Wishing you a great, prosperous, blissful, healthy, bright, delightful, mind-blowing, energetic, terrific, and extremely happy, happy, happy,
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
A transitionary home for my soul stuck somewhere between the Swiss Alps and Parisian chic.
December 31, 2019
The best of 2019
According to my best Instagram photos from the past year, my life is clearly divided between the Swiss mountains and the beaches of Ibiza. Somewhere in between Paris pops up in all its grandeur. Yep, that would just about sum up my last 12 months. I wonder what 2020 will bring? Which are your #BestNine2019?
December 24, 2019
December 23, 2019
Galeries Lafayette at Christmas
No Parisian Christmas would be complete without a visit to the Galeries Lafayette, known for its epic Christmas tree under the dome and the work-of-art window displays that kids and adults line up to admire. Did you know that more than ten million visitors are eager to discover the Christmas windows every year?
Originally, the Galeries Lafayette started illuminating their facade in 1912 for specific events. But it wasn’t until the 20s / 30s that it became recurring and spectacular.
The Christmas celebrations started in 1920 with the annual internal Christmas party. The employees were invited, with their children, to come and enjoy an on-stage show and admire the Christmas tree, both of which were placed just in front of the stately staircase, under the beautiful dome.
I might add it is the ONLY time of the year I visit this department store which a is Parisian icon but sadly has become overrun by tourists.
Galeries Lafayette have prepared a buzzing Christmas this time! How come? Because this year's theme of the department store, it's the Christmas beehive! All off the 11 windows are inspired by the precious bees helping with the Christmas magic while preparing their own party.
The traditional Christmas tree is sprinkled with winter flowers and XXL bulbs while at the top, queen bee is be proudly sitting, admiring the work of the Christmas beehive that awakes every 30 minutes and has the bees flying under the cupola.
The magic of Christmas usually takes hold of the capital a few weeks before the holidays but these past two years no matter how hard anybody tries the "gilets jaunes" and the general strikes are taking their toll on the festive mood throughout the city and the country!
Bienvenue aux Galeries Lafayette de Paris
Little hands all over...
Christmas deco reflections
Love this colour combination
From Galeries Lafayette's rooftop terrace, you can have fun looking out for the Opera Garnier, the Eiffel Tower and the other jewels of the French capital!
Adding to the holiday joy that makes the charm of winter in Paris
is Galeries Lafayette's own skating rink.
Enjoying an unobstructed view on Paris
Montmartre and Sacre Coeur in the background
Queen bee towering above all
Loving all the glitter and sparkle but not so much the price tags!
Time for a holiday cheers!
December 22, 2019
A little Swissness
Visiting Expat Boy and his housemates is always a pleasure. Their friendship forged during the first year at uni and now a soft-spoken Brazilian, an audacious Bulgarian, a self-confident Luxembourger and my diplomatic boy are sharing a rather cool abode in the Swiss countryside. They might have a TV in the kitchen, however, they are not protected from water leaks... gosh, this is just like Paris... encore une fuite d'eau?!?
So what, if the wallpaper is coming apart, some improvised deco will do the trick.
A little jog through the Swiss country side is always a good idea. After all, I cannot spend the entire day cooking and cleaning for the boys! ;)
A true Swiss invention: the Vita Parcours. A fitness trail/path through the woods with outdoor exercise equipment or obstacles installed along its length for exercising and promoting good health. Invented in 1968 by Swiss architect Erwin Weckemann with support from Swiss life insurance firm Vita.
The latest Swiss phenomena: little free libraries built in garden sheds or old telephone booths. A cabinet which may be freely and anonymously used for the exchange and storage of books without the formalities associated with libraries.
Welcome to the insect hotel! Also known as a bug hotel or insect house, is a manmade structure created to provide shelter for insects. It consist of several different sections that provide insects with nesting facilities – particularly during winter, offering shelter or refuge. Their purposes include hosting pollinators.
I can smell the cows!!!
What a wonderful Swiss scene. Unfortunately these kind of barns are dwindling in numbers as modern construction along with technology takes over.
Nothing beats a Swiss Birchermüesli with berries and a banana smoothie for breakfast!
December 18, 2019
What my Christmas tree says about me
All that shopping for presents and food, all those Christmas cards to write but what about your Christmas tree?
Do you choose a colour scheme or a special theme? Apparently the new Christmas colours include dusky pink as seen on the fashion catwalks and although I absolutely love the baubles I bought over a decade ago, it may be time to consider getting something new to add to the tree.
They say having a colourful Christmas tree means you are bold, accepting of the latest trends, and not afraid to speak your mind. You can also tell a lot about a person from what they put at the top of their tree...
Servelats as Christmas decoration seems a bit over the top?!?
I like these guys, even though they seem vintage.
Too neutral for my taste but no doubt elegant.
Much more my style... I love Christmas kitch!
Father Christmas with feathers? Maybe not...
Classy but not unique
Definitely an option for Expat boy!
Oysters including pearls... the kind of kitch I love!
For all those Kitchenaid fans... love it!
The perfect gift for my Neapolitan hubby
Body-building Father Christmas
A bit of glitter is always good.
THIS is what tops my Christmas tree!
December 17, 2019
December 7, 2019
A Swiss-Parisian Christmas photo challenge
An Aussie blogger who fell in love with Switzerland and has been calling it home for nearly two decades has inspired me to follow an Instagram challenge for the first time ever.
Her account called Swiss Family Travel produces the best Swiss Gift Guide for Christmas and tops this by compiling a Swiss Gift Guide for Kids as well. Both lists are filled with true authentic Swiss experiences, ideas and products that make me smile and feel terribly homesick at the same time.
Last week Swiss Family Travel invited readers to join her by documenting the Swiss festive season with a very Swiss Photo challenge. The selection looked so tempting I could not resist, and at the risk of jumping a bit out of line - given that I live in Paris - I decided to join the fun of capturing December Christmas vibe.
Dear Swiss Family Travel, I hope you'll forgive me if I slightly highjacked your very Swiss Christmas and that you'll enjoy the Parisian branch-off as the hashtag was to be #averyswisschristmas19 to which I added #averyparisianchristmas19.
Take a look at this weeks' photos on Expat with Kids Instagram account...
Her account called Swiss Family Travel produces the best Swiss Gift Guide for Christmas and tops this by compiling a Swiss Gift Guide for Kids as well. Both lists are filled with true authentic Swiss experiences, ideas and products that make me smile and feel terribly homesick at the same time.
Last week Swiss Family Travel invited readers to join her by documenting the Swiss festive season with a very Swiss Photo challenge. The selection looked so tempting I could not resist, and at the risk of jumping a bit out of line - given that I live in Paris - I decided to join the fun of capturing December Christmas vibe.
Dear Swiss Family Travel, I hope you'll forgive me if I slightly highjacked your very Swiss Christmas and that you'll enjoy the Parisian branch-off as the hashtag was to be #averyswisschristmas19 to which I added #averyparisianchristmas19.
Take a look at this weeks' photos on Expat with Kids Instagram account...
#christmaswindows
#baking #thanksgivingleftovers #myamericanside
#deckthehalls
#drink #myparisianside
#redandwhite
#tradition #mybritishside
#grittibänz #myswissside
December 5, 2019
La grève... a French particularity
The long dreaded Dec 5th has arrived. Everyone has been bracing themselves for a complete shutdown of the public transport and to make things worse teachers' unions have called for schools to close down as well.
Of course, Air France could not miss this chance to raise a little havoc just before the weekend... so they joined in! Postal workers and other public service staff are expected to protest and even the police intend to hold action in support of the strikes from 10am to 3pm across all police services.
It continues with lorry drivers intending to blockade major French roads from December 7 onwards. Ambulance drivers and hospital workers, who by the way were on strike last week already, will likely join the fray and recent striking firefighters might be added to the mix.
Bienvenue en France! Even for a country with a reputation for strikes, today's walkouts could be the biggest the country has seen in years.
What are they protesting against? The French government’s proposed pension reforms. What's worrying is that the RATP (Paris transport network) have called for “unlimited strikes” and want this to be only the first, so it’s likely to continue.... some say even until Christmas.
Jogging past some main road accesses this morning traffic around Trocadero, Porte Dauphine and the Arc de Triomphe did not seem worse that usual. I was a pleased to see a great deal of people walking and clearly taking the annoyance of not being able to ride their beloved metro with a pinch of salt.
There were many more joggers than usual out in the freezing temperatures this morning which I took as a good sign. Clearly the French are used to this kind of disruption in their daily routine, they even support it.
Growing up in a country where strikes were against the law, it is beyond my understanding how an entire country can be so stubborn. France has the 5th highest GNP in the world where 22% of its workforce are "foncionnaires" occupying civil services. The 35-hour week is the official length of the working week in France, one of the shortest working weeks in Europe.... and STILL they are complaining.
But in France today it’s simply business as usual... nothing works the way it should!
Of course, Air France could not miss this chance to raise a little havoc just before the weekend... so they joined in! Postal workers and other public service staff are expected to protest and even the police intend to hold action in support of the strikes from 10am to 3pm across all police services.
It continues with lorry drivers intending to blockade major French roads from December 7 onwards. Ambulance drivers and hospital workers, who by the way were on strike last week already, will likely join the fray and recent striking firefighters might be added to the mix.
Bienvenue en France! Even for a country with a reputation for strikes, today's walkouts could be the biggest the country has seen in years.
What are they protesting against? The French government’s proposed pension reforms. What's worrying is that the RATP (Paris transport network) have called for “unlimited strikes” and want this to be only the first, so it’s likely to continue.... some say even until Christmas.
Jogging past some main road accesses this morning traffic around Trocadero, Porte Dauphine and the Arc de Triomphe did not seem worse that usual. I was a pleased to see a great deal of people walking and clearly taking the annoyance of not being able to ride their beloved metro with a pinch of salt.
There were many more joggers than usual out in the freezing temperatures this morning which I took as a good sign. Clearly the French are used to this kind of disruption in their daily routine, they even support it.
Growing up in a country where strikes were against the law, it is beyond my understanding how an entire country can be so stubborn. France has the 5th highest GNP in the world where 22% of its workforce are "foncionnaires" occupying civil services. The 35-hour week is the official length of the working week in France, one of the shortest working weeks in Europe.... and STILL they are complaining.
But in France today it’s simply business as usual... nothing works the way it should!
December 1, 2019
November week in pictures
Taking advantage of all Paris has to offer and enjoying the vibes all while ignoring the agressive cars honking, the unfriendly waiters serving and the looming general strike ahead!
Friday morning breakfast on the Eiffel tower and the sun is shining...
Paris on its best behaviour!
Visit to the French National Library on a Saturday afternoon.
Discovering the art in Paris' metro stations.
A Sunday afternoon stroll with Paris dressed in autumn colours.
Monday night and I'd rather walk than take the metro.
A cultural evening out at the Grand Palais followed by ...
... un chocolat chaud entre copines at the bistro around the corner.
Wednesday evening the lights went out for a second in our arrondissement... that was a first!
Thursday is Thanksgiving and the preparations are in full swing
Friday at the Swedish Christmas market looking for goodies...
... and discovering new parts of town.
Saturday morning and Expat Boy brought back a Milanese panettone!
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