Goddess of.. Berlin, Marseille, Milan!

Three months in to the big move to Paris and life is good!

I've been working from home for the same company I was working for before, except that I'm now a freelancer (social media & web marketing consultant). It's been great and has allowed me the flexibility to work from anywhere.

Lolita came to visit, about 2 weeks after I moved, in early September. We went to Berlin together for 4 days and it was SO fun. We hadn't travelled together for a while, so it was really nice to do so.. especially to a city neither of us had visited before. I loved Berlin, the food, the sights and all the freedom (i.e. drinking in the streets ;) was fun).

About a month after we moved, Nick was assigned his first project and it was going to be out of town. In Marseille (south of France) to be exact. I was a little bummed at first, not for him obviously this is great.. but selfishly, I didn't know anybody in Paris yet and he'd be gone Monday-Thursday (or Friday) for the following 9 weeks.

Fast-forward to the end of November, and this week is his last week in Marseille. In retrospect, it was alright! I was mostly bummed in October but I did visit him twice.. once for a week in early October and then, for 2 weeks around his birthday in November. Compared to all the time we spent apart last year, this really wasn't bad.

Plus, the time I spent in Marseille was pretty fun. It was much warmer there and we were staying in a really nice hotel right by the beach. We haven't had a real routine of "life at home" but that'll come soon enough. Until then, we enjoyed the warm days & the sun!

Nick had his first long weekend off in November, and we jumped at the chance to travel a little bit. We set our heart on Milan (with a daytrip to nearby Bergamo), Italy. It really didn't disappoint. We're both food & wine lovers so Italy really feels like home. Plus, the whole "aperitivo" thing in Milan is genius.. it's happy hour but with a large buffet of italian appetizers. It was really fun to see how competitive the bars get about who has the best buffet... we tried several -- All yummy!

We took a tour around Milan one morning before I had to work, to see all the main sights and get the lay of the land. It was incredible, we visited the Scala Opera house, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the incredible Duomo (Cathedral), the Castello Sforzesco (Medival castle), & the painting of The Last Supper by Da Vinci. We also went back to the Duomo another day to climb up to the roof, what an amazing experience!

Our daytrip to Bergamo was equally amazing (except for le rain). We took a 45-minute train ride that brought us to the center of the Citta Bassa (Lower town) of Bergamo. It was easy enough from there to walk to the Funicolare that took us to the Citta Alta (Upper town). It's a really charming, lovely town.. with lots of bakeries, places to eat and beautiful duomos (churches). We also decided to hike it up (ALL the way up) to the San Vigilio castle. The castle itself wasn't the most impressive thing, but the view from the highest point in the city was worth the painful hike in the rain without an umbrella. My bad :/ I forgot the umbrella at the hotel that morning. Don't worry.. I paid for my sins with a nice cough & cold the following week.

And now we're back in beautiful Paris for the last few weeks before heading home for the Holidays. To be honest, I'm also looking forward to being with my mom & friends for almost a month. It'll be nice to catch up on all the things I've missed!

Take care bloggaroos, I'll update you soon!

XOXO,

Goddess of.. In the City of Lights!

Wow. Here we are.

Over a month has gone by since my last post.. and so much has happened since.

We moved out of our (my) apartment in MyCity and moved in with my mom. We lived out of our suitcases for the better part of 3 weeks. We went to dinner/drinks/parties with friends & family, and tried to make the best of what little time we had left. I worked full-time until the day before our departure.

Then, we packed it all up for good. I had a carry-on and a suitcase. My life fit in 30kg's worth of luggage. Scary thought for a materialist such as myself. Although by achieving that (selling all my furniture, giving away most of my clothes & packing what little was left into 30kg), I can hardly consider myself a materialist anymore.

Saturday night, 7:35pm was our scheduled flight time. Obviously, the plane was late. We ended up leaving at 11:50pm. The wait at the airport was kinda unbearable. I was glad to get an extra few hours with my mom and bestfriend who came to the airport... but the goodbyes were prolonged and it was harder that way I guess.

In any case, we managed to board the plane without too much crying on my part. We had horribly tight seats and an overall very uncomfortable flight... but we made it to the City of Lights!

We took a cab and got to our apartment, where our new landlord showed us the ways of the place. We got settled in and unpacked everything in the first few hours. Then, we took a walk around the neighborhood and to Place de la Concorde, where we admired the sunset over the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

It was glamourous and more! This place is so fabulous and I feel so blessed to be an "insider" now. Well, maybe not quite yet but I can't wait to know this city well.

Goddess of.. Moving On Out!

Life is passing me by these days. I'm moving out of my apartment, and moving to Paris. It's official now, well, it shall be truly official when I get my visa in a couple of weeks.

Since I came back from vacation, I had a million things to do for my visa. I sent in my application last Wednesday.. and then, I needed to start packing.

I'm moving out this Sunday, as I'll be working during the week (official move-out date is July 31st). Thankfully, I've managed to sell most of my big pieces of furniture (bed, sofa-bed, dining set) but we'll be moving the rest (bookcases, nightstands, leather chair & ottoman) along with lots of boxes this weekend. I guess it's really the ideal scenario, but my mom is seriously stressing me out. "Yes, I know I'm last-minute. No, I cannot turn back time. Yes, I will be done on time."

The good news is: Nick is here. He's helpful and loving.. that's everything I need. Don't get me wrong, my mom is loving too, but just a little stressful right now.

We're dropping items at 3 spots (my mom's, Nick's mom's and Nick's dad's place) and I feel bad about invading everyone with my boxes.. but really, I don't have a choice. Paying for storage would come up to about $1,000+ for a year. I just hope I can minimize the number of boxes.. it's hard to purge when you moved just a year ago and purged back then too.

I'm starting to hate "stuff". I'm really glad I made a serious effort not to buy too much of it in the past year.

We'll be spending the next few weeks at my mom's and at Nick's mom's place.. until the BIG move.

Blog you later,

Goddess of.. Jetting Off to France!

The day has arrived, I'm leaving tonight on a jet plane! *Cue nervous laughter*

First time flying by myself and I'm going across the pond.. which has left me feeling nervous. Not so much for the flight but for all the possible "unforseens" that go along with travelling to a place you don't really know yet.

I wish my momma was coming with me, she always knows what to do in any given situation. She's my security blanket, you know?

To me, this feels like another step towards become a woman. The kind of woman my mother is.

Free, independent, self-sufficient, well-rounded woman.


It's exciting, it's terrifying and it'll change me -- which is exactly why I'm doing this.

Countdown: Leaving today!

Goddess of.. Where did November go?

Seriously, where did the past month go?

I wake up suddenly, one crisp-cold morning and, it's December 1st, a Wednesday with yet another newsletter to send out. I read on Facebook about my friends who've just shaved off their Movember mustaches.. and those who've completed NaNoWriMo. The latter being the #1 reason why I didn't blog this past month, I must confess: I failed epically at NaNoWriMo.

I was so determined, but it just did not happen. Projects piled on at work, and that meant extra money.. so I wasn't totally willing to give that up (or the 5 hours of sleep a night, that kept me barely functionning). Also, I didn't have an outline and did not think my "rough idea" of the story I wanted to write would suffice to create a full-on 50,000 word novel. However, I did manage to write well over 36,000 words for my extra projects (SEO optimization texts, for those of you who speak nerd) at work. That's gotta count for something, right? I also managed to hand-in my freelance work on time, every week, despite the extra projects. Go, me!

Now, we're here, on the 4th of December.. the eve of my third bellydance show. I am finishing the freelance work I planned on getting done last night but finally had to postpone due to the arrival of some family friends' first grandson last night: Welcome to the world, baby M!

Did I ever mention that I don't really like newborns? All tiny, fresh-out-of-the-womb, fragile newborns.. don't make me go Awww or Ouhhh.. and I don't think they're cute. Give me a chubby/chunky 2 year old and I'll go nuts.. but those still covered in goo, not so much. Anywowzer, I digress.

My first show, Dec. 2009

Bellydance tomorrow should be fun, got friends coming: Violet, Lolita and Frantz will all be there, along with Mom. 

It's a bit of a big deal for me to invite more than 1 friend.. as Violet and Frantz have never seen me dance in person. But they are both great friends so I don't feel too shy to dance in front of them (and 200-300 strangers). Plus, this semester, I am performing with the most advanced bellydancer group at my dance studio so I nervous, but somewhat proud :)

Talk to you soon, 

Love XOXO

Goddess of.. Haute Couture!

Sunday was the best day of my weekend! Mom and I drove out of town to go see the museum exhibit on The Golden Age of Couture : Paris & London - 1947 to 1957.

The museum had over 215 pieces (most if not all came where shipped in from the Victoria & Albert museum in London) of "Haute Couture" fashion from the late '40s & '50s and they did not disappoint. It's no secret that I have a very profound interest in fashion so this exhibit was really wonderful for me.

The expression "golden age of couture" was coined by Dior and mainly refers to the post-WW2 period when the "new look" was created in reaction to the deprivation & sacrifices brought on by World War 2. The "new look" term came from Carmel Snow, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, to describe this figure marked by a very thin waist & round and fleshy shoulders. In other words, the "new look" got rid of clothes that hid the female form.

Allow me to share some of the couture beauties that were on display.

Christian Dior

"Zémire" evening ensemble

fall / winter collection

1954-1955

Christian Dior

"Bar" suit and hat

About 1955

Christian Dior

"Cygne Noir" (Black swan) evening dress

1949

Cristóbal Balenciaga

"Barrel" suit

1951

Cristóbal Balenciaga

Evening dress (The bow is Dior inspired)

About 1955

Balmain

Dress and petticoat

About 1950

Balmain

Evening dress

About 1950

Jean Dessès
Evening dress
About 1953

Jean Dessès
Evening dress
1948

Jean Dessès
Evening dress
1951
 
There were many more but this is just a looksie for you, bloggies.

Happy thirst-day, bloggies !

** Don't forget to enter the NuvoNova jewelry Giveaway by CLICKING HERE **

Goddess of .. Roses, Bows and Endless Ruffles !

With Easter right around the corner, I felt compelled to put together some of what I consider the perfect outfit choices for Easter brunch, spring 2010 edition.

The pop of color : Peach, light pink, beige.

The neutral : All shades of grey and silver.

The fun stuff : Bows, ruffles and flower accents.

The accessories : Rose rings, necklaces and crystal earrings.

{Click to enlarge}

Easter Brunch - Spring 2010 by AritzaGoddess including Valentino dresses

As a kid, my Mom would always buy me a new dress in the spring (usually around Easter or my birthday) to kick off the new season. I guess that's where I got my love of fresh new spring outfits. Also, I love dressing a little fancier than usual for Easter. Often times, around my neck of the woods, Easter Sunday is the first warm day of spring when I can actually wear open-toe / peep toe shoes, after months of wearing boots. It is so refreshing and makes me feel alive again !

Last Easter, I was in Philadelphia  with my Mom and we had a really wonderful time. Although I won't be traveling this year, I'm really looking forward to Easter weekend, they're announcing some pretty warm weather around here! Yay, rejoice! I'm gonna have the traditional Easter Sunday family brunch with my Mom & my grandma, and I'm sure it'll be fun to go out with them.

Oh, and I went to Forever 21 today.. they have lots of pieces that fit in with my Easter brunch theme. The light pink in their "Spring Pastels" collection is the perfect pop of color for this spring. Here's some of the things I saw :

Every Pleats Knit Dress

$22.80 @ Forever 21

Chiffon Layered Petals Top                                Chiffon Layered Front Top

$15.80 @ Forever 21                                             $17.80 @ Forever 21

Chiffon Rose Trim Top                                      Asymmetrical Rosette Tank

$17.80 @ Forever 21                                         $22.00 @ Forever 21

Of course, the idea is not to pair a rosette top with a rosette skirt, that would just be too much. But roses, bows and ruffles are fun to incorporate in a feminine spring outfit. I would suggest pairing a light pink / taupe top (or bottom) with a grey or black bottom (or top). You don't want to go all pink / taupe.. spice it up, it's not a uniform. Plus, if you were to wear all beige would probably drain you out and make you look dead-ish .. unless your skin is really dark.

Rosette Knit Skirt                                                   Bow Front Skirt

$22.80 @ Forever 21                                           $28.00 @ Forever 21

Heeled Ankle Bootie                                         Susie Rose Earring Set
$27.80 @ Forever 21                                         $4.80 @ Forever 21

What are your Easter plans, bloggies ?

Any Sunday brunch traditions ?

Mostly importantly, what will you be wearing ?

Goddess of .. If You Could Be Anything

I woke up in a really good mood today. I was having a silly dream and Mr. Unreliable was in it. He's kinda short and a little fat .. and he was running to catch up to someone .. and he looked silly. I was laughing at him (I'm a meanie, I know) and I was laughing so hard .. that I woke up. So, that put me in a good mood, lol !

Anywowzer, I've been busy at home. Until yesterday, I was elbow-deep in papers and stupid little nic nacs as I tried to get some order in my "office" and bedroom. My parents split up last year and now they are getting around to dividing their assets, mainly, the houses. Soooo, to make a really long story short, my mom hired an evaluator to establish the value of our home.. and he came yesterday morning. Obviously, we had to do a major clean up and put everything in order. So that's that.. we're just getting out of that. It looks amazing now though, so I'm really happy !

Other than that, I still haven't received a call for an interview. I have applied to a bunch of places that are interesting (in commercial or labour/employment law) but no news.. I've been unemployed for 3 weeks now. Wow, time flies.

Also, I have been questionning myself (for years) about what I really wanna do. Most people know right away, riiiight ??

- I like cooking and baking, I think I could like being a pastry chef.

- I like food and being judgemental, I think I could be a food critic.
But really, the odds of that happening are quite slim.

- I like travelling and sleeping in hotel beds, I think I could be a hotel critic.
Haha, again, odds are slim.

- I like fashion and design, I think I could be an interior designer.

- I like art and museums, I think I could work in a gallery or be a curator in a museum.

- I like volunteering and helping people, I think I could be a volunteer.
But that doesn't really pay the bills now, does it ?

- I like making money and having good social standing, I think I could put up with being a lawyer for 10 years and then, do whatever it is that I really wanna do. That was the original plan.

Gahhhh, this can drive me crazy. The possibilities just keep spinning in my head. None of them seems like the perfect and obvious choice. I think there must be a career I haven't heard of yet that fits my personality perfectly, right ?? Any ideas ?

If I could be anything in the whole wide world, I would be : HAPPY !

Yeah, that's all I got for now.

If you could be anything, what would YOU be ?

Goddess of .. Where In The World Wednesday - Volume 4 !

Public Service Announcement : I want to welcome all new bloggies, there's quite a few newbies around here (now 46 followers, yay!). Make yourselves at home :o), comment whenever possible (wink, wink) and enjoy the ride !

So, without further ado, it's that time again bloggies !

The 4th edition of Where In The World wednesdays !

(Jessica @ Classy in Philadelphia started this feature)

"Basically, each week I will post a new picture of me in some place I've traveled to (or if not me, a photo I took at a place I traveled to).

If a lot of people participate, it will be a fun way to see where some of our favorite bloggers have traveled! It doesn't have to be recent, it doesn't have to be somewhere foreign or tropical. Just anywhere you consider traveling!"

Today's feature : As you may know, if you've been reading for a while, I took my mom on a trip to Philadelphia in April 2009. We were celebrating her 60th birthday ! The picture on the left was taken next to the Reading Market Terminal, our first stop in the city.. where we enjoyed some delicious cheesesteak sandwiches .. I'll be baaaaaack ! The second picture was taken in front of the gorgeous Swann Memorial Fountain, in Logan Circle.. right next to the Philly Free Library. I was so exhausted that day, it was Easter day .. we had breakfast at Sabrina's Café & Spencer's too.. later we visited the Rodin Museum and in the afternoon, Eastern State Penitentiary .. ohh and we stopped for a snack.. cinnamo-sugared donuts & locally-brewed chocolate beer at The Belgian Café. It was a loooong day, but totally amazing !

Flowers blossoming near Reading Terminal Market

&

Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan circle

My delicious cheesesteak sandwich @ Spataro's Cheesesteaks

 in Reading Terminal Market

&

Cinnamon-sugared donuts and locally-brewed chocolate beer @ The Belgian Café

located on the corner of 21st street & Green street

Excuse the late post but fotoflexer did NOT cooperate with me today.. Actually, I even tried preparing the photos yesterday .. and even then, fotoflex was being a little witch. Urgh.

Kisses & much love,

Goddess of .. A fresh start for 2010 !

It's 6:17am.

I pulled an all-nighter but I did it, hehe.

I hope you like the new template for the blog. I originally wanted to make it all pretty by January 1st but the custom header image thingy was difficult a bitch to make (it took me days).. because I am not at all Photoshop-friendly (or Photoshop is not at all Aritza-friendly .. if you will). Anywowzer, I was determined to incorporate that specific image because it. rocks. my. socks. OFF.

...

Here's how the Holidays went down for me

December 23rd : Housewarming party at Lolita's - Major Success, about 15-20 people were there and it was fun. The food that Lolita and I cooked was really good, I was kind of impressed we pulled it off.

{Only halfway done with the clean-up at that point ..}

December 24th : Christmas Eve celebration with Mom and her bestfriend. We had a five-course dinner at a very fancy hotel restaurant .. it was simply delicious. And then, as a gift to all of us, I rented a room in that hotel, where we exchanged gifts and drank some bubbly !

{3 people, 50 presents, sounds about right}

{Make-up station for the Belle of the Bal}

{Have I ever mentionned how much I lurve hotel beds ?}

December 25th : Christmas Night dinner at Lolita's dad's place. It's always a good time when we go there .. espescially because her dad is a wine specialist / expert (the man does that for a living, my hero). So uhmmm, amazing food, amazing wines and a jacuzzi, enough said. I died and went to heaven.

 

{Lolita and her cousin giving me the Bunny Ears}

{One third (!) of Lolita's Dad's wine cellar.. I'll be baaack}

{Fettucini, Linguini, Martini, Bikini}

December 26th : Boxing Day - Shopping bonanza. I bought plenty of work clothes because it was necessary and some pretty pretty boots because I'm worth it, hehe.

{Mama bought some hawt boots}

How 'bout you ? How were your holidays, bloggies ?

 

P.S. It's now 7:53am .. ouch .. no beauty sleep for me. We hip hop and we don't stop.