This Message Brought to You by Tom Tom, Crown Relocations and Puma

The three most useful items for moving to Paris:

1. A GPS. The Tom Tom has immensely reduced the stress of navigating France. Mapquest ("Mappy") is a tool of the past. Kate (named after the voice we assigned to it) knows how to get EVERYWHERE. Plus, she gives us the choice to avoid toll roads, tells us when speed cameras are coming up and acts as a bluetooth device. So when I'm driving, she automatically connects to the mobile phone and channels calls.

2. A relocation company. We owe Crown Relocations a million thanks for getting my work permit, arranging our health checks, and walking us through every other step of French beauracracy. Plus they helped us find an apartment (even negotiated a lower rent) and set up all of the bills. They have made the transition very smooth for us.

3. A really good pair of walking shoes. For weekends trekking around Paris I have come to adore a pair of [possibly fake] Pumas my brother bought me in China. My weekend wardrobe revolves around those shoes. By Sunday night my calves might be killing me, but my feet feel great.

The least useful item:

1. Oliver.