just wanted to share a few favourite inspirations and photos i took over the holiday break! exploring paris is so dreamyyyyyyy…..
*bisous*
Posted in parisian life, photography | Tagged dior, eiffel tower, louvre, paris, photos | 2 Comments »
the new day brings a new year and with the new year brings new resolutions. i feel these are important (as long as you are serious, passionate, realistic enough with them.)
so to share a few resolutions with you (yes “few.” i have quite some many… ) perhaps you’ll find one you would like to incorporate into your own list as well.
01… try to think of each new day as a new year, a new beginning, a fresh start, a chance to better yourself and the world around you. it’s an opportunity for change and being hopeful for what is to come.
02… write every single day, whether it be a journal, blog, letter or e-mail to a friend, or work on my novel.
03… read more. i’m not going to be overly achieving here, but perhaps a few novels that i’ve always wanted to read, much like last years “film bucket list” (which i might add was on last years resolutions list and completed.)
04… do extensive research about tea and flowers.
05… learn, practice, and speak french more on a daily basis! (it’s hard when your french boyfriend insists on speaking english all of the time!!!!)
06… learn to budget and also recognize and respect the difference between a want or need (this was on last year’s list and sadly not succeeded.)
07… set aside time for myself each morning and let that be “my time” of the day. no boyfriend, no kids to nanny, no obligations. just my tea, my breakfast, the morning light, and myself.
and with those being said, the sun is out and i leave you to explore a nearby park while holding hands with a frenchie. happy 2013 indeed everyone!!!!
also, don’t forget that i’m on instagram if you enjoy some of these photos!
*bisous*
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
hello my friends. i hope you are lovely. i wanted to pop in for a quick bonjour and update. i feel guilty everyday for not updating this blog and i say to myself “just sit down and update it!” but once i open up that “new post” page i’ll begin to write and then erase everything.
the truth is, my words and thoughts and opinions are changing upon every hour of the day. i’m not so sure what kind of voice i have right now. one day i want to sprinkle the blog with pictures and stories of adventure throughout paris-land. the next i’ll feel ungrateful and want to write about the challenges in my life (challenges, can you image that! i live in paris and i find challenges!) then i’ll want to write about “mind over matter” subjects, and then throw it all away because of a single struggle.
this is life i suppose. most successful blogs are one-themed- designs, inspirations, stories, and so on. and everyday i’m finding a new emotion, a new feeling, and a new theme within my life.
but that’s all perfect. i’ve written this before and i’ll write it again… i always encourage a little bit of healthy dissatisfaction. if one settles for content-ness, what a wasteful use for the rest of your time or growing abilities.
you can dream for years and years about moving to paris and living happily ever after. and for the most part, even the worst days here in paris are better than the best days from whatever came before. but i’m almost happy that life isn’t 100% blissful here (though i have to remind myself this when i’m crying.) because i’m daily growing and learning and living.
so with the new year around the corner i hope that perhaps you can find some relation or comfort in this process of thought (and though i may be the one writing this, even i have to remind myself of these theories on a daily basis.)i’m finding my voice and i thank you for your patience. the absence of blogs doesn’t mean i have nothing to write about, it simply means i have to much to write about and i’m still not sure how to share all of this information with you, let alone with myself.
the true magic of paris isn’t all of the lights and love and beautiful places, but the ability to recognize and explore all of these thoughts and feelings and ideas it breathes within you.
*bisous*
Posted in little words, parisian life | Tagged new year | 1 Comment »
i was certainly more impressed with music from this year than lasts. especially with a few albums that i thought were extremely solid from start to finish, examples being no doubt’s “push and shove” and bat for lashes “the haunted man.”
i felt like i was pretty much on the electric side of things this year, but not “too” electric, with a dash of indie, charm, and shoegazing thrown in. get my drift?
so i’ve created a playlist that pretty much summed up the musical vibe of 2012 from my point of view with most of the songs being released this year or just on the cusp of it. (pssssp- there’s a hidden scrollbar on the playlist, so don’t miss some goodies!!!) hopefully you’ll find some new discoveries and favourites!!!
*bisous*
photo via ban.do
Posted in Music | Tagged 2012, music, spotify | Leave a Comment »
It’s so easy to focus on the negative things instead of notice what is positive in your life. this is my challenge. like most abroad experiences, my mind and philosophies are expanding and the golden rule to live by in 2013 will be “mind over matter.”
mentally, being an au pair can be exhausting. from the outside, you wonder how hard playing all day and watching cartoons can be, but in reality, being responsible for 2 children, even-more-so that are not your own, is very challenging and holds a lot of responsibility. still, i am thankful for every second of this experience because i am learning so much. to see a child devastated over a broken toy reminds me that in 10 years from now the things i am currently devastated about will seem silly and unimportant.
there’s so much focus on the future. “what career path should i take?” “where am i meant to be?” “who am i meant to be with?” and daily i remind myself that i have my whole life for these things to fall into place. the way i live now should work and feel right for myself now, not when i’m 30 or 40 or 25. for now, i am meant to be here, in paris. career-wise i’m still unsure, but i don’t worry about. i’m a 24 year old au pair who is living life and shaping myself into the person i want to be, and it doesn’t matter that i don’t have a solid job or career goal right now. i’m focusing on my location and i’m focusing on my writing. obviously not so much on this blog, but i’ve been working on a novel for over a year now that might be my main focal point for the next upcoming years, and i’m okay with that. it’s a personal goal and will hopefully be a personal triumph, even if nothing comes of it.
so to tell you how i’ve been… i’ve been broke, cold, exhausted, sick, and incredibly happy. the key is allowing yourself to think and/or live in a way we’ve discovered, not in a way we’ve been taught.
*bisous*
photos via pinterest
Posted in little words, parisian life | Tagged paris life, philosophies | Leave a Comment »
it’s true. being an au pair doesn’t really give you the budget to buy pretty clothes. but that doesn’t mean i can’t “window shop.” I’ve come across a few new favourite clothing stores here in paris that i think you’ll love too! my favourite so far is manoush. they market as “gypsy-chic” but i really think it’s kate spade meets anna sui. fun, different textures and designs that are feminine and bohemian! love it!!!
the merchandising in zadig & voltaire really caught my eye. sparkles, crushed velvet, and vibrant hues. pricy, but really cool separate pieces that would make a classic outfit stand out!
with only two stores in paris, this one really stands out compared to other stores for their amazing quality, bold prints, and fabulous customer service. essentiel antwerp has a GREAT lookbook (especially for men) with new ideas to inspire.
i think of sandro as the european j.crew. classic pieces that will never go out of style with some fun separates. great merchandising plus the store smells heavenly.
impressed by paul and joe, and even more so by their paul and joe sister collection, this particular flamingo printed dress stole my heart away. they have really cute prints that even zooey deschanel would adore and some cute accessories as well.
if you’re ever in paris or up for some serious online shopping, definitely check these stores out! (also all conveniently located in Le Marais.)
*bisous*
Posted in fashion, parisian life | Tagged boutiques, essentiel antwerp, flamingo dress, manoush, paris, paul and joe, paul and joe sister, sandro, shopping, stores, zadig and voltaire | Leave a Comment »
spending thanksgiving away from your family is one thing, but spending it in a country where it doesn’t exist is simply another. thursday was just another thursday here in paris, très triste, but as an american i had to introduce the frenchies to the thanksgiving tradition…
preparing the dinner was a 20 hours process essentially, beginning with the brining of the turkey (aka- albert) some of it wasn’t too pretty, but we tried to remain as lady-like as possible…
overall the frenchies loved most everything, though they were freaked out by the concept of a sweet potato casserole “And THEN you put MARSHMELLOWS on TOP?!?!?” good company, good laughs, and good food. that’s what it’s all about!!!
oh, and having cute french boys as your guests doesn’t hurt either!!! *wink* *wink*
i hope your thanksgiving was just as strange and wonderful as mine!!!
*bisous*
Posted in Food, parisian life | Tagged thanksgiving | 1 Comment »
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Breakfast from Paris! ...
flourishes in all things feminine and whimsical while aspiring to obtain
a gatsby-esque lifestyle,
oscar wilde state-of-mind,
and romantic sensibility.
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...the great gatsby...
...coffee table books...
...baz luhrmann...
...succulents & topiaries...
...jean louis deniot...
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"people will stare. make it worth their while."
- harry winston -
