Oh, Paris!

Well, Oscar night 2012 has just concluded and I find myself wildly disappointed that my favorite movie of the year Midnight in Paris, didn't win best picture. That being said, I'd like to pay tribute to that wonderful city I someday dream of seeing. Paris is known as the world's most romantic city and a place I've been dying to visit since I was a little girl. There's just something wonderful about that tower glittering at night over the river Seine that makes the place feel magical. (That, and of course those lovely little local shops, oh what were their names? Chanel? Dior? Louis Vuitton? Yes, I believe those are the ones.) Maybe it's the city's old world charm that has passerby envision Monet painting water lilies across a blank canvas, or the beautiful midday songs played by Notre Dame's famous bell tower that makes a person realize how truly enchanting le capital is. As l'arc de triumphe stands proudly above le Champ de Elysees, one can't help but be awestruck of the grandeur and prestige Paris offers. A city rich in history, mixed with architecture so incredibly artistic it brings to life the grand events of the generations that came before. I can't imagine what it would be like to stroll past Moulin Rouge, explore Le Musee D'Orsay and Le Louvre, or spend a night in the Ritz hotel. Owen Wilson's character Gil Bender in Midnight in Paris literally loses himself in the city, imagining himself among the lost generation of the literary greats such as Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald (my personal favorite) who embraced Paris for all it was worth in the 1920's. I suppose the primary reason why I loved the film so much was because I could see myself doing the same thing! How wonderful to drink, dance and delight under the city of lights. One day, rest assured, I will travel to Paris and fulfill this longtime dream. One day, I think I might just fall in love avec Paris!

Will You Be My Valentine?

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching (less than a week!) and I find myself slightly consumed by it... (maybe because I happen to be listening to Andrea Bocelli sing Cuando m'enamoro, and how can a girl not feel romantic after that!) I've always loved the holiday for its celebration of love and all things affectionate... and the fact that pink happens to be everywhere doesn't hurt either! It's a day to feel special, decadent and sensual. With all this lust in the air I find myself a bit at odds, seeing that I don't have a Valentine close to me! It's been years since I've had a special someone for February 14th, and while I love receiving cards and sweet treats from the family & grandparents, somehow it's just not the same as a partner in love. I see Valentine's Day as very much a profession of one's most sincere sentiments from the heart, a day to show the world just how much one loves another. It's a day of pride really, a day to announce with the most beloved endearments that one person makes he or she inexplicably happy. I hate when people criticize Valentine's Day gifts and symbols of one's love for one another. A bouquet of roses tells a woman she's remembered and his love for her can only be represented through something as delicate, feminine and strikingly beautiful as a rose.Chocolates, so often scrutinized for their link to the single, lonely person, to me seem quite the opposite, as their sweet, smooth existence brings nothing short of bliss to their recipient. Teddy bears and stuffed animals which seem to be inherently linked to "tacky" are just simple reminders that someone is thinking about one in an innocent, caring way. To have something soft to squeeze at night, especially for couples separated by distance, gives a sense of comfort and fills the emptiness left from the miles in between them. Valentine's Day will always be important to me, whether I'm single or married, young or old, rich or poor, because, simply put, there is no stronger emotion in this world than love for another.

The First of 2012

Whew! What a month it's been. As February approaches this week, it's suddenly starting to set in that these last few months will end the lifestyle/occupation called college. I've been enjoying classes far more than any other semester and appears to be making a world of difference when it comes to a little thing known as time. January used to drag on and on, but this month has felt like a whirlwind, and I must admit, I'm rather pleased by it. While it's been stressful finalizing graduation requirements, balancing work and attempting to figure out what the next chapter of "ma vie" (en rose of course) entails, I've found time to appreciate friends, and the fun places around me. Speaking of fun places...
This weekend I'm going to visit my sister Shannon in North Carolina. We're planning on going to Asheville and touring the Biltmore Estate, which happens to be the largest "home" in America. I see the estate on more of a chateau level, personally. I'm very excited to see the grounds, particularly this time of year because of the orchid room that will be in full bloom! Orchids are one of my absolute favorite flowers with their exotic blooms of vivid color and longevity. In addition to this lovely orchid bonus, an audio tour is included as well as free wine tastings at the vineyard on the grounds. I can already see myself twirling the wine around in my glass and sipping on a taste of heaven! (Let's hope, anyway.)