Parisian Winter/Strasbourg

So this is classic Paris meets urban meets my style.

Fur is absolutely undeniable, and if it wasn't so difficult to pack, I would have invested in a fur coat by now. Everyone in Paris has a fur coat, and if you can't buy new, the resale stores are stocked with them. I'm also all about the beanies; sensible and very stylish for winter (plus they come in handy with my 9 am classes), I rotate between my matching "Best Friends" hat from Target (Ms. Peterson is the "Best" to my "Friend"), and my Dr.Dog hat (coincidentally, bought with Paige as well. What a fantastic lady). I added a few sneakers in this as well because they are impossible to miss walking around and extremely practical for big city living. I'm not a big fan of the platformed wedge sneaker, but they are quite popular, and I thought I'd throw it in. The ankle booties, called "Pizza Shoes" by Beau, are also the other most popular shoe in Paris right now. Usually worn with skinny or straight leg jeans, this is one of my favorite shoes right now. Unfortunately, I am too nervous to ask if Parisian shoe stores carry a size 42, because like in the United States, it's a size reserved for transvestites and WNBA players, and not produced frequently. My current pursuit is of a vintage gold Casio watch. As much as I like the gold Michael Kors one everyone has, I've got my heart set on this one!

Parisian Winter by wiskx featuring a knit beanie

This past weekend, our study abroad group took a trip to Strasbourg. It was a quaint and historical town right on the German border. What really made the trip though, was going to the historic German-style restaurant, Chez Yvonne, and a French wine exposition. It was one of the best meals I've ever had (and lucky us, we went twice). I sampled a local beer, and ate pig knuckle. Lucky for us, the second time around, it was on the program's bill, so we ate like KINGS. I began with escargot, a few beers, stole some of a hot munster cheese puff pastry off of Rachael's plate, and for my main course, a raw beef dish, paired with red wine. For dessert (oh boy! do I mean dessert), I had a three flavors of sorbet, a molten chocolate cake, and an apple liquor. BIG GIRL gotta eat... :) 

The wine exposition showcased wines from every region in the country, and even though Beau, Rachael, and myself probably didn't deserve to attend, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. We went around, stopped at random booths, and continued to ask the same questions in French of "what is this wine best paired with" and "what year is this" (like it matters to us). As they raddled off about the wine, region, and pairing, we swirled our glasses and nodded our heads with common appreciation, or at least tried to make it appear so. By the end of it we left with high spirits, sore necks, and slightly more knowledge in wines (or we'd at least we'd like to say so). We also stopped at Strasbourg Cathedral which was one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen, with incredible architectural uniqueness. While climbing the stairs, Beau and I felt like we were in a Game of Thrones episode, minus the fighting and scandalous scenes (basically just the cool stairs). Our last stop was the Council of Europe. My interest in International Relations made this organization of human standard an interesting stop, but the long day, comfy chairs, and warm room wasn't helping my attendance. 

Tonight I leave for Rome with Beau and Rachael to see our favorite belated birthday boy, Dan Wexler, and explore the city!

 

Paris or Bust

So after being here for 3 weeks, I've begun to imagine my future life in Paris. It consists of my ideal nexus of doing business for a fashion house/retail corporation, andddd basically doing whatever I feel like (and being financially stable enough to do so). It like to call this amalgam, "bad ass chic". So far this vision consists of:
(I will be keeping you updated as this list grows)


1. Motorcycle
A. Because it is the epitome of the timely bad ass; B. Mopeds and motorcycles are the most efficient way to get around Paris (that and the metro); C. Parking is impossible and expensive. But when I say motorcycle, I'm talking about the classic motorcycle with the singular headlight and old school look. I love these images of rebels like The Fonz with their leather jackets on these Triumph bikes.

2. Dark Clothes
Speaking of dark clothes and motorcycles, I just bought a black leather jacket at this awesome vintage store right next to the Pompidou. I am obsessed with this place! Fur and leather line the walls as you step in, as you walk further into the store, you enter into a time machine of high-waisted ripped shorts, throwback crewneck sweatshirts, and mod dresses. I bought a graduation present for my sister who graduates from UW-Madison with her phD this May, and begins at Harvard in the summer, and a few things for myself. Though I shall try to limit myself, I will definitely be coming back here!

What my jacket looks like <3

I'm liking these black pants because they go along perfectly with the motorcycle, easy for winter, and black is always "in" in Paris.

Though Prada is not a Parisian design, I cannot resist this bag

I am loving these Céline shades!

3. My Parisian Apartment 
And of course, what is Parisian living without your enormous windows, modern/classic French fusion decor, and an absurd amount of shoes? These images are fantastic inspiration for my future life in Paris (a girl can dream)

I'll find some place to put this 1930's vintage LV trunk

I'm guessing my closet will look like this, but with a bigger dog

So Beau, Rachael, and I have been meeting more and more people everyday, and expanding our Parisian and International networks. Everyday we turn down new streets, stop into new restaurants, patisseries, and bars, and sample the treasures and specialties of the city. Rachel and I took a turn down a side street in the 3rd arrondissement  and found a street littered with specialty food stores, bars, and a gourmet chocolate shop that we couldn't resist but to stop into.

Beau, Rach, and I are still going to our favorite corner bar, Les Animales, right down the street from Beau's apartment in the 10th. Walking in and being greeted by our boy, Dominico, almost makes us feel like we locals. We all usually get the same thing, a Mc Chouffe and a shot of Jameson, or a few, just casually on our typical Tuesday. The bar is super low key, has a very welcoming staff, and quite a nice selection of music always playing (first time we walked in it was Das Racist).

This past weekend we went to the Eiffel Tower, and it was a cold and kind of scary hike, but absolutely beautiful! I hadn't been since 3rd grade, so my memory was of the event was almost absent and was in desperate need of a refresher. (The crew still trolled around the city, we can't help it)