Essex girl in Paris continues...

6 months!!! I have been living in Paris for 6 months! It seems so unreal, but the good sort of unreal. I am starting to realise how much I have done, and what I have achieved since I've been here and also how difficult it has been. 

I've managed to find an apartment, 2 jobs and many friends. I've visited a variety of places. Eaten and drunk alot! Had a shitty time and an incredible time. Begun to learn a language which six months ago I could say nothing and now I can have conversations. I'm probably more confident but definitely none the wiser!

Here are some pictures to show you some of my life in the past few months...

Difficult to see but this is me and 2 girls in the Galerie des Glaces  at the Chateau de Versaille. It is beautiful there and I really recommend going! It is the room used when the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end WW1 and also in the J'adore Dior advert with Charlize Theron.

Outside view from the Pompidou Centre. Interesting art and a back drop of the city!

The Eiffel Tower by Delaunay at the Pompidou

Me as 'art' at the Pompidou

Another Delaunay at the Pompidou

Eiffel Tower from Pompidou

Sculpture outside the Pompidou

From Pont Bir Hakeim

A street carnival near Nation in July - lots of noise, music, dancing and people!

Fun fair in the tuileries!

Me and my friend outside Odeon for Fete de la Musique - It's a free musical event all over the city where people fill the streets play music and drink! It is packed and I recommend attending one year. A city full of partying!

Cocktails were needed at Fete de la Musique!

Relaxing in the Luxembourg Gardens

An almost beautiful view... If only I could see where I work!

Luxembourg

Me and my friend in the Luxembourg

Sunbathing at Paris Plage!

Many people at Paris Plage and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Great idea but not so good for relaxing!

Work aka Montparnasse Tower - The tallest and ugliest building in Paris!

Me at Paris Plage

The Arc de Triomphe on my way to work!

Night out with work colleagues!

Dancing and drinking at Tino Rossi by the Seine - Perfect

I had been drinking!

Crazy dancing man!

 So... there you go. A few pictures of the many things I have done so far in my little adventure. Who knows what the next 6 months will bring...?

Hairstyle- Side ponytail with curls

Here is a hairstyle I had a go at today. It's the first time I've done it but as I had some spare time I though I'd try something different. Let me know what you think, even if you think it looks crap! (Although maybe sugar coat it for me ;) )

Side ponytail with curls and a plait.

Firstly I started by plaiting my hair at the front and then securing into a side ponytail. I think I need to practice my plaiting and French plaiting skills but this will do for today!

I then carefully used my Enrapture Extremity heated rollers in the ponytail and left for 10-15 minutes whilst I tidied up etc.

The rollers in (& slightly heavy!)

With the rollers out I ran my fingers through and sprayed with hairspray.

Up close

For those of you thinking - 'err maybe don't go out in that disgusting white vest!'
Don't worry I didn't! Even though I went to the cinema I still made a little effort with the clothes! Here's my outfit and the complete look

Outfits from the past 6 weeks

Outfits from my time so far in Paris...

My 1st trip to the Eiffel Tower. Cold day so I needed something warm and comfortable. I also love to layer up!

A day on my course teaching followed by an interview. Smart casual, and I love this skirt. I want a maxi version but in bright yellow.

Feeling very tired and no where special to go means a long slouchy jumper.

Study in Starbucks day - Leopard dress, grey jumper. 
(Yes I realise it's not a great picture but I only have an iPhone to use.)

One of my favourite dresses and my pearl necklace.

BBQ day! Bright orange dress and a long gold necklace. Sadly not much sun until the day after!

White dress and black biker jacket for dinner near the Eiffel Tower and then my second trip up. Very cold but I had to grin and bear it!

Not my chicest outfit but I'm mostly in all day job hunting and blog writing so I've gone for casual!

More to follow (hopefully after some successful job applications)...
I love reading comments so let me know what you think.

Maria x

Nearly in Paris

Sorry I haven't blogged for a week. I have had internet and organisation issues! aka - One week to PARIS! 

One of the things I have been struggling with is my packing. I have been trying to work out what I need for basically any time between 1 month and forever in one suitcase. It's pretty tough!

I've written so many lists for outfits, written what I'll be doing and therefore what I might need. It's so hard! I'll need outfits for working, relaxing, studying, sightseeing and going out. I've also decided to pack a summer suitcase to leave behind so that when my parents come to visit I will have some maxi dresses and flip flops etc.

Overall I'm thinking 10-15 dresses of varying smartness, 5 pairs of jeans/trousers, 20 - 30 tops and a few cardis/jackets. I just hope I can fit it all in the suitcase along with hairdryers, books, make up (I haven't planned the make up yet - it's just too upsetting), shoes etc.

Actually, writing this post has made me feel all stressed about it again... maybe I'll have some wine or ice cream to calm down!

Please can someone pack for me? I'd really appreciate it!

Maria

Onesies... eurgh!

Now I know many of you may disagree with this but I absolutely can't stand onesies. In fact I think they are ridiculous! An all in one baby grow pyjama/lounge wear item of clothing - just no! There are several reasons I dislike them and I'll share with you now. (This is not intended to offend anyone, unless you wear a onesie. In which case please read the rest of this post as I hope to change your mind.)

Firstly, and I know people that wear them don't care but, it's an adult baby grow  That says it all for me! Most people would be horrified if they came home to a partner/friend/family member (delete as applicable) wearing an adult nappy and dummy. So why is the baby grow ok? Especially ones with Animal faces, characters, or Amy Childs name on them. This does not make it ok!

Secondly, you are at high risk of having camel toe in something that is all in one and made for people of varying heights. Camel toe is not a desirable feature in an item of clothing for me. The reason I know this about onesies is that everyone puts pictures up on Facebook/Twitter/Daily Mail online.

This brings me to my next point - everyone puts pictures up on Facebook/Twitter/Daily Mail online. Why? I have never got a new pair of pj's and thought 'excellent, my new Facebook profile picture will be me in my check pyjama bottoms'. I just don't get it. That and going out in them... In fact this is a large problem for me. (I use the word 'problem' loosely here.) Why are you going outside in them? People can see you and your prospective camel toe! If you're quoting that you're too lazy then you wouldn't be outside drawing attention to yourself. Unless you are in an emergency - hospital etc, then it doesn't take a minute to put jeans on and a t-shirt.

Lastly I dislike them because of the 'It's comfy and cosy' comment. I have never heard of anyone in the hundreds of years I presume people have been wearing some sort of pyjama/nightdress say that it was uncomfortable  The point of pj's are to sleep and be comfortable. If they aren't then you must be wearing the wrong size. Also, it's cosy, means it's warm. So are pj's and lounge wear  Plus they come with the added bonus of meaning that if you get up in the night for the loo (this is the old coming out in me) then you would have to get fully naked, which, I presume, is not cosy at all in the winter!

Anyway rant over... I'm sure people will disagree with me but I just had to say it in the hope that I will have saved at least one person from wearing a onesie. If haven't I have one more thing for you to think about...

Think of 20's fashion, 50's fashion, 70's fashion. In 100 years time we could be the generation that is remembered for onesies. Do you want that on your fashion conscience?


Discuss...





images from lucysboutique.co.uk; boohoo.com; amychildsofficial.co.uk

Spring Nail Looks

Here I thought I would share some of my nail looks from the past few weeks. I love glitter, matte colours and lots of other styles. I just wish I could make better use if my nail art pens if I had a steady hand. Will continue to practice though and hopefully will include them in future nail art posts.

Share your nail blog post links in the comments below.

Maria xx

Matte Pink - I love this look. So cheerful!

Mint Green with Turquoise index finger

Nude nails with some glitter.

Why not try a manicure from a past post - Pink french manicure.

Oscars 2013

Oscars 2013
I stayed up to watch the red carpet last online and loved seeing all the outfits. In this blog post I'll share my favourite and not so favourite outfits that I saw and why. Let me know what you think by commenting below or tweeting me.

Favourites-
Jennifer Lawrence
She was wearing baby pink Dior ball gown. It was so beautiful! I'm not normally a baby pink fan but I think this dress was stunning in her. She looked classic clean and young. It suited her figure and was glam enough for the occasion. So jealous!
























Jennifer Hudson
Jen again! She looked incredible, it was kind of a simple dress, in terms of being daring and skin baring. However I loved how she looked. To quote Americans I thought she looked 'fierce'. Her figure was shown off nicely in the dress without looking slutty or too raunchy. Jealous of her body!























Sally field
How amazing did Sally field look? My answer is very amazing. I adored her red long ball gown. She looked really classic and so beautiful.























Amy Adams
Her Oscar de la Renta gown was like a Disney princess dress (which suits her - I love enchanted). It was so ethereal and just perfect. It's the sort if dress I'd wear to my wedding. If I ever see an affordable copy or I win the lottery then it's mine. Feel free to send one too me actually!























My not so favourites-

Anne Hathaway
I'm sorry... I just didn't like it at all. It's very 90's girl at a prom and not in a good/ironic way at all.
























Heidi Klum
I thought her dress was too much like she was going to 'sugarhut' Oscars instead of the real ones. Too much flesh for me.

Helen Hunt
I just thought her dress was a but dull. No character, no sparkle. Average.
*After writing this post I found out this dress was from H&M. Now I love H&M but for the Oscars?? Really??





























Pics from justjared.com