Feb 14th, 2010 by haveninparis
Erica Berman
Text by Tory Hoen
After seven months away, I’m back in Paris for a while and am greedily soaking up every minute of it. After two weeks, I’ve slipped back into many of my happy habits, though I’ve come to realize that settling back into my Parisian life does require a few active adjustments. For instance:
1. Dietary shifts. You’d be surprised how fulfilling a diet composed solely of butter, cheese, Dijon, bread, chocolate and macarons can be. Although I must admit, a steady stream of coffee and wine leave me perpetually dehydrated. Note to self: water is the essence of life, even in Paris.
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2. Embracing linguistic limbo. When I get back to France, I regularly find myself in situations where two, three, or four languages are being spoken simultaneously. While the linguistic mélange is always exciting, I find that my English often starts to slip before my French has time to pick up the slack, and I am therefore left in a strange language-less limbo. Continue Reading »
Tags: baguette, Cafe, chocolate, life in paris, macaron, paris, wine
Posted in Parisian Living | 2 Comments »
Jan 18th, 2010 by haveninparis
vintageinstyle.com; moviemaidens.com
Text: Geneviève Sandifer. Photos: courtesy of Césaire.
One thing that women the world over can agree on is that the search for the perfect partner is fraught with its share of trials and errors. The urge to collect can be too tempting (and enjoyable), since, let’s face it, different occasions beg for appropriate company. Showing up with a flashy, recognizable number at a company benefit will have your professional circle questioning your judgment and taste; but tote along an oversize, understated friend to a glitzy, packed soirée and you’ll feel weighed down all night. I am, of course, talking about purses here.
Continue Reading »
Tags: Karl Lagerfeld, Kenzo Paris, Luxury handbags paris, Luxury purse paris, Luxury shopping Paris, paris, Purse, Sonia Rykiel, Stéphanie Cesaire
Posted in Fashion & Shopping, Parisian Living | 2 Comments »
Dec 16th, 2009 by haveninparis
Slice of Beaufort, much like the lichette sliced by my fromager. Photo courtesy of terre-des-fromages.com.
Text by Sarah Raymond
On my last trip to Paris, I was on a mission to try as many new cheeses as possible. The problem, though, was that I was there alone; and more often than not, I was buying cheeses that I would be finishing myself. So in an effort to minimize the size of my waistline, each time I would purchase a new cheese at the fromagerie I would ask for only a small bit. A few days before leaving, I made a trip to the Pascal Beillevaire shop on the rue des Moines, near our Pilleux studio (where I was staying), to pick up a few new favorites. As I explained that I wanted just “un tout petit peu” (very little bit) of Beaufort, the fromager kindly replied: “Une lichette, alors?”
Une lichette indeed! It was a word I had heard recently for the first time, and was exactly what I wanted. According to my Larousse Poche French dictionary, une lichette is a familiar term for a small quantity of a particular food. Since that trip to the Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire – which, incidentally, has wonderful products and several locations throughout Paris – lichette has become one of my favorite words, and I find it much more fun to use than morceau (morsel), tranche fine (thin slice), or any other term indicating small quantities.
So – next time you want just un tout petit peu of a certain food, give une lichette a try. I promise you will be satisfied!
Written by Sarah Raymond for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Tags: beaufort, cheese, fromage, fromagerie, paris, pascal beillevaire, sarah raymond
Posted in French 'mot' du moment, Parisian Living | No Comments »
Dec 1st, 2009 by haveninparis
Macarons with sprinkles. Photo: Miss Wadever Blog
Text by Tory Hoen
Lazy? Have a sweet tooth? Have we got the job for you! Our friend Rosa Jackson (of Edible Adventures) is working on her second cookbook, Les Meilleurs Desserts des Paresseuses (“Lazy Women’s Best Desserts”). From now until mid-February, Rosa will be testing recipes to include in the book, and she is accepting ideas from lazy people far and wide.
The main idea? “Easy, fast recipes for lazy people who want to impress without breaking a sweat.” Most of the recipes will be variations on traditional French desserts, but Rosa will also include some Italian and Anglo-inspired dishes (and a few organic options for the health-conscious). Continue Reading »
Tags: Cooking, Dessert, edible adventures, Les Meilleurs Desserts des Paresseuses, paris, Rosa Jackson, tory hoen
Posted in HiP Recipes | 2 Comments »
Nov 13th, 2009 by haveninparis
Our friend Zeva Bellel at Paris by Appointment Only has the inside scoop on the upcoming auction of country home furnishings of deceased designer Yves St. Laurent. If you have a chance to attend the auction from November 17-20, you could own a piece of fashion history. If not, you can gawk with us from the sidelines!
Elk antler chandelier. Photo: Christie’s
Text by Zeva Bellel
The dismantling of a collection of objects amassed with care and love over a lifetime can be a rather somber affair. Especially when it belongs to the dearly departed Yves Saint Laurent. Yet after the very serious, very lucrative auction this past February of the masterpieces he and his partner Pierre Bergé collected, the upcoming second YSL sale at Christie’s France has a lighthearted, uplifting air about it. Continue Reading »
Tags: chateau gabriel, christie's, deauville, paris, pierre berge, tory hoen, YSL, YSL Auction, yves st. laurent
Posted in Art, Film, Music, Literature, HiP Happenings & Events | 2 Comments »
Nov 4th, 2009 by haveninparis
Clockwise from the blue cheese: Roquefort; Bouchon de Sancerre; Tome Fermière; Rocamodour
Text by Sarah Raymond
Ever wonder why, when you buy cheese in a proper cheese shop, it comes wrapped in a piece of lined wax paper? Until I lived in France, I always thought that plastic wrap was the way to go. It was only when a kind fromager in Lyon introduced me to this aspect of French life that I learned I had been killing the character of my cheeses with the clear, clingy wrap. This week, Nora Singley, the resident Cheesemonger over at The Kitchn, explains the reason behind the wrapping and why plastic wrap is a no-no – regardless of how stinky the cheese. Continue Reading »
Tags: cheese, cheesemonger, fromage, fromagerie, murray's cheese, paris
Posted in HiP Eats, Parisian Living | No Comments »
Oct 7th, 2009 by haveninparis
Courtesy of Little Brown Pen
Browsing Nichole’s blog Little Brown Pen today I saw she posted this lovely snapshot she took of one of the ubiquitous postcard racks along the Seine. So romantic and appropriate! Thanks Nichole. A bientot – Erica
Tags: little brown pen, nichole robertson, paris, Postcards, Postcards from Paris, Seine River
Posted in Parisian Living | No Comments »
Sep 5th, 2009 by haveninparis
Photo Erica Berman
Text Sarah Raymond
Many people come to Paris craving traditional French cuisine: boeuf bourgignon, croque monsieur, omelettes at lunch… the list goes on. And it’s true that the French create amazing dishes. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to have a bit of variety. This impulse is what led a group of us to La Pizzetta Più Grande for dinner a couple of weeks ago, which in turn inspired me to try their smaller sister restaurant in the 9th arrondissement, La Pizzetta.
As you might suspect from the names, these restaurants do pizza – and do it well. However, their menus go beyond pizzas, boasting creative appetizers, excellent pasta dishes, main courses of meat and fish, and intriguing desserts. I tried La Pizzetta Più Grande first – literally, the bigger Pizzetta. Continue Reading »
Tags: italian restaurants, paris, paris restaurants, Paris Vacation Rentals, pasta, Pizza
Posted in HiP Eats, Parisian Living | 1 Comment »
Aug 4th, 2009 by haveninparis
View from the Ecoles apartment where Pauline stayed – Photo Barbara van Zanten. www.europaphotogenica.com
Text by Sarah Raymond
Pauline Kenny, founder & owner of www.sloweurope.com, can be difficult to track down. After renting a 2 bedroom in the Latin Quarter through Haven in Paris, Pauline and her husband Steve embarked upon an extended trip through Europe, staying in a variety of vacation rentals along the way. You might wonder how they manage the time and resources for such a long stay. Over the years, they have made travel a priority and have created for themselves a more flexible and independent working life in order to do so – in fact, they are often able to take trips such as this once or twice a year.
Pauline Kenny at home in Santa Fe
With such a wealth of knowledge and experience, we thought Pauline would be the perfect person to speak with about the vacation rentals industry. We were able to catch up with her while she and Steve were staying in a chalet apartment in Nendaz, Switzerland. Continue Reading »
Tags: costwolds, holiday rentals, paris, pauline kenny, short term rentals, slow europe, slow movement, slow travel, vacation apartments, Vacation Rentals
Posted in HiP Travel | 2 Comments »
May 15th, 2009 by haveninparis
Erica’s daily discoveries, wanderings and original tips and insights into Paris, France and Italy. The goal: to help you experience a more authentic and individual travel experience. I am pleased to share these findings, and my escapades with you – I hope you will enjoy!
Tags: Erica Berman, France, hip tips, Hip travel, Italy, Off the beaten track, paris
Posted in Erica's Escapades | 2 Comments »