Where is my Alice in Woderland Cookie.....

I woke up this morning with no idea where I was, it was like waking up from a dream, not realizing your awake and blissfully live those final few moments of your deam over and over again. After realizing that it's not 2 in the morning but is in fact 8am (which explained the bright sunsine streaming through my window) I reluctantly exited my bed.  Yesterday afternoon did not exactly go as planned. After a quick drop of my luggage off at the apartment I wanted to head over to Père Lachase cemetary to pay hommage to one of my favorite author's Ernest Hemmingway as well as Jim Morrison. However upon exiting the apartment, I got lost. Now, I am from NY and have spent enough weekends in NYC to be able to tell you how to get somewhere just from the direction your facing on the street. But Paris streets are a labrinth they have no order and make no sense, all with no particular reason in mind, they just don't. Getting lost was really okay with me, it gave me the chance to explore my neighborhood, as well as pick up somethings for dinner. Saving Père Lachase for another day was fine by me. What wasnt fine however was returning to my apartment, only to not be able to open the door. The keys went in, they turned ,but no door opened. What the heck.... Was I supposed to say some sort of password. I began wispering loving and encouraging words in the little french that I know to the door, hoping it would take pity on me. It didn't. After 30 minutes of playing with it, beating it, and smacking my head against it, it still refused to open. But the Neighbor's door did. Just as I was in the midsts of one of my "PLEAAAAAAASE open door" shaking and pounding episodes. I gestured frantically trying to get her to understand and to please make it open. After putting the keys in the lock and shoving frantically upon the door, she understood. Imagine if you will, a young American woman and a middle aged Parisian woman not speaking to each other but making wide and at times very strange jestures with their hands. Thinking back on it now causes me to break out into random giggles! Anyways, she couldn't get the door open either and after thanking her profusly I reluctantly let her go do her Grocery Shopping. Another hour passed with no one else appearing out of the 7th floor elevator, even though I begged God to bring someone, who ever he sent must also have gotten lost in the streets around the building, I bargined with God okay I didnt need someone else but at least send me a cookie so I can grow big like Alice, so I can cry tears that will allow me to float through the key hole, no cookie appeared. A full 2 hours after I first tried to get into the apartment (at this point the food I had bought was slowly melting, and becoming one with the carpet in the hallway, due to the high tempeture in this building, they must not have gotten the memo about Air conditioning) the neighbor lady returns from her shopping and with a shocked face finds me kneeling on the welcome mat begging the door to open or at least throw a pillow out so I can take a nap. Her husband appears behind her and mercifully speaks a little bit of english. I expain to him what is wrong and he proceeds to open the door in, and this is no exaggeration, 7 seconds. I fall to my knees with thanks and promise them my first born child in return and they simply smile and try to inch away from me as fast as they can. Needless to say I was extremly distraught and exhausted by the time I closed the door behind me, not bothering to put anything away I extract one of the wine bottles I had purchased from a bag and start drinking, standing up, no glass, straight from the bottle. After calming down, I was able to put things away, make a small dinner and sit and enjoy my beautiful balcony, as well as the rest of that bottle of wine. Yes I am not ashamed to say I drank the WHOLE thing. I went to bed exhaused but extreamly happy!

The door and I are still not on good terms
but I have high hopes that by the end of this
vacation I will be able to call it my friend.

And Then.....

First things first, I made it to Paris! Getting here however was far from uneventful. Let me take you back to last night......


First of all ya'll know my flight was delayed. We finally got on the plane around 12:00pm. After pulling away from the gate we simply sat there, and sat there, and sat there. The lights off\, the cabin quiet, until once again an annoying loudspeaker pipes up to tell us all that we have an hour wait to taxi for take off. Thats fine by me, gives me time to fall I sleep in the oh so cramped seat I was residing in . Or so I thought. My sleep aid (for those of you who don't know I suffer from insomnia) had somehow forgotten to get out of my carry on bag when I asked it to and there for was currently residing in its own cramped space high above my head. I unbuckled my seat belt to try and retrieve them, only to be given a look by one of the flight attendents that said "move an inch.... I dare you" not wishing to get off on the wrong foot, I sat back down. With nothing to do but sit and wait to take off I thought back longingly to that second glass of wine I had before boarding, as I sat in the bar I gazed longingly at the large departures screen conviently located across from me. Saying the destinations were like popping exotic flavored jelly beans into your mouth, Tokyo, Seol, Rome, Milan. A virtual feast for the senses. Finally we took off around 2 in the morning. And after sitting in the dark cabin for 2 hours, we were all blinded once again by florecent lights. The crew was insitsting on feeding us, at 3:00am. After eating we were immediatly expected to go back to sleep. But without my sleep aid I knew that wasnt likely to happen for me anytime soon and so settled into a movie (Midnight in Paris) after which I tried to rest. However the guy behind me had other plans of keeping me occupied, simply by constantly tapping on his personal video screen, which was wonderfully located in the back of my headrest. When his small taps diddn't work, he took to beating the screen, causing my head to bounce up and down in time to wacks. Here are three things I have learned from the french.... Already, That I would like to share with those planning a trip to the city of lights in the future
1. Never sit on an aisle seat, people (the flight attendants especially) like to take every opportunity they are given and bump into your arm which is unsuspectingly resting on the arm rest, which is, who would have thought it, where it should be
2. If the lady sitting next to you is staring at you intently and speaking french in a flurry (all which you don't understand but nod as if you do) simply assume that she is saying "Excuse me, but I hope you brought ear plugs becasue I just so happen to snore louder thatn a Nascar Engine.
And 3. That smell, it's is coming from that guy two rows back who not only insisted on taking off his shoes but, his socks as well.

And so it was with this grumpy attitude and the wonderfully relaxing (NOT) 2 hours of fitful sleep I received, that they were about to dump me upon this unsuspecting city. Sitting on the plane waiting to land I can't help but feel adrift in the sea of french being spoken all around me. I can't help but think "holy cow I am about to land in Paris" and almost simultanioulsy think "H-o-l-y C-o-w I am about to land in Paris, I don't know anyone, I don't know where anything is, heck I don't even understand the language" Last night when the flight attendant asked me what meal I wanted (at least thats what I assume all the gesturing meant) all I could do was stare wide eyed and open mouthed at him, he turned to my seat companion with a knowing look as if to say "ahh an American, what a shame" What have I gotten myself into.... And so it was with these lingering feeling of doubt that I hoped into a Taxi and made my way to the Apartment I was going to be occupying for the next 9 days. I walked into a small but cozy apartment, And then I saw.....

Conviently located just outside my window sharing space with my 7th floor balcony. And Immediatly all my fears, doubts, and insecurities melted away. I couldn't help but think about Alice Steinbech and Karen Wheeler, and Fraya Stark. They all did this, and so can I, after all who wouldn't want to follw is footsteps such as theirs.

I am sure more adventures and mishaps are to come so stay tuned dear readers, Stay tuned.

It's Finally time to go!!

Well almost..... as I sit here in the airport the loudest speaker imaginable is announcing to all the inhabbitants of NYC that our flight is delayed, and I will not be leaving for Paris until after 12pm, which means that I now will not make it to my apartment until after 3 in the afternoon, 9am for all you back here in the states. When life hands you lemons my momma always said to make a lemon drop martini so thats what I am gonna do, sit back and enjoy a second glass of wine and reread (for the 300th time) my Paris guidebook.

Bon Voyage!!

p.s Has anyone else noticed that the lights in airports are the most annoying florsent bulbs, its almost as if they dont want you to relax, they want you on edge, and frantic and pulling your hairout. That way you buy more alchol from that bar over there. Ahhhh subliminal messaging you get me everytime.....

For the Trip Continued.....

I am proud and delighted to say that I have finally finished shopping for my trip. After numerous and exhausting trips to the mall, outlets, and other stores, and exhausting all clothing store options I have found some things that I am delighted with.

I have been wanting some of these moccasins for
a while now and this was the perfect excuse to pick up
a pair, ideal for the 8 hour plane ride I think!

 

This top is from Forever 21

Paired with this Nude cami it will look great
with the Navy blue Capri's

 



This is the perfect sweater for the long plane ride
paired with a black tshirt or cami and a pair of legging
Ideal travel outfit!



I love shoes that I can throw on and go, especially if they are
cute like these one's!

 So far I have done zero packing, I am one of those people who like to get my suitcase out a week ahead of time and toss things in as I buy or remember that I need to pack them. And then the night before spend 2 hours or more trying to make everything fit.



The current state of my packing



 However this time I am determined to take as little as possible, especially since the apartment I am staying in has a washer, meaning I dont have to bring as many cloths, just have to be a little creative with my wardrobe selections (mix and match have become my new favorite words!). Shoes on the other hand are a major problem, especially since I have so many cute pairs that are just dying to see the city of lights. So many choice, not enough outfits! Not only that but bathroom things, compared to cloths I seem to be packing up my entire bathroom and bringing it along for the ride. Other than the packing I am happy to say that all other bases have been covered. Other things I have purchased for my trip to Paris:

Apartment in 20th Arrondismont

Paris Museum pass for 6 days

Reservations for Eiffel Tower (to skip the long lines)

Reservation on a River Seine cruise and show at the Moulin Rouge (I am so looking forward to this since one of my all time favorite movies is "Moulin Rouge" staring Nicole Kidman)

If you can't obviously tell 1. I am super excited and 2. I am a very avid planner. I prefer to plan ahead and make sure I am prepared for any and all circumstances. One of my goals of this trip is to be a little spontaneous. I find it hard (and I think this is one of the pitfalls of my job) that I tend to plan and then overplan everything, and end up taking some of the fun out of things. I would also like to be able to slow down and enjoy my life a little bit more, I always feel like I am on fast forward, planning for whats coming next instead of enjoying what's going on now. I hope to beable to sit and enjoy many three hour dinners, cafe breaks etc.... Here's hoping I come back from Paris with a new outlook on life! Hope Ya'll are having a wonderful week!

For the Trip....

I will be the first to admit that I don't "Love" shopping. I do it out of necessity. I am more the type of person who frequents bookstores than clothing stores. When it came time to buy some new things for the trip I was a little apprehensive. Up to this point (and because of my job) I tend to gravitate towards cloths that are easy to wear or have funny things on them. But for this trip I wanted to start dressing like a "Grown-Up". I happy to share with you guys some of my sweet finds over the past couple of days! Stay tuned for more fashion finds :) Hope ya'll are having a wonderful August so far!!!!

This dress is from Bebe

American Eagle

Another Bebe dress

American Eagle; off the shoulder shirt that can
be paired with one of the tanks below

Cute shorts from Bebe