Happy 200th post, Sequin Cat!

It's time to party once again as I'm up to the grand total of 200 posts!

Not sure how I'll celebrate today; at 100 it was Disney fun. Hopefully there'll be wine and/or mojitos involved.

Here's to hoping the next hundred posts will be full of joy!

Confessions of a Parisian

So I've been living here for about seven months now. I know the streets, I speak the language, I walk the walk. I don't make eye contact on the metro and I hold my handbag on my crooked elbow. I'm making every effort to fit in as a true Parisian. But I have a confession to make, something that may shock you to your very core: I am not une vraie parisienne.

Want to know why?

1. I have never been to Colette. While many consider this concept store/gallery to be a fashion (and Paris) institution, I've never found myself popping in for a browse. Although with the Rodarte exhibition ending this weekend, I may just have to go and check it out before it's too late.
2. I have never ridden a Vélib'. It could be because of hassles with my bank, meaning I don't have a chip-embedded bank card to get a bike out in the first place. It could be because I secretly hate bikes. It could be that I'm drawn to the metro, with its odours of urine and abundance of buskers. Who can tell? To my credit, I have ridden Vélo'v.
3. I have never eaten foie gras, escargot, steak-haché... So far I'm still a vegetarian and I intend on staying that way.
4. I wear colour! The French are big on their neutrals and black (check out Amelia's post for a great summary of French style.) My red spotty coat certainly stands out here.
   

How can I redeem myself? Please, pass on your favourite Paris tips so I can make the most of my remaining time in the city of light.

Wednesday Wrap-up (it's Thursday, sshh!)

Hello world!

It's been a funny little week. I travelled all the way back to Paris from Provence, only to pack my bag again and drive 10 hours to the Pyrenées.


But first. Why did I come back in the first place?

Well, my friends. I had an audition at the happiest place on Earth. Despite acting up a storm, and then dancing like a hurricane, I was unsuccessful. Bummer. Can anyone else see me as Snow White?

Never fear though! The next day, I had an interview at the happiest place on Earth. And things are looking good!

Before heading out for the night to farewell a friend back to Australia, I was asked whether I wanted to go down to the Pyrenées in the morning. Um, yes. It did mean that I missed Halloween in Paris though.

So we had a little road trip down South, and a relaxing weekend as I mentioned. The countryside is so beautiful in Autumn.

Leisurely days of reading, strolling down country lanes, eating fresh produce, heading to the local cinema, early nights. Bliss.

I picked the path on the right....

Absence

Are you sick of my comings and goings yet? I jetted off on a spontaneous trip down to the Pyrenees on Friday and have been sans internet since then. Hence the lack of posts. As it is, I'm writing this via a mobile phone connection. Tricky times.

But, things are good! Strolls through the countryside, hiking in forests, Sunday drives. It's a simple life and I'm happy.


Please be understanding in the tardiness of this week's Wednesday Wrap-up. I'll likely be wiped out from ten hours on the road.

Lots to blog about, however! Keep your eyes peeled....

Daily Outfit: At the pub

Pub meals and side-splitting conversation? Yes, please.

Fresh as a daisy after a brisk ride through night air to the Hotel de Ville, en route to the pub

Rouge

When I look down during a bike ride.

Sequin Cat loves

This stuff is AMAZING

Seeing swans everyday on my commute

Being paid in €. BOOYAH!

Daily Outfit: Late night in Lyon

Met up with the amazing Amelia (seriously, check out her blog!) for some Indian, beers, dancing to Prince and chatting up pilots.

It's starting to get cold in France...

Checking for traffic..

TA DA!

Wednesday Wrap-up

Wow. What a week.

The Alps haven't seen snow since last Winter

Crazy little trip sideways from Lyon to Grenoble. Hot chocolate in a bohemian cafe. Long exposure photography of the sublime town square. Cheeky photobooth snaps. Student night out in the mud, celebrating the Australian tradition of scamming. Hilarious morning. Homemade tarts in the sunshine. Catching a bubble up the hill to observe the town from a 19th century fortress. Snow-capped alps.

The view over Grenoble from la Bastille

Late night train back to Lyon. Saying goodbyes (have I mentioned how I'm an expert now? They still hurt though.) Another train, this time South to Avignon. A new kitten in a new apartment. Haunting contemporary art installations. My friend's bar (I am so proud!) Apero hour hijinks. Daytrip to La Camargue. Randomly coming across a Camargue bull competition. Seeing wild horses, bulls and flamingos. Gorgeous sunsets.

La Course Camargue. These dudes were fit.

Have I mentioned how amazing life is lately?

Power reading. Homemade, delicious food. Spectacular lenticular clouds and pointing them out to my (not so geeky) friends. An intimate jazz concert. Naps. A sunset stroll through Avignon. Beautiful Autumnal colours. Seeing so many cities embrace bike-sharing. Cultural enlightenment at the Palais des Papes. Perfect sunny days. Chatting with the chef at a welcoming wine bar. Peering into bookshop windows. Lying in the sunshine at the Pont d'Avignon and dreaming. Filling everyone's world with flowers.



Learning the dance to "Beat it" with two French women. Delicious Belgian beer. Eating cheese on toast at a fancy restaurant, and it counting as dinner. Chocolate cake with a side of lollies. Saying goodbye.





And finally, making it all the way back home safe to Paris. And sleeping in my own bed.

Bedtime stories

Whenever I think I'm "good in bed", I just have to remember that it means that I'm a really good sleeper.

Dès que je pense que je suis "forte au lit", il faut que je m'en souvienne que ça veut juste dire que je dors bien.