Happy Weekend!

I hope you have something fun and relaxing planned for this lovely holiday weekend! I will be spending mine in Milano, Italy! I will see you all next week!

Happy Memorial Day Lovers! :) xo.

Photo from Cinque Terre trip 2008

Mike's Visit Part 4

I can't believe that Mike has been gone for two weeks already. I keep finding myself day dreaming of our time together and all the other things that I want him here for. Paris is lovely but it would be a dream come true if he was here every day to share it with.

Behold! The photo gallery of random things. All the random tidbits from his trip.

 Mike's favorite. A perfect moment walking the streets together.

 The Pantheon

 Windy day!

 Pierre Herme and Un Dimanche a Paris? Yes.

 St. Sulpice 

 Cafe sitting, cafe drinking.

 The Louvre

Montmartre

Champagne night tour of the city!

 Lounging in the sun

My favorite. Him thinking he is funny :)

 The back of Notre Dame

 Stalking the pick up spot from "Midnight in Paris"

 His last night. Watching the tower at night.

Mike's Visit Part 3: Love Locks

Have you heard of Paris' padlock problem? How they are overtaking the bridges because there are just too many love sick people in this city? 

The "love locks" of Paris are one of my favorite little things about the city. There are two bridges where you can add your own lock and declare your love for your special someone. The two bridges are Pont des Arts and Pont des l'Archeveche, both located near the Notre Dame.

Of course, Mike and I had to make our stand among these little treasures. We wrote our names and the date and stood over the river, gave our keys a kiss and tossed them into the water. Locked in love.

It may seem silly to some people but it makes me happy when I walk over this bridge to see our lock hanging there day after day...

Petit Four Take Over

Petit fours are small, bite sized pieces of goodness but don't be fooled by their daintiness. These little treats take a lot of preparation and work.  We spent a couple days pumping out a bunch of different petit fours, some delicious and adorable, some...not so much. 

Hungry?

How to cure your case of the "Mondays"

Spend it in Champagne, France!


Our class took another field trip, this time to the Champagne region. Did you know that champagne can only be called "champagne" if it is made in this specific area of France? All others are just sparkling wine. 


We visited Pannier and drank an endless amount of the best champagne I have ever experienced in my life. We had a guided tasting of three lovely wines, one of which I couldn't dream of affording! Afterwards we had a tour of the underground cellars where the champagne ages and awaits its debut. 

The trip concluded with a cocktail party down in the cellars with endless and free flowing champagne and delicious hors d'oeuvres. We had an incredible time. Our school is pretttttty cool...just sayin'.


I left with a fancy bottle of blanc du blancs in hand so that Mike and I could have it to celebrate his arrival in Paris. It was delicious and perfect for our first night together. He said it was definitely the best champagne he has ever tasted. Have you ever had a special bottle of champagne that you remember? I think it is a special drink and tends to make its appearance for those occasions you don't want to forget.

 Pastry A..my classmates!

 me...poppin' bottles. yee!

some of my favorites

Photos via: Yu Hsuan Cheng

Best Monday ever, hands down.

Happy Mother's Day from Paris

I really am one lucky girl to have grown up in the incredible household that I did. My family is truly the greatest. They are all insane, crazy and out of their minds sometimes but amazing just the same and I am lucky and blessed to be a part of it.

My mother is one of the most loving, giving and selfless people I have ever known. She has a heart deeper than the ocean and would do anything for our family.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me and everyone you love. I am so blessed to have you as my mother, role model and friend. Have the great day that you deserve. I love you!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all my other favorite moms! My grandma, all my aunts, Debbie, Michelle and soon to be Jessica! Love you all :)

Mike's visit part 2: French Riviera

What a magical place. Nice has definitely taken the top travel destination spot in my book. It is undeniably beautiful, picturesque, and welcoming. The seven hour train down to the south was so enjoyable. Have you ever traveled by train? I love it to begin with but then you add the non-stop views of the French countryside and then the Cotes d'Azur...it was the perfect way to travel!

When we arrived we had a bit of trouble with the world's most awful hotel (thanks a lot Expedia!) and after two hours of stress we finally checked into a nice little place with a balcony and view down the street to the ocean. It wouldn't be proper traveling without a hiccup or two.

If you haven't been to the French Riveira, put it on your list. Now. Seriously.

Not only is it a wonderland of sunshine, warmth and the Mediterranean, but it is riddled with the most lovely streets and alleyways. Every corner we turned led to another little street filled with aromatic scents, antique vendors, food vendors, patisseries, cafes, shops of all kinds...we could have explored forever!

For the greatest views you must climb up Castle Hill. It is not that bad of a climb and the view is more than worth it. It is breathtaking with the city of Nice on the left and the port on the right and big blue and teal water surrounding you. We spent the first few days exploring, sight seeing, walking around and of course eating and drinking! 

Our last day was just incredible. One I will always remember. It was a simple day spent lying on the cliffs getting our tan on and laughing at the PDA (more like s-e-x show) going on below us (TMI, for me!). We jumped in the freezing Med and then walked back along the water, walked through town and ended the day watching the sunset with our baguette, comte and vin. Then we spent the night sitting on the beach with a fresh bouteille de vin, talking, listening to music and watching the water. The best day, ever.

Of course I was sad to leave this little haven we had the pleasure of getting to know but Mike and I already put it on the list of places to come back to one day. We headed back to Paris, sun kissed and relaxed and enjoying our box of Tim Tam cookies. Lucky us, we saw a full rainbow on the ride home. France is just one beautiful place.

I'm back! Mike's Visit Part 1

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I've seen you! 

I am back in the blogging world which also means that Mike is currently on a plane back to the States. Today has been one of the hardest days. Seeing him board the train this morning sent my heart breaking into a million pieces. I feel so sad and heartbroken at this moment but I am also SO happy for the past three weeks together. No time would have ever been long enough. 

If and when the waterworks stop then I can re-focus on the task at hand. The real reason we are sacrificing this time being apart from each other: for me to perfect my ninja pastry skills. 

This was Mike's first time in France and I am happy to report that he loved it here! Despite the fact that it was raining, pouring and sometimes even hailing while he was here - Paris still charmed him.  We spent a lot of time just being together. Sitting and reading, walking hand in hand, watching movies, cooking dinners, drinking cheap wine and taking in the sights of course. The first few days we went up to the beautiful little area of Montmartre, explored the Louvre, the Notre Dame, walked through some beautiful gardens and along the river and most importantly, bought him a beret. 

 The first day! So happy to be together :)

 Looking good babe!

Montmartre

Hiding out from the hail storm and working on our French.

Paris in Spring!

Walking Mike's favorite park

relaxing on the river

After a few days...we headed to the Riviera... :)