October 11th, 2009
Photo courtesy of Studio Viva

Photo courtesy of Studio Viva

It was a fun wedding season for me, at Society Hill Dance Academy. If the flow of wedding couples does not stop, rare are the winter weddings so I felt like I could kick off my Top 5 wedding songs of the season.

As I mentioned in my post, The 10 most popular wedding songs, there are the classics; and sometimes, couples surprise you with out-of-the-box thinking in terms of music, which leads to out-of-the-box thinking in terms of dancing… and we love that. So, below, the top 5 of the season and kudos to the lovely couples, I can’t wait to see the videos!

1. Your love is better than chocolate by Sarah McLachlan (Maura & Luis)

2. Say Hey by Michael Franti & Spearhead (Valerie & Chris)

3. Kiss me honey, honey by Shirley Bassey (Meghan & Kevin)

4. All the things you are by Ella Fitzgerald (Hilary & Derek)

5. Stay with you by John Legend (Christine & Korey)

Future brides & grooms… be inspired!

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October 4th, 2009

I have never been a big royalties fan, but I remember vividly Diana & Charles wedding, and sitting at my grand-parents table, watching the cortege go down the streets of London. When I heard Diana: A Celebration was coming to the National Constitution Center, I knew it was worth of few hours of my precious time for a trip down memory lane.

I stood in front of the world famous wedding dress and let the emotion of remembering my childhood and my family set in. And it was beautiful. But what I was not expecting is looking at Diana as a woman, not as a Princess. Witnessing pieces of her childhood, or the full wall of condeleances books pinched my heart in a different way.

If you have a chance to check the exhibit out, you won’t regret it. But if you don’t, here are bits & pieces… En Images!

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September 20th, 2009

In my post It’s rating men, I promised a description of all those “mankind” and along the week I did. Here’s the last one: the one that’s right for you. So ladies, where is your man? And guys, which speci-man are you? Feel free to comment and discuss, but all I hope is that at least I made you smile.

Rating 10 on Little Audrey’s “scale”: the One that’s Right for You!

The man of whom you see all the flaws and issues immediately but still makes your heart beat. The man who will take risks (even the risk of giving up is freedom) for you, because he thinks you’re worth it, and won’t complain about it later on.

Where to find him: Wherever you’re not looking. I’m still not proud of where I found my man so I will not give away that information, but trust me, it’s really somewhere I was not looking.

How to spot him: He’s probably the one that you will think “so not for me” at first sight, or first encounter; but deep inside, something already tells you that the interest is sparked and you want to know more.

How to seduce him: Seduce him? You don’t want to seduce him. You have no interest in him, remember: “so not for you”… So why can’t you take your eyes away from him and why do you instinctively maneuver to be closer to him?

What’s the catch: Oh wait, he could be the one. And if he’s the one you’re done: no more cat & mouse games, no more martini-afternoons with your girlfriends complaining about the whole man genre, no more first dates and their collections of sordid but funny stories… You’re out of the market. Are you ready for that?

Something a One that’s Right for You would say (and mean and make you want to say back): “I love you.”

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Posted in Stories |
September 7th, 2009

In my post It’s rating men, I promised a description of all those “mankind”…

Rating 9 on Little Audrey’s “scale”: the Good on Paper!

woman_listA man whom your mother would love. A man so perfect that he leaves you wondering what can be wrong and why your heart does not beat faster as you check all the items down your list.

Where to find him: Where YOU like to hang-out… The Good on Paper shares your interests or your affinities for places; that’s what creates the comfort. “Someone I can spend time with and not feel like I’m forcing him (or myself) into an universe he (or I) doesn’t belong to…” Checked. Heart-rate: flat.

How to spot him: He’ll catch your eyes because you’ll find him attractive. He’s a good looking or very charismatic guy, that fits the profile that you have of Prince Charming, whatever your standards are. “Someone who gives me an ego boost as we stroll down the streets hand-in-hand” Checked. Heart-rate: flat.

How to seduce him: No efforts necessary, you’re just yourself and he’s loving every minute of it. You both laugh at each other’s jokes; you make him feel good, he makes you feel pretty; you can talk for hours about life & death and discover that you’re standing on similar grounds. “Someone that I don’t need to pretend for” Checked. Heart-rate: flat.

What’s the catch: Whatever you mentally try to convince yourself of, whatever poll you put your friends through, whatever your mother/grandmother/sister/best friend/boss is telling you on what a great couple you make, whatever exciting/exotic/erotic things you do together… the heart-rate is still flat and the answer to questions on your feeling is “I don’t know”.

Something a Good on Paper would say: “Will you marry me?”

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Tags: | Posted in Stories |
September 1st, 2009

In my post It’s rating men, I promised a description of all those “mankind”…

Rating 8 on Little Audrey’s “scale”: the Starving Artist!

starving_artist_art_gear_customized_tshirt-p235313204353830173qjfl_210A man who lives for his art. Whether he’s a painter, sculptor, danser, musician or poet… his art comes first, you second and any material comfort could potentially come way down the list.

Where to find him: Gallery openings (where he’s not necessarily showing), bars holding open mics (where he’s not necessarily playing/singing), book signings (where he’s not necessarily signing), art supplies stores (where he’s not necessarily buying anything). Being a starving artist addict myself, here’s where I found mine(s) along the way: dance studios, bars, through friends, on Craig’s list (no kidding).

How to spot him: Usually comes in one of 2 categories: the European wannabe (stylish look, dandy style) or the bad boy (scruffy look and tatooes). One common denominator, from my experience, the Starving Artist loves to wear hats.

How to seduce him: Here again, you can apply one of 2 strategies: either you impress him by your knowledge in his art and he will respect you, or you show a total ignorance in his area of expertise and he’ll want to teach you.

What’s the catch: Be prepared to pick-up the tab, more than once. If that’s a problem for you, stay away from the Starving Artist. Personally, I never really cared, which probably explains the long list above. Be also prepared to see very little of your guy, he will always have something in preparation (a book, an expo, a concert, a movie, a show…) that will be his priority.

Something a Starving Artist would say: “I cannot be available whenever you want me to; I’m an artist, I work when inspiration comes.”

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Tags: , | Posted in Stories |
August 28th, 2009

Only a subway ride away from busy Manhattan: a beach, an amusement park, a pier with fishermen, and the (supposedly) best hot dogs… Welcome to Coney Island. Tired of seeing buildings and yellow taxi cabs: hello kitschy designs, Wonder Wheel and Cyclone’s cracking historic rides, and Beer Island… where you’re not welcome if you don’t drink a beer…

A little peek at Coney Island… En images!

I couldn't resist this one... well said, right?

I couldn't resist this one... well said, right?

Wonder-Wheel

The Wonder Wheel opened in 1920... still there!

Can you eat over 60 hot-dogs in a few minutes only?

Can you eat over 60 hot-dogs in a few minutes only?

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Tags: | Posted in En images! |
August 25th, 2009

feet_10Those feet are made for walking up and down the good city of Philadelphia… and sometime out of it. My feet needed a vacation and found their way to a land that pretends to be the world… at least between June and September. On their way, they discovered the game of “handball” (pretty funny for a pair of feet), they resisted being thrown up in the air, they landed on a very interesting kind of island and they took me to the Hot Dog Eating Contest… 314 days (or so) early.

Where did they go?

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August 24th, 2009

In my post It’s rating men, I promised a description of all those “mankind”…

Rating 7 on Little Audrey’s “scale”: the Sugar Daddy!

sugar-daddy-tee-shirtA man who’s always there for you… at least when all you need is money.Where to find him: Expensive restaurants, expensive boutiques, theater or opera, country clubs…

How to spot him: He will generally be slightly older than you are and from the first time you meet him, whatever you do: drinks, restaurant, movie… he buys.

How to seduce him: If you’re younger than him and pretty, he’s attracted. If you sound helpless and in needs, he’s hooked.

What’s the catch: Everything must sound pretty good on a woman’s perspective. Finally someone who’s taking care of her. If your only ambition in life is to look good and be carried around like a pretty object; go for it! Although, money rarely buys happiness and owning something that you actually worked and fought for is priceless.

Something a Sugar Daddy would say: “Oh honey, I know it’s so hard to choose between those 2 pairs of Manolo Blahnik. Why don’t you take both. Here’s my credit card.”

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Tags: , | Posted in Stories |
August 17th, 2009

When I bought cherries the other day at the grocery store, my first idea was “Clafoutis”… Except that I forgot the recipe and had to have my mother email me one. So, just for you, directly from France, a yummy summer treat. It only requires a little patience, to remove the pit out of the cherries, but beside that, very simple to execute.

Clafoutis aux cerises

Clafoutis aux cerises

For 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs cherries
  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbs butter

Wash the cherries, remove the stem and the pit. Preheat the oven at 350°F. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar and eggs. Add milk progressively until you obtain a dough slightly thicker than pancakes dough. Butter a baking dish, dispose the cherries and pour the dough over. Bake for 40 minutes at medium to high heat.

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August 16th, 2009

feet_9

Those feet are made for walking and a many other different things. Here they are, resting after a long day… but where?

Some clues to help those of you who haven’t found the answer at first sight: it’s a place where feet will count from 1 to 8, where furry little balls come running between them and where they every move is dissected with precision.

Guess where my feet they are! Just put your answer in the comment section! Nothing to win, let’s just play for the fun of it…

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