Packing Smartly

Ok so I know that I owe like a million posts over here. I was getting a bit in my head about writing these epic posts, about keeping up with what I am cooking or where we are going. And maybe that is a mistake. I am going to try to be more impulsive on here, when I see something cool, I will try to post it and if I feel like writing the great American novel I can do that too. More hitting Publish, less hitting Draft.

So here goes.

I saw this Travel Light breakdown on Pinterest and loved it. As a self proclaimed horrible packer, I am going to try to visualize this for my next trip.

Travel Light... Almost Anywhere. by keelyhenesey

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

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.

French Hair

Low effort, high style of Francoise Hardy seen here

This past weekend, we spent some time with a friend Genevieve who has been living in Paris on and off for the past 3 years. While I wore my hair braided and my sister rocked a pretty badass blowout, Genevieve looked as french as they come, letting her hair be natural, slightly messy and in all honestly beautiful.

Since PB and I have been talking more and more about a trip and France has been on the list, I have become increasing aware of how gorgeous French womens hair is. I was so glad that I came across these rules in Vogue so that maybe I can mimic their (and Gen's) style.

 Rule #1: “The more supermarket the shampoo, the better the hair looks,” says de Maigret, who uses Pantene or L’Oréal Elsève. “I don’t know why, it just does. Wash it once in the morning, not twice, like they do at the hair salon.”

Rule #2: “French women never put conditioner in the hair. It makes it straight and flat.”

Rule #3: “After you get out of the shower, don’t touch it.  No hair dryer, nothing. You just let the air do it naturally.”

Rule #4: “Don’t brush. Also, you know, Parisian girls walk a lot, which makes the hair a little messy from the wind. If you’re going to go outside and have it get messy anyway, it’s better to just not brush it from the beginning.”

Rule #5: “Sometimes if you put some dry shampoo, it gives a cool texture—instead of washing it every day. I wash my hair every two days. I know. It’s really too much.”

Could you guys ever abide by these rules? I am tempted by the idea of dry shampoo, especially after a yoga class. Have you ever tried it?

Being Carmen Sandiego

The NYTimes recently came out with their 46 Places to Visit In 2013 and boy oh boy does it make me want to get out there and get my passport stamped.  My list includes Casablanca, Morocco, The Jeseniky in the Czech Republic (I recently have been craving to ski), and of course and always...Paris. Where do you want to go?