gift guide 2012: books

My mom gave me great advice yesterday. She said the best gift is something frivolous (lipstick, handbag, ridiculous kitchen goods) and a good book. Here’s my favorites from 2012. Extremely Close...

toulouse and southwest france

Sometimes when life is spinning by you, all you need to do is book a ticket to France. I was invited to a wedding in a 13th century abbey in the south of France this summer, and somehow I couldn’t...

stay classy, san diego

This June I went to San Diego for work and extended my trip a few days to enjoy the city and surrounding area. I was so excited to visit SD after my 5th grade project to “spend a million dollars”...

les petits plaisirs du monde – simple pleasures

unlimited coffee when you break the yolk of a perfectly cooked egg over-easy speaker phone calls with all my siblings running through the fall leaves HUGS fire pits the express lady wishing me an...

diner en blanc, philadelphia

Since I’ve been trying to get invited to the Diner en Blanc celebrations in Paris and New York for years now, I was overjoyed to find a new Diner en Blanc pique-nique coming our way in August! How...

around philly

I have been absolutely loving urban life. After living in the countryside for a year, I’m back and ready for action. My little orange Schwinn bike was my last step: although not as good as “Anna...

vegas

My mother’s last words were to be careful in sin city. I somehow had no trouble abiding by her advice, as I acted as more of a scared puppy trying to avoid noise, flashing, and crowds for the...

live in the now

I love this article listing 30 things every woman should know before 30. In the meantime, live for today.

florida sun

This was me before going to Florida – knowing that I will see my one and only Kristie! Look how excited I am! I was really going to Florida for work, but I was able to squeeze in a few days with my...

Philly Donut Pilgrimage

So the sixth month mark is coming up on my new job, I’ve been living in the city for two months now, and what do I have to show for myself? City Hall at NightMargs and guac at El Vez The Mummers...

gift guide: books

I love to read, ‘yo! Here are the books every girl should ask for this year! (My top 5 of 2011). 1.) Let the Great World Spin, by Colum Mc Cann Wonderfully written, intertwining stories,...

Brooklyn

I have been trying to extend my traveling beyond the east coast. But with limited days off, there is only so many places a girl on the budget in the northeast can go! Then I thought, why not go on...

Friendz.

So I’m still not in France. What gives? I’ve been wearing my scarves around town, drinking expresso and talking to myself in French but nothing seems to change. I started a 9-5 job, live at home,...

labor day weekend

Long walks from Georgetown to Glover Park make up for froyo and pastry consumption, right? Please note, when I finally get around to visiting the National Cathedral (ran out of time during my 4...

dc travel guide

One of my favorite cities in the US is our capital, Washington D.C. I was lucky enough to go to college in this town, so I have insider secrets for budget travel that Rick Steves does not! I just...

confessions of an ex-expat

I watch the news in French from my podcasts every morning I’m not exotic anymore I have yet to find people that think my baking is extra-special I talk to myself in French I haven’t done the bise...

blissful july days in Paris

I had a few days to soak in in Paris before inevitably leaving France. The weather was therapeutic, spending my final few days in very good company. I crossed some things off my “to do” list in...

it’s good to be home

no one’s paying attention, luke swims the 100, b brings me sunflowers, the philles score again, there’s no place like the jersey shore

Gorgeous Day Trips from Dublin

Last summer, my friend and I went to see Leap Year and fell in love with Ireland. We told ourselves we wanted to move to the country, meet an Irish chef that tells us how “lovely” and “gorgeous” we...

What to do in Dublin, Ireland

After the passing of my grandfather last summer, I knew I really wanted to go to Ireland, where his grandparents were from. I decided that from Scotland I would fly into Dublin, and spend a few...

St. Andrews, My Favorite Place in Scotland

After a wonderful afternoon in Edinburgh, we headed to the place where Kate met William where Craig goes to school. St. Andrews is a beautiful coastal town, just two hours north of Edinburgh by...

Back to the USA

I’ve been home for almost two weeks now, although it feels much longer. There were so many things that struck me as odd once setting foot on U.S. soil. Flying into Newark, I was shocked to be...

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gallant, fairy-tale kind of city. Home of distinguished economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and inventor Alexander Graham Bell, there is something special about this spot...

Highlands, Scotland

I wanted to get away from the big cities of Scotland and see some of the countryside. Craig and I booked a tour through Rabbie’s, which I can highly recommend. We had a great tour guide, who was...

Glasgow, Scotland

I got to reunite with Craig in his hometown, Glasgow. A beautiful city, Glasgow was once a thriving economic center. The architecture alone is is amazing. Everywhere we walked, I was always looking...

the faces of verdun

If there is one question that everyone keeps asking, it’s this: what will you miss about France? The easy answer is the obvious highlights of the savoir vivre French culture compared to American...

shots from verdun

fête de la musique, my last day with the CP’s, Carmen at the theatre with my students, luxembourg for the day, camille’s last bière flambée

greatist hits

It’s been one year since I started blogging, so I thought I’d participate in a little travel blog project started by TripBase, thanks to Katherina from 100 Miles Highway. The goal is to share 7 of...

summer in Verdun

These last few weeks in Verdun have been particularly fun – with the Fete de la Musique, a concert at a château including the Fatals Picards, another amazing concert on the Quai by Asa (check out...

I love this quote from Keri Smith.