I Prefer Paris

Happy New Year 2023

My partner Vincent Gagliostro designed this fun and festive cards. 

Vincent’s Christmas Gift 2022

My partner Vincent is an artist and every year he creates a Christmas art gift for me, and it’s been a tradition for 45 years. The fun and suspenseful part is that I never what form or shape it will be; There have been books, sculptures, videos, paintings, hand painted tapestries, and multi- media pieces. Vincent’s strict rule is that presents are exchanged on Christmas morning, and no amount of my cajoling, begging, threatening, bribing, and guilt trips to do it on Christmas eve has changed that.

For 2022, the gift was a  triptych of photo portraits, from photos Vincent took during our trip to Venice last August. There was an additional piece, which was so clever. Inside a glass box framed in black, is a folded paper with a closeup of my nose and mouth. Once I opened the box, I unfolded the paper, and it was another portrait and on the other side was a beautiful note signed by Vincent. Tears of happiness and joy streamed down my face from this truly extraordinary and loving gift. After being faklempt for a few minutes, we exchanged our other gifts which included an Agnes B. zip-up, navy sweater, an oversized, reversible blue and black cashmere scarf, a box of Louis Vuitton chocolates, a small, onyx and silver cross, a pair of felt slippers, three Snoopy figures, and a Snoopy ceramic bowl.

For Christmas eve, it was just the two of us, with a starter of foie gras followed by steak Diane, potatoes au gratin, and a salad of greens and avocado. Dessert was two, mini buche de Noel’s, chocolate, and lemon from a local patisserie. 

On Christmas day we had two friends for lunch, and Vincent, in his new, starched white Ritz Paris apron (a gift from a friend) prepared roasted salmon with miso cream, baby potatoes, spinach and Comte frittata, and a salad of cucumbers and arugula. A chocolate Buche de Noel from a nearby chocolate shop was dessert. 

I hope you had as wonderful a Christmas as I did and thanks for your emails and Facebook holiday greetings. 

Gold dust in the box

 

 

Happy Holidays 2022

Christmas 2022 at Loire Valley Chateaux

I have a special holiday surprise for you today.

The first week of December I was invited by the Loire Valley Tourism Office for two days and nights to visit four chateaux, Château De Chenonceau, Château Clos Lucé, Château De Chambord, and Château De Blois to view the glorious Christmas decorations and festivities and to learn about the various activities they offer.

CLICK HERE or the link below for full details in article I wrote for Travel Awaits.

https://www.travelawaits.com/2841848/chateaux-of-the-loire-valley-christmas/?fbclid=IwAR290nEdnvYRaCf3P3s22CVyCo4ybpQqP18HeZdJ-2uOr88f2hB9Rj8pfVk

Below are my photos.

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chenonceau

Château De Chambord

Château De Chambord

Château De Chambord

Château De Chambord

Château De Chambord

Château De Chambord

Château De Blois 

Château De Blois 

Château De Blois 

Château Clos Lucé

Château Clos Lucé

Château Clos Lucé

Château Clos Lucé

Château Clos Lucé

Attending the Nobel Peace Awards Ceremony 2022 in Oslo, Norway

Vincent and I had the incredible privilege of attending the Nobel Peace Prize Awards Ceremony 2022 in Oslo, Norway on December 10. 

My sister-in-law Berit Reiss-Andersen is the chair of the awards committee and during a dinner conversation in Paris last year, she invited us to come for the 2022 awards. I was beyond excited and have waited all year for the big day to arrive. In the past few weeks, I have shared about going to the awards with just about every person I have encountered in the last two months, practically telling strangers on the street. 

We flew to Oslo on December 9, the day before the ceremony. We were required to wear a suit and tie, plus I had to wear real shoes, instead of sneakers, like I always wear. I can’t even remember the last time I wore a suit and tie, even pre-Covid. Here’s a blast from the past, about how it was wearing a pair of pointy, black oxfords after so many years. Does anybody remember the original La Cage Aux Folles film from 1978 (the American version, The Birdcage, from 1996, starred Robin Williams)? There’s a scene in the film, where they are trying to make a good impression on the bride’s family, by hosting a dinner. Their houseboy Jacob always walked through the house barefoot, but his bosses demand he wear shoes for the special occasion. In the following hilarious scenes in front of the prim and proper, bride’s family, Jacob keeps tripping every few minutes because he’s not used to wearing shoes. I thought the same thing would happen but luckily, I held my own all day, not tripping even once. 

On December 10, we arrived at about noon at the Oslo City Hall overlooking the harbor. Once we went through security, there was a brief coffee and pastry reception before the awards. We were then seated in the massive public hall lined with beautiful murals and the stage was festively decorated with leaf sculptures in foliage colors. The ceremony commenced at exactly 1pm because it was telecast live around the world. Four soldiers dressed in red uniforms, descended the stairs from the balcony and played their bugles briefly, to welcome the royal family, the prime minister, Berit, and other important figures. 

In a rare but not unheard-of occasion, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three recipients instead of one this year: Ales Bialiatski, a human rights activist from Belarus, the Russian human rights organization Memorial, and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Human Liberties. 

Berit gave a speech commending and praising the winners, emphasizing their tireless and selfless efforts to uphold the human rights of their citizens and to criticize their governments when they fail to do so. The speech also focused on each of the group's common approaches to exposing oppressors and perpetrators of war crimes by collecting evidence of past and present crimes to hold the perpetrators accountable, honoring the victims, and preventing the crimes from happening again. 

CLICK HERE to read her speech 

After Berit’s speech, each recipient delivered their speech. Ales Bialiatski is currently under severe restrictions in Russia, so his wife Natallia Pinchuk delivered a sobering speech plus pieced together previous texts and statements from Alesacknowledging other political and human rights activists and journalists, political scientists, and trade union leaders who are imprisoned. 

Next was Jan Rachinsky, accepting the prize for Memorial, a thirty-five-year-old, human rights organization from Russia, which studies and examines human rights violations and crimes from the Stalin era in Russia in the early 20th century and current Russian human rights abuses, particularly in all Russian military operations. In his speech, Rachinsky spoke about the organization’s purpose and its ongoing work plus pointed out the challenges of three important issues concerning them today. 

CLICK HERE to read his speech 

The last award was given to the Center for Civil Liberties, and was accepted by Oleksandra Matviichuk, a young Ukrainian human rights lawyer. Her speech was the most moving, passionate, and timely of the speeches. She eloquently spoke about the Russian attack on Ukraine and even though there are no real solutions at the present time, she raised five questions about how the world can address and inquire into how to come up with a resolution. 

CLICK HERE to read her speech 

Oleksandra Matviichuk-Center for Civil Liberties

In between each award, there were various musicians and singers who performed musical pieces. 

After the awards there was a luncheon at the Grand Hotel in the center of the city, where I sat with Berit, her son Joachim, his wife Camilla, his two children, Sebastian, 13 years old, and Eben, 9 years old, and Berit’s sister, Elizabeth. We discussed the wonderful ceremony at length, but also managed to have fun and speak about other, everyday things. 

We spent the next few days having back-to-back lunches and a Norwegian Christmas dinner with the family. On Monday, Berit finally had a free day, after a hectic schedule during the last months for the awards. We went to the newly opened Munch Museum in a striking, contemporary building overlooking the harbor. We viewed a good part of the collection, including an original version of The Scream. Afterward, we visited the Nobel Peace Prize Museum, where Berit introduced us to the director, Kjersti Fløgstad, who generously took the time to give us a brief explanation of the purpose of the museum and its function. After Kjersti left us, we were given a fascinating and insightful tour of the museum. 

Besides Berit’s position as the chair of the awards committee, she is a highly accomplished lawyer still practicing today, a former politician with the Norwegian Labour Party, former president of the Norwegian Bar Association, and the co-author of two best-selling crime novels with the former Minister of Justice, Anne Holt. Outside of her incredible career, Berit is a blast to be with and we have many good times in New York, Paris, Norway, London, and Amsterdam. 

I am beyond proud of her remarkable accomplishments and feel incredibly fortunate to have her as part of my family for over 40 years. 

For more information about the awards and the video of the ceremony, go to https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org 

Moi, Berit, my nephew Sebastian, and Vincent 

Moi, Berit, and Vincent 

 

 

Christmas in Paris 2022: BHV & Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

This is the last in my series for Christmas in Paris 2022.

At the BHV department store the theme is Christmas in Provence. Partnering with the Provence Tourism and Marseille Tourism offices, the windows display the magical spirit of Provence during the holidays and in the store there’s special gift items, clothing, and crafts from the region.

Across the street, in front of the Hotel de Ville is their annual Christmas market and village, with beautiful lights and displays and a carousel in the center.

Did you enjoy Christmas in Paris 2022, and did you have a favorite posting?

 

 

Christmas in Paris 2022: Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes

Continuing with my Christmas in Paris 2022 posts, today is about the wonderful Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes. Throughout the park is a magical world of over 100 gigantic, bugs, insects, snails, dragonflies, plants, centipedes, butterflies, and spiders all  lit up in glorious Technicolor.

Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes

Until January 15, 2023

Open 6pm-11pm every night, last entrance 60 minutes before

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/programme/galeries-jardins-zoo-bibliotheques/mini-mondes-voie-dillumination-4349

 

Christmas in Paris 2022: Printemps

For Christmas 2022, Printemps takes us to the circus with Santa as the ringleader for the clowns and trapeze artists swing freely on their swings.

The star-studded inauguration event for the windows in November was hosted by supermodel Cindy Crawford and supermodel daughter Kaia Gerber, co-hosted by Naomi Campbell and Isabelle Huppert.

Check out the new 4,000 square foot toy store on the seventh floor with loads of fun games, toys, dolls, hobby kits, tech gadgets, and board games.

64 Bd Haussmann, 75009

Open 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday

Sunday 11am-8pm

https://www.printemps.com/eu/en

Last Chance to Order Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards in Time for Holiday Delivery 

I am offering a holiday sale of free shipping on Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards. In addition, if you want to send them as a holiday gift, I can handwrite a personalized card for you.

For a set of 18 cards, you will save $12, and for a set of 9 cards, you will save $8.

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

IMPORTANT! You must order you cards before December 8, as I mail them from Paris, and it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive to the U.S.

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65 Includes Free Shipping.

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping 

Postcards are hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

Red Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers

Christmas in Paris 2022: Galeries Lafayette

Today I start my annual blog posts where I share the magic and splendor of Christmas in Paris.

The theme of the imaginative windows at Galeries Lafayette for 2022 is a tale of The Planet of Fir Trees, which is based on a book by Claire Castillon with illustrations by Florent Chavouet. Little Annie has a father who doesn’t believe in Christmas and when Nordmann, a fir tree from the imaginary planet Elato, visits her, it convinces the father to believe in Christmas again. Inside Galeries Lafayette, the iconic, towering tree has a sound and light show every 30 minutes, and there’s a Christmas Tree immersive show plus you or the kids can visit Santa’s Workshop.

40 Bd Haussmann, 75009

Open 10am to 8:30pm, Monday to Saturday

Sunday 11am to 8pm

https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/planet-of-fir-trees/?utm_source=SiteHSM&utm_campaign=noel

Last Chance to Order Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards in Time for Holiday Delivery 

I am offering a holiday sale of free shipping on Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards. In addition, if you want to send them as a holiday gift, I can handwrite a personalized card for you.

For a set of 18 cards, you will save $12, and for a set of 9 cards, you will save $8.

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

IMPORTANT! You must order you cards before December 8, as I mail them from Paris, and it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive to the U.S.

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65 Includes Free Shipping.

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping 

Postcards are hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

Red Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers

Holiday Sale on Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am offering a holiday sale of free shipping on Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards. In addition, if you want to send them as a holiday gift, I can handwrite a personalized card for you.

For a set of 18 cards, you will save $12, and for a set of 9 cards, you will save $8.

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

IMPORTANT! You must order you cards before December 8, as I mail them from Paris, and it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive to the U.S.

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65 Includes Free Shipping.

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping 

Postcards are hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

Red Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers