Life in Paris with a limited wardrobe.

Ok a new record for me. Forgive me, my devoted readers...

Located in northeast Paris, I’d never ventured to the Bassin de la Villette before and was pleasantly surprised with the area. The Pavillon is a converted pavillon, that uses every room for its guests…meaning you can sit in the bathtub with your glass of rosé or on a bed enjoying your quiche. Kooky for sure, but very cute. If you are sick of seeing tourists (it’s summer afterall) you’ll find few of them here.

[photo by leparisblog]

[photo by leparisblog]

I owe Marie Antoinette everything.

I know that seems quite strange to say but its true. She is the reason for the modern harp. She adored the harp and would spend her days practicing and practicing. And what the queen did, EVERYONE did. So, luthiers started to perfect this less-than-perfect instrument.  If it hadn’t been for Marie Antoinette, the harp would probably still be an unperformable instrument. They said, if the queen would have spent just a fraction of her time helping her new country, there wouldn’t have been a revolt. But I digress…

So anything Marie-Antoinette, I love (obviously).  So when I heard about Nina’s Tea Salon, I had to go. There are two locations: one in Versailles and one in Paris.

The Paris location is effortlessly luxurious with only 3 or 4 tables. Everything is pink, white and gold. Very girly. They only serve tea and one kind of cake. Marie-Antoinette’s favorite rose tea or tea to match your astrology sign. It’s super kitch and a great spot to meet a friend to catch up over tea and cake…c’est la vie n’est pas?

Nina’s Paris

29 Rue Danielle Casanova

75001 Paris

I called my mother on the private beach on a stripped lounge chairs saying, “Surprise! I’m in the Cote d’Azur!” 

Alors, that is how my June was: a whirlwind of a month with everything coming to an end for the summer, Nice was the perfect pause to get some work done. Nice has a balance of being a city and being in the countryside. They had every shop you need including a Galeries Lafayette. Their old city had small windy streets which are full of charming restaurants.  It felt like being in Italy—being super close to the Italian border, you can find some delicious Italian cuisine, and lots of Italians in Nice.  Their buildings are so bright and colorful—refreshing from grey Paris. It’s so simple to get to, about an hour by plane from Paris and the airport is a 20 minute bus ride. It’s a rock beach, so the best thing to do is go to a private beach and get a front row view of the sea.

When I first lived in France, I went to Brittany for the summer studying music on an island. Brittany will always have a special place in my heart. Well…it took 6 years, but I made it back.  It was the perfect long week-end with friends as we spent our days in cafés ordering bottle after bottle of cider and indulging lacy crêpes. We’d explored as what you do in any French town visit their Chateau, church and forest. We’ll be back for sure.  

that’s Breton for Vannes...a town in Brittany which is over 2,000 years old. It’s lovely and just 3 hours from Paris. We felt like we were in a Disney fairytale. 

Théâtre du Châtelet this past spring presented Jacques Offenbach’s La belle Hélène, which as you might or might not know is this story of the start of the Trojan war (classical music= a sung history lesson).  Like most operettas (meaning little opera) you’ll be very entertained as Gaëlle Arquez is perfection as the title role. My favorite part of was the mise en scène by Jean-Christophe Keck. 

The stage was a blue screen with large TV screens which showed the whole picture with the appropriate scenery.  It was brilliant because it seemed as if we were behind the scenes of a soap-opera. It also made the going to the opera more modern this way as well. The pit orchestra was full strong which filled this gorgeous theater. 

Late February, you saw on Instagram that I was in Milan. It was great to explore the city a little more then the last time I was in Milan over a decade ago (omg I’m old) for an orchestra tour.

 However; I still had to practice. But I did get some sight seeing done.  And while en route, I was arranging and reading scores. 

Here are some more pictures of Milan. Are you getting sick of my pictures from here? 

Paris has only one color: grey. I think that’s what was the most refreshing sight to see when I travel: color.  

Ever since I was in Milan last February, I’ve been waiting for summer. Bright yellows, oranges, pinks.

The first time I had hard-cider, I learned there was alcohol only after consuming a few bowls..

Normandy and Brittany are known for their delicious cider. We take advantage of this and go to cider farms and taste different kinds of cider and calvados.  

Going off to my annual trip to Normandie & Bretagne this weekend.  Being my 3rd year here, I’m so blessed to have this yearly tradition. 

Mornings are filled with buttery croissants, la motte butter, and fresh farm eggs...we dine with cows who come up to our kitchen window. 

Afternoons are spent exploring the chateau grounds

The late afternoon are accompanied with ceremonies and Champagne. 

Nights are always filled with epic dinner parties. 

Other than than the Schola, Doumo and the canal here are some other must see places! 

Here is there luxury covered shopping. Located near the Duomo, it’s defiantly a place for you to visit and snap a few pictures.  

Milan’s castle. Hmmmm....

I had to do a double take...am I in Paris? No, Milan also has an arch! 

Pizza & Pasta. 

Street Food

Luini Panzerotti Via Santa Radegonda, 16, Milano, Italy

I was surprised how doughy-the crust was. Reminded me of American-style pizza. 

Typical Restaurant

Ristorante Da Oscar Via Lazzaro Palazzi, 4, 20124 Milano, Italy

I’d defiantly recommend this place. Good food, good service, great atmosphere. 

I never realized how sweet and sugary Italy was.  Have I gotten older, where I prefer more savory then sugary?  

Maybe not. Perhaps, I just have refined my tastes. I appreciate what goes into my food and real Italian gelato is made from real ingredients. 

Meaning cathedral, this place of worship is the monument in Milan. 

And rightfully so. Look at this building. All the details. Exploring the cathedral inside and out was fun...scary but overall gorgeous.

Construction started in the 1300s but wasn’t fully complete hundreds of years later. Also, in the 1800s, Napoleon was crowned King of Italy here.  

Today, the Duomo is center to where all the action is. 

I love when the old world meets the new. 

The Navigli district of Milan was my favorite area. The Duomo was great, but too touristy [living in Paris makes you despise tourists and souvenirs]. I felt like the Canal Saint Martin of Paris to me and the real Milan.

buonanotte, Milano.