Bonjour, mes beaux amies!!
My wonderful friend and her awesome husband threw the funnest “Yacht Social Club” themed party over the weekend, and it was just so beautifully thought out and designed, I could NOT help but snap away with the camera. Continue reading
Bonjour, mes beaux amis!
I just got my copy of Bryan Bishop’s new book Shrinkage, his first-hand humorous account of dealing with brain cancer and a tumor in the middle of his young thriving eventful life which appeared to be on the road to huge success… Some may know ‘Bald Bryan’ as he’s called from the Adam Carrolla show, and here he tells his story about how strong the human spirit is, and how powerful laughter is as medicine. Continue reading
Bonjour, mes beaux amis!
I have to admit that I have had a major girl-crush on Audrey Tautou for over twelve years – ever since seeing her charm the pants off everyone in Le Fabuleaux Destin d’Amélie Poulain. So you can imagine how excited I am that she is the maîtresse de cérémonie at the 2013 Festival de Cannes happening right now!
one of mon prèfèrè actrice françes et ma muse, Mademoiselle Audrey Tautou!
I will be following the highlights everyday, and I’ll be sure keep you updated with highlights and great pics – mais bîen sur!
Le Festival de Cannes 2013 Opening Ceremony
Baz Lurhmann and the cast of The Great Gatsby on the red carpet
looking just as gorgeous and dapper as possible – biên sur!!
the brilliant Christoph Waltz!
And of course, I couldn’t resist sharing this exclusive video with Audrey about her Master of Ceremonies honor – yes, this video is in French, but her charm and delight are understandable in any language!
Looks like I will have lots of film watching to do soon! Here’s the full list of Cannes entries – winners announced May 26th!
Bonjour, mes bons amis!!
Have you ever felt like your body, and consequently your mind and heart somewhat too, were a bit out of sorts? Recently I had mentioned that my sleeping habits have been changing, and doing something I was absolutely professional at and thoroughly loved, is now so much more challenging. I’ve purchased new pricey pillows ($100 for 2 pillows convinced me they had to be great, right?), I make sure to keep the temperature cool in my bedroom, I’ve taken relaxing baths at night – I’ve even stopped watching anything scary or suspenseful after dark. And yet, just like Mick so famously sang, at times I find myself running for the shelter of a mother’s little helper…
Mother’s little helper, helping for over 50 years… (img: stayfreemagazine)
Let’s not get dramatic now – I’m not popping pills or the such. But I can tell you that I understand how some people desperate for some relief end up falling down that rabbit hole. Some believe that contrary to the plethora of technology to make life easier and give back more personal time, we’re actually being DRAINED of time.
So what to do… I thought about this on my way into work this morning. What is it that truly reinvigorates and resets the mind, body and soul? Besides the obvious big-budget vacation ideas, what small things can we do to feel like we’ve found the shelter of mother’s little helper? Here are a few of my best ideas:
don’t flake on your Me-Time appointments!
Abalone Cove is one of SoCal’s greatest gems – perfect for a day hike to the tide pools!
LACMA’s Urban Light outdoor exhibit (img: LACMA)
Huntington Botanical Gardens in Pasadena, CA are perfect for a relaxing day (img: The Huntington)
What little things do you do to help escape life’s little stresses and return to find your center once again?
Enjoy the rest of your week, mes beaux amis!!
♥ – LBH
You can see more pictures from ‘Paris et Londres’ here: Paris, je t’aime… 2012, a set on Flickr.
See you very soon!! Bonjour, bon amie!!
♥ LBH
Bonjour, bon ami!!!
We all know the ol’ adage, “For every door that closes, a new one opens.” I can’t say how true these words are as of recent in my own personal life. The universe works in mysterious ways, and after watching a door close, immediately a floodgate opened.
I work in marketing and advertising in my 9-5 life, and I now have the pleasure of working for an amazing agency handling the funnest account I’ve ever had the opportunity to work on: MUSIC.
{THE Madonna}
During my first day in the office, I sat in a meeting with Madonna’s staff. Not too shabby so far…
{crystal cruises}
{crystal cruises}
And just to appease my love for all things glamorous, I also have the the great pleasure of adding to my roster of clientele the best cruise line in the world, as deemed by Travel + Leisure for the last 16 years: Crystal Cruises!!
It has been only one week, and I am just so very excited for the incredible experiences and stories to come. I can’t wait to share them with you.
Je gagne!!!
I do hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Unfortunately all this recent running around and change has brought me a cold that I’m trying to shake off this weekend, but I know by Monday I’ll be bright eyed and bushy tailed once again.
Until then, here’s to la belle vie, bon ami!!
♥ LBH
Bonjour, bon ami!!
It has been a busy week for me, but I’m happy to say my mom is here resting with me and with the family, and we will be visiting her longtime doctor for a second opinion and hopefully some good advice on how we can keep her healthy and vital. Thank you all again for your kind thoughts and prayers – it has definitely helped!!
In between all of the chaos, I’ve been feeling a bit blue – not a sad blue, but rather a soothing happier blue, like turquoise. Perhaps it is because of all of the gorgeous images I’ve run across lately. In fact, I’m already feeling the ‘bedroom makeover’ itch because of a few of these pictures. Take a look!!
Well I’m off to be with the family and make sure my mom takes it easy. Perhaps we will do a little shopping since we’re so inspired by this beautiful turquoise color this week – a little bedroom or kitchen makeover?
Here’s wishing you all a beautiful ‘turquoise’ day in your own belle vie!!
♥ LBH
Bonjour!!
Can you believe one week has already passed in the new year? I can’t… the week was a bit short at the 9-5 since we didn’t return to the office until Tuesday, but still – I awoke this morning thinking it was Thursday, and then smiled in delight when I realized it’s Friday!
I’m still in the process of PH (“Project Harmony”) and will have LOTS to update you over the weekend and next week. In the meantime, 2012 has started off ‘magnifique!’ thus far and so I thought I would share some of my Fri-Delight and inspirations from week one visually.
{french essence}
{the glamourai’s amazing story of Chicken}
{a well traveled woman}
{kroketta}
{kroketta}
{this is glamorous}
{the sweet light}
{wit and delight}
{kroketta}
{daniella marie}
{tumblerose}
What do you have planned for this wonderful weekend?
Happy Friday, lovelies!!
♥ LBH
Bonjour!
I hope you are enjoying the holidays with many loved ones and friends! I have been a bit absent from LBH but this has given me so much to think about and ponder, and be so very thankful for the many blessings and people in my life. I have been so excited about creating La Belle Hibou as a new vehicle for me to connect with others and learn, share, and exchange ideas, perceptions, inspirations. So with this here last little post for 2011, I thought I would personally open up a bit more to my tiny audience and to anyone willing to read it, about my last 12 months.
2011 did not start out well. In January, a very close dear friend of mine unexpectedly passed away. I had spoken to her over the phone just weeks before, and losing her was one of the worst and most difficult challenges I have ever faced. Her passing also happened during one of the busiest times in my 9-5 life. I had been working literally about 100 hours per week since December for an enormous project – a project which came to a screeching halt the minute I got the news. And yet, her passing also brought many wonderful subsequent happenings. Mutual friendships became stronger, and we still turn to each other for comfort, laughter and support. Our friendships are closer because of our loss. In our loss, we have also gained. For this, I am so thankful and humbled.
I managed to get through that enormous project at work relatively unscathed, and lived to tell about it (no more 100+ hour work weeks!). Not long after the project closed, I was able to see another very close friend marry the love of her life. It was a beautiful occasion, and we cried and laughed and laughed and sang karaoke after the reception. She married during the early spring in the South, in a scene of trees blooming and cloudy skies breaking open. Such a happy occasion!
A month later, I was able to visit my semi-retired parents in their (temporary) home of Jinotega, Nicaragua. It was an amazing experience – the beautiful largely untouched land, the tumultuous political history and persevering people, the delicious coffee… the COFFEE!!! Obviously the cost of living is so much lower than the cost here in the U.S., so I’m so happy that my parents are happy. They deserve to enjoy their pseudo-childless lives now until they return to the U.S. And until that day comes, I have a reason for more Central American trips and passport stamps.
The summer passed too quickly – I spent a wonderful weekend in the windy city with friends, got to reunite with visiting friends, and had an infamously memorable weekend in Santa Barbara. A hard lesson was also learned: go to the doctor when you aren’t feeling well because home remedies aren’t always enough. I had a scare with a bladder infection that took a dangerous turn for the worst into a kidney infection. I know there have been just a few moments when I have feared for my life, and this was definitely one of them. Feeling terribly ill for nearly a week with a high fever, sweats, chills, repeat… Thankfully I recovered, LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY.
The end of summer and beginning of fall was truly the highlight of my year. A (future) sister-in-law’s wedding and spending time with (future) in-laws who make me laugh and smile and warm my heart kicked off my favorite season of the year. The wedding was followed by seven – yes, seven – baby showers of very dear friends. I finally acknowledged the universe’s message to me, and nodded in my understanding of this life stage. To see the first few newborns of said showers made my Babies-R-Us shopping sprees worth every cent. Holding the babies, hearing the ever so sweet and quiet noises they make while sleeping in my arms, taking more pictures than a paparazzo, hearing the stories about the long labors and pleasant epidurals… I am so blessed to be a witness to it all and be a part of it.
A couple weeks ago, after coming home from an amazing weekend in San Francisco with the one I love so much, I was brushing my teeth and preparing for bed when I began contemplating this blog post. Looking back on the year that began with a horrible loss, but is ending with beautiful new life, new beginnings. As much as I miss my dear friend ~ as stressed out as I was in 2011 ~ as many gray hairs that have popped up seemingly overnight on my head ~ as much as I did not accomplish this year that I intended to accomplish ~ it doesn’t matter.
It’s time to prepare for another new beginning, new life events, new ups and downs, new inspirations, new discoveries of myself. It’s time to take each day one day at a time, and be grateful for the overabundance I have in my life. It’s time for me to pick up the phone and call (not text) family and friends, even if it’s just to say hi for a few minutes or share a funny story or thought. It’s time to make plans to have more people over to my home for a meal or a movie or a cocktail or a coffee more often than not. It’s time to give back to others whenever I can, no matter how little money I may have in my pocket. It’s time to smile to passersby whenever possible, and possibly get a smile in return, or not. It’s time to try to face each challenge, big and small, with a smile and with laughter and as much joy as possible, remembering that with each challenge my goal should be to better myself.
It’s time for 2012.
I thank you for reading my reflections, and I would love to hear yours!!
Here’s wishing you a wonderful end to 2011, and to an even better 2012!!
Bonne Année!!! Happy New Year!!!
– La Belle Hibou
la belle hibou 