 It's already been 5 years since my fiancé left me, it was 3 days after Valentine's Day, so of course I still think about it every year. However, although this date is associated with a painful memory, it’s also a symbol of strength and courage. It was in the face of adversity that I revealed myself, that I discovered in myself more love than I’ll ever have from someone else. My life had to implode for me to find my truth. Two weeks later, I was making the decision to marry myself... A year later, I chose February 14 to launch Blog About L. with my first post “My Solo Wedding”. As if to counter a spell and show the whole world that love has many faces. Sharing this episode of my life was far from being easy, it took me months to talk about it, but I owed it to myself, to externalise this exceptional event born from a drama of my life. I also owed it to the rest of the world to inspire hope and self-love. And a worldwide response – MEDIA – which would exceed all my expectations. An incredible and loving support, which has never stopped in 4 years, on the contrary, it continues to grow and to reach new horizons: Australia, USA, the UK, Greece, France, Egypt, India, Spain , Russia, Brazil... And which also increases in the age groups from 8 to 92 years old! I want to tell you that you are an inspiration, you're wonderful and you're worthy. Keep going, you have a beautiful life story!!!
Truly is a powerful message to be sent to the world. Continue being you and celebrate who you are!  The Renewal of my Vows last year (watch the Video), widely shared on my social media is another proof of my desire to inspire and to share more about my life and my actions. I continue to grow, to evolve, to assert myself in all my greatness and my authenticity. Above all, I love myself more day after day, accepting my flaws, my past mistakes and my fears. I forgive me! "Keep growing to bloom" L. My Previous Articles:
My Solo Wedding: Link Excerpts from my book (not yet published): My Solo Wedding in Santorini or How I Changed My Life. I’m so proud of what I have accomplished and of everything I can still achieve. So today I'm not just celebrating Valentine's Day, but who I am and my eternal love for myself! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! Love & Joy, L. 
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While we’re still in January, and I still continue to work on my intentions for the year 2022, I remembered a wish I had last year: to balance my feminine energy. Although the renewal of my vows from my Solo Wedding in Santorini had already brought me a lot, I was looking to find out more. And precisely during a very specific course on this topic, I had the opportunity to discover the incredible story of Mary Magdalene. And after telling you about Paris, where I'm having an incredible stay (follow me on Instagram), I'm taking you to the South of France, to discover the Sainte-Baume cave. Mary Magdalene also called Mary of Magdala or the Madeleine is an important character of Christianity, she’s also the most present woman in the New Testament. Disciple of Jesus, she’s the witness of the Passion of Christ and attends his resurrection. In charge of informing the apostles, she became the Apostle of the apostles. Theories diverge as to whether Mary Magdalene was also Mary of Bethany - the one who poured perfume on Jesus - but also the sinful woman - delivered from 7 demons and converted by Christ. According to legend, during the persecutions against Christians after the Ascension, she’d have left Galilee (Palestine then) with other disciples, to land at Saintes-Maries de la Mer, in the south of France. She settled in Marseille for a while, and evangelised the region then, following the divine call, she walked to the cave of Sainte-Baume to live the last 30 years of her life.  And just like her, to be able to access the cave, you have to cross the forest of Sainte-Baume. Called relic forest because it has remained identical to that present at the end of the Tertiary, it has never been touched by man. In addition, it’s home to very different plant species from what is usually found in Provence: oaks, beeches, Aleppo pines, yew, holly, maple, lime, mountain ash, fir trees, cedars... But also, incredible flowers: orchids, narcissus of the poets, violet, broom, Martagon lily, ferns... A set of 138ha at an average altitude of 2,460ft (750m) rich in very varied fauna and flora. Crossing it while it wears its fall colours is a delight, and being able to reconnect with Mother Nature in such a setting is a great opportunity. Of course, I couldn't resist hugging a tree! On the side of the cliff, the sanctuary appears to us in the middle of the foliage... Since the 2000s, 8 Dominican friars live there and welcome the 500,000 annual visitors. But since the 5th century, monks have been guardians of this place, Kings, Queens and Popes coming to worship and pray. Although looted during the Wars of Religion and destroyed during the French Revolution, the sanctuary was rebuilt in the 19th century and expanded. Today it’s also a place of pilgrimage for parents who have lost a child. The view is breathtaking, no wonder why Mary Magdalene found this place perfect for prayer and devotion. With some emotion, I enter this natural cave which has been dug by erosion. Much larger than I expected, it extends over 2 levels, the lower level being devoted to the prayer of deceased children. A platform behind the altar contains the relics of Mary Magdalene. You feel protected by this rock but in no way confined thanks to the serenity of the place. And to finish this journey, we climbed to an altitude of 3,600ft (1,100m) to enjoy the incredible view at the top of this 12km long rocky bar, which appeared during the secondary era. I thank my friend Magali and her aunt for accompanying me on this pilgrimage. It’ll remain an unforgettable memory. No article next week, I planned lots of visits in Paris to satisfy your curiosity and mine. Have a brilliant week! Love & Joy, L.  As I mentioned in my last article Happy New Year 2022, I’m back in Paris for several weeks, which will give me the opportunity to show you even more of this magnificent capital, and this time in winter. So, get your coat and your boots, and follow me!  Obviously the first place I went to, my favourite park in the capital: the Luxembourg Gardens. The seagulls have invaded the flowerbeds (without flowers) and it’s very surprising and exotic to hear them in the middle of the city. The bare trees make the atmosphere very mysterious and bring out the many statues in the park even more, which almost seem to be alive! But the Tuileries gardens near the Louvre Museum are also very pleasant. What I love about this time of year is that it’s even more peaceful and the perfect place to sunbathe when the sun is out. The French capital has no less than 200 religious buildings, so visiting them can be a wonderful way to walk around the city. And I’ve just discovered the Saint-Augustin Church this week that I didn’t know. In a very different, but equally solemn style, the Parisian cemeteries have many famous people buried and searching for their graves is fascinating. So, I added that to my list, and I’ve already visited part of the Montparnasse cemetery. I haven't had time to go to the museum or see an exhibition yet, I've given priority to reunions with friends and good meals! However, you can imagine that I already have several visits in mind…  Check out my previous posts: No article next week, lots of plans but follow me on Instagram to find out what I'm doing during my stay. Next Article: January 29, 2022 Have a great week everyone! Love & Joy, L.  I hope you had a good holiday season, despite the pandemic situation, some of you told me that you had to change your plan or even worse to be isolated. For my part, I was in bed on December 24 and part of the 25th, following the 3rd dose of the vaccine. However, I made up for it afterwards and made the most of my family and friends. In my last article of the year Merry Christmas, I mentioned my childhood dreams, including the fact that in 2022 I wanted to restart ballroom dancing. So, for this first post of the year, I've decided to tell you more about my intentions and wishes, and maybe you'll feel inspired!  For those unfamiliar with vision boards, this is a blank canvas or large piece of paper on which you add pictures of things you’d like to have or accomplish. In short, you put your dreams and aspirations on it. And you look at it every day. For my part and since I travel a lot, I have a digital version on my tablet. It has been shown that this exercise not only allows us to manifest our desires but above all to do it more quickly. This is called the "Law of Attraction". For those who are sceptical or are not interested in the laws of the universe, this visualisation tool is nonetheless effective, you can imagine that seeing every day, several hours a day the photo of a dog makes you want to have one! And precisely, while I’ve just updated my vision board, next to a professional dancer, I added a photo of a beach because for those who follow me for a long time, you know how much I love the sea. No wonder then that in 2022, I want to return to new shores, exotic if possible ... While waiting to be there, here’s a photo I took last week, in my native region, at the beautiful Lac du Bourget. I'm getting closer to my goal ...  Photo Credit: Aix-les-Bains - Dec 2021 I Laëtitia Nguyen My friend Mari Curteanu, Wellbeing Coach and Founder of Bodysome, in one of her precious Instagram posts, made us wonder what we wanted to keep from 2021. I loved taking a moment to think about it, because too often we follow habits without really congratulating ourselves or questioning their interest. What I’ll pursue in 2022:
 My other friend Fadela Hilali, Life Coach - whom I already told you about in my article Christmas Gifts - recommends focusing on the emotions you want to feel in 2022, rather than talking about resolutions. A fantastic advice that I've immediately adopted! And this gives, among other things:
I find it to be a great exercise and instead of focusing on the outside elements that very often don't depend on us, we set an inner goal. "A flower blossoms for its own joy." - Oscar Wilde  Photo Credit: Paris - Sept 2021 I Laëtitia Nguyen So here is my recipe for 2022’s intentions, a good quantity of gratitude and perseverance, added to positive and well-balanced emotions, all sprinkled with visualisation! And voila! A first manifestation that arrives very quickly, whereas I wished many people to travel in 2022, well last-minute trip, I’ll be in Paris tomorrow to take care of my godchildren 😊 In the meantime, check my previous articles & videos: Once again, I wish you all a very happy new year 2022! May it be rich in love, health, adventure and miracles! Love & Joy, L.  (A special message from Dr. Dravon James at the end) And here is yet another Christmas for creating new memories and magical moments. On that side, you know I'm the Queen, especially with my Solo Wedding in Santorini! Because as far back as I can remember, I've always been able to enchant my world, and I'm not just talking about Christmas Gifts, which I talked about extensively last week. The magic of Christmas is believing in an old man who crosses the planet overnight, with flying reindeers, to distribute happiness to children.  This magical atmosphere reveals the best of us and makes us dream of the impossible! The story of my life… Which made me thought about my childhood wishes, let’s see if any of them had come true: Astronaut I must have been 5 or 6 years old so, I used to go the planetarium every week to take astronomy lessons, I was so fascinated by the stars and space and I definitely left my head up there!! But I told you about it in my article In the Air 2 and my wish to go to the planet Mars. And my guests have already received their invitation for my birthday on Mars in 2070 😉 Dancer As soon as I could walk, I started waddling, as can be seen from the photos below, when I was 14 months old and dancing with my teddy bear! Although, I only took dance lessons when I was 30, this passion never really left me and grew within me, eventually leading me to compete in ballroom dancing for 2 years. I haven't danced with a partner for 4 years, but I continue to train in my bedroom and I hope 2022 will bring me back to the dance floor ... Beautiful and famous Nothing very original, and yet it took me a lot of effort and time to have the confidence that I have today, to accept myself with all my flaws. Check my video below “Let’s grow together” to know more. Above all I discovered self-love with my Solo Wedding in Santorini. As for fame, enough has been said about me in the Media to satisfy me. And of course, the best for last: Writer I've been writing with passion since I was 8 years old, and there isn't a day that I don't have some text running through my head. I think about it when I wake up, in the shower, when I do my gym, when I eat, I sleep… well, all the time. And since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, it has become my main activity with this blog and with my book, and those to come ... Reread my previous Christmas articles:
Dreams that continue, that evolve, and always this craziness that pushes me to want the moon and the stars around ... No wonder my creativity is increased tenfold at this time of year! My Christmas videos:
Thank you all for your fabulous photos! I enjoy so much receiving your pics every year...  Courtesy of Dr. Dravon James And I've even received a photo and a special message to share with you, from Dr. Dravon James, Author and Founder of Every Day Peace, whom I told you about in my last article Christmas Gifts. Thank you very much Dr. Dravon James! Let's continue to believe in Christmas magic to end this year with stars in our eyes, and allow us to dream big in 2022. We just have to wait for Santa now and see what he brings us this year ... No article next week, I’ll enjoy the holidays, and meditate to have a fabulous energy to start the New Year… Next article: January 8, 2022! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Love & Joy, L.  You know how much I adore this time of year, there is no lack of articles on this topic and I have to admit that I’ve been lucky enough to satisfy my curiosity on numerous occasions:
Not to mention everything I post on my social media: And precisely at this time when the pleasure of giving and helping others is increased tenfold, let's talk about Christmas gifts ... “Give to receive. " L. I'm sure some of you still have some last-minute gifts to buy, so I thought sharing my experience was welcome. Certainly, I’ve already talked about it in:
Although I love luxurious and extraordinary gifts, sometimes even imaginary ones, I have the right to dream!! This time around, I'm showing you how to create Christmas magic! “Give meaning to your gifts. " L. This year, I chose to create the gifts myself, I can't say more here but I'm sure there are plenty of things you can do yourself: personalised calendars with photos, knitting a scarf, painting, cooking chocolate truffles ... Or quite simply, have a photo printed on a t-shirt, a mug, a teddy bear, there are plenty of easy-to-use websites to help you achieve them, and the ideas are endless! And if you find that it takes too long or is still too complicated, my solution: PERSONAL VOUCHERS Last year I gave my family and friends special vouchers like cooking a dish of their choice, babysitting, catsitting, organising a birthday party, a hug ... All those things that people often are too shy to ask. In short, I offered my talents and services to those around me to help them during the year. For example, my brother-in-law claimed chocolate mousse which I do very well, and my sister opted for me to decorate their Christmas tree this year (shopping included). HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES, FREELANCES, But you can also help your entrepreneur friends by buying your gifts from their businesses, or maybe some are gym teachers or coaches, offer sessions to your family & friends. Maybe they even wrote a book, and precisely speaking of that, here are 3 books that I highly recommend (only available in English for now): Stuffed by Fadela Hilali Fadela is an incredible woman, life coach, who chose to write a book to tell about a special experience in her life: her emotional connection with food and how she overcame it. Just like me with my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”, she knows that sharing this intimate moment can help so many people. This book is truly inspirational, offer it to someone, or better yet to yourself! Find her on her website: fadelahilali.com and on Instagram: @fadelahilali Transformed by Remi Adeleke Remi Adeleke is a character all by himself, a former Navy SEAL, who has become a writer, actor and filmmaker! I discovered this book by chance and I loved it. This is a wonderful life lesson, which shows that determination, discipline and self-confidence make you overcome adversity and realise your wildest dreams. Not to mention the energy of Remi that shines through his writing and brings you a lot of serenity and courage. And if you want an even more special gift, contact him on Instagram / Twitter (@remiadeleke) to request a signed book! Freedom is your birthright by Dr. Dravon James Okay I'll be honest here, I haven't read this book yet, I asked Santa for it, but what I can tell you is that I love Dr. Dravon James, and more specifically her Everyday Peace podcast, weekly on Unity Online Radio in the United States. Here again, her journey is incredible, pharmacist, she became an actress and now she’s a life coach. How not to be inspired? And by the way, she invited me to participate in her podcast, so stay tuned to find out more! Visit her website: drdravonjames.com
 Be sure to watch my video at the end of this article which sums up everything I just told you but on top of that, my gorgeous smile and Christmas energy! Don't forget to send me your Christmas decoration photos, they’ll be published in the next article. Let's create some magic this week! Love & Joy, L. “Art is my Lifestyle and Vice Versa!” L. You know how important Art is in my life, how much it inspires and nourishes me, just as I love endlessly creating and revisiting my way of life over and over again. While we’ve already reviewed the travel category in my previous article Travel Memories, this week I’m choosing to check the other articles: Art & Lifestyle.  I certainly spoiled you in 2021 with lavish exhibitions, amazing museums and majestic churches: I haven't failed to share my life with you this year, and all the amazing things I do and care about: Your favourite article this year was: Happy Pride! In fact, one of the photos in this article is actually in your Top 3 on my Instagram. Not to mention the most important event of the year for me: the Renewal of my Wedding Vows! In fact, many of you watched the video, I put it back at the end of the article.  Without a doubt, 2021 has been a year rich in discoveries and surprises of all kinds. So grateful for all these adventures and the people who came with them. Don't forget to send me your Christmas tree photos to be published in 2 weeks!! Have a brilliant week everyone! Love & Joy, L.  I hope you enjoyed my last article Travel Memories to get some air and dream of far-off horizons. This week, I look back on a special December in my life, while I was writing my book "My Solo Wedding in Santorini"! I am therefore taking you to Crete, which I’ve talked about a lot previously - reread the Crete Series - to share with you an intimate and personal moment of my life. And if you were already following me on my social media back then, this article will bring back some memories.  I arrived in October 2018, when my story was going viral in the international press & on the internet, and when I was invited on TV - check out Media. I had already spent several months on this island at the beginning of summer, and I thought it was the perfect place to write my book, in the solitude and quiet of winter, when most of the businesses and hotels were closed. A friend of mine introduced me to the owner of the building where he lived. A flat was available for the winter season, that was ideal! So, for 7 months, I lived in a very small flat in Kokkini Hani, not far from the capital Heraklion: The furniture was traditional but charming and functional. Simple fixtures, just a stovetop, mini fridge, no oven or microwave, no TV, little shower pressure, and random and temperamental hot water / internet / electricity. Despite that, it was my home, and after spending over a year in hotel rooms or on a sofa (reread Spring in Madrid), I was happy to be able to unpack my bags for a while. Even more so to fulfil one of my dreams and do what I love most in the world: writing. Obviously, as a talented interior designer (yes, another of my gifts), I bought some linen, decoration, rearranged the space to feel in perfect harmony, my little haven of peace ... So, this environment was perfect for my artistic creativity, I wrote my book in 6 months, continued to feed my blog every week. When the internet was unavailable, I was going to a café 5 minutes walk from my house, some of my favourite posts were created there: I also grew my Instagram presence around this time and started thinking about what videos I could create. Above all, I did a lot of artistic photos which I share with you from time to time, on my social media & on the blog, as in the article: The 4 Elements. What I liked in December was being able to admire from my window, the snow on the peaks (the island is mountainous) and the New Year's fireworks! It rained a lot that winter, more than usual apparently, I kept telling myself that this was the perfect time to stay home and write ... Well, I only had the heater for a few hours a day, so I wrote a lot under my duvet, fortunately I had bought a heated mattress topper, a blessing! I spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve on my own by choice, I wanted the experience of loneliness to the end, and I loved it! It is only when you come face to face with yourself that you realise how great company you can be ... No Christmas tree but a little bit of decoration though, no crèche this time but I had a sheep 😊 My family and friends had sent me lots of gifts, including a unicorn (reread my article Unicorns to find out my passion for this animal). I prepared a feast with lots of local and French specialties. And even too good since I lost a tooth, which led me to find an emergency dentist on December 26th. What can you do? I like challenges! My café/bar had also transformed for the occasion, and I even took a short trip to Heraklion to really get in the mood. Christmas 2018 is really an excellent memory 😊 You’ll find even more details about what I just said in my second book now in writing. The first book "My Solo Wedding in Santorini" is still pending publication, but I have a feeling that 2022 will be its year 😉! Read excerpts from my book: HERE  Reread my previous Christmas articles:  Start sending me your Christmas decoration photos, like every year, I’ll publish them in my article on December 25!! Have a brilliant week! Love & Joy, L.  After taking you on a trip to Australia with my last article Hill Inlet, I'm going to keep this category this week, as it's time to start taking stock of the past year ... Although I didn’t take a plane in 2021, thanks to my incredible archives, I was able to show you 17 of my adventures including one about my Solo Wedding in Santorini:  Click on it to access: And your favourite article this year was: In the Air 4 (Dubai - UAE)  Thank you for your comments on the blog & social media 😊 Here are the top 3 of your favourite photos on Instagram in 2021: And I take the train tomorrow for the south of France with some new adventures to tell you soon ... Have a fantastic week! Love & Joy, L.  Hill Inlet (Australia) - Oct 2013 I Laëtitia Nguyen As the cold takes hold in Europe and winter is just around the corner - I can already see snow from my window in the Alps – I’ve chosen to warm up with a destination that is simply my favourite place in the world. Having lived almost a decade in Australia has given me the chance to visit amazing places and for me who loves the beach, the sea, and the sun, it has been a real blessing. No surprise that I stayed in Greece after my Solo Wedding in Santorini… But without further ado, let's take a look at the map to see where exactly Hill Inlet is located: This inlet is located at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach - one of Australia's most famous beaches - on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. This archipelago - mostly uninhabited - lies in the Coral Sea, between the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Obviously, to get there, the boat is essential, whether it’s a big yacht, a sailboat or a small motorboat, the important thing is to arrive at the destination. I’ve had the chance to go there a few times and each time it has been an extraordinary adventure both from a human point of view and by the beauty of nature ... (FYI all photos are mine, without filter or retouching) Covering an area of nearly 109 km2, the island enjoys a tropical climate. It was populated by the Ngaro aborigines for 8,000 years before being expelled under British colonisation. The name Whitsunday was chosen by James Cook when he discovered the island in 1770. To access the best viewpoint of the island, you’re going through the forest, a nice walk that allows you to learn more about the many wild species of the island: birds, plants, varans, rays and reef sharks. I never tire of this extraordinary view with multiple shades of blue and crystal clear waters. Beauty in its purest and natural state, no filter or retouching, here any photo is a postcard... And even going back to sea level, one continues to be amazed and enveloped by this wild nature, so vibrant and yet peaceful. Thank you to keep preserving this amazing place! And of course, you noticed this magnificent white sand, as far as the eye can see ... So thin, it sings when one stepped on. You can leave me here anytime; this is my heaven on earth! My Previous Articles:
Have an amazing week! Love & Joy, L.  After showing you 2 Art exhibitions I love, “Florae” and “Water Lilies by Monet”, this week I talk again about my Solo Wedding in Santorini, to tell something very intimate that everyone experiences at least once in their life: shame and blame. Three years already that my incredible story was revealed in the international press, still so much to say, to share with you. An adventure that never ceases to take me on unknown and exhilarating paths ... And recently, I was interviewed again, but this time by a bestselling American author who is currently writing a book, and the discussion we've had inspired me the text below, which I’ve chosen to share with you: "When my fiancé left me, I was ashamed, embarrassed, I know I shouldn’t have been, but I was.  Read: Access to:
Have a fantastic week! Next article: November 13, 2021 Love & Joy, L. This week, I chose to stay in the flowers theme, my last article Florae is still making me dream... And I take you to the magnificent Orangery Museum, in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, to admire the latest work by one of the most important impressionist painters: Claude Monet.  He wanted it as a place of meditation, silence is requested, but in front of so much beauty one can only be moved and be silent. There’s only one other place where I feel so peaceful, and that is on the island where took place my Solo Wedding in Santorini. Here, the artwork depicts a garden at different times of the day from sunrise to sunset. No horizon or frame to get lost in this scenery and it doesn't take long to be completely absorbed by this lush vegetation. Installed on the curved walls of 2 large oval rooms. The total ensemble measures nearly 100 linear metres (328 ft) over a height of 1.97m (3.28ft), in other words not far from 200m2 (2,153 sq ft) of art on display. The light is natural, overhead, coming from the ceiling as in the artist’s studio. Nothing is left to chance, Monet decided the location of the 8 panels, the space between them, he planned the smallest details. However, he has never seen the result, the Water Lilies were installed a few months after his death in 1927. Born in Paris in 1840, Monet was a French painter and one of the founders of Impressionism. He spent the last 30 years of his life painting water lilies, no less than 250 oil paintings, and it took him 15 years to paint those on display at the Orangery. His ultimate work, dedicated to peace, started in the midst of the First World War, therefore he did donate it to France. So important to him, that suffering from cataracts and almost blind, he had an operation to be able to finish them off. He died in 1926 at the age of 86 from lung cancer. I’m sure you are captivated by this spectacular work. Keep this meditative and calm mind until next week. And a great video at the end of the article, for those who want to discover more… Previous articles: Have a wonderful week! Love & Joy, L.  In my last article Last Quarter, I explained how to end the year serenely, well why not go see this magnificent and free exhibition “Florae”, at the Hôtel d'Evreux, Place Vendôme in Paris, until November 14, 2021. Organised by Van Cleef & Arpels in collaboration with Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa and architect Tsuyoshi Tane. On the theme of flowers - and you know how important they were at my Solo Wedding in Santorini (reread my article Flowers) - the jewels on display, or should I say the artworks as they are so incredible, come from the private collection of Van Cleef & Arpels. Obviously, we’re talking about pieces of fine jewellery encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones and materials, some of which belonged to princesses ... Mika Ninagawa, born in Tokyo in 1972, is a world-renowned Japanese photographer and director. She has worked with many famous artists and won prestigious awards around the world. Her universe is pop, colourful, dreamlike and is inspired by nature's beauty. A magnificent association between her photos and the jewels presented. All this magnified by an aesthetically luminous presentation by Tsuyoshi Tane, Japanese architect and scenographer. Here, he chooses to make us move through a plant labyrinth in an intimate atmosphere. You quickly feel possessed by this unique garden, you lose your bearings and surprise yourself to gather nectar from flower to flower (from photography or jewellery) ... And how not to dream in front of so much beauty, poetry and brilliance (besides, it wasn’t always easy to take pictures because it shone so bright!). I can imagine myself perfectly with one of these necklaces around my neck ... Don't forget to book your time slot online before your visit: LINK And you can always count on the house's watch collection to inspire you to be on time for the rest of your life! I’d like to thank Van Cleef & Arpels for their kindness and generosity, and for giving us once again access to their incredible talent and know-how. A video at the end of the article to tell you even more about this magnificent exhibition. And to come on October 21, an exciting online conference by L’ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts "The four seasons of the Jewelry Garden" broadcast live from the Florae exhibition! Register here, it's free: LINK.  Read my previous articles:
Have a fabulous week! Love & Joy, L. And here we are in October, after the start of the school year, I always find it interesting to take stock of the current year so that I can concentrate and refocus on this last quarter! I’ve just returned from Paris where I had a wonderful stay again, I can't wait to tell you about my discoveries but in the meantime, here are my tips for happiness to end the year in style, perfectly aligned with your mood, your desires, and your energy. And to help me for this article, I’ve chosen to use 3 of my videos. "Sometimes to act is to do nothing" L. 1 / Everything comes in time My experience taught me to be patient and not to envy people. There’s no need to rush anything, appreciate what you have already. Dreams demand time & resilience, if you really desire them, they’ll come true… "Don’t be jealous and above all don’t compare yourself to others." L. 2 / The Red Ball At the end of the year, we want to achieve all the goals we set for ourselves, we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves and stress for nothing. Not to mention the season changed, and our body must readjust as well. There’s no point in forcing things, on the contrary, take more care of yourself, relax and stay open to opportunities. Don't miss life because of the Red Ball... "Each flower blooms in its own way, we are not that different." L. 3 / Let's grow together I made this video in early 2021 and I'm so excited to continue to share my experiences with you. Like flowers and nature, keep growing at your own pace and keep blooming! "Celebrate every victory, big and small!" L. Let’s keep going with the flow, let’s have an open, positive and compassionate attitude, towards others but especially towards ourselves. And let's not forget to be grateful, for everything, big and small things, all the people in our lives, big and small victories ... Enjoy what you have, enjoy the moment. I am so grateful for all the love and support I had this year, both personally and professionally. I met incredible new people and had access to amazing opportunities, not to mention some ongoing collaborations that I’ll tell you about very soon. That’s why there’ll be no article next week, I have a few imperatives with my Solo Wedding in Santorini, regarding some exciting projects to come. In the meantime, reread my previous articles:
Watch all my videos here: LINK (also available on YouTube and IGTV) Discover my new page: My Solo Wedding  The Medici Fountain - Jardin du Luxembourg Paris - Oct 21 I Laëtitia Nguyen "Reflect… Meditate… Dream..." L. In this last quarter of the year, let's take some time ... Don’t focus on what you haven’t accomplished yet, realise everything you’ve already done, including all the unexpected things that turned into amazing opportunities. Even more than usual, I take care of myself, my body, my mind, I cherish & nourish them beautifully. Is there something you really want to achieve this year? Yes. So, keep the faith and don't give up. Celebrate your growth, your resilience, your patience, your self-discipline. Fill your heart with love, compassion, hope and courage. You are a wonderful being, capable of the very best. Have faith, you’re going to finish this year in awe! Have a great week! Next article: October 16, 2021 Love & Joy, L.  Three years ago, my story went viral around the world, and I even went to the biggest Greek TV channel to talk about it. I was not prepared for it and yet I did not shy away from the unknown and accepted with great humility that my experience was brought to light. My light, the one I discovered thanks to my Solo Wedding in Santorini, the one that grows and accompanies me every day, the one that I gladly share with all those who cross my path. An incredible adventure which has already given me so much and continues. And more and more great people I meet. I am filled with a tremendous sense of gratitude, all of this would be of no value without you. THANK YOU!  Considering the number of articles on my Solo Wedding in Santorini and the ever-growing interest in my story, I thought that adding a page entirely dedicated to it was now welcome. It’s still under construction but you’ll be able to discover it next week! You’ll always find all the articles on the blog, from the most recent to the oldest, in the Solo Wedding Category: LINK. Accessible from the home page OR on the blog page (on the right side). You can also access the Book page from the menu to find excerpts from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini, an entire chapter is even published, as well as the list of articles with an excerpt. There are also texts and videos where I explain my book and my interest in writing. Also read: Have a great week! Love & Joy, L. After my article last week on the Air Festival , I wanted to share these other photos with you. I’ve already mentioned this city before, reread Christmas in Dubai and the Desert, but this time, I'm going to show it a bit differently. As a reminder, Dubai is in the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates, in the Arabian Peninsula, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Before my Solo Wedding in Santorini, I lived in Australia, and I regularly transited through Dubai to visit my family in France. The UAE is a federal state created in 1971, with 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Quwain. The city of Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. With more than 3.1 million inhabitants, it’s the most populous city in the UAE out of the 9,700,000 in the country (of which 90% are immigrants). But Dubai is also the country's first port and the economic capital, while Abu Dhabi is the federal capital. Focused on luxury tourism, Dubai is particularly famous for these extraordinary constructions such as the towers: Burj Khalifa and Burj Al-Arab which I spoke about extensively in my article Christmas in Dubai. And seen from the sky, one can only admire, with Burj Khalifa a bit in the fog, yet it easily stands out from other skyscrapers ... Another architectural feat, Palm Jumeirah! An artificial archipelago in the Persian Gulf in the shape of a palm tree, made up of a trunk 1.25 mi (2 km) long on which the monorail circulates, and 16 palms which house a thousand luxury private villas. This magnificent palm tree is surrounded by a 6.84 mi (11 km) long crescent, where you can find palaces and luxury hotels such as the famous Atlantis hotel (re-read Christmas in Dubai)! But Palm Jumeirah was to be the smallest palm of an initial project of 3 palms along the coast. In the same spirit, we also find another incredible archipelago, the world, which as its name suggests represents a map of the world. Unfortunately, no photo of the whole set, much too large, and visible from the International Space Station! All these islets require a lot of sand, dredged from the bottom of the Persian Gulf and fitted out with dikes and canals to counter the swell while allowing the renewal of the water, and thus avoid the proliferation of mosquitoes and algae. Some projects have been started and never completed; others continue despite successive crises. We haven’t finished discovering the landscape of these unique archipelagos ... But back to the city, from the air, we realise the colossal construction that this city has required. Although some writings reveal that Dubai already existed in the 11th century, it was not until the 18th century that it was considered a city. And thanks to the very important pearl trade at that time, its notoriety developed widely. Then, with the discovery of oil in the 60s, the city changed dramatically, and from the 90s, incredible infrastructures and skyscrapers sprang from the ground to give the city we know today ... And by the way, what I haven't mentioned but which you may have noticed in the photos is my mode of transportation: a seaplane!  A city always on the move and in constant search for novelty, an incredible new space has recently opened its doors: Deep Dive Dubai. This is the deepest diving pool in the world, 197 ft (60m)!! Designed as a submerged city, you can visit it and have fun while being under water ... Until we visit it, we’ll watch the video at the end of the article 😊 And to reread my previous articles:
Have a fantastic week! Love & Joy, L. After a long stay in the capital, as I mentioned it last week in my article A Glimpse of Paris, I was happy to reconnect with nature, and more precisely in the mountains, in the French Alps, where I grew up (reread Childhood). I even had more fun as an airshow was organised at the Alpe d'Huez, and you know how much I love everything that flies! Reread my previous articles:
A magnificent day in a sumptuous setting and the sunshine, life is good! As a child, with my family, we used to go often to this kind of event, during them, I had my first ride in a hot air balloon and in a helicopter. It actually reminds me that after my Solo Wedding in Santorini, during my Honeymoon, I flew by helicopter over the island at sunset, such a magical moment! Plane is different, thanks to school I had flying lessons when I was 8. And today I no longer count my miles as a passenger! But before I take you into the air, let's take a look at the ground. All kinds of stands, a flight simulator on Mirage 2000, in air combat mode over Dubai for me, adrenaline guaranteed, and I won’t see my photos of Dubai in the same way anymore (reread Christmas in Dubai). But above all there’s a model of the Alpha jet of the Patrouille de France, the Air Force’s aerobatic display team... Throughout the day, breathtaking demonstrations on different types of aircraft, recent and old, and an unfailing admiration for these pilots ... And yes, the runway is a leap into the void! So incredible and magnificent, aerobatics…One or many planes ... It makes me want to try, next first time on my list for sure! But also, a helicopter rescue demonstration, it wasn’t the first time I saw one and yet it’s always impressive ... I skydived before, however I’ve never tried paragliding, and this lively performance excited my curiosity! And of course, the Patrouille de France (PAF)! Created in 1931, this is the oldest aerobatic display team in the world. Composed of 9 pilots including a replacement (8 airplanes). And a whole team behind them. Being able to see one of their shows is a beautiful opportunity. Even better when you can meet them afterwards and talk to them ... Their work, talent and kindness are a real source of inspiration. Although I lived in 7 countries in the world, I’m French, born and raised, and watching the PAF always gives me chills! Thank you to all, the pilots, the teams, the organisers… No matter how old we were, everyone had sparks in their eyes! For a day I thought I was a pilot, a wonderful memory and a good way to keep my mind in the clouds & keep dreaming...😊 Have a wonderful week everyone! Love & Joy, L. Many of you asked me what I did during my last trip in Paris, and although I shared a lot on my social media, I don't blame you for being curious! So, here it is, I’ve chosen to give you a glimpse and of course many of my visits and experiences will be the topic of specific articles ... To be honest, I never tire of talking and commenting on this magnificent French capital which amazes me every time.  Here’s a summary I made in Paris: And yes, I wore a Chaumet tiara, well let's be more specific, a metal replica, it’s still magnificent and obviously I couldn’t resist the temptation to try on a few diamonds (Chaumet)… You know how much I love jewellery, reread My Wedding Ring. For those who are familiar with the place, you recognised La Samaritaine in the background, after 15 years of closure and an incredible renovation, this department store has reopened its doors to the public and I had the immense privilege of discover it in a unique way. Of course, an article will be dedicated to it ... Museums... Here are the ones I visited this time:
And also churches... I also had the opportunity to see 2 magnificent exhibitions organised in collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels:
In addition, I went to admire the incredible Van Cleef & Arpels Private Collection, Place Vendôme (photos not allowed). I’d like to warmly thank Van Cleef & Arpels for their hospitality and kindness, and I look forward to seeing you again! I also let myself go with the wind, walking through the streets and parks of Paris ... Besides seeing my friends, I made many new ones. Especially Thibaut, an incredible artist who did my portrait based on the photos of My Solo Wedding in Santorini!  Because Paris is all of that, luxury, art, architecture, history, beauty & new friendships ... And also, some pleasure! 😊 It’s been a while since I last talked about my Solo Wedding in Santorini on the blog, yet I do talk about it every day and many of you are curious about everything ... Today, I’ve chosen the venue, of course you’ve already seen many pictures and I’ve mentioned it in my article Wines of Santorini. However, there are many details that I haven’t yet shared with you, especially you’ll discover a new excerpt from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini, at the end of this article 😊  “It's penicillin that heals men, but it's the good wine that makes them happy.” So, no wonder I chose a vineyard, especially since you know how much I appreciate wine. To tell the truth, out of the dozen proposals given by our wedding planner, we had selected 2, and yes, it is rare that I mention it, but my fiancé had participated in this selection phase. He had chosen an elegant villa on the cliffs, and I picked a vineyard. We wanted the same location for the ceremony and the reception, with a view of the caldera of course. In 2016, I set foot on this island then unknown to me, to visit and decide on the location of the ceremony. When I discovered Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori, I knew it was the perfect place! (These photos were taken in 2016 during my first visit 😊) "Give me some coffee to change things that I can change. And wine to accept those that I cannot change. " A year later, I had a lot to accept! My fiancé had just abandoned me, our wedding was almost fully organised, I was excited to return to Santorini, I couldn't bring myself to lose that part of happiness. The best decision of my life ... And I have to say this venue was absolutely amazing for my Solo Wedding in Santorini, I couldn't have asked for better! Already from the car park, I could not believe my eyes. The view of the caldera was breathtaking. A large stone staircase led to a magnificent terrace, the place for the ceremony, I imagined myself completely, holding my father’s arm to go down the stairs to join my future husband, with the sea as a witness. It was elegant and classic with these old stones everywhere, there was a big circle of seven metres in diameter, in pebbles drawn on the ground, perfect to determine the dance floor, and to suit any choreography.  Thanks again to all the providers of my Solo Wedding in Santorini: Dress: Atelier Pronovias, Shop Brides of Brisbane - Brisbane City (Australia) Alterations: PQ Fashions, Brisbane City (Australia) Shoes: Edward Meller (Day), Christian Louboutin (Evening) Ring: Antique Cameo, Shop Precious Stones Brisbane (Australia) Jewellery: Cassandra Lynne (U.S) Tiara: JJ's House Clutch bag: Forever New Jacket: Yves Salomon Hairdressing, Makeup, Manicure: by myself Wedding Planners: Divine Weddings Santorini, Maria Alexandrapoulos & Katerina Panagopoulou, Santorini (Greece) Venue: Venetsanos Winery, Megalochori, Santorini (Greece) Celebrant: John Kavallaris, Santorini (Greece) Photographer: Alexander Hadji, Santorini (Greece) Flowers: Betty Flowers, Santorini (Greece) DJ & Light: Multimedia Events, Santorini (Greece) Catering: Spicy Bites, Santorini (Greece) Drinks: Wine from Venetsanos Winery, Champagne Cuvée Clovis (Maison Batillot & Fils, France) Wedding cake: Petranart, Megalochori, Santorini (Greece) Fireworks: Skylight Santorini Fireworks, Santorini (Greece) Accommodation: Ampelonas Apartments, Imerovigli, Santorini (Greece)  More pictures in my article My Solo Ceremony. Read all the articles of my Solo Wedding in Santorini: HERE. More excerpts from my book: HERE. Next Article: August 28! Love & Joy, L.  After my article on art with the Louvre, I wanted to choose another universe that I love, you know how much I love theme parks! Reread: Last year, family & fiends took me to Gallic territory to celebrate my birthday and I had a great time despite the cool and capricious weather for a month of July ...  From the height of his 7m (23ft), weighing no less than 4 tons, Asterix observes the arrival of visitors, perched at a height of 30m (98ft)! It was one of his dads, Albert Uderzo, who had the idea of a theme park in 1981. However, it will take 8 years of reflection, preparation including 2 years of construction, before his dream was born in 1989. Since 2002, the park belongs to the Compagnie des Alpes, a French company that manages several ski resorts including Méribel, where I grew up, but also other tourist attractions such as Futuroscope, Walibi and the Grévin Museum. Today, Parc Astérix is in 3rd place (number of visitors) in France, behind Disneyland Paris, the Disney Studios and ahead of Futuroscope. Rich in sumptuous decor and full of humour, you immediately feel immersed in Gaulish country and in a good mood ... Obviously, none of this would exist without the boundless imagination of the French comic book creators, René Goscinny, screenwriter and Albert Uderzo, designer. Friends for many years, they chose to create historical characters, Asterix, Obelix and all the indomitable Gauls were born in 1959. Gauls who resist the Roman Empire thanks to a magic potion made by their druid Getafix. Albert Uderzo continues the series alone after the death of his friend in 1977, then since 2013 Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad are in charge of perpetuating this great adventure. Albert Uderzo died in 2020 at the age of 92. And a fabulous story with 38 books, translated into 111 languages and dialects! And nothing is funnier than looking for all these characters across the park ... Look, it looks like Queen Laeti is visiting. Asterix and Cleopatra is one of my favourite books and here it is widely represented with a whole universe dedicated to it: But my favourite area, Greece of course! Since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, you know I’m kind of half-Greek now 😊 Of course, what I also like about this park are the rollercoasters! And knowing that I tested many of them around the world, I can tell you with certainty that this park is full of great surprises. Oz Iris at 40m (131ft) high and more than 90km/h, the Tonnerre de Zeus, certainly one of the most impressive that I’ve seen because it’s an entirely wooden construction, 84km/h and above all a vertiginous drop of 29m (95ft). And I've heard that the Tonnerre 2 Zeus is currently in progress ... Goudurix, my favourite, 7 times upside down at 92km/h and up to 36m (118ft) in height, or 12 floors of a building! But also, the Trace du Hourra, the Cheval de Troie and the last one, Pegase Express, rich in new technology, it combines thrills with great fear… but I won't tell you more… Be prepared to be thrilled! But we also have the right to do more relaxing rides ... And after such a day, the souvenir shop is essential ... Anyway, wonderful memories and an unforgettable Gallic adventure! As a reminder, during the summer vacation (July-August), I only publish 2 articles per month. But find my daily photos of Paris on Instagram ... Next Article: August 14, 2021! Love & Joy, L. I promised you several articles on the Louvre Museum, so here is the 2nd opus. Passionate about art, the Louvre Museum is an incredible place to satisfy my curiosity as its treasures are countless. We’ve just celebrated Bastille Day in France, and for the occasion I wanted to honour French painting. And to start, I chose " La Liberté guidant le people " (Liberty leading the people) by Eugène Delacroix. Although this painting refers to the riots of July 1830 which led to the abdication of Charles X, and not to the French Revolution & the Storming of the Bastille, that we celebrate every July 14, this painting remains an important symbol of the French Republic. We see the tricolour flag as well as Liberty wearing the Phrygian cap. Delacroix is one of my favourite painters and this incredible artwork (260 x 325cm) is exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris among other of his masterpieces ... I’m planning an article which will be entirely dedicated to him, so much there is to say about this extraordinary artist. Another painting that attracts many visitors: The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. Another French romantic painter, this spectacular work from 1819 (491 x 716cm) also tells a historical event: the wreck of the frigate Méduse of the French colonial navy. She stranded in 1816 off the coast of Mauritania on her way to Senegal to transport equipment and personnel. On a makeshift raft, 147 people tried to survive for several days, cannibalism included. Only 10 people ultimately escaped death. The painter has researched extensively and even met survivors to create this disturbing and magnificent work that cemented his reputation. Still in the historical context, a once again very famous painting: The Coronation of Napoleon. Painting from 1807 by Jacques-Louis David, one cannot miss this neoclassical work of 621 × 969 cm! Obviously representing the coronation of Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 1804 and not at Reims Cathedral like the previous Kings of France. No less than 191 people are faithfully reproduced in this artwork. The artist realised an almost identical second painting, which is now on display at the Palace of Versailles. Jacques-Louis David, a very influential painter, has been the master of two generations of artists. I’d like to conlude with Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres and another important event in French history: Joan of Arc at the coronation of King Charles VII, in the Cathedral of Reims (1429). Ingres, disciple of Jacques-Louis David of course! I’ve previously talked about Reims and its history:  I hope that with this article you discovered or rediscovered some gems of French painting. For those who wanted to see the Mona Lisa, I invite you to reread my Article Louvre Museum. But also:  No article next week I’ll be settling in Paris for the summer! Which presages many new adventures and exhibitions to tell you. But you can still re-read all the articles about my Solo Wedding in Santorini: LINK. Obviously, I’ll stay active on my social media: Next article: July 31, 2021! Love & Joy, L. If you follow me on my social media you know I celebrated my birthday with style, and even royally! This is always a celebration that I particularly honour, and since my Solo Wedding in Santorini I must say that I've certainly followed this rule (re-read Time Travel). And after Santorini, London and Paris, I was planning to celebrate it in Milan, however with the current situation, I preferred to stay in France and do it with my family in the Alps where I grew up. However, being born in July, a summer baby, I chose an aquatic atmosphere ...  After the cancellation of Milan, the mermaid theme immediately came to my mind, yet I'm not a particular fan, you know I love Unicorns (read my article Unicorns). And in Disney's Little Mermaid, I much prefer Ursula, the wicked octopus. I admit I like the vilains a lot: Cruella (101 Dalmatians), Maleficent, the Evil Queen (Snow White). My shrink would definitely have something to say about it if I had one. In short, while this decoration is normally easy to find in specialised stores, it turns out that the main suppliers for this theme are American and weren’t able to supply the shops with the Covid ... So, I had to be creative to satisfy my marine desires. Siren comes from ancient Greek, and in Greek mythology this is a half-woman, half-bird creature (hence my wings at the beginning of the article), while in the Scandinavian culture she’s half fish (as in The Little Mermaid, the tale of Hans Christian Andersen). While it’s true that on ancient Greek pottery they’re clearly distinguished as birds, in my recollections in Homer's Odyssey they are described as naked women by the water ... In French, the same word is used “sirène”, while in English, "siren" is used for Greek sirens, and "mermaid" for others. In both cases, they’re associated with the sea, and the myths, tales and stories about them are still fascinating. I decided not to discriminate anyone, I’m the Queen of all, sirens & mermaids 😊
I love organising events and decorating is my thing. So, I was able to please my heart & the result reached my expectations:
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail." For those who know me, well you never get bored with me ... Then, polaroid photoshoot with accessories, nothing better to relax and have some good laughs. The guestbook required a little effort from my guests, they had to paint a picture of their choice and add a note. And the Under the Ocean Game, blindfolded, we had to stick a unicorn in the place chosen by the other participants (back of the turtle, fish, seabed…). Everyone loved it, young and old alike! And my mum won!! Ocean Water to rehydrate and Seaweed Juice to refresh (love the colourings!). (Fake) crabs, octopus, stars and real Greek dishes (Greek salad, pita, spanakopita) to remind us of Ulysses and the Odyssey. Obviously, the cake, well the cakes ... My pastry chef, my sister! Mermaid tail, bikini and rubber ring, everything you need for a mermaid at the beach despite a rainy day ... I had never had a themed birthday party like this before, there is no age for having fun ... Thank you to my family and friends for a wonderful birthday party, yet another unforgettable year, looking forward to what next year has in store for me!! My previous articles: And I’d like to end this article with the caption I posted on my social media on my birthday: Happy Birthday to me!!  Have a fantastic week! Love & Joy, L. PS: Luca is a wonderful movie ;) Today, there’s the LGBTQIA+ pride in Paris, as a fervent ally of this community I wanted to honour them this week! Long called gay pride, today we only say pride, to bring together everyone and no longer just homosexuals. And for those unfamiliar with the term LGBTQIA+, it means: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and more, as the acronym can have even more categories, in its full form: LBTQQIAAP One of the A's stands for Ally, like me, for all those who support equal rights. But if you only remember the first one, that's great! (The photos in this article were taken in Paris in June 2019)  While many cities around the world have already celebrated it, more will take place in the summer, an event always eagerly awaited and even more so this year as many were cancelled last year. The first march took place in June 1970 in the United States, to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York. Indeed, on June 28, 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village (NYC). A bar frequented by gay and transgender people. Recall that at that time in New York, it was forbidden to serve alcohol to homosexuals, as well as to cross-dress. Only this time, the police face a rebellion. Five days of riots followed. 2,000 participants and 400 policemen were reported during the first night. This event undoubtedly gave birth to the LGBT movement in the United States and around the world.  This is why June is considered Pride Month in many countries, and every year since 1970 more and more cities around the world have joined the movement. You probably noticed this month, small multicoloured flags on the internet, social media, some store windows ... This is the flag of the LGBTQIA + community. It was created by an American, Gilbert Baker in 1978. The first 2 flags were hand-stitched & dyed by the artist and used in the march of San Francisco on June 25, 1978. Each colour represents a particular word: Red LIFE Orange HEALING Yellow SUNLIGHT Green NATURE Blue HARMONY Violet SPIRIT Originally the flag had 8 stripes, the pink (sex) and turquoise (magic) have been removed to facilitate mass-production. However, the colour brown (inclusivity) and black (diversity) were added in 2017 for more inclusion towards people of colour. The video below tells the story of this flag very well: In my article Superwomen 3, I talked extensively about same-sex marriage around the world, as well as the right to parenthood, and all the inequalities that still exist. I recalled in my article Superwomen 5 that lesbians in France are not allowed to freeze their eggs or to have IVF (in-vitro fertilization). In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about donating blood, because in most countries in the world, homosexuals and bisexuals are not allowed to donate blood or under certain conditions such as several months of abstinence before blood donation. (Australia, United States, France…). The UK made a change to their law about ten days ago, allowing people in a monogamous relationship for more than 3 months to donate blood without restriction. France is expected to allow anyone over the age of 18 to be an unrestricted donor next year. Still too many laws are unequal and inadequate today, it is up to everyone to support equal rights for all.  Today is also the birthday of my godchildren, Hannah and Noam, the twins of 2 amazing dads! I witnessed the difficult journey for them to become a family, the laws, the disappointments, the failures and finally these 2 miracles. Love has no gender, colour, religion, border. Love is Love. So today, I'm not just celebrating their birth, but also determination, courage and love ... I am proud of you, I love you!!  Reread my articles from the Superwomen Series here: LINK. But also, all the articles of My Solo Wedding in Santorini: LINK. No article next week, it's my birthday on the 1st of July!! I'm going to celebrate for a few days... Next Post: Saturday July 10 Happy Pride!! Love & Joy, L. I’m very excited because I’m going to spend Summer in Paris again. I love this city, so romantic and inspiring, it's no wonder that many artists and authors created here. So this week, I'm taking you again to the French capital, to visit my favourite garden: the Luxembourg Gardens.  Created in 1612 for Queen Marie de Medici, to enhance the Luxembourg Palace that she chose as her residence, this palace occupied by the Germans during the Second World War, is today the place of the Senate, which owns it, gardens included. It was transformed several times over time, in its current form there’s a French garden, an English garden, separated by a geometric forest, but also a rose garden, greenhouses with orchids, an orchard with old apples and even beehives. Everything is conducive to daydreaming in these 25 hectares of greenery and art / architecture. What I love most is its collection of 106 statues spread all over the park, like witnesses of time and history. Among these the Greek actor, a bronze sculpture of a man with a mask on his forehead and a manuscript in his hand, you know how attached I am to Greece, my country of heart since My Solo Weddding in Santorini. And yes, this is the Pantheon in the background (read Article Pantheon Paris). Or even the bronze model that was used by the sculptor Bartholdi for the Statue of Liberty (statue mentioned in my article Spring in New York). He actually gave it to the Luxembourg Gardens. Many activities are available in these gardens, tennis, bowls, ponies for children, exhibitions etc. But my favourite thing is to relax, sunbath, wander, have a coffee, watch the clouds as I said last week (reread Superwomen 5), and of course to write ... Without forgetting what makes all the charm of this magnificent place, the large pond where children play with small sailboats. So restful and calming. Spending time here, you’d almost believe you're at home like a Queen ... My previous Articles about Paris:
Have a fantastic week everyone! Love & Joy, L. Since last week I spoke again about my egg freezing in Madrid, I thought an update on this very personal topic was a good idea. As a reminder, I received this Gift from Science one year after my Solo Wedding in Santorini. And for this article, I’ve chosen to use my photos of clouds, all the photos are mine, like for my article Meditation. The sky is a great source of artistic inspiration and to me it represents hope. Hope I wish to radiate and spread in this patriarchal world ...  First of all, I’d like to point out that in June 2021, France is still one of the 3 countries in Europe (Austria and Malta) that don’t allow egg freezing for singles and lesbians! In 2019, a law was passed to allow all women to use this procedure, unfortunately this law was rejected by the Senate recently, and right now we have absolutely no idea when it’ll be possible one day ... As we celebrate Pride Month for the LGBTQ + community of which I’m an unconditional ally, it seemed important to me to recall this system anomaly. At the present time it seems unthinkable that single women and lesbian women can’t freeze their oocytes and use IVF!  However, women who rebel, like Teresa Xu, a 31-year-old single woman who went to Chinese court in 2019 - another country that bans freezing for single women - to demand equal rights. Unfortunately, again, no hope was obtained. An injustice even more outrageous since Chinese men can freeze their sperm, which is not the case in France, no gender discrimination on that side (good or bad, the debate is open!). After 40 years of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and 30 years of freezing technique, we’re moving too slowly. And more and more women who travel to foreign countries (myself included) to have this type of procedure, which is sadly reminiscent of the case of abortion. Not to mention that the cost of treatment and travel is not accessible to everyone.  Incredible women who never stop fighting for our happiness, Australian Dr. Debra Gook opened the world's first egg bank in 1994 at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne (Australia). After 5 years of intense research, she’s the one who discovered the technique of freezing oocytes. Despite this great advance, the medical world was reluctant, yet the practice of freezing sperm dates from the 1970s ... Then another woman, Dr. Eleonora Porcu, Italian, decided to follow in her footsteps, followed by Dr. Nicole Noyes in the United States. Thank you to all these women, and the men who support them, who support us, for making a difference and offering future generations the freedom to choose!  Reread my previous articles: And I’d like to highlight my Superwomen series: Keep your head in the clouds, the only place you see the sun, stars, and rainbows! Love & Joy, L. |
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