French Musicians to Discover

Bonjour tout la monde! I have been obsessively scouring iTunes, YouTube, and Google over the past week in search of new cool French musicians to get stuck in my head. The results have been pretty great, although it has resulted in very late nights...very late. You see, with an American iTunes account I can only get so far, and since I can no longer listen to French radio during my daily commute, I had to make an effort myself.

Here are some French musicians I am selecting out of my YouTube playlist that you should definitely check out ASAP!

Greg Laffargue kind've has a Jason Mraz feel, happy and laid back.


Sofia Essaidi is so much fun...not to mention super adorable in this video.


Thomas Pradeau is one of those musicians who you instantly love.


Zaz has this amazing soulful voice that is rare these days. This is her doing an impressive cover of an Edith Piaf song, but her original music is definitely worth checking out as well.

Which French musician will be 

added to your playlist mes cheris? 

NYC Digs: Paul Labrecque Salon

It is about this time every season, the end of the season, where I begin yearning for a refreshing change in my beauty routine, to gear me up for the following months. I hit that point last week where every time I left the apartment, covered in sweat, I felt my hair needed a hairstylist's magic touch to breathe new life into it. Well that dream came true at what I think is the most amazing salon in New York City, the Paul Labrecque Salon! Prepare yourself this NYC Digs post is filled with luxury on the Upper East Side....

 I started the day off with a curly do, tousled by the NYC elements a la Carrie Bradshaw. I was eager to see my transformation as I gazed out at the sunny day on East 65th street.  Before and after lovers beware!! This one's a doozy!

I met hair stylist Jerami back in the Winter, at the fabulous Onassis Clothing Gentleman's Night Out event in SoHo...couldn't get him off my mind since then...he is AMAZING!

And so Jerami got to work...as you see he had a lot to work with! 

I sat coddling my coffee as mornings and I get along never, and chatting.

I felt like a beauty parlor lady in the 50s while my color set 

and I sipped an espresso and read further in my book.

The whole team at Paul Labrecque works like a family, everyone chatting and smiling, checking in on each other and helping out where needed. Here I'm getting my nails done by Manana. I also went down later and chatted with their makeup artist Taymour. Paul Labrecque has a full service spa, as well as nail parlor, makeup specialists, and hair salon. It's a dream getaway for a weekend morning. 

Et VOILA before and after delivered! I was so excited when I saw my new reflection in the mirror, I'm a redhead now! I spent the day getting mistaken for Amy Adams, complimented left and right, and I couldn't have been happier. Jerami did an amazing job, I couldn't believe his talent. The whole staff at Paul Labrecque instantly feels like your family...the kind that send you away looking fabulous rather than frazzled...making you giddy for your next visit. 

Be sure to get over to a Paul Lebrecque Salon asap for your own transformation. Jerami is at the Upper East Side salon, but there is a Midtown and Upper West Side location as well. And be sure to stop by the website to learn some hair tips & tricks as well as get some great products...or start following this blog for a fabulous surprise coming soon...hmm...

What do you think mes cheris?

Bryant Park: Summer Movies in the Park

New York City has an unending activity list to partake in throughout the summer. Last night I met up with some friends in Bryant Park for their Summer Movies in the Park Series. Last night they showed Airplane, the classic 1980's comedy.

I got their early to save a spot for our group, and even a couple hours ahead of showtime, it was packed! But I had some time to lounge out and read, in a cute white lace tank and pink polka dot shorts! Then once my friends met up with me, we had a lovely picnic from Fairway, the famous NYC grocery store. Cheese, hummus and pita, fresh olives...the food was amazing.

Bryant Park: Summer Movies in the Park was fun, the food was great, and the company was even better. It is definitely a must-see if you are in New York on a Monday night.

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Broken Laptop and Weekend Beach Trip to Connecticut

Mes cheris the worst has happened....well maybe not the worst, but my laptop has died! All last week I have been functioning VIA smartphone, Droid Incredible to be exact, but it is just not as efficient. Tomorrow's mission is to replace my broken laptop with, wait for it, a MAC! I know, I'm finally giving in and making the switch. So here's hoping the hype is all it is cracked up to be!

This weekend, sans broken laptop, I took a weekend beach trip to Connecticut to visit a friend. She was amazing and so was Connecticut I must say. Like a little Suburbia Oasis tucked away just an hour from NYC. Maybe I could live here one day (I may need to find my finance man first)!

I started off with a knock you off your socks muffin from Magnolia Bakery while waiting for my train at Grand Central. Complete with a large coffee of course. While waiting I spied the most interesting tattoo I've seen in a while, a Model T Ford! After deboarding, I was off to the beach, lunch on Main Street, dog walking, grilling outside and of course lots of quality girl time. It was refreshing! Here are some pics of my weekend beach trip to Connecticut, I hope you enjoy them.

Here's to blogging to you next time from a brand new MacBook! Goodbye broken laptop, rest in peace!

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Fashionspiration: Farewell McQueen Exhibit

In light of the fact that this is the last few days the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit is open at The Met, I trotted my fashionable self, coffee in tow, across The Park to the East Side...very early in the morning...to skip the line that has eagerly been accumulating each day.

I was excited to wear my new Nicole Miller top I won from their Facebook page contest! Pairing the silk printed peekaboo with Urban Outfitters shorts, a Hugo Boss belt, and Old Navy wedges (I know!), I was ready to see my favorite fashion exhibit one last time.

I love his quote about how he seeks to empower women. I feel that way through my style and I hope to serve as a backboard of ideas in which you can gain empowering fashionable inspiration from to serve yourselves the same way.

Be empowered today mes cheris!

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I Can Pack for That: Los Angeles

It seems like the right time to enjoy the summer by escaping to a place with dry heat and lots o' style...bring on Los Angeles! In this how-to guide for packing for Los Angeles you will learn the fine art of a long weekend of leisurely shopping, West Coast beach strolls, and painting the town red...all in the utmost style. Remember: always bring pieces that match each other so you have freedom to mix and match as needed!

Who's star will you place your hands in mes cheris? I can't wait to find Audrey Hepburn's personally!

I Can Pack for That: Los Angeles by fashiondiva304 featuring halter tops

One shoulder draped dress
£4.99 - dressrail.com

TopShop crinkle shirt
$20 - topshop.com

Halter top
$17 - stylesforless.com

Biba single breasted blazer
£97 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Elie Saab jumpsuits romper
$2,040 - boutique1.com

Preen skirt
$1,308 - farfetch.com

La Perla silk camisole
$480 - stylebop.com

Norma Kamali ruched bikini
$350 - net-a-porter.com

Deborah Marquit lace bra
$225 - barneys.com

CALYPSO ST. BARTH short shorts
$99 - calypsostbarth.com

Deborah Marquit thong panty
$65 - barneys.com

TopShop cover up swimwear
$24 - topshop.com

Lanvin jeweled sandals
$799 - barneys.com

Valentino t strap sandals
$836 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Pratesi travel bag
$2,300 - forzieri.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch handbag
$178 - michaelkors.com

Tan bag
$98 - topshop.com

Badgley Mischka sparkle jewelry
$130 - nordstrom.com

Ben Amun metal necklace
$130 - maxandchloe.com

Carolee pearl bangle
£58 - houseoffraser.co.uk

ASOS strap watch
$52 - asos.com

Gilded Lily Goods long chain earrings
$40 - pinkmascara.com

Prada glass shades
$290 - nordstrom.com

Beach hat
$25 - amazon.com

Outliving Keep Calm Water Bottle
$30 - generalpants.com.au

Are you ready to strut Rodeo Drive?

I Can Pack for That: Miami - 4th of July

Well its finally the 4th of July and I hope you are all off to some excited places this long weekend! I will be celebrating here in New York City, but my mind I believe is off dreaming of sandy beaches and pina coladas a bit closer to the equator. Miami and its hypnotizing music and alluring scene would be a fabulous place to celebrate Independence Day don't you agree?!

As a Southern Bell myself, I must admit, as of late, I am jonesin' for some sweet tea, long beaches, and warm water to splash around in...oh to be able to travel right now. Well for those of you that do get to venture off to some exotic location I give you a little how to pack for a long weekend...Miami style!

I Can Pack for That: Miami by fashiondiva304 featuring denim short shorts

How would you pack for Miami my dearests?