With the beloved show Pretty Little Liars coming to an end, I thought it would be fit if I dedicated the next month to the beloved girls that help make the show how where it is today. The first person that I will be featuring is Shay Mitchell. There has always been something that I loved about Shay's personal style that makes me just a tad envious. Her combination of Cali and rocker chic is something that not many people can pull off. Here are just a few pictures of my favorite looks that she has done throughout the years.

Hello fellow TAPIFers and language assistants! I thought it would be valuable to share some of my lesson plans on my blog with you guys. I have found it hard at times to find inspiration online when creating lesson plans on complex subjects (like the American Judicial System) to multiple levels of English. Hence the creation of my new blog series for TAPIF and for other ESL teachers. I found this lesson to be great for kids in order to understand the aftermath of the elections, racial issues in the US, and relating to the current primary elections in France.

Let me know if there is a subject that you are thinking about teaching in your class that you would like to see!

My friends and I with our matching choker necklaces from Clarie's

I close my eyes. It's 8 am and I am on Rue d'Alesia in the 14th arrondissement on a sunny spring afternoon. Just like in the movie J'aime Paris, I find myself strolling down the hidden passage ways of Paris, covered in greenery and lilacs. The birds chirp and the quiet residential neighborhood begins to come to life as the window shutters open up with the sound of jazz  music playing in the apartment above.

8:30 am

My stomach grumbles, so I turn back onto Rue d'Alesia and hop onto the metro. I am on the platform waiting for line 13. I hear the sound of a woman come onto the intercom announcing that the train will be arriving in two minutes. People push back forward in anticipation as the green and white train jitters to a halt. It's 8:30 am so the metro is packed full of people. I squeeze my way through the metro and make sure to say 'pardon' to each person I on accident brush against. There is a man in the right hand corner playing the violin. He is singing in Italian. I become dazed by his music until I realize that I am at my metro stop. I swarm pass the lady who has her music on too loud and the couple that is furiously making out next to the doors and step off onto the platform. It's 8:40am and I find myself in an airport like structure. There are people walking in every direction, with their briefcases in hand, on the moving walkways. I am in the underground maze known as Montparnasse Bienvenue. I see a couple struggling to find the way out of the metro system and up onto the train station and give directions.
9 am

25 minutes later, I head into the fresh air. It's 9 am and I find myself in the luxurious Saint Germain Des Pres at my favorite restaurant: Laduree. The waiter sits me down next to a window and after a few minutes my hot chocolate and pastries arrive. I feel like a princess surrounded by all the delicacies around me. I look at the older woman across the restaurant from me who is also sitting by herself, covered in fur and this year's latest Chanel, patting her dog with one hand while sipping her cappuccino with the other.



10 am. 

I decide to grab some macaroons and head over to the Louvre. As I walk across Les Pont des Arts I can see to my right the Eiffel Tower in the far distance. I sigh in disbelief that I am in Paris for 24 hours. Couples on both sides of the bridge are holding their selfie sticks trying to get the perfect selfie with the infamous love-lock-bridge. I make my way past the Tuileries gardens and find myself inside the Louvre. Tourists look in every direction for signs pointing towards the Mona Lisa while I veer off to the Ancient Greek section. There's something about the statues and the grandeur of the pillars that fascinates me about this room. From the painted blue ceiling of the planets to the tiny gems that are encased in glass, I can't help but stare in awe. I continue to walk around the museum and stare at the giant paintings that are bigger than my apartment in disbelief.
1 pm

45 minutes, and several metro transfers later, I find myself sitting in my favorite Asian restaurant, Le Sesame, next to the Canal- Saint Martin. The clock turns 1 pm as I finish slurping the noodles out of my vegetarian styled pho and head over into Belleville. This area is known to be one of the 'China towns' of Paris. Filled with colorful murals and street art throughout the area, I grab some bubble tea and walk up Rue de Belleville.
2:30 pm

It's the grandest park I have ever been to in my life. The Park of Buttes Chaumont is filled with people playing with their dogs, having picnics, and laying to catch a tan. I walk into the center of the park and sit facing a fortress-like building. Bikes speed past on the road next to me and the aroma of nutella and crepes can be smelled in the air from the little cafe behind me. I sit for hours, reading a book and letting the world around me come to a still.


6pm

 I find myself back by the Canal Saint Martin at my favorite bar,le Comptoir Generale ,with a couple of friends. It feels like a tropical paradise here and I order a fruity drink  and sit at the terrace next to a pirate boat shaped bar . After a couple of drinks with my friends I decide to go towards Montmartre for dinner at La Petaudiere .

8pm

Nestled away in the windy streets by Sacre Coeur, this restaurant allows for you to receive the typical French dinner while listening to some of the best piano music you could ever imagine hearing in your life. As I finished up my ice cream while listening to la vie en rose, I decided to venture out into the streets of Paris at night and take in the 24 hour day I had in the city of lights.

 
* This post is a submission for the 24 Hour In... Competition with www.accorhotels.com. *


For more information on the places that I mentioned in this blog post check out the info below:


 Ladurée Bonaparte
21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

Tien Hiang
14 Rue Bichat, 75010 Paris

Comptoir Général, Quai de Jemmapes, Paris
80 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris


La Petaudiere, Paris

7 rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France

The holidays are right around the corner and that means its time for people to gather around with their friends and family and party. As an American living in France, I found myself somehow becoming very excited for Thanksgiving. Mind you Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but something about this year has me so excited. My guests are probably trembling at the thought that someone like me is cooking dinner for Thanksgiving. And you know what? They probably should be! This is the first major holiday that I am hosting by myself (and in a foreign country to add on top of that). I have no idea if the grocery stores will have the ingredients I need to make my favorite dishes. I have no idea if what I cook will turn out right. Someone though I feel a bit at ease about Thanksgiving and I become more and more excited for Thursday night and Friday to arrive (we're celebrating it a day late).

I blame the fact that I think I'm capable of cooking partially because of this blog. Somehow I have gained the confidence in inviting a dozen people and cook for them. All I can do for now is wait, check Pinterest, and channel my inner Martha Stewart and pray that this Thanksgiving goes well.

If you're curious on what type of dishes that I will be attempting to cook this thanksgiving check out some of the pictures below and let me know what you think!

Saved from Frank's Tents

Recipe from {Christina} It Is a Keeper

Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

Confession: I LOVE cleansers. So when I heard that bareMinerals, a brand that I will forever keep close to my heart, came out with the Clay Chameleon cleanser I just had to try it. This red clay mask consists of papaya, bamboo, and extracts of sea salts that will leave your face feeling light and refreshed. I personally love using this face wash the day after I have had a long night out with the girls. This cleanser not only will take off excess dirt off of your face but will leave your pores feeling rejuvenated. And don't worry guys, if you have sensitive skin (like moi) this product comes from natural ingredients meaning that there should be little to know breakouts on your lovely faces. So if you feel like you need a little spa-treatment throughout your week I would highly recommend buying this product for only $22.


Until next time,

Where do I begin with the infamous Chrissy Teigen? The model/ wife/ actress/ cook/ Bravo TV expert has a minimalist boho style that I (and many other envious people) could only dream of pulling off. From long cardigans, glamorous red carpet looks, to wearing simply jeans and a t-shirt, Teigen seems to be able to pull off anything she wears simply by showing off her confidence and what seems like a stellar personality (and who doesn't love that?!?). Here are just a few pictures of my favorite looks from Chrissy Teigen throughout the ages.

 

Dish #1 is a veggie burger with Camembert cheese, olives, grilled peppers, and mashed potatoes.

These pancakes are made without eggs and butter. I created an apple syrup with cheese and cinnamon and some apple juice to create a perfect fall treat.