Classics.

So, this time of year I always have a "things I'm coveting" blog, even though I can't afford any of the items which is why they are on my "things I'm coveting" list year after year.  Just in case any of my family members are interested in getting me that big ticket item this year for Christmas. ;) 

This Marc by Marc Jacobs "Classic Q-Natasha" bag in Storm Cloud.  Oh... I first saw them at Galaries Lafayette in Paris and ever since then when I see one I stop just to try it on. 

These glorious Kate Spade heels, "Karolina."  Glitter perfection.  Seriously, these have been on my list for 4 years?  Also love the "Charm" heel with the bow, but I feel as if the close toe heel would be a tad more practical?  haha...as if these shoes were anything close to practical!  So perfect with a tea length LBD.  

I should have bought this watch 3 years ago when mom and I found it for 40% off at the Michael Kors outlet in Sandestin.  Michael Kors Tortoise Jet Set Watch.  

This beautiful cashmere sweater from J.Crew in mint or pagoda blue.  Well, anything from J.Crew in general actually.  Every time I pass this sweater in the store I just have to stop and feel how soft it is....just dreamy.  

These Tory Burch sandals in Royal Tan.  Classic. Perfect for summer.  Goes with anything.  

Enjoy!

Families Gave Thanks.

Thanksgiving was a smashing success.  I woke up to my friend Rob who had just flown in for the weekend from Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he is stationed in the army...such a lovely surprise.  I was able to enjoy a bit of the Macy's Parade and a cup of coffee before the countdown to everything being ready at once was complete.  Family arrived, we ate until our hearts were content, we celebrated a birthday, took a few family photos and jumped face first into a pile of brown, crunchy leaves.  

Lucky me, after a quick wardrobe change I went over to my dads and put that 4 hours on repeat (minus the leaves).  Full as a tick was an understatement.  

Food was passed, drinks were poured, blessings were said, dishes were dirty, kids were giggling, adults were chatting, pies were sliced, memories were made....and another Thanksgiving has come and gone.

Playing in the leaves!

Too far gone...

The crew (minus Ryan).  

Little Laine-Loo!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am yearning, aching, longing for Paris in a way that I never have before.  Time is passing oh so quickly and I can't believe it's been nearly 4 months since I left France.  Friends and family in Paris carry on about their business, with new au pairs and new friends and new experiences..and I am here.  Not knowing where I will be next year, much less next month.  But mostly, as the seasons change and the lights begin to go up on the Champs Élysées, the tree decorated this year with Swarovski crystals is standing in the middle of the majestic Galeries Lafayette, Père Noël is found peeking around every street corner and the tree outside Notre-Dame Cathedral is sparkling with tinsel and twinkle lights I am left feeling empty and as if I'm missing out on everything.  Wishing I could climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and look at the Christmas lights at night, enjoy Angelina's chocolat chaud in the chill of the afternoon sunlight, and bounce home to rue de Courcelles every night with my scarf tightly wrapped around my face as the brightly lit blue and white "C's" strung across one of the longest streets in Paris sparkle in the darkness.  

I was reading my Thanksgiving posts from last year and the previous year which brought tears to my eyes.  Last year was one of the most special and memorable Thanksgivings I have ever had.  Don't get me wrong, Thanksgivings with my family are special and I love sitting around the table sharing love and being thankful and eating mounds upon mounds of delicious food.  But preparing Thanksgiving last year for my friends from 4 different countries, in another country, in my host family's apartment in PARIS, with my little French sidekick running around flirting with Taylor...there was something so memorable, so extraordinary, so impressive about our spread.  It was ours.  It was unforgettable.

From November 24, 2011..my second Thanksgiving in Paris:
"It certainly beats last years Thanksgiving at McDonalds.  Today, I was surrounded by friends from every corner of the world, in my families' Parisian apartment, playing the "game" as they called it of what we were thankful for.  And what we all had in common?  Our realization that this opportunity we all have to live and work here in Paris, and have the experiences and chances and being able to have the world at our fingertips is unlike any other.  I am thankful first and foremost for the best family and friends any girl could ever ask for back in the States, whom I miss dearly and I would have given anything to have them seated around me at the table.  Secondly, to my precious host family in Paris who have included me as one of their own and trust and cherish the relationship we have with one another.  And, I am thankful for being able to spend another month in France.  For my visa not being instantly denied so that I can still eat world class croissants, marvel at the intricacies of the Sacre-Coeur, and to be able to sit around the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of Pinot Noir a little while longer." 

As I get ready to celebrate this Thanksgiving with my family in Lawrenceburg, lunch at my mom's..dinner at dad's...I am thankful to be able to sit down with my close family and celebrate being home, being together, and each other's company.  I love my family more than anything in this world.  They know it, and I know it.  

There is no other place I'd rather be today with them, unless, of course, we could all be in Paris. 

Thankful

Well a couple of weeks ago now I received a very precious package in the mail!  

One of my best friends in the entire world (which is now quite an accomplishment...if I do say so myself) asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding.  Alex, who lives in Houston, met her fiancé on match.com and things skyrocketed and moved very quickly.  I was doubtful at first, but the way her voice changed on the phone after they first met and her excitement and anticipation for their future together makes me so incredibly happy.  I am so honored and so blessed to be a part of her special day and wouldn't be anywhere else!  So looking forward to this journey together!

I also received fun mail today!  From France!  Although mail from France tends to send a mix of emotions...laughter, sentiment, smiles, sadness, happiness, tears, pride...its like a foreign chick flick on a page.  

I do love receiving those precious letters and dessins from Marie-Césare and hearing all the juicy gossip from her grandmother.  She always dishes on the new au pair, Chloé and her work, Franck and his sense of humor, Marie-Césare and her friends, and Gaspard's academic progress.  

Didou is such a blessing and I am so fortunate to have known her and that she is willing to communicate and make an effort to make me privy to what is going on in their lives.  Chloé doesn't exactly have the time, which I completely understand, and somehow she knows exactly what to say to make me feel better!  Kinda like my own grandmothers!!! 

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!

Beaujolais Nouveau 2012 is out!! Although the Gamay grapes were apparently slim pickin' this year...the new bottles of Beaujolais in France were released today (always the third Thursday in November)!  Beaujolais is bottled 6-8 weeks before consumption, as this particular crowd pleasing wine doesn't get any better with age.  

Bars and bistros in Paris are salut-ing with free glasses of Beaujolais and enjoying an awesome time.  Families' in Lyon and Beaujeu are toasting to la famille and celebrating the harvest season.  Everyone around the world (and especially France) are enjoying this years' batch of Beaujolais and you should too!!  

WNC. Dig it.

Carolina on my mind....

Election Day!

Well, its election day in the United States today.  The first Tuesday in November....as it has always been since the mid 1800's.  Have you ever wondered why election day is the first Tuesday in November?  Such a random day....

Well, I'm here to fill you in on some interesting facts.  

In 1845 our congress elected the first Tuesday of November as election day primarily because our society was an agriculturally centered society.  By November, the fall harvest is over and the harsh, cold winters have not yet set in.  When everyone is traveling by horse and buggy on dirt roads....this is a seemingly appropriate consideration.  The majority of rural Americans had to travel a pretty good ways to reach the county seat, so choosing Monday was not feasible because people would have to travel on Sunday which would interfere with church and worship (back when church and worship were the number 1 priority to most Americans).  Wednesday was market day so people had to be sure and be back for market which was a significant source of income....therefore Tuesday was chosen.  Election day could not fall on November 1st (All Saint's Day) a holiday for all Roman Catholics.  In turn, election day must fall on the Tuesday after the first Monday of the month of November.  There is even speculation that congress thought since people do their book keeping on the first of the month that economic success or failure might influence the vote!  Ohhh...if they only knew now......

 I don't like to disclose my political views over facebook or any other source of media, but I am proud that I live in a country where I can exercise my right to vote.  My opinions, my values, and my decisions make a difference...and that's what makes us so great-we, as individuals have the opportunity for change and democracy to make that difference.

We are not perfect as a country and may be slipping in some categories as the greatest country in the world, but I'm proud to be a US citizen.  As much as I loved living in France and all its socialistic benefits, and as much as I would jump at the chance to live in another country learning different political values and ways of life.....the United States is where I call home.  

The US is still number one in these interesting categories:

Cheese Production

Roads

Olympic Medals

Marine Protected Areas

Roller Coasters

Research Universities

Media

Patriotism

So...to all my friends who haven't voted, whoever you are voting for-go vote!!!!!!!  If you don't vote, I don't want to hear you complaining about one, single, solitary political decision over the next 4 years.   Just imagine...we could still be bundling up and hopping in our horse-drawn carriages, traveling an entire day on a bumpy dirt road just to check that little box with a pencil.  So hop in your warm, heated car and drive the 10 minutes to the election commission office, flash your id, and click enter on your electronic ballot.  Come on people, it could be a lot more difficult.  

November Is Complete

So two of my favorite people are on the same continent at the same time......only problem is........I'm not there with them. :(  And that is a HUGE sad face.  After a few failed attempts, I was finally able to catch Ashleigh and Laura on Skype last night!!! It was a wonderful sunny morning in Western Australia as summer quickly approaches.  Laura is in Australia for 6 months traveling, seeing friends, cuddling with cute koala bears, and having loads of personal time with her backpack.  She is spending the majority of her time with Ashleigh in Perth, and I was so lucky to have been able to catch them both on such beautiful morning!!

Love you girls!!! 

**Disclaimer:  I have just been informed that they are not koala BEARS, but in fact, just koalas. My koala friendly humanitarian Australian friends just let me in on that secret.  So those of you (aka, all of you) who are American and have grown up learning the term koala bears...we are wrong!