One last Paris note

Seen here

Ok, so I know that I have only done a mixed job on my Paris recap. Since we have been back, my computer won't seem to hold a charge so getting the right time to blog has been tricky. But I made a commitment and I will follow though. So that said, I do have one last (probably not) Paris tip. I am sure that many of you are familiar with Design Sponge, the mother ship of design blogs. Well they also happen to do a really great recap of things to do in cities around the world.  I went there to read up on Paris which led me to Anne, blogger in her own rite at Pret a Voyager and wait for it....tour guide in Paris, which I booked right on the spot. Once I booked the tour, Anne sent us a questionnaire of things that we would be interested and from there tailored the tour to our wants and needs. We met up with her on Monday and had an awesome time. She gave us a lay of the land, explained the street signs, subways and gave us an inside scoop on the best of the hood. I am still dreaming of these pistachio chocolate pastry wheels that she introduced us to. I felt after a day spent with her that I had a much better sense of the city layout and what was worth checking out. If you are ever in Paris and need some help, I highly rec
ommend reaching out to her. Merci Anne! 

What we ate in pictures

Paris-- Our Apartment

As you all know, we had some last minute changes to our apartment in Paris. I can only think that it was a blessing in disguise since we ended up in a really great place. Below are some pictures of it and while it was incredibly cute and nice, it was more important in a great location. We were one block from the Metro (aka Best Public Transportation Ever) and on Sundays and Thursdays, steps from an amazing market in Bastille. Since Paris is so walkable, I am not sure there is a bad location but really, if you are going, check out The Marais. Here are a few pictures of the apartment from the listing. (Also remember that I negotiated the price, something to keep in mind for the future!)

Bonjour!

Hello hello! Well Paul and I are back from am pretty amazing trip to Paris. I cannot wait to update all of you, share pics and tips of what we did...and didn't do.

I am just getting a little caught up on my regular 9-5 so it may take a bit but I promise I will do it! With pictures too. Get ready!

Bon Voyage!

Unknown source

See you all in a week! Unless I see you in Paris!

Madewell Dress

I really hope this dress ends up in my luggage. It's even called the Bistro Dress. Just saying.

From Madewell

That's what she said

Do you speak another language? Did you have to take it in school? If I could have worked harder and paid more attention in one class it would have been French. I actually took it in school for a number of years but I still only know the SUPER basics. And while I have been trying to practice this week, I am realizing how dumb I sound. But you know what, it's ok, I am just going to try my hardest and sound like a fool! Because no matter how badly it sounds, French is a language that sounds magnific!

Blogger seems to be having some trouble uploading pictures right now, but I will update when I can! 

Pack it up, pack it in

Confession. I don't own roller luggage. I sometimes see the convenience of it but often times it doesn't come 

in a cute pattern or style. And I only roll in style. Ha! But then I started looking around and there are some pretty cute, patterned and bright bags. Here are a few of my favorites. What about you? How do you roll...when it comes to luggage? 

Missoni for Bric's seen here

I saw this on Gilt a long time ago and pinned it. Any help?

Tumi Voyager seen here

Hiccups in Paris

On Saturday morning, I woke up to this email:

Just to refresh you, we leave on Friday for our trip. Sure, I knew I needed to work on making a pack list, and a few more plans for later in the week but finding a new place to stay  wasn't on my to do list. But then it went straight to the top. We knew that we still wanted to stay in the Marias area and while picking the apartment, I had made a list of a few other options. Since the trip was only a week away, those were all snapped up so I had to keep searched. I had few requirements. I wanted a place that had great reviews and in our price range....and if it could be charming and cute, well even better. I stayed calm until I got an email saying that we didn't get another apartment we had tried to get.  With what felt like slim options, I did something that I have never done. I approached one of the apartments that was out of price range (and incredibly cute) and asked if she would be willing to bargain. I figured that a less money is still more than nothing. And she was totally game. She asked what our max budget was (I just used what we had paid for the origianl apartment) and she accepted.

Now I wouldn't recommend waiting until the last minute to find a place to stay, especially those who like to sleep at night instead of worry if it will work out, but it is good to know that it can be done, and for a deal!

What about you? And last minute problems that turned out for the best?

Let's keep this party going.

Thoughts on this jacket? I am looking for something that I can wear for spring, will be cute for Paris and isn't too trendy. I know that those military style ones are all over the place now but not sure I have the right look to pull them off. Plus this is on sale. What do you all think?

Seen at Saks

Paris Apartment Booked

While all good things, has been a really stressful week for me. Work has the best of me right now and is keeping me up nights. Thank God PB is a good sleeper and doesn't even notice the glow of the iPad at 3am while I read Sherlock Holmes.
One thing that we did cross of the list was book our apartment in Paris. When we went to Barcelona a few years ago, we took a chance and booked an apartment instead of a hotel. At this point, I am sure I am not telling anyone anything new here but if you have never traveled this way, go for it! It made our lives so easy, keeping snacks and drinks in the fridge and even running a load of laundry so that we left with clean clothes. When it came time to booking out place in Paris, everyone, including our from Genevieve told us to look in the Marais neighborhood. Scrolling through Airbnb, I came across this apartment and just fell in love. When I sent it to Genevieve for her thoughts, she said it was on her favorite street in all of Paris! Needless to say, we booked it right away. What about you guys? Any trips coming up? Have you ever rented a place insterad of staying in a hotel? Here are a few picks of where we are staying.

Vaca Booked!

Wanna guess where we are going? Here is a hint...