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Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 3

November 10, 2015 by Hillary 7 Comments

Wednesday was our final, full day in Paris. If we hadn’t done it, seen it, or eaten it yet, today was the day.

Our day began with more flaky pastries and petite espressos. When in France! In all honesty, I was already missing my healthier and heartier nutrient-dense breakfasts. Sugar, white flour, and butter makes poor fuel for an active day of sightseeing.

From our studio, we headed over to the islands to visit Notre Dame. We obviously didn’t do much museum-hopping this trip, yet all of the architecture is history in itself, and something to appreciate; we have nothing of the sorts in the States. It is mind-blowing how these detailed cathedrals/structures were built, and that they still stand hundreds of years later. Religion aside, anyone can appreciate the magnificence of Notre Dame — a Gothic-style church, so ginormous that I couldn’t capture it all in my camera lens.

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

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From Notre Dame, we walked to Luxembourg Gardens. Something that sets Paris (France… Europe?) a part from the United States: people read here; they sit in solitude; they date/hold hands; they draw/paint, they chat over long meals… they have it all right. In America, we might be in a beautiful park, but are glued to technology. In Paris, life is lived differenlty. Romantic, communicative, personal, formal, charming, respectful…

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Adorable old man building a ship out of… junk?

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Kids play, moms gossip.

Paris Day 3

Now later in the afternoon, we finally needed a break from said self-guided walking tour through Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement, so we snagged an outside table at Cafe de Flore (recommend by my childhood friend who lived in Paris for a year). Certainly a busy cafe for a Wednesday afternoon, but understandable with its prime corner street location for all the people watching in a classy neighborhood.

Paris Day 3

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Paris Day 3

Nearly every block, we’d stop to peer in the windows of another patisserie

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

Since we were in the area, we walked to oldest bridge in Paris, Pont Neuf — love locks are everywhere! After crossing the bridge, we revisted the Louvre. Again, we didn’t go inside, but explored the grounds. I find it fascinating that there is more than 11 miles of artwork inside. Maybe next time we will say hi to Mona ;)

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3

I will never forget walking through one of the courtyards at the Louvre where a young man was singing acapella. His voice was like nothing we had ever heard before. We stopped in awe, listened, and then Mom put a handful of Euro coins in his open guitar case.

Paris Day 3

It was getting late in the day and we had plans to meet up with my mom’s college girlfriend (who just happened to be in Paris) and go on an evening Seine River Cruise (free to us courtesy of Cobblestone Paris Rentals). We scurried back to Le Marais via the metro. Mom got a bottle of wine; I got a seedy baguette, grapes, fresh figs, and a lovely round of chèvre with apricot preserves from a fromagerie (where I was scolded – in French – to dare not touch the cheese!).

Back on the metro we go: public transportation isn’t so difficult after all, even in a foreign language. We met my mom’s girlfriend and her boyfriend at the boat near the Eiffel Tower (for location comparison). I wasn’t completely impressed with the cruise (a boat with an upper deck for viewing would have been preferred); nonetheless, I was still in dreamland as I stuffed my face with said figs, chevre, and bread – with tourist chatter and French music in the background – while we floated down the Seine.

The highlight of course was seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night (now every time I listen to “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett, I can’t help but smile).

Paris Day 3

That sunset — be still my heart!

Paris Day 3

Paris Day 3
We finished our final day in Paris with a late dinner (just as the Parisians do) with my mom’s college girlfriend and her boyfriend at yet another cafe in Place Sainte Catherine. We laughed all throughout dinner, treasuring the special evening — especially for my mom and her college best friend. 

Paris, je t’aime!

Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 3 #travel #paris #notredame

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Cafe de Flore, Europe Trip Diary, Louvre Museum, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame, Paris, Pont Neuf, Seine River Cruise

Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 2

November 8, 2015 by Hillary 2 Comments

As if our first day in Paris wasn’t busy enough, I think Day Two topped it… at least in terms of walking steps — it was a 25,000+ step day. (I wore a pedometer throughout our trip.)

Mom and I didn’t have any set plans on Tuesday, as we did Monday with the bike tour. We wanted to try to get inside a museum and cross a few things off of our Paris bucket list. Turns out, we crossed off a lot more than we expected in a single day.

First stop, pastries and cappuccinos of course. This time at Manon: again on Rue de Rivoli, a less than 3-minute walk from our studio.

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

It was a cold, drizzly day (thankfully, the only day we got rained on our whole trip); after said light breakfast, we walked down Rue de Rivoli to Hotel de Ville. This is when it really started raining, but nonetheless, we got out our cameras and marveled at this masterpiece of architecture in the blustery rain, as would any first-time-to-Paris tourists.

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

We continued walking through the narrow streets of Le Marais district, directing our umbrella left to right, up and down, as to not whack a passing Parisian on the cobblestone streets. We passed the absurd site that is modern Centre Pompidou on our way to an outdoor farmer’s market, Le Marché des Enfants Rogue. To our dismay, the market wasn’t the attraction we read it to be, so we continued our walk towards our studio.

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Nearing lunchtime (croissants and coffee don’t have much staying power), we found our way to L’As du Fallafel. Despite the rain, there was a long line outside for the to-go walk-up window orders; not in a hurry, we opted for a small table inside the crowded, vibrant, energetic Mediterranean cafe. It didn’t matter that we had eaten falafel plates the previous night, I needed one of these infamous falafels. Best falafel of my life… and friendly service as a bonus. I will remember that warm pita bulging at the seams with more than a half-dozen fried balls of chickpea batter, cabbage slaw, spicy red onion, tomatoes, and tahini that drizzled down each of my fingers. #mostmemorablemeal

We ventured into a free museum in the same vicinity — I can’t remember its name, or frankly what it highlighted. Everything was in French, and therefore difficult to appreciate. It did have pretty gardens, I can tell you that much.

We hopped on the metro and got off at Tuileries Gardens, where we had lunch the day before. The sun decided to come out for a little while here. From the gardens, we walked to the Musée d’Orsay Museum to discover that is was closed that day due to a strike (supposedly Parisians are known for their frequent strikes).

Plan B: keep walking.

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Crossing a bridge on the Seine, we discovered Love Locks!

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

From the general area of the d’Orsay, we walked “up” through Tuileries Gardens, past the Place de la Concorde, and onto the Champs de Elysee. Not exactly our cup of tea, with overpriced designer stores lining the overcrowded street; we dodged through the masses of people, finally making our way to the Arc de Triomph.

While we hadn’t gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I wanted to go to the top of something. My claustrophobia was put to the test as we climbed the 284 spiral stairs inside the cement arc. Albeit windy and drizzling rain, I felt all the feelings while standing there admiring Paris from above — the Eiffel Tower, the Champs, Sacré Coeur, you can see it all with the 360 degree view.

Paris Day 2

Place de la Concorde

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2
Paris Day 2
Paris Day 2

Paris

Champs de Elysee

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Rainbow over Sacre Coeur – wow!

Now late in the afternoon, nearly evening actually, we stopped at Ladurée on Champs de Elysee for famous macaroons and the richest hot chocolate with chantilly whipped cream.

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

Paris Day 2

The metro got us back our lovely neighborhood where it was time to start thinking about dinner. Walk, eat, walk, eat, repeat. The theme in Paris, no?

We picked L’Epouvantail just outside Place Sainte Catherine. While reviewing the menu, we met the friendliest American couple who was making a reservation, in person, with the host/owner. We did the same, and then chatted outside on the cobblestone street with the East Coast couple. Restaurants open relatively late in France, so we sauntered across the square to freshen up in our studio before our reservation.

Inside the dimly lit restaurant, we sat at a petite table near our new American friends and chatted with them throughout our meal, asking advice on entrée selections. I had an incredible bowl of sweet potato soup, bread (naturally), and shared a salad with Mom. While the food was above average, the experience was far more memorable. The young host/server/owner was a gem; the single gay man at the adjacent table had us smiling and laughing all night; and the middle-aged couple were delightful and genuine.

Paris Day 2

Flower Shop on Rue de Rivoli

‘Twas a great way to end Day Two in Paris.

Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 2 #travel #paris #arcdetriomph

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Europe Trip Diary, Paris

Europe Diary 2015 // Paris, Day 1

November 4, 2015 by Hillary 3 Comments

Paris1

I’ve struggled to get myself to sort through all 1,362 photos I took during our Euro trip. It is almost as if I’ve forced myself to absorb what is happening in the current moment to forget the dream of a vacation my mom and I experienced last month.

Then, I tell myself to stop being ridiculous and remind myself of a favorite quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” Yes, heck yes. This 15-day, once-in-a-lifetime, mother-daughter trip to Europe happened, and it was freaking incredible. I don’t possess the photography skills I so desire, but I have evidence on my camera of this spectacular time to help reminisce on those memories that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Paris – our first destination. I wrote about the quaint rental where we stayed here. It was simply a place to rest and recuperate for us as we were go-go-go. When in Paris for only 4 nights, you do what you can do.

We arrived on Sunday, and as exhausted as we were, we did not nap – this trick worked well – and pushed through without resting our eyes. We grabbed our cameras and scarfs and sauntered around our neighborhood. We stumbled upon a lovely park, with fountains, statues, square trees, cuddling couples, pincers, playful children. This was Sunday in Paris. Later, we realized it was Place de Vosges – “the oldest planned square in Paris and one of the finest in the city.”

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

Square-trimmed trees

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

We ate a relaxed dinner al fresco at one of the cafes in Place Sainte Catherine (creamy mushroom pasta and a salad with cheesy toast) before we crashed into bed. We needed as much shut-eye possible as we had scheduled a bike tour around the city with Fat Tire Tours.

But first, coffee cappuccinos and croissants. We walked into a Paul’s within walking distance of our apartment and metro station — only later to find out that Paul’s is the “Starbucks of France.” (fooled us American tourists).

Can’t say enough good things about our excursion with Fat Tire Tours; we literally told every other tourist we talked to about our guided pedaling through Paris. Our tiny, Irish guide – Emer – had a red head full of Parisian history to share with us as we cycled through the Paris streets for the greater part of the morning/afternoon. Helmet-less, we bravely “dominated” the chaotic traffic between our stops at attraction such as Les Invalides, Tuileries Garden (where we stopped for lunch), The Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, and more. It felt so good to move after all that traveling the day before. We planned the tour for Monday so that we could revisit sites we enjoyed later during our stay; but, the history lesson, we received was the icing on the cake – enriching our experience in Paris that much more.

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

Lunch in Tuileries Gardens

Paris Part 1

Quick stop in front of the Louvre, where we were given a brief lesson in the Parisian’s fascination with architectural symmetry

Paris Part 1

Dome des Invalides, where the tomb of Napoleon remains today

Following the tour, we wandered the streets of the surrounding arrondissements and headed back towards the Eiffel Tower for those photos all tourists must have. We did not picnic near the Tour Eiffel, nor did we go to the top per our bucket list but we got the gist of its splendor. 

Paris1

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

Paris Part 1

If only I had my running shoes!

Once we’d had enough of the Eiffel Tower (can you ever have enough!?), we hopped on the metro back to our studio to freshen up. Then we headed back out and walked to Chez Marianne (Le Marais) for a Meditteranean dinner — falafel plates of sorts.

We had room for dessert, and so sauntered – in the dark – down Rue de Rivoli, across the River Seine, to the larger of the two Parisian islands in search of Berthillon ice cream. Not far into our hunt, we came across an open window selling the highly recommended ice cream. Single scoops in a cone for us both. It was the first of many ice cream/gelato indulgences during our travels.

And that is how Mom and I spent our first day in Paris (September 21, 2015).

More to come…

Paris Part 1

Europe Diary 2015 // Our 1st Day in Paris #travel #paris #eiffeltower

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Europe Trip Diary, Paris

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“Anxiety is a symptom, not a diagnosis.” - Dr. “Anxiety is a symptom, not a diagnosis.” - Dr. George Papanicolaou

It’s no secret that I suffer from chronic anxiety and panic attacks. Or at least I don’t intend it to be. Because while there can be a lot of shame and embarrassment around both of these, I know I’m not alone in my experiences. While I’ve leaned toward the more anxious side most of life, my bothersome anxiety has steadily increased since my mid-twenties - some periods being worse than others. 

It’s not a complete surprise that my mental health has taken a dip during my first full gloomy Seattle winter — in the height of a pandemic. 

Here are some ways I have been nurturing my body & mind as I work with a team of practitioners to work on understanding the **root causes** of my panic, and to live with more ease. 

» no coffee (not even decaf)

» meditating regularly - I’m using @insighttimer 

» gentle movement

» weekly therapy sessions

» attempting cold showers (this is hard for me!): if you’re interested, you can research how this impacts the nervous system

» working with a naturopathic doctor to focus on gut + hormone health

» trying a new Rx - a decision that took years of consideration

» lastly, opening myself up to vulnerable conversations/sharing my story and my experiences in efforts to reduce any shame and connect with others 

I am not my anxiety. 

[image: a photo I snapped to send to my mom of my naturally red palm holding my Rx on the first day I took it]
This rare blue sky day in February is having me da This rare blue sky day in February is having me day dreaming about long, light-filled summer days... they’ll be here soon. 

#pikeplacemarket #seattlewashington
Leavenworth, WA • Where To Eat🍴 I was expect Leavenworth, WA • Where To Eat🍴

I was expecting all things beer, brats and pretzels in Leavenworth (not really my jam) 🍺🥨🧀, and while there’s plenty of it, I was delighted to find plenty of delicious eats for my “foodie” taste. 

We went to all of these 3 places more than once during our quick stay - highly recommend! 

☕️ @argonautespressobar: Located at one end of Front Street, this adorable coffee bar has delicious espresso drinks, breakfast items, and the best view! 

🥐 @tumwaterbakery: Incredible pastries, avocado toast on artisanal bread that’s a feast for your eyes... and I’m eager to go back and try their wood-fired pizza! 

🍜 @yodelinbroth: Literally some of the best food I’ve had (ever!), and that’s saying a lot. I had the Yodelin soup with housemade wild PNW halibut bone coconut curry broth, udon noodles, heaps of veggies and wild salmon - it was nourishing to my core as we ate it outside in 30 degree weather. I even bought some of the broth to recreate this meal at home, yum! 

#nutritionnuteats #leavenworthwa
winter wonderland getaway ✔️ We had snow much winter wonderland getaway ✔️

We had snow much fun exploring the picturesque Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA for a much-needed mid-week getaway to the mountains. 🏔

We stayed in a cozy little cabin @logecamps right on the Wenatchee River (one day I’ll be back to stay at the stunning @phleavenworth), played in Enchantment Park, took a drive to Lake Wenatchee, and discovered some of the best food downtown (I’m saving my food recs for another post).

Nestled between the snow-capped Cascade Mountains with the river running through town, it’s quite magical in the middle of winter. ❄️ I’m already dreaming of heading back for some summer adventures!
I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in I’m sure Koba is wondering why we ever lived in Florida for two years.

#takemetothemountains #snowday
dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, f dog [noun] companion, loyal comforter, playmate, forgiving, loving, energetic, protective, best friend.
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