Summer of Adventure Begins

Wow! How does time fly so fast? This weekend is the weekend I am off to my summer of adventure. I have not started packing, running errands, or anything else I was suppose to do. Typical. Much to the dismay of my sweet husband I am last minute and totally type B. However I have this feeling that everything will fall into place as it should. I am not putting any pressures or stresses on this trip as I want to take it day by day and really live the experience.

To be honest the question I get the most is – what will you do with the blog? And to that I say, I don’t know. I have thought about it quite a lot and am leaning more towards making the blog a little diary. A place to unwind and jot down my thoughts. I don’t think it will be as fashion centered (unless I find a photographer) but more photos of my wanderings around Paris. To be frank, I struggle with the feeling that I really don’t want to work when I am over there. I have seen time and time again people who go abroad and the entire time they are concerned if they are meeting with the right brands, taking the right instagrams, and concerned with getting a post up. I truly feel they miss the beauty of the trip. In a world of oversharing (I am so guilty of this) I am looking forward to unplugging, unwinding, and really living. It has been a while since I have done that and I can’t tell you how ready I am! I plan to get lost in the streets with just my camera and me. I want to dine alone. I want to travel alone. I want to wander endlessly and not stress about any outside influences (ie. did I do a blog post). I want to soak in every ounce of this experience. So I hope you all come along for the journey, whatever that might be, as I am sure this will be a really great growing period and I always love your feedback (positive or negative).

Another reason I am taking this trip day by day with no pressures (or agenda to “grow my blog”) is because it is something I have literally wanted to do since I was little. I was reminded of this the other night when a dear friends mom (who was like my second mom growing up) wrote me a message saying how proud she was of me. That she still remembers even at the tender age of 12 me telling her, with complete conviction and confidence, that I was “going to live in Paris one day.” And while this trip may be short (I have to get back for a family trip to Nantucket in August) it is a chance for me to live out one of my dreams. And I think that is so much more important to grasp and appreciate.

I leave tomorrow morning and I am full of emotions. I am proud of myself for doing this, I am nervous something will go wrong with my school (like I didn’t sign up correctly), I am sad to leave my husband and my dog, I am anxious to just get it started, and mostly I am excited. Excited to: grow as a person, make life memories that I can pass on to my kids one day, learn another language (or as much as I can), be pushed out of my comfort zone, and to know that I am finally getting to live a dream. Au revoir!

photography by Meredith Braden

Unforgettable Evening in Dallas

photography via Carter Rose

I have been very open about my past struggles with Dallas. I have never been completely comfortable with the idea that I will live in one city for the rest of my life. The thought actually gives me major anxiety and is one of the reasons my husband is supporting my summer move. I moved to Dallas in 2006 to attend Southern Methodist University. I fell in love with the school and the city after attending a wedding here while I was a junior in high school. I knew SMU and Dallas were the only place I wanted to be. The campus, the city, the bustle, it was all magical to this small town girl. While at SMU I found my “people” and my routine and had the best time in the world. I loved Dallas and everything it had to offer. It was exactly where I was supposed to be. Then I graduated.

I had a serious come to Jesus talk with myself and with Dallas. My friends moved away, life after college was a struggle, and the city itself had seemed to lose its luster. I immediately developed this urge to move. However, life happened, jobs came, and time passed. That brings me to now. Well, a few months ago. That struggle was still real up until recently. Up until I decided to have an attitude change, put myself out there, and meet new people. With all of the new life coming to Dallas (have you seen our restaurant scene) and the potential to make new friends (which already has me excited) I have a new outlook on Dallas.

It was actually one event in particular which I attended a few weeks ago where I really started to re-realize how great this city was. I was invited to an evening in the arts by Wolfgang Puck. The night started with a bang – cocktails in the garden at the Nasher. The Nasher is actually one of my favorite places in Dallas. It is tranquil, cultured, and extremely beautiful. After we finished our first rounds of champagne we headed inside the Nashar for cake decorating. Secretly cake decorating has always been on my bucket list. I am not creative in the least when it comes to things like that but I always wanted to squeeze the icing out of that damn bag! And I did! Oh did I! It was magic and something I am so excited to have done. Bucket list: check. So the icing was fantastic but my favorite part was the (real) edible flowers they provided as decoration for our cakes. The flowers were stunning and looked gorgeous on our cakes but I was more mesmerized that I could actually eat them! And they tasted fantastic! Who knew? I definitely walked away with a few ideas of using flowers for decor (and eating) in the future!

From the cake decorating we walked to the AT&T Performing Arts Center for what was my favorite part of the evening – Dinner on the Reflective Pool! It was actually the first dinner ever held on the pool and being the person I am, I loved that I got to do it first! But to be honest, it won’t be my last time. The hubs and I are even thinking it could be the perfect spot for his 30th birthday dinner. It was an experience not to forget. Totally my style – shoes off and dig in! However, the evening was made even more memorable by the company around me. Not only did I have the best time getting to know Dave who does ‎Brand PR and Management at The Richards Group but I also loved getting to chat with Yvette, also of the Richards group. They were so interesting and full of great conversation. It reinstated my excitement to meet new people and explore all the greatness Dallas has to offer. Yvette even has ties to the Swiss and French groups in Dallas so it was a joy to get to connect via that commonality.

Over all the evening was unforgettable. From the stars above, water below, great wine (via Cakebread Cellars), the most divine food you have ever tasted, and an experience of a lifetime I would say Dallas is looking pretty good! And I can’t wait for more evenings shared with new people in this amazing city!

Things You Must Buy In Paris

photo via Carla Coulson

Bringing the perfect souvenir back from any vacation can be a struggle. You want it to last, revoke a memory, and be something you can share with others. A souvenir is something I think is a must when you travel. My dream is to have a home full of unique souvenirs from past travels around the world: A rug from Morocco, a painting from Venice, silver from Argentina, leather from Italy. The point is to find something unique to that place and try to find the perfect item which encompasses all that the city is. While my list below is personal to my taste, Paris is full of wonderful souvenirs. All you have to do is keep an open mind, a searching eye, and buy what hits your heart! And NEVER second guess your decision, because in the long run you will be happy you have it!

THE CLASSIC BALLET FLAT
One of the most quintessential french fashion staple is the ballet flat. French women have been wearing them for decades and always pull them while being effortlessly chic. Since Paris is the heart of the fashion world it would be hard to leave without a classic pair of your own! Try Repetto – they make the perfect pair!
photo via CNTraveler

CHANEL
Okay, so this is a little more out of reach but wouldn’t it be fun to leave Paris with a new something from Chanel? I have to admit, I have been to Paris quite a bit and never walked away with something from here, but this summer I plan to change that! I actually really want something vintage Chanel! I have this dream of me walking into a little side shop and finding the perfect vintage bag! If you a Chanel bag, shoes, or clothing isn’t your thing, check out their make-up, perfumes, or skincare! At least you will feel more Parisian every time you wear it!

photo via interiorsbystudiom

LADUREE
I know what you are saying, “my macaroons wouldn’t last long enough to make it home!” And I definitely agree but they have loads of cute little accessories sure to commemorate your trip to heaven!

photos by molly miller

HERMES
While this is similar to Chanel I actually am not recommending buying a bag here! I think their scarves, bangles, and perfumes are the perfect souvenir! My mom bought a bangle on our last trip their and every time I see her wear it I think of Paris! It immediately brings back happy memories.

FRENCH COOKING EQUIPMENT – Crepe Spreader or other fun utensils
I actually got this idea from a trip I took to Gruyere Switzerland. While there my sweet husband popped into a cooking store and bought my mom something so she would remember the trip. Isn’t he sweet? That aside it brings back wonderful memories every time I walk into her kitchen. It also makes cooking just a little bit more enjoyable.

photo via etsy

FREDERIC MALLE
The God, the myth, the legend! Frederic Malle scents have been on my wish list for years! Not only are they the perfect souvenir but you will be smelling like a Goddess for months to come! If you don’t want to travel with the perfume, check out his candles! TO.DIE.FOR. And every time you light it, you will think of your trip in Paris.
photo via vogue

MERCI – anything and everything
I recently discovered this store online and have been swooning ever since! I can not wait to see it for myself this summer. Everything from the striped shirts, to the cooking utensils, to the design are awe-worthy! Even if you don’t want to buy something be sure to check out their cafe! It is sure to add a special memory to your Parisian adventures!