April Outfit and Face of the Day

Today, I'm bringing you a quick outfit-of-the-day. I don't do these very often, partly because it's a tiny bit out of my comfort zone, but also because my wardrobe is relatively minimal at the moment, since I moved to France with only 1.5 suitcases in tow. I was looking back on my outfit posts within the last few months, and I realised they all look the same: Black, gray, and my one colour of choice, burgundy. Although I completely believe in the idea of a "capsule" wardrobe, where the mixing-and-matching possibilities are endless, it doesn't make for the most varied outfit posts.

With warmer weather around the corner, and skinny jeans becoming less of a prevalent trend, I decided to add some lighter pieces into my wardrobe, and this lace dress is one of them. I also got some loose-fitting trousers that are basically constructed like pajama pants, a peach coloured blouse, and a floral kimono. I really feel like just these few pieces transform my wardrobe!

Originally, this white dress was going to be the dress I wore for our elopement to NYC, but I just couldn't bring myself to get married in a dress that cost 12 euro from Forever21, which is why I eventually found a better quality dress for the special day!

I paired this dress with my burgundy (once again) moto jacket from Target. I think dresses that are fitted at the waist look best with a shorter-length top layer. It was a sunny, yet crisp spring day, so I kept my legs bare but bundled up my neck with a super fuzzy scarf from Zara. It really felt strange to have my legs free, as I've been wearing black pants as a staple for months upon months upon months!

Outfit Details
Dress: Forever21
Jacket: Target
Shoes: Forever 21
Scarf: Zara

I'm adding another element to the typical OOTD, and showing you my FACE of the day, inspired by those beauty bloggers out there! I was feeling very peachy today, so I used some warm, luminescent blush, a rose-gold eyeshadow, coral lip butter, and natural-looking foundation, so that my nose freckles showed through.

Foundation: Dior Forever
Blush: Benefit blush in Sugarbomb
Eyeshadow: Rimmell Glam'eyes in 019 Sun Safari
Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 015 Tutti Frutti

I often find myself thinking about what focus I want this blog to take and even the level of dedication I'm willing to make. I really don't foresee me creating many outfit or beauty posts, but I think they provide a bit of a personal touch to my blog, so I think I'll continue to do them... once a month perhaps? I much more enjoy writing about my experiences, travels, thoughts, and artists I find across the internet. Who knows, that may change in the future, but I like that I have the freedom to make this internet space whatever fits me best. :) I would absolutely love to start a YouTube channel as well! I see these YouTubers and Bloggers out there who are super successful, and make a career out of this, and I would absolutely love to do what they do. I just don't see how it could happen. I suppose it comes in small steps... but that's probably better saved for a separate post!

Until next time.


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Springtime in Monet's Garden

Being a girl who took started French lessons in high school and studied Art in college, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Impressionism, or any artwork during that time period actually. Degas' cropped Ballerina scenes, Van Gogh's vibrating and tortuous genre scenes, and Monet's expansive waterlily canvases. It's all so fascinating, the history behind these artistic revolutions; and what makes it even more fascinating, more so than seeing the canvases in a museum, is seeing the source of inspiration itself. I had the privilege of seeing Claude Monet's private gardens last Saturday, as well as his home.


The village is called Giverny, and it's about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Paris. Gravelly roads, wooden shutters, and rolling green hills - it was something out of a fairy tale. I really didn't know what to expect from the garden, but I knew there would be a waterlily pond. Boy, were my expectations blown out of the water: Rows upon rows of brightly-colored tulips, poppies, daffodils, forget-me-nots, and pansies, just bopping their heads lightly in the breeze. The intense sunshine enhanced their colour to a fluorescent hue; I had to squint so much my eyes started watering a little bit! Even my camera had a difficult time capturing the brightness of the scene.



I've truly never seen anything like it. I had such a fun time zooming in on these flowers, exploring the floral forest with the lens. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed photographing something as much as this. I tried to narrow it down so this post wouldn't be super long, but it was hard!


























The chickens here had hilarious hairstyles!!



The lily pond was just as amazing, although I imagine it's even better during summertime, when the waterlilies bloom. I could easily see how Monet was inspired to paint his famous waterlily paintings here. The still water reflected not only the light, filtered through weeping willow branches, but also the flowers and plants placed on the banks, variations in green with random bits of red. The colours and abstractions that resulted on the water's surface were amazing.





After idling away a decent span of time among the flowers, we went on an exploratory walk in the surrounding village. We spotted some people sitting high upon a hilltop, wondering how on earth they had hiked up that high. Well - with a bit of poking around, we were able to find a grassy walking trail, put on our explorer caps, and hiked up. Even though this part wasn't necessarily the most beautiful, It felt very special to me. One of my favourite paintings by Monet is the one of a woman, standing on a grassy hill, the breeze blowing her skirt. Although I was not carrying a parasol or wearing a fantastic full skirt, I truly felt like the scene I found myself in had the same feeling as a Monet painting. And how could I complain about this view? If I had a large blanket, this would have been a fantastic time for a picnic.





Once we reluctantly left Giverny and arrived back at the Vernon train station, we discoverd that the next train back into Paris would arrive in TWO hours! So we walked slowly around the town, admiring the half-timbered buildings that seemed so much older than the tall concrete buildings of Paris. Here are a couple snaps from our train-waiting period:





I think what struck me most about this trip was the feeling of adventure it gave me. It's been quite a while since I've felt that spark of passion, freedom, and novelty. Even Paris, although amazing, can become predictable over time; Giverny was something I've never, ever done before, and I loved that feeling. I can't wait to get that travel-high again some time soon! Tell me about a time that you felt that spark of adventure in the comments below!

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Perhaps the Most Romantic Spot in Paris, and Week Highlights

This week's highlights have been defined by one thing: The SUNSHINE! I don't think one fully understands the positive affects of that heavenly burning ball of gas, high up in the sky, until you live somewhere that experiences rain more than three times per year. Not only sunshine, but also sorbet, a new work opportunity, an American diner, and perhaps the most romantic spot in Paris. A big claim to make, I realise, but keep reading, people. Keep reading.

Last Sunday, a friend and I had brunch at Rose Bakery, a Franco-British establishment with a few locations around Paris. It's been quite hyped up in "hipster circles" (for lack of a better term), and for good reason. The façade and interior are unassuming and comfortable, the food feels hearty, simple, and of good quality. That morning, I had a cappuccino, a pear cranberry muffin, and a quiche. The muffin wasn't all sugar, and the quiche differed from French quiches in that it was square-shaped and had a sturdier crust. Only got a snapshot of the pretty foam on my cappuccino.

After brunch, we took a trip to the flea market at St. Ouen. I hadn't planned on coming, so without having any idea of what I was looking for, I left with nothing. In in all honesty, it's quite overpriced. We had a fun time admiring all the crazy things, though. There's even a little brasserie embedded within the open-air, alley-section of the market, and that afternoon we heard some live French music emanating from inside.

Next stop that Sunday was, of course, ice cream. How can you say no to ice cream? The lines at every single retailer of Berthillon on Île-Saint-Louis was lengthy, but the wait was so worth it. I went for my usual salted caramel, but changed it up a bit with an extra scoop of Mango sorbet. On our way across a bridge and down to the riverbank, a strange man asked us for a taste of our ice cream cones... "je peux goûter, je peux goûter?" I responded with a strong "NON" and a highly protective arm gesture. Don't mess with my ice cream! Do you see the dense line of people chilling on the river bank? The sun really lures the people out.



We just couldn't bear to end our sunny day there, so we hopped on a bus to Luxembourg, and had a walk-through. No joke, every single park seat was occupied. Even the section of grass that people are permitted to sit on was packed full with grass-loungers. The diffused sunlight cast long shadows of the trees on the ground.



Fast forward to Thursday, when I had my first experience in a new opportunity. I don't want to call it an internship, because that's not what it is. Officially, it's something of an "exchange." An exchange of my time for use of their space. It's at an art gallery, allows me to learn about a portion of the art market, take on small projects, and in the meantime, build up a reference for the future. It's nothing fancy or too interesting, but at least it's something to fill up my time and to build up my resumé ever so slightly. The gallery is near my old neighbourhood and very close to the Eiffel Tower, so it's a lovely area to visit once a week. I took this picture below in the Champs de Mars during a little walk I had nearby.


Fast forward once again to this Saturday, when I met a couple friends for a traditional American diner brunch and some more island-time. Breakfast in America is the perfect place for lost expats and homesick university exchange students. This time around I had an omelet with potatoes, a root beer, and a slice of pecan pie! Ellen and I (both American) invited my new Serbian acquantance along for a little slice of America; it's always so fun to show other cultures some of your home country!

The most amazing thing happened that day. When we surfaced from the metro, the skies were horribly gray, the weather was cold, and the wind was strong, but upon exiting the diner, the skies had suddenly become a bright blue canvas filled with white pillow-clouds.

Charles Dickens really sums it up: “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

We walked through a nearby park, meandered down a narrow street, and ended up at Notre Dame, once again. I seriously should branch out! I always end up right at the islands somehow!






Since I hadn't been there since last Fall, I said to Ellen, "Let's go check out this little park at the tip of this island!" So - we did. If I had been there with Erik, we definitely would have been one of the many couples being cute and cuddly on the river banks. The park covers the triangular tip of the island, with paved space all around to sit, legs dangling over the sloped edge. If the temperature was a bit warmer, a blanket, a bottle of wine, and some sandwiches would have been in order. I think the best part about this section of the Seine were the the romantic weeping willows - it's no coincidence that Taylor Swift films a bulk of her "Begin Again" video under these very willows, it's just so damn romantic. Combined with the unreal sky, it was too much to handle.





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Tenue du Jour - Black Maxi

Today I'm bringing you a proper outfit of the day, or tenue du jour in French. I was on a wee job hunt today, so I thought this comfy but elegant maxi would be just the right balance. I love the job I have now, and I'd really like to keep it, but I need some more income to throw in a savings account! If I want to move to France next January (oops! spoiler alert!) then I gotta start saving! Plus, I want to fill up my time, and a second job would be a great way to do that.

In about an hour, I'm gonna venture out to a French-speaking meetup, so hopefully others will be there and I can pratiquer mon Français.

This is me attempting to show you the side slit of the dress... I apologize for the intense whiteness of my thigh.




I've been using a new, more luminous foundation for a while now. I really love how healthy and easy it makes my skin look, although I do have to blot it with some powder periodically, or it can end up looking a little TOO shiny. I love that the freckles on my nose show through.



I ended up getting an interview scheduled for tomorrow! Luckily, I know three people who work at this place, so my BFF Natalie is gonna give me some coaching in order to ace the interview.

Until next time! À bientôt mes amies!

Maxi: F21
Sandals: Steve Madden at TJmaxx
Necklace: F21
Belt: Thrifted
Bag: Thrifted
Nail Polish: Covergirl Outlast in Peaches & Cream
Foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!
Lips: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charm
Mascara: Benefit They're Real