What do people do on Sunday?

Nothing. People in paris loves the outdoor, I guess also Paris has quite a nice climate most of the time throughout the year. People always sit on the outside of cafe, restaurants, steps of Opera is also a favorite hangout. I went to Palais Royal and the Jardin (Garden/Park) there is really nice. People just sit there, read a book, or simply sun tanning. 

Flea market at Port de Clignancourt

It was a pretty cold and grey sunday when I was trying to find this place. My coworker suggested it and I searched online which apparently this is one of the biggest and most famous flea market in paris. 

I was pretty excited to go there. But when I got out of the metro I feel that this place is a bit...ghetto? There were alot of outdoor booths selling cheap clothes, bags, which kind of feels like the "women street" in HK. (for those of you who don't know, that street is also a famous and touristy street in HK which sells tons of cheap items) So I thought, this can't be it, and when I tried to ask around with my poor french and people would just point me to the wrong direction. So finally, I realized that the place I was trying to find is tucked inside those cheap markets! It was more hidden but basically the same location as the cheap markets...sigh. 

I was happy to find myself surrounded by old/antique furniture and odd objects. Although it wasn't really a fine day (quite cold) to visit the flea market, I was glad that I went to see it. There was absolutely nothing I want to buy in that place but it is equally inspiring just to observe, browse through old post cards (even those are expensive...). The clothing selection was not impressive at all I think there should be another place that is more designated to old/antique garments. 

Long time no post...

This is getting a bit pathetic I know. As I got used to the paris life things seems to become normal to me... especially during the weekdays, since work is so close its always back and forth, home to work, work to home (even during lunch hour). I have gotten quite good with what I am doing at work which is great, I feel much less pressured each time and can just do my own thing while listening to A LOT OF TRANCE. Yes... as I said before it is extremely quiet at work, no one talks and people just do their own thing. I started getting my own project which means I could really not speak to anyone for the whole day basically. Trance music gets me going with what I am doing and putting me in my own world. My fiance sent me some podcast links and music which I liked: Armin van Buren, ATB, Ocean Lab, Above and Beyond, Paul van Dyke...etc. 

I have gotten too used to drinking wine for each meal. Well here everybody does it so I don't feel like an alcoholic, plus I am only drinking one glass (usually) during lunch and dinner maybe 2.5 glass. One bad thing is that this really contribute to some weight problem, well another problem is that I can never do anything after dinner because I would be too tired...

So lets see if I will be doing something interesting this weekend...my friend from germany will be visiting with his gf.

A demain!

Fauchon

Surprisingly bad coffee. The vanilla layered cake was good. I really love their almond croissant and milk chocolate. My mom just got me four boxes of those today!!

My new favorite drink

Strength...

It really take a lot more effort than I thought to keep up with this blog. I really want to just jog down what I feel and encounter everyday, but since I am not always alone now (mom is here) so its harder to have alone time and reflects on things quietly (maybe I do that during my sleep).

Work is still exciting and really fulfilling. I have a feeling this is going to be a great help to prep for my future goal. I am so glad to be surrounded by people that cares so much about every process, and have such a high standard and attention to details. Its funny how I am improving my japanese instead of my french due to the fact that the head designer (whom I report to) and most of the other people I work with are japanese. A lot them can only speak japanese and french. Turns out quite interesting.

I quite like the selections at the supermakets here. I don't find them to be especially fancy and big, but the selection for cheese, cold cuts and wine are pretty amazing. There are also alot of specialty stores nearby my place, which is good because they are open on sunday whereas the other chain supermarkets are all closed. Yes, most of the stores in paris close on sunday. I don't mind it at all, the street feels peaceful and quiet, there are also flea markets on sunday which i will be checking out soon!

Showroom week

This week has been quite tiring and stressful. Well, since the fashion show has finished, we have diligently progressed to the reality - seeing the buyers! selling the clothes!

So everyday is dramatic, buyers are bizarre in their own way, I have probably memorized all the 100+ items for this seasons already as we constantly changing and matching the clothes like 10+ times everyday. Selling is definitely hard work. Really getting the clothes out of the door is something that can't be done only by the designer, no matter how great a review he/she got from style.com, wwd...etc. But I think one thing that is important which the designer must do is BE NICE TO THE EMPLOYEES. That's one thing I really discovered. It sounds like something that is so simple and easy but for some reason it is a rare case. But in here I can see how effective it is, the designer is really caring even to interns, models, everyone - and I see how the model is really trying her best to present the clothes because she feels like she owes it to the designer. That's the way it should be. I never believe in yelling, mean and narcissistic behavior in the industry, maybe some people get away with that but I don't see the point.

So tomorrow is the last day of showroom...I will be out and about again soon so hopefully more pictures later!! Ciao Ciao~