Friday, April 28, 2017

Friday Morning

Bonjour readers, I've been in Paris for six days already, although it feels like we just got here yesterday. We love it so much we extended our stay through the weekend and are heading to Brugge next week! I may not be fluent but my almost completed three levels with Rosetta Stone's French edition, I can read and understand much better than I thought. If it weren't for certain people, I wouldn't be coming home, I love this city and culture so much. Since we've changed travel plans if you have recommendations or tips for Belgium, we would love your thoughts!

Telephone etiquette 

Moving?!

Monday, April 24, 2017

Word of the Day

Word of the Week: Magnanimous

Definition: (adjective) Big-hearted, very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.

Used in a sentence: (1) A truly magnanimous person can lose without complaining and win without gloating. (2) Even though the defendant had broken the law, the magnanimous judge have him the lightest sentence possible. 

Friday, April 21, 2017

Friday Morning

Due to my heightened anxiety and stress levels, I'm most likely passed out on the plane thanks to a little sleeping aid and alcohol. From L.A. to Chicago to London, I really can't wait to see where our dear old friend lives in London, get rid of our bags and start going out on the town. How are you? Can you believe it's practically summer, I seriously cannot and I'm still pretty pasty. You will most likely find me in Hyde Park trying to look for the statue of Peter Pan. I haven't read the classic since I was in elementary school. So when I picked it up this year and decided to read it with my book club kids, it was such a different experience reading it as an adult. I'm also really looking forward to dessert with my posse tomorrow night!!! Cheerio :)   

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Life Lately

 My mom just got me this adorable Maine tee from J. Crew and I was instantly transported to my cabin in Maine via 1999/2000 when I was living there during my childhood summers. I was super lucky to have the coolest parents, they let me travel three thousand miles away just to experience summer camp. It's literally been seventeen years since I've been back but I'm hoping for an Indian Summer in my favorite state!!!

The ultimate traveler pack (and one of my favorite bag companies).

A must for long plane rides! 

Paranormal stories and true crime with a side of boxed wine and milkshakes, count me in. My coworker got me into the latest podcast, And That's Why We Drink. And now I wish I could be best friends with the hosts. 

One of my absolute favorite spots in the valley, French Corner Cafe, no doubt has the best macaroons (and other pastries). But my favorite entre is the chicken and mushroom crepes. 

I only started watching Grace and Frankie when my guy suggested we watch it after he already seen a couple episodes. Lily Tomlin is everything I hope to be when I grow up. And Jane Fonda is perfect, per usual! 

Years ago when I was page, I use to be read a page or two of the books that caught my eye while I was re-shelving and Imagined London by Anna Quindlen is one of dearest and favorites reads. For the literary traveler, this book is everything.

Have you trued Snow Fairy? Get it now, I promise you'll become an addict!

Years ago my mom got me into Siggi's yogurt, which by the way is the best yogurt in grocery stores. Given that it is Icelandic yogurt and I just picked my brother and sister in law's brains about their trip to Iceland over the Easter holiday, they highly recommended Skyr. Have you heard of it? 

  

Monday, April 17, 2017

Weekend Wrap Up...

 packing for paris...
 happy easter.
 the second episode of the librarians suggest goes
live later this week, make sure to follow along.
 missing my summers in maine...
wine and a bubble bath.

(images via instagram)

Saturday, April 15, 2017

French Kiss

 Before Sunset
 An American in Paris
 Midnight in Paris
 Funny Face
and last but not least, Moulin Rouge. 

Watching everything French that I own, plus French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. What are you favorite flicks that take place in the City of Lights? What are you watching this weekend?

Friday, April 14, 2017

Friday Evening...

This time next week, I'll be in London wit the fab four. Our plans for the weekend are going to dinner and checking out where our friend resides while she's going to school in London, and then we'll be heading to Paris on Sunday. When we started planning this trip last fall, April seemed like an eternity away and now it's finally here and I couldn't be more excited. I'll be out of the country for just over two weeks and will be back stateside in early May. Until then keep reading, and see you in a few weeks. Nevermind that Sunday is Easter but I have so much packing and list making/checking off to do on top of squeezing in a book discussion recording (oh did I mention, my two coworkers and I just started a podcast of sorts, we're still fine tuning but more to come on that) this weekend.


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Thursday, April 13, 2017

A Slow and Healthy Approach to Life

In preparation for my trip across the pond, I've been enjoying my nightly reading routine. And for the last five months I've read everything from understanding the Danish way of life (Jante and Hygge) to mastering the art of French eating, I haven't quite mastered anything but I'm working on it. I'm no expert by any means but there are few lifestyle changes Americans need to adopt, these are just a few I'm trying to incorporate into my daily routine.

1. More life and less work. I'm not saying Americans work themselves to death but the stress of being the best and almost being expected to become workaholics, no wonder our mental health is in the state it is in. We're known for being fiercely competitive and overly ambitious, I once read, "anxiety is the handmaiden of contemporary ambition" and I wholeheartedly agree. When I'm out with friends, we talk more about work than anything less. Take advice from the Europeans and focus on life more and less about work. 

2. When it comes to food, America is probably the worst country in the world. Welcome to fast food nation and frozen meals for dinner. I'm very guilty about this but through my books, I've learned that buying fresh, the real stuff (no additives) and unprocessed food is so much healthier than most of the crap in our grocery stores. In fact, skip the grocery store all together and shop at farmers markets or local grocers instead of chain stores. Also, slow down. I'm not saying you need to eat as slow as the French, but there's so much more to food than just fueling up. Food is culture. Food is an experience, think about what it smells like, what does it taste like? I love going to new places with my guy because we actually talk a lot about food and cooking, thank god he's an awesome cook because I'm worthless in the kitchen. We're such foodies, we've even talked about planning trips solely for food purposes.

3. Get outdoors more. There's a whole section on spending more time outside in How to Hygge. I'm now going to the park almost every Sunday to read and do other crafty things. The outdoors is so much more than just getting in an exercise, marvel at the beauty that is nature people!!!
 
4.  When it comes to language, Americans (specifically White Americans) are at a disadvantage. We're so arrogant into thinking everyone should speak English, that it should be a universal language. The rest of the world speaks at least two languages, challenge yourself to learn a new language this year! My parents are Irish and French, so I'm taking it upon myself to learn the language of my ancestors.

5. I love that the Irish go to the bars after church. I'm not encouraging anyone to become an alcoholic but there's something to be said about the pub culture in Ireland. Traditionally the church, pubs and local football clubs were the place for social interaction in rural Ireland. The pub was where the village met, stories were exchanged and the fun was had. The atmosphere and warmth of Irish pubs is just so inviting that many cities around the world adopt the Irish approach to drinking, conversation and making sure everyone is having a good time. The sense of community is so important and in a country that is very individualistic, there's a lot to learn from the friendliest people on the planet.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Leading Ladies

Five Things To Know About Melissa Arnot

1. She attended the University of Iowa and earned a double major in Business and Health Promotion.

2. After college, she began living out of her car to save money and climb mountains.

3. She entered high at the age twelve, as a freshman at Whitefish High School in Montana. She went to college at sixteen. She first climbed Rainer at eighteen. She started working as a guide at 21. Her survival tactic was lying about her age.

4.  Arnot made her first Rainer summit in 2001 at 18 and has now made 103 summits of the 14,410 foot pea in Washington State.

5. She became the first American women too successfully hike Mount Everest and survive the descent without supplemental oxygen. She has climbed it six times since!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The Librarian Suggests

What I'm Reading: Two years ago I came across a woman who decided to read the world in a year's time. You're probably thinking what? After talking with colleagues, fellow book lovers and friends, she realized her mission of trying to read everything in the Bodleian was filled with information written predominately by white people. A friend suggested to get out of comfort zone and did she. I'm finally getting around to reading, The World Between Two Covers and I am loving every word of it. It's a lot of information to take but I'm learning so much about the writing process in other countries outside of Western Europe. Do yourself a favor and if you want to be a well read individual, this book will be your saving grace. Also, if you love strong badass women and dancing, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerinathis is for you. I also just picked this up and I can't wait to start in on this one

What I Watching: An American in Paris, Midnight in Paris, Before Sunset, French Kiss and Funny Face. I leave next week, so I figured I needed to get in the mood :)

What I'm Listening Too: Did you listen to S-TownThe heart wrenching story of a crazy yet tormented and maybe the kindest soul who ever lived, John B. Mclemore is profound to say the least. I would love to hear your thoughts on his life, the show and what's currently going on with all his stuff? Also, And That's Why We Drink and My Dad Wrote A Porno :)
(image)

Monday, April 10, 2017

Weekend Wrap Up...

 spring decorations a plenty...
 wedding gifts - homemade pomegranate jam.
 bathroom details...
 weekend reads.
in the kitchen...

(images via instagram)

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Frenchies to Follow



When I was first introduced to the blogging world, I found myself gravitating towards fashion and traveler bloggers. Many of them were Americans who had recently moved across the pond and others who were scattered throughout Europe. Over the years I've continued to follow my favorites and watch them evolve as writers and professionals, some who own their own business or who have worked in collaboration with big companies. I could list more than a handful of people, but these have remained my favorite for more than five years. Meet Haleigh, Lindsey and Valentine :) Also, in case you're a serious Francophile like me, Lindsey's book, The New Paris is available for giveaway on her site and pre-order elsewhere.   

(1,2,3)

Friday, April 7, 2017

Friday Happy

If I had to pick a day this past week that was exceptional, it would be Wednesday. So there's this  
local committee if you will that takes special interest in our public schools, and I'm now apart of it. So what do we do? We call ourselves TREC, Trustees Reaching Every Community; it's more like a field trip for community leaders to see what's going on in our schools and a way to introduce all the incredible work being accomplished by teachers and students. The goal is to check out an elementary school, middle school and high school, the focus of the trip this past week centered around the arts and how they play important role as the foundation these school were built on. And as someone who supports the arts, I was blown away by what these schools offer and how much interest the students have in sculpture, theater, dance, jazz bands and a whole array of subjects under the art umbrella. So how was your week? I'm heading to a wedding this weekend and pulling out my suitcase to sort of start packing for my trip! Have an excellent weekend and see you next week :)




Thursday, April 6, 2017

7 Items or Less


You'll need a fanny pack to keep all the important stuff in one place. 

Make sure to pack a travel journal to write down all your adventures.

Hair clips - for when you can't deal with your hair or just want to throw it up.


The cutest traveling luggage tags

A stylish but cozy sweater to act as a makeshift blanket for the plane ride. 

Instead of lugging around books to read, download the greatest app/catalog ever

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Things I'm Into This Week

 




Per usual when settling into bed, I usually start perusing the new podcasts in the iTunes store (as if I don't have enough to listen too) even though I already have more shows that I can keep up with. But this particular one, Terrible, Thanks for Asking really stuck out to me. I'm finally just now getting around to it but two episodes in I'm hooked. How many times a day are you asked: how is your day or how are you? Your automatic response is usually "fine". Most people don't really drudge on about their lives or their days unless they are wanting attention. The hook, the host miscarried her second child, lost her father and then her husband all within a few months of each other... A little on the downer side but following stories are fascinating how people deal with terrible things. 

I've been wearing Philosophy products for years and I've written about the brand countless times on the blog so I'll spare you a lengthy description on the newest perfume. But you should probably get it anyways :)

With my trip right around the corner, I've been spending a lot of time in the archives over at Messy Nessy Chic, a lovely and curated newsletter dedicated to all things French. Want stories of the past? You want vintage photos of Paris, style, food and fashion trends around France? You will love this newsletter then.

Since the release of Beauty and the Beast, I've seen the new live action film in theaters a few times and I've been listening to the soundtrack nonstop. Suffice to say, Evermore, the new single sung by the beast is so well done. I've been a fan of Josh Groban for years but I have to say, I find Dan Stevens performance  just as compelling!

My mom actually introduced me to the new newsletter Healthyish by Bon Appetit. In our initial conversation she said it was a magazine so I spent a few days trying to find out where to purchase it. And while the January issue of Bon Appetit introduces the new feature, it is only available as a newsletter on the Bon Appetit website, naturally I subscribed right away. I've been reading it on my lunch and have even incorporated a few recipes they have shared into my weekly meal prep.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Mini Guides to Paris



If you're planning a trip to the City of Lights and need guidance, these mini guides are excellent to browse through whether you want to travel like a local or a tourist who wants to pack in as much as you can, your welcome :)






 (images)
 

Monday, April 3, 2017

Weekend Wrap Up...

 she's so precious...
 classics (for little ones) and fairytale mood.
 checking out more desert x art...
 need to find space outside my room to record.
a very relaxing weekend...

(images via instagram)

Sunday, April 2, 2017

The Art of French Cooking



Whenever I introduce myself, most people assume that I'm entirely Irish. We tend to celebrate and embrace our Irish ethnicity more but my mom is actually French. Now my dad's family is very prideful of our ancestry and we're fortunate we know a lot about our family's history. My mother's family, not so much. Not that they didn't care but we really don't know much about my mom's family when they came from Europe. With my trip coming up soon, I've spent a lot of time reading about French culture and cuisine. And as I'm approaching my thirties, I'm finally embracing my French background and that includes reexamining my diet. Now, I still consider myself somewhat of a beginner at cooking so mastering the art of french cooking will take quite a bit of time. I figure I'll get started on appetizers and easy recipes first; but also look through these cookbooks as I get started. Have any easy recipes to recommend, please share :)

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Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...