Maxime.

I love discovering a designer who is truly innovative, passionate, and dedicated to their craft.

While doing research for an upcoming project, I gleefully discovered

Maxime Simoens 

The french designer was the first ever to join the official couture federation of Paris without ever having a show.

He achieved this through his apprenticeships in couture houses; Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, & Baleciaga in combination with the press he received. 

What a dream.

Allow yourself to be inspired by his work

Here are some of my favorite pieces from his 2014 Pre Fall Collection

What I like most about this collection is his use of angles. He uses geometric shapes in a very flattering way. His designs are not ultra modern or dramatically simplistic. He combines, different textures, refined lines, and a classic black white color palette to form a cohesive collection that flatters the body and excites the eye. When I look at this collection I see the refined lines of a parisian couture and feel the reminiscence of old hollywood glamour.

Art is meant to inspire and Maxime Simoen certainly does.

xx

Phases.

Constant traveling means a lot of time rushing to wait in airports. You might as well make the best of the situation and invest in a travel book, journal, or a really good playlist. I've already read The Alchemist a few times, and love it. It was the only book I packed. Sometimes you just need to zone out to your favorite album.

I cannot stop listening to Julian Casablanca's Phases for the Young Album.

What's not to love.

It makes me want to dance the night away in leather jacket, be lost in thought & rebelliously in love.

"Oh, I got music, coming out of my hands and feet and kisses

That is how it once was done

All the dreamers on the run"

xx

Ain't Laurent without Yves

Yves Saint Laurent 

Christmas wishing.

xx

Whole

"Some people are broken,
They get mad at you for being whole."

Spectacular Spectacular

Do yourself a favor and listen to this exceptional, magical, fairy tale of a band,

Spectacular Spectacular.

Not one but two spectacular's, that's how you know their good.

Lead singer Jessica De Grasse, who happens to be my sister and a total babe sings songs that will dreamily swirl echoes in your head for days upon days. Her angelic voice is contrasted by the dark and twisted melodic harmonies of the multitalented and lovely guitarist Isley Ruest. Millie Chan, the bands bassist completes babe trio and adds the perfect baselines to bring each song full circle.

This band is as far left as the brain can get with creativity and pure passion that will refresh anyone searching for an original sound. 

Jessica's lyrics and vocals create dreamlike tales that will leave you lost in wonderland.

These songs rejoice all things true; and above all things love.

Even in the darkest hour of a heartbreak where the only color that seems to surface is blue, there seems to always be harp intwined melodies, the hope of a true romantic softening the dark blue depths, and creating timeless songs drenched in love.

Photo by yours truly

Listen to Jessica De Grasse and Spectacular Spectacular's upcoming songs here

https://soundcloud.com/jessicadegrasse

xx

Landlocked Blues

"So I'm up at dawn puttin' on my shoes
I just wanna make a clean escape
I know I'm leaving but I don't know where to"

                                                 -Conor Oberst

(Photos I took years ago from Arcata, Humboldt County, Northern California)

xx

Art //

"He who works with his hands is a laborer.
 He who works with his hands is a craftsman.
 He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."

                                                                                  -St. Francis of Assisi

All I want for Christmas is...Paris

Got to revisited and rediscover Paris when my mom came to visit.

I unsurprisingly, fell in love all over again.

Because I knew my way around this time, I was able to navigate and shop around the little Paris boutiques.

We also window shopped around L'Opera and saw a the most magical white carousel in all of Paris.

Another good shopping area in Paris is Bastille Saint Antoine.

I received an early Christmas present that I picked out from Arty Dandy in Saint Germaine.

It is the loveliest piece of jewelry I've ever owned and I will cherish it always.

Every french girl needs a gold ring that spells out Je t'aime with a touch of diamonds…right? 

Another useful way to find shopping areas if you don't have time to get lost down some winding roads is the website:

http://www.hipshops.com

It acts as a "smart compilation of concept stores from around the world"

So if you are looking for something, handmade, and artistic these stores will get you in the right area.

Our most memorable things from the Paris trip was our perfect wine, baguette, and cheese combo we hunted for so I could give my mom the best way to see the tower sparkle for the first time.

It was especially lovely because the tower gave a special tribute to the one and only Nelson Mandela.

We found a Fromagerie, Vino shop, and the perfect baguette from a boulangerie in Saint Germaine.

We marveled at Notre Dame and went inside to marvel some more. We strolled around the markets and romed into get escargo for lunch. I also made us reservations for a traditional french dinner at the oldest french restaurant…ever. I was so excited. It is called Le Petite Chaise, in english The Little Chair.

It was perfect. We enjoyed Paris to the fullest and never wanted to leave its beauty behind. The art of that city constantly amazes me.

Until next time Paris.

Je t'aime

xx

Lacée

Roasted Chestnuts.

Because it's almost Christmas…

I thought I would share some of my favorite things about Christmas in Europe thus far.

Traveling during the "off season" is amazing. 

First of all whoever started the term "off season" should be terminated…

Ok not really, but I don't think that anyone should be discouraged about traveling just because it is winter.

I am so happy to be able to experience the European Christmas lights, markets, treats, shopping, and traditions. 

Chestnuts really were roasting on an open fire! So I ate one.

London, Barcelona, Budapest, Italy, and Paris have shown me how special Christmas is in Europe.

I bought a sachet of lavenders from Provence in Paris and smelled various perfumes from Grasse, where my french ancestors are from!

I also bought a little something to remember Budapest by in the form of elderflower tea.

The market I am most excited for however is the German Christmas market in Berlin. 

In Germany there are special laws to ensure that everything sold at the markets are authentically German which I am so excited about.

I will cannot wait to Christmas shop here and bring back little treasures for everyone.

It is supposed to be very cold in Berlin, so luckily they sell mulled wine and German hot chocolate at the markets.

Mulled wine is hot wine with fruit, basically hot sangria, which sounds like the perfect Christmas drink to me since the temperatures will be dropping. 

We are all hoping for a white Christmas in Berlin so we shall see 

Merriest Christmas to everyone !

Remember what the true celebration of Christmas is for,

may it be calm, merry, & bright.

xx

A few of my favorites

Enjoy

(below images do not belong to me)

Almost over.

Europe is a dream that I could live in forever. 

I am so happy I was able to travel, explore, and study in the UK.

Christmas is right around the corner and my friends and I will be spending it in Berlin, Germany. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...in Berlin. I am planning on exploring the smaller towns of Germany as well and hopefully finding the Black Forest. 

Then we will be off to The Netherlands for New Years in Amsterdam. I really tried to book a houseboat... Because why wouldn't you want to live on a houseboat in Amsterdam, but because it is the holiday season there were hardly any left. We will most likely be renting an apartment for a Netherlands stint because it actually works out cheaper than a hostel.

I have gotten so used to traveling and discovering niches in corners of the world I never thought I would see.

It truly has been a growing life changing experience. 

Life changing because it literally has changed my life. If you never travel you just don't know what you're missing and how adventurous you really are.

I think one of the most amazing things about traveling is that it sets your whole life up for adventure. Before these past months in Europe I had never thought I would get to travel so much in my life. I also didn't realize how capable I was of so many things. I consider myself and excellent navigator and most definitely a map wizard. 

I have swam in the Mediterranean and popped champagne in the streets of Paris. 

There have been so many moments worth reliving I cannot even keep track. 

I have already given up on trying to keep track of all the trains, tubes, metros, boats, and planes we've been on. 

Another thing about traveling is it has really made me realize how many places I have yet to see in my own backyard of California and the states in general. There is definitely going to be a road trip, camping extravaganza when I get home. I am already planning on a train ride to Canada. Maple syrup, hockey, and Canadian beer are all getting crossed of the to do list.

Time to pass out on my top bunk. 

Goodnight Hatfield,

I'll see you in the morning London. 

Vagabond dreams.

xx

Spain Part II

A little city called Barcelona.

This city is captivating in the best kind of way.

The architecture is fit for a fairy tale.

Wander down the alleys to find the best hidden gems, one of mine is a little place called Ruby.

Italia

So much has happened since my last blog post 

I just don't know where to begin.

Left London for sunny Barcelona than headed back to the UK. From there to Italy- Rome, Florence, and Venice,

and of course, back to Paris.

Roma:
My favorite thing about rome was the historic center where we stayed at the one and only Maria Rosa Guesthouse.
Sylvie is the most gracious host you will come across.
I've stayed in many airbnb's and hostels, but her guesthouse was my favorite of all.
The historic center was full of winding roads, boutiques full of hand made treasures, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.
Rome was amazing and full of life.
My favorite pizza of my whole life came from a little heavenly place called Forno, where they sell bread of course and pizza by the slice…and italian treats! You have to get a ticket with a number that is how busy it gets to get a slice from this place. Worth it.
All the food in Italy (if you avoid obvious tourist traps) is prepared with such pride and quality. One of my favorite people I came across was this little italian pizzeria man so happy singing and slicing tomatoes for his pizzas. Happy people make amazing food…it's a fact.

Firenze:
We took the train from Rome to Florence and got to ride past the vineyards and lush landscapes.
I could have stayed there forever.
My favorite thing about Florence, aside from the art and beauty of the city itself, was the people inside there own stores handcrafting there goods in the windows.
You can just walk by and see glassblowers working on painting there pieces, or a watch maker winding watches to be sold.
It was really inspiring to see handmade special pieces being sold, where as in the states so many things are outsourced to China.
I have always been one to try and support smaller businesses but this just inspired me further.
I was so inspired I bought a pair of handmade italian leather shoes.
But really, I think it is so important to be aware of your power as a consumer and make purchases for quality as apposed to constantly impulse buying poorly made things from poorly run companies.
We are all guilty of buying things for no purpose but having awareness is definitely a positive start.
Back to the beauty of Florence, it was lovely but….

Venezia:
Venice absolutely took my breath away!
Venice was like walking into a whole new world.
The sound of it is amazing.
It sounds like stillness.
The people we met were so friendly
and it was just a beautiful place to wonder in.
We arrived by train at night to see a huge full moon and all of the city lights reflecting on the water.
Everything about this city is so artistic and detailed I instantly felt an immense love for this place.
My favorite thing about it is the water
 and the most amazing sunrise. The sun is so much brighter, and fuller, maybe it's just happier in Venice because people stop to watch it more.
You feel like you have traveled back in time to a place where time moves slower, and cars are nowhere to be found.

Oh my mornings coming back
The whole worlds waking up
All the vaporetto's swimming past
I'm happy just because.

Italia you are so beautiful.


Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Italy:

You just have to see it for yourself.

T r a v e l.

Lacée