RIP Whitney Houston
Today, my mom called me around 7am a couple of time of course I was sleeping at that time like every Sunday. Then I started to realise and what if something bad happened. So, I called her back in France. She answered and told me in a very low voice full of sadness that Whitney has died!
I was shocked and she sounded like it too (actually there’s no word to describe how bad I could felt she was, I know more than any member of my family what kind of relationship my mother had with Whitney’s songs)! I didn’t even asked how because I have my thoughts .
As you may have guessed, my mom is one of Whitney Houston’s biggest fan and she could see The Bodyguard 1000 times a month and listen to her singles all day and night. I felt so sorry for my mom and tried to find the best words to console her.
Yes, Whitney is dead today and French people will always remember her first trip in France and when she met for the first time our Gainsbourg. What a shock for the young Whitney! LOL
“Sacré Gainsbourg” never afraid to speak up his mind, that is a French attitude 
!
Enjoy this video!
Whitney looked splendid at that time and we would like to remember her like this. Whitney, we will always love you. Rest in peace <3
A dedication for my mum Emilie, love you too mummy. I miss you! <3
Fun and politics: a bimbo for President?
As you probably know, the French elections are coming up soon. Our country has been upset by rebounds all throughout 2011 and now France is speaking around about two candidates: Sarkozy and Holland and sometimes a third one: Marine Le Pen.
But our political landscape is marked by other personalities who are keen to apply for the most difficult French job of the century: PRESIDENT OF THE FRANCE.
And all this is very funny when you see what they present to us. I do not know and I do not recall seeing this kind of funny characters during the last British elections. This is why J’ADORE my France, Enjoy!
Her moto: “For a hedonism France,” whispered the slogan of the candidate’s “party of fun,” Cindy Lee (her stage name) presents herself as an “artist professional dancer” that is to say a stripper. She’s not new to the French political landscape, she’s already ran the race for the Elysee for three times. In addition to an arsenal of anti-crisis measures, the platinum blonde offers a society based on “well-being and sexuality for all.” An enticing program she has tried to present in 2002 and 2007. But Cindy Lee had failed to glean the 500 referrals necessary to be officially in the “electable”.
The Raelian Rasta with his 69 proposals, Rasta President recites measures to make France more vile and enter the era of “Paradigm”: “a political system similar to communism, but without the proletariat. Rasta President calls himself XX invokes the minimum wage for members of government, the right to vote from the age of 6 years, the legalisation of cannabis, 100% unemployment (its slogan: “Work less, live better”), the legalisation of polygamy and so on… On its website, the man of thirty years shows the composition of his government if you’re curious (like me) have a look at his website on: http://www.rastapresident.com/
Ladies and Gentlemen, big fun to introduce the veiled woman. Her name is Kenza Drider, she is 32 and she also wants to be the next French president. Have you guessed the Distinctive sign? She wears the niqab and wishes to compete in the election to obtain the annulation of the “veil law”.
She had launched her candidacy in Meaux (Parisian suburb, located in the south of Paris) and amusingly the mayor there is Jean-Francois Cope, the fountainhead of the project to ban the veil. Kenza Drider offers retirement at age 60 for women, against 65 men. She also wants to close all bars, restaurants and nightclubs selling alcohol and forbid mini skirts and dresses. Poor me L I guess if she’s elected I would have to ask for a British passport…
Kenza, XX or Cindy so different but so witty… They are not the only one to have fun every four years with crazy economic or political propositions… But I found these three quite interesting and hilarious. Who do you prefer? I’ll be curious to know (I found XX quite mental)… XoXo
L’origine du mal
I love fashion and I love Arts. Whilst I was preparing my next itinerary to Corsica, I came across an incredible and controversy exhibition that arouses my curiosity.
Anthony Limelette, a second year student in Arts at the University of Corte, is the author of the picture entitled “The origin of evil,” depicting as you can see below a penis and a rosary.
By way of advertisement, Anthony had circulated posters on the university campus. But he also assumed a desire to provoke reactions and it worked indeed! This photo has infuriated the Student unions that have found these it too provocative and antireligious. They also managed to cancel the presentation of his work in the university. After the controversy created by the white photos, the Bliss Concept gallery in Ajaccio has decided to exhibit the works of Anthony Limelette until February 13, 2012. As every Artist Anthony claimed that his works have been misunderstood and invite people to come and understand all the metaphors and analogies behind his work. Let’s give him a chance
Since I am going there soon, I am looking forward to seeing it, so guys if you have the opportunity to get there, please leave your opinions and your thoughts.
Cheers
XOXO
Raf Simons new designer for Dior, moi j’adore!
Raf Simons is 43 and he’s a Belgian fashion designer. He studied furniture design and exposed to the work of international designers, he started to work with Walter Van Beirendonck in Paris as a fashion designer.
While everybody is betting for him to be the next Dior designer, Raf has refused to comment on rumours.
Unconfirmed reports that Raf is finalising the contract for his new position have been circulating since last December, with numerous fashion insiders wading in on the debate over his suitability.
“I have nothing to say,” the Belgian creative told press at his Jil Sander menswear show.
Since Galliano’s sacking last year, a number of big names, such as Marc Jacobs, have been in the running. Other people to be linked to the coveted role include Alexander Wang and Jason Wu.
We might have the answer in a couple of weeks….
Buzz on La Redoute website
French fashion chain La Redoute was left red faced today after accidentally publishing a photo of a naked man in an advert for children’s clothing.
The offending image was posted on the retailer’s website and featured four children playing on a beach – with a nudist bather in the sea behind them.
The fully naked man escaped the notice of the photo’s editor, but eagle eyed Twitter users were quick to spot the X-rated mishap.
‘La Redoute’ began to trend on the social networking site with both French and English users expressing views.
La Redoute has been very quick to respond to the buzz. The immediate withdrawal of the picture led to an internal investigation. When contacted, La Redoute said that it was an internal error.
So a statement had removed any malicious act suspected by some customers on Facebook and Twitter, who thought to see in the image the result of a deliberate act. But difficult to find out more. La Redoute and said that “they do not have plans to communicate more on this subject and on the results of the internal investigation in particular.”
I think the photo’s editor have been fired but this story has been funny though. Thank you very much La Redoute, but I would really like to know more about this guy who got naked picture of him on his professional drive! Where this picture originally comes from? How this mistake culd have been done? This story has cased a lot of buzz but what is the real story? Hoepfully, La Redoute do not have a “peadophile” working on its premises.
http://fr.fashionmag.com/news-226549-La-Redoute-une-erreur-humaine-aux-sources-du-buzz
Getting Free in France
Finally, the mobile plan that going to revolutionise the mobile market in France has came up.
Free thank you, people are now Free to pay cheaper communication rates in France!
After weeks of intense buzz, orchestrated by the owner of Free, Xavier Niel, the operator launched this morning its range of mobile plans “Free Mobile” expected to revolutionise the industry.
During a press release, Xavier Niel has unveiled a unique package at 19.99 euros (£16.54) , sold from today and introduced as the cheapest of the market. Free also proposed a “social” offer, in reference to the economical plan set up bythe government, but that will be accessible to anyone on benefits. For 2 euros per month, this plan offers 60 minutes of communication and 60 SMS per month.
Also, for all new Freebox customers ( for your information Freebox is the broadband offer of the company providing TV with 200 channels, home phone with unlimited calls in Europe & USA/Canada and unlimited internet), Free also provides benefits:the broadband package will be marketed only 15.99 euros (£13.23) instead of 19.99 euros (£16.54) and the “social plan” will be free .
Competition is becoming fierce in France between the three big operators Orange, Bouygues, SFR and the new entrant Free!
And here? When are we going to get this kind of plans?? We’re still waiting, I really hope that Free will extend its market in England. 
2011 French review: if u loved 2011, u’ll adore 2012!
Happy 2012 to all of you guys! I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break and had a fantastic time with family and friends. As far as I am concerned I have been in France for Christmas and in Spain to celebrate the New Year and we had a lot of fun down there.
In France, I have been around family and friends talking about all that happened in France in 2011 and trying to understand people point of view and how people felt of Sarkozy’s reign.
This time I’ve stayed long enough to become “French” again and getting back this so missed mentality, way of living and the current “cultural trends”. But, I have to say something, I felt good! I felt good amongst my people and it was as if I had never left “Douce France le pays de mon enfance”.
2011 has been mixed and controversial for France politically, historically and socially. The country has met some good and bad vibes, let review it rapidly.
Let’s start by the futilities.
1. Music
The French musical review!
I will put aside all the music and international authors everyone knows (i.e. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna…). Here I will focus on new French artists of the year and bestselling French singles.
This is the first song I want to Introduce you. It’s “logobitombo” interpreted by Moussier Tombola. It Was The Buzz of the Year in France and a fantastic and unexpected success. It’s a very funny song Which invites the dancer to dance “Sean Paul” dance with a “submachine gun” position and if meet jealous people around you, Moussier Tombola invite you to do the “Ferme-la” gesture (shut up gesture). To Listen Without moderation.
Below, a classic and chic French representative Vanessa Paradis that I do not need to introduce with La Seine featuring M who won a “Victoire de la musique” the equivalent of the national Brit award.
Another French classic artist Laurent Voulzy with Jeanne. In case you don’t know him, Voulzy is a French singer and composer. Also, he is best known for his collaborative song writing efforts with singer/songwriter Alain Souchon and his solo singing career, which spanned several successful albums and song including Rockollection.
A young and successful artist from France M. Pokora with a song called «en attendant la fin” translate “Waiting for the end. Mathieu was born in Strasbourg, France commonly known as M. Pokora or Matt Pokora, is a French singer and songwriter. He’s the son of professional footballer André Tota but he’s best known for his participation in the third season of Popstars, a French talent reality television show broadcast on M6. The concept of the program was to present possible candidates the winners of which would take part in the formation of a boy band or girl band. He was a crowd and jury favourite became a member of a boy band called Linkup formed with Lionel and Otis, two other winners in 2003 Popstars. The French rumours say that is in fact gay and his potential boyfriend is the footballer Djibril Cissé. True? I hope no.
I wish I had more time to introduce you to all the French talents but this is the last one, I love her style. This is Inna Modja with French Cancan (Monsieur Sainte Nitouche). It’s just a pity that she sings in English and not more in French. Quick prez, Inna was born in Bamako, Mali of a Fulani family of seven children of which she is the last, Inna Bocoum was named artist Inna Modja the nickname given to it by his mother, which means “Inna is wrong “in Fulani.
In June 2011 her new single “French Cancan” became one of the tubes of the summer of 2011, positioning itself at the top # 1 TV, Radio # 5 on top and # 3 in Top 50 singles. Building on its success, it offers a second single “La Fille Du Lido” and the album Love Revolution November 7, 2011.
2. Sport
The World Athletics Championships 2011 in Daegu, South Korea: 4 medals for France and 25 for Americans (surprised???). First medal for the 200m is for Christophe Lemaitre and is made of bronze. The second is for Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (3000m), also in bronze. The third was won by Renaud Lavillenie in the pole vault, also in bronze; it is one of the French disappointments as the target was the gold medal. However, we have big winners of this championship were Tinmar, Lemaitre, and Lesourd Vicaut who won the silver medal after a magnificent race 4x100m relay men.
Let’s talk about tennis now, as the French tennismen ended the year with four representatives in the Top 20 – a record – a quartet led by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga author of a remarkable late season notably with his game with Roger Federer in the Masters in London. And there are 3 other players in the Top 20 Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet. For the first time, we have some big potential to reach the gold medal in 2012!
A few words about football and the team of France, 13 matches played, 7 won and 6 null results, an unbeaten run which has now reached 17 games, a qualification for Euro 2012, having finished in first place of its group. The year 2011 in the France team has been successful. Nationally speaking, the club champion for the year 2010-2011 is the LOSC, winning after 38 games in front of the Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais. I would have preferred Paris, but the club will have to recruit big players and I think of more readjustments, it is not won yet!
3. French meteorological review
Exceptional average temperature for 2011 with three remarkable events: an exceptionally hot and dry spring, a July remarkably cool and rainy, Mediterranean sequences of heavy rain fall, causing serious flooding in the South East France.
4. Economic review
The year 2011 began greatly for the French economy. But it ends with a threat of recession, while the government had to implement two different austerity plans
In spring 2011, all seem to be acceptable for the French economy, decent employment figures and productivity untying the budget constraint, and strengthening the goal of reducing unemployment. Business leaders showed a strong confidence with the economy.
But during the summer, the market started to boil. The United States lose their triple A and the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area threatens to spread. François Fillon announced an emergency plan of 12 billion euros.
But two months later, the plan seemed already obsolete. The debt crisis spreads, market pressure rises and business leaders hinder their investment and stopped hiring. 2% growth forecast already fallen to 1.75% in late August and decreased to 1%. On November 7, a new recovery plan of 7 billion was announced for 2012 marked by the acceleration of the pension reform and tax increases.
While the executives wanted to defend at any cost the French triple-A, they were forced to radically change their speech a month later when Standard & Poor’s placed all the countries of the euro area on “surveillance” threatening France of a deterioration of its mark by two ranks.
Also, as per the last figures received, the unemployment figures in France in November 2011 were again very bad. The number of unemployed rose sharply in last November. Job offers are too low to stop this movement and the number of unemployed reached 9.8% meaning 2.9 million of French population. It is important to note that countries gaining the highest number of unemployed in Europe are Spain (5.3 million) followed by France (2.9 million), Germany (2.3 million) and Italy (2.1 million).
Finally, a nearly 75 billion euros expected, the trade deficit of France has reached a new level this year, breaking his record of 2008 (- 56.2 billion). This degradation is due to soaring energy bills related to the price of Brent, but also by a growing loss of competitiveness in the industry.
5. Political review
Chichi our chouchou, Primary election for the left wing, DSK, political rearrangements, and senatorial elections.
On February 27, 2011, big changes occurred in the French political picture. After six weeks of controversy on the trip to Tunisia of Michele Alliot-Marie, the head of the state replaced its foreign minister by Alain Juppé, who became the new leader of government.
Hortefeux also left the government and Claude Gueant became the new interior minister.
Exceptional fact in 2011, the left has a majority in the Senate; it is a first under the Fifth Republic and the first time since 1958. in parallel, the PS won the cantonal and a lot of people consider it as “a warning to the UMP and Nicolas Sarkozy ‘ for the next election. French people are not happy, they’re suffering and they want the politics to know that.
Moreover, with nearly 2.7 million voters on October 9 and October 16 the primary election (Primaire socialiste) organised by the Socialist Party was a success for the supporters of the left wing. François Hollande emerged victorious face to Martine Aubry and will be the candidate of PS to face Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2012 presidential election.
And even though, François Hollande began 2011 as the left wing outsider, he finished the year with the status of favourite for the presidential election. He is leading in all polls and could win the second round by 56% to 58% of the vote. The former first secretary of the PS has been lucky as his status today is due to the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, major favourite, at the beginning of the year. The polls announced DSK as the President of France. This was before the case Nafissatou Diallo or the case Tristane Banon or the newest case of the Carlton hotel in Lille … If this is democracy and freedom, DSK has lost everything: his honour, the IMF and all his and his wife ambitions.
BREAKING and FUNNY NEWS: our former president Jacques Chirac was sentenced to two years suspended sentence in the case of fictitious employees of the City of Paris. Chichi (as Frenchies call him) will not appeal his conviction.
Really, I could write hours on what happened in France in 2011 but I think I’ve been through the most important part of Frenchies’ lives. I hope the best for all of us in 2012 with a special though for my French “compatriots”!
JOYEUSES ANNEE A VOUS TOUS. ENORMES BISOUS DE FRENCHATTITUDE <3
2011 in review – Thank you all! Have a fantastic year!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 26,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 10 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Europinion war
Sarkozy versus Cameron
Nicolas Sarkozy tells David Cameron: shut up over the euro!
David Cameron has begun a week of intense political infighting over Europe by becoming embroiled in a furious row with Nicolas Sarkozy over Britain’s role in talks to solve the crisis enveloping the euro.
The bust-up between Cameron and Sarkozy held up the conclusion of the EU-27 summit for almost two hours, with the French president expressing rage at the constant criticism and lectures from UK ministers.
Sarkozy bluntly told Cameron: “You have lost a good opportunity to shut up.” He added: “We are sick of you criticising us and telling us what to do. You say you hate the euro and now you want to interfere in our meetings.”
To read the entire article, just click
Here are some points of view from Le Parisien:
Shut up Cameron. Tu n’es pas Thatcher…. Les anglais vont se réfugier derrière lui et réclamer à sortir de l’UE. Cool alors, on ne sera plus obligé de manger du mouton du Commonwealth qui se fait passer pour le l’agneau! Episode supplémentaire de la guéguerre des monnaies: $ et £ contre l’€, avec Moody’s et standard & poors en chefs de file. Vous savez ces agences qui n’ont pas vu venir Madoff et ses crises, ni celles de la dette ni … la prochaine! Quand est ce qu’on se fait une agence de notation UE que l’on puisse enlever quelques A à nos anglais et américains chéris?
Shut up Cameron, you are not Thatcher … The English take refuge behind him and ask to leave the EU. Cool, we will no longer have to eat Commonwealth sheep being called lamb! Just
an additional episode of the Currency $ and £ against the €, with Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s as leaders. You know those agencies that have not seen the economic crisis and
Madoff, or the debts! When will we have an EU rating agency that we can remove some A to our British and American darlings?
Je suis d’accord avec Cameron si l’Europe prend en charge la dette de la France !
I agree with the Cameron if Europe accounts for France debt
Bizarre, nos fans de la gauche ne critiquent plus sarko….Lui au moins il a se bat pour nous. Depuis De Gaulle il n’y a pas eu meilleur que lui pour se battre
pour la France et tous les français …..Il aurait dû rajouter à Cameron la gifle que nous avons donnée aux anglais au rugby !
Bizarre, our left wing fans do not criticize sarko now…. At least he’s fighting for us. Since De Gaulle, there was no better president than him to fight for France and all French…..
He should have mentioned to Cameron the flap we gave to English rugby men!
Bravo Sarko ……Voilà exactement le genre de tempérament dont nous aurons besoin à la tête de notre pays……Vous voyez Hollande tenir tête comme cela ? On à beau dire ce qu’on veut Sarko saura représenter nos intérêts au niveau Mondial.
Congratulations…… Sarko is exactly the kind of temper that we need to lead our country…… Can you see Hollande stand up like that? We can say all that we want about him but Sarko
will be able to represent our interests worldwide.
No to MacDo!
Parents go to war against the McDonald
When France is known as being the best place to eat healthy and natural food, it is also known by a few as the second biggest market for Mac Donald. In fact, there are over 800 McDonalds in France.
However, the implementation of a new McDonald’s in Franconville (“Grande Couronne” Parisian Suburb) near schools causes the anger of parents.
Just over a hundred people demonstrated last Saturday to protest against the project. Then, they went to City Hall to drop off the petition
of 1300 signatures against this future fast-food implementation.
Despite all the efforts made in France by Mac Donald to provide healthy food (baguette, salads, and low calories sandwiches), some French seem not to approve the hegemony of the giant American and consider it as an American cultural invasion (which is not false).
The José Bové (the farmer turned activist who in an act of civil disobedience drove a tractor into a McDonalds) would probably join them soon.
I really don’t think that this demonstration will stop the opening as political have strong and juicy Agreements with the giant. As usual this demonstration will be forgotten in a couple of
days and therefore ignored.
