designing a life

The title for this post was inspired by the fact that this is the last part of Catherine's impromptu visit to Paris and she's a textile designer. But the significance goes a little deeper than that because she left me the following note before she left for Brussels. (Lara and I are hoping to spend a weekend there soon, by the way!) Hopefully pretty pictures will keep you patient with my introspection.

danielle--

thank you so much for hosting me (as impromptu as it was) & showing me around your 'hood! I am continually impressed by your ability to make changes, adapt, and thrive. your sense of adventure, intellect, & independence are to be admired. I am so lucky to have you as a friend!! good luck with everything - you will do great - as you already are.

Love you & see you sometime soon!
Catherine

I came home last Monday to find those words waiting for me. First thought: I definitely have the best friends in the whole wide world. Second thought: I guess I should stop being so hard on myself for not having life figured out yet. She's right, I am doing well thus far. This revelation complemented the rest from the Media Evolution Conference, and echoed a quote Lorelei recently shared.

"I would like to beg you, dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer." -Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

After introducing Catherine to my original neighborhood in all its Parc Monceau glory, we metro-ed to the northernmost point of Canal Saint-Martin (near last year's Thanksgiving meal). We took our time weaving in and out of shops, even stumbling across frozen yogurt (!), until we made it to the Haut-Marais and decided on a very late Lebanese lunch at the Marché des Enfants-Rouge.

{Antoine et Lili}

{Baci Bisous' frozen yogurt, nature avec framboises}

{Artazart Design Bookstore}

{Hier, aujourd'hui, demain}

{Le Marché des Enfants Rouges' Lebanese falafel sandwiches, rosé carafe}

Next, I was completely obliged to take my design-minded friend to Merci--where we spent about an hour and a half, duh--and then out for 5€ mojitos at Le Kitch in celebration of a fellow grad student's birthday. It was so nice to sit back and relax in the company of familiar faces at a place I'm so comfortable in. There was a lovely sense of belonging. I felt... Parisian-esque, if you will.

Later that evening, we chose to extend our stroll through the rest of the Marais and across the Seine, all the way to the Long Hop so I could wish Lara a happy first day of grad school. 'Twas an extraordinary dimanche. And the following day, Monday, I went to PageYourself's office in the 20ème, and Catherine left me a note.

As a toddler, Sleeping Beauty (or "Seepy Booty") was my favorite movie. In kindergarten, I dressed up as Jasmine (from Aladdin) for Halloween. I can distinctly remember seeing Toy Story in theaters and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Basically, I was raised on fairytales and happy endings, and unknowingly became a GYPSY. I believe Walt's words in that: "we have a lot of story to tell," yet as I settle into my 25 years, I'm realizing how little control I have over them. It's not only up to me. The sweetest parts of life right now have been borne from la chance--whether it's joining a sorority at Syracuse (in Catherine's case, we pledged together) or meeting a special guy at a going-away party in Brooklyn (in Lara's case, he's a high school best friends of hers). Suffice to say, I'm finally okay with not knowing when I'm "coming back."

bostonian appeal

When I was a little girl, I wished to live in Boston. I couldn't help myself after having seen how lovely life in Beantown could be in The Parent Trap. A family vacation later proved the fact. Eventually, that wish developed into a collegiate hope as I set my eyes on Boston College. But that didn't quite work out; I was wait-listed at BC and instead had the most wonderful experience at Syracuse University. Then I road-tripped, backpacked, and accepted my first "real" job in New York. And now, of course, I'm moving to Paris. Although I haven't yet determined how Boston fits into the mix, my love for the New England city has hardly faltered. I feel so very fortunate to have so many amazing friends to visit there.

Friday, 6:30pm: wine, chips, salsa followed by sushi while party-primping.

Saturday, 11:00am: sunny stroll through South Boston.

Saturday, 11:30am: brunch at Mul's Diner: scrambled eggs with broccoli, hash browns, blueberry pancakes, and coffee with cream.

Saturday, 1:10pm: hiking up and down Dorchester Hill.

Saturday, 2:30pm: soaking up the sun while Kelsey read us magazine horoscopes.

Saturday, 3:45pm: a frozen yogurt snack.

Saturday, 6:30pm: socializing with gorgeous friends at a Brookline barbecue.

Saturday, 9pm: The Avenue's El Niño burger with sweet potato tater tots and a Sam Adams Brick Red. (Note: we missed the burgers at the barbecue.)

Sunday, 11:30pm: coffee date in Somerville with Katie and Liana.

Sunday, 2:00pm: late lunch at Passports: fresh lobster roll with side salad. 

Sunday, 3:10pm: Gloucester tour with Steph, Lauren, Elaine, and Katie.

Sunday, 3:25pm: a return to the Cape's beaches.

Sunday, 3:45pm: pre-driving snack: soft-serve ice cream twist in a sugar cone.

This past weekend was kind of perfect. I spent time with eight of my favorite friends (and sorority sisters) within or around Boston and had an absolute blast doing it. Whether or not I ever actually end up there, I am definitely already missing them now that I'm gone (and really going soon). Until next time, B.

better with beantown

Between the train, subway, and bus, I commuted 9 hours on Friday, for this:

I haven't been sharing much lately, but I've been going through a challenging time. It's been made clear to me that the phrase "when it rains, it pours" is not an exaggeration. I've been trying my very best to remain optimistic, to tell myself that "everything happens for a reason," to embrace the changes with an open mind and heart, and yet, all that "stuff" still gets to me. So, I ran away from it all... and into the open arms of friends that live a mere hop, skip, and jump away from New York (of course, that's on days when there isn't rush hour plus weekend traffic).

[photo courtesy of Tim Sackton]

I arrived to Davis Square at nearly 9pm and was soon greeted by smiling faces and pizza. My friends and I ate, drank, and spent time being merry in their new neighborhood. The following morning, I awoke to a glass of water, fresh brewed coffee, and donuts from around the corner.

They look delicious, don't they? I haven't had a donut in so long. Or rather, hadn't. We leisurely got ourselves ready for the outside world and headed over to one of the few places in Boston I'd had yet to wander in recent years, the harbor.

Katie and I paused momentarily to have a late lunch and refreshing beer at The Whiskey Priest. We sat in the shade while thoroughly enjoying the warmth. I couldn't have gotten luckier with weather this past weekend. Perfect for touristy photos, long walks, and dining al fresco.

We then strolled around more (on and off of The Freedom Trail) before going back to her apartment to get ready for dinner in Harvard Square. 

Our party of twelve waited for an hour and sat for two with more than twelve amazing margaritas. Considering my late lunch, I only had a salmon salad, but couldn't keep my hands away from the chips and salsa. Our experience at the Border Café was thoroughly delightful and not just for the food and atmosphere; these college friends I'd surrounded myself with are just great. 

So great, of course, that the night didn't end at a responsible 10pm. We stayed out laughing, dancing, and having lots of very intentional fun. 

Although Katie, Kate and I obviously slept in the next morning, we had caffeinated, hydrated, and walked off any semblance of a hangover by noon. We had a fabulous destination too, the SoWa Open Market. Between the artists, craft vendors, farmers, and food trucks, our wonderful Sunday afternoon was all but consumed by Boston's "original art and indie design market." 

We also stopped into one of the most incredible vintage stores in New England, or so I think: Bobby from Boston. The boutique had such beautiful vintage clothing for men and vintage menswear for women, and is a must-visit if any of the above is even just somewhat your kind of thing.

To continue our active afternoon, we meandered over to the Boston Common. And upon arrival, found a nice spot on a hill to lie back and people watch. Our relaxation only lasted an hour though. Before long, we were on our way farther into South Boston to meet other friends for the Pats game. For the record, I am so not a Patriots fan, but I do adore summer-style cookouts in the fall.

And all that brings us to this morning. My weekend host, Katie, had to work, so I had a leisurely solo breakfast of eggs, toast, and a borrowed book from her roommate's room. Afterwards, I packed up my things, hopped on the "T" and made one last visit to Harvard Square for one very important reason:

The phenomenal human being that is Mackenzie. She introduced me to her favorite tea shop and her favorite place to enjoy it and despite it being the first time we'd met, I'd been excited for our date all weekend. She is such a talented writer and is as cool as a person as she seems. Time flew by as we shared secrets and stories. I actually nearly missed my bus back to New York, though I didn't.

To be perfectly honest, again, this weekend was everything I'd hoped it be and more. I felt more carefree than I have in a long time, and even with all the fun, was still completely relaxed. Thank you, Boston, and the absolute best of friends that just happen to reside there, for reviving me.