So much has happened since we last spoke! Obama is in, Yves Saint Laurent is gone, there was an earthquake in Sichuan, this Sex and the City thing came out, you may have heard…. oh, and I am back in Paris! I’ve been back since Sunday.
But what I came here to tell you is that with all the stuff going on, I did not even get to link to the May newsletter I wrote for Département Féminin. And so I didn’t get to show you this picture of Monica Vitti, like I’d been planning. And to tell you that of all my summer clothes, I am most excited about my new Gap shirtdress. If you’re in the market for a shirtdress, I’ll warn you it is short, but it is also oh, so Vitti (unbelted, with the collar up).
So much stuff! I have not even told you the biggest thing of all, so much bigger than Obama, YSL, Vitti’s sexy dress and the rest: My sister Aimee got engaged last week! While staying at my place in Paris with her boyfriend/fiance Jordan. I was still in Chicago, so it worked out perfectly. But I love the fact that they were staying at my place, and I can’t help boasting about it. As if my empty apartment had something to do with it.
And the last thing I want to say is that I hosted book club last night. (We discussed The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I made quiche. Good times.) And now we are trying to decide what our next book will be. It has to be in French this time. I’m taking suggestions.
I'm a sucker for a good autobiography. My top 2 picks: "Le Scaphadre et le papillon" by Bauby and the lesser known "Une soupe aux herbes sauvages" by Emilie Carles.
Posted by: NJSue | 06 June 2008 at 01:22 AM
Highly recommend "Kamouraska" by Anne Hébert. It's fantastic!
Posted by: Emily | 06 June 2008 at 01:27 AM
The Gap shirtdress was très cute. I bought one last season that is striped with ruffules. Love it.
Good idea E to get the blogworld to help us find a new book. Une soupe aux herbes sauvages is a great...but I've already read it.
Posted by: Stefanie | 06 June 2008 at 09:01 AM
OOh I have also a new shirtdress (Zara) but it has sort of a subtle tuxedo front pleaty thing. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - I know I've read it, can't remember a thing about it. And of course your flat had something to do with it - I mean, come on! They'll be able to say, "we got engaged in Belleville"...
Posted by: Claire | 06 June 2008 at 11:21 AM
Hey Elisabeth! I know you've been as busy as ever, but it's always nice to pop in and see an update on your end. That is a great shirtdress! Shame that this season I won't be checking out all the new stuff, simply because I'm pregnant... But believe it or not, I managed to find an adorable shirtdress of my own in a maternity shop, and it's one of my favorite things right now.
BTW, in my humble opinion, you can't beat Nancy Huston for an excellent read in French -- and I have Lauren to thank for that discovery! L'Empreinte de l'ange is magnificent, and I'm now working on Lignes de faille... Wonderful!
Posted by: Alice | 06 June 2008 at 11:35 AM
Thank you for these suggestions everyone!!
Claire, He actually proposed while they were walking on the Seine, just when the Tour Eiffel began to sparkle (aww). So the connection is even further, but I still feel I somehow contributed. :)
Posted by: Coquette | 06 June 2008 at 12:45 PM
ohhhhh quiche!! love it. I hope you find a book you love. :)
Posted by: La Petite Belle | 06 June 2008 at 01:43 PM
If you're up for some African Lit, then L'aventure ambiguë by Cheikh Hamidou Kane is one of my all-time favorites. It is beautifully written.
Posted by: Fuji Mama | 06 June 2008 at 02:06 PM
Three words -- Jean de Florette.
Posted by: Stu "El Inglés" Harris | 06 June 2008 at 03:49 PM
Roubaud! La forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas, que le coeur des humaines. It's not just because I just wrote about it for my mémoire, but because it's beautiful and it makes you think about Paris in such a different way. Also, it's a book of poems so you can go bit by bit. Every time I read one of Roubaud's books I want to take the train up to Paris, find him, and give him a hug. Sigh
Posted by: GIna | 08 June 2008 at 08:49 AM
congrats to your sister :)
Posted by: eurobrat | 10 June 2008 at 04:42 AM
How about "Stupeur et Tremblements" by Amelie Nothomb?
http://www.amazon.com/Stupeur-Tremblements-Amelie-Nothomb/dp/2253150711
Posted by: Kagoo | 10 June 2008 at 04:04 PM
Hmm.Thanks you for news and site.Very good.
Posted by: Online casinos | 23 July 2008 at 12:37 PM
Hi to Elizabeth and all on the board! It's been a while.
(not online a whole lot lately...)
I found a book at the library and thought about you in Paris.
Have you read:
"Time Was Soft There,"
by Jeremy Mercer?
It is an interesting read on his
adventures/misadventures in Paris.
Posted by: JoA | 01 November 2008 at 04:16 AM
I've heard of it, but haven't read it. Thanks for that!
Posted by: Coquette | 02 November 2008 at 12:43 PM
Hi, do you still take part in the bookclub? If so, where do I sign up?!
Pour info, my favourite French novel is La Nuit des Temps, Barjavel.
Posted by: Res | 30 November 2009 at 11:22 PM