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!

Paris places
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.

Paris places  Paris places
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!

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

Paris places
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

26 June 2013

Little Bits of Paris: What I Ate

red, white + striped  red, white + striped

red, white + striped

Top: J.Crew factory stripe elbow (worn here - sim, pricey, as dress)
Skirt: J.Crew factory pencil (navy, sim, mini, as dress)
Necklace: J.Crew factory cameo chandelier (worn here - sim, sim, over-the-top)
Bracelets: F21 (sim, studded) & J.Crew factory chainlink (pave)
Clutch: J.Crew factory dorset (worn here - sim, pricey, beaded)
Shoes: Audrey Brooke via DSW mary patent (worn here - taller, deal, slingback)

Here's a bit more about my recent trip to Paris, if you will indulge me a bit. My absolute favorite part about going anywhere new is absolutely the Eats! I've been lucky enough to have visited Paris a few times now, and I've yet to have a bad meal there. The food is so good! This go-around, I had a bit more free time to do some epicurean exploring, and here are some of my favorite bites from my trip -

Paris eats  Paris eats
Had to try the classics - escargot was not bad, but I could not use those little snail shell tongs to save my life! And yes, it is all about that parsley butter sauce, not so much the texture of those little snails ... I am a fan of steak tartare - I actually liked the dish so much I had it twice this trip.

Paris eats
Fun painted plates at Chez Georges. Great classic French bistro food, but seriously US-sized servings, wow!

Paris eats  Paris eats
The bread! My favorite form of carb is a nice chewy baguette so of course I had to pay homage in France. When I didn't want to deal with anyone, my fave easy meal was to grab a baguette, some cheese, meats and/or butter. My fave bakeries this go-around are Petite Marquise La on Place Victor Hugo and Boulangerie des Deux Ponts on Ile Saint-Louis.

Paris eats
The dessert delights at Ladurée. Still my favorite go-to place for the classic macaron. (I know, macarons are so in they are pretty much out now, but I still can't help but to love them. Even McDonalds in Paris offers up macarons!)

Paris eats  Paris eats

Paris eats  Paris eats
Can't do Paris without dessert. Crème brûlée is one of my all-times faves, but I had to try the cherry clafoutis and the ice cream-filled profiteroles ... that were drenched in chocolate syrup - I could only eat one!

(By the way, the profiteroles were served at Sébillon which had some fantastic leg of lamb that was carved table-side. No pics, because I nom'd that immediately.)

Paris eats
Dinner at La Moulin de la Galette in Montmartre. The five course tasting menu had me rolling out of the restaurant at the end of the evening - it was so much food, even for me! Two appetizer portions (the best gazpacho with tomato sorbet), then the last three courses were each literally entree-sized - not even including dessert!

 Paris eats  Paris eats

Paris eats

(Winner of my giveaway to be announced in my next post - thanks for your patience!)

24 June 2013

Little Bits of Paris: What I Wore

Happy Monday, ladies! I'm back from my biz trip and I'll catch you up on some sights and sounds from Paris later. While I get myself put back together temporarily, here are some camera phone pics of a few outfits I wore last week (majority of them being cas after-hours looks).

I'll announce the winner of the gift card giveaway this week - thanks to all of you ladies who entered!

 Paris outfitting

Blazer: Cartonnier by Anthropologie brief meeting (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Tee: Gap (sim, deal)
Scarf: silk via Ebay (sim, sim, pricey)
Jeans: BR factory (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Bracelet: J.Crew factory chainlink (sim pave)
Bag: C.Wonder color block (worn here - sim, pricey)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (taller, sim, deal)

Paris outfitting

Blazer: Coquille via Anthropologie cobbled lanes (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Dress: Zara (no longer online, try in-store - sim, pricey, flared)
Shoes: Vince Camuto kira (worn here - sim, sim, suede)

Paris outfitting

Jacket: F21 hooded utility (worn here - sim, sim, longer)
Top: Lili's Closet Anthropologie skirted stripe (worn here - sim, sim, cropped)
Jeans: BR factory (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Necklace: Anthropologie (sim, pricey, bugged out)
Bracelets: J.Crew factory chainlink & Sage K and Co via Etsy
Bag: C.Wonder color block (worn here - sim, pricey)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (taller, sim, deal)

Paris outfitting

Blazer: Cartonnier by Anthropologie brief meeting (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Sweater: J.Crew factory elbow-sleeve (sim, pricey, loose)
Jeans: BR classic skinny (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Necklace: Emerson Fry (sim, sim)
Bag: J.Crew biennial stripe (worn here - same solid)
Shoes: Artisan by Clarks kyna wise (taller, sim, deal)

Paris outfitting

Jacket: J.Crew downtown field (worn here - pricey, longer)
Top: F21 essential striped (worn here - sim, pricey)
Scarf: silk via Ebay (sim, sim, pricey)
Jeans: BR factory (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Bag: J.Crew biennial stripe (worn here - same solid)
Shoes: Sperry serena (worn here - sim, plain, pricey)

17 June 2013

Giveaway Time! Win a $50 Gift Card of Your Choice

Hey ladies, I seriously am appreciative having all you ladies reading my blog and checking out my pics, posts, ramblings. I love this community of strong, beautiful, passionate women who share my love for fashion and look to inspire each other in so many different ways.

 I am going to be a bit this week on another trip (it's been a busy June!), but thought it may be fun to show you guys my appreciation while I am blog absent by offering up a little giveaway.

One of you gals will have the opportunity to win a $50 gift card of your choice to either 
Anthropologie, J. Crew, or Zara!


Entering is easy: Be a follower of respect the shoes via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or G+ (+1)

For an extra entry, blog about this giveaway and leave a link (+2)

Contest runs until Sunday, June 23rd at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner will be selected at random shortly afterwards.

Thanks much, ladies! This contest is sponsored solely by respect the shoes.