Julie Bodart

Last Wednesday I was invited along with other bloggers to see « The Back-up Plan », a romcom starring Jennifer Lopez and the very hot Alex O’Loughlin.

I used to organise film screenings and as a guest here is what I really liked:

1. The list created on Twitter for the event so you can see who else was invited and possibly got in touch;
2. That we could bring a +1;
3. The venue (Sony Pictures, London), the cocktails and finger food;
4. The Q & A at the end so we didn’t leave straight away and discussed about the major themes of the film

The Back-up Plan is a good comedy which made me laugh several times. And though it is not the “Film of the Year”, I enjoyed it!

The plot: After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), a New York pet shop owner, has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she gets artificially inseminated on the very day she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin).

And here is the trailer:

Hi all,

I was eager to share with you my recent literary best picks.

So let’s start with a real gem: “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

Plot summary: “I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for the next subject of her book. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends-and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society-born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island-boasts a charming, funny, thoroughly human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, all of them literature lovers.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she discovers will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humour as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding a connection in the most surprising ways.

Review:

I liked: E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: the story, the characters, Guernsey (which I will definitely visit one day). We really get to share the characters’ lives and we’re really sad to leave them at the end of the book. It is warm, funny, tender, it is a germ! Clearly one of my recent favourites!
I didn’t like: Nothing, this book is a delight!
Rating: 9/10

Then “L’affaire Crownhill” by Georges Evens will tell you the story of Daniel Kronen,  a Cambridge history teacher, who will learn after his father’s death - a Polish Jew who emigrated to the USA and who was one of the wealthiest people on earth - a mysterious text with a hidden coded message.

Review:

Although the end was alas rather botched, it was a good suspense story nevertheless!
Read in French, it has unfortunately not been translated into English yet.
Rating: 8/10

Finally “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Even though I haven’t finished it yet, I am already hooked.

Plot summary:

The novel, set in post- Spanish Civil War Barcelona, concerns a young boy, Daniel. Just after the war, Daniel’s father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a huge library of old, forgotten titles lovingly preserved by a select few initiates. According to tradition, everyone initiated to this secret place is allowed to take one book from it, and must protect it for life. Daniel selects a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. That night he takes the book home and reads it, completely engrossed. Daniel then attempts to look for other books by this unknown author, but can find none. All he comes across are stories of a strange man - calling himself Laín Coubert, after a character in the book who happens to be the Devil - who has been seeking out Carax’s books for decades, buying them all and burning them.

Review:

I like: the characters, the suspense but I will borrow the Entertainment Weekly’s review which says: “There are places in which the book might seem a little over-the-top (doomed love, gruesome murders) but for Zafon’s masterful, meticulous plotting and extraordinary control over language. While managing to hit just about every genre, The Shadow of the Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero.”
I know, for sure, that I will be very sad to close it.
Rating: to be announced

Books which are waiting in my library to be devoured:
“The Room of lost things” by Stella Duffy (in English);
“Chopin, Prince of the romantics” by Adam Zamoyski (in English)
And “The Genius” by Jesse Kellerman (in French)… I am already frightened…

And you, what have you read recently?

• French

This weekend I went to Lush Covent Garden. I already knew that I was about to find a new kind of cosmetic made from fresh organic fruit and vegetables … Here are some of the other things I discovered:
1. A really pleasant atmosphere and the feeling of being away from the stresses and strains of the world;
2. Many friendly people to help you choose the best product for you (even if they were slightly too obliging sometimes);
3. A great range of products from shower smoothies to body dusting powders and bubble bath bars;
4. The opportunity to test all the products, making it a fun and rather sensual experience too.

At one point, one of the employees asked everyone to come say goodbye to one of his colleagues who was going to work in another Lush branch.
I really thought he was about to choose one of us (me!) and announce something like “you’re the winner of the day; we’re offering you a lip balm, the product of your choice” … so I was a bit disappointed. Wouldn’t it have been a lovely concept?

Finally, even though it’s not the kind of products I usually go for, I thought I should give it a go and bought a softening sea salt shampoo with jasmine, mimosa and orange blossom (Seanik), a tasty honey and chocolate massage bar (Mange Too -that apparently you can eat …mmmhhh), a body lotion (Dream Cream) and a cleansing lime, coconut and sea salt face scrub (Ocean Salt)… for a total of £ 25-30 (a bit too pricey for me but I haven’t tested these gems yet…).

PS: I learned back at home that Lush is against animal testing which is a fairly good thing!

PS bis: This is not a sponsored blog post and I will always tell you when it’s the case.

And you? Have you ever been to Lush? Have you ever tried their products? Which are your favourites?

• French

Hi all and … Welcome back!

It’s been a while since my last blog post and I am really sorry about that. I guess we can blame the lovely weather we had last summer which kept me outside instead of blogging inside.
On a more serious note, I think the perfectionist that I am was never really satisfied with the theme and design etc. and spent maybe too much time trying to solve that and in the end neglected the writing part.

It’s time for a change and I will definitely attempt to blog more in 2010, hoping that you’ll find the articles interesting and that we’ll exchange ideas, share tips etc.
My first blog post in 2010 will tell you about my first experience at Lush, Covent Garden (Let’s start with a girly subject ).

Otherwise, I will continue to blog (mostly both in English and French) about my life in London (hidden gems included ), social media and online public relations, books, board games … about random things really.

I hope to read you soon!

Jul’s

• French

McDonald’s has recently launched a  new interactive sign, where passers-by can take pictures of themselves interacting with images displayed on the McDonald’s giant LED screen.
The billboard displays fun images that are central to Britain and London’s identity (such as a bowler hat).
So whether you’re a Londoner or a tourist, next time you pass by Piccadilly Circus, don’t miss the opportunity to take a funny picture of you!

Have a look on this video which demonstrates how the sign works.

Don’t forget to add your pictures to the Flickr group here.

• French

Last Saturday, I went to the cinema with Laurence and Pascal and saw one of the CLEVEREST, AWESOME and FASCINATING films I’ve ever seen: Coraline
All began some days ago, when I saw on Laurence Tumblelog a video explaining the extremely well-orchestrated social media campaign the advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy made to promote Coraline (Check it out here and on W+K blog here!)… I then spoke about the film with some friends and those who had already seen Coraline loved it!

All of this aroused my curiosity and we finally went to the Covent Garden Odeon to watch it in 3D.

The plot summary

A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life - only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home - and save her family.

The biggest smallest movie ever made

Directed by Henry Selick (T”he Nightmare Before Christmas”) and based on Neil Gaiman’s book of the same name, Coraline is the first feature film from Portland animation studio Laika.
And when you think that every single thing you see on screen was made by hand, it’s totally amazing!  These videos about the doll hair and knitting will give you an idea about the work behind the scenes.

Have I ever wished for a different life? Yes, a  life where I could see more films like this… Awesome!Just awesome! And you?

Don’t wait anymore! Rush to the cinema and discover the enchanting and scary world of Coraline!

Here is the trailer:

Bonus:
Be creative and button your eyes here.
Then, add your picture to the “Coraline - button-eye gallery” on Flickr

• French

• French

Hi all,

Watched some of the « Nouvelle Star » contestants (French equivalent of Pop Idol ITV1 reality tv show) on M6 website last night and was particularly impressed by Mahdi’s performance of “I am yours” by Jason Mraz.
Since last night, I just can’t get this song out of my mind. I love it. Here is the song of the day!

• French

Hello,
I stumbled upon this song some weeks ago and I was really eager to share it with you.
I love it and you?
Enjoy!

Lisa Mitchell - Neopolitan Dreams