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I’m Moving to Paris!!!
My entire adult life I’ve wanted to live abroad. In college I sadly dismissed the opportunity as I did not want to double major in a language (present me doesn’t quite understand that choice, but as they say, education is wasted on the youth!) Throughout married life my husband and I have chatted many times about living abroad here or there with our kids, yet the timing has never clicked. Now, over 30 years since college, I’m finally getting my semester abroad! No, not with a college or to study, but with my husband. Our nest is empty and we are ready to FLY! Starting September 1st we will officially…
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Travel Journal: Wandering through Le Marché aux Puces de Saint Ouen Paris, France
There is something so romantic about going to the flea market in Paris– oh the treasures you might find! Here is a travel story about visiting the famed markets in Paris, France.
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Wanderlust Patterns: Paris Floral Collection
Paris is so iconic. From the Eiffel Tower to the cafe chairs, I love how a city can be represented by just a few simple line drawings. How in the instant you see the drawing, you know exactly where you are. I created this Paris Floral collection with this notion in mind. When ever I’ve visited Paris, I can spend many days just wandering the streets, snapping pictures of decorative windows, lamp posts, mansard roofs and gargoyles. Add some fanciful florals that you might see in Luxembourg Gardens, at Marché aux Fleurs (Paris Bird Market), or in a simple window box and voila, beautiful Paris! If you are interested in…
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On Location: Dream Trips – Romantic Getaway Paris, France and Free February 2017 Wallpaper
Although we know, Paris is always a good idea, I think in these long winter months, it is even more than a good idea, it is a must do! Even with cold weather, and the high chance of grey skies, a romantic getaway in February is a great way to get rid of any winter funk. Before kids, my husband and I would alternate years in coming up with a surprise February weekend getaway. Unfortunately, we could only get away for the weekend, but we still managed some very memorable escapes. The surprise weekend away where I needed a passport was of course one that I will never forget! I have yet to visit Paris in…
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Culture: Provencal Garden Inspiration
The smell of sweet lavender, the sound of tiny pebbles crunching beneath your sandals, the taste of chilled Rosé wine… I have such fond memories of lounging away warm summer afternoons in the Provençal garden of my parent’s mas they rented in St. Remy de Provence. We had many outdoor meals at their stone table (covered in Provençal fabric), and enjoyed cooling down from the blistering summer sun in their cerulean blue pool. The garden was by no means overly manicured, in fact it oozed with that carefree charm Provence is so well known for: the random stone pot planted with lavender, an ochre urn bursting with sun ripe tomatoes, an old olive…
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On Location: American Delicacies? Adventures at La Grande Épicerie de Paris
We were off to have a quintessential Parisian summer picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg. I had done my research and had a list of the best places to shop in the 6th arrondissement to find the perfect delicacies for our lunch. First up was Poilâne bakery. Being one of the oldest and most famous bakeries in Paris, it was worth getting lost down a few streets so we could stock up on some bread. Next stop was Le Bon Marché department store, which includes La Grande Épicerie de Paris on the bottom floor. I had read this was one of the best gourmet food markets in all of the city,…
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Travel Story: Love Locks – True Romance or Touristy Gimmick?
As the sun dips low on the horizon, the bridge railing begins to sparkle a brilliant gold. Thousands of padlocks fixed to the chain rail illuminate, radiating their “love.” The Pont des Arts is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Seine River in Paris and it is famous for these “love locks.” Given the sheer number of locks on the bridge, it would appear that all romantics who venture to Paris make the pilgrimage to this bridge to declare their undying love for each other. After scribbling their initials or names on the lock and fixing it in place, their love becomes a permanent fixture in one of the most…
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Art on the Go: Make a Map of Your Stay
Sometimes a visit to a new place can be a whirlwind. You arrive, you tour, and the next thing you know you’re packing up and heading home. Once back, you try to remember what you did and draw a blank! Well here’s a simple art on the go project to quickly pull out the highlights of your trip – sketch a map of your stay. The map of your stay could be of just one day, it could be of a full week or an entire month. It can be of all the restaurants you ate at, all the hotels you stayed in or all the monuments or sites you…
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Culture: Bouillabaisse in Marseille, France
You never forget your first bowl of true bouillabaisse. It’s a meal experience that will stay with you forever! It was a chilly Spring day in March when we ventured to Miramar Restaurant in the historic Vieux Port of Marseille, France. We had left our then infant daughter with a babysitter, and were going to enjoy an adult-only day out. My parents, who have tasted their share of fine dining throughout Southern France were eager to take us to try the “vrai bouillabaisse.” Excited for the experience, and time away from parenting, we jumped at the chance! We headed to the Vieux-Port (old port), to find the restaurant. This area…
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Culture: Cassoulet in Carcassonne, France
When the late afternoon sun started getting low, and the tourists all began to file out of the fortified city gates, that is when I started to fall in love with Carcassonne. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon southern region of France, Carcassonne is reminiscent of a scene out of a Disney movie. The walled city sits high upon a hilltop. It’s impenetrable citadel and imposing towers have incredible historic charm, yet the mid-day crowds meandering through the tiny Medieval streets can get a bit overwhelming. I was advised to book a room within the city walls to really experience the town and was definitely not disappointed. There are only a few…
