week in review: bonjour paris

saying goodbye to family at the airport

sweet le pug's look of horror as they drive away

 day un with group

 day deux post-yoga in luxemboug gardens

 le chat noir leaving kitty litter on freshly delivered diploma {sigh}

 tea + macarons at ladurée

 yoga in luxembourg gardens

week in review

silent meditation retreat

shared scenes from retreat

graduated from master's of social work program at catholic university

packed for 6 weeks away

flight to paris

penned piece on creating experiences

showcased things i love: parisian style

revealed new book cover + save the date promo

limited edition hardcover tranquilologie book went on sale

penned mindful monday

 welcomed delightful group un for 5 days of yoga, art + shopping in paris

read heaps of wisdom 2.0, savor, + lessons from madame chic

struggled with jetlag

found out about chanel no. 5 exhibit at palais de tokyo

savored sunshine + picked up produce at farmer's market

yoga + art journaling in luxembourg gardens

lots of cafe time 

many soaks in the tub
sent inquiry to plum village re: 5-day stay over birthday
 sent inquiry re: transpersonal psychology ph.d. program {sorry le beau}

weekend wish list

vintage shopping with beloved group

savor haute couture exhibit at hotel de ville

 bask in monet's garden with group

flea market shopping with group

dinner at restaurant setting of renoir's luncheon of the boating party

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?

bisous. x

wednesday well-being: experiences

peony love affair

fragrant fresh lilacs

farmer's market salad later topped with walnuts

bonjour from paris. retreat number one begins this afternoon with an "impressionists of paris" boat cruise on the seine departing from the eiffel tower. ooh la la. i'm over the moon about this brand new offering and can't wait to bask in the many sensory experiences paris will offer our yoga, art + shopping retreaters {and moi}.

while waiting to board monday night, a fellow retreater and friend asked if there was anything i wanted to purchase in paris. i responded that i wasn't seeking a thing. she proclaimed, "oh, you're focusing on experiences." indeed i am but i hadn't put two and two together before she stated such.

experiences, isn't that what life is all about? and parisians tend to do this very well. i hope to take a page from their book. i couldn't wait for the farmer's market at the end of the block to open today so i could pick up fresh fleurs {hello lilacs and peonies} and fresh produce for an afternoon salad. the above pics capture my finds.

my writing view

while i sit here writing with the above view, i'm filled with gratitude for this experience. the opportunity to work and write in paris. the chance to fill my body with fresh food. the ability to hit pause and practice savoring. {ironically, i just downloaded the book savor: mindful eating, mindful life.} as i approached the farmer's market today, i felt like a kid at christmas. while washing the fresh lettuce, same feeling. while placing the flowers into vases, ditto. 

life is about creating experiences, not accumulating things. we know this, but do we practice this? over the next few days i'll be art journaling and sharing my goals for this paris jaunt. my plan is to have a large focus on experiences. and it began yesterday as i sipped my first pot of tea at a sidewalk cafe in the rain {pic below}. make today an experience. bisous. x

first cuppa tea in paris

things i love: parisian style

image courtesy of free people

1. oh-so-feminine

image courtesy of 40 plus style

2. basics

image courtesy of outer sparkle

3. watercolors + 10 tips

image courtesy of elembee

4. simply chic

image courtesy of red is redno
5. street style