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

GIVEAWAY: Ellington Handbags

I'm your normal female

when it comes to my

weakness for a pretty handbag.

I can fall in love pretty quickly...

but I never buy them.

I want to keep my collection

as edited as possible.

One because it sounds cooler to say that,

but secondly -and more importantly-

we live in 750 sq ft.

Nothing that isn't essential

can fit in our home.

So, I am pretty judicious about what I haul home.

Maybe that's why when I say

I have an Ellington bag

and *like* it,

you'll know it's actually something special.

I first bought it 

because it seemed like a great travel bag.

It won't get beat up,

it has lots of pockets,

and it goes from a fold-over

to a tote when I need to cram in

all the excess junk you do

when traveling.

Oh, and they don't cost a million dollars.

My MIA tote came to Iceland with me

and I realllllly liked it.

Come to find out,

these bags are a favorite among a lot of other people, too.

Maybe you'll be the next fan.

I'm really happy that one of you will win 
a Mia tote bag worth $179 (just like mine)

thanks to the super cool people at Ellington.

(Thanks, Ellington!)

They nice people at Ellington are also offering

all the Aspiring Kennedy crowd

a FREE large leather pouch 

with your purchase of $179 or more

when you use code
KENNEDY2014.

(I like the tan one, but there are tons of colors.)

**Update- the pouch won't show up in your cart, 
but will be added to your order. 
Indicate your preferred color in the notes at purchase.

Okay, giveaway open now.

Have fun!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

*winner will be selected Monday

The French Camel

There are tons of reason 

I'm excited to get back to France,

but I can't deny that 

the refresh to my style 

won't be a big one.

I've been wearing the same clothes

for a realllly long time...

pretty much since we last were in Paris.

Not that I'm waiting to 

dump beaucoups of cash

in the haute couturiers of France...

But simply because I'm so inspired

by the effortless chic style

of the women in Paris.

I need to absorb some of that...

because the look I have is 

miles away from chic.

It's more.... 

wrinkled and snagged.

One item I do have ready

from our last life in Paris

is my camel coat.

photo by noah darnell

This piece is perfect for Paris

in so many ways.

It's dressy, but quiet.

It's warm, but allows layers.

It's casual, but cleaned-up.

It's one of my favorite souvenirs I've ever bought.

It makes me feel 40% less of an impostor
and almost like a local 
wandering through places like the Luxembourg Gardens.

_________

In the post-Christmas sales,

there are some more great tan coats

currently up for grabs.

Check my picks below

to update your look

with items that are tres cheap.

(Well, at least, at great sale prices.)

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Your prize for being good all year.

In the midst of gift guides

that are scatted around the inter webs

at this time of year

pointing you in the perfect direction

for buying for loved ones...

It's prudent to keep you eye out

for what you'll be buying

with your own Christmas cash

in the post-Christmas sales.

Doesn't it always seem that you end up 

with a few crisp bills

from relatives at this time of year. 

I love it.

So I like to pre-shop a bit...

so that when those mark downs hit,

I can snag them.

Here are some of my favorite picks under $50...
minus the awesome boots.

And remember,
if online shopping isn't going to cut it for you
and you're forced to trek out to the mall...

Stay hydrated  
(skinny gingerbread latte)
and keep energized
(peppermint ice cream)
so you don't wear out
and fully enjoy the holiday madness.


Happy Christmas!

le vendredi noir

Since Britain doesn't really have Thanksgiving

(I know, shocker, right?)...

there isn't really a "Black Friday" to follow.

Except if you have access to 

ye olde world wide web

and can shop the sales

from your nifty computers.

I, honestly, haven't thought

for a second

about Christmas gifts this year.

I don't know what I really want

nor do I have any clue

what I want to give to people.

But man...

with deals like today,

it's hard not to get cracking.

Even if there wasn't an ocean

separating me from the shopping madness,

I would never head out to shop today.

But browsing online...

at home...

looking all terrible and bloated

after our Thanksgiving dinner last night?

Well, sure.

I'll play the Christmas elf

and share some of the sales I'm most excited about:

Kate Spade

( 75% on selected items like my Logan Square diaper bag- $129!)

Little Hip Squeaks 

(25% everything + 7AM door busters. Use code: GOBBLE)
You can also find an amazing Black Friday list of handmade retailers here on their blog.

Gilt Group

(Free shipping on tons of flash sales. I bought these baby tights for $10)

Apple

(Pretty much 10%- No codes needed!)

JCrew

( 30% | use code: HOLIDAY)

Target

(I'm a sucker for cheap DVDs.)

What about you?

Do you brave the madness of shopping on Black Friday

and I guess, contribute to it, also?

Or do you hang around home

and play your odds with what's available online?

*image

Homeward Bound

Every time Tyler and I have a free night,

I always ask for the same thing:

Can we lay in bed and watch a girly movie?

I don't think it has ever actually happened...

but if I have to fault Tyler for one thing

I guess ignoring this request

in lieu of getting Thai takeout and Arrested Development
isn't too severe of a mark against him.

Plus, he does the laundry

so I pick my battles.

I loved being pregnant for the very reason I was entitled to hibernate. I wished for bedrest!

So while my aspirations of lounging in bed
a la Charlie's grandparents 
as they wish him well for the chocolate factory
have yet to win out,
I could win big
with a lineup like this
for our next night in.

Too bad I couldn't find 

Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia to add to this lineup...

because that always join this house party.

What's your "normal" for a slacker night in?

Take Note: Fall Is Here.

While autumn may be a few degrees away 

from my friends back home, 

it arrived here in London earlier this week.

The summer slid away quietly

as the air got simultaneously crisp.

Luckily.

Even Viola is ready for the cool weather! 

After getting rid of all of my summer clothes

last summer in a fit of jaded angst against British weather,

warm weather was a bit awkward for me.

Also, remaining baby weight looks better under a coat.

{It's been proven by scientists.}

The bottom line is:

I'm glad to usher in the cooler weather

and get cozy.

While I'm all about coats,

I also love the hibernation

that comes along with the cooler weather.

I'm feeling heavy on the black & leopard...
oh man, it just feels perfect 
to slip on something a little dark + glam
and head out in the cold air.

Get ready, North America...
Autumn will be there before you know it!

Style Me (Mini): Little Picks with Big Appeal.

While I was pregnant with two girls,
I only ever bought one of anything.

For some reason, 
the idea of matching wasn't my thing.

I went more for "coordinated."

With everything that happened,
it ended up that Viola has a ton of clothes...
and, fortunately, we didn't have a ton of duplicates
to have to cry over deal with.

I like to think 
that Viola is honoring her sissy 
by wearing them well.

Tyler & I always say
that we honestly don't know
if our hearts could have taken
looking at double this cuteness everyday.

Can you even imagine?

I do all the time...

________

And now to downshift from the emotional to the everyday

so quickly you may get whiplash

- because that's what grieving actually feels like-

here are some awesome baby clothes.

Like, really really awesome things

that I would love to scoop up for Viola

to wear this fall.

I can just tell that autumn & a spring in Paris

are going to look good on her.

Hopefully, her mom remembers to keep it fresh, too.

Iceland Gets Cozy (ASOS Edition)

In a perfect world,

each trip we went on

would allow for me to 

buy a fitting wardrobe

with the perfect outfits

to compliment our changing settings.

I'd be wearing chambray & Lanvin in Paris.

You could find me in Missoni & leather strappy sandals in Como.

Spain would warrant unlimited Massimo Dutti & cool wayfarers.

But that's not the world I live in...

because if it were,

Tyler & I would have raided the ASOS site

before leaving for Iceland.

They just do Scandinavian really well...

and, oh yeah, affordably.

Oh well.

Who could complain with a view like this?

Not this (hand-me down wearing) girl.

*image via aspiring kennedy 2012

Fall Transition-What to Wear Where?

People often ask me

if clothes are cheaper 

in Europe.

The answer is yes & no.

Some things are more (Anthropologie)

and some thing are less (Primark).

I've learned to take advantage of both worlds

over the past few years.

So in my last few days in the States

(we fly to London Wednesday & then Iceland Sunday!),

I'm taking inventory of what we have

and what we need/want for the fall.

While it's still hotter than two rats making love in a wool sock

here in old Texas,

the weather waiting for us

is much cooler.

My flip flops & shift dresses
are about to make a quick shift
to skinny jeans, boots & coats.

But before Europe takes a real nose dive

into the cool crisp Autumn temps,

we'll have a few weeks of awkwardness in the middle.

So here are a few things

(that in a perfect, pockets-full-of-hundred-dollar-bills world)

we would be packing in our suitcase 

to take back with us

to the other (almost perfect) side of the world.

It's All Good... All of it.

Luckily, with Amazon-

most things in the world

are accessible in England.

There are exceptions

like tex-mex & cheap dry cleaning...

But for the most part, 

we have all we need & want

at our doorsteps/fingertips.

However, there are few goodies

that I have picked up 

during our trip back this time.

Between birthdays & COSTCO runs,

our bags are getting a bit heavier

for the return.

Some of the highlights...

It's All Good

I know you all know about my best bud, the D.O.C. ("Katie Bug")

but my other gal pal is a girl you may know as Gwyneth.

(We just call each other "bosom friend.")

She just wrote a new cookbook

and after seeing Liz instagram some new recipes

I bit the bullet and paid $17 for it at Costco.

I love it.

The recipes are fresh and simple. 

Go getcha one.

Missoni Hand Towels

They are the cheapest way I can make my bathroom

not look like a college (shared) bathroom.

They're $25 which is a bit pricey,

but not terrible.

A worthy splurge

at a Dallas boutique, Nest.

Or you can find similar ones here at One Kings Lane.

Lululemon Yoga Pants

Y'all.

I once, not too long ago, mocked girls 

who ran errands in work out clothes

with perfect hair and other tell-tale signs

of having not actually working out.

Until I tried these on

and saw my butt in the mirror.

Two days later, it was the #1 item on my birthday wishlist.

I may have turned a year older,

but my hiney just returned to my freshman year of college.

Fist pump.

Bodum Assam Teapot

I've been wanting one of these pretties for a long time.

Three cheers for my in-laws for picking up on the subtle hint

(of me posting about it on the blog!)

and snagging me one for my birthday.

I love it!

Lanvin Ballet Flats

(via ebay)

I wear flats most days 

walking around town.

The pairs I wear the most cost me £3 at Primark

and are slick as a... fish (?)

when it rains.

So, basically, every day

I'm hydroplaning and freaking myself out.

Also, my feet ache from having no arch support.

(Weird that £3 won't get you traction or well-constructed shoes, I know.)

So I splurged (kinda) and bought a pair of Lanvin flats on EBay.

They were $150

and I'm already considering this an investment

towards the bionic feet replacements

that were headed my way

with my current footwear + walking combination.

If ebay scares you and you have a 9+ size foot,

there are some cute gold ones  41's on sale at BG for half price!

And they are also some 36.5 for you tiny footed friends!

* * *

So that's what made my birthday wishlist

and is headed back to London

with us when we go back in a couple of weeks.

Aspiring Kennedy: Summer Style

I won't claim to be fashionable...

I just shop with two main goals:

1. To find what fits my body

2. To find it on clearance

Even though those two driving forces

are what guide me to building my wardrobe,

I do pay a lot of attention to what others are wearing...

and I do think I have a good sense for what works

and what is (and should be) a fleeting trend.

{Editor's Note: Though to be honest, I do love some trendiness.}

Maybe that is what building a great look really adds up to:

    2  parts of timelessness    +  1 part of trendy accent   = Well curated outfit.

Who really knows....

Either way, this is what I'm feeling for this summer....

which looks perfect for the amazing weather we are having here this week.

Non-stop sun?

I feel like I'm dreaming.

It's never felt so good to sweat.

warby parker mallory frames | diptyque roses candle | piperlime camo tee | matthew williamson scarf 
laura mercier mineral powder + 15spf | ampersand pillow | marc by marc jacobs watch | gap leather tote

What pieces- timeless or trendy- have you added 

to your summer look?

Zoe Karssen Speaks My (LOVE) Language.

d'accord | paris, texas | madame | oh la la

I'm a little fancy.

I'm a lotta casual...

I'm also a total wannabe Parisian.

So it's no surprise

that these French-themed tee shirts

by Zoe Karssen 

are speaking my language.

Pretty simple,

a little bit pricey...

but, undeniably, a good addition 

to your summer lineup.

Oui, Oui.

Get Yourself a Hunskie to A-Thread Apparel.

My freshman year of college,

I mandated a silly rule for myself:

I wasn't allowed to wear pants to class.

So every day

for that first year of school,

I would wear a skirt or dress to class.

I'm not sure why I decided to do this

bit I have three plausible theories:

1. I wore a uniform skirt for my entire life before college

and had become accustomed to sitting in a classroom setting

with goosebumps all over my legs.

2.  I wanted to rebel against all my friends

who wore pajama pants to class every day.

{Thank goodness that yoga pants replaced that as "slouch wear," right?}

3. I'm slightly prissy {read: ridiculous}.

It's probably a combination of all of three of those.

Anyway, all of that shallow psychoanalysis to say

that I really do like wearing dresses.

They make me feel like a lady...

and I think I look better in them than I do in pants.

{As I type that, I realize that was probably the ENTIRE reason I decided to not wear pants that year.}

But seriously,

what girl doesn't look great in a dress?

That's why I'm SO happy that one of you

is going to get the gift of looking great

{while showing off your sexy legs}

after you win $100 from A-Thread.

Because, people, they have some really cute stuff...
and more than just dresses, 
if they arent' your thing.

Remember that dress I blogged about earlier

and then wore on Easter Sunday?

Yep. It was A-Thread...

it was also only $33, 

so it was a flipping good deal.

And to make it an even better deal,
you can use ASPIRINGKENNEDY15 at checkout
to save 15% off any purchases.... holler.

Enter below for your chance to win $100 from A-Thread

Winner will be selected June 3, 2013.

Entering will get you on a-thread's email list for updates & deals!

Pulp Home Pillows are Pretty (&) Cheap.

I'm cheap.

I can't help it.

I love pretty things,

but I just can't justify shelling out top dollar for them.

I mean,

I think Gap at full price is kind of expensive.

And isn't Gap supposed to be, like, an affordable, low-end store?

If I'm going to pay $80 for something,

it won't be on the regular racks of a chain store at the mall.

It will be a hidden gem crammed in a back corner

of a designer sample sale

or outlet store,

thank you very much.

Or I'll shop on designer sale sites 

like Gilt Groupe 

or One Kings Lane.

So combine discount shopping

with one of my favorite companies, Peacock Alley

and a pillow line offering you two color different looks

that was designed by one of my best friends, Beth Dotolo,

and her partner in crime, Carolina Gentry-
the two brains behind Pulp Design Studios.

Whaddaya get?

Well, I get excited.

I bet you will, too.

These pillows have a reversible band

that gives you two options...

which, in my mind, says =

two pillows for the price of one at half off.

That's some solid math, people.

Go on, check out the sale, & snag one for your home

and support a fellow blogger!

{Do you read Beth's lifestyle blog Hello, Splendor? It's good stuff.}

Happy Weekend!!

Splurge of the {Weak}

I'm cheap.

You probably know this about me by now.

It's one of those traits that I'm proud of

when I get something awesome at a low price,

but also hate when my friends roll my eyes

as I gawk about the price of something.

For example,

I love that I get to birth two children

here in the UK for absolutely nothing

through the NHS program.

It warms my heart in way that's hard to explain.

I can't help it.

My mother is cheap.

My husband is cheap.

The financial perimeters 

I've always worked in 

have been set tight.

Cheap people like myself

typically find our thrills

through sales and discounted merchandise

{Hello, Gilt Groupe & Luxury Link!}

But when I find full-price merchandise

that is amazing and at a good price...

...well, I kind of lose my mind.

So this week, I have two great finds for you.

They aren't discounted or on sale...

not that I have any problem with those two qualifiers.

These items are both full price...

and they are really awesome values.

______________________

PULP HOME

LANCELOT MIRROR

Most homes need several cool mirrors splashed throughout it.

In our 800 sq ft flat,

we have five hanging up.

The only problem is-

most mirrors are really expensive...

or they are the same ones all your friends have 

from Z Gallerie or Target.

I love how unique this is

and that you could totally steal the attention 

of a hallway or powder room

for just $165.

When you sign up for their mailing list,

you get 10% off your first order, 

so the price is even better.

A-THREAD

FLORAL SHEATH DRESS

A dress for $33?

I don't even feel like you can get a dress

 at Target for that price these days.

To me, this dress feels like something 

Anna from Rifle Paper 

would whip up if she was on Project Runway.

Plus, 5% of your purchase goes to a charity of your choosing,

so that makes it even more awesome.

____________________

So happy shopping, friends.

I already have that cute dress coming my way

with plans to wear it over my post-baby body

at a certain friend's Greek Isle wedding this summer.

Now it's your turn to share in the online shopping shame.

Have a great weekend!