Last Days in Paris

 I am just now getting around to uploading photos from the last two days of my European Adventures {due to the fact that I literally took so many pictures I filled up my hard drive}.  Fast forward two weeks and one external hard drive later, and I am now reliving my last two days in Paris, holding back the tears because I miss it so much already!

My plane back to the United States was leaving out of Paris the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so I decided to leave London on Sunday and spend two more days in my favorite city.  I stayed in an adorable little boutique hotel in Saint Germain and filled my hours wandering around the quiet little streets getting lost camera in hand {plus a stop at the Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees}.  I was most certainly sad to leave, but I was ready to come home and spend the holidays with my friends, family, and Ryan {who picked me up at the airport with a bouquet of roses in hand}.

Photos from last two days in the City of Light are below:

 {The Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees including a frightening stall filled with little gingerbread men who looked like they were being hung}

 {The view from my hotel room's window}

{The gorgeous neighborhood of Saint Germain des Pres}

 {81 "Rue de Loo" - the home of Julia and Paul Child during their years in Paris.  It was especially fun being able to see this as I actually read Julia Child's biography ("My Life in France") while I was in Paris.}

 {Such a perfect sky}

 {Paris getting all dressed up for the holidays}

{Paris...je t'aime}

Gift Ideas: Anthropologie

One of my favorite go-to stores for gifts is Anthropologie.  It has such a unique and well-curated collection of books, decor, and housewares which are sure to please even the most discerning person on your list.  Some of my favorite gifts are below:

 

Row 1: The most adorable measuring cups ever {what's not to love about hedgehoges?}.  A iPhone dock made out of driftwood that has been picked up off the coast of Maine, perfect for any guy on your list.  Handmade bookends that look like miniature forests {also available with a dusting of fresh snow}.  A chevron picture frame made of wood and bone.

Row 2: The infamous Capri Blue Mercury Glass Jar Candle {I literally hoard these candles, they smell amazing and the jar turns into a lovely little vase after burning through the candle}.  A wonderful cookbook from award-winning food blogger Beatrice Peltre which is inspired by her childhood in France and love for healthy eating.  The perfect guidebook to Paris for the creative in your life by Janelle McCulloch {I recently brought this book with me to Paris and discovered so many gorgeous galleries, hidden passageways, tiny antique stores, and inspiring gardens}.  A jewelry box made of mismatched drawers and vintage knobs.

Row 3: A golden French Press that is too pretty to keep hidden in your cabinets.  A whimsical piece of wall art by Rebecca Rebouche.  A sustainable cheese dome with history {the glass dome was made of pieces of broken antique glass that was melted and blown into cast iron bolds; the base and handles are crafted of reclaimed, 19th century European timber}.  A monogrammed mug {perfect with a jar of loose leaf tea, this being one of my favorites}.

Row 4: A giant golden wishbone, perfect on-top of a stack of gorgeous coffee table books.  For the Julia Child devotee, a set of six steak knives from the infamous French cutlery designers Laguiole.  A lomography camera for the photography junkie.  A hand-crafted bicycle by the California-based Linus Bikes, inspired by French bicycle design of the 1950's.

Travel :: The Amalfi Coast

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, but I am also dreaming about a tropical beach holiday in January to beat the Post-Christmas Blues.  This past summer we took a trip to the Amalfi Coast {in southern Italy} and I'd give anything to be heading back there in a month.  It was seriously one of the most gorgeous places I have ever laid eyes on.  We stayed in the dreamy little cliff-side town of Positano.  Our days were spent swimming and boating in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea.  Our nights were spent eating fresh homemade pasta {lots of it} and drinking red wine {lots of that as well}.  We took a day trip to the fabled island of Capri which was even more beautiful and luxurious than I had imagined.  Stunning views and colorful flowers were mixed with incredible villas and plenty of Gucci and Dolce & Gabanna.  Plus, I must say the people just could not have been kinder.  It was absolute paradise.  Here are a few photos from our trip!

{The town of Positano}

{The view from a restaurant we dined at nestled high in the cliffs above Positano}

{The insanely gorgeous turquoise water seen while boating to the town of Amalfi}

{The view from our amazing (albeit a bit scary) morning hike along "The Eye of the Gods" trail}

{Capri, plus a lemon that was nearly the size of my head}

{Boating back to Positano for our last night on the Amalfi Coast}

Dancing Shoes

Last week I posted about the perfect party dress, and what better way to jazz up your outfit than some fun and festive dancing shoes?  The best part about a glittery, fabulous pair of shoes is that they can dress up anything from a LBD to your favorite pair of trousers. 

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