Shopping – Page 4 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Snapshots October 4, 2013

Save Prada Marfa

I love following Gray Malin on Instagram. His photos are incredible. A recent post brought to my awareness the fact that Prada Marfa is under threat of being demolished due to the Texas Department of Transportation. This modern art piece is a permanently installed sculpture by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, situated about 37 mi northwest of the city of Marfa. The installation was inaugurated on October 1, 2005. The artists called the work a “pop architectural land art project.” The sculpture was intended to never be repaired, so it might slowly degrade back into the natural landscape.*

Prada Marfa was made culturally popular by its regular appearance on Gossip Girl, and yes, I did order myself a Prada Marfa sign for our house (sorry, Sasha!).

The Texas Department of Transportation recently deemed the installation to be a form of advertising akin to a billboard. Given this categorization, Prada Marfa needs to be licensed by the state, but the area in which it stands isn’t eligible for this type of permit. Fans are rallying around this iconic art piece on Facebook. You can read more about the details of the initial ruling here.

Some of my favorite photos of Prada Marfa are those from Gray Malin’s Prada Marfa collection below.

*Prada Marfa description

Fashion September 13, 2013

Favorite Looks of the Week

As someone who really appreciates photos, it makes sense that I love Instagram. I don’t have Facebook, so it’s my one social media vice. I try not to check it too often, but my self-control totally went out the window during NYFW. I was constantly scrolling through the pictures of the gorgeous shows – J. Crew! Ugh, perfect. Kate Spade? Gorgeous. Tory Burch? I want it all. However, my favorite part was seeing all of the fashion bloggers dressed to the nines. Some of my favorite looks are below. Which do you like best?

The Fancy Pants Report

Gal Meets Glam

With Love From Kat

Brooklyn Blonde

Classy Girls Wear Pearls

Sequins and Stripes

Could I Have That?

Song of Style

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)

Fashion August 7, 2013

Nike Fuel Band

I love running. A lot. In fact, until I started my current project at BP where they have free personal trainers, it was pretty much all I did – 3 to 5 mile run, every day. Now I mix my workouts up and do 3 to 5 miles every second day, with weights and cross-fitness training on the alternating days. Working out is one of my favorite things to do, so I don’t mind spending a bit extra to get good quality exercise gear.

I love my new racerback Lululemon tank so much – I got it in that amazing pink. Their Energy Bra is the best I’ve ever worn. I stick with Nike shorts, as I like a little more coverage than Lulu provides. Nike tennis shoes work best for my pronating feet, and the Drymax socks keep your feet less sweaty than any other competitor.

Last, but not least – the Nike Fuel band. Our Accenture team at BP decided to participate in a fitness challenge recently, and the Partner on the account bought our team these amazing bands. I had been meaning to get a Fitbit for ages, and am now glad I didn’t. I’m fiercely competitive just with myself! I got home yesterday and walked both dogs separately to try to rack up “Fuel Points” and my steps. 15,000? That’s it? Keep going, keep going (a constant inner dialogue). How do you stay motivated?

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Read my previous workout gear post here

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Featured Image via Lululemon

Fashion July 31, 2013

Peach + Blue at J. Crew

Final sale items at J. Crew are currently 40% off with the code STYLE40. I got a few J. Crew gift cards from work recently and went a little crazy cashing in on this amazing deal. I quickly realized that almost all of the items in my shopping cart were either blue or peach – two colors I’m currently in love with. Below you’ll find some of my favorite items that are included in the 40% off sale. Happy shopping!

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