The Power of a (French) Woman

It seems that there are two types of French women: those who groom their hair and those who just let it grow, the latter forming the majority. Of course, there exists the hairy arm-pitted stereotype of a French girl, who despite her waify figure, hazel eyes and seductive lingerie, unfortunately has hair sprouting from beneath her arms, making her instantly unattractive to red blooded men across the Channel. But in France, men don't seem to mind their women highly sexual even if they do have secret hairs in the intimate caverns of their armpits...

Perhaps it is the fact that French women are already so utterly seductive with the way their lips have to move to pronounce and annunciate each musical word of the French language, or the way that they insist on wearing stockings as part of usual underwear protocol? French women ooze sexiness. They eat well, they drink well, they think well. They are petite powerful dominatrices who speak with unquestionable self assurance. Some even have very dark expressive eyebrows that can silence any man with the roar of their silent thunder, whereas others have several pairs of stilettos which have the sole purpose of intimidating men whilst simultaneously turning them into quivering horn dogs.

Like this one:

Even those French ladies with pinched sharp noses, slick pony tails and obnoxious oversized handbags share the same secret with those same French women with fuzzy moustaches and frizzy manes of untameable curls...that unmentioned secret that French women are the ones who really hold the cards. At least, when it comes to hair management, it is the women who make the final decision on what has to go.

Yes, the French woman is a very powerful force to be reckoned with. French men get what they are given, their opinions on armpit hair are not given so much as a nanoseconds' thought. My friend encapsulated it perfectly the other day when I asked her about it, "I shave if I want to shave, if I don't want to, then tough. My decision."

Can you smell the poison with which that sentence was laced? I could! That is the subtle scare factor of French women. You can see it in Sarkozy's eyes when he looks up at Carla Bruni - her smile may be sweet, but like all French women, she knows she has the power.

She's already wearing flat shoes for you Sarkozy - you have no right to ask her to shave!

Despite being a Paris Poodle, I am of course, still undeniably English. And for that I have never allowed myself to see my armpit hairs, as I employ the Daily Shave Prevention Measure. Nonetheless, with my musings on the power that armpit hair has given to French women, I am for the first time tempted to grow wild and free and try to cultivate the advantages of the French Ladies Power Pit...

So here's the question - to shave or not to shave...?

Images from: http://www.eatfrenchbread.com/underarm-hair/
http://galadarling.com/images/08-10/parisian.jpg

Eggstra Special Easter

Painted to perfection!

The Poodle has survived a Paris Pacques! Thank God Cadburys doesnt exist over here- every time it's Easter in England I can't help but eat multiple mini eggs, cream eggs and all sorts of chocolate rabbits until I feel like vomiting. Luckily in Paris, greed and chocolate don't go together - it's a much more classy affair, where chocolate eggs in all their french finery are purchased to be enjoyed visually. The egg is a work of art and you have to admire the chocolate egg for much longer than this Poodle is used to...It's almost used as a dining table center piece, except that my dining table is a coffee table and that due to the ongoing Paris space shortage the egg was promoted to sitting on top of the television.

Nonetheless my magnificent easter egg from Maison Boissier which I was lucky enough to be bought by the Lapin de Pacques - that's Easter Bunny to you and I, was so beautiful that destroying it for chocolately consumption didn't even enter my head for a good couple of hours! Of course temptation took over when my cup of tea needed a sweet companion and by the time I thought to photograph it for my blog, there really wasnt enough left to picture! However, these French chocolate easter bells resound with the echo of my chocolate Boissier egg!

As much as I love to hate eating delicious chocolate Easter eggs for a good 2 or 3 days solid, without them it really wouldn't be Easter and along with many other fabulous things in life (champagne, wine, brie) we also have the French to thank for the delicacy that is the Easter egg- it was their idea orginally to use egg shells as moulds and fill them with chocolate, probably completely unaware of how popular they would become! So today, I would like to say, merci, la France, for another of life's little pleasures! Vive la France!

Images from: http://www.legrandjournal.com/, http://www.mariepanic.com/, http://www.linstantpoursoi.be/

Top 3 Paris novels!

It's time for another top 3 Poodle list and this time, I'm recommending my top 3 Paris books! Whilst on holiday I had plenty of time for that traditional holiday past time - sunbathing and reading! There's nothing that illuminates and animates the city around you more than reading literature which has been set in the very streets that you walk through every day.

I discovered the Paris of the 1870's, the 1920's and the secret Paris stories of today, via the following 3 novels which I lapped up with the enthusiasm that is exclusive to Paris lovers everywhere. So although I may have been in Sri Lanka, I was still there in Paris with Henry James and Hemmingway having a wonderful winey, thinky, writey time through the books I was reading.

I can thoroughly recommend the following 3 novels but do tell me which Paris books get it right for you?

1. Ernest Hemmingway - The Moveable Feast

This short read details Hemmingways life as a young struggling writer in Paris in the 1920's and his days and nights socialising with the literary greats of the last century, Ezra Pound, James Joyce and Wyndham Lewis to name but a few. The wonderful thing about this book is the attention to detail. Writing in his wry, dry and simplistic style, Hemmingway effortlessly transports you into his every day life of the 1920's. I have to visit a fair few bars now where he used to put pen to paper, starting with Cafe des Amateurs.

2. Henry James - The American

I found a battered ancient Penguin copy of this book hidden amongst the Sri Lanka guides at one of the guest houses I was staying in and what a find it was! Henry James' protagonist Christopher Newman is a rich new money-ed American on a tour of Europe, with the side project to find the perfect wife. He comes across an aristocratic widow, Claire de Cintre who he courts and eventually becomes engaged to. I won't ruin the rest of the story for those who want to read it, but let's just say that the Poodle made short work of the 450 pages! It's also really insightful into the Paris of old, the little streets and beautiful facaded apartments with high ceilings, the beautiful Parisian ladies and the lazy days spent looking around the Louvre, doesn't sound all so different from the Paris of today. But that is the beautiful thing about this city, it is utterly timeless and hopelessly romantic!

3. Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog

This award winning best seller is both philosophical and profound yet easy to read. Renee Michel - a 54 year old concierge who is a secret culture whore, and more intelligent than she herself even likes to admit, and Paloma Josse - a 12 year old genius who is plotting arson on her family home and eventual suicide on her 13th birthday, are more similar than they might have thought. Living in the same building, each with their own personal projects to enrich their cultural landscape and find meaning in life, these two ladies lives become mirror reflections of the other. Along with a platonic love story and an index of books to read and films to watch, the novel is exceptionally well written and achieves the authors aim to make philosophy applicable in the every day - a typically French preoccupation. Totally deserving of its multiple awards, the Poodle urges Paris lovers and Francophiles, concierges and all those who appreciate Japanese culture to buy this book immediately and get deep.

What are your favourite Paris stories? Tell the Poodle!

Sunshine survival

The Poodle is back! It’s been a while since I posted, but that is because the Paris Poodle has been off location and has been exploring the beautiful island that is Sri Lanka. A well deserved vacation is what every Poodle needs once in a while and the white sands of Sri Lanka were the perfect place to relax, unwind and get tanned – the L’Oreal Tinted Gel has been firmly pushed to the back of the bathroom cabinet for a while! Hurrrah!

Sooo... I’m sure you’re itching to know what I got up to and what perfecting beauty products I used to keep pristine in the extreme? Well, there were a great many things, and I shall be posting a few blogs with a holiday inspired theme in mind, after all, going on holiday highlights so many unforeseen beauty battles to be waged and won. A leisurely beach side lifestyle leads to fearless frizzy – as if that wasn’t problematic enough already! Dry skin, cracked nail varnish, mosquito bites and sun cream clogged pores? Not to mention staying on top of hair removal, tan lines, make up management and split ends. If I wasn’t a crusader to perfection it wouldn’t be a problem, but a Poodle I am and flawless I must be.

The key things which got me through on a daily basis were as follows – pack these with you on your next trip and reap the benefits of a Parisian Poodle’s trial and error!

Simple Radiance Brightening Eye Make Up Remover Pads (30 pads for £3.99) are little circles of eye heaven which not only swiftly removed my stubborn Big Fatty Urban Decay mascara, but they also soothe and hydrate skin whilst the tropical Mango extract brightens the eye area, making you look practically human after a whopping 20 hours of travelling! Suitable for sensitive skin too – which is always a bonus- thank you Simple!

An intense face moisturiser is essential for travelling, plane journeys and night times to protect against dehydrated skin. I chose french brand Terry’s Gelee de Rose Intensive Multi Action Moisturiser because it is the best! I am actually in love when it comes to Terry, and although I find it bank bustingly expensive, it’s of uttermost importance to treat oneself to luxury on occasion (as if a holiday weren’t enough)!

Sun Cream - an obvious beauty must have on holiday, but there are many choices and considerations... mineral or chemical, liquid or cream, spray or dispenser, factor 20 or factor 50? The sun protection that got me through weeks of intense Sri Lankan sunshine was Garnier’s Clear Protect Sun Spray Factor 20 because it’s not too low and not too high, it sprays on as a dry oil, doesn’t go sticky and is reliably waterproof. It was practical and didn’t leak and it wasn’t too expensive – have I sold it to you yet?

Juicy lips are great on holiday – and all you need is a half decent lip balm – I loved this Evolution of Smooth (EOS) one in sweet mint for its deliciously edgeless packaging and its fresh minty clean zing which was unbelievably refreshing in that tropical climate!

That’s it for now, but more to follow on my recent beauty adventures. It was utterly fabulous in Sri Lanka and if you haven’t been you must – you should head to the south in Hikkaduwa for a friendly chilled out vibe and cheap guest houses with incredible cuisine. It’s not only the French who know how to cook!

Here’s a shot of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in the centre of the country where you can watch the baby elephants at feeding time and see the whole herd of meander down the hill to the river for their daily heat relieving wash. Just magical!

It’s great to be back – tell me anything I missed out on whilst I was away!

Poodle on Vacation

Holiday time!!!

Poodle pals, I am off on holiday for two and a bit weeks where I will be testing out my fabulous beauty finds in the intense Sri Lankan sun!

I'll be posting again from April and am looking forward to sharing my adventures with you!

With love from The Poodle xxx

Plus belle la vie!

It's a Poodle's life for me! Lingerie lusting, sniffing out the best beauty buys a Poodle could want and winding down in the evenings on the balcony of my 5th floor appartment with a glass of red and some french filles friends. La vie est belle.

In my latest adventures I have been visiting the iconic ever so Art Deco Bon Marche -with its 1920's decor it is the queen of all department stores full to the brim with Dior, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier and good old Vivienne Westwood (whose lurid fluro plastic stilettos are simply kitsch incarnate).

Oh la la Aubade has made the ultimate thong for irresistable bottom cleavage!

Whilst doing window licking (as the french call it) at Bon Marche, I fell in love numerous times in the lingerie hall. Aubade's delicate lace culottes and thongs were somewhat pricey, but if this Paris pup forgoes food in order to wear them, my derriere can only look better- doubly worth it n'est pas? Unfortunately I can't give up food for underwear... the tartes fraises here are TOO delicious, and luckily a corset designer friend of mine can do me a deal on some vintage inspired lingerie-its wonderful how corsets have that instant slimline effect! I had a coup de foudre (love at first sight) with this pokka dot ensemble designed by Black Kitten:

A hint of vintage, a touch of fetish, Black Kitten underwear is the lucky charm for seduction, and whilst outwear bras are a la mode, nows definately the time to splash out on something more special in than the Marks & Sparks T shirt bras - they just won't cut it on the other side of your T shirt!

Be gorgeous! Check out Black Kitten here http://www.myspace.com/me_blackitten and Aubade here http://aubade.com/Recherche and a new favourite discovery of mine, Princesse Tam Tam - the ultimate girly lingerie www.princessetamtam.com/PrincesseTamTam.Site/en/home.aspx:

What are your favourite most indulgent lingerie labels?

Title image courtesy of http://vanillablonde.com/store/images/large/Paris-lady-&-poodle-ring-holder0358_LGE.jpg

The Tourist... and other Paris films

With today being the first day of Spring, Paris, right on cue is taking it all in its' stride. The skies are cloudless blue and the weather is warmer, even the occasional bud can be seen on the trees in Bois de Boulogne. The city seems to be reawakening from its rainy grey skied winter, and the Poodle has been out enjoying hustle and bustle...

With this glorious weather in this gorgeous city, it's only fitting that you should also have gorgeous people out in force, therefore it was almost no surprise that whilst the Poodle was exploring the ice cream on offer at Hagen Daas at metro Palais Royale Musée de Louvre, that I came across Angelina Jolie.

Filming for The Tourist has begun in Paris following a period in Venice where Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt have been sighted. Although this Paris pup didn't have her appareil photo with her, luckily the popsicles pretties over at Pop Sugar had their pap team ready and waiting, check out these photos below:


As one of the most aesthetically pleasing places known to Poodles, fashionistas and thinkers, Paris has long been the inspiration behind many a film. Until The Tourist (directed by Florian Hecknel) is released, here are my top 3 Paris based films:

1. Funny Face (1957)

This classic 1957 film not only features Paris, it also has style icon Audrey Hepburn dancing around on Parisian balconies and parading the catwalk when she is chosen as the new face of top New York fashion magazine. With a musical twist and fabulous full skirted costumes, it’s kitsch as Christmas, and definitely one of the Paris Poodle’s top 3!

2. Paris je t'aime (2006)

No other film says so much about Paris in only a few short segments. A beautiful patch work of Parisian love stories and half started curiosities, are all filmed against the backdrop of the Marais, Tuileries and Montmatre in this long film of shorts. This is a MUST watch for all Francophiles and Paris addicts alike!

3. Amélie Poulain (2001)

Quirky, stylish, romantic and eccentric! This film is everything that makes Paris, and Audrey Tatou so adorable and appealing!

What are your favourite Paris films? Share!

Introduction image from:

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/366/9/7/spring_in_paris_by_isismas.jpg

Desert Island Essentials

The Poodle has the pleasure of an upcoming holiday in the Indian Ocean, where the sun never ceases to shine! Being an active sort of a pup, I am looking forward to surfing, sightseeing and exploring temples to tea plantations. With so much to do, I'm asking a lot from my current make up bag. Naturally, along with my wardrobe, the makeup I'm going to be bringing also requires intensive planning.

First and foremost, waterproof mascara and anti slip foundation are must haves. The Paris Poodle is in the midst of deciding between dozens of waterproof mascaras, eye liners and SPF make up... here's my shortlist so far, but if you know of any other make up miracles which can survive intense heat, and an action packed holiday agenda, tell this Paris Poodle - share your treasured desert island finds...



Let's start with eyes.... for your pretty peepers, waterproof mascara and eyeliner are essentials- so that you can look photo shoot worthy at any given moment. Who knows where you could be papped next? My old faithful Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof mascara with a massive plasticy bristled brush is very reliable when it comes to having luscious lashes in sun, heat and sea. It's affordably priced (check it out on http://www.amazon.co.uk/ where it is only £7.99) and stays on wonderfully.

A close contender is Urban Decay's Big Fatty in Waterproof. The name says it all. Big fat brush means lovely separated glossily coated lashes. The 60's inspired packaging is absolutely irresistible as well! I want this in my make up bag come rain or shine!

Waterproof eyeliner is notoriously difficult to find. However, after parading across Paris, visiting different outlets and beauty parlors from La Defense to Montparnasse, I have concluded that MAC's liquid last eyeliner in black is the one to stay put until you say so. Obedient and reasonably priced at £13.50, this is a dependable little eye liner that can survive water, tears and tiredness.

SPF make up is essential for sunshiny days, holidays and everlasting youth... therefore, I am going to be using Clinique’s Almost Make Up SPF15 which gives a natural hint of colour, with a sheer, lightweight finish that won't weigh your skin down in the heat.

For lips and cheeks I want to keep it really simple- and have discovered the good quality make up of Eyes, Lips, Face - elf http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/. Their Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 comes in a multitude of delicious colours - Juiced Berry and Goddess are personal favourites of mine..! For rosy cheeks, the Poodle recommends Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Cream Blush as it gives cheeks a dewy, healthy glow and won't clog your pores; powders are a definite no no!

What are your favourite holiday make up must haves? Tell the Poodle!

Paris Valentine Essentials

Cliches aside, Paris can't help but be a city of romance. The men and women are gorgeous and groomed, the streets are cobbled or accessorised with quaint candlelit street side tables, and rose vendors on the metro are a constant feature. With all the romance that is in the air this week, in the count down to Saint Valentine's Day, the best of Paris really comes to life, and somehow you start seeing people in love whereever you are. The romantic possibilities in Paris are countless. Even just walking through Jardin de Tulleries today, a sudden heavy snowfall transformed the park into a winter lovers paradise. Couples embrassed, locked in full french kiss mode, as the snow speckled their behatted heads, the Poodle couldn't help but smile at the obvious romance of it all.

If Paris is the city of love, then the flower of love is most definately the rose. Whether it is in beauty balms, lotions, perfumes or tea, the delicate floral aroma is always associated with femininity and love.

As, sadly, this Paris pup is not expecting to receive a dozen red roses this Sunday, I have treated myself to some rosey themed treats and thought I would share them with you.

First up, is the most delicious smelling beauty product I have had the pleasure of daubing myself with since my Guerlain lipstick buy. Le Baume Precieux Or de Rose by Terry (15ml), is at 49euros somewhat of a beauty indulgence, but it is the most strikingly lovely beauty product that I carry around with me at ALL times. With flecks of real gold and the shimmering rose fragranced balm, this ultra reflective precious product gives lips a shimmering prettiness that can also be used to highlight cheek bones or dotted along eyelids for an extra chic sparkle.

Next up, is the new perfume from Dolce & Gabanna, Rose The One. The whole fragrance was based on a 'love for Scarlett' according to Dolce, who thinks that she is the one person in the world who best sums up femininity...pushing aside my strong dislike of such a statement, I still recommend this perfume for its romance. The fruity and musky combination of blackcurrant, pink grapefruit, mandarin, lily of the valley, rose, peony, Madonna lily, ambrette seed, sandalwood, musk and vanilla is one that is fresh, feminine and certainly seductive. In spite of my resistance to Scarlett (who loves herself so much that its actually vulgar), the sparkling top notes are as inviting as the woody musky base notes. If there's anything women should take from Scarlett it is her ability to attract men so if this is Scarlett bottled, then for V Day, I'm going to have to spritz myself from here til Sunday!

Last but not least is Boots Botanics Rose Water Toner. A good old simple, dependable beauty product. It has an astringent aspect to it which I love to use to attack spots, remove stubborn fake tan stains or whenever I feel my skin needs an intense toning session and it only costs a few pennies at £3.91- why not treat yourself to this one with your Boots cards points next time?

One other rose themed treasure I have come across is the Rose The cafe in the 11th arrondisement (104 avenue Ledru Rollin) which has a heavenly choice of tea, pastries and hot chocolates, which you can enjoy in the most gorgeously pink and girly decor. In case you happen to be lucky enough to be whisked away to gay Paris for a long weekend of love making and sight seeing, do stop in for a quite pause and people watch the Parisians outside. It's truely cosy and utterly Poodle tastic!

Also for cheap hotels in Paris check out http://www.budgetplaces.com/5580/paris-valentines-day-hotels-paris-55-1-1.html where you can get a room in Paris from 28 euros a night...quickly - send this link to the man in your life!

With love

The Paris Poodle x

Love the London Look

Go Aggy!

After a recent trip back to London, the Poodle has a renewed love, adoration and appreciation of the sheer audacity of British fashion and fashionable Brits everywhere. The same goes for British make up, which is also loud, proud and experimental. Clothes clash, patterns out pattern other patterns, structured jackets are teamed with billowing shirts while pork pie hats are worn with floaty dresses, vintage jewels with neon lycra from American Apparel, lip liner, stars, face painting, stripes, big lips, big eyes, everything is a fashion possibility. There are no limits to the creative potential of what you’ll find walking around the streets of London.

Florence teams sequined hot pants with a flyaway dress...

If the world is Gok’s Fashion Fix, then London is most definitely Gok, with shock tactic fashion, naff high street kitsch and tongue in cheek styling to extreme. With more dash than cash London makes fashion about fun, trying things out in fearless style, and always a smile. Yes, I’m doing Desperately Seeking Susan today, and yesterday was Bat for Lashes... the influences are evident, music and fashion are irrevocably at one in London...

The Florence and the Machine floaty night dress and big boots topped off with a shocking scarlet barnett – all images are interlocked and inter-referenced and it’s this blatant nod to popular culture, historical vintage fashion or even runway references gone mad, that is so refreshingly quirky, cheeky and indisputably cool about the way that Londonistas dress. Take a look at Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof, London's leading ladies:

Therefore, in contrast to Gok, Paris is most certainly Brix Smith Start (although much quieter and with 90% less peroxide). Paris is the capital of fashion, the home of Chanel, the domicile of Dior and the je ne sais quoi of Yves Saint Laurent, and naturally designer rules on these streets. Parisians are innately stylish – it is part of their genetic make up. They opt for simplicity, clean lines, clean colours, sophisticated outfits which are appropriate for all occasions and situations. Parisians combine quality, simple, wearable, expensive designer pieces in shades of black, white or navy, with varying combinations of other expensive designer pieces in brown, black or grey. So, even if behind the heavy 12ft ornate doors in countless Paris immeubles along Boulevard Saint-Germain there are fireworks of creativity shooting off in the couture houses, on the street in Paris there is a dreary albeit chic winter uniform obeyed by all.

Tatou goes for classy but conventional

Pour les filles:

Minimal make up
One subtle piece of jewellery
Black trench coat
Stockings
Boots in black or brown
Little black dress
Longchamp handbag

Pour les garçons:

Dark jeans (tight fitting)
Shirt
Cashmere jumper
Black or brown trench coat – can be in leather
Black smart shoes often with a pointed toe
Therefore it really is a lovely moment for the Poodle to venture on to the colourful chaotic streets of London to breathe in the humour, the style, the jumble sale chic and the kitsch eccentricity of it all. Thank you London! Apologies to Paris but when it comes down to it, it’s London that shouts fashion loud and clear, trends are taken off of the runway and interpreted in a multitude of individual British ways. Today is a proud day for the Paris Poodle to be an English rose!

Who wins in your fashion stakes? London or Paris?

The Edge of Fashion

So the Spring/Summer shows have been paraded and assessed and one thing is for sure, edges are the accessory of the season whether they are crocheted, lacy, streamlined, ruffled or frayed. The Poodle investigates the edge of fashion....

The tearaway trend is one that has really caught my eye; I’m in love with Prada’s raw edged haut couture. Freshly cut silk blouses and shorts are shot through with the creative chaos of creation, giving a new meaning to ready to wear. Subtle but savage with threads a trailing and jagged frayed lines, this is fashion barely born.

Take a look at this:

Sophisticated but sexy, chic but not too proper, Prada has captivated the imagination of the Poodle, and the best thing is that it is thoroughly re-creatable on a budget- I’m tempted to rip, snip, cut and tear into my wardrobe, trimming length and teasing threads loose to recreate the whimsical yet feral femininity of these 2010 collections. What a fabulous crunch friendly fashion. The Poodle approves.

With this tearaway trend ripping up the runway now is the time to hurl yourself into vintage shops, charity shops and get hunting for a silk camisole, a satin patterned shirt, some skimpy shorts, and take them home with you and let the scissors loose! It may be messy but without looking ‘too much’ as the French like to say sounding ever so Anglophone. I agree! Let fashion rip!


And if the frayed edge look isn’t for you, there is a multitude of other ways to wear your hem. Karl Lagerfeld and Dolce & Gabbana opted for crochet for a home spun chic that is more gorgeous than granny, Madonna looks fabulous in D&G’s crochet wrap dress in their ad campaign although the Poodle thinks they should have let her finish her pasta before taking the shot!

Who would have thought that Madge ate carbs?

Lace is still a big OUI from the fashion authorities and if anyone did it justice on the runway it was Chanel with their fragile lace layering in shades of pastel pink and sugar white.

Luckily RARE have this great lacy number for £80 which won’t break the bank but will give you a girly edge over the fashionista competition on your next night out!

Fuffles, ruffles, frou frous and flounce flirted with many a model at the Spring/Summer shows, but the designer who really got the ruffles right according to the Poodle’s exacting ruffle standards, was Lavin, who came up with this fabulous feminine but feisty dress:


Fortunately you can buy this Lavin inspired ‘One shouldered wired ruffle dress’ on Asos for £38.00. Bargain beautiful!



How do you like your edges? Let the Poodle know your thoughts!