French Reflections

Exactly three months ago today, I along with two free spirited girlfriends, Becky and Lauren, packed our summer scarves and linen pants and headed out for an unforgettable trip across France. Our journey consisted of two very different experiences that added up to one extraordinary adventure. First, we spent six fabulous days in the City of Lights, museum hopping and enjoying Parisian evenings on our cozy balcony tasting the flavors of the city and watching the sun set leaving a beautiful pink haze over rooftops, while the Eiffel Tower sparkled every hour reminding residents and visitors alike of Paris' beauty.  From there, we spent an equally incredible four additional nights with actual Frenchies exploring all the southern coast has to offer. From storybook seaside villages like Cassis, to swanky small town communities like Aix-en-Provence, each moment was savored and no expenses was spared. There is so much to share about each unique day, but these are a couple of my favorite French moments outside of all of the amazing sights: watching French moms drive scooters in stylish high heels while their children held on tight, watching one of my very best friends fall in love with her French manfriend, witnessing a romantic proposal atop the Eiffel Tower, soaking in the St. Tropez rays and high society culture, and wine tasting and crepe sampling in the most shabby chic place on earth, Le Castellet. Although the last night of our trip we were admittedly exhausted and definitely poorer, we were overwhelming fulfilled  because we knew that trips like these happen once in a lifetime.  With all that being said, our trip to France feels like a distant dream, and one that I daydream of often.  So today I want to share just a couple of my most favorite memories with dear friends captured in photos.

For an insiders perspective on France (among other interesting topics) check out www.lepetitfranceblog.com, authored by Tuula Mattson.  Tuula is an avid consumer and blogger of French culture and currently works and lives in Provence.