Arles, France

 I hope that everyone had a great long holiday weekend, three day weekends are one of my favorite things!  It is hard to believe that it is September and I still have some photographs from places that we explored on our honeymoon in May.  I purposely spaced them out so that when I was ready to share them the memory would again be fresh in my mind, because precious memories they were.  

I have a love for France, obviously, I have shared that many times here!  I have visited northern and eastern France and the South of France, but until May hadn't really explored Provence, a place that has now left an indelible mark on me. My mind is oftentimes blown by the beauty that exists in this world - there are just so many places to see and experiences to be had.  The charm of Provence is like no other, from the cobbled stones streets, stone homes accented with the prettiest pastels to the Roman ruins that still linger, it is a site for the eyes.  We visited Arles, a place once inhabited by the Romans and a plethora of artists including Vincent Van Gogh (it is where he painted the famed  Cafe Terrace at Night).  It was pure pleasure to wonder the narrow streets and stumble upon a Roman amphitheater (that is still used today!) or the best open-air food market that I have ever seen - artichokes! lemons! cheese! bread! melons! (the list went on an on).  All I needed was a kitchen.  Our stay was not long enough, I hope to return to this section of France once again but visit Avignon, Aix, and St. Remy.  If you are looking for a boutique hotel to stay, I recommend the Hotel d’Arlatan, it was a relaxing and beautiful space.  Okay, now I officially have the travel bug once again...

Jardins des Tuilleries, Paris

Wandering around Paris it is hard not to get pulled into the beauty of the Jardins des Tuilleries, a vast garden oasis stretching from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde.  Dotted with fountains, sculpted boxwoods, blooming flowers (ruffled garden roses, heady lavender and pink fox glove were in full bloom in May) and green iron chairs that are spread out so the modern day flâneur can relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings. Meanwhile, gardeners are out in full-force manicuring even the littlest corners to make sure that its perfected beauty remains that way.   During the day, the garden is bustling with tourists and Parisians alike, but come sunset or sunrise it is the perfect place to take in a deep breath and enjoy a few minutes of peace, where you can hear the water splashing from the fountain and the birds chirping from high above the linden trees. 

The Louvre, Paris

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! And the good news is that this week is a short one since it is the Fourth of July.   In college, as I have mentioned before, I majored in art history.  Originally I was a communications major, since I wanted to work in magazine editorial, but I changed half-way through because it wasn't giving me the writing that I craved.  My new major allowed me to craft a hefty dose of writing while simultaneously doing so about beautiful art works and architecture.  I love painting and sculpture, but what really drew me into the program was architecture.  Ever since I was old enough to pay attention to columns, moldings and scale I knew that a passion was born, hence my love for Europe. I also clearly have a fascination with royalty, hence my love for Versialles and castles in general. I find it awe-inspiring that kings and queens could live on such a large scale with multiple castles not too far from each other.  The immense size of the Louvre can leave you short of breath, not just for the vastness but for the history that lies behind its columned facade.  One the same morning that I wandered into the Palais Royal to experience the roses, I spent extra time at the Louvre, watching the morning light reflect on the statues and slowly light up the manicured boxwoods that dominate the landscape. It was peaceful. I was one of the only souls there experiencing the architecture.  It was magical.  

Escape to Cinque Terre, Italy

When entering the Cinque Terre you think you know the beauty you will stumble upon, but somehow when you actually see it you are left stunned.  Colorful houses stacked atop each other with swinging linens dangling from the window.  Shady lemon trees bursting with fruit all in front of a staggering mountainous terrain that is tiered and manicured with olive groves.  Tangled grape vines dot the land baring fruit that will eventually be swirled into a glass, consumed and savored.  Crimson red poppies and yellow wildflowers color the landscape as the green mountains jet up to the sky as clouds gently move overhead.   The air seduces. Herbaceous lavender and rosemary mingle with creamy jasmine while the salty breezes mesh into the aroma of the towering Italian cypress trees.  The coast is rocky, jetting out from the green hills that tumble into the sea while the waves crash carving out the landscape for days to come. 

The Gardens of Versailles: The Epitome of Grandeur

I first visited Versailles while studying in Paris. it left an indelible mark on what I perceived as beautiful, spawned my creativity and pushed my love of gardens even further. Until France I never truly understood what perfected nature meant - Paris has it mastered, but the grandeur of the gardens of Versailles have it mastered and then some. I left the sprawling palace and grounds so stunned I ended up writing my senior thesis paper on just the gardens (I majored in art history). I longed to go back and finally years later I did happy to recall all of the amazing facts that make this oasis an inspiration for so many of the other gardens in the world. While wondering through the shady bouquets, labrythons and fountains it is easy to get lost in the beauty as your mind drifts off to how it must have been when The Sun king, Louis XIV, was in all of his glory.  One could spend hours or even days exploring it all, here is just a glimpse of the day that we spent wandering around the grounds.  Also if you are interested T Magazine just had a great article about how a portion of the gardens are being brought into this century, interesting read.  

Palais Royal, Paris :: A Quiet Morning with the Roses

One morning, I woke up early and ventured out when Paris was just beginning to awake to revel in the beauty of the Palais Royal.  I first experienced this garden in the fall and was struck by it's manicured beauty - the perfectly shaped linden trees, the fountains and how it offered a quiet respite from the city, but I had no idea what spring had in store.  The space was practically my own except for the few joggers doing laps with their happy dogs or the older man taking a morning stroll before the crowds slowly make the garden their own. The garden was overflowing with fragrant roses in the lightest pinks to vibrant crimson, their beauty left me breathless.   Here is just a peak into this garden oasis that to me is a little slice of heaven.  

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden {Early Spring}

Happy Friday everyone! It feels like the past few weeks have been going faster and faster since our wedding is less than two weeks away!  The anticipation leading up to our wedding has been pretty so great that I wish time would slow down just a little bit so that I can fully soak everything in.  This is such a special moment in our lives that I truly want to savor every minute.  I am headed 'somewhere' this weekend I(it is a surprise) to spend a weekend with a few of my sisters

 and my sister-in-law-to-be. It should be fun!  Before I leave you I thought I would share a few photographs from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (the site where we will be getting married!) that I took a few weekends back when the tulips and magnolias were in full bloom.  I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

Take Me There: L'Hôtel Particulier Arles, France

 I almost love researching trips as much as I enjoy going on them.  I love scoping out attractions, museums, food and of course hotels, in particularly their designs.  While researching our honeymoon I came across L'Hôtel Particulier in Arles, France that is just too pretty not to share.  I adore the use of white and the exposed stone walls that lend the perfect amount of Provencal charm.  Wouldn't you just to love magically appear there now? 

Dreaming of Our Honeymoon

Only one month and two days until I walk down the aisle with my best friend and man of my dreams! I cannot believe it.  Since the end of March time has been flying by so quickly, however, I am trying to savor the last month of our wedding anticipation.  Typically when my soon-to-be-husband and I plan our vacations we plan around food first - this might sound like we are gluttons but rather we love good food that is prepared with the freshest ingredients and second of course is architecture, history and beautiful beaches.  Well our honeymoon will consist of both - we will be traveling to France and Italy.  We both love exploring new places so renting a car is essential.  We will begin in Paris and then travel to the Provencal town of Arles, then we are off to Cassis on the Mediterranean.  Next we will cross over the boarder to Italy and visit Portofino and the Cinque Terre.  This might be my dream photography trip!  Now my question to you is have you ever been to Arles, Cassis, Portofino or the Cinque Terre? If so, please I would love your restaurant suggestions!  In the meantime, here is what I would love to pack in my suitcase.  

A Sweet Introduction:: The Caprice

One of my favorite things about New York and Brooklyn is discovering new bakeries where owners pour their heart and soul into their confections, Caprices by Sophie is no exception. Situated on Williamsburg's bustling North 6th Street, this bakery is a jewel of a shop that specializes in the Caprice, a relatively new French dessert that has made it's way to New York.   The caprice is made of pâte à choux, otherwise known as a cream puff and is filled with pastry cream and topped with the appropriate corresponding flavor, whether it be salted caramel, pecan or lemon.  They are two bite beauties that will satisfy any sweet tooth.  

{Le Week de Paris} The Gardens of Versailles

Have you ever visited it a place that transformed the way that you see beauty and the world?  I have been lucky to have a few experiences like that Paris, of course, but also Oia, Santorini (those white buildings against that indigo Aegean Sea).  Another place that I still talk and dream about is the Gardens of Versailles, the sprawling grounds created by the Sun King, Louise XIV, so much so that I even wrote my final major Art History paper on the subject before graduating from college.  I am enamored by the quest for perfection that was achieved in the gardens - the perfectly sculpted hedges, the glistening statues, the reflecting pools.  Located just a short train ride from Paris, the gardens and the chateau are so immense and beautiful it is almost too much to absorb.  I hope that you have enjoyed this little bit of Paris that I shared here this week, I hope that my passion and down-right love for this city has inspired you to either visit or to return.  And as Audrey Hepburn said "Paris is always a good idea" - I couldn't agree more.  Bon Weekend!

{Le Week de Paris} Paris Instagrammers to Follow

If you are anything like me you might follow a vast array of people on Instagram.  I follow the fashion elite (Miroslava, LSD), photographers (Nicole Franzen, Alice Gao), food stylists, florists, fashion bloggers, just to name a few.  My newest group of accounts to follow is the eternal traveler, what I wish that I could be, in particularly the Paris lover and there are many of them.  Here are some of my favorites that always have me inspired and ready to pack my bags at a moments notice.  Do you have any that I should know about, please do tell!

{Le Week de Paris} To Take You Away to Paris

I first discovered The Quiet City: Winter in Paris when I first stumbled upon the blog Paris in Four Months.  This video practically brings tears to my eyes, the backdrop of the piano and violin serenade as the clouds gracefully float over the city, the light filters through the clouds and day turns to night.

 In the second video Midnight in Paris, pulled from the movie is iconic Woody Allen. Bluesy jazz music plays as there are beautiful shots of the Tuilleries, Place de la Concorde and the Seine.  Both of the videos transported me if only for a few minutes to Paris, I hope that it does the same for you!

Heart of Gold:: A Year in Review {Travel}

What a year it has been! I feel very blessed that this year has been filled with so many wonderful things - we got engaged (!!) and I am an auntie to my new nephew. In addition to those wonderful things, I did explore new and familiar places, ones that took my breath away (Klein Curacao, no words) and of course New York, a city that constantly inspires me. I thought I would take you back to some of the places that I have wandered over the past year.   

(Klein Curacao, water so blue it seems other worldly. Photos of Curacao here)

A Holiday in New England

I love New England. Living near by in New York and having family in and around Boston makes it easy to sneak away from the rowdy city and retreat to the calm, serene towns outside Boston.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday we did just that by venturing to Salem and Marblehead, two historic coastal towns, one with a lot of history (Salem Witch trials anyone?) and the latter that is just simply beautiful with large historic homes perched right by the water.  I love how you can take a step back in history while walking down the narrow streets of Salem. Each home has a white plaque that indicates just who lived there and the occupation they held.  We also explored the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park with a lighthouse made of iron (not your typical looking lighthouse) which was worth stepping out into the bitter cold wind that being swept off the Atlantic.  Have you ever been to this lovely part of New England? 

Finally congrats to Ashley T, you are the Papel New York winner! Congratulations, I will be emailing you.  

A Luxurious Life:: Villa Life

If there is one thing on my bucket list it is to rent a villa in either Tuscany or Provence with friends and family. I would love to spend a relaxing week in the countryside eating the local food (cheese, bread, olive oil and chocolate) and sitting in the town squares sipping the strongest espresso.  I recently discovered Red Savannah, an amazing on-line destination for people looking to do just this but throughout the world.  There are just a few of the villas that I would give just about anything to stay for a week.  Continue for more...

{Top Five} The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies NYC & Brooklyn

If I ever had to decide one treat to eat for the rest of my life, it would hands down be the chocolate chip cookie.  What isn't to love - it is filled with chocolate goodness, loaded with butter and the texture, oh the texture, ranging from soft and chewy to crispy. I have been stumbling across fabulous bakeries here in New York for over seven years and I am always keeping my eyes peeled for new places to try.  Recently when I was savoring, okay devouring, a Levain chocolate chip cookie (if you don't know what cookie I am referring to, I urge you to board a plane to New York and head to West 74th Street now) I thought how amazing their recipe was but for reasons unique to Levain. Their cookies resemble a rich Southern biscuit and are served warm with a gooey and doughy center while the chocolate chips and walnuts create a melt-in-your mouth texture.  But then there is Ovenly, a stand-out bakery in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that boasts a bevy of baked goods including a vegan (you would never know, trust me) chocolate chip cookie that is flecked with the perfect amount of sea salt flecks and incorporates more dough than chips.  

I decided I would do a round-up of the best chocolate chip cookies that this city has to offer and ask my fiancé, John, to decide on his favorite. So on an unseasonably warm Saturday afternoon, I sat him down and he happily dug in.  Disclaimer: I have happily eaten all of these cookies before, so I warned him, he was in for a really nice treat.  Continue for more...

And Then Came Fall

Spring and fall are my favorite seasons, yet they are the most fleeting. The trees are only tinted with hints of ruby red and golden yellow for a precious amount of time before they flutter to the ground. Over the weekend, the trees were at their peak in the Shawangunk Mountain ridge just outside of New Paltz, New York, about 100 miles outside of the New York City. We visited Minnewaska State Park, which boasts a stunning terrain that includes a lake, spectacular scenic views and a plethora of hiking trails.  My fiancé had never been hiking, something that was a past time growing up in Ohio and later on in Vermont. I love being in nature, where the only thing that you hear is the crunching of the leaves below your feet and the swaying of the trees.  Here are some photographs that depict the color and the scenery of this beautiful Park.  Continue for more...

The Great Macaron Hunt: NYC & Brooklyn

When it comes to eating sweets, I tend to gravitate towards treats that are beautiful and almost too pretty. I definitely do not discriminate but I tend to gravitate towards French desserts like tarts, eclairs and other sweet confections and when it comes to pretty there is nothing prettier than the macaron - the light as air cookie shell filled with so many decadent and interesting flavors. I set out to discover and rediscover my favorite macaron spots in New York, in particulary the places that are unique to only New York. We are lucky in the city to have great places that are authentically French like Ladurée and La Maison du Chocolat but I wanted to taste and explore the delicous spots that you can find only in New York.  Join me as I take you to the best places that will entice the palette and leaving you to want to book a trip to New York (or Paris!).  

A Day Away:: Cold Springs, New York

Over Labor Day weekend we ventured up to Cold Springs, New York in the Hudson Valley.  Escaping the city and going to the country is one of my favorite things to do whenever possible.  The Hudson valley is so lush and green and I adore how the gentle foothills roll into the still Hudson River.  Cold Springs is a town that has been around since the early 1800's and exploring it's narrow streets was like stepping back into a simpler times.  If you are in the spirit to wander through antique stores this is the place to do it as one tiny shop flanks another and the signage has a nostalgic feel.  We enjoyed lunch at the Hudson House Inn and then cooled down with home-churned ice cream at Moo Moo's Creamery (humidity on that particular day was about 80% which is why the landscape looks a bit hazy and the Hudson looks more like the Nile). If you are in the New York City area Cold Springs is just a train ride away from Grand Central and the train lets you off right in the town square.  Continue for more...