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British Debate – Heels or Flats?

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

As we head into the Fall season, the Westernized world is also entering into a new fashion season, which brings with it a hot debate about shoes – shoe height to be specific.

According to a recent article in the London Times newspaper, heels and pumps are no longer in fashion. In Britain and in many other Western countries, flats are now all the rage, particularly in the new fall fashion lines.

Heels 3

But, like other clothes and accessories, what’s considered a fashionable shoe height seems to change with weather – or at least the decade. The 60s and 70s saw high platform shoes, while the 80s and early 90s saw Converse sneakers and Keds, with the occasional stiletto mixed in. Then, in the late 90s with the introduction of Sex in the City, high heels, and I mean very high heels, became en Vogue again. Women around the world mimicked Carrie Bradshaw and rushed out to buy the unaffordable Jimmy Choo shoes.

Heels1

But, after Sex went off the air, the heel craze seemed to deflate, leaving women in a foot bind over what the new shoe trend would be. Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait long. The weather changed again and heels were quickly replaced by comfort flats from Merrill, Born, and Keen, footwear that can almost double as active wear.

Flats

This new flat shoe trend also has been embraced by more than just women. Some authorities, like London’s Trades Union Congress, are encouraging women to wear flats to work. The group has even gone so far as to say that heels are demeaning to women and should not be worn to the office.

I understand that flat shoes are more practical and allow the wearer to do more throughout the day. And, for women who are model tall, flats can be a great option for a new look or to prevent height envy in a dating situation.

But for someone on the short side, a petite 5’1”, flats just don’t flatter. Heels, on the other hand, are what give my short stature a lift in a crowded room. Pumps enable me to elongate my legs and wear flowing pants that accentuate my modest curves. And, they bring a more distinguished essence to my whole look. 

Flats2

Even if you’re not vertically challenged, flat shoes may be hurting more than your height. In a recent article, experts from Britain’s Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said that flats can cause more damage than heels, leading to shooting pains in the shins and arthritis. The reason being is that women, who are swapping their heels and even their gym shoes for flat dress shoes, are making their flats an everyday walking shoe. Experts say this is a problem because flat shoes do not generally allow the foot an opportunity to flex its arch. Furthermore, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists even recommends that women wear a one-inch heel in most situations.

So, what will it be for you this season – heels or flats? Well, whether you’re embracing the newest flat shoe folly or are still head over heels for height, I believe you need to go with the shoe that looks right and feels right on you. But, if you’re still not sure which trend to follow this season, buy a pair of heels and a pair of flats – this way, you’ll always be prepared when the fashion weather changes.

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English Gardens: A Trip Down Memory Lane

July 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Prior to visiting England, I was never much of a garden person. You could say I really didn’t appreciate a garden or all the work that goes into making a garden beautiful.

But after seeing the amazing gardens at Hampton Court, Kensington, the Cotswolds, and other places in England, I was enamored with the vibrant colors and lush landscapes of the quintessential English garden. From my experiences in England, and other European countries, I have to say that England has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. And, those classic English gardens are some of the things I remember – and miss – the most about Britain.

Garden2

Today, I am happy to report that I was able to fill a little of my looming English garden void. My team from work ventured to a local botanical garden for lunch. It turned out to be one of the most memorable work-related lunches I’ve had. 

Although the botanical gardens spanned for, what seemed like, miles, we only had about 20 minutes to amble around the gardens after our lunch in the cafe. Luckily, one of the first gardens outside the cafe is the English Walled Garden. 

Garden sign

The garden was a true tribute to the gardens of England, complete with ivy, topiaries, and manicured hedges – but no garden gnome!

We first entered the garden through a charming little blue gate, that clearly shown of British style.

Gate

From there, we saw fountains, specialized flower gardens, and quaint covered walkways.

Garden1

As well as pokey little steps leading to other flower-drenched areas.

Garden steps

And, just check out this cool checkerboard design…

checkerboard

Whimsical and elegant, all at the same time!

Seeing the gardens in all of their splendor gave me a familiar melancholy feeling. I was happy that, for even a short time, I was able to relive my British travels, but sad knowing that I would not be headed to England anytime soon.

So, as I expected, my trip down England’s memory lane was quickly brought to an end as we all headed back to work.

I was back in my cube 15 minutes later, planning my next trip across the pond. Sigh….

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Le Goûter: Refined French Snacking

July 23, 2009 By 6 Comments

For the most part, the French do not snack. But when they do, they make it sound so much better. Although popular as an after school treat for children, le goûter – a late afternoon snack – has become part of the French culture as much as afternoon tea is in England.

Le Gouter: France's afternoon treat.

Le goûter: France's afternoon treat.

Le goûter, pronounced “luh goo tay”, happens around 4 PM, when children are getting out of school and workers are heading into the last 1-2 hours of work. At this time, children will rush home in a frenzy to get a delicious treat, just enough to satisfy hunger or a craving, but not enough to spoil the appetite for dinner.

You may also see adults in France heading into this same frenzy around 4 PM, when the typical afternoon lull has set in. French workers, professional and non, will take to cafes and tea houses to grab their own snack – I’m sorry – le goûter. 

But you won’t find potato chips, candy, or beef jerky during this ritual. For French children,  le goûter typically includes a piece of bread spread with chocolate or nutella – France’s equivalent to peanut butter.

Nutella: Europe's answer to peanut butter.

Nutella: Europe's answer to peanut butter.

But of course, adults wouldn’t want to eat the same thing as children for  le goûter. Adults have more sophisticated treats like chocolate croissants, macaroons, or fruit tartes – usually accommpanied with strong coffee or tea.

Now, I’ve said time and time again that French women do not snack. And, if you ask a French woman if she snacks, she will undoubtedly say no. Yet, the French woman most likely does practice the tradition of taking le goûter. However, she does not consider this snacking, because le goûter is not considered snacking. It is more like a refined, cultural experience to share with friends, family, co-workers, or even by yourself. 

I wonder … maybe le goûter is the French way of secretly being able to snack without admitting that they snack. Hey, I want to do that! Well, being the notorious francophile that I am, I just had to try see what this new afternoon delight was all about. 

So yesterday, about 3:30 PM, I delved into the office treats that were leftover from a catered lunch. There were so many pastries to choose from that it was difficult to make a decision…

Yummy pastries for my le Gouter.

Yummy pastries for my le goûter.

I selected three blossoming beauties – a chocolate chip brownie, a pecan-chocolate square, and a chocolate chip square. Seeing a pattern here? Even for the French, chocolate is key for le goûter, so who am I to break tradition, right? I had one bite of each treat, to see which one I like the most. I ruled out the brownie immediately. It was mediocre at best and who wants to waste calories on something that’s mediocre? Next, I had the pecan bar, which was tasty, albeit a little dry. I had one more bite of that, then moved on to the chocolate chip bar. This pastry actually had little chocolate chips in it and melted caramel. Although it, too, was a little dry, it was the best tasting of the bunch so I ate the whole thing with a little peppermint tea. I needed to offset the sugar. Besides, sweets always seem better when you have them with tea.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time I had an afternoon treat, but it was my first time having le goûter. And, I can honestly say that it’s not that much different from my typical afternoon pick-me-ups. But, even still, just saying that you are having le goûter is so much more refined than saying you’re having a snack. 

So the next time your 3 PM hunger rolls around, don’t snack, grab a pastry and coffee and enjoy your le goûter with the rest of the sophisticates.  Yours truly included!

Ciao!

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Feeling Liberated! Bastille Day Breakfast

July 14, 2009 By 1 Comment

Bonjour everyone and Happy Bastille Day to all of my French friends and Francophiles everywhere! Even if you are not French or a French-loving person, you can still celebrate this infamous day. Bastille Day is about freedom, liberty, and democracy, beliefs that all people in the US and other free countries hold dear.

In honor of the French national holiday and in honor of freedom and democracy everywhere, I thought I’d start my day off with a little French breakfast.

Harney and Sons Paris Tea

Harney and Sons Paris Tea

I had some of my favorite Harney and Sons tea – Paris Tea of course! It has a citrus flavor that is to die for! And, the little sachets that are in each of H&S’s teas are amazing – they truly are not your grandmother’s tea bag and somehow make the tea taste better (although I’m sure that’s all in my head!)

The tea sachet is almost too beautiful to use!

The tea sachet is almost too beautiful to use!

With my tea, I enjoyed a HUGE flaky croissant with raspberry preserves. Just lovely! But I have to admit, I did not eat the whole thing – it was just too filling!

A little dollop of raspberry preserves to go with my flaky croissant!

A little dollop of raspberry preserves to go with my flaky croissant!

I am also listening to Paris Combo, a fantastic Paris-based cabaret group. My husband and I actually saw them in concert a few years ago. The concert was surprisingly fun and the band didn’t even speak English!

Now, I’m  off to get some work done – more writing of course, but this time for my real job. 

Ciao!

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Love Your Legs

July 6, 2009 By 1 Comment

Happy Monday everyone! What a beautiful morning! With the cool temps and low humidity, I had such a great run this morning. I probably could have run for an hour. I only stopped because I needed to get ready for work. It’s my first day back after being out of the office for 6 work days!

I have to say that all of this running, combined with yoga and other strength exercises, has really improved the definition in my legs. But, my running legs have always been one of my best features (on most days at least). And, after 20 years of running, who wouldn’t appreciate her legs?

Love your legs and they will love you back!

Love your legs and they will love you back!

A British Woman and Her Legs

Unfortunately, there are many women who, for whatever reason, do not appreciate their legs and, in fact, even hate their legs. Some have varicose veins, others have an over abundance of cellulite. But there are even some women who may have very nice legs and still not be happy with them. 

For example, a recent survey showed that 47 percent of British women were ashamed of their legs and 6 out of 10 are too embarrassed to wear skirts and dresses in public. This is so sad because, for most women, a little cardio each week, could greatly improve the shape of their legs and make them feel more confident about their overall appearance. 

The study also found that women worry about their legs at least twice a day, and spend an hour and a half thinking about their legs, weight, and dress size. But I wonder, if they hate their legs so much, why don’t they spend more time improving their legs and less time thinking about how much they hate them?

Love Your Legs

Running is a great workout for your legs.

Running is a great workout for your legs.

Now my legs, like the rest of me, are far from perfect. I’ve acquired many leggy flaws over the years - I have a scar from a track spike, a slight weird pigment from a really bad sunburn acquired in Key West, and a 2-inch thin scar above my knee from a nail (ouch!). Although it would be nice to magically erase these flaws, I know that I can’t and have accepted them for what they are – a permanent reminder for how strong and active my legs are.

But even with these flaws, I can honestly say that I love my legs and try to take care of them as best as I can. Afterall, they are what get me from point A to point B every day and allow me to run miles and miles every week.

So, how do I take care of my legs? There are several things I do to make sure my legs stay healthy. 

Jen’s Guide to Lovely Legs

  1. Move your legs* – Although I have mentioned this before, I can’t stress this enough. Running is a great workout for your legs. But walking, cycling, and really any exercise that makes your legs work can help build muscle and definition. Cross-training, including strengthening exercises, can also help work other muscle groups in your legs, give you more definition, and prevent injuries. So get out there and MOVE!
  2. Avoid scars – Whether it’s a mishap with a shower razor or a ding from the car door, I try to apply medication right away to avoid scarring. Although it doesn’t work every time, it has saved my legs on many occasions.
  3. Use sunscreen – Many of us may only use sunscreen when going to the beach or laying in the sun. But runners and their legs can get burned too. That’s why I apply sunscreen on my legs whenever I run in the late morning or afternoon.
  4. Moisterize – I have dry skin all year round but especially in the winter. Applying cream to my legs after a shower takes away that scaly look and gives them a sheen that accentuates the definition. 
  5. Change your shoes – If your logging a lot of miles, either running or walking, make sure to buy new shoes before your old ones start showing major wear and tear. The standard rule is to change your shoes after logging 350-550 miles.
  6. Know my limits – Although running is my passion, I do set limits. If I am very sick, tired, or have a major injury, I’ll try walking or another cardio exercise. I’m also not afraid to take a day off just to give my legs a rest – because lord knows they need it!

Following these tips won’t guarantee that you’ll love your legs. But, like relationships, if you make your legs a priority, they will only get stronger.

Ciao!

*If you are not a regular exerciser or are not already considered “healthy” by medical standards, check with a qualified medical professional before starting a new exercise program.

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