28 June 2013

Bits of Paris: The Rest & Giveaway Winner

neon scallops  neon scallops

neon scallops

Dress: J.Crew scalloped (worn here - sim, lace, floral, all-over)
Top: J.Crew vintage (sim, sim)
Necklace: gift (sim, sim)
Bracelets: C.Wonder pave initial, Asos set or single, Yunikelley via Etsy
Rings: gift, c/o JewelMint (steal, sim)
Clutch: Coach demi (worn here - sim, simpler)
Shoes: J.Crew cece (sim, patent, prim & proper)

Last post on Paris, really!

I brought my camera with me this go-around in an attempt to take more pics, and during the two free afternoons I had to wander, I took so many pics that it's been difficult to narrow things down. Paris is such an easy city to walk in and you can pretty much see the majority of the main sites of Paris in one afternoon going down the Champs-Élysées.

There are so many more areas of Paris I've yet to explore though, I'd love an excuse to go back!

Paris places
View down the Champs-Élysées - you can see all the way down to La Défense, the business district. On Champs, there is an Abercrombie & Fitch store - no big deal, right? Apparently it is! There's always a queue out front, it's gated and flanked by two of the most stereotypical SoCal All-American-looking "greeters" you can find this side of the Atlantic. Who knew worn out pre-schredded over-priced tees are a thing in Paris?

Paris places  Paris places
  The Left Bank and Notre Dame.

Paris places
Île de la Cité - one of the two little islands located on the Seine, and home to Notre Dame. It's smaller neighbor, Île Saint-Louis, is my new favorite area of Paris. It's like quintessential Paris - narrow streets, quaint homes, neighbors chatting with little shop owners.

Paris places  Paris places
Some of the sculptures in the Tuileries. And that's still about as close as I've gotten to the Eiffel Tower. So much more of Paris left to explore!

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Les Invalides - now that's a military hospital!

Paris places  Paris places
The Arc de Triomphe. And just some of the padlocks of love on the Pont des Arts next to the Louvre.

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No picture can capture how awe-inspiring it is to see an A380 come down to land right over your head after doing an aerial demo at Le Bourget. And gratuitous shot of some more macarons. Just 'cause.

Paris places
Speaking of awe-inspiring - Versailles!

Paris places  Paris places
The palace itself is definitely worth a visit and it's only about a 20 minute drive from Paris. However, the gardens themselves can be accessed for free - just enter through one of the numerous open side garden gates instead of through the main entry via the palace.

Paris places
The gardens are ridiculous. I spent several hours walking around. There is a grand canal where you can rent little row boats and several restaurants and cafes. The locals treat the gardens of Versailles like their personal public park - how lucky!

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Ceiling-to-floor pink floral and gilding in Marie Antoinette's bedroom.

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Ooh la la, the gardens! I already want to go back ...

Paris places  Paris places

♥      ♥           ♥

And finally, ladies, thanks to all of you who had entered my giveaway for a $50 gift card of your choice to either Anthro, J.Crew or Zara. Drawn at random via Rafflecopter, the winner of the card is ...

Entry 48 - Katie S.

Congrats, girl! I'll be shooting you over an e-mail shortly to see which card you want. Thanks again!

neon scallops  neon scallops

40 comments:

  1. Next time you have to go back let me know- I've never been but it's only a train ride away :-D

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    1. I think I may be going back to the UK later this year - we definitely need to get together!

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    2. That would be great Lisa, I'd love that as long as you don't mind me bringing Elodie as well :)

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  2. I would never be tired of bits of Paris. Thanks for showing this dress, super cute on you but too short for me.

    And thanks for bringing back great memories of that wonderful city.

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    1. And this is the regular length of this dress, which is almost too short for me - and I'm 5'2"! I couldn't imagine how short the petite size is.

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  3. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Versailles!!!! How pretty! Glad you had a good time!!

    Taylor

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  4. Ooo la la ! i adore your shots of Versailles. Nice!

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  5. I have been in Paris at least 20 times and never to Versailles...how good you went.
    Lovely dress too.

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    1. I've always wanted to go so when I got the time and opp, I had to take it!

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    2. It is like a museum in your own town: you never go there, but you do visit a museum in another town. And I think I am more drawn to the shops of Paris haha.

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  6. I'm going to Paris in September and am trying to decide what shoes to pack that will be both cute and comfortable for lots of walking. Can you please share what shoes you wore and if you were happy with them? Thanks!!!

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    1. There are a lot of cobblestoned streets and packed dirt so comfort is key for Paris, I think. I bought some heels for work, but when I went out walking, I wore ballet flats, flat sandals or my Toms. There were a lot of women in ballet flats. I think in September, it'd be cool enough for flat or low-heel ankle boots. I'd definitely opt for something stylish BUT comfy with a flat or low heels. You'll be doing a ton of walking - and all the parks are packed dirt, so you don't want something that will get dirty really easily either. Hope this helps!

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    2. Very helpful - thanks!

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  7. Some great shots there. It makes me really want to get back there. Last time we were lucky enough to be at the chateau when they had all the fountains turned on with music. It was glorious.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  8. gorgeous pictures! what a nice visual for someone like me who has never traveled overseas. just amazing!

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  9. Beautiful. I went to France and never took the time to go to Versailles. I guess it gives me a reason to go back one day...

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  10. LIsa,thanks for the great pics of paris. We went thee in september for out anniversary and your pitures were a very nice remider of a romantic weekend!

    Here in germany it is the same with A&F or Hollister and the people stand in line to get in buy,and it is super expensive.

    I wanted to let you know that i am moving to the Atlanta metro area in august!!!!

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    1. I guess the international mktg team for AF/Hollister know what they're doing, haha.

      Congrats on moving back to the states - we should keep in touch!

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  11. gorgeous pictures! i'm so glad you got to bring your camera and take some pics while you were there. paris is my favourite city and i love walking around by myself there. it's weird that even though it is such a busy and bustling place, it is the best quiet head space i've ever had!

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    1. I know what you mean - there are loads of "nooks and crannies" in Paris where you can just hide away and people watch.

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  12. homg Versailles!! I was always super interested in Louis XIV and remembered so terribly much about his reign... so I'm rather jealous that you got to walk the gardens and tour the palace! :)

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    1. The Grand Trianon was cool to visit on the property as well - it was a "mini palace" that Louis built so he could sneak away with his mistress.

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  13. ahhh i love this outfit! probably one of my favorit-est outfit of yours!! the scalloped edge!! the navy & bright pink combo!! love love it!

    you're so lucky when i visited versaille it was SNOWING!! boo!! and i didn't get to see the gorgeous garden because it was completely blanketed in snow!!! your pictures are beautiful!

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  14. Man I want to go back to Paris. My parents just got back after a two-week trip (hey, maybe you ran into them while you were there!) and I was super jealous, because when I was there it was only for a 3-day tour, so I barely got to see anything.

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  15. I want PARIS!
    I need a vacation. So badly.

    My friend has this dress and she wears it the same way as you to work - and it is so cute and surprisingly work appropriate!

    You look great, girl!


    xx
    The Fashionable ESQ (Esquire)
    http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/

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    1. I love that this dress doesn't wrinkle - more scuba-type material, please!

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  16. I would never tire of Paris posts!! So lovely! Thanks for sharing :)

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  17. I SO need a scalloped dress. I love this look, especially with the t-shirt underneath. Very clever layering :)

    ~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life…Oh, and check out the Pin to Real Life style challenge I'm doing this week!

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  18. That dress was made for you Lisa! Looks like you had a wonderful trip to France, I've always wanted to go :)

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  19. I absolutely love your scalloped dress, and your pictures are amazing! I studied abroad in Paris, and your pics definitely make me want to go back.

    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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  20. Paris looks SO amazing! And I love love love your dress and that gorgeous clutch :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  21. Love all the Paris photos! I was lucky enough to fly home from Paris on an Air France A380. It was RIDICULOUS -- they had a one tasting in one galley, a cheese demo in another, and card games in another. When we were taking off my BFF and I were like "no way is this plane going fast enough to take off" and then before we knew it we were in the air. I love big planes! And I love Paris. And I also love your outfit, which is so, so cute!!

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  22. THIS. So adorable. I've been wanting to layer a tee under a dress for a while but haven't gotten around to it. That scalloped dress is just to die for, though.

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  23. Looooove all of these pictures!! I am d y i n g to go to Paris, and this certainly gets me even more excited about it! And I love the scallop dress too - wish I would have purchased it before it disappeared! xoxo.

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  24. Breathtaking views! I would love to hang out in the park and spend my whole day there playing hide and seek lol! Thanks for sharing your pictures and your outfit is super cute!

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  25. I really enjoyed looking at all these pictures.Paris is a dream :)!
    I know I'd also enjoy the A380 airplane land and for sure I'd adore the gardens!
    XO

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  26. Gahh, I saw that dress for half-off just about yesterday at J.crew. I thought of you:). Paris--oooooooh là là!!! I haven't been there in ages. Thanks for sharing. I've always loved that beautiful city. I'm amazed at how you get around, and in style no less! You go girl!!

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