Paris Recap - Day One + Two

Hi all! Well, we're back from Paris and it was as lovely as I hoped it would be. I want to do a few recap posts of the days we were there, especially since it was only a few days (and only two full days at that).

We left last Wednesday, and Sammy's mom dropped us off at the airport after work. We grabbed a quick bite at the Big Bowl airport (which was as exorbitant as you can imagine) and settled into our gate before boarding. We had a three hour flight to Iceland and then a six hour flight from there to Paris.

I made the rookie mistake of exhausting my movie options on the short flight instead of saving them for the longer flight. But I watched The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles and my John Hughes ever loving heart was so, so happy.

I know you're loving these blurry-ass photos...

Only got one picture of Iceland on the way there--ha! It was so windy there which I wasn't expecting. Apparently it's the third windiest country in the world and the first two windiest aren't inhabited by people which was a cool fact to learn.

We landed in Paris around noon and made our way to our Airbnb. We got dropped off at the wrong building, so we spent a long time acting like idiots trying to get into a building that wasn't ours. Thank god our hosts were so nice haha.

I forever love the windows in Parisian apartments. I swear the light is different.

The apartment was certainly small but it was so cute and cozy. They had a lot of fun little decorative touches that added to the overall feel.

These stairs were so pretty (the building was built in 1905), but they were toughhh after a long day of walking all over the city haha.

We decided that afternoon may have been our best bet to visit the Catacombs since we'd be beating the weekend rush and we were right. We waited about an hour in line but, after reading several reviews, that seemed to be shorter than most wait times. And when below is your view as you wait in line...how could you complain?

It was wild to see all of the tombs, markings on the walls, and definitely the bones. We loved it, and it might have been Sammy's favorite thing we did all weekend.

After the catacombs, we wandered around, trying to find a cafe for dinner.

We settled on a cute neighborhood place where I promptly ordered myself a glass of rose ;)

I realize our meal choices look extremely American, but they were like "gourmet" versions ;)

Had to snap a quick picture of the hospital named after my alma mater.

And I couldn't stop taking pictures of the buildings. I don't know how anyone gets anywhere on time--I would constantly be looking up at all the details.

We went back to the apartment relatively early, probably around 8:30 p.m., so we could shower (after traveling and whatnot all day/night before) and CRASH into bed.

We got up early on Saturday so we could walk to the Eiffel Tower and get breakfast before our lunch reservation at 12:30. It neverrrr got old to turn a corner and see the Eiffel Tower right in front of you.

And my fall-loving heart couldn't handle seeing it next to the changing leaves. OH my heart.

 Tired of the Eiffel pictures yet? ;)

We walked along the Seine for a while and tried to find a few stores to peruse (everything opens pretty late in the morning in Paris!) before heading to breakfast.

This is my second time in Paris, and while I think the food is good, nothing, nothing, nothing beats the bread. I'd rather have bread as my full meal every time.

Below, our cafe view. *heart eyes always*

And all the heart eyes, always, for this guy and his little espresso.

We came back to the Eiffel Tower for lunch as our reservation was at a restaurant near the plaza. Our table overlooked it and it was the most perfect view ever.

Sammy got a French mule and loved it and I had a glass of Brut which was the best Brut I've ever had, by far.

Sammy got roasted chicken with ratatouille (and went nuts for it), and I had lobster ravioli in a Thai soup.

We decided to get lost for the rest of the day and make plans as we went, so after lunch we just took off walking.

We stumbled across a tiny church (one of what seemed like a million on every street, each one lovelier than the last) and peeked inside.

We walked down the Champs-Élysées and admired all the stores we can't afford ;)

 Had to stop into the Disney store ;)

We split a breaded chicken baguette and coffee chocolate cake as an afternoon snack.

And made our way to the arc which Sammy loved as well.

We wandered back toward the Eiffel Tower and had dinner at a restaurant that faces it. It was packed since it was Friday night, but Sammy and his laser eyes found an empty table and we snagged it.

It was a wonderful meal and evening. Sitting at cafes was my favorite part of the trip. I just love the relaxed vibe and culture centered around that kind of way of life. And especially loved getting to do it with Sammy.

Full disclosure, a rather BIG thing happened during our first two days in Paris...but I'm saving it for Friday Favorites. If you follow me on Instagram, you already know... ;)

Day three and four tomorrow! xo

Life Update

A little life update from my new desk! Half of my new team and I are headed out to lunch soon, so I thought I would try to post a quick update. It's been crazy the last few days leaving my first ever job and having a weekend packed with plans (and an unexpected trip to the ER!), but I'm so glad it's officially October. Lots of new beginnings...

Last Wednesday I met a former coworker for lunch with some of my other (now former, too, wah!) coworkers so we could catch up and love on her new babe!

I started getting the sweetest gifts from my coworkers as our last days together started to approach.

Henry and I have gone on several walks this week since he's gotten SO good on a leash! And we see lovely skies while we're out.

And I love seeing our neighbors' Halloween decorations as we stroll too.

And after a long day at work, I kind of love how wiped out walks make him ;)

Then last Thursday I wound up in the ER after a super dramatic afternoon at work dealing with one of my kidney stone moments. My best coworker had to drive me to the ER in the afternoon and I almost thought I wasn't going to be able to come in on Friday for my last day. But after some obnoxiousness (I swear, people don't know how to deal with us kidney stone people), I was discharged and have been in pain management mode ever since. I'm really crossing my fingers the pain is manageable through our trip and I'm able to make an appointment to have this stone removed when we get back (since I doubt I'll pass it on my own).

But I made it to work on Friday and my coworkers spoiled me, per usual. They had written this quote on my board which had me cryin'.

They threw me a potluck goodbye lunch which was so delicious and wonderful.

And made me the sweetest card (that I brought to my new job) on a routing sheet, which is something I use at work to route picture book mechanicals throughout our department, so it was extra personal and sweet.

Of course I was ULTRA drama and took a picture of myself pressing the button on our elevator for the last time...kill me haha.

After bringing all my office stuff home and letting Henry out, I ran over to my girlfriend's who was hosting a "blast from the past" game night girls' night. It was SO cute and she thought of the cutest details.

The adult version of Dream Phone feat. old fashioneds ;)

Meanwhile, the boys were at home ;)

Saturday morning I got up early to make my pie for the apple pie contest that was happening at the Johnny Appleseed fest downtown CL.

It didn't end up placing (I think all three winners were more unique pies with multiple flavors happening, but I really wanted to try my hand at an old fashioned apple pie), but I had fun entering!

We got stopped every few steps because everyone loves Henry so much ;) Can you blame them?

We had lunch with our moms at The Cottage later that afternoon before heading our separate ways. My mom and I headed to AT&T to add an international plan to our phone plan (my brother and I are both going to be in Europe at the same time and I'm still on my mom's phone plan because I'm an adult!!!) and Sammy headed downtown for guys' night.

Sunday morning we woke up and lounged for a bit...

And then we met Sammy's parents and brother's family for breakfast in Woodstock before heading out to pick apples.

It was notttt the day to go apple picking haha super rainy and not fall feeling at all, but it was still fun! And our niece seemed to really love it.

Meanwhile, my brother has started his European trip in Germany this week. He sent me this snapchat and I couldn't screenshot it fast enough. That's our name, bitches.

We ate in front of the TV on Sunday night because I ended up in a lot of pain and needed to spend some much needed time relaxing. Thankfully, Henry was pretty chill Sunday night and I was able to get a in a nap in order to ease some of the pain (after taking some stronger pain meds...).

And we got some family snuggles in! I'll remind everyone, Sammy put Frozen on...not me.

Yesterday morning I met my dad for breakfast before my first day...

at Cottage Door Press! I'm so excited to be the new Associate Editor here and work on some really awesome books for young readers (like, the youngest, we only do 0-4 years old right now).

Weird elevator selfie...

So excited to have a blank slate (but I've since done a little decorating...).

I've been learning a lot as I go so far, but they've allowed me to jump right in attending meetings and brainstorms and looking at routes of picture book pages and I'm really excited about it all.

That's it for me on this Tuesday! I'm going home tonight, running to the store, and then heading home to pack. My mom is coming over to watch Henry while I pack and get things organized since I'm leaving right for the airport from work tomorrow night. I'm a little more nervous about leaving him than I thought I would be, but I know it's only a few days, so I'm trying to push those nervous feelings aside so we can simply enjoy our trip.

As I've mentioned, so many new things lately...I'm looking forward to this trip being the culmination of all new things lately, and then hopefully getting a break ;) Can't wait to just sit with these new developments for a little while. 

Next post you see will be a Paris recap! Have a great week, all. xo