A little inspiration.

Goodmorning Paris, Canada, or whoever is nice enough to take the time out of their busy day to check up on my blog (it's brand new and probably the coolest blog you will ever see)!

Do you ever have one of those days, where you are riding the bus/driving/walking around and criticizing everything you pass by. Whether it's the woman who forgot to brush her hair this morning, the guy (most likely french) that never wears deodorant at work, or the cashier with the over-the-top makeup and blonde/pink washed out hair (what is she trying to hide anyway?) I know, I know, the last thing you want to hear is: improve yourself before criticizing others. Well I want to take a different approach...Anytime you start criticizing someone else, take a quick minute and think about how you are feeling. This morning, I did just that. And I came up with: really low-confidence and just plain icky. So, today I thought I would write about how to improve your daily confidence and over all well-being. I have my boyfriend, parents and partially Pinterest to thank for this one. Here we go.

(1) APOLOGIZING ( I know you just started to sing 'apologize' by One Republic ) Apologizing doesn't mean that you are wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.

(2) LOOK like a girl. ACT like a lady. THINK like a man. WORK like a boss.

(3) When you are having a bad day. Say to yourself: It might be a shitty day. Not a shitty life.

(4) Don't think too much. You will create a problem that wasn't even there in the first place.

(5) DECIDE to start living the life that you imagined. See what happens.

(6) LAUGH.

(7) CRY. Everyone needs a good cry now and then.

(8) Let's create some endorphins eh (for my favorite Canadians)! Wake up a little earlier today or at least don't fall back asleep. Splash that gorgeous face of yours. Put on your favorite ratty t-shirt and your most comfortable bottoms. BREATH, a deep one. EAT some cornflakes (or your fav cereal). DRINK a glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon. WASH your face with your favorite fash wash. RUN for 15 minutes. STRETCH out those legs in comprising positions (outdoors so everyone can see, thats it!). WALK back home. LIE on your carpet. BREATH. 50 times 4 of your fav crunches. SHOWER with a lemon scented body wash, and your best smelling shampoo. AIR dry your hair. EXFOLIATE. HYDRATE your body. Put vaseline around your eyes. BREATH. FEEL great. KISS the one you love or wrap yourself in your blanket (whatever floats your boat). And VOILA. Instant gratification.

           (9) Inspire to wear THIS and feel great.

      Which one would you 
                choose?


 









(10) Most importantly, for all you ladies out there. The most important lesson of all. This is big. HUGE. It will change your life forever. I mean it.

I swear...


Are you sure you're ready?


Here we go.


Maybe you aren't ready...

I understand. It's really bigger then LIFE.
OK fine.

Here it is.

Oh and let's throw this one in the mix as well.

Have an amazing day you beautiful love bugs. Overcast in Paris today. Who cares...I AM AWESOME TODAY.

Bisous fois dix.

Wishful Wednesdays

Hi all! With the holidays right around the corner, what is on your wishlist? This winter, I have seen a lot of bling-eske jewerly, black botties, and fur lined sweaters/jackets in Paris.I love the combination of a simple skirt with black pumps and a fur lined sweater, its classy and perfect for the office. Jazz it up with sparkly jewerly and voila you are ready for a night out in the city! Here are a few things on my list:

(1) J Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet (120 Euros)

(2) Zara Short Sleeved fur sweater (29.95 Euros)

(3) Hermes Bottines (call ahead)

(4) Princess Tam Tam cute as can be short-tank combi (70 euros)

(5) Tom Ford Nikita Sunglasses to die for!

(6) Steve Madden Maddy in Leopard (100$)

That's all for now. I hope everyone is staying warm. It is a breezy 6 degrees celsius in Paris today with low cloud cover. Still OK for running but be sure to cover your neck and ears. I am mid-way through my marathon training (Paris 2012)!

Bisous fois dix

Versace Atelier Winter 2011-2012

Versace Atelier awes the fashion world with structured pieces decorated with bold fabrics and a touch of sheer feminity for the Winter 2011-2012 collection.

Thank you Versace for starting an H & M collection! Who is wearing Versace for H & M

Enjoy these jaw-dropping photos and have a beautiful day.

Bisous fois dix

Weekend Favorites

We had a beautifully crisp three-day weekend in Paris. The leaves are almost all gone, and everyone is walking around with permanent red noses. I absolutely love this time of the year. Thinking about Christmas wish-lists, holiday to-dos and New Year's resolutions. What will be your resolution this year? Mine is:

Following the Five simple rules for hapiness:

                                          1. Free your heart from hatred.

                                          2. Free your mind from worries. (the hardest one for me)

                                          3. Live simply.

                                          4. Give more. 

                                          5. Expect less. 

Sundown on a Saturday late-afternoon (seriously it gets dark around 17h)

Strolling around in le quartier Madeleine near Concorde

The coolest pup in the world

Just a little interior DIY if my boyfriend ever decides to hang a moosehead

Cheering for France during the France-USA friendly soccer match. My brand new Burberry scarf came in handy.

This year's Christmas card

I hope you have a beautiful and carefree Monday ( I know 'wishful thinking' for some of you, but why not give it a try. Thank you parents for always reminding me that Life is Short.)

Bisous fois dix.

Candelaria

Ok ok ok... This may be one of the upcoming-hipster-place-to-to-be in Paris at the moment. Candelaria is the SPOT for Mexican treats (guac and tosdadas) and delicious cocktails. Unfortunately it has become so popular... so be prepared to be standing on your feet the entire night (even while eating).

Hopefully you aren't Hangry (Hungry + Angry) before you get there and don't have a lot of patience like me. You can reserve a table a few nights ahead of time and Mondays the lounge in the back of the restaurant is reserved for events. I got to see Vanessa Bruno last time I went on a Monday.

The cocktails are expensive and take a while to prepare but they are definitely worth the wait. I suggest the Pisco Disco cocktail.

The restaurant in the front holds a maximum of 15 people and you enter the lounge through a non-obvious door past the kitchen. The place is always packed! So dress to impress and order the Nopal Taco (hard taco shell with re fried beans, cooked cactus and cheese).

Picture courtesy of Candelaria on Facebook

The address is on the website! Have fun and be sure to get there around 8pm to ensure a good seat. 

I hope you enjoyed my first restaurant post!

Bisous fois dix 

My first Master's Swim meet

Here it is, my very first personal post. This video is from last weekend. I joined a Master's Swim Club in Paris. I originally joined because my boyfriend has the same evening practices (held on Tuesdays and Thursdays) for Basketball. Since I was a national level swimmer in Canada. I figure that I would give it  a go. After 6 years of non-competitive training here is the result for 100m backstroke.

Yes, I did struggle and I was DEAD at the end of the race. Thank you very much.

Bisous fois dix,
Martha

Walk your Way to Success

Mid-day through work on a busy Wednesday. You find yourself rubbing your feet vigorously under your desk trying to get the feeling back in your toes...It happened again, those promised-comfortable-work-shoes failed again. Either the leather isn't soft enough yet, the peep toe is squeezing your nails together, you've stained the shoe from your bloody blistery heel, and your fresh pedicure is ruined. Finally, you aren't too sure how to make it through the rest of the day without walking around barefoot. Off the bat,

1) ALWAYS slip a pair of ballet flats and band aids in your bag when wearing new shoes to work.
2) Here are some shoes that I've tried and tested in my workplace.

 

(1) Klass Blue Suede Tassel Loafer, $100 TopShop. (2) Marais T-Strap Stud Flats, $110 Les Nouvelles. (3) Add a Western vibe with these 150$ Zara boots 

(4) Perfect with a black mini and tights 79 Euros Red Boots from Zara 

(5) Oxford Platform from 99Euros Zara 

Have an amazing day! Looks like we have some warm November in Paris today (about 15 deg celsisus), although overcast so don't forget a scarf! Look forward to my post on Candelaria tonight.

Bisous fois dix.