Dream a little dream: L’appartement

This is how I, a self-confessed francophile, a macaron-loving walking cliché and a Paris café junkie, have always envisioned myself: In a two-bedroom corner apartment in the mind-boggling City of Light, balcony with iron railing flowers and a view included. The idea didn’t come after my first visit to the French capital and no, I didn’t stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and just blurted out “This is where I wanna live someday”. No, it didn’t happen after the two-episode Sex & the City finale, although I am planning to recreate the Carrie’s ladybug skirt look next time I’m there.

It has been a long road, my affair with Paris. It started courting me, it romanced me, it seduced me and of course, left me wanting more and more. So much more, that I have devoured all the expats in Paris memoirs for sale in Amazon, I have a drawer with the following label: “French movies/Movies in Paris/Movies about Paris”, I have French decor boards on Pinterest and I read blogs, expat blogs that feed my obsession and make me feel a little bit part of their wonderful world. I AM A FRANCOPHILE AND I’M NOT ASHAMED!

And the dream apartment? The one I drew? That’s exactly how I see it in my dreams. Mint and pink, classic French decor, cushions with my initials, lots of light, baroque mirrors, chandeliers, fresh peonies, fashion books for my gold painted coffee table and the nude Chanel 2.55 wouldn’t hurt. Me wearing the Dior bow scarf with a mint bustier while drinking champagne while doing absolutely nothing? That was part of my visions too, I promise! A girl can dream, right? Wait till you see my closet!

From Paris (my imaginary Paris, for the moment), bisous…

PS: This illustration will be part of my upcoming print boutique on Etsy! Coming soon!

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

Sweet n’Raws X-mas Shopping Guide: THE FRANCOPHILE

Hello, hello my sweet readers! December is finally here and it’s definitely starting to feel like Christmas (or like Winter, temperature has really dropped today): the big and bright tree in Piazza Duomo, the lights inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the beautifully decorated windows at the shops in Via Montenapoleone (even if the cold is almost deadly, Milano sure knows how to suit up for the Holidays). As the first parties and dinners start to happen (the one thing I miss about Mexico during this time was the booze-fest me and my friends used to organize every year), so does the shopping. As I told you on Saturday, Sweet n’Raw is armed and ready with a bunch of gift ideas that can help you sort out what to give who. In my Holiday shopping guide you will find that there is everything for every budget: from a $2,000 Chanel vintage bag to a $4.00 lip gloss.

As I mentioned before, Sweet n’Raw’s Christmas shopping guide is personality-inspired. This year, I wanted to think a little bit out of the box, not your usual “rocker chick” “boho chic” kind of guide. I have prepared two selections per personality: the splurge (if you are going all out) and the steal (if you are smart shopping). To get things started, a personality I really identify with: the francophile.

Us francophiles know exactly what “francophile” means. For the rest of you, don’t panic, it’s not a disease (but it is an addiction). A francophile is a non-french individual obsessed with all things gallic. There are many of us out there, we know we are not alone. In fact, I bet you have a friend who dreams about Paris even when she is awake. A friend who dreams of a house in the French countryside. A friend who has read every single expat memoir for sale on Amazon. A friend who, if she had the money and the speediest metabolism in the world, would live on Laduree macarons. In case you wondered, I am all of the above. If you have a sister or a colleague that goes crazy with la France and all that it has to offer, this is the list you need when shopping for her gift. Let’s get started!

1. Sea green stone Arty Ring, YSL
2. Fuchsia gloves, Miu Miu
3. Pink nail polish selection (Tendresse, May, Ballerina and Rose Exuberant), Chanel Le Vernis
4. Powder blue vintage bag, Chanel
5. Mint snakeskin flats, J. Crew
6. Lace dress, Oscar de la Renta
7. Detailed jumper, Moschino Cheap & Chic
8. Glitter sunglasses, Miu Miu
9. Stripe pajama shirt, Bodas
10. Santal Blush perfume, Tom Ford
11. Statement necklace, Erickson Beamon
12. Pom pom sandals, Charlotte Olympia

1. Ballerina flats, ASOS
2. Essie nail polish selection (Like to be bad, Love and acceptance, Who’s the boss), ASOS
3. Baby pink satchel, Zatchels
4. An Extraordinary Theory of Objects book, Stephanie LaCava
5. Cream dress, Topshop
6. Ruffle jumper, Romwe
7. Vanity mirror, Urban Outfitters
8. Petit Cherie eau de toilette, Annick Goutal
9. Kitten ring, Modcloth
10. Ankle-strap heels, Zara

Ready to shop for your wannabe French girlfriend? If you are my friend (or my boyfriend) and you are getting me a Christmas present, this is the post you should be looking at. Need more ideas? A lot more personality-inspired gifts coming your way!

Happy shopping and sweet kisses…

20 days till X-mas!

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis