While we’re still enjoying the beautiful summer days, at the sea, in the mountains or in the city, I wanted to share with you a very exotic and relaxing place in the heart of Paris. In 2020, I chose to spend my second honeymoon in the French capital. A romantic destination that also works for self-married people and singles. The important thing is to be in good company, and I admit that I love being with myself! One of the many benefits of my Solo Wedding in Santorini, self-love makes us accept ourselves as we are. And I liked it so much that I spent the summer in Paris again last year, I like this time of year when the city is quieter, almost at rest with its inhabitants who have left on holiday. It's as if I had it all to myself, a romantic tête-à-tête. Precisely, I take you daydreaming in the magnificent Buttes-Chaumont park… It was inaugurated in 1867 under Napoleon III, a great period of construction decided by the emperor and entrusted to Baron Haussmann, remember my article on the Garnier Opera House. Napoleon III was seduced by London parks – I understand that, check my article My Birthday in London – and wanted to reproduce this model in the French capital. With nearly 25 hectares of greenery (61 acres), this public garden located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, is one of the largest parks in the city. Unlike most green spaces which are flat, the Buttes-Chaumont, as their name suggests, overlook Paris, thus offering an exceptional view. Built on a former gypsum quarry, the engineer Adolphe Alphand was inspired by its 40-metre drop to create an English garden reminiscent of the mountain and its environment: waterfalls, cliffs, cave rocks, torrents, belvederes… This makes it a place conducive to discovery and strolling. With 820m (2,690ft) long and 450m (1,476ft) wide, and a periphery of 2.5km (8,200ft), the multiple paths and bridges are an invitation to adventure. There’s thus a suspended footbridge of 65m (213ft) which makes it possible to reach the belvedere located on a 30m-high 98ft) steep island. And guess who built it in 1867? Gustave Eiffel. The neoclassical style temple, crowning the belvedere, is a creation of the architect Gabriel Davioud. And after all this walk, there's nothing like enjoying its 12ha (29ac) of lawns in the shade of its 6ha (15ac) of woodland to rest and reconnect with Mother Nature. A natural paradise built by man around a lake, home to incredible flora and fauna. Moreover, the Buttes-Chaumont include the widest variety of forest species among Parisian public parks. All you have to do is breathe and relax... And I put some of my videos at the end. Have a Great week everyone! Love & Joy, L.
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Last month, I celebrated my birthday, I told you about it in my article Happy Me. Well, if I love this day of the year so much, apart from the fact that I love celebrating myself, especially since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, it's because I don't age. Even better, I rejuvenate! That's what my friends and family keep telling me. Recently, one of my aunts, who hadn't seen me for a year, said to me, "You have to stop at some point, because you look 20 now!! » Certainly, my aunt is very generous, and I don't wish to look that young ahaha. Nevertheless, for proof a photo without filter, without editing, without makeup, just me on July 1, 2022 after my shower! My 40th birthday (2 years ago therefore) was a turning point in my life, not that I dreaded this date, on the contrary since I had to celebrate it outrageously (but the pandemic prevented it), and obviously I was stunning (reread my article Turned 40), but on that day I chose a new challenge, to fulfill one of my wedding vows, the one that said “I would never stop being a better version of myself.” Since My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I adore myself all the time, it’s absolutely impossible for me to diminish myself. When you love yourself, it is for life! However, this time not only aging wouldn’t affect me, but I chose a new quest, that of youth. An adventure that would transform me and make me meet extraordinary people. (Pictures below of my birthdays from 2017 to 2021) From there, I signed up for courses, seminars and other videos, I wanted to know everything about nutrition, fitness, neurology, epigenetics, energy, and I continue because I find it fascinating. Of course, as with any learning, it takes dedication, determination and discipline. But all this doesn’t work without the right motivation! And as far as I’m concerned, I had 2 essential reasons: 1/ I still want to be a mother one day and although I froze my eggs in Madrid, I don't know if I will use them or resort to other procedures or adoption. Reread Gift from Science 2/ My dearest dream is to go to the planet Mars (Read In the Air 2) and for those who have been following me for a few years, you’ve already received your invitation. For others, here it is: When I was 20, if someone had told me I’d look this fabulous, I wouldn't have believed it. It must also be said that at that time, I was overweight, insecure, trying to succeed in all areas to conform to standards and society. Today, I can say that I’ve never felt so good, not to mention the fact that I’ve never been so fit and healthy, no more glasses, no more medication or dietary supplements, no more migraines, sleep trouble nor health problem, a healthy mind in a healthy body. I’ve already shared a lot about my beauty and health routines: I encourage you to read them again: And I really don't miss my glasses... (Photos from 2011 to 2016) Obviously when you decide to stay young, there’s no chance of not talking about exercise! I never saw myself as a sporty person, overweight from a very young age until I was 27, playing sports at school was my pet peeve and I voluntarily avoided it for a good part of my adult life. No chance of dragging me to a gym, but confinement has been good since online classes have developed and especially my passion for dance and ballet – an entire chapter is dedicated to it in my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini" - has introduced me to Lydia Melmeth, my current fitness coach and former dancer of the Queensland Ballet. I encourage you to follow her on Instagram and her YouTube channel, she now lives in London and teaches at the Royal Ballet and in many fitness centres. Yes, remember, I talked about the Royal Ballet in my Article Happy New Year 2020! Keeping my 2 motivations in mind and my iron discipline, from 30 minutes/week in 2020, I practice today 5h/week! If I can do it, you can too! Thanks to Lydia, her energy and her very varied classes, I learned to do grand pliés as well as squats. And speaking of squats, impossible not to mention the extraordinary Pauline Adeleke, to whom I dedicate all my squats!! Pauline is 70 years YOUNG, as she likes to say (I love it!) and lives in New York. Although she has already lived several lives, 2 years ago she created her own business to help people of her age to stay in shape. She’s a real mine of information and her energy is contagious! Especially her attitude towards life is a fabulous example to follow, for her, age is just a number, and one should never limit oneself on this basis. Neither too young nor too old, anything is possible with determination. I have huge respect and admiration for her, she’s my new role model and I like to call her SuperWonder Pauline! I love this woman so much! Follow her on Instagram and on her YouTube channel Ageless Fitness Lifestyle, where she distils her fitness and nutrition tips. I can't remember which of my teachers mentioned this, but several years ago a study was conducted with a group of elderly people with all sorts of age-related symptoms and disorders: osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's, low muscle mass etc. They had them live for several weeks in a house with 70s decor, which reminded them of a past time in their lives. At the end of the experiment, their health had improved, and some symptoms had even completely disappeared, without any special diet or medication. Because of their environment, their brain believed that they were younger and their metabolism with it. Incredible but true! Like nature, if you have strong roots, the right environment, good care, you will bloom again and again... And I feel like I'm blooming better and better, year after year. But for me the absolute secret is to have fun and do what I love! Anything that makes me smile is good for my cells. Moreover, this summer I decided to regress completely and practice the activities that I loved to do as a child: horseback riding and golf. Plus, they're outdoor activities, which is a bonus. There’s no age to start something new, in fact, I took my dad for his 65th birthday to have his first golf lesson and he loved it! And last week, to relax after the launch of my book - the past 2 months have been intense to stay polite - my sister invited me to a beautiful spa. A very handsome young man, the sexiest of the 4,000m2 of aquatic space, only had eyes for me, despite the lovely young ladies in microscopic bikinis. Proof that my method works and that there’s no age to be fabulous!! Do like me, live life to the fullest so that it has no hold on you! And even more to discover about me and my life in my autobiography “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”: LINK FOR THE BOOK By the way, this article is an addition to my Superwomen Series: read here. Have a fabulous week! Love & Joy, L. |
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