"Paris is always a good idea."

Our 2 week vacation in Paris/Italy has finally come and gone and it was amazing. Or, as the kids say "amaze-balls." And, it has only taken 3 weeks for me to post pictures. Typical.

It was everything you could want in a trip: large bustling cities, small quaint villages, touristy sites, non-touristy sites, amazing food, my 6'5" husband driving a small Italian car, great stories of getting lost, and a temperature span of 40 degrees. Well, that last one not so much. But, I got to do it all with my amazing husband! Doesn't get much better than that.

Well, it could. It could have been warm and sunny. Just saying, Paris.

Anyways, here are some Paris at a glance photos (some beautiful, some random) to enjoy.

Mona Lisa tourist stampede

Luxembourg Gardens

Montmarte

French Gandolf

Nutella crepes every night

  

Paris high points
1. Daily breakfast at Boulangeries: Cafe Creme & Pain au Chocolat
2. Three strolls through Montmarte
3. The sun coming out at the Luxembourg Gardens & the Tuileries
4. The french doppelganger game
5. Les Puces Flea Market (and random Brocantes)
6. Nutella and Banana Crepes


Paris low points
1. The Mona Lisa (it is amazing what "people" will do to get a picture)
2. The weather (No matter what people say, Paris is NOT romantic in the rain. Only when compared to rain in Missouri or Iowa. Although, there were several spottings of make out couples in the middle of a downpour, so maybe we are just an old married couple?)
3. Charles de Gaulle airport lines (simply ridiculous)


Best Meals
Dinner at Le Progres & Cafe de L'Industrie
Lunch at Au Passage


Best non-mainstream sites
Pere Lachais Cemetery
Shakespeare & Company bookstore
L'Orangerie Museum
Merci concept store

Mid Century Modern finds

Desk and Credenza, $500


Sofa, $75


MCredenza, $250

craigslist finds

Iron Bed, $60


Vintage Kitchen Scale, $20



Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair Set, $300


Primitive Dresser, $150

It's funny cuz it's true...

I came across this hilarious project via Swiss Miss and had to pass along. This snarky site by Swiss designer Dave Spengler pokes fun of the trends that just won't die in the design community. Come on...we all do it. Enjoy!

old school is very new school

I came across these vintage advertisements and I was so inspired. The colors, the compositions, and the graphics are simply beautiful. They've still got it.

See more here.

weekend craigslist finds

Mid Century Chairs, $300



19th Century French Farmhouse Table, $500


Wooden Trunk, $45

take a leap

Leap day is officially the most underrated holiday (in my opinion). It gets no love. I feel like it should be a huge deal. Why aren't we throwing a party or counting down like we do for New Year's? It only comes every four years and it gives everyone the impossible...extra time. An entire extra day!! Why is this not a day we have off work to go crazy, do something we would never think to do, or take risks. This year, 2012 has 366 days. Here are some thing you could do with the extra 24 hours.

1. Watch all of the Oscar-nominated best picture films in one day. This is doable, people.

2. Start a blog. With the extra time you could do something brilliant like this or this.

2. Learn the thriller dance (you know you have always wanted to).

3. Take a leap of faith: conquer a fear, sky dive, or cross something off your bucket list that you though you would never do.

4. Try all 76 flavors of gooey butter cake here.

5. Look up an old friend.

6. Dye your hair or get a pixie cut...something dramatic.

7. Commit to completing a pinterest project. For real, this time.

8. Write a note to someone out of the blue.
I would suggest these fabulous cards from cheree berry paper.

9. Rearrange all of your furniture.

10. Get down on one knee. (It's a leap day tradition for a gal to propose to their beau!)

Whatever you do today, make it grand.