Dylan’s France

There is nothing quite like experiencing a familiar place through a new set of eyes.  Especially when those eyes belong to a 2 year old boy. We had such a great visit with Michael's family, and the highlight was getting to spend 10 days with our sweet nephew Dylan who, at 2 years old, is now his own little person.  My sister-in-law J.J. did a great job of showing Dylan pictures of us and Figgy as well as...

Midnight in Paris

Around midnight on Sunday in Paris, after a long first day of sightseeing and dinner with the parents, Michael and I wanted to buy some bottled water and maybe a beer or two to bring back to our hotel room.  We spoke to the concierge to see if there was a corner store nearby, but he informed us that everything around the hotel was closed for the evening.  Even though he was probably right, we decided to take a...

Parental Bed Beard

Happy Friday, ya'll!  Sorry it's been a bit quiet over here.  The 'rents are here and I've been busy showing off my new country.  The Hub and I are so happy to have them here and someone else is too.  If there's one thing Figgy loves, it's his "Grandparents."  Case in point:  Yesterday when we walked into the apartment, Fig went straight to Grandpa and Grandma and not to me.  I think it's all the treat-giving...

Chez Paul, Je t’aime

I think I'm still full from my dinner last Sunday night.  It was the kind of meal that left me happy and stuffed to the gills, yet I still wanted to lick the plate and make sure I'd consumed every last morsel.  The kind of meal that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.  The kind of meal I'm sure I"ll never find anywhere else. Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you:  Chez Paul. It was an absolutely...

Hump Day: Getting Out Of Our Comfort Zone

My goodness, apologies for being so quiet over here on the blog.  It's been a whirlwind of packing, traveling, unpacking, and cleaning over here during the last two weeks.  After spending the week in Cannes, I left The Hub behind and jetted off to Paris to spend the weekend with my friends Abby, Stéphanie, and Jimmy.  We had a marvelous time and I am so excited to tell you about a particular meal that we ate at...

Paris Part III – My Favorite Shopping

It pretty much goes without saying that the shopping in Paris is incredible.  There are so many cool boutiques around every corner that these suggestions are only scratching the surface.  You can probably just walk out of any hotel and stumble upon some great finds in every neighborhood, but today I want to tell you about some of the experiences I've had shopping in Paris.  I've been told on many occasions that I...

Hump Day: French 75

A few weeks ago, I went with my French friend to a French bistro in Union Square.  It was all very...French.  Obviously, I was in heaven.  We arrived at Cafe De La Presse around 3pm on a Saturday and decided that it was time to start drinking.  After I perused their cocktail list, I settled on a French 75 because it sounded light bodied, crisp, and boozy. Someone please tell me why I am just discovering...

Paris Part II – The Food

Living in San Francisco, and as a total snob, I like to think that we offer the "best of the best" as far as food is concerned.  I believe that’s the truth...for the most part.  But there are certain things that the French do in ways no one else can, which mostly includes cheese, pastries, and bread. These decadent treats seem to be around every corner and you just can't get anything like it in the United...

Paris Part 1: The Sites

Paris is such a beautiful, magical place that when I'm there, I don't want to spend my time in museums.  I want to be walking around outside or sitting in cafés sipping espresso, soaking in the culture and pretending like I'm a native Parisian.  Regretfully, I think my walking shoes and the fact that I don't speak French are dead giveaways that I'm just another tourist falling hopelessly in love with the City of...

Parisian Sweets

After an unexpected stay in Zurich, The Hub finally made it home from Paris on Sunday.  He came bearing lots of goodies (some of which I can't see until Christmas!) including a special request for my Mom.  Lenôtre Chocolates. It's pretty awesome that The Hub gets to go to Paris once, sometimes twice, a year for work.  It's even awesomer when I get to go with him.  I have big plans to blog all about the...