books. clothes. dreams.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
a healthy summer
Saturday, April 30, 2011
picture perfect paris
Thursday, April 28, 2011
my favorite moments in paris
One of the things I love the most about travelling to places you love is those moments. These moments that you can remember so vividly as if it was happening to you right now, those moments that represent your time at the place, and that aren't necessarily special to you, but that can and will happen to anyone who goes to that certain place. So I decided I could incorporate this into my top tens by making this my top ten favorite moments in Paris. As usual, no particular order.
1. Hanging out in the Tuileries on a bright and sunny day, watching people pass by, children running around, musicians playing even though they aren't supposed to. You could just sit here forever on the bench and let the world pass you by, maybe having ice cream or a crepe from one of the vendors, just letting the sun warm your skin and breathing in the fresh air.
2. Sitting outside in that Parisian cafe, eating that Croque Monsieur, and knowing you couldn't possibly feel more Parisian than you do right now.
3. Entering the hustle and bustle of the Champs Elysees where people dart in and out of stores with music playing and the general excitement that shopping brings, whether you're at Louis Vuitton or Nike there is just this exhilaration of being there.
4. Walking through the little cobblestoned streets of Montmartre, past the cafes and the accordion player, looking up to see Sacre Coeur, and then over at the rest of Paris and feeling as if you are at the top of the world.
5. Arriving in Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, and realizing that you really are there, that it's not just a dream.
6. Relaxing in the Champs de Mars as the sun goes down, watching as the Eiffel Tower lights up, and then eventually begins to glitter.
7. Walking down the Eiffel Tower steps at night, after seeing all of Paris from the top, you can continue to see its magic as you go down the stairs, watching the lights from the buildings get closer and closer, feeling as if you are in the center of it all, because you are.
8. Riding a boat on the Seine, whether its at night when everything is lit up, or during the day when its bright and sunny and you can see couples along the side and people tanning, and life just happening around you.
9. Going around the base of the Eiffel Tower at night with the guys flying those little helicopters they're trying to sell, and as you try to make sure none of them fall on your head, you can look straight up and see the immensity above you.
10. Just walking alongside the Seine, passing the book sellers and bridges, having the ability to cross one of these bridges to enter the Right or Left Banks, and knowing it’s like being in two different worlds that although different are also the same.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Fashion Report: Paris
3. Wedge sandals - not exactly like these, but I think you get the point. LOVE this style and can't believe I don't already have something like them.
4. Converse style shoes - I know this isn't exactly high fashion, but these were the only sneakers I saw the entire time I was there. Not necessarily the brand converse, but this type of shoe. Generally they were in darker colors. Whenever I wore sneakers on the trip I had my own pair of Ralph Laurens in this style but they were pink so I didn't have it exactly right.
Those are just four different styles that I thought were especially prominent. I also noticed when I went up to Normandy that a lot of the French girls were wearing the baggy-ish tank and layering...something I talked about in my very first post, actually. But that's not technically Parisian fashion! I only wish I had paid more attention to bags!! I could make some guesses but I wouldn't be completely right so I'd rather not.
Other related stuff: I did shop on the Champs Elysees (sorry I'm neglecting the accents, I'm much too lazy) and of course it was amazing. Better than Fifth Avenue as I told my friend who lives in France (she stayed with my family as a French exchange student two years ago), but alas she disagreed. Two stores that I really liked that seemed to be quite popular are Mango and Promod. Though I know Mango isn't technically French, I still felt like I could buy French fashion there, which I did. Unfortunately I bought nothing from Promod, which actually IS French, because I didn't have time to wait on the long line (the Champs Elysees can get extremely crowded!). But they're both great, and I'd certainly recommend them, Mango being located right next to the Galeries Lafayette by the Opera Garnier, and Promod somewhere along the Champs Elysees, I don't even remember where.
I will continue talking about France in my next few posts, though it won't be about fashion, I don't think. There is just so much to talk about it, and I miss it already! But now I'm feeling tired and jet lagged (it's 3 AM Paris time right now) so au revoir. :)