The Path of the American
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been having a tough time with an unresolved leak in my building that is damaging my dream home. Toxic mold has grown, forcing me […]
Author Archives: Lisa Anselmo
Fear and Loathing…in Paris?
Here I am, living the dream. I left my job in New York and came to Paris to stay in my little apartment for two months at least. I’m lucky, […]
La Rentree (Re-entry)
August in Paris is coming to a close, which means Parisians are returning from their vacations. You can tell because the Métro is busier, the streets are more bustling and […]
Liberation
August 25th marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation. There are official ceremonies and public celebrations here in the city to mark the occasion. It’s […]
The Dead of August
August: when everyone flees for the seaside. I’ve never been in Paris during this time of year; I usually come just before la Rentrée, or “re-entry,” when everyone is coming home to […]
Evicted from Chez Moi (Temporarily)
I came to Paris for two months to finally live like a local, spend a long stretch of time in my neighborhood, in my little Paris nest. Up to now, […]
Paris, In Long Strides
I passed by BHV today and for the first time, I didn’t run inside with a list. I can go to BHV tomorrow. Or next weekend. Whatever. I’ve got time. […]
A Tribute to Ma
On August 7th, my episode of House Hunters International debuted in the States on HGTV, which I watched via Slingbox at 4:30am Paris time. Afterward (and in some cases, during), […]
Watch My Story on House Hunters International
Eons ago, Leopard Films documented the story of my search for a place in Paris, a search which began after my mother died from breast cancer. The episode is finally […]
Door Closed, Window Open
I packed up the last of my belongings from my office, among them, many a Paris-themed tchotchke—mainly gifts from my colleagues over the years: the clock made from a 19th […]
Is Paris Becoming Brooklyn?
Starvin’ Joe’s Burgers, Blackburn Coffee, Bones, Ten Belles. Is this Williamsburg? Park Slope? Bushwick? From the industrial rustic design of Septime to the Brooklyn Lager proudly served at a meatball […]
How Paris Does Groceries, Part I: Snack Food
Welcome to the first in a series. In this post, I’m focusing on French junk food. Yes, you read right, and judge me not. I hear you: But the bread, the cheese, the open markets […]
When Can You Call Yourself a Parisian?
At what point can you claim to be a Parisian? Do you have to be a French citizen? Live there fulltime? Pay taxes? When is it acceptable to call the city […]
My Paris Place: Two Years & Counting
Two years ago today, I found my little Paris apartment. Wait—strike that. Two years ago today, I found a tiny 24-square meter life raft in the middle of the hell […]
Counting in French (Or, Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered)
I’m in a long queue at Monoprix Nation, which is the biggest in Paris, and overwhelming on a slow day. But this is a Saturday, last call to buy food […]
The Loudest, Tiniest Street in Paris
In New York, my apartment faces 7th Avenue in the bustling Chelsea neighborhood, so I expect a certain amount of street noise. And it is New York, after all. I’m […]
This Valentine’s Day, Give Paris Your Love
When my post about the love locks went viral (3000 views!) I knew I wasn’t the only one who thought they were a bad idea. So I joined forces with […]
Opportunity Missed?
Aaaaaaarrrrrrrgggh! cried the Charlie Brown in my head. There it was, big and bold, a realtor’s sign posted on the widows of the apartment next door. VENDU, it boasted: SOLD. What? Whaaaat?! […]
Dear Tourists, Please Unlock Your Love
Dear Tourists: I know it seems romantic, a lock signifying your everlasting love fastened forever to a bridge in the City of Light—and sure, a few years ago it was […]
Paris vs. New York (Do I Have to Choose?)
I rarely write about my New York life—not because I don’t love it, but because I live here most of the time, and take it for granted, I suppose. But […]
Christmas in Paris Next Year?
I just spent a wonderful Christmas with my sister in Florida. Eighty degrees but still Christmas-y. This was the first year since mom died that I felt the holiday spirit […]
O (Tiny Parisian) Christmas Tree
My apartment in Paris is a third of the size of my New York apartment. At only 258 square feet, or 24 square meters, there is not a sliver of […]
La Cuisine Parisienne: Chic and (Kinda) Cheap
I’ve spent the better part of the last four months researching kitchen designs for my on-again-off-again-(maybe)-on-again renovation project in my Paris place. What I’ve discovered: high style comes at low […]
Renovation Chez Moi? I’m In Deep, Baby.
A potential television opportunity documenting my heretofore postponed kitchen renovation had revived the project—and put it into overdrive. In order to be considered for the show, I’d have to supply […]
So You Want to Buy a Place in Paris?
Updated 9/4/2018 Think you’re ready to buy an apartment in Paris? Before you take the plunge, you might want to take this quiz: Am I Ready for a Pied-à-Terre […]
Paris Pick-Me-Up
Sometimes I think my mom’s on vacation. Or it’s just been a while since I’ve connected. I itch to ring her and say, “Hey, let’s catch up. Got so much […]
Ou est le Feu?
These things always happen just when I’m about to leave Paris. In August, it was a flood in my bathroom. This trip? Fire. On the morning of my departure to […]
(Parisian) Life, Interrupted
I’ve just returned from a brief stay in my Paris place, hence the silence. Seems I only write about my Paris life when I’m in New York. Maybe that’s how […]
With This Key, Responsibility
After several stays in my new pied-à-terre, something has occurred to me: my trips to Paris have ceased to be vacations. This is to say, I’m no longer truly unplugging. […]
Change of Ownership
On March 17th, I celebrated one year since I found my Paris apartment. It would take three months before I took ownership officially, but it felt like mine from the […]
My (Parttime) Paris Life 