Quarantine Recs: Wit & Whimsy

I've loved Here For You's suggestions of daily activities intended to encourage, distract, bring joy, or inspire hope, thus, I'm starting a list of my own.

First up, the instagram account, @meghandono. I've been a longtime follower of the charming blog, Wit & Whimsy, but only recently started following Meghan on instagram and her stories are bringing me so much joy! Meghan is the founder of a company called, Paris Perfected, which creates curated itineraries for Parisian getaways.

She lives in Brooklyn Heights and posts beautiful details from her walks around her neighborhood every day. Everything from gorgeous front stoops, murals on boarded up storefronts, tiny signs of spring, rainbow art in windows, all of it is engaging and hopeful. When I watch her stories, I feel like I'm out on a walk with a friend. 

She also posts many pictures from her travels to Paris, including a virtual visit to Paris for the day. I spent a good hour indulging in this exceptionally detailed virtual itinerary, distracting myself from my anxious thoughts in a cloud of wanderlust. While it makes me ache for when we can travel again, it was a lovely escape, which I highly recommend.

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Last Great Book I Read

Wouldn't it be nice to click your red heels magically materialize in Paris a la Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Instead of rain, a full DVR, and papers to grade, it would be croissants, strolling along the Seine, and boutique hopping in the Marais...le sigh. Well, the next best thing I guess is - if you do the traveling to Paris in person, do it vicariously via Lunch in Paris.

This memoir is easy to read, enjoyable, and peppered with delectable recipes that help tell the story of a Frenchman and an Englishwoman's Parisian romance. I devoured this book, it was just what I needed to get a quick travel fix. If you've got any hint of wanderlust running through your veins, I recommend you do the same.

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Paris Love

I know this Parisian video has been circulating the blog scene, but it's just too lovely to not post! Makes me want to start saving for my next trip starting NOW!

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

The Rumors Are True

The rumors are true...I finally rented An Education this weekend, and yes, it's fabulous! This movie truly sets the stage, all I wanted to do after watching it was crawl into a time machine and zip back to 1960's Paris, for a glamorous evening of go wineing, dining, and dancing 'round the City of Light with my beau.

The music, the clothes, the glamour, the cast, I now know why Carey Mulligan won herself that Oscar nod. Two thumbs up!!

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Parisian Love

As if I didn't love Paris enough already, I think I love it even more after watching this google.com commercial - City of Light and love!


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Edible Heaven

I've been channeling my inner-French girl by reading Joanna of Cup of Jo's latest blog experiment - Experience Parisienne. Her latest quest at finding all things Parisian - a pain au chocolat taste test. This is my version of edible heaven...

Pain au chocolat is literally my favorite pastry, more than all the tarts and brioches and canapes in all the world! I just love the flaky outside, soft inside of a croissant which is only improved by the hidden layer of chocolate inside - it is simply unbeatable in my mind! Next time I'm in NYC, I'm definitely stopping in to Balthazar - the winning pain au chocolat of Joanna's taste test. Yum!

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My French Life

I checked out Vicky Archer's "My French Life" from my local library and I'm in love. This coffee table book is a collection of wonderful photographs, recipes, and tales of living in France. It's one of those books where you feel get that feeling of a satisfying experience by just flipping through the pages. I've always been enamored with Paris and all things French. If you're looking for a more inexpensive escape, I recommend you take a peek.

If you're a Francophile like myself, another great book to read is Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide To Finding Her Inner French Girl. I received this book as a gift, and absolutely love it, I've even read it more than once! Written by an ex-pat, the author shares the true inside scoop on French etiquette, food, style, and how to survive living as an American in Paris. It's a fun, entertaining, and interesting read, especially if you have travel plans to France in your future.
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J'Taime, J'Taime, J'Taimer

The minute I saw this card...I was reminded of this picture.

Oh, j'taime, j'taime, j'taimer!

I've always wanted to go to Paris with a boy, I'm hoping that will happen sometime in my lifetime!

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Flickr Photo of the Day

Wish I was here!

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An American Girl in Paris

Spotted! Gossip Girl vixen-turned-sweetheart Serena van der Woodsen (a.k.a. Blake Lively) glamming it up in the City of Light - solo! This blond bombshell takes Paris by storm sans her flock of très beau costars for an upcoming spread in Vanity Fair. Voici à la fille de bavardage!
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Je t'aime Paris

I stumbled upon this online Marie Claire article, "5 Reasons Why Paris is the Sexiest City in the World." Written by notable blogger Joanne Goddard, her 5 top reasons, and reflections on the City of Light might just inspire you to hop that next plane to the romantic mecca...fabulous, enchanting Paris.

* Reason #1: How to Sleep in a Parisian's Bed.
* Reason #2: Kissing in Paris
* Reason #3: Swoon-Worthy French Songs
* Reason #4: French Women
* Reason #5: People Watching in Paris

photograph (c) Eugene Wei