the tail of tales

Summer is here in the form of the South of France and I don't mind the lulling Mediterranean sun one bit. May announces itself through flowers and festivities, in its usual seductive way. I'm swimming along, as always - this adventure is ever changing, so keep tuning in.

OLB.

april has too many fools/the heart has too many chambers

OLB.

wish i was here

I can't stop moving. Literally. My brain is on to the next destination before my feet know that they're following. These days, my World Civilizations online course has inspired my imaginary self to bathe in the perfectly aqua green waters of Zanzibar, Tanzania. The most entrancing aspect of this dream vacation thus far is the old-world charm of the local Tanzanian Dhows. To me, their presence resounds with a closeness to the ocean so different from what can now be encountered in the modern world we live in - they seem to invite the possibility of all things a little bit antique and magical. Needless to say, it's been enough to keep me in a constant daze.

I'm not there yet, but I'm always on my way.

OLB.

Palm Beach Revisited : OAKES x LOLA

Yesterday, a dear friend and I took an afternoon wander down Worth Avenue, only to find that Palm Beach- the famed island of ineffable charm- is seemingly just as classy and sexy as it was 40 years ago. Of course, in 1971, you would not have found me purring at all of the beautiful items of clothing that line the Avenue- however, I am almost positive that the white bell bottoms and wide-rimmed black hat I sported yesterday, would not have been so out of place among the sun-kissed jet set who then frequented the South's very own Rodeo Drive.





Around 5.30 PM, sitting at the bar in Ta-boo - a retro little place with a stellar Happy Hour selection - a man maybe thrice my age noticed me taking a picture of the ceiling's forms against the Florida afternoon's glaring back light.

"That a D200?"
"Yes. My father gave it to me, as he's only acquainted with film and thought I'd get more use out of it."
"Sounds familiar. You know, I've noticed how attune you are to the natural light. Must be 'cause of your father? You get plenty of it in Palm Beach. A lot of the pretty natural light."

Not usually so friendly to strangers (let alone ones sitting alongside me at bars) I took an unexpected leap in expressing my love for photography to this man- even adding that yes, he was very right, I had an undying love for natural light.

"To see beauty is to see light. I think about it everyday, wherever I am."
"I live by it. You know, in the 70s, we used to get some great shots on Worth Avenue. I was a freelance photographer and it was the best decade for it. I would get all the pretty girls out on the avenue - running, walking, talking - and it felt like we had the secret recipe to some of the most glamorous shots the 70s could offer. You know - 'cause it's hot decadent Palm Beach!"

Striding from Ta-boo to the sunny sidewalk, my friend and I couldn't help but feel inspired by our own 21st century experience of a sunset on the Avenue. Without second guessing ourselves, we launched our own impromptu photo shoot- at times literally stopping traffic.

It may have been 2011, but after two tropical martinis, each stride down Worth Avenue felt like a blast from the past.

1971 x 2011 Oakes x Lola

Le Tigre: Wild Nights in Paris

It's Friday night, and Paris waits for no one. Literally.

"On sert plus d'alcohol a cette heure-ci," warns the little grocer which one of my best friends, Alienor, sees for all her household needs.

We've arrived only 10 minutes too late, but alas, we shall not be purchasing a bottle of champagne tonight. It's 11.30 PM and the famed city, up to its ears in culture and tourists, relinquishes none of its renowned charms as it proceeds in a perfectly French fashion: swaying and moving at a graceful, laissez-faire but upbeat pace. If 'laissez-faire' and 'upbeat' seem to you complete antonyms, it's that you've clearly never set foot in the heart of Paris. There is an evident elegance- palpable to any onlooker- in the way that Parisians go about their daily lives. The hustle and bustle is all there, but in a chic thus incredibly potent form. It's enough to make you feel drunk, with or without the champagne.

Samuel Red Grinfeder of Palace Rangers, is no stranger to the many treasures his contagious city has to offer. An avid music blogger and party-planner alike, he hosts and DJs at one of the city's most precious new hotspots: Le Tigre, an alternative nightclub with a unique and stylish flair. Standing outside of the seemingly hidden little gem, there really is no telling what may or may not lie inside, which instantly gives it an exclusive vibe -- reinforced by the fact that its home is smack dab in the middle of the regal 1er arrondissement. But the vibrant crowd who gathers here doesn't frequent the nightclub for its exclusivity, rather, because they simply know that it's a really good time. And on a Friday this February, I had to agree with the general consensus.

The grotto-like, small room which encompasses Le Tigre, is set with dim, red lights as eclectic music bounces off the 18th century replica furniture. Don't be alarmed: it's not cheesy, not even remotely. In fact, everything around you seems to halt when you first enter the place - you get the distinct feeling that you've stumbled upon something special, a little haven now yours to explore. One glorious moment later, and everything speeds back up, as you feel the buzz of the retro Parisian bar beckoning for you to have that much needed glass of bubbly. There's no abundance of places to sit and chat, but that won't affect your night one bit. You will most likely end up dancing your thoughts away, as the music does the talking for you. From the seating areas that are available, guests can choose an elevated platform, where a royal chamber would not be too far from a realistic description of the decadent little nook. There are curtains on all sides of the rectangular platform, and though they are not closed for privacy, you can't help but feel that with the dramatic couches and chairs at your disposal, you are now deemed royalty in Le Tigre's little kingdom. And indeed, from said platform, the club (or court) is before you, as the DJ masters your indispensable entertainment : la musique.

It's not only that Samuel is extremely talented at mixing, or that he has the kind of earnest smile which promises you'll be fast friends; but that he has a complete understanding of Le Tigre's people. Truly, each sound blends into the next with such comprehensive electricity, that as a consequence, ambience, decor and music merge together to form an aura of fun. It's instantly clear that here, you are never concerned with what song will play next; your cell never checked for the time or a text- in this little kingdom, you have no choice but to live in the moment. And that will most probably grant you a peek at Le Tigre in all its rapturous glory, as 5 AM rolls around and you experience the very last hour of Samuel's musical roar.

It doesn't matter where you happen to be when it comes. Even if you've chosen the royal quarters, you will be forced down from your throne, to find that on the dance floor, all subjects are equal as Samuel spins Le Tigre back into the wild.

LE TIGRE
5 Rue Molière
75001 Paris, France
http://www.facebook.com/letigreclub

And, for your listening pleasure, here's a dope little list the kind Samuel has put together for The Nomadic Files; links included - he's a doll.

Feldberg - Dreamin (Kyte remix)

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (RAC Remix)

Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane (Michael Brun Bootleg)

Miami Horror - I Look To You

Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Fare Soldi Zupparstition rmx)

Big Boi x Black Keys - Black Bug


(all photos courtesy of Samuel Red Grinfeder/www.palace-rangers.com)

OLB.