Meet the Author

Kathleen Goodman who greeted a SRO crowd at Paris' Shakespeare & Company, welcomed 200+ guests at her debut book signing, and appeared on TV sharing Paris secrets. She speaks passionately about everything French on a radio show and has cooked alongside Michelin-star chef Christian Constant in his Paris kitchen. Her knowledge of Paris is incomparable and using her book, PARIS By The Numbers on your next trip to Paris will let you discover Paris the way Parisians do.

Project Runway in Paris?

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Kathleen

“Make it work.” Tim Gunn appropriately tags, nags, and is quoted in all the mags. So, after the faux pas that was Gretchen let’s all go to Paris! Of course, Heidi and her crew must stay in the U.S. because she is sooooooooooo busy. So here’s Project Runway*TM the Parisian way (We make it work! in my dream):

Tim stays. Heidi’s out – replaced by actor, singer, chic girl-about-town: Charlotte Gainsbourg. As for Michael Kors and Nina Garcia – their Parisian counterparts will be haute couture extraordinaire Jean-Paul Gaultier and Carine Roitfeld, editor-in-chief of Vogue, Paris.

Bonjour Charlotte.

He rules the runway!

Our favorite Fashionista

Paris is the capital of world fashion and would have the best guest judges, such as: Loulou de la Falaise, Sarah Lerfel (Colette super-store,) Sonia Rykiel, Tatiana Lebedev, Limi Feu, Johnny Talbot&Adrian Runhol, Didier Parakian, Sofia Coppola, Isabel Marant, and Agnes B. to name a few. I’m sure Charlotte has tons of fashion friends!

A tasteful twist is that each week the designers left standing will be rewarded goodies: Jean-Paul Hevin’s decadent chocolate stiletto,

fresh macarons from Pierre Herme

a candy “Kelly” bag from Tetes a Croque, or a Matisse chocolate sculpture from Josephine Vannier.

And all designers, take note! What fun they will have shopping in Paris a la Paris By The Numbers shopping finds! For Fabrics, they will visit: Les Fees, Janssens & Janssens, Tissues Reine, and Mahlia Kent. For Tassles and Trim, Declerq Passementiers will welcome them. Beads, Feathers and Buttons from Entre des Fournisseus and La Droguerie will enhance their designs; as well as Ribbons and Lace from Mokuba. Some might choose to visit Paris’ lace bar: Le Comptoir de Solstiss Dentelle.

Each of the designer’s models will have their hair done by such famous coiffeurs as David Mollett, John Nollett, Alexandre Zouari, Christophe Robin, Capon Coiffure, Madeleine Cofano, and Michele Brosseau. Makeup will be provided by: By Terry, Sephora, Guerlain, and Max Delorme.

Of course, this is still a dream!

And what fun the designers will have at the rotating Fashion Walls’ selections of accessories and shoes (we’ll need Christian Louboutin, Vouelle, Fausto Santini, and Roger Vivier, at least) by Parisian concept stores:

Merci:

L’Eclaireur:

: An experience!

as well as Spree, Shine, Maria Luisa, Welcome To Mupp, Paul & Joe and Zadig & Voltaire.

Can you imagine selecting the runway?! I think Tim should decide, but two of our picks would be the Grand Palais and the steps of the Musee Galliera. It’s all a dream, but what fun setting the stage… and all can be found in my book, PARIS By The Numbers.

Send me your ideas for Project Runway in Paris! Au revoir, Kathleen

Enjoy my pick for Paris’ Project Runway video/sound from L’Eclaireur: http://www.youtube.com/user/LECLAIREUR050285

Posted in Paris Style | Tagged art, beauty, carine roitfeld, charlotte gainsberg, chocolate, Christian Louboutin, Colette Paris, Declerq Passementiers, Didier Parakian, Entre des Fournisseus, fashion, Fauchon, Fausto Santini, France, france magazine, FranceGuide, French government tourist office, Grand Palais, haute couture, Janssens & Janssens, jean-paul gaultier, Jean-Paul Hevin, Johnny Talbot, Josephine Vannier, l'eclaireur, La Droguerie, Le Figaro, Les Fees, Limi Feu, loulou de la falaise, macarons, Mahlia Kent, maria luisa, Marie Mercie, merci boutique, Mokuba, Musee Galliera, Office du tourisme de Paris, Paris, Paris By The Numbers, paris runway, paris vogue, parismarais, patisserie, Pierre Herme, printemps, project runway, Roger Vivier, Sarah Burton, Sarah Lerfel, shine paris, shoes, shopping in Paris, sightseeing, Sofia Coppola, Sonia Rykiel, spa, spree paris, Tatiana Lebedev, Tetes a Croque, tim gunn, Tissues Reine, tours, travel, U.S. French Embassy, unusualparisblogs, vacation, vogue, Vouelle, Welcome to Mupp, www.citrusetoile.com, www.hotelcostes.com, www.lefooding.fr, www.parisinfo.com, zadig & voltaire paris | 2,221 Comments

French women don’t get fat?! Let’s dance in Paris, St. Louis, and everywhere.

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Kathleen

Ever hear of NIA? My first NIA class was more than seven years ago. See the smiling brunette in the pix? It’s Robin and she was my first NIA teacher then and is now my BFF. We danced to the blues on the Blues Stage and celebrated harmony and life during the annual Taste of St. Louis fall event. There’s me (normally shy?) on stage left as we looked down to a crowd of fairgoers all dancing, clapping, and yoo-hooing it up the NIA way! What fun we had. Two NIA instructors, Sharon and Stephanie, drove in from Kansas City to join us on stage and help Robin lead the pack. When they told me they were going to Paris for a NIA event I was envious, surprised, and enthusiastic about sharing my book, PARIS By The Numbers, to take along to Paris, as their travel guide book.

See more pix and videos at http://gatewaynia.com or search Facebook for Nia St. Louis Be Seen.

Most of us don’t think of French women sweating – or dancing without a glass of champagne in their hand, n’est ce pas? Mireille Guilano’s book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, gave us plenty of wonderful recipes that help keep French women lithe, while pointing out that they climb stairs and ride their bikes around Paris regularly. Even ten years ago, gym clubs were scarce in Paris. Now, fitness buffs can find a gym club in almost all of Paris’ 20 arrondissements (voila! the numbers.) So much so that in my 2011 edition of my book, I’ve included Fitness clubs within the Paris Beauty category of each Arrondissement’s Chapter. For example on page 109 there are two gym clubs that offer everything from aerobics to yoga. BTW, Regine Petit teaches NIA at the American Church in Paris, 65 Quai d’Orsay, 7 eme.

Of course, leave it to the women in Paris to upstage us in St. Louis! Take a look at NIA in Paris on this youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sta3jwD58gU

I’d love to hear your NIA experiences and please share your favorite gym clubs in Paris!

Au revoir!

Kathleen

Posted in Paris-under the radar | Tagged american church in Paris, arrondissements, art, beauty, dance, fitness, France, French government tourist office, French Women Don't Get Fat, gatewayNia, harmony, health, Le Figaro, Mireille Guiliano, NIA, Office du tourisme de Paris, Paris, Paris By The Numbers, Paris travel guide book, physical training, Regine Petit, travel, www.parisinfo.com, yoga | 1,556 Comments

Sisters’ spa day in Paris

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Kathleen

It was a sunny day in Paris and my sister, Geri, and I woke up feeling very lucky – we had booked treatments at Spa Nuxe. When I called to make reservations all I had to say were: sisters and something deluxe and the sweet-sounding receptionist replied with “No Problem, simply arrive at 10:30 am and we will be pampered for about two hours.”

I had researched Nuxe Laboratories for my book, Paris By The Numbers and was immediately captured by the name: Nuxe – a “subtle combination between Nature and Luxury” according to Aliza Jabes, the founders’ daughter who purchased the company in 1989 and has put Nuxe on the radar of most beauty aficionados and on page 40 of my book. Huile Prodigieux was the first product she introduced in 1992 and has since been awarded the presitigious Product of the Year, 2009.

It was an easy walk to 32 Rue Montorgueil from our apartment on Rue Michel LeComte. The spa’s Western and Oriental design influence immediately brought to mind: tranquility, timelessness, and transformation. We knew we were in tor a treat! Each of us were introduced to our Nuxe “therapist” and slid onto our beds and blissfully relaxed into the magical spell of each of the plant-based series of massages, facials, and beauty rituals – from our toes to our heads, including the amazing massages of the neck, cleavage, and stomach. Over the course of our two hours every body part was anointed, massaged, rubbed, patted, or dabbed with a different Nuxe product! Ooh la la … the scents and sensation. It was worth the splurge of 200 Euros.

Of course, Geri and I felt that we deserved to buy some of the products and between the two of us we left with Huile Prodigieux, Reve de Miel, Aroma Lacte, Tonific, and Masque Frais Hydratant. Our faces glowing, our bodies smooth, and finally we could talk- as we walked “home” and compared notes only to come to the conclusion that all the therapists are well-trained and completely in sync with the Nuxe products.

Geri and I were greeted by our husbands, Ed and Dick, who had a feast waiting for us in the courtyard of our apartment.

I’d love to hear about more sisters’ days in Paris – or anywhere, n’est pas?!

Au revoir, Kathleen

Posted in Beauty-File | Tagged art, beauty, culture, entertainment, euro, Europe, France, france magazine, FranceGuide, French government tourist office, http://en.nuxe.com, Huile Prodigieux, Le Figaro, Luxury, monuments, Nuxe, Office du tourisme de Paris, Paris, Paris By The Numbers, parismarais, restaurants, Reve de Miel, shopping, sightseeing, spa, Tonific, travel, unusualparisblogs, vacation, Women | 1,569 Comments

A perfect night in Paris

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Kathleen

Bonjour! I am often asked what defines a perfect evening in Paris. Just yesterday I was planning a Parisian itinerary for three couples and we wanted to begin their sojourn with a true Parisian vibe. They were staying in the 6th and 5th arrondissements and were arriving late afternoon by train.

So I sent them to a corner in Paris to visit my friends! The corner is at Rue Dauphine and Rue Christine in the 6th. Meet for cocktails in the cozy courtyard inside the Hotel D’Aubusson. But first, give hugs and air kisses to Flavien who managers Cafe Laurent, the hotel’s bar, jazz club, and (in winter) warm and comfy fireplace lounge. Flavien and Arnaud will engage you with stories and sagas of people, places, and all that jazz! We’ll get back to Cafe Laurent…

Right around the corner is Chez Fernand and Matthew will greet you with a smile. Make sure you ask him about my little red lipstick case (shhhhh…our secret!) You won’t find this restaurant in many guidebooks and that is all-the-better because it’s one of our favorites, page 134 in PARIS By The Numbers. Seated at one of the red-and-white checkerclothed tables in the front, down a few stairs to the main room with wood beams, or comfy-cozy in the back, you will quickly feel at home amid the aromas coming from the kitchen, convivial conversations among local diners, and a few other (lucky) tourists. Matthew will help with English translations off the fresh blackboard menu. If you like lamb, it’s simple and succulent. Their poulet (chicken) in a cocotte is country French perfection. And I absolutely love the truffle noir ravioli or the eggplant piled with fresh mozzarella. Wine is served by the glass, carafe, or bottle – and oenophiles can rely on Matthew’s off-the-list recommendations. I am getting hungry just writing this!

Apres dinner, it’s time for a little live jazz a la Christian Brenner at Cafe Laurent! Join the mostly local crowd of music lovers and take a step back in time when live music clubs in Paris, like Bilboquet (no longer open on Rue St Benoit,) featured chanteuses, saxophones, and smoke-filled pastis-drinking lovers of jazz. My favorite drink is Flavien’s special champagne and cognac and my favorite seat is at the bar. Christian Brenner is at the piano along with Olivier on the guitar and Francois playing bass. Christian’s music sets feature original songs plus arrangements fromn Bill Evans, Kenny Barron, and even Little Girl Blue from Richard Rogers. Local musicians will drop in and sing or play a few tunes with Christian as their schedules permit…so join the party every Thursday – Saturday at Cafe Laurent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYgUawSL68

I’d love to hear about a music club that is your particular haunt in Paris!

Amities.

Chez Fernand, 9 rue Christine.

Cafe Laurent, 33 rue Dauphine.

Posted in My Paris | Tagged cafe laurent, christianbrennerjazz.com, FranceGuide, French government tourist office, Le Figaro, Office du tourisme de Paris, Paris jazz, www.hoteldaubusson.com, www.parisinfo.com | 1,570 Comments

Travel Alert and what it means to you.

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Kathleen

Let’s consider that you have planned, saved, dreamed of, and are finally going on your vacation in France – and probably spend time in Paris. First and foremost: U.S. travelers to Europe should not be fearful, just alert. I was headed to Paris the day after 9/11 and I must admit to being somewhat disconnected from my usual Paris anticipations. My arrival at CDG was business-as-usual, except for some additional gendarmes and when I arrived at the Hotel d’Aubusson (my home away from home) I settled in and absorbed myself into Paris life, culture, business, and my book.

Speaking of my book, PARIS By The Numbers, you will find important telephone numbers, address, and safety information in the first chapter: Paris Essentials – pages 3-11.

But what can you – or should you – do when traveling to Europe today? Here are some tips: (1) Keep current on all news fronts. (2) Change your luggage tags if they identify you as an American. (3) Notify at least three peoply (two of them non-friendly members) of your itinerary. (4) Register your travel plans with the U.S. Embassy on www.travelregistration.state.gov to make it easier for them to locate you should they need to. (5) If there’s a longer line than usual or a demonstration in front of one of your sightseeing “musts” change your plans and visit a different monument, museum, or park in Paris – so easy to do! (6) Stay away from unattended packages or luggage. (7) It’s easy to get caught up in conversation about your trip while sitting in the airport(s) but now is the time to keep your plans to yourself. (8) Make sure you know how to use the public telephones in case of an emergency. (9) Keep the telephone number of your hotel handy as your local connection. (10) Travel light and dress to blend in with the locals. (10) Have fun.

Posted in Travel Guides and Services | Tagged airlines, France, france magazine, Paris, Paris By The Numbers, parismarais, security, sightseeing, travel, travel safety, U.S. French Embassy, U.S. State Department, unusualparisblogs, vacation | 1,576 Comments

Everyone has their favorite restaurant in Paris. Want to know Karl Lagerfeld’s fave?

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Kathleen

My friends just got back from Paris raving about a little restaurant in Paris that they decided was the quintessential Paris restaurant. Of course, no matter which city in the world, everyone has an opinion to share. So, which restaurants in Paris do the rich and famous pick as their favorites? According to Le Fooding, here is a sample of their list. I should boast that all their restaurant choices are included in my book, PARIS By The Numbers. See if you agree:

Agnes B likes Chateaubriand. Patrice Leconte prefers Le Parc aux Cerfs. Keren An is a regular at La Rughetta. Designer Chantal Thomas chooses Hotel Costes, of course! Isabel Marant picks Les Cailloux. Sonia Rykiel likes Cafe de Flore. Catherine Deneuve favors L’Ami Jean. Andre Putnam puts Le Voltaire at the top of his list. Fifi Chachnil thinks Momoka is the best. Ines de la Fressange loves Cru. Vincent Elbaz indulges at Le Grand Vefour. Adam Gopnik votes for L’Arpege. Christian Lacroix is a regular at Le Petrelle. And Karl Lagerfeld picks Chez Georges.

I don’t want to bore you with lists, but they can really help when you have last-minute decisions or too many suggestions! There are restaurants and chefs in Paris that every food critic writes about, so I have picked one restaurant in each of Paris’ 20 arrondissements … voila! the numbers.

1eme. Le Souffle. 2eme. Frenchie. 3eme. 404 (say bonjour to Mazooz) 4eme. Monjuls. 5eme. Les Itineraires. 6eme. Matthew will welcome you with a smile at Chez Fernand. 7eme. Chef Christian Constant was awarded the Legion of Honor and you will delight in your meal at Le Violon d’Ingres.

8eme. Citrus Etoile never ever disappoints due to Giles Epie’s light and inventive cuisine and his wife,Lizzy’s, smiles.

9eme. Au Petit Riche (Marie will take special care) 10eme. Balbuzard Cafe. 11eme. Restaurant Astier is always packed with Frederic’s fans. 12eme. Le Cotte Rotie. 13eme. Virgule. 14eme. Chef Julie’s wonderful dishes at L’Entetee. 15eme. Le Grand Pan. 16eme. Cafe de l’Homme. 17eme. Le Hide with Chef Hide at the piano. 18eme. Moulin de la Galette. 19eme. Quedebon. And (drumroll please) last but not least, 20eme. Raquel Pinoteau’s excellent dishes at Le Baratin.

I would love to hear some of your favorites restaurants in Paris? and why? Merci beaucoup.

au revoir, Kathleen

Posted in Foodies love Paris | Tagged www.alain-passard.com, www.amijean.eu, www.cafe-de-flore.com, www.chez-georges.com, www.citrusetoile.com, www.foodandwine.com, www.foodbuzz.com, www.grand-vefour.com, www.hotelcostes.com, www.itaste.com, www.lefooding.fr, www.lesouffle.fr, www.restaurant-apicius.com, www.restaurant-astier.com, wwwlthefork.com | 1,411 Comments

A Paris gem in the heart of the Montmartre.

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Kathleen

Paris, the City of Light, is also known as the City of Love. A kiss along the Seine? mais oui! But nowhere in the world can you embrace love in a tiny secret garden in front of 311 “I Love you”s incripted and transcribed in 250 languages throughout the world?!! And did you know this wall of I Love You’s was first featured in my book, PARIS By The Numbers before it made it to the web!!?

This wonderful little “monument to love” was the brainchild of Frederic Baron with the collaboration of Claire Kito. Frederic’s “dream” (he was a disciple of Phileas Fogg) of traveling the world and collecting 80 “I Love You”s morphed into three large books filled with “I Love You” written 1000 times in over 300 languages. Claire’s artistry in Oriental caligraphy is on display as she scripted Frederic’s collection into a work of art on a wall. How odd is it that when we think of walls, love is the furthest from our minds?

Le Mur des Je’Taime (www.lesjetaime.com) is a powerful image of love and how strong a bond just three words can create.

By The Numbers: It’s 20X4 meters. 612 tiles, each 21X29 cm of enamelled lava. You access it by entering Square Jehan Rictus, across the street from Metro: Abbesses. Find it on page 282 of PARIS By The Numbers. Get directions to this part of Montmartre at www.parisinfo.com

FYI: The random wisps of color signify broken hearts healed by this wall of “I Love You”s.

If you want to see more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLgA6ppP9gY Where else but in Paris?

Do you have a special “secret” place in Paris? Please share!

Au revoir.

Posted in Paris-under the radar | 1,553 Comments

My Paris dream survival packet.

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Kathleen

A recent article in Sunday’s New York Times, “A Taste of Home in Foil Packets,” evolved into a gabfest of what exactly would the perfect Parisian survivor ration consist of?

So, if I found myself stranded someplace in the world other than Paris or the U.S. what would mine be? For starters, everything would fit inside a personalized indestructible Hermes foil packet!

I’d need: a baguette from Arnaud Delmontel, caviar from the House of Prunier and a Caviar Kaspa serviette s’il vous plait. And then I’d need a sausage from Da Rosa, Yves Camdeborde’s pate, and some country ham from Christian Constant. I’d definitely need some fantasy instant Orangina to quench my thirst … or some wine from Julien Caviste. My mid-day treat would be Place des Vosges tea from Damman Freres and a macaron from Pierre Herme, www.pierreherme.com. Of course, I’d have Jean-Pierre Hevin make me a “mini” chocolate stiletto. After my morning bath with Diptyque’s Opone soap (it is reminiscent of roses and saffron, www.diptyqueparis.com ) I would enjoy espresso and a pistachio pochette from Le Bague Kenza – or, perhaps some croissants from Jean Millet.

A Hotel Costes cd, a tiny music box from Anna Joliet Boites a Musique, and a tiny Eiffel Tower spinning top are all musts, as well as a pack of Willi’s Wine Bar postcards www.williswinebar.com.

Au revoir!

Posted in My Paris | 1,445 Comments

Bonjour World Bloggers And Paris Friends.

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Kathleen

My rentree was a little late this year. No Paris plage for me. Just published my 10th edition of PARIS By The Numbers, 2011. You can now buy my newest eBook for Amazon Kindle. Lots of news, stories and the latest Paris updates coming soon.

Posted in Franco-File | 1,649 Comments

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