The State of Things

Sympathique - Pink Martini

Bonjour! Hola! Hello! Je ne veux pas travailler...

It's true, I don't feel like working and I miss the days when I had more time to dedicate to this blog. For months now I have been thinking about Moi Je Joue and all the updates to the content, the look and feel of it that I would love to make. I've decided that as soon as I am past tomorrow's flamenco production of Snow Queen, I will be dedicating more time here again. Until then though, here are the very few but ever time-consuming reasons why I have been so silent here (if you were even at all curious...):

• Travel. I have been fortunate enough over the past six months to visit the Philippines, New York, Madrid and Paris. In a few weeks, I plan to add Seattle to that list as well.
• Work. I am at work almost full time now and when I am not there, I'm busy starting a new business, which I hope to share with you soon!
• Dance. When I'm not travelling or working, I fill my evenings with flamenco dance at the Vancouver studio, Karen Flamenco. I rehearse, perform, set design and manage some of their online properties, including their blog and social media. 
• Family. It seems that we are always having family visit and that, of course, takes priority. 

I've decided, enough distractions. I'm planning to give Moi Je Joue a bit of a new look and I'm excited to begin a better balancing act! Until then...
If you like that lovely graphic Paris print above, check out the Obvious State (formerly known as Little Brown Pen).
Adiós & Au revoir!

The Street Art of Vitry-sur-Seine

Ta P'tite Flamme - Amélie Les Crayons 

Well hello fabulous people! It's been quite some time since I've posted anything, but I'm back again, re-inspired and excited! This summer I took my vacation in Asia (more to follow on that) but I found I missed my trip to Europe. Now I have a specific destination in mind for my next trip: Vitry-sure-Seine.

Vitry-sur-Seine is a suburb outside of Paris known for its amazing street art! Just take a look at these pictures (taken by Sara Tucker) and learn more at CN Traveller.

 Pretty fabulous, no?! Au revoir!

Live the Language - Paris

I must say congratulations to Jessica W.N., makeup artist extraordinaire, who just won an all expenses paid trip to Paris for four days! Can you imagine a treat like that? I couldn't think of someone more deserving of a getaway like this one will be. Congratulations my love!

It's got me thinking of Paris, France, and the French language. Don't speak it? Neither do I. I've pretty much forgotten the majority of everything I learnt in my high school French class.
Here is a fabulous video that is definitely inspiring me to review those old notes! Enjoy!

Belated Blog Anniversary: Moi Je Joue

Long time no blog! It's my last week of classes for this semester and all the deadlines I've been dreading are here! I've been so busy that I didn't even realize I missed my blog anniversary on November 17th.When I started this blog two years ago, I never thought I would have even a small number of people interested in reading it. I wanted a space to play with my thoughts and to record all the fabulous things I found in my internet travels. That said, I'm extremely grateful to all those who take time to read and to subscribe! Just for fun (because moi, je joue) I'd like to share my initial inspiration:


I just loved this commercial: it's whimsy, it's fantasy, it's mood, and it's colours! This blog was a whim and a place to play with my travel, fashion, and design fantasies.

What can I say? Me, I play. Moi Je Joue.

French Cooking: Making Macarons

Coeur de Pirate - Berceuse

Okay, who doesn't love these fabulous French treats? Macarons are not only tasty, but they must be the daintiest, prettiest petite pastries ever! My aunt from Paris just arrived, bringing me a lovely cloth book bag, and now I'm on a Paris kick. If you are in the Toronto area, there will be a great "How to Make Macarons" class hosted by the lovely lady behind eat.live.travel.write. this coming September. She has a great post on her adventures of making these finicky pastries, complete with fabulous pictures. She shares some useful tips and techniques to making the perfect macaron and the places where she learned to make macarons in Paris!Her first class is on September 30th at La Dolci in Toronto. How I wish I could go! She's also hosting a giveaway, the prize being a free spot in her class! Check it out!

All pictures from eat.live.travel.write.

Midnight in Paris

I think I'll watch this movie just because I like it's poster! What a great design. I actually have no idea what it's about but van Gogh and Woody Allen? Paris, art and laughs sound good to me!

Parisian Style

Here is French model/designer, Inés de la Fressange's guide to dressing like a Parisian...(via my lovely friend at frenchlove)

My Paris

Anyone feel like going Paris? You probably will if you stick around to watch this short city guide entitled My Paris by Bruno. In this video you'll get the scoop on Parisian places that don't always make the typical tourist "must see" list, making it an "insider's guide" to one of the most romantic cities of the world. "If street art, urban fashion and cheap eats are your bag, then this short film guide is for you." -Bruno


My Paris from CloudRaker on Vimeo.

Fashion 1947-1957

I love these Fashion shots from the decade after World War II. Richard Avedon is an amazing and legendary photographer who has definitely taken some incredible and iconic pictures...

One Year: Moi Je Joue

Hello guapas! Today is my one year blogging anniversary! And I'm stuck working on a paper (which is driving me crazy). But I wanted to share my initial inspiration for starting a blog. One year ago I saw the commercial for Miss Dior Cherie perfume and was completely enchanted with Sophia Coppola's work. I decided that I had to share all the things I find pretty and inspiring with anyone who would listen, including this video.
Thank you all for following my blog! You have made my experience absolutely fabulous!


And the making of...

Ahh! Moi Je Joue!

Macarons

(weheartit)

Macarons... I would love to go to Paris and walk into a fabulous little patisserie and purchase some! Ladurée maybe? They are such pretty and dainty sweets with all their pastel colours and delicate crunch. At the risk of sounding like a snob, how very Rococo, no? ;) I love the way they are photographed in these pictures (weheartit).

Funny Face

Thank goodness it's Friday! Tonight I am going to curl up in my super fluffy comforter with the latest Vogue, or maybe watch Funny Face (1957). It's a classic! Everyone knows Audrey Hepburn from the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's but this one is just as fashionable! Singing, dancing, fashion, photography, a magazine... it's a talkie for gals! And who doesn't love Paris and balloons?

Parisian Time Capsule

Did you hear?! An apartment in Paris was entered for the first time in 70 years! A giant time capsule right in the heart of the 9th arrondissement between the Pigalle red light district and Opera. The woman who owned it recently passed away at the age of 91. She left her Paris flat before World War II for the south of France and never returned. After all this time, it must have been like stepping back into the past, all be it a little dustier! One of the major discoveries? A painting of Madame Marthe de Florian by Giovanni Boldini that sold at auction for €2.1 million!There is more to this than what I wrote. Visit The Telegraph and Paris Atelier for the details! It is completely fascinating to me!

A French Day

Ooh la la! How I wold love to take a "French day"! I would love to put everything on hold just for a day at least. I usually work work work and then spend my earnings on a trip in the summer (last year I flew to Madrid for a week). This year its all rehearsal, rehearsal, show, 6 week internship, and then, before I get a chance to breathe, it'll be school again! I think I'd really like to take a French day!
Sit on my imaginary balcony in Paris for breakfast...Walk around cobble stone streets...Wear stripes and do my hair in a messy French bun...Take pictures...Do a little shopping at Fauchon...Sit down at a café...And enjoy a croque madame and café creme...Gazing at this view...While enjoying macarons...Images via we{heart}it.

Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris

Everyone knows that Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. I just started school today and one of my courses has a lot of french poetry to study. So today my Monday wanderlust has me thinking of Paris. Hotel Plaza Athénée is a beautiful luxurious spot that is truly a perfect example of Parisian style. Located on the famous Avenue Montaigne, this hotel is just steps away from the Champs Élysées, the centre of style and fashion and not far from the famous Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower. I would love be there right now!

Perpetual Paris

As I was browsing through the internet today, I started to look through the Little Brown Pen blog, and I remembered one of her posts entitled "a little project".
Need a calendar? This is a fantastic work of art that also functions as your daily calendar. I feel a project coming on as soon as the fall semester is over! Check out these photos and if you really want one of these fantastic calendars, you can get one the Little Brown Pen's shop