Tag Archives: paris

reflections on 2019 + beyond

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This year exceeded my expectations in many ways, along with some curveballs along the way. While I haven’t had ample time to reflect on the past year, I spent the holidays going through images and revisiting favorite moments. Out of the many thousands of images I captured in 2019, this one is certainly a standout (we used it for our holiday card), and represents a source of pride. Giving our children the gift of travel and cultural experiences is priceless, and when I look back over any of our years, it’s those memories that stand out the most. Returning to France as a family was such a highlight (recap coming soon, yikes)! I don’t want to forget our other family travels, which were equally precious: we visited family in Charlotte, explored England for the first time, celebrated Henry + Marie’s 7th birthday in NYC (and found ourselves in the city a few more times), and had an incredible summer vacation in New Hampshire.

I had considered writing a decade in review, but whoa…that is too daunting of a task and overwhelming for me. My head is still spinning from the past ten years: I moved four times, started a blog, battled mysterious health issues, bought a house, became a mother of two at once, grew my business, lost a furry baby, sold a home, struggled financially, dealt with anxiety, depression, and marital issues, got political, brought a big idea to life, got diagnosed with cancer, homeschooled my children, cared for aging parents, celebrated ten years of marriage, turned 40, and welcomed a new furry baby. These years have been some of the most unforgettable, challenging, and exquisite of my life…it may take a lifetime to adequately reflect upon them. I wish you all a happy new decade and new year…here’s to a mindful and joyous 2020!

packing for london + paris

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I can’t believe we leave for London + Paris in a few days! The suitcases are out and I’m deep into the process of packing for myself and the kids. We’re using only carry-ons, so I’m doing my best to figure out our outfits ahead of time and limit extras. Both of our Airbnb’s have a washer/dryer which makes things so much easier – I highly recommend renting if you’re traveling with children. I’ve actually never traveled to Europe in the summer, so I’m having to approach this a little differently. Since London is much farther north, the temperatures are still quite mild and even chilly at times, which I’m thankful for! Of course, rain is inevitable – finding the perfect packable raincoat (that is also chic) has been a challenge. Since I feel like rain boots are essential for this trip I’m going to wear them on the plane, but you could also opt for packable boots. As far as clothes go, I always stick to the classics and mix in one or two more trendy items – I don’t have the Veja sneakers yet but plan on buying them there at a much better price! I always pack my foldable/expandable Longchamp tote for any extras that we pick up along the way and might need to check on the return trip. All the items shown are linked below, as well as my other packing posts which I hope can be helpful to you when travel planning!

my other packing for paris posts: one | two | three (kids version) | four

striped shirt | graphic tee | button-down shirt | trench coat | tulle dot dress | linen dress | distressed skinny jeans | boyfriend jeans | rain boots | sneakers | nude flats | camera travel tote | crossbody bag | sunglasses | leopard clutch purse

musée rodin paris

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The Musée Rodin in Paris is situated in the seventh arrondissement in a stunning mansion, surrounded by three acres of gardens. I made it a point to see it during my last trip, and was joined by my family who drove in from the Loire Valley. It had been pouring rain prior to our visit, and as soon as we arrived the clouds parted and the blue skies and sun returned. I’ve said it before but will say it again – the weather in Paris can be so temperamental, especially in the spring. However, it was such a gift that day – the gardens were gleaming and the combination of these huge lilies and the dewdrops took my breath away. Even if you’re not a huge fan of Rodin’s work, the mansion (known as the Hôtel Biron, where Rodin once resided), gardens, and unique perspective of the nearby Les Invalides will make it worth your while.

 

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the new paris

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Today is an exciting day for mon amie Lindsey Tramuta – today is the official launch date for her book, “The New Paris”. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy and devoured it as soon as it arrived. As a devout Francophile and frequent visitor to Paris, I have a great appreciation for her refreshing perspective on the city I hold so dear. Lindsey thoughtfully and masterfully navigates the creative class (along with photographer Charissa Fay), and introduces the thriving talents and places of the moment. It’s thrilling to know a few of them personally, but there are so many that I have yet to discover! I now have a longer wish list of experiences to have, people to meet, and places to see, along with a renewed appreciation for the future of the city. Admittedly, I may be a bit biased, but I can promise that you will look at Paris with new eyes after reading this book – it’s a must-read for any Francophile. Order your copy, find it at your local bookstore (in stores today), and don’t miss her book tour – she’s coming to many U.S. cities (including her hometown of Philadelphia)!

marché paul bert serpette

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I was 18 years old when I started working as an interior design assistant and caught the antiques bug, furnishing homes of discerning clients with vintage Parisian treasures. I’ve dreamed of going to the Paris flea market ever since then, and even though I started traveling abroad in my early twenties, I never made it there until my last trip! Thankfully, it lived up to the hype and then some. I was joined by my dear friend Amy Feezor, who is quite the expert when it comes to flea markets, and now lives in Paris! She collaborated with Lara Spencer (of Good Morning America fame) on her second book, Flea Market Fabulous, which provides tips and inspiration for decorating with vintage treasures. There is no better place to find those than at Les Puces. The problem is finding time for all of them, and unless you’re dedicating your entire trip to them, you won’t. So, you’ll be faced with the daunting #firstworldproblem of choosing which one. I’m sharing one of my favorites (and one of the most photogenic) – the Marché Paul Bert Serpette at the renowned Puces de Saint-Ouen.

 

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