Conscious | Cool | Chic

July 14th is an incredible day to be in Paris. The city is alive, vibrant and bursting with energy as it celebrates Bastille Day, the nation’s independence day, also known as La Fête de la Bastille or La Fête Nationale. Much like Canada Day, and Independence Day in the United States, the festivities revolve aro...

Photo image credit: sprklg

Visitors to this café won’t find laptops, phones or a bustling environment of socializing. Instead they must scrub their hands, remove shoes (common for Japanese homes but...

This week's Travel Tuesday post is inspired by the grand hats seen at the Royal Wedding last Friday. Weren't they fun to observe? These are some of my own pictures from an annual horseracing event in Paris called Le Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The horseracing was exciting (especially watching with a champagne glass in hand), but the true spectacle were the multiple fabulous hats adorning many ladies' heads.

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This week's Travel Tuesday post is from Trisha Garvida, an American living in Belgrade with her Serbian fiance. Trisha has traveled the world extensively, and has kindly offered some anecdotal stories to share about her daily life and worldwide experiences! Check out one of her recent days in Belgrade when the Russian President came to town...

I loved entering the vibrancy of Rue Saint Charles’ farmer’s market every Tuesday and Friday morning. As I left the calm shelter of my Parisian apartment building, I transitioned immediately into an intense world for the senses: bargaining gestures, all-consuming perfumes and aromas, bursts of seasonal fruit, brushes of arms and ...

One of my favorite places in Paris is not actually in Paris proper. It is a few miles west of the city on the grounds of Chateau du Versailles. And from the back of the Sun King’s Palace, if you stroll out beyond the Grand Canal, through the green expanse of trees, gardens and grass, and further on to a secret corner...

Remember that box of 30 books that was just returned to me? It was kept in loving care by my dear friend Trisha who lives in Europe. We were close friends when we both lived in Paris, and since these books couldn't fit into my 5 suitcases upon return to the States, she offered to keep them for a bit (which turned into longer than either of us anticipated).

I am sooo happy to see you again! It has been a long time, but we are finally reunited. I've missed you. (Although I have forgotten I...

Love at First Sight

Prague.Praaaaa-gue. Prah-hgue. Praha.

We have only been in the country for 2 hours, but already I am completely mesmerized by everything around me. I can’t stop saying the city name, or staring up at the ...

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Dark green panels surround the interior of a small Parisian restaurant. Chalkboard menus with daily specials hang in a few corners. Outdoor tables are filled to capacity with heating lamps and heavy awnings to keep diners dry and warm. Indoor tables are crowd...

Two weeks ago, I was standing on the ridge of the Kailua Volcano crater. And today it is erupting with glorious flows of lava! Have you seen the video of the eruptions? It's really something incredible to witness... ...

Sex, Drugs & Bike n' Roll

A tiny cube room with a twin bed, mirrors on the walls, a tableside fan and a giant window curtain tomask the action for 15 minutes each time. White tops and outfits are preferred against the intensity of the red lights...