la chapstick fanatique

17.5.13

francophile friday: stripes by the bay

{in arcachon}

While studying abroad in France, I visited the Bassin d'Arcachon or Arcachon Bay. It was a typical early fall day by the water - nice enough to sit on the beach but too cold to get in the water.

{view of the bay from the tallest dune in europe}

We spent the day climbing the tallest dune in Europe and then getting ice cream before heading to another beach town for some time on the sand and dinner. If I went back to Arcachon on a day like that, I would spend the day walking around town and eating cuisse de canard for dinner.

I would also make sure to sport some serious French stripes.

{shirt, bag, hat jacket, sandals, towel, jeans}

What would you wear on by the bay in France?

16.5.13

whole30 postponed

{brunch with my SIL this past weekend: eggs benedict over crab cakes and asparagus, hold the muffin}

I am postponing the Whole30 I started last week. I realized that this month is full of weekends visiting friends and friends visiting me. It just doesn't seem like the right time. And it isn't the Whole30 if you cheat.

So, I plan to just eat strict paleo during the week and not feel guilty on the weekends. Because feeling guilty about eating is never a good thing. I won't binge on the weekends but when an opportunity arises for a wonderful brunch, I won't blink and eye. (I will still be posting some yummy Whole30 meals on my instagram though.)

Besides summer is coming...

Do you have fun plans over the next month?

15.5.13

wednesday randoms, part 5

warby parker

I am absolutely in love with my new Warby Parker sunglasses. I got prescription glasses last year and they asked me if I needed prescription sunglasses. I said no, not really knowing why I would. I soon realized that I would have to choose between my glasses and sunglasses while I was driving.

Well, I finally broke down and ordered some in April. Unfortunately, when they came, just in time for my trip, they were the right style but wrong color. I called and they sent me new ones - right style, wrong color again. The customer service rep was flabbergasted - she had seen this happen only twice before and never twice to the same person. They were really helpful and offered me a discount for the inconvenience.

And my new sunnies were worth the wait. I think I am going to order another pair of regular glasses at some point to alternate with my current ones. The home try-on is just so convenient, the styles are great, and you get to help someone in need when you make a purchase.

cooking

I have been cooking but nothing exciting enough to photograph and share with you. (Think grilled pork chops with green beans and grilled chicken with broccoli - very paleo.) I am hoping summer brings inspiration for new recipes. If you need some inspiration, you can always follow me on instagram.

shopping

I have a short outlet trip with a friend this weekend but I am going to try sticking to my summer clothing budget. I will be instagramming all the pretty things, though, with the hashtag #thingsiwouldhaveboughtbutdidnt. So follow along or join in!

Want to share something random?

9.5.13

in the DR

If you don't mind, I would like to share a few photos from our trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. On Saturday, after a work event I had, we headed to Philly to stay in a hotel near the airport. We got up early on Sunday and headed to the airport. We got upgraded to first class which is always fun. I had a great time reclining my seat (they practically turn into beds.) We had about a 40 minute bus ride to our resort. Once we got there, we walked around the resort a bit and did a little bit of unpacking. Then we had a drink at the bar and headed to dinner.

On Monday, we explored a bit more of the resort and just hung out on the beach.

On Tuesday, I got up early to take a few pictures on the beach. Then we took advantage of a free shopping trip about 20 minutes away. We went to a cigar and chocolate factory. I bought a few cigars and come chocolate tea. After lunch, we spent a few hours at the beach.

On Wednesday, we went on an excursion. Of course, as soon as we got on the catamaran, I found out the lens on my SLR was broken and, of course, I didn't bring my point and shoot with me or an extra lens. So I had to shoot with my camera a certain way the entire day. Luckily, I had my under water camera as well. On the catamaran, we drank rum and cokes out of mini plastic cups and learned how to Merengue. Once we got to Sanoa Island (where the first Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed) the Hubs and I got a massage and tried a cup of Mama Juana. On our way back on the speedboat, we went to a natural pool with starfish.