I went out to buy a bit of bubbly for New Years Eve.
Label Information is important so here is a quick brief:
Sweetness: Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec or Semi Sec
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier,
Vintage or Non Vintage Bottle. Vintage Bottles are more expensive and usually are one grape.
Temperature should be 38 to 48 degrees chilled
2016 is coming. What do you drink? Champagne of course! The drink of Celebration.
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” Mark Twain
Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.
Dorothy Parker
In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it.
Napoleon
“So we livin’ life like a video / Where the sun is always out and you never get old / And the champagne’s always cold, and the music’s always good / And the pretty girls just happen to stop by in the hood. Jay Z
“My only regret is that I have not drunk more champagne in my life. Keynes
For more on Champagne go to our Google+ Champagne Section.
Sin Dee, a transgender prostitute, was released from a short stay in prison. Learning her Boyfriend/Pimp was not faithful during her incarceration, Sinn Dee (Kitana Rodriguez) embarks on a Christmas Eve journey through the sub-cultures of Los Angeles with her best friend Alexandre (Mia Taylor). Director-Writer Sean Baker’s Tangerine shows the underbelly of the city focusing on eccentric characters seldom seen in cinema.
Director of Photography Radium Chung shot the film using iPhones 5S equipped with an anamorphic lens giving Tangerine a strong grainy look with an added edgy feel.
Tangerine has been nominated for Best Picture by the Independent Spirit Award.
Parisian Department Store Printemps celebrates its 150th anniversary. I had a tour of the beauty section and the main building for the Christmas Decorations.
Labyrinth of Lies is the story of bringing light to a dark history. The economic miracle of German is in full swing in 1958 Germany. Johann Radmann is the new Public Prosecutor. Journalists Thomas Gnieka causes a scene in the court spurring Radmann to investigate a former Auschwitz Guard. Lacking support from his superiors, Johann continues to examine the case leading to a labyrinth of denials on all levels in a society that would rather forget.
Directed by Guilio Ricciarelli , starring Alexander Fehling, Labyrinth of Lies is Germany’s Best Foreign Film for the 88th Academy Awards.
If you need to be in the know while visiting Paris there is no better person to ask than Johanna from the W Hotel. After hours shopping, dinner on a roof top with a view of the city, or a private garden tour, she will make it happen.
What makes Paris a special city?
Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. Everybody wants to come to Paris to discover its special atmosphere. There is always something to do, to see, to discover, it does not matter the season. I love all the cliché things that make Paris on the most visited cities in the world. The old bistros, the small cobbled streets making you feel like you are in a village, the fresh markets, and the different architectural styles. And of course Paris is the fashion capital. The way people dress. A person can never get enough of this city.
Can you name your favorite eating spot?
I am wine lover, so Les Climats. It is a French restaurant established in an old house built by a woman who worked in a post office in Paris. I love the décor, the service and food. They only have wine from Burgundy. Les Climats just got a Michelin Star but it is still affordable.
The W Hotel has Coquette, a good place to have lunch or dinner in a friendly way. The whole menu is made in a health way. I really love the veggie burger with its pumpkin seeds bun and its mushroom steak. All the desserts are wonderful too!
Why do guests like the W hotel in Paris?
Guests come here because they like the design and atmosphere. We are in a historical building so we mixed the modern with the classic. As well, we are in central Paris, next to the famous department stores and across from the Opera House. The views from the rooms are great!
The hotel makes every guest feel like they are home. We have a Whenever/Where ever team. It means you ask for whatever you want, whenever you want and we will do our best to get it or arrange it.
Describe the shopping experience?
It depends on what the guest is looking for it. If we have a client who is an absolute fan of shoes I can provide exclusive access to the Louboutin store. The guest will have VIP access, a private room, a stylist to help with all they want.
What would you do if you were a tourist in Paris?
I would visit the Opera Garnier, a great monument. I would explore. There are many hidden gardens, roof tops, passages, and ornate door entrances.
The W Hotel is located in the center of Paris across from the Opera.
For images of the W Hotel and our video interview with Johanna go to our Google+ and Pinterest Sites.
For more information on W Hotel Opera Paris go to: www.wparisopera.com
Paulus Bolten, a bespoke shoe maker in the Concorde District of Paris, produces classical men’s shoes and sneakers with distinctive styling and details. The appeal of the Bolten shoes is the array atypical colors designed for the man craving individuality.
The Paulus Bolten Store is located at 28 Rue le Sueur, 75116 Paris
Le Chocolat from Alain Ducasse in Galeries Lafayette
Ducasse’s Chocolates are available in three families: praline, truffles, and ganaches. Each has their own texture and taste.
We sampled the different chocolates while learning the narrative of how chocolate is made including the six step from bean selection to molding. Beans from a particular location or certain climatic conditions have different flavors. Chocolate bean origins and their taste aromas:
Brazil A noted woody flavor, slightly bitter
Cameroon A tarty flavor
Colombia Floral taste, dried fruits and caramel
Cuba Dried fruit
Grenada Fruity and woody
Java Smoky
Madagascar fruity red acidic
Peru Floral Cherry
Trinidad Notes of Vanilla
Vietnam spicy notes with anise
For more information go to: www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com
Colette is a boutique in the heart of Paris with an electric mix of brands. located in the center of Parisone of the most influential stores in the fashion world with a loyal clientele shopping for the latest items from limited edition style looks to books or just a place to have a leisure cafe. But do not mistake it as a place for only “fashionistas”, Colette welcomes everyone.
An interview with Media Head Guillaume Salmon, Public Relations Director of Colette, Guillaume has worked for the store since 1999.
Why is Colette a special boutique?
There is a magical feeling here. It is a family store. Mademoiselle Collette and Sara, Creative Director and Buyer have their own feeling of style and fashion, it is from the heart no the bottom line. We never talk about targets. This is an independent store. So there is no pressure. Sara selects what she wants from collections. She can decide on selling one piece or more.
Another big part of the success is the human environment for human soul of Colette. This is not a store for only jet setters but for everyone. We are not snobbish but have an open door. All buyers can find something they can afford for either 1 euro or for thousands of euros from art to coffee.
The store likes to introduce special editions along with a good mix of exclusive releases. There are the famous brands with the young designers side by side.
How does the store stay on top of trends?
First, we are always curious. Sara is always working, looking. Designers contact us concerning collaborations.
Why do fashion designers and brands want to be here?
They like the way we work. For Paris it is important for them to be here. We had the Apple Watch on display before the launch, the first in France.
Describe the store environment
Since 1997, we have had the same location on Rue Saint-Honore. We change the windows and displays every week. We tell stories. It is very important. There are many events and releases in the store. (Side Note: While wondering through the store I asked the staff many questions. They were friendly as well as informative.)
Who are the clients?
Many French of course, but from all over the world. Like I said, we are for everyone. We select and they like, we like.
Street culture lines are big launches. Sometimes people sleep in front of the store. Once when we launched sneakers we had a person sleep in their car for two days. (Side Note: The day of this interview coincided with the first day of sales for the Kayne West collection at the store. There was a long line at the door.)
Where is fashion going at the moment?
Fashion is a huge business. There will always be luxury brands like Dior and Hermes. Those brands are like a dream. The way a person feels while wearing them.
The traditional brands are doing collaborations with chain stores like Uniqlo and H&M. The looks are well designed while affordable.
Many new young designers are building their own brands. People want something different, new, and fresh.
Are there any exciting brands on the scene?
Vetements has a big buzz. The brand bridges streetwear and high fashion well tastefully. People were excited. We bought the second collection.
Do you have a favorite designer?
OAMC for menswear, two guys merged fashion and streetwear using nice material. I liked Adam Kimmel but he stopped designer. Off White from Virgil Obloh is good, streetwear. He worked with Kayne West as a fashion consultant.
I like Buscemi Sneakers.
See our collection of images @ Google+
or @ Pinterest
Colette is located at 213 Rue Saint Honore, Paris.
For more information go to: www.colette.fr