Paris love lock bridge

I was there when the bakers put crowned cakes in the windows. I was there for Labor Day when lily of the valley was sold on every corner, the flowers like delicate, white bells. I was there for Gay Pride, when young people draped in rainbow flags celebrated in the streets, when the banners proclaimed “LA REPUBLIQUE A DIT OUI”, when pink balloons drifted in the air, bright against the robin-egg blue sky. … [Read more...] about Dear Paris: A Love Letter to the City I Finally Adore

But as always in life, the people are ultimately more important than the place. What I love most about living abroad is the other expats you meet: funny, fascinating individuals from all over the world who are always game for another shot of gin. Who share the same philosophies about life and youth and adventure, and pushing yourself to live live live as much as possible. They’re people with stories more compelling than mine could ever be: engineers and foreign diplomats and journalists working overseas, born in Seoul but raised in Warsaw and London. They’re bankers who dropped everything to be pastry chefs, midwestern girls with big dreams who just wanted to soak up Paris. They get me. I get them. … [Read more...] about Paris Expat: The Reality of Life in France

For dinner we headed to TÎNG at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London. If you could dine out on views alone then this is a restaurant that would make you very satisfied indeed as quite simply, the views are epic. But then this is to be expected when you are 35 floors up in the centre of London, one of the of the most iconic cities in the world. Our plant based meal in the clouds began with ‘Balsamic Glazed Peach Heritage Tomato’ which was sweet, sour with just a little crunch; the juicy glazed peach was packed with summery peachiness and aligned very well with the fresh micro herbs, heirloom tomatoes and caramelised dukka. It was a light, fresh and flavoursome start to our meal. … [Read more...] about Vegan delights in Paris and London

For a first time visitor coming to Paris, you can’t go wrong with Hotel Thérèse and its location in the 1st arrondissement. With the Louvre, Jardins des Tuileries and the glamorous shopping street Rue Saint-Honoré a stone’s throw away, you’ve got most Paris sights within walking distance. For the sights a little further away, Hotel Thérèse offer scooter rentals for the dare devils living on the edge. Choose their Executive room and wake up to the views of Rue Thérèse. After a long day of shopping and exploring the streets of Paris, kick off your shoes and enjoy an espresso from your own coffee machine. Decorated in neutral and calming hues, this boutique hotel is an ideal choice for a city center get away. … [Read more...] about 5 Parisian boutique hotels to keep an eye on

Antique Shopping on Portobello Road Is antique shopping a strange hobby for a girl with no actual residence? Fair enough. But delving through treasures on the colorful Portobello road was still a lot of fun, and I had to talk myself out of many great finds such as a 19th century brass compass. … [Read more...] about My Favorite London Moments