for your second visit

A little over a month ago, I received an email from an old friend. She would be visiting Paris with her parents in a few weeks. “We've been to Paris before and done the museums and touristy stuff, so I was wondering if you had any advice on any "must see" things that are not so touristy?” I can’t even tell you how excited I was to answer her question :). Having lived here for nearly a year, I’ve discovered countless wonderful things to do that fail to make most travel guides. This is what I suggested:

• Make dinner reservations at Les Papilles.
• Check out any of these expos.
• Go for coffee on the Printemps terrace.
• Visit a new museum.
• Enjoy a three-course lunch at: Mirroir, Joli Deli, Café Constant, Verjus, and/or Crêperie des Pêcheurs.
• Invest in souvenirs at Merci.
• Take a sweet break at La Maison du Chou.
• Stop by the La Maison Européene de la Photographie.
• Have an aperitif at le Ciel de Paris.
• Save money on dinner at: Gyoza, Chez Glandines, Un Zebra a Montmartre, and/or Chez Omar.
• If you like jazz, New Morning is a must.
• Stay out for drinks.
• Escape Paris for the day to Chantilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Gentilly, Maisons-Lafitte, Fontainbleau.
• Season-specific: Go to the beach. See a movie en plein air.
• Picnic along Canal Saint-Martin, in the Jardin du Luxemborg, by the Seine, at Parc de Buttes Chaumont, etc.

In my opinion, visiting Paris the second, third, fourth time around can be infinitely more magical than the first. Though I added a few points to my original list (in response to a request from that friend I just met up with as she passed through), the fact remains: classic sights are still there for the taking, but now you have opportunity (and, dare I say, obligation) to get a taste of the real thing.

Photo from the Bastille Day picnic.

last night en tricolor

Before this year, I'd never really celebrated Bastille Day. But living in Paris kind of obliges one to ;) luckily, a festive Facebook invitation aided me with such obligations. "Let us gather to celebrate the best of our adopted homeland by eating and drinking together in the heart of the city." So, together with the hostess, Rachael, Lorelei, Lara, and many new (and less new) friends, I did...

I'm so glad to have photographic evidence of the fabulous time we had; a lovely reminder that being hungover tired most of the day today was worth it. Now that we've both had a chance to enjoy it though, I really should be going to bed. My new bed, mind you! I'm officially moved and settled into a quaint little studio in the heart of les Batignolles. Couldn't be happier :).

lessons from long pond

It's almost funny that last year, when I first experienced Long Pond, I needed the weekend getaway. This time around was no different. As I alluded to earlier, there's some family stuff to deal with; in addition to expected pressure of the Parisian countdown--pressure to enjoy everyone and everything while also working incredibly hard to save as much money as possible. I needed to take a deep breath, preferably in nature, and just be in the company of great friends. I'm so grateful to have been able to do just that last weekend. This is what I learned:

Anna makes a mean egg salad.

Local, fresh-picked berries are the ultimate "working vacation" snack.

This UFO-ish thing is kohlrabi, a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli; eat it raw or cooked.

Beer o'clock is better with your feet in the water.

 

Fresh tuna is fantastic on something as simple as Triscuits.

Sassy Gay Friend is a bonding, after-dinner experience.

Sunsets are prettier over water (but I kinda already knew that).

A morning walk/run/hike is better with a filling breakfast beforehand.

 

The third book in the Hunger Game series is a great lying-in-the-sun read.

 

Dock picnics make lunch more fun. Avocado hummus is recommended.

Paddle boarding is almost as challenging as it looks, but it's easy to pick up.

Uncle Frank is hilarious; invite him(/her) on your next booze cruise.

That "weird pea thing" is an optional but delicious side dish to dinner al fresco.

When possible, "townie" ice cream is a must.

Brunch = a specially-prepared, late breakfast meal enjoyed amongst others.

 

It's no wonder Anna is such an amazing host, so is every other member of her wonderful family. Thank you all for such a perfect weekend!

summertime solstice

Hello, hello! Happy summer to you! Just one year ago, I kicked off the day by yoga-ing in Times Square. Today, on the other hand, I'm working from home home (am I the only one who repeats words in order to emphasize their meaning?) so I can see my sister off to her junior prom at the end of this very hot and very long first day of summer. How times change :). Anywho, being that the season has officially begun, I thought it appropriate to share what I'm most looking forward to:

early morning runs, days at the beach, spinach smoothies, weekend getaways, best friend visits, farmers market bounty, weekly ice cream and gelato outings, rooftop parties, picnics in the park, vacation with my family, yoga al fresco, lunch/dinner al fresco, happy hours al fresco, and one huge announcement.

You'll have to sit tight for info on that last part :). In the mean time, let's reflect on a very special meal with my dear friend, Claire, shall we? As soon as she arrived in New York, we made plans to catch up in between family obligations. I suggested we meet at a lovely bistro, bakery and wine bar in Tarrytown, Chiboust.

We each enjoyed a refreshing glass of rosé and a piece of their fantastic bread. Then, as my entrée, I had the grilled Artic char served with truffled wild mushrooms and crispy leeks in a red wine reduction. It was exquisite. Her ratatouille seemed delicious as well. And when it came time for dessert... 

we did that, too :). The best part of the meal though was being able to chat with Claire. It's amazing, really. Her and I just briefly met through blogging while I was road tripping through Ann Arbor, and something just clicked. Aside from our appreciation of wine, travel, and vegetables, she too is a twenty-something trying her best to figure things out and follow her passions (like many of you, I suppose). It's so nice to sit back, relax, and connect with a friend like that. Reassuring, even.

"Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. For those few months, you're not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of the pool give you courage you don't have the rest of the year. You can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. Summer just opens the door and lets you out." -Deb Caletti, Honey, Baby, Sweetheart

living consistently

Yesterday, I pinned a poster from one of my favorite tumblr blogs. It reads: "Life the life you have always imagined," and as of 1:30pm today, it has been re-pinned over 200 times. It's so nice to know such wise words don't only resonate with me.

I've described how my "dream life" would be 10 or so years from now, I keep in mind what I think I want my life to look like in about five years, but I hardly ever wake up in the morning and ask myself how I'd like to live my life today.

Perhaps I should do so more often. Recently, I read about how to strengthen optimism in Fitness Magazine: "pessimists tend to view events as beyond their control, so remind yourself who's boss the next time you're nervous about a work deadline or race." Maybe, by regularly asking myself to visualize the life I've always imagined, I'll be more likely to live it day in and day out.

 

Interesting thought, huh? Even though I have yet to practice this theory of mine, it is satisfying to know I hardly ever limit myself when it comes to things that consistently bring me joy: fresh produce, summer dresses, great books, family chats, park picnics, morning tea, language study, dark chocolate, spring blooms, weekend brunches, live sports, new galleries, yoga, wine, friend dates, and pizza... to name a few. Sometimes, when I'm lucky, I even combine the last four. The photos above are from such an evening with Leslie, Anna, and Megan--beginning at Yoga Vida, ending at Luzzo's. Talk about an abundant life :).

a most bountiful spring

I had a salad for lunch today. It started with a base of mixed greens from the grocery store and spinach from the farmers market. I then added a few slices of an unseasonal bell pepper from a natural foods shop, some shelled edamame I've had in my freezer for a while, and some of my roommate's sprouts she asked me to finish. I could've used more fresh vegetables, but it felt like spring nonetheless.

What I forgot to integrate, was the ramps I'd also gotten from the farmers market this past weekend. I could have sautéed these early spring delights (similar to green onions) with leftover asparagus. Oh well. At least I can enjoy them out.

{via pinterest}

Point is, I'm excited to be integrating more seasonal produce like broccoli, lettuce, spinach, radishes, onions, peas, greens, rhubarb, and scallions into my meals; and eventually, tomatoes, okra, raspberries, cucumbers, and peaches, too.

Besides picnics in the park, the occasional morning run, afternoon strolls, and dining (and drinking) al fresco, the sheer variety of locally farm-fresh fruits and vegetables is one of my favorite things about these warmer months.