Lucky Number 33 in Brussels

Such a treat to spend my 33rd birthday with my new friends in Brussels. Rebecca, Kathrin and Sheila made sure I had a wonderful day. Rebecca brought me breakfast, Sheila sent me beautiful flowers as she was in Seattle and unable to participate in person, and Rebecca and Kathrin planned a really special night for me.

Kathrin, Rebecca and I began the night with cocktails at the Metropole. Hotel Metrople is one of those Brussels establishments ... a gorgeous fin de siecle space that is totally classy and over the top.

The beautiful Ms. Eichel at Metropole.

The sexy and mysterious Ms. Rebecca Brown.

And that's me, laughing my ass off in my beautiful Josep Font dress. Love it!

After drinks, we had a really lovely dinner (not at La Manufacture as planned, but at a nice little Italian joint). The girls made me a huge birthday table and gave me my gifts and a little cake. Rebecca gave me a very "me" ring and Kathrin gave me a Berlin city guide (we are going this weekend!). I'll admit it, I cried. I love my Biscuits and Dr. Eichel!!!!

Me and my Biscuits at my birthday dinner.

After dinner, we headed to Zebra Bar to meet up with other friends. The night went on and on ... I believe I arrived home at 4:30 am with a kebab from the Sultans of Kebab in tow. It was a blast ... and I don't feel a day over 25!

John and Dragan were there to celebrate.

So was Filippo.

And my crazy friend Eva!

And the adorable Zoe!

Paris: Third Time is a Charm

Ms. Kerry O'Brien graced Europe with her presence a few weeks ago and the main event was a long weekend in Paris. For years, Kerry has been talking about visiting the Rungis market. Rungis is a huge, huge, HUGE market on the outskirts of Paris that is the main purveyor of meat, fish, vegetables, and flowers to the restaurants and shops of Paris. They only are open to the public on the second Friday of every month for 6 am tour. Yes, I said 6 am. After waking up at 4:45, taking a cab to the bus depot, and taking a bus out to the market, we joined our tour at 6 am. I wish I had photos, but I can tell you that there were massive amounts of cows hanging on hooks, entire buildings of gorgeous looking vegetables, and a dead rabbit or two to keep you awake throughout the tour. While it wasn't totally my thing, it was a cool experience (especially when our French tour guide tried to blame Kerry and I as the Americans on the tour for ruining the Camembert industry) that I'm happy to have been a part of. Glad Kerry got to do Rungis.




As it was her birthday, I wanted to make sure Kerry and I did something memorable in Paris. So I booked us a table at the Moulin Rouge.

If you've never been, do yourself a favor and go. Not because the dancing is so great. And not because the girls are scantily clad (if you are into that sort of thing). Go for the live ponies. Seriously people, they bring live ponies on stage during one of the numbers. It is awesome. Plus, they have these bizarre intermission acts with bad ventriloquists, poor magicians, and the best acrobats you've ever seen in your life. The half bottle of champagne you get helps with enjoyment of the show. But really, Moulin Rouge is awesome. Definitely something to see ... and not that bullshit movie with Nicole Kidman and Ewan MacGregor I've fallen asleep during three times.

In addition to Rungis and Moulin Rouge, I had a great time during my last weekend in Paris. Galleries Lafayette and Le Printemps already had done there windows up for Christmas. I shopped all day in the 5th, bought a lovely coat and contemplated (but wisely decided against) buying something at Catherine Malandrino. And on Sunday, I hung out in a cool flea market and the Marais. Ate a delcious strudel-type thing from one of the Jewish bakeries and generally fell in love with Paris all over again.

Warning to everyone who cares ... I am definitely moving to Paris.