Back in the Saddle Again!

Since I basically spent most of March out of town, I needed the month of April for re-entry.  I finally feel like I am back to my schedule, have the suitcases put away, have caught up on mail/appointments/to do lists and then I realized in 3 weeks my kids will be out for summer!

There is definitely something about travel that always makes me want to come home and zhush up my house.    Parisians are all about their flowers so I now I feel like I have a green thumb. I seriously could not stop taking pictures of windows and doors.  I don't know what it is about those Parisians but they make everything from how they outfit themselves to how they outfit their homes look effortless.  These photos should make you want to run to your local nursery today and start planting...

and the darling florist right across the street from our apartment.

Lucky for me, my hubby knows about my quest for a Parisian patio so for mother's day he and the kids spent the entire day planting and cleaning up our deck.  Time to have a deck party!!

It's coming along, hey Rome, I mean Paris wasn't built in a day!!

Au Revoir

Spring Break 2 is finally here.  We are off today with the older kids.

I realize there really are no longer "travel agents" because of the internet, but I feel like I maybe missed my calling.  I have planned our 10 days almost down to the minute, we will see and do just about everything.  This will be mine and the hubs 9th trip to Paris, but the first for our kids and I want them to see it all.

We have an apartment for our trip on a great street right in the heart of the city

with plenty of cafe's right outside our door

this is why I love google maps, I can literally stalk the streets of Paris from 4,000 miles away.  I can see the restaurants, the shops, the menus.  Big brother really is watching!!

Our first day is low key, I know that everyone will be exhausted from the flight.  After we are settled in our apt we will go the the center of the city and see Notre Dame.  

then at sunset we are going to a concerto at Sainte- Chapelle

this chapel is one of the most beautiful chapels in the world.  The walls are all stain glass, and at sunrise and sunset it is absolutely beautiful to see the light reflect through the glass.  They have hour long concertos almost every night, between the acoustics and the lighting it will leave you speechless.  We will hear Vivaldi and Pachelbel, 2 of my favorite composers.  If you ever find yourself in Paris, this is the one thing you should add to your list.

After the first day we are on the move.  Our walk through the city will take us to 

 Tuileries Garden

 Arc de Trimophe

Champs- Elysees

and finally we will end up here

We will go and see some of the greatest pieces of art here

Louvre

Monet finest work here

Musee d'Orsay

 Rodin's sculptures


and end the day with a tour of the catacombs

well technically I plan to end each day with this

we will visit the artist square at Montmarte

where I hope each of my children find one piece of art they truly want


We have a day trip planned to Normandy, something I have never done but have always wanted to do.

Omaha Beach

We have been study up on D day and we just watched Saving Private Ryan, I have heard it is eerie and life changing to see the remains of D day first hand.




Of course my daughter and I have our day planned

the moroccan hot chocolate is to die for!!!


we will take a boat ride

a bike ride

and lots and lots of people watching

 its the best!!


a bien tot!!!

Girl Friday

We are off to Michigan (Hamptons of the mid west) again.  There is nothing like spending time at the beach to recharge your batteries.  

Just a few of my favorites

La plage in Paris

 Kapalua, HI

Seaside, FL

Holland , MI



and what I already know I will love when I visit here in October

Papagayo, CR



Life's a beach!!

Party Time

I am co chair of my daughter's school auction on November 2, the theme of the auction is "A Night in Paris" so it couldn't be more perfect in my opinion.  Every night my mind is racing with fun ideas, party favors, and possible auction items with a Paris theme.  

This Saturday one of my besties is having a party to benefit the auction.  She is having a cocktails, dinner, and dancing all under a tent in her backyard, the deal is that instead of bringing her a hostess gift you make a monetary donation to the school and we will use the money to buy something for the auction.  The money we raise on Saturday is going towards an apartment in Paris for a week,  the hubs has been well informed of this.

I am in charge of the dessert table this Saturday, thanks to good ol Pinterest my job is considerably easier.  In honor of Paris, I am sticking to desserts that are petit and mainly pink.  

Champagne is a dessert right?

I love planning a party!!