Bright Night

dress, belt, bag: Forever XXI; shoes: Nine West

Early summer

The first days back home are bittersweet - you feel home and you feel away from home at the same time.They've been busy, they've been fun, they've been crazy, they've been scream-inspiring and fantastic - they've been everything the beginning of summer should feel like + the homesick and vacation lusting that comes with the beginning of fall. Early summer this year feels like the incline on a roller coaster before the first plunge - you are anticipating and exciting but you know it's going to go by soooo soooo fast, and if it's the first time you ride, there are sure to be surprises ! Stay tuned !

tee and necklaces: Forever XXI; skirt: H&;M; shoes: Nine West

summer shorts

Before summer even started this year, we welcomed the season with a trip back home and our first ever trip to the West Coast. We'd been looking forward to it for months and months and now that we're back home and already looking forward to other fun summer adventures planned, I still can't believe this trip is over.

First stop: Naples for some Memorial Day weekend fun in the sun

Then I definitely left my heart in California (I know that's not exactly how the song goes) At the airport, I had the same feeling I used to have when I was a kid leaving Disney - the "Noooooooo - I don't want to gooooooo hommmeeeeeeee" feeling. Our three days in LA were simply incredible - from the gorgeous and absolutely perfect hotel we chose par hasard to the incredible views from almost everywhere in the city to the fun of exploring Hollywood and Beverly Hills and pretending just for a moment that I was a movie star too ;)

our hotel, The Embassy, in Santa Monica

Back in Florida we took advantage of the remarkably rainless early June weather to go to the beach absolutely every day. I miss everything about this trip - my family, the sun, the California and the fact to be on vacation far, far away from reality.

and till next time we get out of town (yes i am already counting down), cheers to summer and cheers to summer dreams !

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