Travel – Page 12 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Real Weddings September 20, 2013

San Miguel de Allende Weddings

One of my closest friends got engaged on Tuesday, and I cannot stop daydreaming about their romantic nuptials in a gorgeous city in Mexico next year. They still haven’t landed on a place (I mean, it’s only been a few days!), but one of their favorite cities is San Miguel de Allende. I headed straight to Style Me Pretty for reference purposes, and ohmygosh… this city is stunning.

The first Style Me Pretty wedding venue is Casa Capricho.

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I found this second wedding on photographer Stephanie William’s site. It’s perfect. The venue is Casa Chorro.

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I found the third wedding on photographer Brandon Kidd’s site. The venue is Casa de la Cuesta. More details can be found here.

Food September 9, 2013

Catching Up on Life

Last week was beyond busy with work, which left absolutely zero time to take a mental break and blog. So, to catch up…

> Our engagement pictures were recently featured on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog here

> I finally ate at Coppa and Roost (twice) after they’d been on my “must eat at” list for ages and obviously had to add them to my Best of Houston: Restaurants and Coffee list

> We had the best time in Durango: hiking, ziplining, river rafting, and cycling – house above, more pictures soon!

> Celebrated Pierson’s first birthday and Bryan’s 25th! I love birthdays so much.

> Bought this striped chair for our entryway – final pictures of the Manor to come soon!

> Purchased tickets to The Book of Mormon for next weekend… seriously cannot wait

> Found out that we’re going to be Door Openers at Passion 2014 in Houston

> Headed to San Francisco for a day (here now) – fourth time in this beautiful city in 2013 and cannot complain about that

Snapshots August 28, 2013

I Went to the Woods

One of my favorite quotes ever is from Thoreau’s Walden, which I studied in great detail during my American Literature class at The University of Texas at Austin. The theme of solitude and oneness with nature is evident throughout this literary classic, and whenever people talk about the forests or woods, the entire quote plays out in my head:

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

Sasha and I are heading to my parent’s house in Durango, Colorado today for an extended Labor Day weekend. I cannot wait to go hiking, rafting, and exploring in this gorgeous town. I hope to come back much more relaxed than I am in my current work state!

Photo via Fourth Lake

Fashion August 27, 2013

The Rugged Man

I bought Sasha this J. Crew Factory Sherpa-Lined Jacket for our upcoming Colorado trip because it was so cheap. I honestly had no idea if he would like it or not, but thank goodness, he took to it immediately and wore it around the house. It is very comfy, I must admit, as I’ve worn it quite a bit myself. The “ultimate GQ man” to me is very rugged – perhaps why I love Colorado as much as I do. Sasha loves this style as well and will be decked out in this very get-up during our trip (I do the packing, of course!). Those MacAllister boots are my favorite, but we had to buy insoles to make them more comfortable. What is your favorite male look?

PS How amazing are those lab boxers? We called them the Belle Boxers (after our pup).

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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!