Yannick Noah vs. the "f" word...

It's hard to turn on the radio at the moment without hearing the newest song by France's most popular celebrity, Yannick Noah. "Hello", his duet with Asa, is the newest release from his album, Frontières. As I find myself singing along to the catchy, sentimenally PoPpy chorus, I'm once again struck by what it means to be a mother.

Is is just me or are there alot of songs on the radio at the moment that have the 'f' word somewhere in the title or lyrics? In France, nothing is censored, so instead of the more child-friendly version of Enrique Iglesias' "Tonight I'm lovin' you", we get the "Tonight I'm f@#$in' you" version. Pink weighs in with her "F"ing Perfect", and Cee-Lo Green says "F you" here in France, not "Forget You". I'm pretty sure these songs are censored or bleeped in the States, aren't they?

Anyway, the little ladies sing happily along whenever these songs come on the radio, blissfully unaware (hopefully) of what they are actually singing. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to use the "f" word in all of its glorious permutations on occasion(s). However, I come from an era where songs like George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin" were banned or censored by most radio stations and where the only way you could hear Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax" was to go out and by the album. God, am I old or what?

So although Yannick's new song may seem a little cheesy and not something I would normally have on my personal playlist, the mother in me finds it refreshing. In a world where, thanks to Rhianna, my kids think the saying goes 'sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me', a little light pop can't really do too much damage, can it?

I *heart* Marion Cotillard...

Beautiful, talented, and a sense of humour, what's not to love?

The annual sunglasses saga...

Been looking for a new pair of sunglasses recently. According to the Duke, my large sunglasses are so last season and that the Aviator is the way to go this year. (Don't ask me where he got this info, he's hardly a dedicated follower of fashion...). But I think he's probably right, so I'm on the lookout for some shades that don't make me look like a giant preying manthis.

Trawling through the internet, I came across this article in l'express which is about a new site that has been created which pays hommage to Alain Delon, the French actor who was once dubbed 'the male Brigitte Bardot'.

Michel Edda, the creator of the site, is posting a photo a day, for 365 days, of people wearing Alain Delon sunglasses. The subtitle of the site 'Everyone sees the world through the eyes of Alain Delon' explains the premise behind the idea, namely that everyone, from celebrities, writers, and musicians to accountants, florists, and cheesemakers can share in this commonality of seeing the world through the retro- hip sunglasses which bear the name of this French icon.

I have a love/hate relationship with sunglasses. I've worn contacts since I was 12 because I can't bear having something on my face. But because of the contact wearing, my eyes have become so light-sensitive over the years, I need to wear sunglasses constantly outside, particularly here in the south of France, where the light is so bright. I've always balked at spending any big amount on them, because I tend to lose them, or sit on them, on a regular basis.

I always admire other people's sunglasses, and usually the ones I really like are Prada or Gucci, or some other ridiculously expensive designer. I just know though, the minute I decide to splurge, they'll end up broken as one of the little ladies decides to see how far the frames will stretch.

So, alas, I'll probably never know what it's like to see the world through Alain Delon's eyes. Instead, in the end, I'll probably just go down to my local supermarket and choose from their not-so-designer, but much more affordable and expendable selection.

Top 50 French Personalities...

Le Journal du Dimanche has once again published their list of the Top 50 French Personalities.

Holding on to the top spot is Yannick Noah, the French/Cameroonian tennis player turned singer, famous for winning the French Open in 1983 and for songs like 'Saga Africa' and 'Donne-moi une vie'. He also plays a big part in charity, such as the one he set up with his mother, the Association des enfants de la terre', which provides temporary homes for children in need. Something you might not know about him is that he has a son called Joakim who has recently been drafted by the Chicago Bulls.

Breaking into the list to the number 2 spot is Dany Boon, following on from his box office hit 'Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis'.

The number three spot went to Zidane, the footballer who 10 years ago led his team to the 1998 football World Cup championship. Of course this is a man, and a time I won't easily forget, as we were married in France whilst this was happening! And he is pretty easy on the eyes, too.

Other perennials on the list include the actors Jean Reno (9), Danny Auteuil (29), and Gérard Depardieu (38) and singers Charles Aznavour (7), Patrick Bruel (19), and Johnny Hallyday (34).

But new to the list this year, surprise, surprise, coming into the number 50 spot, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.