August 31, 2010 by Haven in Paris
In Part 1 of this series, Erica Berman shared her most telling anecdotes about the difference between life in France and life in Italy. While most of us can only envy the lifestyle that makes intimate knowledge of those details a part of daily life, Erica’s insight into the particularities of French and Italian culture helps us live the dream. In part two, she moves beyond general life to get to the juicy stuff : how the natives operate.
Photos Erica Berman – Seafood Pasta in Italy this summer
Differences between the French and the Italians…
- Nothing is a problem for the Italians…everything is a problem for the French. I think there are numerous posts to be written on this thought… a suivre!
- Italians miss pasta and coffee when away from their beloved Italy. The French are hands down pining for bread and cheese when far from home.
Croissants in Paris
- The French do not ask personal questions. Italians ask many. The French find asking questions a sign of indiscretion, and they take the utmost pride in being discreet, sometimes to the point of ridiculous (when applying for a job they may not feel comfortable asking the salary).
- The Italians are curious and their inquiring minds want to know. In elevators in Italy I have had personal conversations on where I’m from and why I’m in Italy with people I have never seen before and will probably never see again. In France a bonsoir or bonjour is possibly all the chatting you will get after years of being neighbors.
- Italians remember you after seeing you once. The French might, of course, remember you, I am convinced they do, but will do their very best to pretend that they have never seen you before (my corner bakery in Montmartre is in the running for longest possible non recognition of a regular customer – almost 18 years. The bread is so amazing and their complete neutrality so fascinating, I keep on going).
Posted in Italy tips & suggestions, Parisian Living, Travel | 35 Comments »
March 25, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text by Je Ne Sais Quoi for Parisien Salon
In Paris, the bitter temperatures are finally subsiding and the sun is trying to shine through the seemingly endless grayness. That means one thing: spring is quickly approaching, and heavy down jackets and wool scarves will be replaced with flirty skirts and blouses. But there’s no need to be in Paris, or any other big city, for that matter, to work Spring 2010 trends into your wardrobe. Here’s what you can expect this season. Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopping | 3 Comments »
March 24, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text by Paris By Appointment Only; Photos by Fabrice Fortin.
Even though they live in the capital of couture, most Parisians can’t sew a stitch. Like most countries, France kicked home economics to the curb decades ago. Since hardly any one knows how to shorten a hem, fix a button, or take in a seam, you can find a retoucheur on practically every Parisian corner. But all that is about to change thanks to Sweat Shop, a new creative collective in the residential 10th whose mission is to teach Parisians how to make and customize their own clothes.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopping, Tours and Classes | No Comments »
March 18, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text by Simone Blaser
Sometimes, the planets align. Sometimes old friends come back to Paris (hi Tory!) and sometimes new friends come back to Paris (hi Sarah!) and sometimes you go to dinner at a restaurant about which you’ve all heard loud and exuberant whispers. It’s never ideal when two people order the same dish – there is so much to try! – but the heart wants what the heart wants (or in this case, the stomach) and so I generally let it slide. But once in a while the planets actually do align and you find yourself at dinner with old friends and new friends and everyone independently decides to order something different and everyone chooses the very dishes you yourself were trying to decide between and you all agree on the wine, too, and then you just know. You just know.
The other night was one of those magic nights. The players: Tory, Sarah, and myself. The setting: le Bistrot Paul Bert, a cozy restaurant tucked in the 11th off a metro stop – Faidherbe-Chaligny – where I somehow never have reason to go.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Food, Restaurant Reviews | 11 Comments »
March 17, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Original text by Lilye. Translated and edited by Geneviève Sandifer. Images courtesy of Madame Figaro.
After taking stock of the latest runway trends, Lilye, personal shopper, blogger and friend of HiP Paris, shares some precious insight on how to navigate a few of this summer’s must-haves. We’re including an excerpt of her post below, but you can check out her entire rundown in French here.
1. A Maritime Hint
The time has come to move away from our favorite sailor shirt, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose the beloved pattern altogether. Dare to wear your stripes with a little subtlety: a ribbon wrapped around your wrist, a turban in your hair, a hint of pattern peeking out of your Antonio Marras ensemble, or even a tastefully decorated purse will do the trick.
Hermes’ latest collection is also making me mad about navy. Don’t dismiss your staple navy blazer! Paired with a simple white t-shirt and a pair of jeans, it’s so very effortlessly chic.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Shopping | 4 Comments »
March 10, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text and photos by: Meg Zimbeck
I panicked, on a recent winter night, when some friends asked me to organize a dinner. Choosing a restaurant is something that I usually enjoy, but the guests for this particular occasion were a couple of chefs. And not just any chefs, but senior chefs working in three-star restaurants.
My anxiety subsided as soon as I remembered Les Papilles. This homey little spot near the Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite among food and wine insiders. I think it’s something to do with the simple and honest cooking, the well-priced wine selection and the likability of owner Bertrand Bluy. Continue Reading »
Posted in Food, Restaurant Reviews | No Comments »
February 17, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Blogger Kari Geltemeyer is currently staying in Haven in Paris’ Livingstone Penthouse, and we were so excited to find that she’s been writing about her experience on her blog Litwit. It’s always so fun to see this city through someone else’s eyes, and first-time visitors like Kari often have a knack for recognizing the obscure details and nuances that are often overlooked by more seasoned Paris dwellers. We’ve selected some excerpts from her blog that highlight her decision to come to Paris and some of the discoveries she’s made here. We’re glad she took the leap!
Text and photos by Kari Geltemeyer
Day 1
When I say it’s a very big deal to come to Paris, I don’t say it because I’m an idiot, I say it because where I come from people stay in their places. And this can’t be understood, perhaps, unless you grew up in exactly the same way, in a town of 8,000 people and a family of seven in the middle of Wisconsin surrounded by dairy farms, where—when I was young, at least—nobody seemed to stray too far. It wasn’t done, it wasn’t much considered, and if it was talked about, it was something impossibly foreign and unbelievably expensive and certainly too far away to actually be real… (To this day my parents’ reaction is “Ack! Paris! Alone??! Aren’t you scared!”) Of course I’m scared! That’s why I’m doing it. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 4 Comments »
January 19, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Just a quick note from HIP to say that contributions of time, material goods and money are still desperately needed in Haiti. Check out these sites for ideas on how to pitch in:
UNICEF -UNICEF’s field staff is working around the clock to help save the tens of thousands of children who have been injured in the quake, separated from their families, and desperately need clean water, food and other help.
PlanUSA – Plan already has 143 staff on the ground in Haiti working to provide immediate relief in the wake of the disaster. This organization has a long-standing presence in the country.
Oxfam America - Oxfam’s 200 staffers stationed in Haiti, including a highly trained emergency response team of 15, are rushing to meet the most urgent needs, such as providing clean water and other public health necessities.
ActionAid - ActionAid has worked in Haiti since 1996; their crisis response efforts focus on providing shelter, clean water and medicine to survivors.
ACCION International – ACCION is working with SOGESOL, its Haitian partner, to provide services and support to its 13,500 microfinance clients in the nation.
You can also check in with Medecins San Frontieres and Action Against Hunger. Even the smallest contribution helps!
Posted in Events | No Comments »
January 8, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Photo: parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com
Text by Simone Blaser
For coffee addicts who think they’ve seen it all—we’ve reached the new frontier. It involves beans that have been “pre-processed” by the Brazilian Jacu bird, and while it doesn’t come cheap, Jacu bird coffee may be very well be worth the 8 Euros/cup you’ll pay for its “clear sharp flavor with a bright acid tang.” As if you needed another reason to visit La Caféotheque, this coffee-scented haven is Paris’ only outpost that deals in Jacu bird coffee (imported from Brazil). Intrigued? Scared? Read on… Continue Reading »
Posted in Food | No Comments »
January 1, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Here’s to an amazing 2010 filled with joie, santé, bonheur and lots of wonderful French food! Thank you for reading HiP Paris. There are some exciting changes coming in 2010 – including a facelift – and loads of original content to come. Stay tuned!
- Erica, Tory, Geneviève and Sarah
Posted in Parisian Living | No Comments »
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