In France, beautiful people are everywhere. But it's more than their fashionable clothes, naturally glossy hair, and shapely physiques that make them beautiful. While walking around the walled city of Avignon a few months ago, I took note of how the French walk with purpose, heads held high, tossing Continue reading
20 January 2015 
Experience France All Year Long – Oui Please!
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My goodness – has it really been 3 months since I returned from Paris? Reality check – yes, it has been that long. It seems like just yesterday I was sipping café crème in Avignon, musing at the melody of French accents from local patrons. Now, I’ve fallen back into the routine of drinking my Continue reading
1 December 2014 
Hotel St. James – Urban Oasis in Paris
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One of the best parts of our last two days in Paris was staying at the historic St. James Hotel, a grand chateau in the heart of the city. From the moment our cab drove through the iron gates and dropped us off in front of the large front entrance, I knew we had made the right choice. Although we Continue reading
24 November 2014 
A Little App of Paris Surprises
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(Photo Source) A few months ago, I came across an awesome Website for Francophiles like me. My Little Paris delights readers with what's new and hot in Parisian shopping, dining, and culture. The quick, magazine-like updates give you access to cool new bistros, hip brunch spots, local boutique Continue reading
17 November 2014 
Experiencing Champs Elysees
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We left Avignon early in the morning, taking the 2.5 hour train ride back to Paris where we spent our last two nights in France. We made our way to our final hotel of the trip, the historic grand chateau - the St. James Hotel. What an amazing place to stay the night in Paris! More to follow on our Continue reading
21 October 2014 
Royal Tour of Versailles
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On our second day in Paris, we ventured out in the St. Germain area for a quick, early morning run in Luxembourg Gardens. Whoever said the French do not run for exercise is mistaken. We saw many runners, men and women, throughout Paris (day and night) but especially throughout the garden, albeit Continue reading
16 June 2014 
Royal Ascot: High Stakes and Style
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(photo source) Tomorrow begins Royal Ascot - the 5-day British spectacle, known as much for its top racehorses as it is for its sophisticated, and sometimes over-the-top, fashion. A mainstay in the British Royal calendar, Royal Ascot represents one of the most well-known sporting events in the Continue reading
16 May 2014 
Mother’s Day Macarons
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While in downtown Chicago this weekend celebrating Mother's Day, I happened upon one of my favorite French pastry shops outside of France - Vanille Patisserie. (By the way, this charming little shop is a MUST if you enjoy a little taste of French heaven in the Windy City.) While I debated the Continue reading
24 February 2014 
Big Bites in the ‘Burbs
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Whenever I travel, I look for smaller, locally owned and sometimes out-of-the-ordinary places to dine, avoiding chain restaurants whenever possible. This had led me to some amazing meals here in the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. At home in Chicago, I try to follow this more European style of Continue reading
23 December 2013 
Christmas Traditions from Around the World
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(photo source) For the last three years, my family and I have ventured into the downtown area of Chicago to experience the wonder of Christmas in the Windy City. This year, we visited such Chicago holiday favorites as the Christkindlmarket, the window displays at Macy's on State, and the Continue reading
3 December 2013 
Traditional European Christmas Cookies
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(Linzer cookie: Photo Source) Bonjour! Throughout the winter holidays, sweets are plentiful at gatherings around the world, and many of these treats represent food traditions of years and cultures past. Even in the United States, Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers are often celebrated with Continue reading
16 September 2013 
Fast Food, French Style
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(photo source) In the last decade, Americans have been outdone by the French in weight loss, relationships, style, and child-rearing. Now, the one thing that Americans seemed to do better than the French (and most countries), may be slipping to second-best. Fast food, once shunned by the Continue reading
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