Midnight In Paris

In honor of this evening's Academy Awards, I wanted to dedicate a quick post to one of my favorite films and current Best Picture nominee: Woody Allen's cinematic ode to the city of love, Midnight in Paris. If you've seen it, you know why it deserves to win tonight. If you haven't, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and find a website that streams it illegally. It is worth the risk of getting caught by the FBI and fined millions of dollars, I promise.

Let's talk plot: Owen Wilson (mon amour) plays Gil Pender, who travels to Paris with his delightfully bitchy fiancee, Inez, played to obnoxious perfection by Rachel McAdams. Gil gets drunk one night and, while wandering the streets of Paris, discovers a portal into 1920's ex-pat paradise: the Paris of Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and Gertrude Stein (to name a few). Hemingway is spot-on, Zelda Fitgerald is perfect as a flighty but beautiful lush, and Adrian Brody makes a hilarious Dali. Marion Cotillard is almost too gorgeous to be true as Adriana, Gil's love interest from the past. I won't spoil the ending, but it is a glorious homage to Paris, nostalgia, love, and art, supplemented by Woody Allen's very special brand of wit. (And if the plot leaves you cold, you should still watch if only for the opening sequences of Paris... the stuff dreams are made of)

The film has scored more than one Oscar nom: it's up for Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Art Direction (and recently won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay). 

I know I'll be watching tonight and hoping for a W for Woody and Co!

Quel beau dimanche!

A lovely song courtesy of the even lovelier Brigitte Bardot. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon, an Academy Awards pre-game, or a study sesh at the lib or your local coffee shop! (I'm currently at Espresso Royale with a hazelnut latte and The Norton Anthology of English Literature... I hope wherever you are is just as enjoyable!)

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Happy Mardi Gras, Francophiles! Hopefully everyone has started their day right with a Paczki or five. Today is the day to throw your diet straight out the window and indulge. Today in the caf I had a delicious piece of King Cake... no creepy plastic baby though. Next time!

To cap off your Fat Tuesday, the French Club is meeting at Yakeley cafeteria tonight at 5:30 for a Mardi Gras themed dinner. Yakeley is located in West Circle Neighborhood, right off Grand River. Here's a peek at the delicious menu planned:

Fried Chicken
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Jambalaya
Red Beans and Rice
Cajun Catfish
Fried Okra
Cajun Shrimp Scampi

Don't miss out on yummy food and good times with the French Club. LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!

French Club T-shirts!

DRUMROLL PLEASEEE... this year's French Club t-shirts are here!!  Inspired by the recently rediscovered World War II era propaganda poster, our t-shirts encourage everyone to "Keep Calm and Parlez Français":

Keep Calm and Parlez Français!

To order a t-shirt, be sure to get your payment of $15 to an e-Board officer before before Spring Break!  Cash or checks made out to MSU French Club may be brought to events or conversation tables, or shoot us an email at frnclub@msu.edu to arrange to meet up with an officer on campus.  To sign up for a shirt, fill out the following form:

Joyeux jour de Saint Valentin !

Seeing as Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, I've complied a list for anyone with a Francophile for a sweetie. If you are looking for the perfect gift for that special French-loving person in your life, these are all sure to inspire l'amour !

Vintage French Punched Heart Confetti

Perfect as party decorations or to slip in a V-tines card.

"Paris is Always a Good Idea" Pillow

Audrey knows best!

French Macarons

These would be ideal for a Valentine's-themed brunch!

Macaron Ring

Absolutely adorable!

"Paris City of Love" and "Je t'aime" Prints

Love these Paris inspired prints.

Fleur de Lis Earrings

Simple and elegant!

Handprinted French Postcard Purse

Replace that boring Vera Bradley wallet with this beauty!

Paris Wall Clock

I absolutely adore this clock, it's so unique. Sure to add a little Parisian flair to any room!

And there you have it! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours from MSU French Club!

Francophone Asian Culture Night

Save the date! The details have been finalized for our next event: Francophone Asian Culture Night! We are partnering with the MSU Vietnamese Society and the Asian Studies Center to create an amazing event celebrating Francophone Asia and its fascinating culture.

Check out the event page on facebook!