Fashion addictions

My partner in crime in this blogging adventure has a problem: she has an addiction... to stripes. Every time we shop, I attempt to intervene, although I have noticed that a majority of her stripe purchases go on behind my back.

Now it is time for me to fess up as well.  My name is Christy, and I have a problem.  I am a polka-dot addict.  I suppose I have had this issue for quite some time.  It was once I picked up on Michelle's adoration for stripes that I realized my own polka-dot desire.  In fact, this is how far I have taken it:

These are in honor of my son's little league game tonight.  I suppose I have taken baseball mom to a different level. But really, aren't they ADORABLE!?!  And truly assessing my addiction, I realize how many polka-dots there are in my closet:  a most adorable retro swimsuit, several scarves and dresses, and the most recent acquisition, a white sheer blouse with red polka-dots (thank you, H&M).

I am happy to report, though, that our love for stripes and polka-dots are currently very fashionable. Thankfully, for our pocketbooks, they are classics and will never go out of style.  And despite the striped shirt in the article costing $198.00, we are very on point this season with our patterns of choice!!

~c~

Fashion

I recently went shopping for a camping trip and bought a pair of pants that are basically the equivalent of a Swiss Army knife*. With a snap of a button, they go from pants to capris. There's a hidden zipper at the thigh that turns them into shorts. They are made of some material that keeps you warm in the cold, cool in the heat, and "wicks away moisture" (um, the manufacturer's words). They have a mesh lining for a yet unknown purpose. They have pockets everywhere for your compass, your map, and your other hiking accoutrements. They are a putty color that camoflauges any dirt/mud/rocks you fall into. They are completely practical, and I hate them for that.

And then there are these gorgeous shoes that I found at Target while buying a flashlight for my trip.

They are not going to save my life the way those pants did when I decided to slide down a slope of ice to make better time hiking down that mountain; in fact, I think an argument can be made that my life will probably be endangered when I wear these climbing the marble stairs at school. That cobalt color is probably not found anywhere in nature and won't camoflauge any dirt/mud/rocks I will fall into. These shoes are completely impractical, and I absolutely adore them for that.
~m~

*My Swiss Army knife is hot pink.

All Things French

I love France. No, not just a fleeting love, I LOVE France. I love everything about it (almost).  No country is perfect, I realize that, but the culture of France is just about as close to perfect as one can be.

But seriously, look at what France has to offer... the Eiffel Tower, cave paintings at Carcasonne, Edith Piaf, Marion Cotillard. The list is endless.

One of, if not THE, best parts about France and the French culture is the food.  Food is an experience, it is an art, it is simply amazing. Every aspect of food in France is something to be relished, enjoyed, and taken very seriously.

Shopping for food in France is something that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. There is simply no way to explain the feeling of walking through an open air market and seeing the beautiful food that is so perfectly displayed. One can find pretty much anything at these markets: produce, livestock, cheese, purses, scarves. . .again, the list is endless. On one of my most recent visits to the City of Lights, I wandered through a market where I met the most charming escargots vendors. When I asked if I could take a quick photo to share with my students, I was told that I must be in the picture as well...

Needless to say, I obliged.

Open air markets are such a multi-sensory experience. The colors, the scents, the sounds of the vendors . . . it really is indescribable. So I leave you with these pictures. When I close my eyes, I can almost hear the fishmongers selling their goods...

La poissonnerie  

  La crémerie  

 La boucherie  

Le marchand aux fruits et légumes 

~c~