A Commercial Secret

Did you know that Coke really created the modern image of Santa Claus?

Vintage 60's ad from paul.malon.

A weird fact I picked up and I shall not go into the "corporate commercialism" aspect - it's Christmas for goodness sake!

Well Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noël, I hope you've had a cracker of a day!

Now "...have a coke and a smile and shut the f*ck up".

(Okay, I promise I'm not cursing you on Christmas, I'm actually trying to make you laugh - click on the link for an hilarious extract from Eddie Murphy "Raw").

Countdown Continued...

#4 on list of "Things I love about Christmas"

Euro Disney covered in snow, and of course the rides - esp the view of the park from the Dumbo ride!

#3 on list of "Things I love about Christmas"

French tradition of bûche de Noël (yule logs) delicious!


#2 on list of "Things I love about Christmas"

The sights of Paris in Winter... crisp, clear and beautiful.

#1 on list of "Things I love about Christmas"

The excuse to spend time with Mr., enjoying a delicious meal, some french champagne and the snow *fingers crossed*!

Joyeux Noël!

Favourite Things About Christmas #5: Lunch

Number five on my favourite things about Chrismas is; Christmas Lunch. I love sharing laughs and a love-filled meal with family and friends on Christmas day.

As I've said, my Christmas this year is with P. in Paris - a dream. Our apartment here doesn't have an oven, and as we're here for Christmas day - P. and I were stuck as to what we'd be making for our Christmas lunch. But it came to me - a lamb tagine slow cooked on the stove.

Images from Greg Robbins on Flickr.

So we're going to do a Moroccan-themed Christmas! We've convinced ourselves it's closer to the "real" roots of Christmas, Jesus of course was from hot, middle-eastern Nazareth in Jerusalem, right!?

We'll put couscous on the side, chickpeas, raisins and wash it down with some mint tea...

More importanly what's a middle-eastern dessert I could make?

What are your Christmas/Holiday plans? Where will you be/who with? And eating what?

Countdown: Five Days 'Till Christmas

The view from our apartment balcony.

Two days ago we arrived at our tres Parisienne apartment in St-Germain, Paris - and we feel so frenchy-legit!

The snow is beginning to fall, we walk down beautifully lit streets at night and today it hit me: there are only FIVE days until Christmas!

So for the next few days I'm going to be doing a countdown of my five favourite things about Christmas, like Oprah's list ... don't expect a car though.

Patty Hewes, I See You

Okay, I haven't been seen for about a fortnight now - wrapping up so many things here in Lille. Finishing my assignments, orals and exams at university in France.

But I have one thing on my Christmas list: Patty Hewes sunglasses (as seen above). Glenn Close's cut -throat character in Damages gets around in an individual corporate style, what do you think?

Anyway I'm a bit everywhere at the moment, sad to be leaving Lille, but excited to start our big trip to NYC, Washington, San Fran and Hawaii!

I must go and pay my rent, but this is a quick post to send you all bisous (kisses) and tell you that I'm back - exams are almost over and I'm ready to chat!

What have you been up to?

C à Qui? Latest cast-crush.

Over the past few months while living here in France, I've begun to sink deeper and deeper into French culture.

Of an evening I love to watch this émission (programme) called, C à Vous. There are about six or seven regular hosts who sit around a dinner table, while a chef cooks in the background and each night they have a new guest (actor, singer, writer, politician etc...)

I love the fact that the food plays such a central part in this relaxed approach to news/current affairs.

I also am so intrigued by one of the chefs - Julie Andrieu. I think she possesses all of that french Je ne sais quoi. She has a great figure: How the? What the? She's always cooking and eating! Hello French paradox.

Actually I'm intrigued by all of them; they're my first "cast-crush".

Anyway, I'm definitely adding Andrieu to the perennial list of "Guests to Invite to Dinner", maybe she could cook.

Who are you intrigued by of late? What's your favourite T.V. show at the moment as well?

P.S. When P. and I were in a restaurant in Paris two weekends ago, one of the men who is a regular on this show was sharing the same long table as us - I was beside myself!

To Wordpress or Not to Wordpress?

Well, I've been quite busy of late. Studying for exams, running off to London on the weekends and proceeding to eat my way around the town with P. , updating our food blog and hauling it over to wordpress...

I'd been toying with the idea of trying out Wordpress purely because I liked it's simple aesthetic; and whilst the new settings etc are proving tricky to get used to, I think it's the perfect breeding ground for our food-blog.

Go and check it out, I'd love to hear what you think...

What have you all been up to? I know many of you must be still full from Thanksgiving!?