the (real) simple life

Palmiers

2011-12-09T15:49:00.000-06:00

Note: I wrote a lot about the dreamy carbohydrates that I endulged in this summer. But I never wrote about Palmiers.

These heart-shaped pastries were David's favorite breakfast choice while in Paris. I specifically remember the rainy morning we woke ourselves up early to go on the Monet's Garden tour to Giverny. As we walked through the crowded St. Lazere train station, we thankfully stopped and grabbed a few Palmiers to-go. I quietly ate my sugary treat and starred out of the window, watching Paris' streets glisten from rain and sun.

I was reminded of this beautiful morning the other night when I stumbled across a recipe in my favorite French cookbook. This Palmier recipe was so simple that I made it as a dessert for a dinner party (and served them with ice cream). The Palmiers were such a hit, I had to share.

Palmiers ("Elephant Ears")
2 C Sugar
1/8 tsp Kosher salt
2 Sheets Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, defrosted
Parchment paper

Directions: Heat over to 450 degrees. Combine sugar and salt. Pour 1 C of sugar and salt mixture on a flat surface (wooden board or marble slab). Unfold the first sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar mixture and pour 1/2 C sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the pastry. With a rolling pin, roll pastry into a 13" square and until the sugar is pressed into the pastry on top and bottom.

Fold the sides of the square towards ther center, so they go halfway to the middle. Fold again so the 2 folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Next fold one half over the other half as though closing a book. You will haver 6 layers of dough. Slice dough into 3/8" slices and place cut side up on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Repeat with second pastry sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 6 minutes, or until carmalized and golden brown on bottom. Turn with a spatula and bake for additional 3-5 minutes until carmalized. Transfer immediately to cookie racks to cool.

Paris Playbook

2011-09-08T20:21:00.001-05:00

June:
-Rented an apartment in Paris
-Met Frank, the landlord - got my first bisous
-Started working at Fat Tire
-Met my new work friend, Julie
-Made friends with the fruit stand guys
-Fruit stand guy gives me a free fig and beer
-Got a Navigo pass
-Luxembourg Garden idleness
-BoBun dinner
-Brochure Run through the 14th and 15th eme
-Night Bike Tour with David (Golden was our guide)
-Ate a 'Change Your Life' crepe
-2nd Anniversary picnic by Les Invalides
-French dinner party at Katy and Seb's apartment
-Glenn visits during a heat wave
-Bought 2 fans at Monoprix
-Bought jean shorts for the first time since 8th grade
-Discovered Amorino's cappuccinos and pistachio chip
-Sunglasses #1 get "picked up" at office
-Bought sunglasses #2
-Rented a Valib bike
-Fête de la Musique
-Valib bike got stolen
-Walked home from Opera to Montparnasse (2 hrs)
-Visited Notre Dame
-Visited Saint Chapelle
-Lunch Obsession: Red Peppers, Hummus, Baguette, Couscous
-Cooking Club #1: Swedish Night
-Passageway Adventures with Office Girls
-Fat Tire Monet's Garden tour (Silvertooth was our guide)
-Discovered PAUL bakery at Gare St. Lazare
-Silvertooth schools the "know-it-all" art history teacher

July
-Became best friends with a 2 year old (named Caroline)
-World Cup watching party (Go USA!)
-Tracey and Greg visit
-Day Trip to Verasilles
-Taylor Tehan! on the Champ de Mars
-Pompidou Center
-Discovered Tribeca on Rue Cler
-Ate at the Dernier Metro with Julie (changed our friendship)
-Volleyball Picnic on the Champ de Mars

-Croissant, Croissant, Croissant

-Introduced David to the Raspberry Tartlet

-Wore a bungee cord as a belt

-Dinner with J&L at Casse Noix

-Bastille Day Celebration
-Ate lunch and sipped coffee at the Tuileries Garden cafe
-Tuileries Garden carnival
-€8 Ferris Wheel Ride
-€2 Cotton Candy
-Met my favorite homeless lady
-Favorite homeless lady yells at me
-Tour de France watching party
-Became "regulars" at Dernier Metro with Julie

-Flash floods in Paris

-Sunglasses #2 fall off head while running in the rain

-Took a trip to Barcelona
-Beach, Gaudi, Bikes, Beach, Tapas, Repeat (in Barcelona)
-Bought sunglasses #3
-Set off metal detector in Barca airport with bungee cord belt
-Rescued Bikes at Baton Mouche
-Pastry dream comes true
-Drank cheap shop wine
-Scooter joy ride with Bethany and Mebane

August:

-Kellen and Lauren visit

-Watched Eiffel Tower sparkle

-Ate fried fat

-Macaroon tasting in the courtyard at the Louvre

-Met Michel Lode and got three paintings

-Dinner at Chez Gladine

-Late night stroll to Napoleans Tomb

-Disastrous picnic at Trocadero

-Met nice French man who rescued said disastrous picnic

-Watched sailboats at Tuileries Garden

-Shopped on the Champs-Élysées

-Julie's Birthday Party on Île de la Cité
-Homeless Man Pooping
-Discovered new sandwich combo: baguette, peace, tomme
-Cooking Club #3: Tex-Mex Night
-French Revolution Walking Tour (with a special tour guide)
-Visited the Louvre
-Said goodbye to David
-Visited Musée de l'Orangerie
-Fat Tire dinner party in the Tuileries Garden
-Office Girl outing to "Body Minute"
-Girls trip to Antibes, France
-Ate Moules Frites
-Ate my first anchovy
-Got a partial tan
-Montmartre Walking Tour
-Ran along the Champ de Mars
-Visited the Bastille Market
-Bicycle Ride through town
-Bought a Longchamp tote
-Visited [quickly] Galleries Lafayette
-BoBun ~~dinner~~ drinks with friends (closes early apparently)
-Tried a new Thai food place
-Goodbye picnic for summer staff
-Listened to a Swedish choir sing hymnals at the Eiffel Tower
-Sister and Mother arrived in Paris
-Made Tartines and coffee
-Visted the Rodin garden
-Watched it rain from the Rodin cafe
-Napoleans tomb
-Celebrated Sara's birthday at Mini Palais with Julie
-Fat Tire Tour to Versailles (Billy was our guide)
-Had the most amazing Versailles picnic
-Discovered new sandwich combo: baguette, fig, chevre, basil
-Drank a beer at the Dernier
-Packed my apartment
-Took my sister and mother on a pastry tour of Paris
-Tartlets from Secco (best one was lemon tart, obv)
-Macaron tasting at Piere Hermes in Saint Sulpice square
-Decided I still love Ladurée more
-Met up with Frank, the landlord - gave him my last bisous
-Rendevous'd with Walter, my sister's godfather
-Ate dinner at Bistrot 7 eme
-Ate snails and duck confit ... and drank some wine
-Took a long walk home, past the Eiffel Tower with Julie
-Ran across a Michael Jackson tribute dance-off
-Cried on the train back to my apartment
-Saw my last Paris sunrise

Bisous

2011-08-31T15:07:00.000-05:00

Note: Bisous is a type of greeting or salutation performed between two friends - the traditional French "muah-muah" on each cheek. It is one small, simple thing I love about this place: touching your lips to someone's cheek who isn't your sig other is intimate and special - a small gesture of hospitality.

Paris welcomed me quickly and kindly into her arms this summer. However, my departure from the City of Lights has been a long, slow goodbye - filled with lots of hugs, lengthy strolls along broad avenues, large crocodile tears, and a final view of the Eiffel Tower from Line 6.

Goodbye, Paris! You have been more than hospitable to me. I look forward to seeing you in the future. Until then...

Bisous (bi.zu)

-Traditional French greeting between friends, family, or mutual acquaintances
-Closed-mouth kiss on each cheek of greeters (left cheek, then right cheek)

Not a bisous...

Source: google.com via Tonya on Pinterest

Farewell Tour

2011-08-27T09:00:00.001-05:00

I have three full days left in the City of Light and there is a lot of pressure to seize every last second of it. Here is my farewell tour lineup:

Today:

-9:30 - Mother and sister land ad CDG

-10:30 - Tartines and coffee at my apartment, talk, and plan

-11:00 - Get metro passes at Montparnasse

-1:00 - Lunch at Au Dernier Metro

-2:00 - Museums (?)

-8:00 - Special Dinner for Sara's Birthday!

-12:00 - Eiffel Tower sparkel

Sunday:

-9:00 - Fat Tire Versailles Tour (8 hrs)

-7:00 - Dinner at Tribeca

-9:00 - Ice Cream at Amarinos

-10:00 - Early to Bed (?)

Monday:

-9:30 - City Segway Tour

-12:00 - Lunch at the Tuileries Garden Cafe

-2:00 - Latin Quarter for a Chocolate/Pastry Tour

-6:00 - Rendezvous with Frank, the landlord, to turn-in key

-7:30 - Dinner at Chez Gladine

-10:00 - Continue Packing-Up Apartment

Tuesday:

-7:00 - Paris Shuttle pick-up

-10:00 - Depart CDG

-6:00 - Arrive at IAH

-6:30 - Mexican Food

-8:30 - See Houston apartment for the first time

-10:00 - Bedtime in Houston

-10:01 - Dream of my return to Paris

It should be a fun-filled, action-packed couple of days - spent with my mom and sister. I can't wait to show them what my life has been like here in Paris... and to see them fall inlove with this City too.

Remember

2011-08-26T06:41:00.000-05:00

Today is special. It is not only one of my last days in Paris - but it is the 5th anniversary of Walker's death. I feel unusually fragile today - the stillness of this morning brings tears to my eyes. Every year I'm amazed at how I feel both deeply happy and utterly sad on this day. But this year, this day is special...

This year, I get to spend today with Walker's best college friend, Jack. You see - Jack is the manager of Fat Tire Bike Tours in Paris. Jack generously hired us to come work for him this summer in Paris - making a small dream of ours come true. Although, both David and I were friends with Jack in college, Walker was truly the linking nexus between us all (as he commonly was).

I had never talked to Jack about Walker's death; I had only hugged him tightly on August 26th 2006 at a small gathering at the F&A house. And then another hug again at Muster later that year. Jack and I often crossed paths that school year on campus - it only took a slight nod and smile from far away to know that looking at each other reminded us both of Walker. Even now, here in Paris, the first day I walked into the FT office, Jack stood up and gave me a huge hug - only reminding me of our embrace back in August of 2006 - and of course, of our sweet friend, Walker.

But this year, more than ever, I realize that this is how we remember Walker: through the unspoken love, generosity, and comradery between those that knew him well. Just being with the people who knew him best and loved him most, like Jack, has brought comfort, joy, and healing in my life.

Walker, you are forever in our hearts and our lives.

Robert Walker Best

Muster 2006

Lessons Learned

2011-08-25T10:49:00.000-05:00

At my first job out of college, my boss would make me do a self and team assessment at the end of every project. Our team would spend time together and individually, reflecting on our performance on the project, what we did well, what we could do better, and just things we must remember going-forward. We called this exercise "Lessons Learned".

Here are my Lessons Learned for my time as a Fat Tire Office Girl:

1. Be Nice to Everyone
Oftentimes this summer, I asked myself, "Why are people so mean?" I've never really been in the customer service industry before - but, man, those people really get pressure from all angles (customers and bosses). It was important for me to remember to Be Nice to everyone... even the people who ask stupid questions, even the neighborhood gypsies, and yes, even the mean people that came through our office.

It is interesting to me that I felt more inclined to help the people who were nice and kind to me - than the ones who were not. It might be naïve of me to say, but I believe being nice goes a long way.

2. It's OK to Not Know the Answer
Ever since 3rd grade, I've been scared of being wrong or sounding dumb. You see, I was working off the notion that there was no such thing as a stupid question. And yet, when I asked my teacher a question pertaining to Pangea and modern day continents, the class laughed at me. Ever since then, I've tried to ask the least amount of questions as possible and yet still somehow be great at what I do. And let me tell you, that's a pretty hard way to learn.

Because my time at FT was so brief and fast-paced, you either learn by mistake (which I did, trust me) or you learn by asking the stupid questions (which aren't so stupid after all). And instead of being tripped-up when something came up that I didn't know, I would politely and humbly admit that I didn't know the answer and that I would need a few minutes to figure it out. If the customer was nice (see #1), this usually worked. It's a great technique.

3. Have Fun
Point blank: life is too short not to laugh and have fun every day. Even at work! Although I respect the consulting industry, it was nice to act like a 20-something and not try to pretend to be older that I really am. You could oftentimes find the Office Girls playing volleyball outside, having bike races, practicing our British accents, picnicking for lunch, and just having good conversations - as long as our other office duties took priority.

I know that most jobs will not be as blatantly fun - like my mom always says, "work is work". But to find a job where you love the people you work with and love what you do is truly priceless.

FT Office Staff - Summer 2011

Antibes

2011-08-23T03:20:00.000-05:00

My goal for the end of August was to squeeze one more short trip in before I leave sweet Paris. And I did it! This past weekend, I spent two FULL glorious, perfect days in the south of France (in a town called Antibes) with two friends from work (Julie and Katy).

Antibes is an old, old port city on the French Riviera - tucked nicely in between Cannes and Nice. It is a fortified city, with large stone seawalls that line ~48 different beaches. It has long been a city for the rich and famous to holiday - including many artists like Picasso and Guadi, in the mid-1900's.

To maximize our beach time and minimize impact to our wallets, we took a 10-hour night train from Paris and slept in little railroad couchettes. We pulled into Antibes on Saturday just as the sun was rising over the Mediteranean Sea...we had found paradise! After a quick cafe stop, Julie, Katy and I lounged on the private Royal Beach for hours - frequently dipping in the clear Mediteraean waters to cool off. We only breaked for food and wine. We had a lot of great conversations, short naps under our beach umbrellas, and lots of sunscreening. It. Was. Perfect.

Me & Julie on the Royal Beach

Me, Katy, & Julie ready for dinner

Sunday looked an awful lot like Saturday (sunscreen, beach, nap, dip, repeat). But we sadly had to say goodbye to little Antibes and headed back to Paris. It was a great escape from the big city and the perfect way to end my time here in France.

Paris Market

2011-08-20T05:54:00.001-05:00

I've already discussed how much I love a Parisian picnic. But I've never told you guys about the actual market itself...

Every neighborhood in Paris is required by law to host an open-air market, two times a week. My market occurs every Wednesday and Sunday on Rue Grenelle and consists of mostly meat, cheese, and fruit vendors... which pretty much sums up a French diet. The Parisian market also offers a variety of pre-made items, like rotisserie chickens, quiche, apple pies, croissants, potatoes, pâté, and various sauces/dips, like tapenade.

The market is one of my top recommendations for people visiting Paris and is absolutely one of my favorites things about this city.

Grenelle Market - Housed under Line 6

La Rambla Market

2011-08-19T14:09:00.000-05:00

Note: This may be confusing to some of you - but this post is about the market in Barcelona. Our trip to this beach city was a few weeks ago now and I had written this entry right after we returned - but never posted it. I want to make sure I remember everything I can about this experience...

One place that was highly recommended to visit in Barcelona was La Rambla market. This is a highly-organized and very busy market in the center of Barcelona where you can find virtually anything. David and I enjoyed walking around, snapping photos, and tasting various yummy goodness - like fresh fruit, delicious chocolates, and of course - fruit juice.

The market was very different than the French market - a lot less bread and cheese ... and definitely more fruit and fish. Molt interessant, oi?

Fruit Juices

Color Detail

2011-08-18T07:14:00.000-05:00

One item on my Paris bucket list was to re-visit Musée de l'Orangerie - a smaller museum in the Tuileries Garden that houses Monet's famous Water Lilies paintings.

David had taken amazing photographs of these massive pieces of art (see below) ... and they are breathtaking. But on my visit to the museum, I stood up nice and close to the artwork, and studied the small details that may go un-noticed: the brushstrokes, the texture, the color. I specifically want to remember the deep, midnight blue-purple color that appears throughout Monet's work and the unassuming bursts of pinky-reds that pop throughout the canvas. Monet was a color-master.

This artful exercise made me think: sometimes, you are blown away by the big picture and how everything in life works together for good. And then other times, it is the tiniest details in life - friendly smiles, a warm baguette, the Eiffel Tower sparkle - that make life so beautiful.

Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.

-Oscar Claude Monet

Summer by Music

2011-08-13T07:24:00.001-05:00

Every summer is defined by one song that will forever remind you of that time. For instance, Kenny Chesney's Where I Come From will forever remind me of driving to the lake in 2006 and Van Morrison's Crazy Love takes me right back to Marfa, Texas.

This summer in Paris, we constantly have music playing at the office to help us get through the day - so there are a ton of songs that I've grown to love. However, when Breakin' Up by Rilo Kelly begins to play, all of the Office Girls start singing and the energy level goes way up at the Fat Tire office. It's a fun, upbeat song that just makes you happy (unless you actually listen to the lyrics - which is about breaking up).

Enjoy!

L’Avant Comptoir

2011-08-12T06:15:00.002-05:00

One of Kellen's requests upon arriving in Paris was to visit a restaurant that he had eaten at last year that served "fried fat" (he couldn't remember the name). Luckily, I knew precisely what he was talking about: L'Avant Comptoir.

L'Avant Comtoir is a standing room only, French "tapas" bar in the Latin Quarter. This tiny treasure defies everything that the French do: Stand while eating? No utensils? Tapas? Sidenote: The French won't call it a "tapas" bar. To them, it is a hors d’oeuvres bar. Those Frenchies are funny.

I'm thinking this is why I love it: L'Avant Comptoir combines the unbeatable French cuisine of Chef Camdeborde in a format where you can try gormet French food at a reasonable price. Plus, if you like it, you order another small plate. And if you hate it, you don't feel bad about the price. Although... I've never had anything at L'Avant Comptoir that I haven't loved, even the fried fat.

Kellen, LL, and myself at L'Avant Comptoir

From L to R: Fried Fat, Carpaccio & Parmesean Plate, Carmelized Pork, Artichoke Heart, Tataki Tuna

Chardonnay, s'il vous plaît

Michel Lode

2011-08-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

During a recent stroll around the city, we met a French street-artist named Michel Lode (pronounced "Mee-shelle Load" in fake French accent). Michel Lode hangs out on Pont des Arts, the bridge right next to the Louvre. He mainly paints slanted heads of "people" in bright colors on thin canvas. We had so much fun trying to converse with this [crazy] Frenchman - but at the time, all I could remember from 7th grade French class was, "Je t'aime" (I love you). Thus, we received quite a good deal on three pieces of Michel Lode's artwork.

Me, Michel Lode, and LL with our favorite pieces.

Our Loot from Lode

My Favorite One

I know what you're thinking: these paintings are a little strange. Michel Lode is no Picaso, but he is very special. He even scribbles his artistic French thoughts on his masterpieces. Who wouldn't love that?

Surely we can find a frame and a place in our new apartment for my favorite one...

Stay in the Gray

2011-08-09T06:50:00.002-05:00

Drying My Shoes

Today is a good day to be a little sad: the gray Paris sky is sitting atop gray Paris rooftops, rain continues to patter on our 6th floor apartment, and David has said his official goodbye to Paris. He is traveling to America as I type this post - he is headed back home to begin another school year, among other things.

And in the 20 minute metro ride from our train-station-goodbye, Paris felt different. All of the reasons why I love this city became dull - the accordion player on the metro didn't make me smile (as he always does), the fruit stand wasn't as vibrant, and our apartment was sadly empty. I am sad that I will not see my husband for a few weeks - I will miss him so much. But I am also sad because his departure signals the start of my own good-bye to Paris.

However, I still have time in the City of Light! I promised David that I would continue to explore the city, continue to work hard at my job, and I promised him I would come home. Here are a few things I want to do before I leave sweet Paris:

-Shopping trip to Les Puces de Saint-Ouen Flea Market
-Visit Musée de l'Orangerie one more time
-Take the Montmartre Walking Tour
-Squeeze in a weekend trip to the south of France with Julie
-Take D-Day Normandy Tour
-Run along the Champ du Mars to Trocadero
-Visit a Cordon Bleu cooking class
-Read/Sleep in the Tuileries Garden
-Purchase a sailboat from the Tuileries Garden
-Finish my book

Any other suggestions?

Dream within a Dream

2011-08-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

Our whole experience in Paris has been dreamy: the long walks at night, the forever-long sunsets, the smell of bread everywhere you go. It just doesn't get much better than this.

But it did the other evening...

As I was walking home from a long day at work, I passed my favorite and beloved boulangerie-patisserie called Secco. Suddenly, the owner (Stefanie Secco) was speaking to me in French and dragging me into her bakery by the hand. Using friendly hand-gestures and very limited English, Stefanie tells me that I can have all or anything I would like from her store that evening.

If you've been in a French boulangerie-patisserie, you understand how magnificent this is: from the brightly colored macaroons, to the buttery loaves of bread, all the way to my favorite lemon tartlet - it was a dream.

Secco in the 15th

My Treasures

Yes, the chocolate "pie" thing was as delicious as it looks.

I've always gone into Secco and wanted to try just a bite of every different pastry or dessert - and now, I have! I can honestly say each one was absolutely delicious.

A Month of Skype

2011-08-03T03:48:00.001-05:00

June and July have come and gone - and I only have one more month here in sweet Paris. July was very busy with work, travel, and visitors - however, I did find some time to talk to some of my favorite people:

The Hansen Family with angel baby, Harper

Stayed up late to talk to S. Duff from YL

Just chatting with Kathy

David will be traveling back to the States in less than a week. I am sad to see him leave... but very thankful that I get to stay in Paris for just a little bit longer.

Beach Rat

2011-08-02T03:41:00.000-05:00

I must admit, there are a few things I've missed this summer while in Paris. One of the things I have missed most is being able to layout in the sun by a body of water.

During our trip, we were able to escape the summer wind and rains of Paris and soak up some sun in Barcelona. The weather there was absolutely perfect - roughly 80°F with a slight breeze. Just enough sun to get some color and head back to Paris...

Beach by our Hotel

Sailing School by our Hotel

What body of water is your favorite? Mine has got to be the Hunters Creek swimming pool or the lake...

Gaudí

2011-08-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

Men may be divided into two groups: men of words and men of action. The first speaks; the latter act. I am of the second group. I lack the means to express myself adequately. I would not be able to explain to anyone my artistic concepts.

-Antoni Gaudí

Park Güell

La Sagrada Familia

Casa Mila

Barcelona: A Beach City

2011-07-29T17:38:00.000-05:00

Note: We just returned from our four-day trip to Barcelona, Spain. I have several observations about Barcelona that I want to capture here on my blog. But first - an overview of our trip and the city of Barcelona.

Overview & History:
Barcelona is a beach town. This may seem obvious to most - but when I say that it was a beach town, I mean it. Flip flops, bikinis, barefeet, cold drinks, sleepy afternoons, beach volleyball games, dreadlocked surfers, bright colors ... it was the complete opposite of Paris.

Barcelona, affectionately called "Barca" (bar-sa), is the largest European city on the Mediterranean coast. It is also the largest city in Catalonia - which is one of many different kingdoms of Spain. Thus, the people who live in Barcelona are Catalonian. They speak Catalan (not Spanish) and refer to themselves as Catalans (not Spanish). The Catalans have been fighting for autonomy for hundreds of years and continue to do so today. The history is very interesting... I wish I knew more.

Awesome Photo of the City by DJC

Food:
The food in Barca was completely different than what we've been eating in France. We tried seafood paella one night at a place called La Fonda, which consisted of rice, peas, mussels, shrimp, and some other non-descript crustacean. It was pretty delicious and very filling - exactly what we needed after a day at the beach! The third night we tried traditional Spanish tapas at Irati Taverna. The tapas in Spain are very different than what I thought I knew of tapas. They are normally a soft cheese or seafood meat atop a slice of bread with some sort of pepper on top. The tapas bars are self-serve and each tapas is about €1.70 - pretty reasonable for a light meal. We ended up splitting 6 tapas... and then later eating a slice of pizza because we were so hungry. Oops!

Tapas

Although I prefer French food over Spanish, I will say that the price and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables is amazing in Barcelona! Our favorite thing about this is the boquerias sell fresh squeezed fruit drinks (or "juices") for only €1 each. What a delicious, healthy, and refreshing snack!

Fresh Fruit Juice

Culture & People:
Life in Barcelona is much more laid back than life in Paris. Nobody cares in Barcelona - whereas everyone cares about everything in Paris (almost to a fault). You can do what you want, when you want, and look however you want to look while doing it - that was the beauty of being there. Everywhere I go in Paris, I get starred at for being American or wearing a tee shirt. It was refreshing to just go unnoticed.

Also, if the Parisians are a communal people (picnicking, cafe-ing, etc.), then Catalans in Barcelona are active, outdoorsy people. There are constantly people rollerblading, exercising, swimming, laying out, sailing, playing beach volleyball, playing soccer, etc. David and I had so much fun just watching the people in Barcelona play various sports. I wish we could have joined in!

Beach by our Hotel

Overall, it was a great trip! David took some amazing photos of our adventure and we got some sun on our skin. We were happy to have traveled to somewhere new - but so happy to return to sweet Paris!

Sunnies Count: 3

2011-07-29T02:39:00.001-05:00

Old sunnies flew off my head while running to my friend's apartment in the rain... and consequently, one of the lenses fell out. I was going to try to salvage them, however, while exiting the dinner party, the other lens fell down the elevator shaft and was never to be seen again. I think Sunnies #2 are cuter now without lenses - which is probably a good sign they were not meant to be.

That's where these bad boys come in: my new sunnies (#3), bought on our trip to Barcelona from a street vendor.

Sunnies #3 at la Sagrada Familia

These came-in very handy on the beaches of Barcelona...

Holiday in Spain

2011-07-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
– Miriam Beard

Gaudi

David and I are taking a quick trip to Barcelona this week. Neither of us have been to Spain and thought it was the perfect place to explore together. We are looking forward to discovering a new country, a different culture, delicious food, and warmer weather. Stay tuned...

Bikes

2011-07-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

In honor of le Tour, I thought I would talk about my love of bicycles.

The last bike I purchased was a tan, vintage non-descript cruiser from a garage sale. I bought it for $5 and paid a whole lot more to have a bell and a basket attached to it. I had grand ideas of riding this bike through the streets of Houston to go buy a Sunday paper and a bagel. Sadly enough, this never happened and my beloved tan, vintage something-or-other bicycle became a holder for David's plants. Despite the lack of riding, that bike really did make me so happy [to look at].

Non-Descript Bike turned Plant Holder

Fast-forward a few years later and I'm working as an Office Girl for a bike touring company. Every day, I help hundreds of tourists pick-out their very own California Beach Cruiser and set-off onto the streets of Paris. My favorite thing about this daily ritual is seeing the faces (and attitudes) of tourists transform from confused, worried and lost to giddy and excited the second they hop on their bike. It never fails: the moment the wind catches your hair, troubles, worries, and anything of the sort quickly melt away. I love it.

Bikes Help Your Butt

Source: google.com via Christine on Pinterest


Can't Not Smile

First order of business when I get back to the States - get one of these.

Sunnies Count: 2

2011-07-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

My beloved Ray-Ban knock-offs from Wal-Greens (pre-Paris) were recently "misplaced" at the office. So, I purchased these big boys at H&M for €5. That puts me at two different pairs of sunglasses here in Paris...

I wonder how long these will last...

La Barbe à Papa

2011-07-20T05:20:00.000-05:00

On our most recent day off from work, David and I headed over to the Tuileries Garden to eat lunch, take photos... and of course, to go to the carnival.

David had been eyeing the Tuileries carnival for a few weeks now - who could resist riding that beautiful ferris wheel or playing carnival games for prizes. And we certainly could not pass-up purchasing some cotton candy. The French call this sugary-mess-of-a-treat "la barbe à papa" - which literally translates to the beard of my father.

Whatever name you use, it was delicious.

Shortly after our candy snack, I was sent into what is technically called a "sugar high" and had the energy to follow David around Place Vendôme and Madeleine Church. I soon crashed form my sugar high, ultimately ending in a 2 hour nap back at the apartment. Not a bad way to end my day off.

Something Delicious

2011-07-18T04:54:00.002-05:00

Note: Life in Paris can be hard: walking everywhere in the rain, staying up until wee hours of the night, hauling bikes up and down stairs all day. Oftentimes, you find yourself starving and scavenging for anything resembling a carbohydrate to sustain you through the day. Or, if you're like me, you carefully plan your route through the City so that you pass your favorite boulangerie and ensure that you have €1,20 in your pocket to stop to get something delicious.

Recently, my "something delicious" has been croissants. As my friend Kellen would say, "I've never met a carbohydrate I don't like". But my-oh-my: fresh croissants found in Paris are on another level. They are simply delightful.

My Croissant
by: KKC

I see you through glass
Glistening and warm, you wait
for my "Je voudrais..."

I lay my coin down
You are passed to me with smiles
"Merci! Au revoir!"

Wrapped-up in paper
Like a gift on Christmas Day
Finally you are mine

A block or two pass
Slowly you transform into
flakes on my t-shirt

I've Brought Co-Workers into My New Addiction

Me vs. Croissant

Best Croissant Yet - Versailles, France on Rue du Pan

Will Work for Paris II

2011-07-15T04:52:00.000-05:00

Note: Yesterday, I did a brief day-in-the-life post about David's job here in Paris. Today, my loyal KSL readers (all 3 of you) get to hear all about my job at Fat Tire.

Where do I begin...

Kristin: Official "Office Girl"

That's right: there are eight Office Staff members in the Fat Tire Bike Tours office - all of whom are women. Thus, I have become an official Fat Tire "Office Girl". Despite the sexist and agist undertones of my job title, I am actually so proud to be a member of this group of employees.

My day normally starts at 8:15 AM at the shop. My first task as I walk through the door is to un-stack ~75 California Beach Cruiser bicycles, haul them up a few steps, and over to our courtyard. This may not sound physically demanding, but these bikes are about 25 lbs each and after lifting and hauling 75 of them out of the office, I have definitely worked up a sweat! Once the bikes are out on the courtyard and ready for the tour (and I stop breathing heavily), I help our customers get paid-up at the cash register and setup on their very own bike.

After our customers are setup on bikes, as the rookie Office Girl, I am usually volunteered to accompany our first tour of the day (Versailles Day Tour) through the streets of Paris as an "assistant tour guide" - ensuring that the entire tour group makes it safely to the Javel Train Station.

Ahhh - the Javel Train Station. This is the place that tests my previously held position as the "Poster Child for the Power Clean" (a title I am still very proud of, obviously). It is at Javel where I help our Versailles Tour group get their bicycles into the train station and onto an RER train (so they can get to Versailles). To accomplish this grueling feat, I assist the tour guide in carrying the aforementioned bicycles down two flights of stairs and onto a train platform. Oh, but it doesn't stop there. No, I then proceed to assist the tour guide in hoisting each customer's bicycle onto the RER train.

At the Javel Train St. Stairs

Phew! I'm tired just telling you guys my work schedule. And we're only half-way through my day! But don't worry, every time I go to Javel, I always reward myself with a little croissant stop at my favorite boulangerie (post coming soon).

After lunch, my day gets pretty normal*. My office duties include some and/or all of the following tasks:

-Answer support emails
-Answer phone calls
-Inventory tee shirts
-Rescue broken bikes
-Rescue broken segways
-Welcome tour groups back to the office
-Ring people up at the cash register
-Block traffic
-Test ride bikes
-Clean segway machines
-Clean the bathroom
-Make/Cancel reservations
-Special Projects

Overall, this job has been a good thing for me. I've always been caught-up in finding a "dream job" or coming up with some invention that would make me rich - as if either would make me completely satisfied. But my job as an Office Girl has changed me. It has humbled me. It has also made me more proud of myself than ever before. And most importantly, my job at Fat Tire has taught me that work is just that: work. It is not life. It is not who you are nor does it define how valuable you are as a person. And no matter what you do in this life - for work or for fun - you should give it all you got.

*Crazy is the new normal

Will Work for Paris

2011-07-12T13:30:00.000-05:00

Note: I am asked about our job with Fat Tire Bike Tours quite often from friends and family back in the States. Although this gig was more of a means to an end (and less of a professional move), our roles at FTBT have been huge blessings to both of us.

The next few posts will give you a glimpse into our working lives here in the City of Light.

David: The Official Tour Guide of Paris

Normally, David's day starts at 9:30 AM at the office, where he facilitates a segway tour for a group of roughly ten tourists. Now, if you have never ridden a segway - I must admit, they are pretty amazing. These two-wheeled motor vehicles can go up to 12 mph and are controlled by the shifting of the user's weight from front, to back. This is the advantage of a segway tour: you can orient yourself to the city in no time at all while using the least amount of effort possible!

Next, the segway tour is sent off into the city where they visit almost twelve sites during their four-hour tour. One of David's favorite things about the segway tour is the stop at the cafe in the Tuileries Gardens for lunch. It is here where his favorite waiter, Sebastian, let's David eat for free. Every. Single. Day. Lucky dog.

David on a Segway

After the morning segway tour, David runs off to his next tour - which is normally the Latin Quarter or French Revolution Tour. Now, David's walking tours are not for the faint-at-heart. No, these walking tours are ~2 mile long, information-packed doozies through the best parts of Paris with roughly 5 - 10 customers in each group. They are a great budget deal for the amount of information and quality time you get to spend with your guide!

By the end of the day, David is physically exhausted and ~~hungry~~ starving. Once he gets back home, David and I swap notes on what happened that day in "Fat Tire world", catch-up on emails, and get to bed around midnight - only to start another crazy day again.

In my opinion, there are three things you must be if you want to be a tour guide: (1) credible, (2) engaging, and (3) reliable. And if you know David, he is all three of these things. This is why David is an amazing tour guide and has done such a great job this summer. I mean, could a job be more perfect for him? He gets to adventure out each day, navigating the winding streets of Paris, while educating vacationing tourists about history. I believe this job combines the best of David - and he truly has gotten to shine this summer in the office.

Perfect Picnic

2011-07-08T03:09:00.000-05:00

Picnicking has been perfected in Paris.

Around 7:00 PM, the parks and squares of the city come alive with colorful blankets and sounds of French laughter and bottles of wine popping. This is one of the cheapest and most local ways to enjoy Paris: you just sit, eat, and talk. It's as simple as that.

Photo by David

Here are my personal picnicking favorites and essentials:

Essentials:
-Picnic blanket
-Wine opener
-Knife
-Plastic cups
-Scarf/Shawl (always gets chilly at night)
-Volleyball (for the more active picnic crowd)

Menu Favorites:
-Vin blanc (white wine)
-Baguette (fresh bread)
-Morbier (delicious cheese - read about it here)
-Chèvre aux raisins (goat cheese covered in raisins. Heavenly!)
-Saucisson (dried salami - fun to say and to eat!)
-Pâté dinde et pommes (tukey and apple pâté)

-Miel (honey - a new addition thanks to GK)

-Houmous (hummus)
-Avocat (avocado)
-Poivron Rouge (Red Pepper - the Parisians eat these like apples)
-Nectarine (Nectarine)
-Biscuits au chocolat (Chocolate cookie)

Favorite Picnic Spots:
-Grand Canal, Versailles
-Luxembourg Gardens
-Champs du Mars

Me & Tracey Picnicking at Versailles

Our Picnic Spread

Picnicking is defined as a "pleasure excursion at which a meal is often enjoyed". I assume the Parisians picnic more than Americans because they have less room in their apartments to host dinner parties or potentially due to the steep restaurant prices at the local cafe. In any case, the Parisians are doing something right: picnicking is a simple pleasure.

Note: If you want to read more about picnics, head over to HipParis. They have outlined the best spots in Paris to host your moveable feast.

Sustained Idleness

2011-07-06T04:57:00.001-05:00

I'm reading a book called Paris: The Secret History by Andrew Hussey. Although quite the read, this book has added so much colorful commentary to my already-intrigued thoughts and ideas about the City of Light.

One chapter of the book is dedicated to what the author calls "sustained idleness", a cultural practice that the French have been perfecting since the late 1700's.

To summarize, sustained idleness was first mentioned in history as the socioeconomic classes in Paris became more polarized - the rich became richer, and the poor became poorer. As the bourgeoisie became wealthier, they had less and less work to do. Thus, they filled their day with leisurely things: walks along the promenades of Paris, planned rendezvous at cafés, large meals that took hours to finish, and shows at the opera house.

It has been interesting to me - the amount of time Parisians spend at parks just laying around, or sitting at cafés just talking for hours, or even just strolling around the block with a cigarette and a poodle. The French really know how to take it easy and have absolutely nothing to do (in a good way).

So - to became fully integrated into the Parisian culture, I have started practicing sustained idleness a few times a week. During my first sustained idleness exercise, I strolled on over to the Luxembourg Gardens and just sat. At first I had to focus on not thinking about everything (like laundry or figuring out what I want to do with my life) and just sit. Deep breaths - in and out. And finally... nothing.

I've continued to do this very exercise roughly three-times each week at the very same spot for about an hour and a half each time. I mainly just people-watch (which explains why the French are always starring), wonder about gardening, think about words, shoo pigeons, listen to French conversations, and occasionally help tourists with directions.

Although, I dislike the idea of being idle - I love the idea of being still and quiet. It is such a simple thing to do but it adds much to your day.

Paris Metro

2011-07-03T04:19:00.003-05:00

Note: I've always wondered if I would like living in a city where you walk or ride the metro, instead of drive a car.

And it turns out that I do!

The Paris Metro is by far one of the more superior metro systems in the world. It is well-organized using colors and numbers, adequately serves the entire geography of Paris, and is consistently on time. I love seeing the same people every morning on my way to work. I love the cheesy accordion players who infiltrate the trains and play "La Vie En Rose" to earn their wage. I love the way the train operator pronounces the "Saint François Xavier" metro stop (Line 13) with such French-ness. I love that I can get anywhere in this city using my feet and a card.

My Stop on Line 6
By: KKC

A colorful line
Marks the place I want to go
I trace it by hand

David Navigates Using the Wine Bottle Technique

Tangled and twisted
Lines cross over and under
Until it's my stop

Before

Slowly, doors open
And close again and again
Faces change each time

After

Platform is empty
La Motte-Picquet is ready
For my arrival

Day Off #1

2011-07-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

After a few weeks of hard work, David and I finally got a day off together. It was brilliant. Here's what we did:

1) Slept-in until noon at our little apartment

2) Ate a Grec on Rue de la Huchette for lunch

3) Visited Sainte-Chappelle: Nestled on the Île de la Cité of Paris, this cathedral was originally built by Louis IX to house Christ's crown of thorns. Sidenote: We spotted Rudy Giuliani here at the Chapel. NBD.

Lower Chapel - Photo by DJC

4) Visited Notre Dame Cathedral: This Gothic-style masterpiece was at one point used as a warehouse for wine and almost destroyed, until Victor Hugo was encouraged to write The Hunchback of Notre Dame in efforts to save the cathedral. It is now the official center for ceremonial occasions and ad-hoc Parisian celebrations.

New Facebook Profile Pic?

5) Went on the Latin Quarter walking tour (part of our Fat Tire training)

6) Got Ice cream at Amorino's

All in a day (off) work!

Note: If you want to see more beautiful pictures from our Parisian adventure, here is a link to David's photos on Facebook. He is really becoming a great photographer - you should definitely take a look!

Dancing in the Streets

2011-06-29T00:34:00.000-05:00

A small taste of Fête de la Musique...

Needless to say, Fête was fun.

Fête de la Musique

2011-06-28T06:08:00.000-05:00

Fête de la Musique (referred to as Fête - pronounced "fet") is a music festival on June 21st, celebrating the moment of the summer solstice. Basically, it is an all-night dance party in the streets of Paris.

David and I were lucky enough to celebrate with the Fat Tire crew. This is one of two nights that Fat Tire completely closes down and the whole gang gets to be together. The night started out at a co-worker's flat, somewhere on the Right Bank. After some apéritifs, all ~30 of us hopped on bikes and took-over the streets of Paris. The Fat Tire bike gang stopped at designated Right Bank sites (like the Bastille, Les Halles, etc.) to grab a bite/drink and dance in the streets.

It was an amazing night. However, we were out late and both had to work the next day. Since then, I've been playing catch-up with sleep, emails, blogging, photos, and Skype.

Blame Fête.

David at Fête

Paris Streets during Fête

D&K

Above & Below No. 2

2011-06-19T14:01:00.000-05:00

ABOVE:

Courtyard at Fat Tire Bikes

BELOW:

Avoiding a Puddle on a Rainy Day

Navi Go

2011-06-18T11:56:00.000-05:00

The other day, on our way to get a Change Your Life crêpe, the passengers on our metro train were asked by the Parisian police to show proof of entry onto the metro. "No big deal," I thought, "we have our Navi-Go cards - so we're perfectly legit".

However, after showing the policeman our Navi-Go cards, we had apparently missed a step in the process: identification photos. We received a small warning and strong encouragement to go get our ID photos made ASAP...

Who knew?

KKC's ID Photos

DJC ID Photos

I was wondering why there were so many photo booths in the metro stations...

Change-Your-Life Crêpe

2011-06-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

A few nights ago, David and I ventured out into Paris to try our first ever 'Change Your Life' crêpe.

The 'Change Your Life' crêpe stand is actually a take-away food booth attached to the Le Pierrot Cafe (at the La Motte-Picquette metro station). One of our Fat Tire co-workers has made this modest food stand famous by referring almost every single one of his tour groups here to get a crêpe that will 'change their life'. If you walk up to the crêpe stand in a Fat Tire t-shirt, the guy at the counter automatically starts making the 'Change Your Life' crêpe:

Ingredients in a 'Change Your Life' Crêpe:
-Shredded Motzarella Cheese
-Yellow Curry Chicken (Shredded)
-Tomatoes
-Fried Egg
-Chili Sauce
-Salt / Pepper
-"Special" Ingredient (?)

And wa-la! Although my life was not dramatically changed by this crêpe, I will say that I've been back twice in three days...

Vente a Emporter = Takaway

A Changed Life

Let it Rain

2011-06-15T05:01:00.000-05:00

Summer in Paris is very different than summer in Texas. It is filled with 65 degree weather and... rain.

But here's the catch - it's the best kind of rain there is: you don't have to drive in it, it is more of a drizzle than a downpour, and somehow, I never get wet (I can't explain it - but it's true).

However, the best thing about the rain is how the French react to the rain. It's almost like the rain doesn't exist. They barely use umbrellas, taxis do not drive more carefully, and women still wear their high heels. And somehow, all of the Frenchies still look as lovely as ever.

Ah - to be French when it rains!

via HipParis

Accessories needed for rain in Paris:

-Trendy trench coat
-A newspaper or magazine (to cover your hair, of course)
-Beautiful flats (never rain boots)
-Hair tie (in-case the magazine doesn't keep your hair dry)
-Baguette (because this is an accessory at all times in Paris)

Sights & Sounds No. 1

2011-06-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

I was in a rush the other day, exiting the Châtelet metro stop (in Le Marais) when I heard this beautiful sound:

Now, there are a ton of talented street performers and artists playing in-and-around the streets of Paris. But I usually walk-by them and don't think anything of it.

This time - it was different. It's not every day that you see a 12-piece orchestra playing Pachelbel's Canon in D in the middle of one of the busiest stations in Paris. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this big city and my hectic day, it was nice to stop, take a moment, and take it in.

A Week of Skype

2011-06-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

Kellen - bragging about his summer tan

Parental Unit - Had never video chatted before

Sarah & BooBoo Head - Enthralled w/ Video Chatting

I miss everyone so much!

E N C H A N T É

2011-06-12T05:51:00.000-05:00

Tom (pictured below) is one of the friendly Frenchies that we met at Bo Bun the other night. He said "enchanté" upon meeting each one of us and I haven't stopped thinking about that word ever since...

Enchanté (ahn-shahn-tay)

-From Old French enchanter, meaning to cast a spell
-A word used upon meeting a new person (nice to meet you)
-Translation: Utterly delighted or captivated; fascinated; charmed

Tom from Bo Bun

Things that have enchanted me in Paris:

-The ability of French women to wear high heels. Everywhere.
-Children speaking French
-Our apartment courtyard
-Red fashion accessories (the French do it so well)
-Marie Antoinette
-Thunder storms in Paris

Brochure Run Lessons

2011-06-11T03:27:00.000-05:00

Fat Tire offers a few different ways to make extra cash while you work here over the summer. One way to make some extra dough is to do a "brochure run". When one signs up for a brochure run, they receive a list of hotels that can be found within a given Paris neighborhood (arrondissement), they load up a bike with 200+ brochures and a map, and head out into Paris, trying to find these hotels and stock their lobbies with Fat Tire brochures. For every hotel that you stock with brochures, you receive a stamp indicating that you've done your job and that Fat Tire should pay you for the job well done.

Despite the fact that I'm horrible with directions, sort-of clumsy on a bike, and don't speak a lick of French, I signed up to do a brochure run for the 15th arrondissement. And I'm here to tell you that I won. I did it. I braved Parisian traffic and maps and dogs barking at me... and I found every single one of the fifteen hotels on my list.

15th Arrondissement Map used to find Hotels

Hotel #1 - 8 (Stamp of Approval on Right)

Hotel #9 - 15 (Stamp of Approval on Right)

It's interesting: this brochure run was the second time in the past ten days that I have surprised [read: impressed] myself. Out of no where, I was speaking [broken] French to the hotel concierges, navigating the busy streets of Paris [on a bike], and proving to myself that you can accomplish just about anything you put your mind to.

I'll cheers to that.

Bo Bun

2011-06-10T03:45:00.000-05:00

After a long day of training, David and I (along with some new co-worker/friends from Fat Tire) headed to dinner at a restaurant affectionately called "Bo Bun" (we don't actually know the real name of the place). Bo Bun is a hole-in-the-wall [read: very affordable] Vietnamese restaurant/bar close to our apartment and is a Fat Tire favorite.

To cut to the chase: the place was packed and we ended up sharing a table with 5 French students (pictured below). The French mainly stay to themselves and rarely strike up conversations with Americans, however, we found the friendliest Frenchies in France that night. The food was delicious, the wine was inexpensive, and our new French friends were lovely (they even do the authentic French greeting - kisses on both cheeks!). The Fat Tire gang enjoyed ourselves so much that we promised the Frenchies that we will go to Bo Bun every Thursday night from here on out and meet them for a drink.

Sharing a Table with Our New Frenchies

The Main Dish at Bo Bun: Beef Bo Bun

D&K Eating Bo Bun at Bo Bun

Marie Antoinette

2011-06-09T04:09:00.001-05:00

Part of my training for Fat Tire is to go on every single one of the tours that Fat Tire offers (check them all out here). Not a bad training program, if I do say so myself...

Today, I was able to take the Versailles Day Tour. Out of all of the Fat Tire tours, this has to be my favorite one. It is more relaxed than other tours, you get out of Paris and out to the 'burbs for a short time, and you learn about the crazy French royalty - specifically Marie Antoinette.

Here is a fun fact that I learned today:

At the ripe age of 15, Marie Antoinette, an Austrian princess, married the 16-year-old King Louis XVI and they took residence out in the countryside of Versailles. Despite having beautiful palaces, fancy parties, and a lavish wardrobe, Marie Antoinette became quite bored of the royal lifestyle in Versailles and began educating herself. She specifically loved reading the philosophies of Rousseau and his Natural Human theory, which stated that humans are innately good and society influences humans to become bad or unhappy. This greatly impacted Marie Antoinette and inspired her to lead a more simple life, one that was impacted less by the royal court and her status. So, being the interesting character that she was, Marie Antoinette constructed a faux village on the grounds of Versailles so that she could dress-up as a peasant and pretend to milk cows, herd sheep, and do other "peasant-y" things to entertain herself.

Très Chic

2011-06-08T00:44:00.000-05:00

While I was working the closing shift last night, David surprised me with a bundle of fresh white peonies for our anniversary. It was très romantique...

Then I brought the flowers home and soon realized we didn't have a vase to put them in. So I improvised and used an empty water bottle instead. It was très chic...

Peonies in a Water Bottle

Above & Below No1

2011-06-07T00:26:00.002-05:00

ABOVE:

10:00 PM Sky in Paris

BELOW:

Apartment Courtyard w/ Bicycles and Flowers

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

2011-06-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

David has arrived in Paris - and just in the nick of time for our second year wedding anniversary! We spent today sleeping in late, strolling through the 7th arrondissement, a picnic in front of L'Hôtel national des Invalides, and a late afternoon coffee. Yes, it's good to have a companion in Paris.

Doors in Paris No8 - by Victoria Kwint

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

-Colossians 3:12-14
(Scripture read at our wedding)

An Evening in Paris

2011-06-06T05:15:00.000-05:00

For the past several days, I have been training for my new gig here in Paris. I really haven't had the time (or energy) to do much more than work, eat, and sleep. However, this past Saturday two great things happened: (1) I made a new friend, and (2) my new friend and I enjoyed a fun evening in Paris.

Here is a glimpse into my first real evening in Paris:

9:30 PM: Bottle of wine on the Champ de Mars
(Note: It doesn't get dark here until 10:00 PM)

10:00 PM: Café Du Marché on Rue Cler for a little snack

12:00 AM: The Moose (Canadian Bar) to watch one of the Stanley Cup final games with co-workers
(Note: I had a Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc beer at The Moose. I highly recommend it!)

Paris Apartment

2011-06-04T19:00:00.003-05:00

We have leased an apartment in Paris for the summer! Here are the details:

-Apartment owned by a one "Francois" (how perfect is that?)
-Nestled in the Montparnasse neighborhood (see the red "x" in picture #1 below)
-On the 6th floor, with a lift, two security access codes, and two keys (I think I'm safe here)
-A fresh fruit stand resides at the entrance of the apartment building
-The apartment concierge is an elderly Frenchman who likes to garden and wears Wayfarer sunglasses
-Has a big window in the living room (see picture #3)
-New home of the simple life

Neighborhood Map

Pictures from Original Apt Ad

View from Our Apt

M E R C I

2011-06-03T13:46:00.002-05:00

There are two things you must remember while in Paris: always say "bonjour" to everyone you meet. And never forget to say "thank you"...

Merci (mehr-see)

-From Medieval Latin merced- / merces, meaning "price paid, wages"
-A word used to express thankfulness; an exclamation of thanks

via HipParis

Things I am thankful for:

-My French phrase book
-Champs de Mars
-New work friends
-Espresso
-Video Chat
-Maps

Made it to Paris...

2011-06-02T15:14:00.000-05:00

Barely!

Let me back up: the week leading up to my departure to Paris was what I like to call a "marathon week". I left my job, finished packing-up our apartment, started packing for Paris, and moved our stuff into storage. To top it off, I drove to San Antonio to be in my best friend's (Lana) wedding on Sunday. All-in-all, my head was swimming in details, solving problems, and constantly worrying about logistics. Not to mention, I was a tad bit nervous to go to Paris by myself.

And then... it happened. The scariest and best thing that could happen to me:

The airplane that was flying me to Paris had to emergency land in Canada due to a small electrical fire and cabin smoke.

Yes. You heard correctly. There was a fire on my airplane and smoke had filtered throughout the cabin while we were still up in the air. The situation started 3 hours into the flight, while most people were asleep--except for me, of course. I was too busy worrying about the above-mentioned details when I noticed two flight attendants start to cry. The tension among the attendants and passengers quickly rose as the smoke in the cabin became worse.

This was it. I was about to die. I quickly grabbed my Bible out of my backpack and read Psalm 139 (over and over again). I tried to take deep breaths but slowly began to cry. I was having a moment. A real moment. This was the scariest moment of my life.

But I'm here now and I am alive!

Somehow, our plane was able to emergency land in Toronto, passengers were quickly de-planed, and firefighters came to the rescue. I was re-reouted the next day to Paris (via Newark) and I safely landed a day late.

I can't tell you how good that flight has been for me. I have never had a near-death experience before - but it has given me a new perspective. I feel so lucky to be alive and breathing that really nothing else matters. The small, minuscule worries that were clogging my brain somehow vanished. Even in the past few days in Paris, I have (surprisingly) stayed calm and collected during minor crisis' (which is definitely not my normal style). I have an overwhelming sense of peace these days. I have surrendered to the fact that life is not within my control and for the most part, things will go wrong, stuff gets messed up, and people get hurt. Sounds sad and scary, I know. But this little fact has let me, let go. It has allowed me to enjoy the good moments of each day, relish small victories (like getting to the right metro stop), and appreciate people more.

If this is the only lesson I learn from this Parisian experience, I consider it a success.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

- Luke 12:22-25

The Move

2011-05-26T17:49:00.002-05:00

Note: I am probably the opposite of a hoarder (minus loving cats). I LOVE throwing stuff away, I love organizing things, and I love a deep clean. So, moving out of our little apartment has been somewhat of a therapeutic process for me.

If you know how to pack, you know that it's a long process and you know to start early. You pack the things that you use the least, first. And then slowly but surely you put away the things you use more... until finally, the day of the move, you pack-up your most useful and purposeful possessions. It makes you realize what things truly are important in your life.

Empty
By: Kristin

Everything that's mine
Wrapped-up neatly in boxes
I hope nothing breaks

Boo-Boo Head

2011-05-24T09:41:00.001-05:00

If you know me, you know that I love giving nicknames to just about anything - including babies. These nicknames don't mean anything--they're usually random alpha-numeric sounds that come to my head, strung together to make an interesting word. Previous nicknames for various people/things include: NeeNee, Nugs, Triscuit, KiKi, MooMooLaLaSiSiGaGa (that last one is a stretch). However, my most recent nickname is "Boo-Boo Head", an affectionate name I use to talk to my friend's newborn baby.

Boo-Boo Head's real name is "Owen" and I adore this little man. My goal in life is to make him smile and to have him call me by a funny nickname, in return.

His mom, Sarah, asked me to take some photos of him a few weeks ago - and I thought I would share. I'm going to miss this little Boo-Boo Head while we're in Paris!

What should Owen's nickname be for me?

More, Please

2011-05-22T13:49:00.000-05:00

Note: Ever since we decided to go to Paris for the summer, I've been vigorously following a new blog, HipParis. I will probably continue to re-post items from this blog because it combines three of my greatest passions: real estate, writing, and international cities (such as Paris).

The other day, a guest blogger on HipParis, Kari Geltemeyer, perfectly described how she feels about Paris and her struggle to put these feelings into words. It made me excited for all of the journaling and thinking I plan on doing while abroad... it's a long post, but worth the read and the beautiful photographs...

Being a Tourist in Paris: It's All About Pleasure
by Kari Geltemeyer

Hi. My name is Kari, and I am a tourist. A lot of people don’t like to admit this, or feel guilty about it, and those people refer to themselves as “travelers.” That’s fine; we become what we wish to be, etc. I’ve decided to embrace the “tourist” label wholeheartedly, unabashedly, with gusto—mostly because it takes too much energy not to.

According to Merriam-Webster, a tourist is “one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture” (no mention of fanny packs). I enjoy the culture, yes, but I go to Paris for the pleasure. I waited 40 years before I saw this city and now I love it the way I first loved New York, cinematically, as a hopelessly romantic construct no reality can touch.

Must be something in the air. I stumble around, staring up at the rooftops—those rooftops!—and the nonverbal part of my brain just takes over, the part that processes beauty and joy and awe, the part that wouldn’t be able to translate the emotion into language even if I spoke the language. (I do not. I flail and I fumble and I manage, but I deeply, fundamentally do not.)

Where’s the language that would explain what I’m seeing when I cross over the Pont Louis Philippe in the morning, when the day is new and the light shines on the streets just like that, or when I sit on the Quai de Bourbon at sunset and watch the sky fall away while the city rises?

What words could tell you, “This is the calm I feel in the garden at the Musée Rodin,” or “This is the way my heart beats every time Notre Dame comes into view”? There are none. A fool in love can’t say how or why, only “More, please.”

And it’s because of this—the simple inexpressible translation of pleasure—that I don’t have the time to pretend I’m anything other than a tourist. Struggling to conceal it made me timid, and timidity is the one thing you can’t afford when you travel. Really, it’s just an enormous waste of time.

That’s not to say that as a tourist I mock the locals or spend all my time at McDonald’s and the Gap. I behave the same way I would as a guest in anyone’s home: I do my best to understand the culture, I say please and thank you, and I keep my feet off the furniture.

But as a tourist I carry my enormous camera everywhere and photograph everything. I take the train out to Giverny to see Monet’s gardens on a Sunday.

I eat croissants for breakfast at sidewalk cafés. I pack a bottle of wine and a baguette and picnic on the Seine at sunset. I sit for hours in the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Tuileries and sign up for a river cruise I’ve taken once before, and at the end of my trip I ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, just for the view. Just for the pleasure.

Coming to Terms

2011-05-21T11:18:00.009-05:00

Although most of our Paris adventure is filled with meeting new people and seeing new places, part of this adventure includes having to say goodbye. Here are some goodbyes that I'm coming to terms with:

My Job
This past Friday was my last day working at Suez Energy as an IT Project Management Contractor. It is important to note that after a small career hiccup at an unnamed design firm, this job at Suez literally fell into my lap and restored my faith in people, business, and myself. Although I liked the work at Suez, I must mention that the people were just the salt of the earth and my favorite part of the job.

Farewell Lunch w/ Suez Friends

My Young Life Girls
The fifty-or-so Young Life junior girls (and co-leaders) are my family here in Houston. This summer, my girls will be going on a Wilderness adventure - backpacking through the Colorado mountains for a week. Obviously, I will not be able to go and it breaks my heart. I know how important this trip is to my girls and how it will impact their senior year and beyond. I wish I could be in two places at once...

My YL Girls

Our Apartment
I know, I know - it's just an apartment. But it's the only dwelling that I've lived in for more than one year (post-high school) and our first place together as a married couple. It fits our style and it's in a great location in Houston. But my favorite part of our little apartment is our balcony view. Yes, "The Milly", a nick-name for our apartment complex, has been good to us...

Our Apartment According to KSL

Summer Plans

2011-05-18T17:00:00.007-05:00

Four years ago, while I was dating David, I sent him a sassy email outlining my goals for adulthood. Among items such as, “Complete a Triathlon”, “Go to Breakfast”, “Read the Newspaper”, and “Meet Diane Sawyer”, I declared to David that I would live abroad—somewhere, somehow.

Well, I’m here to tell you that four years later… we’re actually doing it! We’re moving to Paris for Summer 2011!

This summer, David and I will be living abroad in Paris, France for roughly three months. Both of us have accepted summer positions with Fat Tire Bike Tours—a company owned and operated by Aggie friends. David will be a segway tour guide and I will be working in the office. We are finalizing details about where we will live while in Paris – but for the most part, all of the details are falling into place. We plan on returning to Houston after our stint abroad: David will return to his teaching position in Sugar Land… and I will… figure something out. But for this brief moment in time, David and I will be able to go on a little adventure. Together.

We both feel extremely lucky to be able to live abroad, even for a short time. We’ve had so much encouragement from our parents and loved ones to seize this opportunity now. I’m proud of us for actually following-through on this one. In life, it’s so easy sometimes to give up on dreams, get comfortable with your job, and be hesitant about change. I won’t lie—it is a little scary and I have definitely had second thoughts at times. But I know that for this summer, Paris is where we’re supposed to be.

I will be heading to the City of Lights in about one week and David will be joining me a few days later. I hope to capture a lot of our experiences, adventures, thoughts, feelings, Nutella recipes, gypsy sitings, French language disasters - and everything in-between - here on this blog. I hope you continue to follow us on this journey!

Honeymoon in Paris - June 2009

Rodin Museum

Fat Tire Bike Tour - Versaille Day Trip

Quintessential: Paris

2011-05-10T13:00:00.001-05:00

What is the first thing you think when you think of Paris?

I oftentimes play this game (the “What’s-the-First-Thing-That-Comes-To-Mind” game) when I’m bored. I try to be as unfiltered as possible, not restraining myself to be creative or eloquent. It’s interesting that some of us, when prompted with the same word or phrase, will think of either the exact same thing ... or something entirely random and unique. Although we are all viewing and experiencing the same thing (in this case, the city of Paris), we have each interpreted our experience differently.

Here are some of the quintessential things that I think of when I think “Paris”:

Lattes

via HipParis

Monet

via HipParis

Macaroons

via Threes A Party

Stripes

via JCrew

Honeymoon

Gypsy Soul

2011-05-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

After college, I didn’t think very much about where I wanted to live: my job was in Houston and that would be just fine.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to settle down somewhere. You see, when you live somewhere, you are legally, physically, and financially bound to that piece of property. But I think it is much more than that: I believe that when you decide to live somewhere, you become emotionally, professionally, and spiritually connected to that community. With every year or job or family or favorite restaurant, it becomes a little easier to call a new city home… and a lot harder to leave.

But for some reason, I like the idea of not being too settled in one place (at this point in my life). In theory, I like the feeling that anything is possible and if a great opportunity arose in some other place, I could go after it. I appreciate and respect the ambiguous nature of the future: that literally life continues to unfold daily before my eyes, with small twists and turns that I never saw coming from a mile away. I must believe that the Plan God has for me is much greater than what I have for myself.

I'm Not Sari
Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 48"
by Kellen Segura

Say It in Llama

2011-05-03T15:57:00.002-05:00

One time, in college, I was disseminating some very important information to my sorority sisters, when something funny happened:

I was presenting a hand-drawn picture of an animal with the word, “LLAMA”, written at the top (don’t ask). I proceeded to combine my familiarity with the Spanish language and my flare for public speaking, and called this friendly animal a “yama” (instead of “llama”). Three times. In front of 200 people.

I was recently reminded of my public speaking mishap when a dear friend announced the creation of a new type font, called Llama (see below). It made me laugh... and wish I were back in college.

Royal Observations

2011-04-28T12:00:00.004-05:00

This week is all about the Brits. Actually last weekend was all about the Brits, as I watched The Kings Speech (twice) for the first time.

Several things came out of my movie-watching experience:

1) I have a heart for people with speech impediments. As a young child, I accidentally picked up a New Jersey accent from a babysitter and sounded more like Snooki than a normal child.

2) I vaguely remember a small crush I had on Prince Harry…

3) I cherish the Brits, as a people. They are the nicest, most cheery and rosey-cheeked group of human beings ever.

4) I wish I could live on the set of The Kings Speech. That dreary wallpaper! Those hanging airplane mobiles! Honestly, I haven’t stopped thinking about that damn wall since Saturday…

the damn wall

via Salvaged Grace

The New Colossus

2011-04-20T09:30:00.003-05:00

April is National Poetry Month.

I love poetry. I love poetry mostly because it most oftentimes expresses a feeling I can’t quite put into normal speech. No, there are some feelings that must be communicated using elevated techniques, such as poetry (or music or art…).

One such feeling that is expressed best through poetry is my feelings towards America. The New Colossus, a poem by Emma Lazarus, is my favorite poem about this great country. To think that a nation of “tired, poor... homeless” immigrants would turn out to be the most powerful country in the world is incredible – we are a true story of redemption.

Statue of Liberty Art Contest Winner
- Lilian, age 8

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbsastride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883

Cochineal Too

2011-04-19T15:00:00.001-05:00

New York Times Review of Cochineal
With a menu featuring dishes like rosemary-marinated rack of lamb with mint pesto and salmon grilled on mesquite, Cochineal is set in a 100-year-old adobe building redone in a style that the owner, Tom Rapp, calls “friendly Minimalism.” The desserts, especially the baked-to-order date pudding, are excellent. Rapp, says he opened Cochineal as an expression of “global home cooking” - a concept only understood in Marfa, Texas.

Cochineal

2011-04-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

Coch·i·neal [koch-uh-neel]
— noun
1. a Mexican homopterous insect that feeds on cacti
2. a crimson substance (called carminic acid) obtained from these insects, used as dye
3. the colour of this dye (as adjective - "cochineal fabric")

Female & Male Cochineal

Carminic Acide Molecular Structure

Cochineal Yarn

Brunch is Best

2011-04-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

Obviously, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

However, on celebratory weekends spent with friends, brunch seems like a much more viable option-- brunch allows you to sleep in a little, putz around in your robe while drinking coffee. And then finally, about 10:30 AM you decide that you’re hungry and should probably eat…and have some type of alcoholic beverage before noon. Yes, on mornings like that, brunch is best.

I recently got to brunch in New York City, with two of my best friends. It was dreamy.

Restaurant: Freemans
Location: Some Alley in the Lower East Side, NYC
Event: Celebrating a New Engagement
Drink: Bloody Mary with Jalapeno Slice
Dish: Smoked Trout Dish w/ Hard-boiled Egg & Sourdough Toast

Atmosphere: Rustic, Charming, Cheerful, Quaint ... and packed!
Food: Clean, Simple, Classic
Price: $$$
KKC Rating: * * *

Outside Freemans

Inside Freemans

Freeman Bar

Freeman Cheeseburger ... yum!

Trout w/ Sourdough Toast

Marfa House

2011-04-11T18:00:00.006-05:00

This 100-year-old home is the first house you ~~see~~ notice while visiting Marfa's town square. It was redesigned/restored by an amazing Houston-based designer, Barbara Hill, several years ago. The house is a great example of contemporary design having soul.

Perfect for Marfa.

all images via Barbara Hill

Read the NYT interview with the designer here.

L A V A C A

2011-04-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

Lavaca - Historic Neighborhood in San Antonio

La Vaca - The Cow

Name Changer

2011-04-05T16:00:00.020-05:00

What do people call you? Do you have a name/nickname that you love or that you hate?

Prior to marriage, I had the most awesome last name in the history of names: Kusiak. Not only is "Kusiak" fun to say, it lends itself to a plethora of nicknames, such as (but not limited to):

-Kooze
-Booze
-Booziak
-K-dawg
-KK (when paired with my first initial)
-Kooze-mi-ak
-K.Kooze
-Koozie-Snack

However, my old last name has become my new middle name, in which case “Christie” has become my new last name. It’s been a confusing transition—not only because I have an entirely new name 25 years later, but my new last name is eerily similar to my first name. Honestly, most people that I work with truly believe my first name is “Christie” and my last name is “Kristin” – it’s embarrassing. Close friends, however, still call me one of the above-listed nicknames, all of which refer to my maiden name.

So what’s in a name (or a name change) anyways? And if I legally changed any part of my name, would people continue to call me what they’ve been calling me for the past 25 years? A name doesn’t literally change my marital status or who I am. So what DOES a name change, change?

Mary Ruffle

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell just as sweet."

-Romeo and Juliet

Golden Age

2011-04-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, The Satorialist has spotlighted one of my very favorite subjects: old people.

I say this with the utmost respect: old people are fascinating to me. I’ve been drawn to the elderly ever since I was a kid—bugging my next door neighbors, Tom and Loretta (said: “Maretta” – I had a speech impediment at the time). As an adult, I'm more fascinated by their stories and perspective—so much has changed in their lifetime! Will mine be similar? What will I look like when I'm old? What will my "grandma name" be? Will I still have a blog when I’m their age?

all images via The Satorialist

I appreciate The Satorialist posting about these golden agers. The media is so enthralled by youthfulness that we often forget the wisdom and value of a more mature human being.

What is your grandma/grandpa name going to be?

Peter

2011-03-29T16:03:00.001-05:00

Have I told you about my infamous art history professor, Peter?

I had the privilege of being one of Peter’s students when I studied abroad in Italy. Peter is an older, taller gentleman with wild grey hair, mostly all-black attire, and a bicycle with a horn. Our class would follow him up-and-down the cobblestoned streets of Florence, trying to keep up with him and that damn bike of his. I would race to be the closest one to him during class, writing down everything he said and sketching the piece of art we were talking about that day in class in my little red notebook.

It was as if for the first time in my life, I knew that I was learning something that I ought not to forget—not because my grade depended on it but because I knew my life would be changed because of it. Some of the words Peter said are still so vividly etched into my memory that they have become a small part of who I am. I’d like to document some of the things I learned from Peter here on this blog.

Did you have any great professors?

Bracketology Methodology

2011-03-21T17:00:00.068-05:00

Rarely do I talk about sports on KSL – mainly because sports are not simple.

Sports are actually quite difficult to keep up with – all of the team names, player stats, position nuances, and referee hand-signals that one must memorize before becoming a “sports fan” seem daunting. Nevertheless, I decided to complete a college basketball championship bracket this season. This was the first time in 26 years that I have filled out an NCAA basketball tournament bracket (let alone cared if a team actually won). And I must say – it has been exhilarating!

I created my bracket by myself and then submitted it to David for approval. I couldn’t fully explain my reasoning for the teams I had selected to my husband - they just felt right for me. In sports, as in life, sometimes we must forget logic and make decisions with our hearts.

KKC’s Bracketology Methodology:
-Missouri over Cincinnati: Mizzou has a great journalism program
-Penn St. over Temple: I once lived in Pennsylvania (circa 1985)
-Gonzaga over St. Johns: “Go Zags!” is fun to say
-BYU over Florida: BYU has really impressed me with the Brandon Davies situation
-Clemson over W. Virginia: David’s friends took a road trip to Clemson in college and had fun
-Kentucky over Clemson: I have a soft spot for the children of Appalachia

Butler celebrates the "W"... that's short for "win"

Forever Young

2011-03-18T12:00:00.002-05:00

In the past several months, many of our friends have had babies. Also in the past several months, we have sadly attended funerals and memorial services for our sweet grandparents. The sheer juxtaposition of these two major life events has left me stumped over here in the [real] simple life. If a lifetime is such a small wrinkle in eternity, then what should the time in our lives be spent doing?

If money were no issue, I can’t help but think that we would spend our time as children often do: riding bikes with friends, being on summer league swim team, road trips to Wyoming, attending Girl Scout meetings, and living within shouting distance of our families. We would be young at heart. Forever.

I stumbled upon a project by photographer, Irina Werning. He has compiled pictures from his subject’s childhood and asked them to recreate the scene in the picture now that they are adults. The project has turned into retrospective treasure.

The Good Stuff

2011-02-18T16:30:00.002-06:00

Do you ever stop and think about how much stuff you have?

Better yet, do you ever think about how much stuff is trapped inside homes across America? Sometimes I walk by houses just imagining what is inside—all the treasures and trinkets that are unknown, hiding in drawers or placed aside—just waiting for someone to find them.

Margie Beegle Sales Co. here in Houston is hosting an estate sale this Saturday—seen here and previewed below. I mean, look at this little barn that is just jammed packed with goodness!

Future Writers Cabin? I wonder if the actual barn is up for sale?

I spy: a Black Typewritter, Basket of Yarn, Green Glass Jar, Wooden Cubby Hole Cabinet

Oh the things I would fill this with! Buttons, yarn, old pencils, stamps...

I've actually seen this framed art print before--it's one of my favorites!

What stuff do you have?

Keeping Monday Simple

2011-02-14T09:00:00.001-06:00

According to this book, there are three articles of clothing that I must pay attention to if I want to dress well: sunglasses, handbag, and coat/jacket.

Apparently, I could wear a trash bag and get away with it if the above listed articles of clothing are looking good.

That's simple enough.

Ray Ban

Chloe

JCrew

Done and done.

Happy Monday.

Breakfeast

2011-02-09T17:00:00.009-06:00

Note: I have one cup of old fashioned, whole grain oatmeal every morning. I’ve had this same breakfast every day for a year now—and I can honestly say that it is a simple pleasure in my life. It is basic and it is hearty. It is what I should be putting in my body. Oatmeal is a good thing.

Haiku for Oatmeal
by Kristin

Gathered and rolled straight
Sifted for the perfect flake
Packaged just for me

Tiny specs of grain
Expanded to fill a void
Inside my stomach

Breakfast meal or snack
You are everything to me
Oatmeal is perfect

What do you eat for breakfast?

Giveaway!

2011-02-09T10:00:00.001-06:00

Update: The first KSL giveaway is closed! Thanks for participating!

The winner of the set of eight note cards with THEIR VERY OWN custom, illustrated portrait on the front is....Kim Davis! Can't wait to see what Coops comes up with for you!

I will update everyone once the final product is complete.

Thanks again!

PS: If you want to know how the winner was determined, visit this link.
___
Today, KSL is doing its first giveaway.

You see, after a recent blog post about how much I love stationary and handwritten letters, a lot of friends mentioned how much they loved stationary too (especially the illustrated portrait note cards found in the post). And I don't blame them--look at how perfect these are:

Customized Note card Set

Closeup of Illustrated Portrait

Plus, I'm a beliver in the written word. And honestly you can never have too much stationary (Amen). And it's about damn time I give something away! So I am teaming up with one of my favorite friends (Coops) to offer up an awesome prize to one lucky winner: a set of eight note cards with YOUR VERY OWN custom, illustrated portrait on the front.

Here’s how you can win!

1. Leave a comment on this post describing what your illustrated portrait would look like (mine obviously has a blond, side-ponytail and aviator sunglasses). If you win, Laura will use the description in your comment to create the image for your note cards. Make sure to include your email address in the comment!
2. Become a public 'Follower' of KSL (Click "FOLLOW" with Google Friend Connect on the right-hand panel of this screen).
3. Contest ends Tuesday February 8th at 12:00 AM and the winner will be announced on Wednesday February 9th by 5:00 PM. The winner will be contacted via email for details and shipping info!

Good luck!

Ring out the Old, Ring in the New

2011-02-04T10:00:00.004-06:00

The New Year is well underway—first month down, eleven more until we begin again.

I was really thinking about why we have New Years resolutions and consequently such great expectations of the next year. I think it’s the idea of a fresh start—that the old is gone and the new has arrived. Everyone needs a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to begin again... and January (or February) seems like a good enough place to start.

I'll cheers to that.

via That Kind of Woman

In Memoriam
by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

2011-02-03T11:00:00.011-06:00

There has been talk among my married friends regarding their engagement/wedding rings.

Apparently, lots of women receive a ring from their husband-to-be and then want to change it. I guess if you’re going to have the ring on your finger for the rest of your life, you need to be happy with it. But still—I had no clue this happened!

When we were discussing getting engaged, I told David I wanted three stackable bands. I thought that diamonds looked funny on my hand... and honestly, I didn't trust myself wearing something so valuable. Surely I would lose it! David thankfully gave me the engagement ring that I currently wear and I haven't lost it yet! Honestly, I can’t imagine wearing anything different--I love my ring. And part of the reason I love my ring is because David picked it out for me.

I'm still thinking some stackable bands may look nice on my right hand though....

via That Kind of Woman

Is it rude for someone to change the setting of their ring?

Trending: Horses

2011-02-01T10:30:00.008-06:00

I don’t know a lot about horses (I’m more of a cow girl, personally). But the more I learn and see these majestic animals, the more I’m intrigued.

And apparently so are a lot of other people because photographs of horses are trending…

via Elements of Style

Did you know that the Mustang is one of the only “wild horses” still roaming North America? The Mustang has been described as a “living symbol of the pioneer spirit of the West”.

Sounds alright to me.

Fill In The Blank Friday

2011-01-28T10:02:00.001-06:00

Note: Great things have happened this week: one of my best friends is blogging (again), Young Life kicked back up, and David and I started talking about our summer plans. I’m excited to do absolutely nothing this weekend and just enjoy being home.

Have a great weekend!

via Mary Ruffle

1. If my house was on fire and I could only grab 3 things I would grab my engagement / wedding rings, my yellow baby blanket, and my camera … oh and this, these, and this.

2. A smell I really like is David’s deodorant (Old Spice – “Fresh”).

3. Something you might not know about me is I’m obsessed with those clear, insulated tumblers that come with a plastic straw. I call it my “sippy cup”. TMI? .

4. Some of my favorite websites to putter about on are I’m a news junkie – so I check out New York Times every day and TED discussions on the weekends.

5. This weekend I will have me a spa day at the Houstonian! Praise Jesus.

6. Nothing makes me happier than sitting on the porch at the lake house. I got nowhere to be (but the dock or Lake Havasu) and nothing to do (but make some queso).

7. A bad habit I have is cracking my knuckles, speeding, not spending gift cards, hitting snooze, and last minute Christmas shopping .

WagOn

2011-01-27T08:19:00.000-06:00

I saw this beauty on my drive to work:

Needless to say, I double parked on the side of the street and got out of my car to get a close-up.

Station wagons symbolize everything that is right in America: family, roadtrips, vacation, and freedom. Totally worth being a few minutes late to work...

Happy Thursday.

State of the Unión

2011-01-26T08:30:00.000-06:00

Can someone please get married in Mexico? I'm just loving the idea of wearing white linen, walking barefoot, drinking tequila, and having a sunburn right about now...

Sort of like this:

via Style Me Pretty

Giveaway Process

2011-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

For those of you who may be wondering how the giveaway winner was selected, here is my process! I hope you find it fair and reasonable. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me!

Giveaway Process:
1. A giveaway contest is posted on KSL. Readers participate by leaving a comment with their email address.

2. Once the contset ends, I assign a number to each participant name in the order the comment was created.

3. I visit http://www.random.org/ and 'generate' a true, random number. The number that is generated determines which contestant comment wins!

4. I email the winner and announce the big news on KSL!

5. Depending on the giveaway, the winner can expect their prize within 2-4 weeks.

Master Class

2011-01-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

I can’t quite put into words my reaction to the Maya Angelou ‘Master Class’ episode on OWN a few weeks ago.

Maya Angelou (I also like to call her "mother-sister-friend") said so many things that hit home for me. Her stories depict a deep sense of peace and portray a life lived walking in the simple truth: that to love someone means liberating that person to be who they are meant to be.

Other items that I’d like to discuss with anyone willing to talk:
-Her relationship with her Grandmother
-Her dreams of working at the United Nations coming full-circle
-The six years she spent being mute as a child

My new Mother-Sister-Friend

"Words are things. You must be careful about the words you use or the words you allow people to use in your home... We must be careful about calling people out of their names - using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives. Those words are things. They get on your wall paper, on your rugs, on your upholstery, and in your things. And then finally into you. Words are powerful things." - Maya Angelou

MFEO

2011-01-21T07:45:00.001-06:00

if you're a bird...

... i'm a bird

Trending: Native American Design

2011-01-19T22:15:00.002-06:00

I must say (as I’ve said before) that I love a Native American. And recently, everybody else loves them too! From a World Market area rug to an Urban Outfitters overnight bag—the Native Americans have left their mark on just about every home furnishing store this winter!

Now, I’m not talking howling coyotes and leaning wooden ladders (although, those items have their special place too). I’m talking earthy colors and the iconic "Navajo" patterns, succulent plants, and desert-y little shits—like fossils, arrowheads, and skulls.

I'll go out on a limb and say that the Native Americans may be pioneers of 'the simple life'.

via Design Sponge

via Apartment Therapy

via Desire to Inspire

via Elements of Style

Thank you, Native Americans!

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

2011-01-18T20:00:00.002-06:00

Things I love about my mom:

-She makes a mean margarita (only rivaled by the “Kezarita”).
-She gets excited about anything. It’s awesome.
-She loves to sing and is a critical member of her church choir.
-She is smart. Like micro-biology/chemistry/science-y smart.
-She wears little to no makeup—which I hope to do someday.
-She reads my blog and makes very broad, generic comments (found here and here)
-She loves her a plate!
-She has the uncanny ability to calm me down.
-She and I drive matching cars.
-She loves San Antonio.
-She uses a “Mexican” accent to pronounce TexMex foods, like “fajita”
-She is a good person…to the core.
-She is my best friend.

Edward Hopper

2011-01-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

In 9th grade, my English teacher assigned each student an American artist to research. I was assigned Edward Hopper, a realist painter from Massachusetts, best known for his piece entitled Nighthawks. I had to select a work by Hopper and then write a paper identifying techniques used to reveal a deeper meaning.

That's a pretty heavy assignment... especially for a 9th grader who had ~~little~~ no experience with art. But I must admit, the assignment changed the way I looked at art.

I had the opportunity to view an original Hopper during Thanksgiving at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. It was a real moment for me (as indicated by the peace sign that I'm holding).

Other great Hopper works include:

Hotel Room

Chair Car

Sun in an Empty Room

Who is your favorite artist?

2011-01-16T22:13:00.001-06:00

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Foto Friday

2011-01-14T07:30:00.000-06:00

Last week’s Photography Assignment was entitled Silhouettes. The assignment the week before that was Portraits. I couldn’t help but share photos of my friends, Sarah and Luke, which happen to coincide perfectly with these two past assignments.

Sarah asked me to photograph her and her husband before their new addition comes in February. By no means am I qualified to be taking pictures of anyone--but I have to say, it was a great way to practice using my camera and new lens. Sarah was perfectly pregnant and the sunset provided amazing light for this shoot at Herrmann Park. I can’t wait to take pictures of that baby boy in just a few weeks!

'Silhouette' by KKC

'Portrait' by KKC

Cabin Fever

2011-01-12T07:00:00.006-06:00

From what I understand, the Northeastern region of our country has been a little cold as of late. I'm assuming those of you in said region have been cooped-up for hours (maybe days) in your homes, playing card games, patrolling Facebook like its your job, wondering why people aren't updating their status' more... just waiting for the snow to melt. Yep, you officially have cabin fever.

So do I though... but I have Writers Cabin Fever. And there is no cure for it until I get the keys to my very own secluded, detached mini-house equipped with a desk, loose leaf paper and a pen!

Writers Cabin via Pentagram

Modern Cabin via Bippity

Lake Cabin via Pink Wallpaper

When the weather is bad in Houston, I watch DVR'd episodes of criminal investigation shows--like 20/20, Nightline, 48 Hours Mystery, SVU...etc. What do you do?

The Other is Gold

2011-01-10T09:27:00.001-06:00

There is something to be said about lifelong friends.

You know, the friends that lived down the street from you, who carpooled with you, who traded troll dolls with you, who knew you when you had braces, who can recall what you wore to homecoming junior year, who you can pick up with right where you left off, who knows so much about you that you don't have to explain anything.

Yes, those friends don't just know you. They know why you are who you are... and don't require any explanation.

Annie, friend since 11 yrs old

Lana, friend since 5 yrs old

Thank God for lifelong friends.

Happy Birthday, David!

2011-01-07T07:00:00.016-06:00

Things I love about David:

-He dances with me at weddings
-He’s always in a good mood
-He’s one of few people who love his job
-He accompanies me to odd places, like Marfa
-He lets me stop on road trips to take pictures of cattle
-He appreciates art
-He loves Whataburger and stops there every time we go to San Antonio—no matter what
-He dresses well and doesn’t need my fashion help (thank God because I wouldn’t be of much help)
-He is the best picture-taker. Ever.
-He loves the nightly news with Diane Sawyer
-He finds humor in just about every episode of “Hoarders”
-He can eat junk food all day long and not gain a pound (wait… I actually hate that about him)
-He reads my blog (and sometimes comments)
-He told me that I would be an excellent news reporter

A Country Girl

2011-01-06T07:00:00.001-06:00

"I don't know what I want to do, but I've always known the woman I wanted to become."
- Diane Von Furstenburg 

Dolly Parton

Emmylou Harris

Patsy Cline

I'm not sure what I want to do, but I wouldn't mind being a country girl...

*Thanks for the idea, Emily

Chicken Pot Pie

2011-01-05T07:00:00.002-06:00

Note: My sister-in-law hosted an amazing Christmas Day meal consisting of ham, "congealed salad", yams, some delicious corn casserole thing, and ... Chicken Pot Pie. It inspired me.

Eating a chicken pot pie reminds me of a simpler time--a time when we grew our own produce, rolled our own dough, and had chickens running in and out of the kitchen. Think the Dust Bowl, Grapes of Wrath, World War I… Ugh! I love it!

So, I decided to make chicken pot pies for Brooke and David last week. Although most of the ingredients were bought from a grocery store (not grown on my own farm) and it took me two hours to make (instead of all day), it was well worth it. Enjoy!

Lisa's Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:
-2-3 potatoes, boiled and chopped
-3 cups celery, diced
-3 cups carrots, diced
-1 white onion, diced
-1 bag of frozen peas
-2 cups chicken stock
-1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
-1 packet of Pioneer Country Gravy, prepared
-1 package of pie crusts (2)
-1 egg white
-Salt / Pepper to taste

Sous Chef, David, prepares "the trinity"

Simplified Directions:
1. Combine first six ingredients in large pan and cook on medium heat under veggies are tender. Add shredded chicken.
2. Slowly add Country Gravy to ingredients from Step #1.
3. Add salt, pepper, and anything else that sounds tasty to the mix! Stir until combined.
4. Place one pie crust on the bottom of an oven-safe casserole dish or ramekin.
5. Spoon veggie/chicken mixture into pie crust-lined dish.
6. Place second pie crust on top of veggie/chicken mixture and lightly coat with egg white liquid.
7. Cook on 425' for 30 minutes (or until golden brown crust).
8. Take out and let cool before you eat!

Final Product a la Brooke

Master Class

2011-01-03T22:07:00.000-06:00

Oprah launched her private television network, called OWN, at the beginning of January. One of OWN's television series is called Master Class--an hour segment documenting the life stories and lessons of some of the greatest artists, politicians, businesspeople, and authors of our time.

Last night's Master Class episode documented the life of, none other than, Diane Sawyer.

Isn't she lovely?

"Whenever you are blue or lonely or stricken by some humiliating thing you did, the cure and the hope is in caring about other people." — Diane Sawyer

Upcoming Master Class episode that I'm looking forward to: Maya Angelou.

Less is More

2010-12-29T19:30:00.001-06:00

My sister gave me a book this Christmas called Savvy Chic: The Art of More for Less by Anna Johnson. It's one of those bathroom literature books that can have you enthralled for hours with small nuggets of information and beautiful illustrations.

Savvy Chic is about simple living: loving the things that you wear, enjoying the food that you make, and living with style. But most importantly, Johnson expresses that more does not always mean better or happier. Sometimes, more is just more.

I will be sharing my savvy chic tidbits with you later... but first, I wanted to share the beautiful illustrations*.

Enjoy!

Cover

Reminds me of Coops

Kitty!

*Illustrations by Anna Johnson, Collage by Emily Taff

Channel Surfing

2010-12-28T20:30:00.001-06:00

I'm channeling singer / songwriter Ben Rector's cheeky, scholastic fashion sense to brainstorm birthday gifts for David...

Meet Ben Rector...

See ideas for David's birthday gift...

via Urban Outfitters & JCrew

PS: Why is it so hard to shop for boys?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:00:00.001-06:00

Marfa, Texas 2010

One in Every Color, Please

2010-12-21T07:00:00.001-06:00

Fresh Perspective Cardi [Anthro]

Stevie Jean [AG Jeans]

Paige Tall Riding Boot [Frye]

Jericho Tote [JCrew]

Hello Baby!

2010-12-19T20:13:00.011-06:00

As I mentioned previously, one of my best friends is having a baby boy in February. I was able to co-host a couples shower in honor of Baby Allen! Here is a sneak peak of the shower:

Classic & Clean Elephant Themed Invitation

Custom "Hello Baby" Banner - Thanks to TJ!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Elephant Cupcake Toppers

Diaper Cake Centerpiece

All of these handmade shower decorations and projects have kept me pretty busy (and happy!) over the past several weeks. But now I am back and ready to blog...

In honor of my first ever baby blog post, what is your favorite name for a boy?

Bows Are Back in Town

2010-12-09T07:00:00.006-06:00

Bows have made a big comeback this year.

I first noticed this trend on a recent trip back to College Station for a football game. Aggieland was full of college co-eds wearing small, white bows clipped onto the side of their head, holding their bangs up. My mother even made a comment about it and mentioned that hair bows made these girls look younger than they already did (which ultimately made me feel older than I already did). I mean, the last time I can remember wearing a bow was a small child, wearing white tights, and suffering from severe chapped lips.

But I must admit: bows are trending! And not just as hair products—they’re on dresses, shoes, tablescapes…literally, they’re everywhere!

Holiday Slippers via JCrew

Holiday Party Skirt via Kate Spade

Place Setting via Shelter