barefoot dreams

beach boys and kings of convenience have replaced my winter/fall playlist and the weather in Paris could not be any more delicious. what a perfect start to my pre-vacation week. on my walk home this evening as "california girls" played in my ears and the sun shone bright on my shoulders, i couldn't help but let my skirt sway in the wind and pretend i was walking on the beach. just a few more days and my dreams will become reality !

skirt and wedges: H&M; top: Forever XXI

flowers & stripes

skirt and wedges: H&M; top, blazer and earrings: Forever XXI; sunglasses: Ray Ban

the scenic route

i took a taxi back to work today after an event this morning. the driver took us down the river, passed the eiffel tower, through the louvre and up towards the opera. i thought to myself, and outloud, paris in the sun is really something ! suddenly getting to work wasn't as bad and i started my day with happy thoughts. on my way home tonight, still daydreaming of a day in the city, i decided to take the bus for the first time (i only last week realized there was a convenient bus route from home to work). completely unsure of the route, i zipped my transport pass and took a window seat. surprise, surprise ! the bus took me past all the left-bank monuments and lifted my spirits all the way home. i think i'm starting a love affair - with this city in the sun !

dress: Forever XXI; sandals: Nine West; watch: Michael Kors; trench: H&M; sunglasses: Ray Ban

wednesday night love: valencia sun

the sky isn't very visible in these pictures, but the sun didn't stop shining all weekend in valencia and we couldn't have been happier campers. the city was beautiful - old living next to modern in perfect harmony and everything vivid and bright. we've been back for more than a week but we still have a little bit of the magic left looming in our minds and tonight we'll have aigua de valencia, chorizo and cheese from our little visit to the mercado central on the balcony as the sun sets to relive a little bit of that magic.

trench and dress: H&M; ballerinas: Gap; bag: Longchamp; sunglasses: Ray Ban

neutral

skirt: Forever XXI; tee: Mango; shoes: Nine West

a change of air

between the hours of two and eight this afternoon, i sat at my desk and worked. and worked. and worked. by the time i left, i felt suffocated and in desperate need of a change of pace. instead of getting on the metro at the stop nearest to my office as i tend too often to do when i leave late, i called my boyfriend who is conveniently working in my neighborhood this week and who was conveniently still at work (although not for him) and we went home together. walking by the window displays of gallery lafayette always changes my ideas and lifts my mood. the parisienne window scenes on display now were a delightful treat and made me feel almost like i was going home from a day other than a work day. thank you, Paris, for always knowing how to brighten me up.

these pictures are from Friday night actually, but the same story applies ...

skirt and top: Forever XXI; bag: Old Navy; sandals: Nine West

sunkissed

Back from a deeeeelicious weekend in Valencia, I only have one thing on my mind. Summer. A quick glimpse at the beach yesterday and I was a total gonner - feeling the sand between my toes and that shiver that runs up your spine when your toes make contact with the fresh ocean water for the first time - sheer perfection ! I'll have to remind myself how soon vacation will actually be to get through the next couple of weeks.

skirt and ring: Forever XXI; tee and bracelets: H&M; watch: Michael Kors; wedges: Nine West

day and night

day: top: Gap; pants: Forever XXI; shoes: Nine West

night: dress: H&M; blazer: Forever XXI; shoes: Eden

Wednesday Night Loves

- the fact that it's May and I have officially started counting down till vacation

- hot pink (currently craving a stick of hot pink lipstick

and lots of watermelon flavored goodies)

- walking a metro stop or two before getting on the train

(also works in reverse - getting off the metro a stop or two early)

- home made lunch - i wish i still had my elementary school neon

Lisa Frank lunch box; it would go perfectly with the current neon blast!

finally !

decided today would be the day to wear my Lanvin for H&M tee for the first time. for the past few months i've just stared at it on the closet door - half in admiration half thinking "either i wear it or i put it away." now i can't stop thinking of other outfit possibilities with this super fun top!

tee: Lanvin for H&M; blazer and skirt: Forever XXI; shoes: Nine West

pastels at sunset

i listened to the weather woman last night. "le beau temps s'installe." summery thoughts danced in my head as i fell asleep and they lingered still this morning. blinds closed and spirits high, i put together this cotton candy colored mix (sandals included) and went on my merry way ... instead of sunshine the sky was cast with a grey film of clouds that every once in a while sprinkled the city with a light drizzle. tonight however, the sun came out to say good night and light these shots ever so delicately. you'd never guess i would have preferred ran boots and a cozy sweater than these spring time pastels

blouse: Ralph Lauren; skirt: Zara; wedges: H&M; necklace: Forever XXI