PARIS: Family Style

I can't believe our time in Paris

is going by so quickly.

We only have about a month left.

I'd like to say it's flown by,

because it feels like just yesterday

we were in Hawaii...

but the truth is,

we have done so much!

We've loved getting to know our little neighborhood

here in the Marais...

We've had such a great time exploring the city with my students...

and finding our own special spots

when it's just us out running errands alone.

We've had friends come and go

to make the weekends a bit sweeter...

It's been so wonderful!

We aren't finished yet...

but it's weird when you realize

you are over the halfway point

of something.

But that's where we are at now...

and so it's time to savour every thing bit longer

and be a bit more intentional with how we spend our days...

I'm so glad to take these sweet photos back with us

to help us remember this fun time of life.

Thanks, Noah, for capturing our springtime in Paris.

It's so us.

Not perfectly groomed or dressed,

but just here...

wandering around a city that we love

and enjoying the day for what it is.

Anyway, here are a few of them
to show you a quick glimpse
of our little "la vie quotidienne."

*photography by Noah Darnell

Momhghh

The title of this post
is a result of a baby crawling across my computer...

I decided to leave it as is,
in efforts of maintaining this post's theme.

*     *     *

Regardless of how easy Instagram and blogging 

may make it look

to travel, work and be a mom...

it's not always picture perfect.

It wouldn't even be possible

if Tyler wasn't working on a start-up

that gave him the flexibility to move his hours around

and work from home when needed.

In fact, can I pause for a moment to applaud the dad he is?

He takes care of Viola nearly every day before lunch

and is, 99%, the wind beneath my proverbial wings

when I have to scoot out to a museum tour or day trip

by hanging back with Viola when I need to be "on."

So, no, it's not easy.

It's take endless chatter trying to align our days

and figure out who needs to be where at what time...

and, at times, it results in one (or both) of us

jockeying for who's "turn" it is to do something...

and, at other time, it makes us want to chunk our day planners

at the other's head in frustration....

... and while we gain a lot from this life,
we also give up a lot to have it.

We don't have a lot of free time
to stay in touch with our friends & family
like we might wish.

We don't have a lot of disposable income.

We have a hard time thinking further out
than about 5 or 6 months ahead.

but do I feel lucky to get to spend my days

with the two people I love most

doing jobs that we love
and working with people we respect?

Oh, heck yeah.

It's not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination,

but I'm so thankful for this time that we have.

*photography by Noah Darnell for Aspiring Kennedy

My Paris: L'Eclair De Genie

It was a long time coming

before I could make it 

to the famous L'Eclair de Genie...

Well, in retrospect to my entire life, I suppose.

Once we got to Paris,

we were there within 72 hours.

Since then, 

we've been back, well....
more times than I'd like to admit.

I love these pretty little things...

and dream in the Vanille et Noix de Pecan.

It's, by far, the best eclair I've ever tasted.

And, hey, when you're in France,

that's exactly what you want to have.

Flavors rotate out seasonally,

but there are typically some classics that stick.

Don't go for a cheap treat,

as they are around €5 a piece for a gorgeous-yet-small eclair.

Go for a taste of something truly special

or a treat for someone that you really fancy.

It also makes a great dessert

after a falafel from it's lovely neighbor,

L'As du Falafel.

*   *   *

For more of my Paris recommendations, check here.

*photography by Noah Darnell

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

Paris Style: First Impressions

I'm a sucker for the style

of Parisian women.

I mean, who's not.

Girls love it.

Guys love it.

It's pretty perfect.

I'm a few days in

and already rethinking

my own closet 

and trying to put together 

some new looks with what I already have...

And then of course,

there's everything I wish I had.

Let's window shop

and put together an ensemble

that could blend us in 

to any cafe scene
or seat on the metro.

Because, afterall, in France

it isn't about standing out...

it's about looking effortlessly appropriate.

(PS. The JCREW pics are final sale with an extra 40% off with code: BIG40.)

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Paris: Le Premier Jour

Well, we're here.

In Paris,

and it's so nice to be back.

We've been running errands

to get the semester started (tomorrow!)

and getting to see a few bits of the city

in the process.

No Eiffel Tower or Louvre have been seen yet,

but that doesn't mean we've missed the essence of Paris.

It's oozing out of the cafes...

 and the buildings.

It's good to be back.

We splurged and bought a beater stroller

today at Monoprix

that is about 5673 times smaller than our normal one.

Apparently, it doubles as a baby whisperer.

Viola can't stay awake in it...

and it is awesome.

We're referring to it our "the au pair."

We'll be staying in the Marais

and working near Le Bastille.

Any favorite spots

that I need to try out while I'm here?

Your wish is my command.

(Crepe stands & ice cream especially welcome.)

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Paris? Mais, Oui!

With the craziness of holidays, baby, work

combined with me being an air-head,

I almost forgot to say it here:

We are headed (back) to Paris for the spring!

This February, we are headed back

to the City of Lights

for another springtime of 

crepes, chambray, picnics along the river, Degas,

pastries, Monoprix sales, steak-frites, freezing in the Paris weather,

and making memories that will stay with us forever.

It's not exactly uprooting your life

to go somewhere else for 3 months,

but what great things in life

come without a bit of hard work & trade-off?

Instead of feeling interrupted or burdened

I feel thankful for my boss + job

and grateful for a husband 

who is supportive and 

who can, for the most part, work anywhere.

... and, I'm excited to dress Viola in French baby clothes.

*    *   *

To take a peek at our previous life in Paris,

take a wander through here.

*image

*quote

Winter Wonder: Fresh Mint Tea

When we were living in Paris

in the spring of 2012,

it was one of the coldest winters

in Europe in a hundred years...

The freezing temps meant we were ducking into cafes

as often as we possibly could 

in hopes of warming up.

The thing is,

if I drank coffee

every time I needed to warm up,

I'd be spazzing out 

from the constant caffeine buzz.

You would see me jittering 

down the Champs Elysees

a hundred miles an hour.

Eventually, I opted 

for fresh mint tea-

or "the a la menthe."

And thank goodness I did.

I stumbled upon a guilt-free treat

that I can enjoy

without any sugar intake

or unwanted caffeine.

And, man, it is so flipping good.

When the weather turns chilly,

I turn on the kettle

and pluck a few leaves

to make my own brew.

(You can drizzle a bit of honey or a spoon of sugar in, if you prefer it a bit sweeter.)

It's such a simple & elegant way

to warm up…

Enjoy!

* tea image

A Random Afternoon in Paris?

Here's a question for you:

What would you do with a

random afternoon in Paris?

Because that, my friends,

is the question

I need answered today...
or tomorrow (depending on your timezone)

Early Wednesday morning,

I'm hopping on the Eurostar

and heading to Paris

for some work meetings...

but Ive got the afternoon & early evening free.

I'll get to spend some time 

with a super cool and amazing friend...

I'm hoping that the combination

of her amazing faith & foxy style

sat amongst the gorgeous autumn weather

and the charming Parisian streets

will be a good pick-me-up.

{Ye olde Aspiring Kennedy has had better years!}

But forget about the years...

let's just take one day at a time.

And the particular day

we need to focus on right now

is in Paris, France!

I've got a rough draft in my mind

of how to fill the time,

but I'm curious to hear 

what you would do

if you could spend an afternoon 

in the lovely city of Paris.

And yes, of course,

I'll be happy to eat a pastry for you.

And a Croque Madame.

And a crepe.

Because I'm just a nice person like that. 

{PS. I think I'm going to have to make a pharmacy run for some Bioderm. Who wants a bottle?}

Pack Your Bags: Parisian Day Trip

A couple of weeks ago,

Tyler & I had to run to Paris

for a quick day trip for work.

{Yes, I agree. My boss should be sainted for giving me tasks like this.}

As glorious as Paris is in the summer & spring,

I really like it in the cold, too.

It reminds me of living there last spring.

The cold and loneliness of the city

during these frigid winter months 

offers an appealing charm to me.

Plus, the sales are amazing at this time of year.

The Babies Kennedy made out like bandits at Monoprix.

{I also scored the coat in my maternity pictures for €30 then, too.}

It was a quick trip,

and was the perfect little day trip

for these parents-to-be

relishing their last few days of "freedom."

We had a long lunch 

over hot onion soup & quiche

at a cute place

about 15 minutes walk away from the Louvre

just on the Left Bank.

{In case you're interested: Comptoir Des Saints-Peres, 

29 Rue Des Saint-Peres, 75006}

We savoured things that we knew would be luxuries 

in the weeks/months/years ahead.

We shopped a little...

we took our time wandering around in the cold...

we walked up and down metro station stairs with ease...

and then we had our favorite steak-frites

before hopping the Eurostar back to London.

The next time we arrive in the city of lights,

it will be as a foursome.

Which may mean it will be a scenario as chaotic 

as the metro at 1am on a Saturday night,

but it also sounds...

well, pretty fantastic.

32W6D- Parisian Style

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Traveling to Paris?

Check out my guide to the city here.