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

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!

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! 

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?

I want to go to there

A bunch of friends and I are heading on a long weekend bachelorette party this summer and starting to think about where we want to go. The idea is someplace low key, outdoorsy, where we can all chill and hang out.

Enter The Graham and Co. This oh so cool yes reasonable hotel sits in the Catskills of New York (right by Frost Valley for you campers). The offer free bikes, movies and bonfires on the lawn and such cool designed rooms that I probably won't want to leave. And there is a pool.  Now exit The Graham & Co since they don't have availability for when we want. But fear not, just like Wayne, it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine. How badass does this place look?

All images from the Graham & Co website.

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...

heading to austin

Right now should be packing for my trip for Austin. But instead I will blog. 

I am heading to Austin City Limits for the weekend but more importantly 

hang out with my friends Amy and Barbara. Whenever I go to these type of 

concerts, I inevitably hate what I am wearing when I see all the super cool girls 

and what they are rocking.  I am also notoriously bad at packing. I tend to throw 

all my favorite things in a bag without really thinking what will go together. Or 

I pack only nice tops and nothing to hang in during the day. Or no underwear. 

So at least I am starting to make a plan. Jeans, shorts, button downs, nicer tanks, comfy 

shoes, a bag that makes sense. Here is what I wish would be in my closet when I take 

my travel bag. I should get cracking...

ACL by madelinepolton featuring fossil handbags