when you get lost

sometimes you find some really great things. I went out for a run last week and just went without a plan. Took a turn when it felt right and tried to remember how I should get back when I was ready (if you know me, then you are scared for me right now!). I have a terrible sense of direction but don't worry this worked out just fine. 

My random run led me to find some beautiful little places around the Bastille area. A promenade perfect for running and a charming little park under a bridge that I want to spend some time in.

I could live here forever and never see this entire city. Its incredible!

Clearly, I got a really good run in since I was stopping every 5 seconds to take a photo. Oops.

Best of Paris: Rose Bakery

As you already know, Paris is full of food. Cusine is oozing out of this city like nobody's business. People think that every restaurant in Paris is going to be a revelation to your taste buds but to be honest, that is definitely not the case. Most cafes and brasseries have similar menus and if you are just looking for a croque monsieur or boeuf tartare then you are usually safe just popping into the corner cafe but if you are looking for something special then you need to do some research.

One of my favorite places is a little cafe called Rose Bakery. It was opened by a Franco-British couple and everyone - Parisians and tourists - have developed a huge love for it. They offer a cool, relaxing atmosphere and really great, healthy food. They always have different quiches, cakes and salads to choose from. Not leafy green salads but things like risotto with roasted squash, peppers and cheese or a salad of perfectly roasted vegetables. I have never had anything that I didn't love which is good because it can be a little bit pricey.

Lucky me, I have Rose Bakery at my disposal every single day because their 1st shop is located on the same street that I work on and their 2nd shop is located directly across from my apartment. I can see it from my window! I haven't made it over there for weekend brunch yet but I am thinking its a good spot to put on the list when my friends come to visit in a few weeks.

Next time you are in Paris, pop into Rose Bakery - you won't regret it!

France: Avignon

Provence is a magical part of France. I wish that we had more time to spend here and explore more of the little towns around Provence. This is the area of France that is known for its beautiful lavender fields in July. I wish we had gotten to see them but we were just behind the season.

Avignon is a perfectly lovely town. It has a small town, countryside town feel and has some of the best food that I've had this year! We loved this one restaurant so much that we went there twice in two days.     Avignon is also the home of the Palais de Papes. I had no idea about this (raised Catholic...oops!) but it was extremely interesting. When a French pope was elected he didn't think that Rome was an appropriate place to house the Catholic church so he began building the Palais de Papes in Avignon. It took 30 years to build and housed 9 popes.

One of the best things of Avignon was the shopping. There are so many adorable stores a lot of them selling things for your home, kitchen or bath products. I bought lavender lotion made with real lavender from the fields in Provence and it is definitely the best lotion I've had to date. My favorite store was full of different food products like house made speculoos, nutella, caramels, and honey. You can also bottle your own oils and vinegars. Best idea ever. The weather was perfect and we spoiled ourselves by getting massages one morning at the hotel. It was a perfect end to our vacation traveling. 

 Zucchini and parmesan crumble, quinoa and salad. Baked mango tart.

so long sweet summer

Fall is officially upon us here in Paris. The air is crisp and chilly (cold for me!), the leaves are changing and falling and the days are getting shorter. Like I said, this is the first time in my entire 24 years of life that I have seen the seasons change. Seeing it change from winter to spring was beautiful and exciting because of the sunshine and warmth that was finally coming through. From spring to summer it wasn't a big change because I'm still not sure summer really ever came to Paris. I don't count a one week heat wave as summer. So here we are, going into fall and so far its lovely.

I'm already pulling out my heavier jackets and scarves but my heart is always laying on a beach in the middle of summer. Here are some photos from the last little bit of "summer" here in Paris!

 biggest lemon meringue pie ever madeeee

Where were you?

I was 13 years old and late for first period at my new high school running around in panic at the thought of getting my first detention and brushing off my dad when he yelled for me to sit down and watch what was happening on the television. I didn't understand it and just wanted to get going to school.

When I got to class that morning we just all sat and watched the coverage. In every single class that day, and that week, all we did was watch the television. I still was too young to really wrap my head around it but I knew it was bad and that people died. Innocent, American men, women and children.

Now that I am able to really understand what went on that day, my heart aches. It breaks my heart thinking of the unbelievable fear that our people felt that morning and all the people who lost their lives, gave up their lives trying to save other people and the families who are now missing a loved one. I will never understand how there can be such evil in this world. I hope that everyone takes a moment today to remember how you felt that morning and to remember what life is really about. What really matters when life is stripped down.

Remembering all the beautiful people who were lost and injured on that day, all the heros who fought to save them, the families who lost a loved one, and the troops who continue to protect us. I am so proud to be an American and be blessed to call such a strong, resilient, beautiful and loving place my home. May God Bless America.

 never forget.

home baking: chocolate!

Is there a problem when I spend my whole morning baking at work and then the afternoon baking at home? Maaybe? eek! Don't judge me!! :)

I warned my friends when I moved into my new apartment that I was going to go all "Julie and Julia" on their asses. Well, I wasn't lying. I made Julia Child's chocolate mousse recipe last week and it was delightful. Especially because its composed of Valrhona chocolate and Illy coffee. This is pretty simple to make and great for dinner parties. After you make it and before it is chilled, scoop it into little individual ramekins to serve your guests! Top it with some fresh whipped cream right before you bring them out. Your friends will be so impressed!

Recipe

Makes 6-8 servings

6 ounces semisweet chocolate (the better the quality, the better the end result!)

4 tablespoons strong (good!) coffee

1.5 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened

4 egg yolks

4 egg whites

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup orange liqueur (I omitted this because I didn't have any)

3/4 cup sugar

Roughly chop the chocolate into pieces

Pour the hot coffee over the chocolate (as if making a ganache)

Leave to sit for a minute or two then mix and add the butter.

In another bowl, beat the egg yolks, liqueur, and gradually add the sugar while beating

Beat until thick, pale yellow and it forms a "ribbon" when it falls from the whisk

Place the egg yolks over a double broiler of just simmering water and whisk for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is foamy and warm to your touch

Remove from the heat and beat over a bath of cold water (rest the bowl in another bowl full of cold water) until it is cool, thick and forms a ribbon

Once the chocolate is cooled, fold the egg yolk mixture into the chocolate.

In a metal bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually at two tablespoons sugar and continue beating to stiff peaks

Stir a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and then delicately fold in the rest of the whites.

Scoop the mixture into a serving dish (or individual pots de creme)

Cover and chill for several hours or overnight

Will keep (while covered) for several days

Serve with lightly whipped cream or creme anglaise.

Another little creation from last week. Chocolate and caramel tartlets. 

Until the next one...bon appetit! 

Paris: Part 2

The scary truth is that I have less than three and a half months left in Paris. I literally have a hard time believing it. I can't believe how fast the months have passed. There have been a lot of amazing ups and some tough downs but for the past two months I feel like a new person. I remember the week it changed for me.

I was complaining to Mike about something and I just remember him saying that I need to "let go of whatever is holding you back". What great advice that was! I don't know what exactly changed in me with that comment but it was for the better. I feel free, open, happy, excited, motivated and appreciative. Everything is brighter, more beautiful and I am appreciating everything from the small tasks at work to the sunshine that still comes through in the afternoons. I am motivated to continue taking steps towards my goals, staying in touch and reconnecting with friends, and enjoying everyday that I have left in this beautiful city.

I consider this new attitude to be part of Paris Part 2 because it went hand in hand with my move! I moved from my last apartment at Saint Michel to a wonderful part of the city off Rue Bretagne. I love my new place and my new neighborhood. I am even neighbors with one of my friends now and around the corner from my favorite mexican restaurant! Perfection!

I am feeling the stress of knowing that my time here is ticking away but I have some amazing things to look forward to in the coming months.

2 weeks until dinner at Benoit with my friend Coco!
3 weeks until Mark and Megan arrive!
4 weeks until Erin arrives!
4.5 weeks until my 25th birthday!
6 weeks until my half-marathon!
8 weeks until Erin (again!) and Jaime come to Paris!

Wow, these weeks are going to fly! Has anyone ever been in this situation? Seeing the end running towards you and feeling bittersweet about it? Any advice on how to deal?

Here is a glimpse into my new apartment!