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Bistro Chic 2009: A Year of European Inspirations

January 4, 2010 by

As we enter into a new year, some people reflect on all of the things they didn’t do – their regrets. Well, I’m choosing not to focus on the regrets (besides, I don’t really have any) and opting to focus on all of those things I DID accomplish this year.

Birthday Bistro Chic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25128194@N02/4078161226

The biggest thing I did in 2009 was start blogging! That’s right, just one year ago tomorrow, January 5, 2010, marks the one year anniversary of Bistro Chic! When starting this European-themed blog, I really had two goals in mind:

  1. Have fun with writing
  2. Inspire others to live a more Euro Chic lifestyle

So, how did I fair in accomplishing my goals?

Goal #1 – Have fun writing: Well, the first is easy. I have had an incredible amount of fun this year writing about all things European. Don’t get me wrong, writing daily, weekly, or even monthly for a blog, in addition to having a full-time job, is NOT easy. I love Europe – the culture, the food, the sites, the history, the people, etc. But, since I can’t visit as often as I’d like, I find temporary comfort in writing about the European lifestyle. 

Goal #2 – Inspire others: Whether I accomplished this is really up to you. Did you enjoy the articles/posts on Bistro Chic this year? Were you inspired to bring these European lifestyle principles into your own life? I would hope that all of you would say YES, but you won’t hurt my feelings if you take the opposite view.

Speaking of inspiration…inspiring others to do anything is quite a challenge, especially when there’s no face-to-face, voice-to-voice interaction. But, I think I did my best to inspire you, through words, to bring a little savoir faire into your daily life. And, just for fun and because it’s a time of reflection, let’s take a look at some of those inspirational Bistro Chic messages from 2009:

Bistro Chic 2009: Posts of European Inspiration

  • Embrace French Dining – This year, I’ve encouraged you to embrace your inner French woman, in more ways than one. But dining like a French woman has been a recurrent theme in my writing. Starting with a review of the French Paradox, followed by the specifics of what French women eat and how they eat, Bistro Chic’s series on the French way of eating attempted to leave no stone unturned. Plus, it’s hard to talk about a French woman’s dining habits without mentioning the practice of le goûter. Not familiar with le goûter?  You should be!
  • Create A Signature Style – The key to having chic European style is actually to create your own style. Whether you borrow fashion secrets from  French, Italian, or other European women, making your style your own can be a fun way to update your wardrobe and your look with a few classic pieces, like the the très chic trench coat or basic black pant. Throw in a few accessories and a new hairstyle, and ooh la la!
  • Experience Joie De Vivre – If there is one thing that Europeans, and particularly the French, do better than Americans it’s experiencing all of life’s wonders, no matter how big or small. Bistro Chic showed you how to bring this joie de vivre into your own life through travel, music, sports, and even savoring little luxuries, like drinking tea in your favorite cup! 

And so, faithful Bistro Chic readers, here’s to another year of fabulous European living. May all your days be filled with love, laughter, little luxuries, and le goûter.

Ciao

Filed Under: Joie de Vivre Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Bistro Chic Has Returned!

November 9, 2009 by

Bonjour Friends! Did you miss me? I sure missed all of you! I was so used to writing for Bistro Chic, first daily, then weekly. So, when this pattern is abruptly changed – by choice of course – it’s such a weird feeling.

Regarding my hiatus, I would love to say that I was jet-setting all around Europe chatting with the locals, but in reality, I was working my rear-end off for my real job, including an 8-day stint in San Diego. Could be worse I guess, right? Who wouldn’t love to leave cold Chicago in exchange for sunny and warm California? 10.30 Harbor view

While in San Diego, I enjoyed mucho blanco vino (all free, ooh la la!)  but also had some AWESOME red wine sangria at the very chic Indigo Grill…

11.3 sangria

The restaurant was a cool mix of Western North American, sporting flavors from Mexico, all the way up the coast to Alaska. Very woodsy! 

I’m not quite sure how Spanish sangria showed up on the menu but I wasn’t complaining if you know what I mean! Not only was the sangria amazing – I had three glasses so you know it was gooood! – but the food was outstanding…

11.3 dinner1

I had the wild mushroom fettucini topped with deep fried leeks. As you can see, the presentation was super classy and chic!

Can I just say Oh My Gosh! The portion sizes were HUGE – nothing like what they serve in Europe – but of course I was in San Diego. I only ate about 1/4 the dish – know when to say when – and enjoyed every bite.

So now that you are filled in on my hiatus escapades, stay tuned for more Bistro Chic articles related to European styles, culture, products, holidays and more!

Ciao!

Filed Under: Food & Wine Tagged With: , , ,

New OPI Polish Leaves You Barefoot in Barcelona

August 24, 2009 by

These days, traveling to Europe may be next to impossible because of the unstable job market and the weak dollar. It’s during these times when I rely on my memories of Europe, particularly England and Spain, to get me through my dry travel spells.

It doesn’t take much to remind me of these beautiful counties – it could be as something as a song, a pastry, or even nail polish. Nail polish? Now, that may seem an odd thing to remind me of my European travels, but wait until you see why.

OPI barcelona3

Just a few days ago, I walked into Ulta – the beauty product chain – and saw that OPI nail polish just launched a brand new Fall/Winter line called Collección de España – or Collection of  Spain. I know – can you believe it! I was so thrilled to see OPI had finally created a line of polish as a tribute to one of my favorite European countries.

OPI barcelona4

This fabulous new collection contains 12 brand new nail polishes all themed around Spain. Most of the colors are representative of the rich, dark colors of the old world country….

OPI Espana

As is OPI’s tradition, all of the colors have themed Spanish names, reflecting Spain’s wonders, traditions, and history. These names include Pink Flamenco, Manicurist of Seville, Bullish on OPI, and Pamplona Purple. But, my immediate favorite for the new line is…..

OPI barcelona2

Barefoot in Barcelona!!

OPI barcelona

I never knew neutral could be such a wonderful shade for nail polish! This very light brown, almost nude color, with a hint of pink, is perfect for just about any skin tone, which makes it great for everyone’s toes.

OPI barcelona5

And of course, I love the name, considering Barcelona is one of my very favorite European cities to visit. The warm but subtle color reminds me of the moderate Barcelona climate and the gorgeous sandy shores of Spain’s Costa Brava, right off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Ahh, Qué Memorias!

So, if you’re pining for Spain or just want to add a little Spanish sizzle to your life, try the new OPI Collection of Spain, and say hola to your new pretty toes!

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Movies Inspire Travel, Fashion, and Food

August 11, 2009 by

There’s a well-know debate over whether art imitates life or life imitates art. In the case of movies, I think it’s a little of both. 

Movies have greatly influenced pop culture for years. I’m sure a fair share of young men sported white t-shirts and leather jackets after seeing Rebel Without a Cause and what girl didn’t want to wear leg warmers after seeing Flashdance? Still countless other movies have motivated us to change our hair, clothes, or even how we talk.

In more recent years, movies with story lines set in Europe have led to film-inspired trends, and not just with clothing or hairstyles. Let’s take a look at a few….

Bridget Jone's Diary popularized journaling for women over 30.

Bridget Jone's Diary popularized journaling for women over 30.

Bridget Jone’s Diary – In 2001, the book by British author Helen Fielding, Bridget Jone’s Diary, was made into a movie. The movie was an instant hit in the theatres, but outside theatres, the movie did something else. It made journaling or keeping a diary cool again, even for women over 30. Some people could even argue that Bridget was one of the first bloggers, or at least an early blogger for her time.

Under the Tuscan Sun put the Italian region of Tuscany on the map for romantic tourists.

Under the Tuscan Sun put the Italian region of Tuscany on the map for romantic tourists.

Under the Tuscan Sun – Two years later, in 2003, the movie Under the Tuscan Sun was released. Tuscany, with its vineyards, olive trees, and sweeping country sides, has been a popular tourist destination for years. But the movie really put the region on the map, making it not only a destination for senior travelers, but also a destination for young lonely women to find themselves (and a little romance) along the way.

Harry Potter and LOTR – For the sci-fi crowd, the Harry Potter series brought loads of muggles to London and Oxford to catch a glimpse of the boy magician’s haunts. Although set in a fictitious land, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, also brought a significant surge of tourism to New Zealand.

The Harry Potter series has increased tourism to London and Oxford.

The Harry Potter series has increased tourism to London and Oxford.

Mama Mia – In 2008, Mama Mia the movie took the world by storm. But it also catapulted tourism in the Greek islands and for one main reason – destination weddings. The Telegraph reports that more and more couples are seeking destination weddings in the Greek Isles, and they want them to be as close to the movie wedding as possible, ABBA soundtrack included.

Mama Mia the movie was partly filed on Skopelos, an island in Greece.

Mama Mia the movie was partly filed on Skopelos, an island in Greece.

Julie & Julia – Now, fast-forward to today. Food bloggers everywhere have been highly anticipating the release of Julie & Julia, a film by Nora Ephron that chronicles the life of a food blogger who decides to try the famous “French Chef” Julia Child’s recipes for a whole year.  Julia Child popularized French cooking in the early 1960s with her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but since then, everyday French cooking has taken a back burner to other food trends. Not only does the movie give hope to food bloggers everywhere, but it may very well bring about a new found interest in French cooking. 

Coco Before Chanel  – Looking ahead, in late September, Sony Pictures is set to release the life story (or at least the beginning story) of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the famous French fashion designer. The film has not even been released and already the movie has revitalized a “Coco” favorite – men’s pajamas. Chanel was known for wearing men’s silky pajamas in the early 1900s as her own bold fashion statement. According to the Telegraph, this trend didn’t catch on for nearly two decades when Claudette Colbert was seen wearing Clark Gable’s pajamas in the 1934 film, It Happened One Night. But, Angelina Jolie has revealed that she prefers men’s pajamas for lounging, which I’m sure will not hurt the pajama industry a bit.

As you can see, film-inspired tourism and other trends have definitely made their mark on society, particularly pop culture. Although there’s no telling what next year’s film-inspired movie trend will be, you may want to invest in a pair of men’s silk pajamas for the coming Winter season. Lucky for me, I already have a pair.

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

French Women Saying "Non" to Beach Nudity

August 4, 2009 by

Although many a tourist have blushed at the site of a topless woman in the French Riviera, a new survey shows that young French women are having second thoughts about beach nudity.

Conservative young French women are covering up at the beach.

Conservative young French women are covering up at the beach.

In the 70s and 80s, it was quite common to see French women baring all, or at least half, of their bodies on the beach. But, times have changed. These women have grown and have left the topless sunbathing to the younger generation – their daughters and granddaughters. But these days, younger women are taking a lesson from Aunt Prudie and covering up – and not just on the beach.

As reported in TIME, baring your breasts in France has almost become too trendy. And French women, never wanting to be seen as trendy, are opting for a more classic look that keeps their bathing suit tops on.

A survey titled “Women and Nudity” found that, among younger French women, a whopping 88% actually consider themselves modest, with the majority of them covering up around their own children and other women.

sunbathe1: www.flickr.com/photos/13584435@N00/2884256197

Not only do they have a problem with their own nudity, but they have strong opinions about public nudity. Nearly 50% said they were bothered by total nudity on beaches or naturist camps, and 37% said they were disturbed by publicly exposed breasts or backsides. 

So, if you’re headed to the French Riviera and hope to check out a few topless bathing beauties on the beach, you might be out of luck. But then again, some reports say that older French ladies are still willing to throw caution (and their tops) to the wind, but, honestly, who really wants to see that?

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: , , , ,
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