The OPMOM Blog

The Magic of Paris

What is it about me that loves all things French?

The milled soaps, the cured black olives, the fountains in the middle of every square in every park, city or town? The creamy cheeses and luscious red wines, the waiters in their penguin suits in the cafes? The men are suave, the women are stylish, and I find myself wanting to embrace their homeland, their mother tongue, their refined sense of all that is elegant, artistic, cultured.  Do the caves at Lascaux really hold the secret to the cradle of arts in modern civilization?  Paper may have been invented in China, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel in Italy, but our idea of artiste, stereotypical or not, was born in the studios of Renoir and Rodin, the garrets of Montmartre, the gardens of Giverny.  David painted Napoleon crowning himself emperor, and the magnificent tableau hangs in the Louvre, one-time royal residence and now palace of all things historically significant in the art world.

It’s not just French art that sets the standard for the rest of the world; it is food, wine, and fashion.  France may not be the most technologically or bureaucratically advanced nation in the free world, but who cares?  Sitting at la Coupole, oysters, Bordeaux, the city’s most elite, the world’s cutest wait staff, the new French frock you paid a week’s salary for; on s’en fou. Whether you make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower or the steps of the Sacre Coeur, you’re still at the top of the world.

Paris is magical, alluring, entrapping you into believing you could live this life for a very long time, when in reality, French people work long hours (okay, not really.  They typically don’t go into work until 10 am and are home at 7:00.), pay their bills, walk their dogs (who poop on the sidewalk), put their pants on one leg at a time, live, and die.  But they do their living and dying with just a little more effervescent panache than the rest of the world.   That’s the magic, the bubbles in the Perrier and billowing out of the shop displays, the extra dollop of foam on the cafe au lait, the colors in the shop windows, the lovers on the park benches. C’est de la magie, c’est la vie!

Getting Acquainted with Paris

I went to Rome once without a guidebook.  Big mistake.  There we were, three lost, lira-less Americans in the cradle of modern civilization standing with our mouths wide open and great big do-huh? expressions on our faces.  It was sad.  I really regret that trip.  Good pizza though.

So, although I said in my introduction that I was determined to do my adventure in Paris in a carefree, Holly Golightly approach, I am much too much of a list-maker to actually follow through with spending a week in Paris without a list.  There was just too much at stake.  I didn’t want to miss a trick, and if I don’t want to miss something, I have to write it down. 

So Sara and I sat at a corner cafe on Sunday morning, cafe cremes and croque madames pushed out of our way on the tiny terrace table.  (The terrace wasn’t tiny; it was sprawling out into the street and packed with church-skipping Parisians and tourists like us.  The table was tiny.)  Anyhoo, we made room for our journals and guide books and mapped out our week. 

Since our apartment was a block from the Seine, with Notre Dame in full view from our closest Metro stop, we didn’t have to put that on the list.  We stopped there several times and took photos from both sides, romped in the courtyard at night in the rain, perused the fascinating, attic-like nooks and crannies of literary treasures at Shakespeare and Co. English bookstore across the river, even filmed an embarassing-ly goofy birthday video on our way to the island on which it stands.  And although its beauty and craftsmanship represent a near-perfect example of Gothic grandeur, perhaps the most stunning cathedral, or even building in the world, it is not my favorite church in Paris.  Just a few blocks away, and even closer to our home-away-from-home, is a true gem in the catalog on historical French monuments to history and to God:  Sainte-Chapelle.  

“Few sights,” reads the guide book I purchased at Shakespeare*, “even in Paris, rival the royal chapel of Sainte-Chapelle.  This tiny jewel, built in the 13th century, 100 years before Notre-Dame, has a series of exquisite stained-glass windows.”  Louis IX had it built to house the Crown of Thorns and other holy relics.  The artifacts are no longer there, but their story is fascinating, told in glass that will take your breath away.  Try to go on a sunny day, when light comes streaming through the facets like rubies and diamonds.  I swear you will hear the glorious song of Heaven in that light.

There’s more to the story:  built alongside the chapel was the Palais de Justice and the Conciergerie.  Take this short video tour and you will see where Marie-Antoinette, among others, was imprisoned during the Revolution.

If beautiful churches in Paris are a dime a dozen, you can barely throw a lucky centime without having it land in a fountain.  Every park has its fountain.  Every square and courtyard, every monument, small and grand.  

 *A good guidebook is essential.  Before I left home, I picked up Time Out Paris (Time Out Guides). Its write-ups are generally on target, but it leaves out a lot of interesting and helpful details, and the maps were very confusing.  A better book for the directionally challenged is Moon Metro Paris.  I love the open-out maps included in the descriptions of each key area.  I recommend checking out a few different books at the library and finding the one that suits your style, your pocketbook, and how much room you have in your suitcase.  Or just make a beeline to Shakespeare on your first day in the city, buy your guidebook there, plop down on the terrace of the nearest cafe, and make your own list. 

Leaving for Paris

My sister Sara is turning 30 this summer. Since she’s my little sister, I guess the gig is up; I will finally have to stop claiming to be 29!

To celebrate the momentous occasion, I am honored and thrilled that she invited me to go with her to the City of Lights. That’s right, ladies, Paris! My vacation will start the minute I sit down on that transcontinental flight and pour my first little fun-size bottle of Chardonnay. I am looking forward to every single, gloriously childless second spent browsing the art, strolling the quais de la Seine, sipping wine, laughing with my sis, and revisiting some of my favorite spots in tout le monde.

Sara manages a wonderful grassroots music and dance festival in North Carolina that features groups like Donna the Buffalo, the Elikem African Dance Company, and Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band. http://www.shakorihills.org/

If you missed the festival this year, you can catch it when it lands in a grassy field again sometime next fall. It’s organic and groovy and family-friendly, and from the picture Sara paints, always a little in flux. It’s perfect for her, because she herself is organic and groovy and somewhat more go-with-the-flow than I am.

That’s why it will be totally marvelous to travel with her. I am her tour guide, her caddy, and her partner-in-crime.

I came here a handful of times in my twenties as a student and then a newlywed (we won the airfare on a $2 raffle ticket!)  But this time I can tour the city the way I’ve always wanted to - less like a tourist and more like a grown-up – a coupla euro’s in my pocket, some fabulous shoes on my pieds (in place of the Asics I donned the last time I was in town), and a serious skip in my step.

Sara’s not married and has no kids, but she’s my kids’ favorite aunt, and she’s been around them enough to know 1) how much I adore them and 2) how badly I need this break away from them. She rented this appartement in the 6 ème arrondissement that is charming and hip at the same time. It is oh-so-Franch and oh-so-close to the Pont Neuf and Sainte-Chappelle, if we crane our necks out the second story window, we can probably see the river and glints of sunlight off the stained glass.

I don’t have a guidebook, I don’t have a list, I don’t have an agenda. I told her there is only one thing I really, really want to do, during our six euphoric days of Parisian paradise. I would love to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Yes, it may be tourist-y. My camera doesn’t even have a very good zoom. But I’ve never done it before, and I just want to get up there. I’ve seen the city from the old ferris wheel by the Louvre. I’ve seen it from the steps of the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. But I’ve never seen it from this iron relic of the final World’s Fair of the 19ème siècle.

Okay, so I have a few other suggestions to add to our tour. There’s this awesome comic book shop for true Tintin lovers like myself. There’s the Maya painting in the Picasso Museum that my daughter is named for. There’s Place des Vosges,  the stunning and architecturally unique square where Victor Hugo’s 17th century digs are located. I never even read Les Misérables, but I can sing every word of the score, and I love the cobblestone streets in that cool old neighborhood.

The entire city is a network of one ‘cool, old neighborhood’ after another. I am delirious about going again. To tell you the truth, I am pretty darn giddy just thinking about reclining my seat, watching the little airplane fly across the Atlantic on that screen in the front of the coach section and pouring my first fun-sized bottle of wine. Bon voyage!

Julie & Julia ~ Delight & Inspire

We are so excited to be hosting the Delight & Inspire Sweepstakes for the film Julie & Julia which will be in theaters August 7th!

When you Enter the Delight and Inspire Sweepstakes you could win a SHOP.COM shopping spree to help you create an environment that inspires you every day!

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive:
$1500.00 Shop.com shopping spree

Five (5) First Prize Winners will each receive:
$50.00 Shop.com shopping spree

Whether its a person, place, or thing, inspiration can be found in many forms. Julie Powell was inspired by Julia Child’s life and career, and in turn she inspired others with blog entries about her cooking projects.

This film inspires and speaks to us on so many levels because:

1. Julia Child is amazing and fearless in the kitchen.
2. She conquered French cuisine and brought it state side for us to experience in our own homes.
3. She taught us that it’s okay when you don’t get it right the first time and to never apologize for you mistakes!

We have been inspired to kick off a series called Adventures in Paris with our Senior Editor, Emily Shearer, who will be taking us through her Adventures in Paris. We will bring Paris to you through Food, Entertaining, and Travel! So don’t forget to join us for some inspiration this summer at the OPMOM Adventures in Paris!

Adventures in Paris

Want to escape to Paris with us this summer?

All you have to do is hang out at OPMOM and experience Paris right in your home for weeks worth of much needed indulgences over the summer!

OPMOM Senior Editor, Emily Shearer, takes us on her journey to Paris with her sister. Watch how we bring the recipes and fun back to you so you can create a Parisian style staycation in your own home!

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Join us and get the latest in fashion, eye candy, and learn some new recipes as you entertain your guests during the summer. We will celebrate our jaunt to Paris with Parisian Picnics, plus trendy French delicacies like African Hot Chocolate, French Macaroons, Grower’s Champagnes and Much Much More! So forget a long, expensive trip in economy class – this summer, join us in Paris at OPMOM!

Now for some Parisian street music!

Fourth of July Menu, Sans the Grill

                                             
The Fourth of July usually involves meat and a hot grill but we decided to do something different this year. With the summer heating up to over 100 degrees by noon the grill is not exactly the place we want to hang out.

So we decided to cool our 4th of July down with some amazingly easy dishes that will spark an East Coast Vibe for your Red, White and Blue Holiday!

We couldn’t think of anything more American & East Coast than the famous Lobster Roll Sandwich!
I tend to be more of a purist when it comes to the Lobster Roll. I don’t want to add to much to the mixture since it would overpower the flavor of a sweet lobster. So try out our Lobster Roll  for your 4th of July. Also I love the fact that the buns have a dual purpose here.  For the kids we served the buns up with hot dogs which made this an easy meal to accommodate adults and kids.

Going with our Red, White and Blue Theme we experimented a bit and came up with a our newest creation Blue Cheese Fritters that are an adaptation of rice balls. Add a green salad with a lemon vinaigrette and your food menu is complete.  To finish this off set up a number 3 bucket with ice, beer and wine and you are so set for your holiday. Grab some sparklers and set out for the fun!

Pan Dulce, Sweet Bread Heaven

Panaderia’s are the closets things to bakery heaven in my opinion, but then again I was brought up visiting these establishments since birth.  When my parents would take me to visit relatives we would go by the Panaderia. When people were coming over we would go to the Panaderia, on the weekends, guess what, Panaderia.

I don’t visit these bakeries as much anymore, so when I walked into one locally here in Houston, TX, it pretty much took over my senses. My eyes, my nose,  everything. I could not focus on what my friend was saying at the time. I was completely overwhelmed by all the display cases that held some very fragrant baked goods. I did the only think I could and clicked away on my phone and took some pictures of the cool space.

I love the whole process of collecting my pan dulce at the Panaderia. You walk around with a round flat tin pan and a pair of tongs. When you see something you like, you grab it and place it on your pan. Before you know it, your pan is piled high and your wondering who the hell is going to eat this.

If you get a chance and you can visit one in your area, you must. The beautiful Panaderia in these pictures is called El Bollio Bakery, located at:

2517 Airline Drive
Houston, TX  77009

Pico de Gallo Craving Satisfied!

                                      
I made fresh Pico de Gallo today and it was so good. Seriously, the aromas alone when making this is almost enough to satisfy. I actually went to the grocery store today and got all the ingredients to make pico de gallo. It is one of the easiest things to make on earth, but I don’t really spend much time in the kitchen, so this deserves a blog post. 

Every holiday I visit my family, and most of them include homemade pico. My family is really good at cooking and getting everything together, so when I help it is with dishes like this. Throw in a mini-chopper and I am very happy to oblige.

If you have never made fresh Pico de Gallo, DO IT. Salsas in restaurants and store bought fresh/ready-to-eat pico can be good, but does not compare to your very own.  So when your in the mood for chips and dip, bbq, or need something to go along side your Spanish rice, this is perfect.

Try it out and make your own concoction. Size of tomatoes, hot and spicy, with lime or without. Anyway you like, just do it, your kitchen is going to smell fabulous!

Ingredients:

2 ripe tomatoes

2 jalapenos (depends on hot you like it, start with one)

1/4 yellow onion

1 clove of garlic

1 lime

1 handful of cilantro

2 pinches of salt

I use an electric mini-chopper and throw in tomatoes and cilantro. Once it is chopped and looks diced, empty out into a large bowl. Next up, chop up the jalapenos, onion, and garlic.  Remember on the jalapenos if you don’t want it too hot, you can take out the seeds. Squeeze lime juice and add salt to taste. Stir it up, chill, and eat! Serves a few.

Become a Fan on Facebook & Enter to Win

We need your help on facebook! We need to get 1,000 fans before June 28th in order to keep our vanity url for our fan page.

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When you become a fan of OPMOM you will be entered to win a $50 Visa Gift Card to use on whatever you wish! Just login to Facebook and Become a fan of OPMOM!

Details:
Become a fan by June 28th and you are entered into the giveaway.
We will randomly pick the winner on June 29th.

Spread the word, we need the help!!

Best,

The OPMOM Team

Five Great Ideas for Father’s Day Gifts

As Father’s Day approaches,  June 21st to be exact, we thought we would share five great ideas to get your wheels spinning!

If you are looking for creative gift wrap check out Heidi’s gift wrap collection featured to the left. We are in love with her collection and ideas, so go see!

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1. The Serial Reader: For the dad who loves to read, check out the Kindle: Amazon’s 6″ Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) ($299). With the 3G wireless feature you can download books right from the Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. Some books include the new text-to-speech feature, this baby can read every newspaper, magazine, blog, and book out loud.

2. The Photographer: We posted this one for moms, but we think it is great for the photo savvy dad who loves to snap pics too, we suggest the Eye-fi Card ($59-$79). All you have to do is put the card in your digital camera and all of your shots are loaded straight to your computer without ever having to lift a finger. It’s like magic. If he has a flickr.com account, the pictures can also be uploaded there too. We think this is a hit for all tech savvy dads.

3. The Aspiring Chef: Jacques Pepin More Fast Food My Way ($20.16) is a great recipe book to give for Father’s Day. We love Jacques style and his recipes are amazing, this particular book is full of easy quick meals with a french twist that he can try out on you!

4. Starting the Green Journey: For the Dad that is interested in making a difference. The Blue Avocado Mavons have developed a line that also fits dads! Give him the gift of green with this Blue Avocado Solid Kit System.  Their Solid Kit™ ($69.99) includes everything from large multi-use bags, totes, to ventilated produce bags. You have two colors to choose from. All of the bags are responsibly manufactured with recycled material and a carbon footprint label. By carrying their system, an average shopper can replace up to 1,000 plastic bags every year.

5. The Wine Aficionado: For the Dad who loves wine, try this Legnoart Grand Crue Sommelier Corkscrew ($48.60). It is a beautifully designed piece by Enrico Albertini that any Wine Aficionado would love to have. Top your gift off with a bottle of wine to complete this fab Father’s Day surprise.