An American Professionelle in Paris

Bonsoir Professionelles!

Je suis très désolé!  I have been in France for the last two weeks and had every intention of blogging during my entire vacation.  But alas, it's my last night in Paris and I'm just getting around to writing my first post.

This has been the most incredible trip.  It began in Burgandy, for Peter and Lisa's beautiful wedding.  Next, my dear friend Yun Ah and I traveled to Provence and Nice before heading to Paris.  Unfortunately, Yun Ah had to return to work, but I was incredibly lucky to have three fantastic local hosts (Chiawen, José and Camilla) to show me the city of light.  In fact, the title of this post is inspired by Chiawen's blog, A Chinese-American in Paris.  Since I know of at least a few Professionelles who will be traveling to Paris in the next few months, and also because the French are très chic, I will be sharing with you a series of posts inspired by my trip.

It's past 1am here, and I have a flight to catch in the morning, so this first post is actually a re-post from a fabulous blog Camilla introduced me to: HiP Paris.

The above illustration is from this great post about how to pack for Spring in Paris.  It translates very well for those who are traveling to Paris in the Fall.  I generally consider myself a fairly sophisticated traveler, and for the most part, our trip has gone off without a hitch, but I really could have used this post before I left New York.  As I was planning this trip, I used travel websites like Trip Advisor and Airbnb (can't wait to use Approved by Friends for my next trip!), I consulted friends who had been to the places we were going for recommendations (thank you to the Ulterior Epicure!), but for some reason, I didn't think to check out local blogs for inspiration.  If I had done so, I would have packed at least one pair of pants and many layering options for the unpredictable and varied French weather!

With that, I'm off to bed for now.  But once I'm back stateside, I will be posting my observations about what Parisienne women wear to allow them to look so effortlessly chic, reviews of the stores Parisienne women actually shop in, whether French designer goods are really cheaper in France and why, after only two days, J'aime mon carré!

Bonne nuit Professionelles!

P.S. please excuse any mistakes in my French as I am using the ever so accurate Google Translate.

Travel Inspiration: Greece

Stop 3: Greece

To Do: Rent an ATV and cruise around the Greek Isle of your choice, stopping in picturesque villages and ancient temples. Finish the day with a late dinner and drinks at Tropical in Fira, Santorini. The view is to die for and the American music is a welcome change from the constant techno beat that can be found pumping through every island, day or night.

To Eat: Greek salad (which we ate at every meal), Mykonian sausage, Mousaka, and grilled octopus. Yum!

To Wear: The Greek Isles are all about cool breezes, crisp colors, and luxury fit for the fabulously chic. Below is an outfit that will last you through all of those late night parties.

Wink Harmony Dress (260.00)

Travel Inspiration: Egypt

Stop 2: Egypt

To Do: Cruise down the Nile stopping to see awe inspiring temples covered in amazingly preserved hieroglyphics and tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings.

To Drink: Mint tea at a coffee shop as the locals play dominoes nearby.

To Wear: A peak out of the plane window during our flight from Cairo to Aswan revealed the importance of water to all living things. The Nile river snaked through a stretch of lush green vegetation surrounded by endless desert where the water could not reach. The vision was striking and inspired the following khaki and green combination. The pattern on the neckline of this Vena Cava for Gap dress also reminded me the heavily adorned necklaces worn by the pharaohs.

Vena Cava for Gap Khaki Dress (54.99)


Dance Platform Pumps (298.00)

Travel Inspiration: Colorado

So sorry for the long absence! The bar is finally over! Congrats to those who also took the July bar and best of luck to those in states releasing results in the next couple of weeks. As for me, I will be gearing up for work and continuing to pretend like the end of July, 2009 never happened (at least until November).

I'm currently back in Boston, but have been fortunate enough to have traveled to some pretty spectacular places in the three weeks following the bar: Colorado, Egypt, and Greece. This, and the next two posts, are sort of a mini travel journal; inspiration drawn from three unique cultures and landscapes.

Stop 1: Estes Park, Colorado

To Do: Take a hike. I did it, which means that you can too. Leave the Louboutins at home, stretch those quad muscles, and get ready take in some amazing views and crisp mountain air.

To Drink: Water. Sweet, sweet water. Delicious water is abundant in Colorado and little did I know how precious it was until I left Colorado for Egypt.

To Wear: Being in Colorado reminded me of how pristine yet fragile the Earth can be. It inspired me to look into options for environmentally friendly professional clothing. The following dress, from Nimli.com (a green online retailer) is natural, organic, sustainable, and affordable to boot. It's also gorgeous and completely work appropriate.

Nature vs. Future Classic Cut Dress (158.00)