Wanderlust Wednesday: Paris Can Wait

I love a good travel film, especially when the landscape itself serves as a character in the film. 

When the trailer for Paris Can Wait crossed my social media feed, I knew this would be a must-see. 

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See for yourself...

Directed by Eleanor Coppola, the film features Diane Lane, Alec Baldwin, and Arnaud Viard. 

It opens May 12th in major cities. 

What's your favorite travel inspired movie?

Five Years Ago in Paris..I said YES!

This time of the year provides the Señor and me with plenty of time to reflect on the wonderful life we have and the amazing places we have been and seen together. 

One of the places that will always be extraordinarily special to us is Paris. 

It was five years ago today that my sweet husband asked me to be his wife, and so today, I remember Paris, the City of Lights and our forever City of Love. 



Before they cut the locks off the Le Pont des Arts bridge, we had our own lock. 

Amor para siempre...Love for always

It was a perfect moment. 

But he didn't ask me. 

As we explored what is thought by many to be the most romantic city in the world, I thought about the journey our own relationship had taken over the last four and a half years and wondered where it would take us next.

And then, on our last morning in Paris, as we looked for a place for coffee on our way to the airport, we found a little cafe in a little street market lined with cobblestones and tasty treats.

Over cafe au laits and croissants, he asked me to be his wife, in his own sweet, quirky way. 

And like every romantic cliche, I said YES! 

And with all my heart, I still say YES, each and every day.

Amor para siempre, indeed. 

Adventures in Macarons

One of the highlights of our last trip to Paris was a stop at the iconic Ladurée for arguably, the best macarons in Paris, if not the world. 

The Champs Elysées location

So many pretty colors and delicious flavors. 

So, when I saw that my local continuing ed program offered a course in The Art of the French Macaron, my heart skipped a beat. I know they're trendy, and I know they are a Parisian cliche, but I love them. That meringue melts in your mouth. What's not to love? 

And to think... I could make them at home? A taste of Paris in my own kitchen? 

Oui, se il vous plâit. 

Our guide for the evening was food writer turned culinary school graduate and chef, Sherry Belotti. 

"My food philosophy is simple," Belotti says on her web page. "There is nothing better than fresh food, prepared well and shared with others." And, indeed, these were lovely. 

Chef Sherry's samples.

The evening began with a tasting plate for us to sample, and a demonstration of how to make the meringue that would serve as the base for the macaron. 

Sherry explains the importance of separating eggs using three bowls to ensure that no yolk fat contaminates the whites and prevents them from forming their critical peaks. 

Macaron batter is a simple mixture...egg whites, almond meal/flour, granulated sugar, and powered sugar....and a smidgen of cream of tartar to help with the meringue. 

But the result is nothing short of magic. 

Then it was time to pipe. 

Once the macarons were piped onto the parchment paper, thanks to a pre-drawn template, they were set aside to dry. 

Tip from Sherry: Draw yourself a template or buy your silicone tray inserts pre-drawn. 

And then it was our turn. With Sherry by our side, we separated our eggs, ground our almond meal and mixed our batter. 

Tip from Sherry: Ground your almond meal with half of your powdered sugar to avoid turning your almond meal into paste. 

I chose an orange macaron that I would later fill with berry butter cream. 

Folding the batter, careful not to over mix. 

I piped like a champ....well, after the first couple. 

Then mine were ready to dry. 

It took a while, but finally, my macarons were ready to bake. 

Tip from Sherry: Don't bother trying this in humidity. It will amount to little more than an exercise in frustration. 

Once the macarons had cooled, I removed them from the parchment and voila! 

They were perfect, and ready to fill. 

I filled them with butter cream and a reduced berry compote that Sherry had made before class. They were si délicieux! Ladurée, no, but it was a taste of Paris in my own kitchen. 

If you're within driving distance of central Massachusetts or southwestern New Hampshire, check out any of Sherry's classes, including this macaron class, cooking with herbs, using your new Himalayan salt block, and Mexican fare for Cinco de Mayo. 

This was a lot of fun, informative, and empowering. 

I can't wait to see what comes next. 

Have you ever made macarons? What is one recipe that is daunting, but you would love to make?

Friday 5: Affordable Stocking Stuffers for the Travel Lover

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! 

If you have a travel lover on your gift list, here are five great stocking stuffer ideas that will work well and that won't break the bank.

1. For the tree . . .a passport ornament or another travel ornament representing one of countless cities and countries and travel gear. 

2. How about a travel scratch map? Just for fun's sake. Show the places you've been or the places you want to go.

3. For the organized suitcase . . .packing cubes in regular or slim fit.

I used these twice recently, once in a carry-on and once in a 30L backpack. Loved them; well worth it. 


4. For the iPhone photographer...phone lens kit. For when the DSLR might not be practical or for the person who doesn't have a DSLR, but wants to take reasonable photos, nonetheless. 

And a monopod a.k.a. selfie stick. Yes, they look ridiculous, but they work. 

5. If you know the person really well...ExOfficio Travel Underwear. And aren't we used to getting underwear and socks by now anyway?

P.S....They're fabulous! 

Are you a traveler or have travelers on your gift list? What are some of your favorite go-to stocking stuffers?

Ahora 7: December

Happy December!

Ahora, meaning Now in Spanish, is a monthly series that gives you 

the highlights of what's going on in my life each month. See where it started with this post. 

I'm off to a late start this month, but here is what's trending in my world. 

Reading...

• I have accumulated quite a few books over the last few weeks in anticipation of the holiday break from school. Among them are The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, which I am reading for book club. I also just received Mastering the Art of French Eating: From Paris Bistros to Farmhouse Kitchens, Lessons in Food and Love by Ann Mah. This was a giveaway prize from Samantha Verant, who just published Seven Letters from Paris. You can see Samantha's book trailer here. 

Designing...

• Our Christmas cards....so much fun. Photo cards are popular with families that have children, but if you are single or a family of two, do you do photo cards? If not, why? 

Watching...

• The 100 Foot Journey

I watched this film on our return flight from Paris. What a treat. Like Chocolat, it is a beautiful story that is also a feast for the eyes. 

Listening to...

• Serial. This podcast is fascinating. I was late to the party, but I am catching up. And I read somewhere that there will be a second season. If you like crime drama, check it out. It's produced by the same folks who do This American Life on NPR.

Drinking...

• French wine. Have you tried the 2014 Beaujolais Nouveau? 

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Wanting...

• The Starbucks Golden Ticket. Starbucks for life? #yesplease

Smiling about...

• Paris. We had such a great time. As soon as I win the lottery that I never play, I am buying an apartment. Maybe it's a sign that I should take a gamble once in a while.

Cliched, but fun nonetheless

• Christmas. We are off to the Berkshires this weekend for the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. We hope to squeeze in some Christmas shopping at the outlets nearby and visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, which is always a treat. 

And there you have it...that is what is trending Ahora in my world. 

Your turn...what is happening in your world these days?

Packing for Paris

Good morning! Happy Tuesday. 

It's fly day for us. We are packed and off for a mini-vacation in Paris. 

Packing for a vacation is a true exercise in want versus need. And when you travel in colder weather, it gets even trickier.

We're only taking carry-on luggage, so every item counts. 

For me, here is what is making the cut. 

The Bag
When it comes to carry-on luggage, it has to be soft sided spinner. I like having pockets for putting in last minute items and because it's always with me, I don't have to worry about it getting tossed. And it makes for a faster airport exit. 

What I Packed
Because I am frequently cold, staying warm is a concern. But I also want to be able to move. No one wants to be this kid...

Luckily, I think I have found the perfect coat. It's a Land's End lightweight packable down 3/4 length coat. It has a hood and, even better, it has a belt to avoid the sleeping bag look of a normal puffer.  I have had it for about a month now and so far, so good. It's warm and roomy, allowing for thicker layers underneath.

Because Paris in November can be rainy, I am also bringing my Totes Bubble, thanks to a tip from Steph at Life According to Steph. I have had this for a few weeks as well, and it works great! And yes, you can bring it on-board the cabin. 

When it comes to the actual packing, I opted to try out packing cubes. I read about others who had used them, so I decided to give e-bags a try, and I'm glad I did. They made a huge difference. Everything is organized and I still have room in my carry-on. My husband was skeptical, but I am definitely going to get him a set as well. 

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As for clothes, I am bringing anchor pieces that work together in neutral colors, like dark jeans, black trousers, neutral blouses, a black wrap dress, a black cardigan, a neutral scarf, tall black boots, and a pair of walking shoes. 

Because of the restriction limiting liquids to three ounces and a one-quart bag, I am a minimalist with my cosmetics...wait...who am I kidding? I am a minimalist with cosmetics anyway. Nevertheless, mascara, concealer, eye liner and a lip gloss  share space with my moisturizer, eye drops, and deodorant.

Throw in our camera, my vitamins, my iPad and assorted chargers and that's about it, minus the obvious delicates.  

My cross-body purse holds my passport, my wallet with my ID and Euros, my phone in its charging case and a protein bar...just in case. 

I like options, but I also know that it's silly to over-pack. 

No one wants this...

I am so excited to be heading back to Paris. It is one of my favorite places on earth. And what's better is that this week is about meandering hand-in-hand...there is no need to run around a sight see, since we've been there before. Paris is our forever city of love. 


How do you pack for a cold winter getaway when you have limited space available? What are your non-negotiables?

Ahora 6: November

November! Already! Where did this year go? 

Ahora, meaning Now in Spanish, is a monthly series that gives you 

the highlights of what's going on in my life each month. See where it started with this post. 

Here in New England, Mother Nature is still offering us her best; but it's now November, so if the leaves aren't completely off the trees when this goes live, I am sure they will be soon.

Even this little guy is decked out in his fall best. 

It's getting colder and I've begun my winter hibernation nesting. 

There is much to look forward to this month.

Here's what's trending in my world. 

What I'm reading...

• Seven Letters from Paris...a love story in seven letters. Love the love!

Here's the book trailer. 

What I'm watching

• How to Get Away with Murder. First, there was Grey's Anatomy. Then I joined #TeamFitz with Scandal. And now, Shonda Rimes, has, once again, made Thursday nights "Must-See-TV" with How to Get Away with Murder. Viola Davis is amazing. The multi-layered story arcs twist and turn and leave you wondering what just happened. It's a fun escape. And it's free on Hulu. 

What I'm listening to

• Want to get happy? Go to your local music source now, and get yourself Jason Mraz's Yes. I am swooning. 

No doubt, this is my favorite cut...A World With You

What I'm eating

• The cool weather hibernation nesting has begun. Stews, hot apple cider, homemade pizza, chocolate chip cookies and red wine...yup...that's about right. Don't let my trainer know.

What I'm drinking

• French wine. And when in Paris, vin chaud...hot wine. A delicious, adapted recipe is coming. Stay tuned...

 

Why I'm smiling

• Happy Blogging Anniversary to me! November 1st marked two years for my lovely space on the web. And what a gift it has been! I am so grateful for the support I have received from other bloggers and the opportunities that have come my way. Here's to year three!

• I taught my first How to Start a Blog class in a local adult continuing-ed school. What fun! 

• Paris. I smile just thinking about it. We will be spending Thanksgiving in the City of Light and Love. There's less pressure to sightsee, since we have been there before. This trip is about meandering, exploring new corners, and soaking in the love. 

And there you have it...that is what is trending Ahora in my world. 

Your turn...what is happening in your world these days?

My Top 5 Do-Over Destinations

It is no secret that my husband and I love to travel, and when we do, we try to live like locals. We both agree that leaving a place while there is still much to explore fuels the desire to return. 

Fellow travelers, Monica and Jon of We Go Together, nominated us for an opportunity to share five destinations I would revisit, as part of Booked.Net's Top Destinations to Go promotion. 

It's difficult to pick only five, because so much has captivated our hearts already; however, if I were in charge, and I had to pick five and five only, here is what would top my list. 

1. Paris

I know that Western Europe is crowded, overpriced, but, Paris will always hold a special place in my heart, because it is where we were engaged. Paris truly does have that je ne sais quoi. To me, like Audrey, Paris will always be a good idea, and I cannot wait to go back and explore another neighborhood and enjoy the joie de vivre. 

Yes, we are headed back to Paris...in November!

2. Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela has an air of magic. It may be the faint whisper in the wind from the Celtic Mejas, or flying "good" witches that predated the Christians in Galicia. Or it could be the songs of Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, walking its winding roads leading to the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral in Obradoiro Square. Nevertheless, there is something special to be found in this gem of Spain's northwest corner. See the sites, sample the food and enjoy a bit of magic yourself.

3. London

London holds special memories for me because it was where I first traveled overseas alone, and where I had second row seats to Les Miserables, my favorite musical. As a teacher, the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and Poet's Corner, the Globe Theatre and the Tower of London captivated my attention and left me longing for more. Even the touristy Jack the Ripper tour was fun. And London has some amazing Indian food and gastropubs. So much to see and do...I can't wait to go back!

4. Key West, Florida

For years, I was a card-carrying Parrothead. I lived all things Jimmy Buffett, and Key West, Florida was ground zero. Changes in latitude brought changes in attitude and I was thrilled to be somewhere where the weather suited my clothes. The laid back Conch vibe provided the perfect tropical escape, while the stunning Mallory Square sunsets were worthy, indeed, of their nightly standing ovation. And, I had the opportunity to see Jimmy Buffett playing backyard concert-style in Key West...something I will never forget. 

5. Boston

I am a New England girl and Boston will always be a do-over city, again and again. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly destination or a romantic escape for two, Boston has it all. You'll quickly see why Bostonians "love that dirty water." 

So there you have it...my top five do-over destinations. As part of Booked.Net's Top Destinations to Go promotion, I nominate Chris and Heather from A Brit and a Southerner, Bonnie Rose from A Compass Rose, Alison from Green with Renvy, Kate from Adventurous Kate, and Tatiana from The Dubious Hausfrau. 

What would top your list?