The Last Queen of Paris: Jacqueline de Ribes

The revolution has long been over, but Vanity Fair has dubbed Jacqueline de Ribes "The Last Queen of Paris" in their September issue. Born on Bastille Day, described by Yves St. Laurent as "an ivory unicorn," and the model for Joan Collins' Dynasty villain, Jacqueline de Ribes embodies a Remembrance of Things Past in Paris. Forget about the PDAs all over this romantic city. After she married Vicomte Édouard de Ribes in 1948, Jacqueline reached for her young husband's hand as they were walking on the Champs Elysées, only to have him shake her loose with the rebuff, "Don't be so common." Another time, she told her father-in-law that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor would be joining them for dinner, and he protested, "But we've never had a divorced couple in this house!"

According to Nicolas Dadeshkeliani, "Her beautiful and original phrasing, her rich vocabularly, her very correct way of speaking are all part of what the French call 'la forme.' She epitomizes everything that is remarkable in France - savoir faire and l'art de vivre - the arts of knowing and of living, and she is the last one." Read Amy Fine Collins' fascinating article for an enthralling glimpse of French société. Then, make the trek to the City of Light.

Ann Taylor is giving away a 4-night Parisian Getaway for two, plus a $500 Ann Taylor Gift Card to pack your bags with pretty Parisian-inspired styles from the new collection. Dress to impress and enter.

Voilà - the link to Ann Taylor's Parisian Getaway Sweepstakes:

http://anntaylor.promo.eprize.com/paris/

Getting Yven - Yves St. Laurent Retrospective In Paris

From serving in the military for 20 days to a stint in a French mental hospital, followed by numerous fashion shows on Paris runways, designer Yves St. Laurent's life was as dramatic as his clothes. In the 60s, St. Laurent made his mark by creating a classic tuxedo for women, Le Smoking suit. While his Piet Mondrian shifts remain memorable to this day, St. Laurent's extravagant, $100,000 jeweled casual jackets caused a backlash when they debuted days after the stock market crashed in 1987. Loulou de la Falaise, Catherine Deneuve, and a Getty, Talitha, who overdosed on drugs in 1971, were counted among his muses. St. Laurent fought his own demons with alcohol and cocaine, ultimately succumbing to brain cancer in 2008. Now, Le Petit Palais is featuring a retrospective of St. Laurent's creations through August 29th. Spanning 40 years, this dazzling exhibit showcases 307 of his haute couture and ready-to-wear garments, along with photographs, drawings and films. Dress up and see it.

Swiss Premium Tea is giving away $5,000 for a no-worries vacation. That ought to cover a trip to Paris to see this retrospective with, well, no worries. Stop fretting and enter.


Voilà - the link to the Swiss Premium Tea In the No Sweepstakes:

http://www.swisssweeps.com

It's Show Time!

I was raised that it's always better to give than receive. When you can do both, even better! Showtime (You know, the crazy network: United States of Tara, Diary of a Call Girl, Californication) is running a Nurse Jackie sweepstakes. No, they aren't giving away prescription drugs. More like $5,000, plus up to $20,000 for your favorite charity. (If you need some help choosing one, I'm partial to the Starlight Children's Foundation and Food Forward. Nurse your addiction to Paris with a creative trip while being charitable. Check into the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre (or ring the bell and mention the words "boire un verre" to enter the incredible secret garden) for an artful stay. Slip into the World of Yves St. Laurent exhibit at the Petit Palais and discover this couturier's eye-catching retrospective. Then, pay homage to Jim Morrison at Pere Lachaise, where someone is bound to be singing People Are Strange by his graveside. For supper? Tuck into an underground dinner, with a small group of like-minded foodies, thrown by Hidden Kitchen. Doctor's orders: march on over and enter.

Voilà - the link to the Nurse Jackie Sweepstakes:

http://www.jackiesweeps.com/