Is This Thing On?

No blog posts in a week?

Ah, yes...

I've slipped into the black hole

of the chaos of my semester.

Forgive me.

I'm here.

I'm just busy!

(Who isn't?)

So in the void of thought-provoking blogging,

here are just some awesome things

that I have seen, discovered or eaten 

since we touched down in France.

CHATEAUX

We had such a great day in the Loire Valley last week.

It's such a quick trip from Paris,

I think you should definitely make a day of it

when you plan your trip to Paris.

Hop a TGV from Gare Montparnasse

and head to Tours.

In about an hour and some change,

you'll be there.

Plan to rent a car

and hit the open road.

Chambord, Ambroise & Chenonceau

are the destinations awaiting you.

You definitely won't regret this decision.

(It'll be an all day event, if you plan to do it right.)

SANDRO OUTLET

If you come to Paris and you're in the Marais, 

take a quick jump up from the St. Paul metro stop

to the Sandro outlet on Rue de Sevigne.

I bought some awesome silk pants there (€20)

and an amazing white cocktail drew (€40) there today.

The sweet girls working there said they get new stock in

about ever other day. 

(I have a feeling I'm about to become so much poorer.)

NOT-TOO-SWEET TREATS

I'm all about pastries,

but for some reason

I've been drawn to the simpler choices

when wandering into the boulangerie lately.

Spongey madelines, almond-tinged financiers...

these are a few of my favorite things.

BOOT CAFE

While Paris is known for many lovely things...

it isn't know for great coffee.

Unless you're wanting a tiny espresso

in a pretty cafe,

"real" coffee is hard to come by.

Lucky me for stumbling on a new shop, Boot Cafe,

right next to my metro stop, San Sebastien Froissart.

The new coffee shop sits where a cobbler used to be

(hence the name)....

Grab a cafe creme 

and a piece of the blood orange + pistachio cake

to start off your morning in the Marais.

ON THE MARKET

I love Marche Aux Puces as much as the next American,

but the trek out to Pore de Clignacourt is a bit of a haul 

and the prices can be a bit steep.

(I can't get stay away from it though.)

I was so excited to see the more-local market

pop up on Boulevard Beaumarchais over the weekend.

I'm hoping it's a weekly thing. 

(Any locals able to weigh in on this?)

So many great "Paris" things...

from old street signs to discarded china.

I got two really cool books for 0.50 each.

GIVING ME THE LOOK

First, Viola has mastered "the look."

She gives it on command and we think it's so funny.

We are sadly having to reign it in now

because she's taking it a little too far 

and using her new super power for evil....

But honestly... it makes me laugh.

Also, I'm getting the look.

The Paris look.

With being pregnant (and huge!)

and then post-baby messiness

and then nursing chubbiness (am I the only person who gained weight while nursing?)

and then 2 year old wardrobe apathy,

I had basically given up and given into a wardrobe cycle

of about 4 items + 3 scarves.

See below for documentation of said repeated items.

Being back here is awakening my old self

and I'm actually freshening up my closet a bit.

I'm working on the extra pudge I've slapped on,

but no place like Paris to make you want to lose weight

and wear some great new clothes.

* * *

That's all I've got for now. 

Keep following the fun on Instagram.

Things are getting exciting.

If you're looking to spruce up your closet, too,

here are some pieces that make me say, "Oh la la!"

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy