Pool party

Another series from my last stay in Aix-en-Provence. I was meeting with Paulette, my dear Friend. We don’t see each other so often because we’ve been living in different cities for the past four years but we never lost track, on the contrary, we master the long distance friendship. Every time we meet she did something to her hair or bought something new. She’s another shopping addict, a fast fashion consumer and devourer, and she always picks up the most extravagant pieces. She doesn’t go unnoticed in the streets of Marseille, her actual home. She studies journalism and I’ve been begging her for months now to write a column for the blog. I think it could be a good idea to bring external contributors; I like the idea of community writing. Anyway last time I saw her she was wearing this very flashy outfit and I love that the colors of her t-shirt perfectly match her sneakers. She’s very keen on details and a real accessories expert. We took advantage of the beautiful scene we had, so many colors: the flower trees had bloomed and the pool was blue sharp. Summer has started in the South which means good times and many “apéro” in sight. I also have other ideas for future posts… maybe a little tour in the trendy Marseille, any suggestions are welcome!
She’s wearing: T-shirt Zara – Pants Zara – Sneakers Monoprix – Bracelets vintage

Une autre série de photos de mon précédent séjour à Aix-en-Provence. J’avais rendez-vous avec Paulette, mon Amie de toujours. On ne se voit pas souvent (ou pas assez à mon goût) car cela fait quatre ans que nous vivons à des endroits différents mais on ne s’est jamais perdu de vue, au contraire, on est devenu pro en amitié longue-distance. A chaque fois que je la retrouve elle a fait quelque chose à ses cheveux ou elle s’est acheté une nouveauté. C’est une addict du shopping comme moi, une consommatrice et dévoreuse de fast-fashion, et elle choisit toujours les pièces les plus extravagantes. Elle ne passe pas inaperçue dans les rues de Marseille, son domicile actuel. Elle est étudiante en journalisme (et actuellement en stage à la Provence, elle aime le sud quoi) et je la supplie depuis maintenant des mois d’écrire une chronique pour le blog. Je pense que ça pourrait être une bonne idée d’inclure des contributeurs externes ; j’aime le concept d’une communauté de parole. Bref la dernière fois que je l’ai vu elle portait un ensemble très flashy et j’ai adoré le fait que son t-shirt soit parfaitement assorti à ses baskets (qui sont très cool d’ailleurs). Elle est très portée sur les détails et c’est une vraie experte en accessoires. Nous avons profité du magnifique décor qui s’offrait à nous, si coloré : les arbres étaient en fleurs et la piscine d’un bleu vif. L’été a commencé dans le sud de la France ce qui signifie de bons moments et de nombreux apéro en perspective. J’ai déjà pleins d’idées pour les post à venir… pourquoi pas un petit tour dans le Marseille branché, d’ailleurs vos suggestions sont les bienvenues !

Elle porte : T-shirt Zara – Pantalon Zara – Baskets Monoprix – Bracelets perso

In the streets of Aix-en-Provence with…

Last week I spent few days in my beloved South. It had a wonderful time as always. At last I could feel the sun and the heat on my skin (NOT exaggerating) and I was lucky enough to be able to wear a bikini, lay by the pool, and do absolutely nothing but read a good book! I wanted to come back to Paris with some colorful pictures to give the blog a little summer feeling.
Now let me introduce you a fellow blogger. This talented, smart and beautiful woman is the voice behind Le chat et moi on est content. She writes about life, love, guys, good and bad moods… basically you’ll find the answer to all the female questions you’re asking yourself daily. She’s an excellent writer; it’s bitter and humoristic, light but not shallow. There is a good dose of girly, a statement against bad guys, and mostly pride of being who you are no matter what other think. That’s the spirit! We took some pictures in the street of Aix-en-Provence, little nest where we met and place of many crazy nights. Now she lives in Lyon and recently she regained her freedom after spending 3 years on her thesis. She’s tough! And brave. Congratulations Doctor(love)!
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She wearing: Top Pimkie – Shirt Pimkie – Shorts H&M – Bag Lancaster x Betty – Sneakers Nike – Sunnies Ray-Ban

La semaine dernière je me suis accordée une pause dans le sud que j’aime tant et comme toujours c’était fantastique. Pour la première fois j’ai senti le soleil et la chaleur sur ma peau (PAS du tout exagéré) et j’ai même eu la chance de pouvoir me mettre en maillot, larver au bord de la piscine, et ne faire absolument rien si ce n’est lire un bon bouquin ! Je tenais quand même à rentrer à Paris avec quelques photos colorées pour donner une touche d’été à mon blog.

Maintenant laissez-moi vous présenter une autre bloggeuse. Cette femme talentueuse, belle et intelligente est la voix qui se cache derrière Le chat et moi on est content. Elle écrit à propos de la vie, de l’amour, des mecs, des bonnes et des mauvaises humeurs… bref vous y trouverez les réponses à toutes ces questions de meuf que vous vous posez tous les jours. Elle a une très bonne plume ; c’est amer et humoristique, léger mais pas superficiel. Il y a une bonne dose de girly, un coup de gueule contre les mauvais garçons (pour ne pas dire les connards) et surtout un sentiment de fierté: soyez vous-même peu importe ce qu’en pensent les autres. Bon esprit ! Nous avons pris quelques photos dans les rues d’Aix-en-Provence, ce petit nid ou nous nous sommes rencontrées et un surtout (un lieu de débauche absolue) ou nous avons longuement aperoté en refaisant le monde. A présent elle vit a Lyon et elle a récemment retrouvé sa liberté après trois ans passés sur sa thése. Elle est courageuse ! Félicitations Docteur(love) !

Suivez le chat et moi on est content: Facebook – Twitter – Website – Tumblr

Elle porte : Top Pimkie – Chemise Pimkie – Short H&M – Sac Lancaster x Betty – Baskets Nike – Lunettes Ray-Ban

Le Mercat

Bonne nouvelle ! Une nouvelle cantine vient d’ouvrir dans le 12e sur le Square Trousseau et on aime tout ! Les jus de fruits frais pressés, les salades composées parfumées aux saveurs méridionales, les tartines de saumon fumé à la scandinave et pour les végétariens le fameux bun aux chèvres et betterave accompagné de son taboulé… on finit bien sûr par une touche sucrée avec de petits desserts légers et onctueux. Bref c’est délicieux, c’est pas cher (formule salade + dessert 14 euros / sandwich + dessert 12 euros ) et le week-end ils font même le BRUNCH (20 euros). A l’origine de ce projet, deux talentueuses aventurières qui ont le goût du challenge et l’envie de nous faire saliver… de plaisir! Alors hop hop on y va sans perdre de temps et on profite de quelques rayons de soleil pour se prélasser, un verre de rosé, en terrasse.

Le Mercat – 12 rue Antoine Vollon – Paris 12 (Square Trousseau) Metro Ledru Rollin – Ouvert tous les jours sauf le mercredi

   

FLOLOVE Spring/Summer 2014

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The other day I was invited to a very special event. Florence, a young and talented French designer was doing a preview of her new collection in le Marais for the brand she created, FLOLOVE.

You see, nowadays it takes some audacity to start a creative company especially in France which I think, is not helping young entrepreneurs enough. But Florence did not care about the down sides, instead she jumped into the wild and decided to live her new adventure fully invested and completely on her own: WOMEN POWER! I love it. Florence: “I just wanted to be free to create my own designs, to express myself in every single way.”

FLOLOVE is based in Paris and it already has few sales points in Japan (Japanese are crrrrazy about Parisian style!). Of course you can find the brand online here and easily buy a brand new dress on the e-shop to look stunning in the coming spring. The spring/summer collection is very romantic, completely white made of cotton with lots of lace and beautiful small details embroidered by hand in India. There is a fresh, feminine and very summerish feeling in that collection. I can already picture myself wearing that adorable little dress in the lavender fields or at a terrace zipping (too much) rosé in Provence (if not, in Paris). Florence: “My dreams came true when I built my brand and I have no regrets. If I had one advice for every young designer it would be to stay passionate about what you do.” I wish her a bright future and to keep spreading joy through her lovely collections! #SupportYoungTalents
(You can read the full interview here)

I am wearing the blouse Amoureuse, find it here

BERLIN: The Wall

Behind this photo shoot, there is a story about peace and friendship.

Last month, I was meeting my friend Tal in Berlin and we stayed at Mohamad’s place for a few days. We all know each other from an exchange study program we did a year ago in Rome, at Luiss University. What an amazing time! I feel lucky that I was able to travel during my studies. It truly opened my mind and I had the chance to meet incredible international people. I would advise anybody to do the same; there are only positive outcomes from moving.

Mohamad was born in Lebanon and he learned French in High School. So when he moved to France to do his studies, he was already fluent. One thing that amazes me about him is its multilingual skills. He can speak Arab, French, English, Spanish, Italian, German and some Hebrew. Very impressive! He lived in many different places and countries but if you’ll ask him he will tell you that France is where he feels the most “at home”. Welcome then!  Tal is from Israel – so actually she and Mohamad come from neighboring countries. I was lucky to visit her last September.  What an amazing country! It was good to see it from my own eyes (wide open) and not from the TV where only bad reflections are always coming out. Right after she finished High School, she was in the army for 2 years (mandatory in Israel). Then she spent some time in Guatemala where she did some voluntary work in an orphanage. Every time she told me stories about that period it was with sparkles in her eyes! Now she studies “Conflict Resolution” at Master level and is currently looking for a job in this field which turns out to be more complicated that she thought. No kidding, the sad reality is that war makes more job than peace! When I realized that we were going to be reunited in Berlin, a symbolic peace place, I grabbed my camera and I made my very special Libanese and Israeli friends pose for me as there is no better example of what life should look like in the Middle East. A united place, beyond boarders and religions. If only men could find a way to make peace in their heart…

The Art School

The other day I took the regional train and I left central Paris for the suburbs! What an adventure! Somewhere in the North West there is a little town called Cergy and the municipality decided that it was the perfect place to settle Universities, for the best interest, of course, of the lucky students that now have to endure a daily public transportation time of approximately one hour (one way) to reach their study place. Another way to say that it really requires a lot of motivation to go to lessons (in addition to that…)! My friend, Najma, is one of them. She studies at the National School of Art to become, well, an Artist. I love her for that. When she finished high school, nobody put pressure on her to study medicine, law or business. As a matter of fact, next to the Art building, you can find the famous Business School, ESSEC, ranked no. 2 in France, right after HEC. That’s another way to approach life. So, Najma decided to follow her instinct, her dreams and passion and, four years later, she is now a Master student that dedicates her time to “making Art”. And she is incredibly talented. You see, Art can be interpreted many ways, and that’s where it gets tricky, abstract and for people like me, confusing. Especially contemporary Art. I get lost for sure. The only thing I can relate to is a painting of Cezanne or Matisse. So when I visited the Art School, I was surprised that nobody was holding a pencil! Instead, I found all sort of workman tools such as drills, saws, press, hammer… and they were sanding, cutting and gluing pieces together. Of course my favorite place where the photo lab, where you can do all of the developing process yourself in the dark room. I would love to learn how to do that!

So what does the art student actually do? He goes to lessons, of course, there is always a theoretical part in every field. But most of his valuable time, he spends it in the Atelier where he actually does something with its hands. The fun part. Since January, Najma shares the Atelier with three guys and it is quite a team! Najma: “They manage to bring seriousness and, at the same time, casualness in the life of the workshop, which makes working alongside with them very enjoyable. They do not hesitate to lend a hand, even when you’re not soliciting them. They each have a great “expertise”, primarily sculpture, which I find very interesting.”

While I was there, I really wanted to capture the special bond between them and the happy atmosphere of the workshop. They spend so much time together in a rather “small” place; they look like a little family. I really like the idea of community in studying which reminds me a little bit of group work back then when I was a student myself (which I still am, but in a writing phase only). But it feels different; they look much more involved in something they actually love. Something I didn’t always feel during my studies. Now to talk a little bit about Najma’s personal work, “modularity” is at the heart of her work: “My approach is strongly influenced by space. I have great interest in architecture and the modular is my central them. In personal care where storage space is limited, or nonexistent, I try to create forms that can still be spread as much as be restricted. A reminder to childhood may be visible in my work, while keeping a certain distance; it does not become playful for all.”

I met Najma through interposed person, and we became really good friends throughout the year I just spent in Paris.  She was born in Morocco but has been living in Paris since teenagehood. I find her radiant especially when she smiles. She is one the most generous and devoted person I know, you can always count on her and she is always in for a party, and enjoying life in general. It’s actually her birthday this month. It’s gonna be a happy one!

Some of Najma’s work:

“Sans titre #1  (2013) : modules en plâtre (moulage de boîtes d’oeuf  puis assemblé) sont  un projet qui rappel le plus l’enfance, puisqu’ils ont l’aspect d’un jeu de construction (lego).  La boîte d’œuf était la forme la plus convenable pour permettre un bon emboîtement des modules. La partie supérieur de l’installation reste ouverte (aucun élément vient refermer l’assemblage) d’autres modules peuvent alors être ajoutés. Un protocole peut alors être présenté ainsi, à chaque fois que cette installation est présentée, un module doit être ajouté, un work in progress.”

“Le sol modulable (2013) sont des éléments qui viennent supplanter l’espace dans lequel ils sont installés. C’est un travail que je souhaite développer à l’avenir. D’autre espace que le sol soit modifié, tel que les murs, les plafonds, mais aussi ajouter d’autres volumes intérieurs. Avec ce projet je modifie le sol, en lui apportant des hauteurs différentes avec des pleins et des vides, j’augmente ainsi l’attention du marcheur vers le bas.” (Références Hans Was Heiri de Zimmermann et De Perrot)

“Le projet à Anvers (2013) est une découpe du plan architectural du lieu dans lequel la résidence a été faite, dans des planches de bois de tailles différentes. Ces dernières sont assemblées dans des combinaisons diverses venant ainsi ponctuer l’espace extérieure de la fondation (plusieurs hectares). Le plan est ainsi modifié et la vision de l’espace aussi.” (Références présentes dans la fondation : Aeneas Wilder et Jason Von der Woude)

The day before departure

About a week ago, one of my BFF – which I met 4 years ago in our beloved little town in the South of France, also known as Aix-en-Provence – left our rainy-cold-in-crisis European country to fly to what you might call: OZ, Down Under, paradise, and most of all a wealthy continent: Australia! It was a spontaneous decision made when she graduated from University last September. She just reached a point in her life where she was craving for adventures and curious about the outside world, outside EU, to meet other people and experience different culture. Well done, Australia is MILES AWAY and my mornings are her evenings. You can imagine how faaaar she left! She landed in Melbourne, after a 12 hours connection in Hô Chi Minh where she was not allowed to leave the airport (ok we are lucky to have Schengen), where the average temperature is now approximately 29 degrees. I am NOT jealous at all! I just got back from Berlin where it was freezing, and I arrived in Paris where it was (still) raining. Summer is far away. Just like Maé. So if you’re wondering if she is all alone in a foreign land, not exactly. She convinced (easily) her super-comprehensive-open-minded BF to join her trip. Could this be any more perfect? No EU crisis, no political mess… just living in the SUN, on the BEACH, with lots of LOVE. But no to worry, I will also be graduated soon and I am planning to invade their little paradise and share a piece of the happy cake! We took these pictures in the street of Paris, where they spend few days just before departure. They look absolutely in love (and they are), happy and serene, ready to leave everything behind (and Maé had TONES of clothes) and start something new. Good for them, showing the good example: enjoy life, live spontaneously and have no regrets. Our Planet is beautiful and full of opportunities; don’t get stuck in a place where you feel miserable every day. Make a change. #CHANGE2014

Blue top: COS – Pink t-shirt: American Apparel – Watch: Swatch – Silver bracelet: Ayumi jewellery

#Shared with love

Hello, I’m back! I haven’t posted since last October… shameful! But I found out with great pleasure that people were missing it and asked me how it was going and it encouraged me to get back to it. So this is me again, stronger than ever, focused and determined to make 2014 a year to remember!

This week, I took a trip to Maastricht to visit a good friend of mine I met in Copenhagen. We haven’t seen each other in a year! Long distance friendship… not easy! But this time my friend was launching a very special event and I wanted to be there for the occasion. Her name is Greta, she is Italian with German mother tongue, a good combination of Mediterranean exotic vibes and central European style. She speaks 4 languages fluently and can convince anybody to do something just by smiling to them. Power smile (smile more often #resolution2014)! Anyway, she is living in Maastricht for now, cute little city in the South of Holland, right in between Belgium and Germany, very international student place and apparently the right one to start a company. During her studies of Entrepreneurship, she decided it was time to make everything she learned into practice and take action (more action #resolution2014). She combined her passion for beautiful jewellery and networking because there isn’t a thing that keeps her for NOT talking to people, she’s a natural (more networking #resolution2014). She managed to get surrounded by generous and open minded people and convinced them (with power smile) to follow her idea. This is how, last month, she launched her fist event in a Maastricht jewellery shop, Clio, which owner is one of the most kind and funny person I’ve met. Mutual benefits from each part: she needs a venue, he could use new customers. Girls attended the event, she likes to call them – “the Circle of Brilliance”, and inevitably started networking and buying jewellery pieces. Because let’s be honest, talking and shopping are two things we girls all love. The idea is a concept of sharing and gathering together once in a while to network (because we are all entrepreneurial minded of course). Once you’ve purchased a piece, you are able to exchange it up to three times at the shop during the organized events to try a new one. This is a trial version. The actual one would take place on line, with carefully selected young talented unknown designers to be sold on the platform. Once you’re a member, you can chose a piece, receive it at home, and if you want to exchange it at any time you are able to do it by sending it back. On the other end, if you love this piece so much, you can also purchase it. A concept of shared platform -“Joyelle shared with love”- enables you to try new pieces often and share your experience with others. What a great idea ! I can’t wait to try it. In the meantime, you can still attend the “last” event that will take place on Thursday, Feb 13^th at Clio jewellery shop – Sint Amorsplein 11, Maastricht and have the chance to chat with this amazing, visionary woman and get a clearer idea of what Joyelle means to her. (below: Cafe Zondag) Jewels: 5 octobre, Isabel Marant, Gem Kingdom, Gabriel Guevara

Chez Marine

Bienvenue dans l’appartement enchanté de Marine. Mon amie a toujours eu cet instinct inné pour arranger, décorer, chiner… et je ne serais pas étonnée de la voir un jour dans Côté Maison ! Disons qu’elle fait partie de ces personnes qui parviennent n’importe où à personnaliser leur intérieur même si c’est temporaire (et elle en a fait des déménagements !). Que ce soit à Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Lyon ou Paris, les appartements de Marine m’ont toujours fasciné ! Tout est dans le détail, les couleurs, les pièces chinés dans les brocantes… vous avez vu ces malles ? Je les adore ! Je me souviens d’un appartement où elle avait disposé un vélo vintage en guise de déco dans son entrée (il faut avoir de la place, les loyers lyonnais sont moins chers) et je me suis dit que c’était une idée géniale ! Depuis je n’ai vécu que dans des colocs ou des studios alors mon vélo est resté dehors ! Parfois je suis consternée du minimalisme de mon propre intérieur : un canapé-lit, 3 tabourets à pois bleu achetés sur Le Bon Coin, et juste ma garde-robe qui remplit le reste des 20 m² … j’ai toujours une étagère que Marine m’a donnée et que je n’ai pas accrochée car à l’évidence, pas le moindre outil chez moi alors vous imaginez une PERCEUSE ? Je me rassure en me disant que de toute façon je ne vais pas rester ici toute ma vie alors à quoi bon investir dans une déco intérieur ? Marine ne pense pas de cette façon. Elle fait en sorte de se sentir bien dans son appartement. Voyez par exemple, elle a repeint ses étagères Explicit Ikea. Un détail me direz-vous mais qui change tout ! On commençait à en avoir ras le bol du « noir, blanc ou hêtre » quoi ! Enfin, l’idée de devoir décaper un meuble me donne déjà du fil à retordre… Marine travaille en ce moment dans la promotion immobilière. Un hasard ? Je ne crois pas. Sinon elle a aussi cette addiction pour les chaussures. Et pour les couleurs pastelles. En fait elle est juste ravissante sur ces clichés, une soirée de juillet (on les regrette) à la fenêtre de son 2 pièces du 10^E dont elle a d’ailleurs posé le préavis. Elle a la bougeotte cette petite.

Son adresse gourmande : Le Robinet d’Or, 17 rue Robert Blache (Paris 10E)

Son accessoire déco: Une bougie Voluspa

Nathalie’s ear cuff

Lorsqu’il faisait encore beau à Paris (une époque révolue si j’en crois la pluie battante de cette journée automnale anticipée), je suis passée rendre visite à Nathalie à la boutique du Marais où elle est actuellement responsable. Une belle rencontre parisienne liée à mon précédent stage. Nathalie est française mais d’origine suédoise, d’où son blond naturellement éclatant et son teint diaphane. Elle aime la mode mais surtout les belles choses. Ici elle porte un haut brodé April, May, une jupe Carven et une paire de ballerines Repetto très originales qui rappellent aux amateurs de vin le liège des bouchons (si souvent ôtés lors de nos (nombreux) apéros). Mais ce qui m’a surtout plu ce jour-là c’était sa petite boucle d’oreille, style “earcuff” (la tendance incontournable), discrète mais si raffinée, signée Jacquie Aique, et sa tresse (on appelle ça une « fishtail ») qui lui donnait des airs de « little mermaid ». (A présent il fait si sombre dans mon appartement que je m’éclaire à la bougie (parfumée) et j’essaye d’imaginer que non, il ne pleut pas des cordes et ma journée n’est pas foutue !) Ah elle était belle cette journée d’été…

When it was still summer time in Paris (I believe now it is just a dream when I see the awful weather outside), I went by the little shop where Nathalie is responsible for in le Marais. A pleasant friendship born during my previous internship. Nathalie is French but she has Swedish origins, you can see it from her perfectly blond hair and very light skin. She likes fashion but most of all, beautiful things. Here she is wearing a top from April, May, a Carven skirt and a pair of ballerina Repetto very original that reminds me of the cork used for wine bottles. But what really caught my eyes that day was her tinny but sophisticated earring, from Jacquie Aiche, a sort of ear cuff that is totally THE trend right now. She also had a beautiful braid, a fishtail that made her look like the “little mermaid”. (Now it is so dark in my apartment that I lighted on some scented candles and I’m trying to imagine that no, it is not pouring like hell outside and my day is not waisted!) Ha, it was a beautiful day of summer…