c'est normal

This time next week, I'll waking up in Paris. I can hardly believe it. These past two months have both dragged on and flown by. I've gotten used to "American" things that had startled me at first--the noise level, breadth of options, friendly customer service, and all-around enthusiasm. So soon I'm meant to settle back into my Franglish life while working on my nouvelle Americain thesis.

When we speak about culture, we usually refer to it as if it is inherent to both a people and a place. It's not. To put it simply: the cultures we know today have been created (imagined even) by repeated habits sprung from circumstances and resources; they've influenced norms we accept as Truth. Throughout my studies, while adapting to more than one set, I've questioned them as well.

I'm excited to critically dissect American identity from abroad. It might even be the most efficient way to do so--from the outside looking in, with an otherwise innate understanding. I hope to uncover something of value that lends itself to the complexities of how we define ourselves in a swiftly globalizing world. (Such a nerd). Only then will I graduate, move, and settle into stability.

Sometime this year, life will become significantly more normal. And yet, I know the very concept of "normality" is manufactured, too. My least favorite French phrase is: c'est normal. I've heard it said sarcastically, thereby eliciting a condescending judgement. But normal as defined by Ellen Goodman, for instance: "getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it," isn't all that appealing. So I'll create my normal; one of adventure, comfort, frugality, and satisfaction. For the first time in a long time, whether by naivety or maturity, I believe it's not only possible, but necessary.

dinner parties in paris

I am meeting Marie for my first brunch in Paris later this morning. I don't think brunch is necessarily a French thing, but it's one of those few American traditions that has successfully (albeit on a small scale) infiltrated its way into Parisian culture. So happy for that! And to have received such a stellar recommendation from My Little Paris. Looking forward to sharing my experience with you soon.

To show my gratitude, I thought I'd reflect on the most recent, rather "French" meal I enjoyed. My friend Shola (pictured above, center) is living in apartment with two super cool French twenty-somethings. Last week, they hosted a dinner party at their beautiful apartment in the 10e. It was, as expected, a potluck of sorts. 

[Greek pasta salad, French bread with assorted cheeses]

[stuffed mushrooms]

[toasted croissants with basil, tomato, and steak]

[quiche aux légumes/lorraine, salmon crackers, Spanish chorizo]

[No-Bake Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies]

It was a beautiful meal, complete with the majority of my new friends and copious amounts of wine. Then (as expected) we continued to a bar for late-night dancing.

As much as life hasn't at all been overwhelmingly glamourous, Paris has been fun and mostly very good to me so far. I think I'm finally starting to feel at home.

sunday at south street seaport

My parents chose to name me Danielle not for a family namesake but because my mom's childhood best friend's maiden name is Daniels. My "Aunt" Donna is obviously a significant person to them both, and to me too as she is both my godmother and the primary reason I appreciate country music. Yes, really.

[best brunch at Fresh Salt: quiche of the day, mixed green salad, mimosa]

[best find at the farmers market: Brewla Bars]

I spent a wonderful day at South Street Seaport with my mom, "Aunt" Donna, and "cousin" Ryan. It's amazing how time changes so much yet so little.

the hostess with the mostest

Decorating the tree is a lot more fun than putting away the decorations and throwing out the tree. So is finding the perfect gifts and giving them verses finding places for new things and making returns at crowded stores. Surprise, surprise :). Since I'll only really be spending these next two days doing the less fun holiday to-dos above, I figured I'd recap two of my favorite parties of the season.

The first was less of a party and more of a brunch. Anna invited Leslie, Katie, and I over to her new apartment to delight in the delicacies of Silver Moon Bakery and her own breakfasting skills. She is quite the host let me tell you.

She offered the chocolate chip brioche (above) alongside arugula salad with goat cheese and cranberries, French bread with an assortment of jams, and her family recipe for spinach-ricotta frittata. As for beverages, Leslie prepared my beloved Blue Bottle Coffee, Katie provided orange juice, and I brought a bottle of champagne for mimosas which we ended up deciding against.

It was the first time I didn't have a light breakfast before brunch. Usually, I wake up at a normal hour with a voracious appetite and am unable to wait until 11, or 12, or 1 to eat my first meal. This particular Sunday, however, I slept in rather late (I blame it on the fact that I'd been gallivanting around the city dressed as a reindeer the day before) so I had to help myself to seconds. Oh well...

We all stayed at the table long after we'd been satisfied. You know that great conversation you only have with really good friends? Well, that was happening. And somewhere amongst it, Anna brought out festive sugar cookies for dessert.

Once we were finally were ready to leave, she also handed out peppermint bark. It was amazing. For the next week, I enjoyed a piece a day and was very sad when I came upon my last. Like I said, Anna is quite the host... especially compared to me. In the past I've always gotten too carried away beforehand and stressed myself out along the way as I anxiously made sure everyone was enjoying themselves. For as much as I love playing tour guide, hosting doesn't seem to be my thing. Moral of the story: I'm so glad to have friends to depend on for good times like these.

P.S. There are only six hours left to comment on this post for a chance to win $100 towards your next restaurant meal. P.P.S. I joined Pinterest! Follow me, please?

top cities to travel to

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I have a little something for you:

Quite a few days ago, the lovely Rose commented: "Danielle, you've been to so many cities. I feel like I want to see a top 5 list from you sometime. I want to know your favorite (for suggestions on where to go!)" The complimentary advice was very much appreciated because, to be honest, such a post idea had never occurred to me before. On principal, I choose not to compare places. I believe that each city, community, and country has at least one uniquely special characteristic to it, and who am I to say that some are worth discovering more than others?

That being said, having become well-versed in the journalistic world, I know that readers like lists, guides, and tips, and I do understand why. So, fine ;). To give the world a special thanks for hosting my adventures across it in these past few years, I will try my absolute best to potentially inspire your next trip...

Most recently, I read the 10 healthiest cities for women by Self magazine. According to it, the healthiest eaters are in Santa Barbara. It didn't surprise me. Santa Barbara is so overwhelmingly beautiful, in part, because of it's nearly perfect climate, clean beaches, rich soil and vibrant flora--all aspects which encourage agriculture and healthy produce year-round. Furthermore, it's located in Southern California, a region known for it's unapologetic vanity and early embracement of the organic lifestyle. I wouldn't ever choose to live in Santa Barbara because I found it almost too manicured (even the buildings adhere to strict aesthetic rules), but I certainly understand the appeal. And I commend their healthy eating habits, of course. I'd love to return one day to explore the dining scene more.

Within The Daily Beast's best cities for College Grads, I was thrilled to find Madison, Wisconsin listed as the second. It's reasons included Money Magazine listing it as one of the best places to live and Forbes noting it as the city with the least amount of unemployment and largest number of residents with Ph.D.s. It failed to mention, however, how generally awesome Madison is. The Mad City is naturally beautiful thanks to it's location between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota while also being culturally strong as a result of its various restaurants, shops, and artistic attractions. It has Midwestern charm, convenient proximity to cities like Chicago and rural towns with farm tours, and Holly. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and look forward to a reason to go back.

Then there's New York City. I have yet to discover another American city that is as famously celebrated as it is despised. I believe Broke-Ass Stuart put it best when he wrote, "She's not the one that got away, she's the one you never had the chance of getting, and that's what makes just being near her so exhilarating. There's a quote from Thomas Wolfe that goes something like, 'One belongs to New York instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.' And I think old Mr. Wolf was onto something . . . Anything you could ever want is here, as long as you're willing to work for it and know where to look. Magic happens on a daily basis; the hard part is finding time to take it all in." It is a city unlike any other, and I say that with no bias whatsoever. It's no wonder it topped the list of Forbes' America's Most Entertaining Cities. There is a seemingly endless list of opportunities in every area of life; Almost too much, but not. I believe that every single person could find a happy place here, though I also completely understand why some would not want to. For as much as I've been loving life in Manhattan, I know I could never stay forever. Still, please do dine here when you visit/stay.

I cannot wait to have experiences in each of the countries included on my friend Nomadic Matt's Cheap Places to Travel on the US Dollar, but having been to three of the seven, I'd have to say I recommend Hungary the most. I didn't see as much of the country as I one day hope to, but I fell in love with Budapest. Eastern Europe gets a lot less attention than Western Europe, but it's history is just as rich, it's architecture is just as beautiful, and it's cuisines is just as exciting. Budapest was gorgeous in a different way than I'd ever seen before. And having the opportunity to stay with my neighbor's family allowed me to enjoy the kind, soft spoken Hungarian hospitality first hand. It's wonderful, really, and obviously notably more inexpensive than other nearby destinations.

Today I stumbled upon Travel and Leisure's World's Best Cities. I can't imagine taking all the world's cities and rating them against each other, but somehow Istanbul and Barcelona are in the top 10, and I simply cannot argue with that. Istanbul is a sprawling city at the juxtaposition of three of the world's largest religions, with more influences that it somehow knows just how to deal with. It's hectic yet devastatingly enchanting. My one qualm is that come nightfall, I did feel uncomfortable as a woman. I didn't feel outwardly threatened nor disrespected, but it was bizarre to know that you're the only female in a restaurant of dozens of diners. Speaking of machismo, though, let's talk Spain. Barcelona is one of the most fun cities I've ever been to. I'd quickly go again at a moments notice, despite having received my fair share of catcalls. The city boasts distinctly magnificent architecture, in addition to fantastic Spanish food and nightlife. And I have to admit, I find the Catalan language to be yet another fascinating aspect. There are so many reasons why these two cities deserve their "best world city" statuses. 

As far as cities that aren't given enough credit, in my opinion, many of them are located on the South American continent. Travelers flock to Peru for it's "natural, cultural, and human legacy," but I'd encourage Ecuador for those same reasons. Cuenca is a gorgeous colonial city and the perfect jumping off point to explore the country's mountains, beaches, and rain forest further. Many gravitate to Brazil and Argentina for tireless excitement and beautiful people against glittering scenery, but I'd urge a stay in Chile as well. Santiago is a vibrant capital city with so much to offer the senses and mind. Being that the culture is somewhat more low-key, I also found it to be an easier cultural adjustment. Moreover, it's worth mentioning that those traveling from Santiago have an incredibly easy commute to amazing beaches, wine country, dessert, mountains, and Patagonia.

What about the spectacular cities of Vietnam, South Africa, Japan, and Egypt? Well, I haven't been to any of them yet, but I can assure you they're all at the top of my must-go-soon list. I also hope to make my way to Reykjavik, Vancouver, St. Petersburg, and Charleston, South Carolina in the next few years. Are there still cities I haven't gotten enough of too? Yes. My affection for Paris, for example, is everlasting. Perhaps one day my dream of living in the City of Lights will come true. Until then, I'm content with basking in the delicate beauty of the French language and cafe culture at Le Moulin a Cafe, my current favorite neighborhood find.

I am bubbling over with gratitude for this wonderfully small world and all the amazing people, places, and things within it; many of the reasons this warm, fuzzy (delicious) holiday is my favorite. Once again, Happy Thanksgiving.

upgrading to a purple passport

I've been working for The Purple Passport for nearly a month now. And being that it's going extremely well, I wanted to tell you so :). I'm learning more and more about what it takes to create the exciting city guides that feature "the finest hotels, restaurants, nightlife, spas, shops, sights, cultural venues, and other notable spots in the world." I'm thoroughly enjoying my responsibilities, as well as completely enjoying the company of my coworkers when I see 'em. 

Although I work remotely most of the time, getting to know them slowly but surely has been wonderful. Most have lived abroad before (if not at that time being) and understand  and appreciate what it is to enjoy real, authentic food. And all are passionate about travel, obviously.

The two that I most often spend office days have spent a considerable amount of time in Asia and have been teaching me a lot about Japanese cuisine during our lunch breaks. Trying oden (a light Japanese stew) and a green tea mille-feuille (a French puff pastry with green tea cream) have been an absolute delight.

We've also been occasionally meeting at cafés, public libraries, or hotel lounges. A habit of which I've fully been practicing solo as well.

My favorite part about being a part of The Purple Passport though, is knowing how uniquely special it is. Unlike many "travel guides" that read dry and boring, TPP is fun, pithy, and honest. To speak further to TPP's honesty, each Purple Passport pick has been personally visited and judged without bias.

And the best feature in my opinion? Once you sign up for The Purple Passport, you have the ability to create "passports" or itineraries of your very own featuring TPP-approved venues in Los Angeles, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Beijing, and soon, New York. While working in a French café the other day, I selected places to stay, eat, shop, and dance on my next trip, and thus, "Dreaming of Paris."

Actually, if you sign up for The Purple Passport in the next few days, you'll have a chance to win a new eBook--The Purple Passport to London/The Purple Passport to Paris--for free.  All you'll have to do then is send an email to promotions(at)thepurplepassport(dot)com with "Gimme London!" or "Gimme Paris!" in the subject line. It's worth a shot, right? And even if you disagree :) I still hope you'll check out the website to find out more about this job I love so much.

ladies who brunch

"There are very few things this New Yorker loves as much as Sunday brunch. You can sleep until noon and still get eggs anywhere in the city, alcohol is often included with the meal, and Sunday is the one day a week you get the single woman's sports pages: the New York Times wedding section." -Carrie

A friend recently commented that "brunch" was such a "New York" thing. I hadn't realized. Although the fact that Leslie thought it appropriate to celebrate her last weekend in Manhattan with a potluck brunch should have made it obvious to me. Fabulous times were had, as to be expected of the best meal of every week.

We enjoyed fennel salad, wheatberry salad, fruit salad and scrambled pesto eggs with eggplant and garlic scapes. Deliciousness, plus my spinach & feta quiche:

Oh, and mimosas... more than one of 'em. Champagne and orange juice is most definitely one of those matches made in heaven. It's often my morning cocktail of choice, right next to Bloody Mary's which I surprisingly only tried for the first time two weekends ago. Spice really is better every now and again.

Anyway, back to the food :) I piled my plate high with the many salads, eggs, a taste of my own creation and a sweet piece of Rebecca's berry pound cake.

Then I finished the meal happy and satisfied with Sarah's homemade ricotta over her beautifully-assembled fruit salad.

But more than the food, and the drinks, and a whole lot more than the NYT wedding section (I'm all for love and marriage {especially the equal kind} but I'd like to wait a few years before even thinking about that special day of my own), brunch is amazing because it always means quality friend time. Thank you, my dear Leslie, for hosting such a Sunday treat. I'm sure I speak for all of us (Sarah, Katie, Sofia and Rebecca) when I say it was one of our best brunches to date.

the sooner state (okc, oklahoma)

Hi lovelies! I am officially two hours behind my Northeastern favorites, placing me directly in the midst of mountain time and marking this official catch up time. Let's begin with Oklahoma. As I spoke about in my previous vlog, it's one of those places I would probably never visit if it weren't for K. I am so lucky to have such a fantastic friend living there though. This marked my second visit (my first was to her home city of Tulsa) and I'm already looking forward to my next one.

On Thursday night, I arrived K's cute little home and was greeted by pizza, salad, and beer. We weren't in a rush, per say, but we didn't linger long; The zoo was calling! Kidding, kind of. By eight we headed to the Zac Brown Band concert at the OKC Zoo. The show was great and the best part? I could sing along, and that is beyond awesome because you have no idea how rarely that happens ;). I also had a blast meeting K's med school friends and our new Kansas State buddies. What a night, let's just say that I slept so beyond soundly!

The next morning I slept in for the first time in two whole weeks. 'Twas glorious. And then, I had one of the most leisurely yet amazing weekends of all time. The sequence went something like this...

[blown away by the delicious Guatemalan Brunch at Café Antigua]

[the usual friendly hysterics through our Bricktown & Downtown tour]

[somber emotions at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum]

[impressed with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, especially the Chihuly exhibit]

[delectable dinner leftovers for an economical meal at K's home]

[deep conversation during a river walk stroll followed by an anything but crazy bar-hopping date night on the town]

[Saturday brunch at La Baguette Bistro]

[Mmm, French-pressed]

[I will forever love the vegetable quiche and salad combination]

[met Dr. Dan during the OU medical school tour]

[spent an afternoon watching a close OU-Airforce game, drinking brews by a lake, and mingling as per usual]

[demolished an early Tana Thai Bistro dinner]

[indulged in raw curiosity with a Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp dessert at 105 degrees]

[Sunday brunched with K's family - Iced coffee and eggs for me]

[Fried chicken and waffles for K (yes, served together)]

In the midwestern United States, I enjoyed cuisine from all over the world. I was able to discover an interesting twist on brunch (see above, I can attest to the fact that it is a phenomenal combination) while also doing my normal favorites like wander through downtown areas, visit museums, join in on sports camaraderie, explore art galleries, and pretend to be a night owl. All cities seem to have the same basic ingredients, but it's those regional twists that have been making this trip so exciting. And doing it in the company of one of my very best friends? Priceless. I miss her already.