L.B. Lewis's Blog, page 2
September 16, 2024
Chic & Cheap: How to Be Like Emily in Paris on a Budget
Boulangerie Moderne is an actual bakery, next to the fictional L’Esprit de Gigi. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)[Spoiler Alert]
Until I can live like Emily in Paris and Rome, I’ll watch another season.
I used to strongly dislike this show but Season 4 turned my frown upside down! I’m excited that Netflix just announced there will be a Season 5 of “Emily in Paris,” keeping us all guessing what will happen next.
This season, it seemed the French actors were actually speaking French, and even Emily was working in French lines occasionally. The new storylines took us all over Paris and then to Rome to meet more intriguing accents. It’s been exciting to see the core characters evolve (like Sylvie!) and all the beautiful scenery.
Before “Emily in Paris” and before the pandemic, I had the opportunity to work in Paris. But, I was nothing like Emily. My life and Emily’s life couldn’t have been further apart. I got my job off Craigslist and certainly didn’t have Emily’s large budget for clothes, going out, and travel!
I agree with the critics that say her life on screen is unrealistic, plus she never has visa issues or rides the Paris Métro either.
But I will tell you from my experience: In Paris, in real life, there is something for every budget.
In Season 4, I was happy to see a few places Paris I recognized. If you are visiting Paris, it’s easy to find some of these budget-friendly options:
Picard SurgelesCelebrating its 50th anniversary, Picard is a French frozen food chain with over 1,000 stores. It also sells a few non-frozen snacks like chips, too.
In Season 4 Episode 7, we seen Sylvie and Antoine at a Picard in Paris, a well-known spot for busy singles.
There are Picards throughout Paris and each has hundreds of food options. One of my favorites were the frozen soup cubes which I wish we had in the U.S.! Entrees can range in price from around 2,99 euros for a fish and rice meal to 13,50 euros for a family-sized cake.
The famous Beef Bourguignon at Le Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)Bouillon ChartierFounded in 1896, Bouillon Chartier is an iconic restaurant. There are three of these amazingly affordably brasseries in Paris, serving all the French classics.
In Season 4 Episode 5, Gabriel takes Emily to a Bouillon Chartier for a restaurant industry after-hours party.
My ex-boyfriend first took me here and while that relationship has faded, my love for Bouillon Chartier remains as strong as ever. I went to the Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse by myself in April 2024 and enjoyed the famous beef bourguinon and a cider. Prices run 7,00 euros upwards for main courses.
Place de l’EstrapadeOne block away from the Pantheon is where Emily’s apartment and L’Esprit de Gigi are located. The Place de l’Estrapade is easily accessibly by foot and has a cute plaza. You can see my tour of this area on YouTube here.
Lidl Paris display of Pantene’s Emily in Paris Serum. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)LidlAlthough not in any Emily in Paris episodes (yet), this Germain discount chain with multiple locations in Paris is known to sell Emily in Paris hair products from Pantene along with many other products. Recently, Lidl even promoted “Emily in Paris Week.”
You most definitely can be like Emily in Paris on a budget. BUT…
Sylvie from “Emily in Paris” Season 4 as played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu. (Source: Netflix)While we wait for Season 5, if you’re interested in an upgraded, sustainable, pre-loved wardrobe in the meantime and are not going to Paris anytime soon, you can get 10% off at Vestaire Collective (Season 4 Episode 1).
Until Season 5 or a glamorous new life manifests itself, I look forward to watching another season and talking about it with friends!
Two big teddy bears at Le Voltigeur. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)~~~~~~
If you liked this post, please let me know by clapping! I personally have visited all the places in Paris listed here and created this as a resource. Follow me on Medium to read my stories in Haven Comedy, The Startup, Any Writers, and more.
August 22, 2024
August 9, 2024
August 16: Stand-up Comedy LIVE
L.B. Lewis will be live on August 16 in Los Angeles.Cat Lady?
Cat Gentleman?
No Cat?
No PROBLEM!
~~~
I’m excited to invite you to join me for another awesome comedy show!
Come hear stand-up comedy and funny stories during STRANGER THAN FICTION, my new stand-up comedy set. You’re invited:
When: Friday, August 16
Where: Alana’s Coffee Roasters, 12511 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Time: Between 7:00–8:00pm is when I’ll be on
Cost: FREE
Parking: Lot and street
Come see great local comedy and music for FREE and get a FREE COFFEE.
And, I’ll be giving away FREE books because it’s my Book Birthday! We’e celebrating the publication of SMALL TALK WITH MYSELF, an award-winning and bestselling comedic memoir.
You don’t want to miss it. See you Friday!
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I’m an LA-based author, writer, and comic. I wrote a comedic memoir, SMALL TALK WITH MYSELF, which was a #1 New Release on Amazon in Humor & Entertainment Short Reads and a Catalyst Content Festival Official Selection.
Follow me on Medium to read my stories in Haven Comedy, The Startup, Any Writers, and more.
[image error]July 2, 2024
June 17, 2024
June 22: Food for Thought Comedy Show
Recently, I took the last banana bread sample while shopping.
“Miss, can I help you?”
“Yes, do you have any more samples? That one was a bit dry.”
“No, you took our last one.”
~~~
I’m excited to invite you to the sequel of FREE COFFEE.
Come hear all food-related comedy during FOOD FOR THOUGHT, my new stand-up comedy set. You’re invited:
When: Saturday, June 22
Where: Alana’s Coffee Roasters, 12511 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Time: Between 7:00–8:00pm is when I’ll be on
Cost: FREE
Parking: Lot and street
Come see great local comedy and music for FREE and get a FREE COFFEE.
You don’t want to miss it. See you Saturday!
~~~~~~
I’m an LA-based author, writer, and comic. I wrote a comedic memoir, SMALL TALK WITH MYSELF, which was a #1 New Release on Amazon in Humor & Entertainment Short Reads and a Catalyst Content Festival Official Selection.
Follow me on Medium to read my stories in Haven Comedy, The Startup, Any Writers, and more.
Dating for Garlic LoversThat Time I Tried to be Like Anthony Bourdain in LondonGet Ready with Me & My Dirty Dishes[image error]May 30, 2024
March 19, 2024
February 18, 2024
Get Ready with Me & My Dirty Dishes
Photo by Bethany Ferr“I’ll do the dishes,” is something I don’t say lightly.
I wash the dishes when the sink is full.
That’s the functional way.
Although I remember hearing about a woman, more functional than I, who would fill her bathtub with dirty dishes…but I left comparing myself to others in 2023.
Nowadays, we have more ways to do the dishes.
Like the countertop dishwasher that followed me around the internet.
This thing could come with or without a window in the door.
If I had the money and the counter space, I’d get it.
Maybe make some videos of it, to toss my hat into the crowded LA influencer ring.
I mean, I could start now doing my original series: Get Ready with Me & My Dirty Dishes.
But my kitchen looks like it belongs on Gilligan’s shipwrecked ship.
Why?
Like Gilligan’s Island, my kitchen is from the 1960’s.
Like a ship, it’s tiny, long, and narrow.
The stove is so big when you open the door no one can pass by.
But let me be real, it’s not like walking in my kitchen is easy to do anyway.
It’s about as long as I am tall.
Same thing with the fridge — the door can’t open all the way because it hits the cupboards.
But, hear me out, if you love vintage woodwork, the cabinets are a dream come true.
Two cabinets are as wide as my middle finger.
I guess it’s for the drugs.
Let me confess something to you: I used to think how nice it is to see people smiling so much in LA and that they were happy to see me.
Then someone told me, “It’s just the drugs they’re on.”
But the one thing I was addicted to in LA has closed.
Well, at least the location closest to me is now vacant.
It was the 99 Cents Only store.
Oh, well. It was good while it lasted. Grateful for all the bargains.
Nothing’s going to stop me from making my dishes dirty, filling up my sink, sailing in my Gilligan’s Island kitchen, smiling at the people that smile at me, and writing all about it.
Until I get my book and/or movie deal.
I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again. — Joan RiversStop Doing Laundry.Driving at Night[image error]
January 16, 2024
January 19: Free Coffee Comedy
I’m L.B. Lewis, the author SMALL TALK WITH MYSELF, a #1 New Release on Amazon in Humor & Entertainment Short Reads.
I’m also a rising comic, performing at open mics in Los Angeles.
Come see me for FREE and get a FREE COFFEE on Friday, Jan. 19 at Alana’s Coffee Roasters in Mar Vista. I’ll be on between 7:00 and 8:00 pm.
I’ll let you in on:
My secret relationship with FREE COFFEEHow to attract FREE COFFEEChange your life with FREE COFFEEYou don’t want to miss it. And if you have to, please follow me here for more FREE COFFEE fun.
See you Friday!
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I want to send a special thank you to all the people in my life who have bought me a FREE COFFEE — it’s truly the little things that matter to me.
(And, of course, I’m on Buy Me A Coffee, too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lblewis.)
Coffee BreakDating for Garlic Lovers[image error]
