change greatly over time. In previous visits to Paris, I found places that were nothing but cliches, a mere mockery of themselves. But this time, I have been able to abstract my mind and I enjoyed a different Paris (maybe is an effect of the crisis?). Le Marais is still my favourite area. I could spend hours walking through its streets and still it won't lose its charm. The best from the old and new Paris come together in the left side of the river. Many museums are placed here as well: the Picasso museum, Victor Hugo's or the Jeu de Paume.

Si una cosa me ha quedado clara en este viaje es que la impresión que uno tiene de una ciudad puede cambiar, y mucho, con el tiempo. En anteriores visitas a París, me encontré con lugares que no eran sino clichés, casi mofas de tan bello lugar. Pero en esta ocasión, he sido capaz de abstraer mi mente y he disfrutado de un París distinto (¿quizás sea un efecto de la crisis?). Le Marais sigue siendo mi barrio favorito. Podría pasarme horas caminando entre sus calles y aún así no perdería su encanto. Para mi es como si lo mejor del viejo y el nuevo París confluyesen a la orilla izquierda del Sena. Además y para suerte del visitante, muchos museos se encuentran ubicados aquí: el museo Picasso, una de las sedes del Jeu de Paume o la casa de Victor Hugo.

Truth is that in terms of shopping, this trip has not been so great, saving a pair of black Jil Sander sandals. Also, as I previously mentioned I had the opportunity to be close to a couple of couture shows -Chanel and Valentino.- I enjoyed seeing the arrival of people like: Giovanna Battaglia with Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Cecilia Dean, Carine Roitfeld and Emmanuelle Alt, Olivier Theyskens, Anna Piaggi or the Traina sisters with her mom.

La verdad es que en términos de compras no ha sido un gran viaje, salvando unas sandalias negras de Jil Sander. Como ya mencioné tuve la oportunidad de acercarme a un par de desfiles de alta costura-Chanel y Valentino, en concreto- y me lo pasé genial viendo llegar a gente como: Giovanna Battaglia del brazo de Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Cecilia Dean, Carine Roitfeld y Emmanuelle Alt, Olivier Theyskens, Anna Piaggi o las hermanas Traina con su madre.

Besides, I visited a few exhibitions, including Vionnet in Les arts decoratifs which I didn't like that much. I also saw a couple of Henri-Cartier Bresson exhibitions and another one of Agustí Centelles in the Jeu de Paume.

A parte de eso, pude visitar unas cuantas exposiciones, entre ellas la de Vionnet que no me gustó especialmente. También fui a un par de exposiciones de Henri-Cartier Bresson, y a otra de Agustí Centelles sobre la guerra civil en el Jeu de Paume.

I was going to write a list of recommendations but the thing is that most places/shops appear in most guides. Moreover, I forgot to write down all the adresses. Anyway, if you go to the Puces the Saint-Ouen and you like music and photography you must visit a store that is located in the first floor of Marche Dauphine,132-140 rue de Rosiers . They sell excellent vinyls at good prices and have an amazing collection of photography books including one signed by Avedon (!)

Iba a escribir una lista de recomendaciones pero la verdad es que muchos de los lugares/tiendas que me gustaron aparecen en la mayoría de guías. Además lo cierto es que no fui lo suficientemente precavida como para apuntar todas las direcciones. En cualquier caso, si vais al mercadillo de les Puces de Saint-Ouen y os gusta la música y la fotografía debeis visitar una tienda que se encuentra en el primer piso del Marche Dauphine, 132-140 rue de Rosiers. Venden vinilos excelentes a precios buenos y tienen una colección de fotografía impresionante que incluye un libro firmado por Avedon(!)

"I am throwing my arms around Paris"

I arrive in Paris on a cold winter morning. The frost covers the city making the buildings look even more beautiful. I get out of my taxi and enter the Boissy D'Anglais hotel where the always kind Lancôme gang gives me a warm welcome.

Llego a París en una mañana fría de invierno. La escarcha cubre la ciudad, haciendo que los edificios parezcan aún más bonitos. Me bajo del taxi y entro en el hotel Boissy D'Anglais donde el siempre amable equipo de Lancôme me recibe con una calurosa bienvenida.

I am here to attend the presentation of a new antiaging product: Génifique. Véronique Delvigne, scientific communication director, introduces us this youth activator that is called to be a revolution.

Estoy aquí para acudir a la presentación de un nuevo producto antiedad: Génifique. Véronique Delvigne, directora de comunicación del área científica, nos presenta un regenerador de juventud que está llamado a ser una revolución en el campo de la cosmética femenina.

After ten years of investigation Lancôme makes two major scientific discoveries:

-"Gene activity varies with age. Aged skin takes longer than young skin to repair itself after mechanical aggression."

-"A surface protein signatures typifies young skin."

(I can't say whether it works or not for an aged skin, but I've been trying it since Friday and I can assure your my pores look tighter and my skin is smoother.)

Después de diez años de investigación Lancôme realiza dos hallazgos científicos:

-"La actividad genética varía con la edad. La piel madura tarda más en repararse que la jóven después de una agresión."

-"Una proteína característica de la superficie tipifica la piel jóven."

(No sé si funciona o no en pieles maduras, pero yo la uso desde el viernes y puedo asegurar que mis poros están más cerrados y mi piel más suave.)

After a cozy lunch at L'Eclaireur we enjoy a relaxing beauty session at the Faubourg-St.Honoré boutique followed by a make-up session (in case you want, I'll show pictures soon).

Después de un agradable almuerzo en L'Eclaireur pudimos disfrutar de una relajante sesión de belleza en la boutique de Faubourg-St. Honoré seguida de una sesión de maquillaje (si quereis, habrá fotos pronto para enseñar).

Definitely a day to remember.

Definitivamente un día para recordar.

Shopping in Paris

After nearly two weeks, I could finally take pictures of the things I bought in Paris.

I purchased the Brassaï book on impulse. I had previously seen -and loved- a few of his pictures at the Pompidou, and it only cost 10€ so, it had to be mine. As well as the The Beatles vinyl, even though I have most songs on CD.

The Ferragamo's were on my winter wishlist. The shoes were a bit stiff at first, but they worth the initial pain. I also bought some Princess Tam-Tam underwear and a striped t-shirt.

My eyes literally glittered when I saw this Charles Anastase dress hanging on a rack. I had spent the previous months to the trip coveting it at Browns. However, I waited a few days before I decided I was going to get it and when I came back it wasn't there (!).

I was ready to kick myself, when my friend advised me to ask the shop assistant. I breathed a sign of relief when she kindly told me they had put somewhere else.

Golden skans - The Klaxons

Leaving for Paris

On Sunday I'll be leaving for Paris and I will have two weeks to explore the city. Therefore I've made a list (it's an obsession of mine) of things I would like to purchase there, and on top of it, is getting something at Princesse Tam-Tam.

My love for this brand is well justified. To start with, it's made by women who know that not every kind of underwear fits every body. It's common -and very annoying too- to find a bra you like, whose style doesn't fit you. However, Princesse Tam-Tam makes a wide range of styles in the same fabrics, resulting in timeless classics.

Shopping recommendations are more than welcomed! (you can leave a comment or send me an e-mail)

Leaving for Paris - Rufus Wainwright