Remembering the little girl I was...

How can you create an exhibition of a 57 year old doll and give her a platform usually reserved for the greatest artists of our time?

Well, the answer is simple: her name is Barbie and she has accompanied millions of girls through their childhood years.

However, only Paris could pull this off with so much style contemplating the success of this iconic doll by contextualising her within a cultural and social history of the 20th and 21st century.

Located in the Palais du Louvre's western wing, the entrance of the Museum des Arts Decoratifs was grandiose and, oh, so Parisian. At the top of the grand staircase stood a bright pink door inviting my Flaneuses friends and I to enter the magical world of Barbie.

Two of us were clearly enchanted the minute we entered the exhibit since we lost ourselves in reverie right in the first hall standing in total awe surrounded by an object which had taken over a good part of our lives between the ages of six to twelve.

We watched two wonderful documentaries about the history of Mattel and learned that the company's name is derived from Harold "Matt" Matson and Elliot Handler, who founded the company in 1945. Matson soon sold his share to Handler due to poor health, and Handler's wife Ruth took over Matson's role.

Much to my surprise I learnt that the success of not only Barbie but also Hot Wheels (little toy cars which my little brother and later my son would spend hours and hours playing with) were thanks to this creative and innovative husband and wife duo and not just streamline products of the huge company Mattel is today.

We waded through Barbie models from 6 different decades, spotted familiar models on the big "Family rainbow tree" - all I could remember were Skipper and Ken - and admired the real life couturier dresses the Barbie dresses had been inspired by.

Who remembers the Spice Girl Barbies? Or the Marie Antoinette one? Ever seen the Andy Warhol or Audrey Hepburn version? The stewardess, the vet, the architect and of course the princesses were all on display.

The absolute highlight was a 10 meter wall covered in Barbie clothes. Thousands of outfits had been carefully and creatively pinned on a black panel in perfect colour coordination ranging from pink (obviously!) to dark blue.

I walked out of the exhibition elated and a bit overwhelmed with all the memories of my childhood that had come flooding back. I could still see myself at my best friends' home sewing miniature clothes for our dolls and playing with the biggest acquisition I had ever made until then: a Barbie swimming pool!

Four decades later Miss Pink is still my best friend eventhough we don't live in the same country, I just wish we could have shared this special moment. Her memory is so much better than mine!

Pavillon de Marsan's magnificent staircase

Barbie's most famous portrait

La Barbie Parisienne

The Dior Barbie

Can I get a copy of that ski suit?

My prince has come along with many pairs of shoes

My most cherished acquisition at age 10

Christian Leboutin's dedication to Barbie's 50th birthday

Three Christian Dior dresses with Barbie size replicas in the background

I'll have one of each of these outfits please!

1980 Aerobic Barbie... remember the multi-coloured leg warmers?

A collage of thousands of Barbie outfits

Close-up of the collage in PiNk, of course!

What it takes to make a home

​What makes a spot feel like home? Is it because it's the place you live in, the local food you appreciate, the cultural traditions you enjoy, the location's natural beauty or does it just boil down to good friendship?

We have lived in many places and some have stuck with us more than others, to the point where the ones that have conquered a part of our hearts we still call home whereas the others we hardly ever talk about anymore.

Paris is officially our home but we also call Lugano and Madrid our home. Years ago I would have argued that one might be schizophrenic to so convincingly feel part of not just two but three communities. Today I know that not just my husband and I have created a strong bond to these places but the kids feel totally integrated in all three as well.

Of course, the fact that we regularly return to Lugano and Madrid renders the feeling of home easier. But the question remains: why do we so enjoy returning to "our homes"?

Yes, we love the local food and we travel back to Paris with our luggage full of goodies every time to cure our home sickness. Yes, we have adopted traditions from each country which we add to our rather eclectic yearly calendar of family celebrations. Yes, we do speak the local language and follow the who's who of the moment on regional TV and yes, we enjoy the natural beauty each location has to offer... but in the end...

... in the end...

... it is the human factor that makes all the difference.

Our homes resemble Grand Central Station the minute we arrive. Neighbours popping by to greet us, girl friends coming round for brunch, family friends inviting us for dinner, kids enjoying sleepovers, teenagers hanging out in the den listening to music, aquaintances catching up with us, custodians and gardeners happy to see us, the postman and the lady at the bakery intrigued by our lifestyle but appreciative of our loyalty.

Expat girl is convinced that even the cows down the road recognize her when she returns to Lugano!

It is the feeling of belonging that turns a place into a home. The consciousness of being appreciated and cherishing the good things in life such as true friendship. The demonstration of affection and the loyalty and respect that comes with it ... from both sides of the relationship.

This might sound like a cliché but I believe it is what ties us to our homes ... since ... how lonely and boring would a home be without the life and soul of human beings!

My unfaltering Dutch friend

My partner in crime is leaving. She is a tall, straight-forward, warm-hearted Dutch girl. You either like her or you don't and that's fine by her.

We hit it off right from the word go even though we did not meet outside of school during the first couple of years. She has been in Paris longer than I, has older kids than I and has been more involved in the school than I and therefore was always one step ahead of me. I have learnt a tremendous deal from my friend. I watched her and listened carefully when she spoke trying to stash all the information in my memory somewhere in case it came in handy some day.

It was not until I too had become an "old-timer" at school and hence less involved in all the new parents' activities that we started seeing more of each other and we discovered we had one big passion in common: our kids' education.

This has led us to endless hours with our heads stuck together leaning over issues that would help mould the school into the best it can be. We had the Swiss-Dutch connection going full force and I mean we did everything from photocopying thousands of pages for an assembly to planning for the years ahead.

We got things done - usually in a most efficient way - and we knew we could count on one another to keep deadlines and watch each others backs. Neither of us can stand lose ends!

We both have our own projects on the side and again they turned out to be similar. We have cheered each other on through thick and thin.

The time has come to say "Au Revoir". Our paths are separating and I am sad to see my lovely resilient, adaptable, vivacious, hard-working, positive Dutch friend leave for her new destination.

However, this is what our expat life is all about, we write chapters in each others books and these memories remain with us when we move on to new adventures.

No one has ever said it better than Anais Nin: "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

Veel geluk en goede reis!

A quick trip around the world

It is the Primary school's absolute highlight of the year.

International Day: when each country gets to share its cultural traditions, national costumes, folk music, local handcrafts, drink and food with the rest of the school community. The dynamics and the size of the stands change each year depending on the nationalities and the number of representatives in each class, but you can count on an exhilarating and unique experience every time.

As I walked through the gate a smiling principal welcomed me and I watched as each arriving child received their own "passport" full of questions. The answers were to be found at each country stand scattered throughout the two school buildings which then entitled them to a stamp in their passport.

Needless to say the Brazilian stand's reputation preceded them ... like every year. Their colourful and creative decorations top every other nation and of course the music as well as the Caipirinhas help their cause.

National flags and local colours were to be spotted everywhere. The Indian contingency was out in force with bright pink as were the Malay with green, yellow and red and the Americans with their stars and stipes. The Belgium and the Dutch teamed up and managed to get a stand out on the much-desired terrasse. Italy shared a room with Spain and the ambiance was animated to say the least. New Zealand and Australia were already well into party mode by noon and the French for some reason were presenting lemons along with their olives?!? Whatever happened to cheese and wine?

The Japanese stand were very polite and well-organised and the Koreans insisted I try some of their delicacies called Bibimbap (mixed rice).

I did taste some Swedish meatballs thinking of my friend who has moved earlier this year and who for years had headed this stand. I admired the Norwegians all dressed in their classic wool sweaters and had a chat with a charming man from Iceland.

Unfortunately there are no Swiss enrolled in the school therefore I had to forgo my ration of chocolate but I was thrilled to discover the West-Africans had decided to participate this year with a wonderfully decorated stand. Admiring the hand-dyed batiks hanging from the walls I watched the women moving gracefully to the background music. They introduced me to their customs while I was attempting to figure out how they had tied their different headgear, clearly an important part in Africa's fashion.

I have not mentioned all the countries present today, they were over 30, however, I will say that every year it is intoxicating to explore the world in half a day, while meeting new parents and seeing some warm, familiar faces that remind me of the "good old days" when my kids where still in Primary School.

This year rather than eat my way through International Day I drank my way around, starting with a Spanish Tinto de Verano, followed by a Brazilian Caipirinha, an Australian fruit punch, then a West African ginger juice and a Jasmin juice to end with an American Jello shot. I'd say it's time for a nap!

Drawings for the Passport Cover competition

Hey hey from Sweden (or was it Switzerland?!?... just kidding!!!)

Mexican beer bringing a bit of sunshine into your life

I have finally found an Argentinean empanadas supplier who does home deliveries!!! 

When Ghana meets Mexico while eating a falafel

Who knew India recognizes 23 languages?

Just look at that head gear!

 Ready for the Olympics

Delicate Japanese origami

Too cute!

Need to answer the question if you want a stamp in your passport

What IS this Malaysian animal?

It's a paaarty down under!

Adorable Chinese girl

Malaysia meets Spain for some handy craft

Colourful Costa Rica

Bienvenu en France

Korean princess

First Jello shot ever!

My "Sex-in-the-city" girls

A group Whatsapp is all it took. I was to arrive in Madrid for the Easter weekend. In good Spanish style I sent a message out only two days ahead inviting my girl friends to brunch on Saturday. My hubby had organized to see his friend and the kids had made their own plans as well.

Answers came dripping in during the evening: some were looking forward to a good "pow wow" others were away for the long weekend. Videos, pictures and greetings were exchanged and a few good giggles had us all on the same page again despite the distance that separates us. Thank goodness for Whatsapp.

Had I tried organizing a brunch in Paris or Lugano it would have taken weeks of notice but Madrid has a different vibe.

I remember, a few years back, having to change my flight and leaving to see my in-laws on my birthday when I had planed a party with my friends in Madrid. A few days late, but finally on the flight to Madrid feeling very frustrated, I Whatsapped the group telling the gang I needed a drink when I landed the other end.

Three hours later we were eight girls sipping cocktails on a terrasse enjoying the summer sunshine. How is that for improvisation?

The great news is, it works every time. I can count on my friends and they can count on me. No complications, no forced appearances, no long term planning. We are there for each other, we make an effort to keep in touch and sometimes travel across the globe to see eachother. We immediately settle into our comfy zone and let the conversation flow. At times the tone is serious, even sad depending on the phase we are going through other times the mood is lighthearted and gay. Hearty laughs as well as tears are guaranteed.

We constitute a priceless support network for each other which none of us take for granted. We are well aware of the uniqueness our eclectic group of International women represents and proud of the fact that we have stayed connected for more than a decade even though half of us no longer live in Madrid. When we reunite we all enjoy each other's presence and with a glass of Cava in hand, united, we'd like to believe ourselves invincible.

We are more than just friends, we are a sisterhood... for better and for worse!

Easyjet is late again...

It seems we are reliving the good old times. A few years back easyjet was chronically late... and by late I mean hours not minutes. I still have visions of us hanging around airports at midnight after waiting at over crowded gates for three or four hours. Until one day easyjet was told they'd be fined if they continued this policy of tardiness. They actually got their act together and started to be pretty reliable ... until yesterday!

It must have been Karma because our journey from Paris to Madrid was the smoothest, fastest one ever. The flight back, however, began with an hour's delay. We arrived at the airport after a lovely long weekend full of R&R and lots of good laughs with friends. One hour's delay turned into two then three. The family bet was on: were we or weren't we gonna take-off at midnight?!?

Checking between the easyjet app and the airport's billboard to figure out which one  gave more accurate info, we finally received confirmation that the flight was cancelled.

Most passengers were French seeking to return home for the next day was a working day. Naturally confrontational, they were in uproar, shouting at the poor stewardess to provide information in French not Spanish. The easyjet employee tried English which just made things worse.

At this point, trying to save what was left of the situation, I reopened my easyjet app and to my surprise was able to check-in online for the rescheduled flight the next morning.

For once, technology was playing in our favour! Tap, click and enter. Four new boarding passes were confirmed while the Parisians were still arguing with the stewardess.

With a big grin on my face, I turned around to my family and announced: "Guys, we are going out to dinner!" My dear friend La mamita Cubana hoped in her car to pick us up as soon as she had heard the news and we all enjoyed a late night treat (Spanish dinner time) of Jamón Iberico, croquetas and cava.

We were just really lucky we had a place to stay in Madrid... a place we still ... after all these years ... call home!

Happy Easter

My own "Jour du Macaron"

Oh no, I missed it. Last weekend was macaron day. The official spring date of Sunday unveiled the 11th annual Jour du Macaron in Paris. Initiated by the Picasso of Pastry, Pierre Hermé, Macaron Day is a charitable event which is followed by the high-end pastry chefs of French pâtisserie throughout France.

Well, instead of fretting over spilt milk, I thought I'd share my own private Macaron tour which my Flaneuses friends and I came up with a few years back. The goal was to discover the best Chocolate macaron in town.

It all started with the Figaroscope's top ten chocolate macaron list which four friends drooled over, before they decided to put France's speciality to the test themselves.

Therefore, Ms Organized came up with a list of her own that made me giggle and impressed Ms Communication to no end. Ms Task-Oriented could not wait to start and get through the list within the morning.

We met at Café Carette which was full of chic French business people (not one single tourist in sight at 9am!) and I promptly got told off for taking fotos. The waitress couldn't resist a smile when we ordered two macarons each along with our coffee. Why two? Well, being slightly over-ambitious, we had decided to try a chocolate and a second flavour in each store.

We headed down Champs Elysée to hit world-renowned LaDurée. I will reveal that LaDurée is way over-rated but it's presentation, decoration, packaging and branding are extraordinary. How DID they get the entire world to remember their French name as well as the product itself? A charming salesman asked if we'd like fraise coquelicot (strawberry poppy) or fraise guimauve (strawberry marshmallow), chocolat ganache or chocolat classic. Doesn't he want to ask if I prefer pink cherry with white polka dots?

Striding down the Champs Elysée to Lenôtre we got diverted by two handsome young Abercrombie boys with whom we had our picture taken. No, I will NOT publish it! We (the girls), in return, distracted an enchanting chef at Lenôtre who promptly burnt his madeleines during the patisserie class he was giving.

We were - again - slightly sidetracked by Maille's window display of violet&blueberry flavoured mustard in pink jars which of course we had to taste! I know, I know the combination sounds terrible but hey, we're in France!

The only positive point Fauchon got in our books was for their fuchsia coloured box, tables and chairs. The macarons tasted stale. I will say no more.

By now we had gone from tasting two macarons each to sharing one between the four of us - I actually hate admitting to this fact. We therefore decided to stop for lunch at the Cinema du Pantheon which following to a review is a Parisian utopia: hidden beneath an art house cinema, a sophisticated café frequented only by beautiful, intellectual people… Delicious snacks, light meals and glasses of pouilly-fuissé. 

After four glasses of Sancerre we were ready to hit the macarons from Hugo et Victor, Pierre Hermé and Aoki which we had bought before lunch. We spread them out on our table much to the waiter's surprise and continued our dégustation.

In conclusion, my absolute personal favourite of all macarons came from Aoki. Not only are their flavours extremely delicate, the packaging and the presentation is refined in a way only the Japanese know how to craft.

Following closely were the macarons by Lenôtre and Carette. Ms Communication tends to agree with me while Ms Organized and Ms Task-Oriented concluded that Pierre Hermé was their favourite macaron source followed by Carette.

We did not manage to get through all ten macaron shops in one day but we found a definite consensus that Carette (as runner-up) was appreciated by all of us including Figaro's critic. And you'll never guess what my hubby bought home as a surprise today! Yum!!!

A sweet tooth in Zürich

A recent survey has shown that nine out of every ten people love chocolate. The tenth is lying. 

Confiserie Sprüngli, one of Switzerland’s most famous family businesses, was founded in 1836, and is now a household name for people from all over the world, synonymous with the finest Swiss chocolate, truffles, pralines and confectionery.

Need I specify that it is my absolute favourite spot in Zürich? Every time I head back "home" I stop at their shop on Paradeplatz to indulge in a Luxemburgerli, a praline, a chocolate truffle or their scrumptious Birchermüesli. For the past decades Sprüngli has never ever disappointed me since - true to their Swissness - they make absolutely no compromise on quality!

So just let me indulge a bit more by daydreaming over the photos I took last time I visited my personal chocolate heaven.

I remember my very first white box of Sprüngli chocolates my mother received as a gift when my little brother was born!

Now, my favourite are champagne and raspberry Luxemburgeli

The Swiss version of a macaron but ohh so much tastier!

A Sprüngli classic: Truffes du jour

Endless supplies

Sprüngli's petit four are also worth tasting. Yum!

Any kind of chocolate under the sun, just make your choice!

Not contempt, I also opted for some Ragusa served with my coffee after lunch ...

...and if you can still feel that sweet tooth of yours.. there are always the cupcakes left to try!