Snapshots – Page 24 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

City Guide August 23, 2013

Paris City Guide

There is definitely no city in the world I love more than Paris. Growing up, it was always my dream to move there and spend my time strolling the bustling streets, speaking French with strangers, sipping coffee at a bijoux-cafe and wine on the Seine. In 2010, I got an internship in the City of Lights, and after a two week stint at the Cannes Film Festival, I made my way up north to Paris, where I spent the next three months adventuring (and blogging every day). I was fortunate enough to have one of my best friends, Andrew, also working there – by complete chance. We made a pact to adventure every single night – never to waste a moment in the most exciting city in the world. I honestly did not want to leave, so in 2010, after I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, I went back with my family. Again, in 2012, Sasha and I made our way to Paris, at the end of our vacation to Turkey and Greece. I genuinely think that being a tour guide in that city, which was once my home, is my favorite thing in the world. If you haven’t gone, you must. And when you go, I suggest you try some of my favorite things to do.

Food

Best Falafel: L’As du Fallafel (Le Marais)

Best Mediterranean: Chez Marianne (Le Marais) and Beytouti (Hôtel-de-Ville)

Best Romantic Dinner: Le Cafe de l’Homme (Trocadéro)

Best Casual Dinner: Le Pause Cafe (Bastille)

Best Lunch Cafe: Cafe Le Buci (Saint–Germain–des–Prés) and Le Restaurant (Luxembourg)

Best Dinner with Views: Restaurant Georges (Hôtel-de-Ville)

Best Dinner for People Watching: Le Bonaparte (Saint–Germain–des–Prés)

Best Frozen Yogurt: MyBerry (Le Marais)

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Drinks

Best Coffee + People Watching: Les Deux Magots

Best Peaceful Coffee: Telescope Cafe

Best Smoothies: Le Paradis du Fruit

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Sightseeing

Best Neighborhood to Get Lost In: Le Marais

Best Walking Tours: Paris Walks

Best Boat Tours: Bateaux Mouches

Most Extravagent Gardens: Le Palace de Versaille

Best Peaceful Park: Les Jardins de Luxembourg

Best Views of the City: Sacre Coeur

Most Iconic: Eiffel Tower (obviously)

Most Gorgeous “Square”: Les Places des Vosges

Best Way to Get Around Town: Velib

Best Church: Eglise Saint Germain des Pres

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Museums

Best Indoor Museum: L’Orangerie

Best (Mainly) Outdoor Museum: Rodin Museum

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Shopping

Best Boutiques: Le Comptoir de Cotonniers and Kookai

Best Department Shopping: BHV

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Accomodation

Best Hotel: Hotel Bel-Ami

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Nightlife

Best People Watching Bar: Le Petit Fer du Cheval

Favorite Night Activity: Drinking Wine on the Seine

Other Favorite Night Activity: Sitting on the Champs de Mars, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle

Favorite Bridge To Sit on at Night: Pont des Arts

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Some of my favorite pictures below from 2009, 2010 and 2012… time for another trip soon, especially as I’m reading The Paris Wife and am so nostalgic!

L’Arc de Triomphe, 2009

Le Petit Fer au Cheval (favorite bar!), 2009

Sacre-Coeur, 2009

Versailles Gardens, 2009

Le Louvre, 2009

Cars Rouges, 2009

Chez Francis, 2009

Le Jardin de Luxembourg, 2009

Paris Plages, 2009

Notre-Dame, 2009

Le Creperie Suzette (love this wine bar), 2010

Eiffel Tower, 2010

La Duree, 2010

Le Paradis du Fruit, 2010

Montmartre, 2010

Hotel Bel-Ami, 2010

L’As du Fallafel, 2012

Notre-Dame, 2012

Le Louvre, 2012

Arc de Triomphe, 2012

Eiffel Tower, 2012

PS What a difference a camera makes! Glad I finally got my DSLR.

PPS Illustrated map of Paris via Rifle Paper Co (love it)

Snapshots August 12, 2013

Tour de Texas

Sasha was in Austin all last week for class, so I drove to meet him on Thursday. We spent Friday eating breakfast at Kerbey Lane, working from the AT&T Conference Center (where we were staying), then getting lunch at the flagship Whole Foods, going paddle boarding on Town Lake (so much fun!!!), getting drinks at Abel’s on the Lake, then cleaning up and meeting some of my favorite people for dinner at G’Raj Mahal (amazing). After dinner, Sasha and I walked back to Town Lake to watch the sunset on a dock, then trekked across downtown Austin to go back to the hotel (via the Capitol and TCBY, naturally).

On Saturday, we were back at Kerbey Lane for breakfast (it’s that good), then headed to San Marcos to visit one of Sasha’s fraternity brothers. They live on this amazing 100 acre ranch with the most gorgeous Restoration Hardware inspired house. They have two gorgeous blonde girls of their own and have adopted three beautiful kids from Africa. I honestly did not want to leave.

Afterward, we went to Gruene for lunch at the famous Gristmill restaurant, next to Gruene Hall (Texas’ oldest dance hall). We walked around this quaint Texas town after, then got in the car and drove to San Antonio (hence, the Tour de Texas post name). I met two of Sasha’s high school friends and their precious three kids – a newborn who I didn’t want to put down. We went to eat at Scenic Loop Cafe and Bar, which was delicious – great outdoor dining spot with live music and gorgeous strung lights.

We woke up early on Sunday and headed back to Houston. We arrived home to the West Elm storage bench we ordered ages ago. Hoorah! Not many more pieces to go until The Manor is complete. The busy weekend ended with family dinner at Indika (one of my favorites, as expressed in my ‘Best of Houston: Restaurants and Coffee‘ post). It’s Houston Restaurant Weeks – my favorite time of the year.

Happy Monday!

Snapshots July 30, 2013

The Wedding Preview

I am so blessed to have a best friend whose boyfriend is equally as talented at picture-taking as she is, or else I would have no photos to share of the wedding until I get our official ones back from Ryan in a few weeks! Sophee and Johnny captured some precious moments from both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding day. Sasha and I got married on July 19 at The Carneros Inn in Napa, and while everything didn’t go as expected (to be explained momentarily), it was the most perfect day of my life…

As mentioned last week, I fainted during the ceremony (honestly, who does that?). All of those warnings to eat food, drink water, bend your knees, etc. are not to be taken lightly. Fainting runs in our family, so neither of my parents were surprised when 15 minutes into the ceremony, Sasha asked me, “Are you okay?” To which I replied, “No,” then subsequently fell onto his shoulder and he placed me on the ground. A whole two minutes later, I wake up to a host of very capable people putting ice on my neck and holding me in the right position. I had two doctors and a paramedic at the wedding, so I was well-taken care of. After going inside to cool off, we returned outside – to continue the ceremony seated (with parasols – see pictures below). I was in good spirits about the entire event – you truly cannot let anything ruin this special day. It also helped that Sasha scooped me off my feet to carry me inside, which his groomsmen swear was all planned to make him look like a knight in shining armor. The rest of the evening went without a hiccup – the speeches, food, drinks, company, and dancing were all incredible. I cannot wait to share Ryan’s pictures with you when they arrive. In the meantime, here are some that Sophee and Johnny took. Thank you to them both! Love y’all so much.

Fashion July 12, 2013

Favorite Looks of the Week

Some new additions to the ‘Favorite Looks of the Week’ series today! I love all of the outfits so much, but props to Victoria for making her husbands belt work so well with her pretty white dress, Blair for looking effortlessly chic in her white maxi, and Liz for pulling off my favorite denim jacket look (she’s the cutest person ever).

In other news… I’m getting married in 7 days!

Sincerely Jules

Luella June
Gal Meets Glam

Could I Have That?vmac + cheese
Ivory Lane
Brooklyn Blonde
Classy Girls Wear Pearls
The Native Fox
Damsel in Dior
Cupcakes and Cashmere
Atlantic-Pacific
Sequins and Stripes
The Pink Peonies
With Love from Kat

A Piece of Toast

ASP Wedding July 7, 2013

Our Engagement Pictures

Our pictures arrived last night from Ryan in a gorgeous wooden box, with a beautiful card, and the pictures wrapped in ethereal, pink ribbon. Sasha and I sat down and went through each picture (there were about 140!), and he was giddy and I was teary. I think Ryan is amazing. Hopefully you enjoy our selection! 12 days to go.