16/52

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  ”A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Well our easter sunday was an eventful one, perfectly illustrating the yin/yang of fraternal twins. We’re not religious, but decided to take part in the fun (commercial) part of the holiday…complete with bunny pancakes, pretty outfits, baskets, and an egg hunt. I spend a good part of their naptime setting up the hunt (we had the most beautiful weather), and found myself giddily anxious to see their reaction to it. Marie embraced it with gusto, even humoring me by wearing the hat. She loved finding the “chickies” I had hidden in the eggs, and spent a good 45 minutes finding each and every one! Henry, on the other hand, wanted no part of the festivities, and threw his biggest tantrum to date. I just had to capture some of his hysterics on camera, as it was quite an impressive display of frustration. After what seemed to be forever, he finally calmed down and even smiled for a few photos. Ah, toddlers. Needless to say, it was a beautiful (and exhausting) day.

post inspiration

my paris apartment

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Deciding to stay in an apartment vs. a hotel was an easy decision for me–I wanted to live like a local. Having learned of Haven in Paris many years ago, I instantly began browsing their rentals after securing my flights. I really wanted a place that was central, had character, and was situated in a residential area. I fell in love with this chic and cozy little apartment in the Marais, beautifully decorated and loaded with amenities. Upon arrival a lovely greeter ran through all the practical points, shared a few local tips, and handed me the keys! That was a true pinch me moment, as I’ve always dreamed of living in Paris. Staying in an apartment is one way to make that dream a reality, even if only for a week!

 

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Having a kitchen (and a stocked one at that) is a major perk of renting, and although I mostly ate out (hello Paris), I made the most of the french press in the mornings, with the bells of the nearby St. Gervais Church bringing me much joy. With so many comforts of home (washer/dryer, laptop, fluffy feather bed), I felt at ease, even on my own. Having never traveled alone internationally before, that feeling was very freeing, and empowering. In the evenings I would catch up with social media, fine tune my plans for the next day, and most importantly…FaceTime with my family. My apartment truly was a haven, and I’m so grateful for the experience. It was unlike any I’ve had before, in the best way!

 

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If you’re the type of traveler who wants to be immersed in the culture, I highly recommend renting. Even if it’s a bit out of your comfort zone, I promise you the experience will enrich your journey. The team of Haven in Paris was so attentive throughout the entire process, from booking to my return home, and the service they provided exceeded my expectations. When we travel internationally as a family, we will definitely be renting (already eyeing all of their family friendly apartments)! Visit the Haven in Paris site to see all of their listings + their blog for great tips inspiration for your travels!

 *this post is sponsored by Haven in Paris…all words and opinions are my own*

*images via Haven in Paris and myself*

15/52

henrytalking

  ”A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Henry: Said “sissy” for the first time. 

Gaining confidence in speaking, Henry puts so much effort into each word. His vocabulary may not be at the level of his sister, but he understands so much and is improving every day. He mimics us constantly, often with laser focus. While I’m anxious for him to communicate more, I’m so proud of him. His cute little voice melts me.

post inspiration

maggpie vintage

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the open house at Maggpie Vintage Rentals, and could have spent an entire day photographing the goodness. Housed in their amazing 3-story warehouse in Port Richmond, their massive and beautifully curated collection is a dream for any vintage lover. The best part…everything is for RENT! I discovered them last year while planning our big 1st birthday bash for Marie + Henry, and the pieces we rented truly took our party to the next level. The open house was bustling with local creatives, designers, and event planners…I loved catching up with friends + making new ones! Not to mention, I got to hangout with their sweet fur babies Henry + Marty (shown snoozing)…they worked the crowd like pros! Even if you’re not a Philly local, browsing their site will certainly inspire… check it out!