February: Au Revoir Winter Blues
Hi friends,
As I write this, I have less than three weeks before my visa expires and my residency in France turns into one big puddle of chaos. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but the truth is I can’t do much other than hold onto hope that everything will work itself out in time and it will all turn out all right.
Needless to say the month of February was STRESSFUL but nevertheless, I was still determined to make the most out of the inevitable uncertainty. In Paris, everything tends to happen in it’s own time, so I might as well focus my energy on what I can control which includes cooking wholesome meals, styling new looks, and planning endless rendez-vous with friends.
What I Wore:
From a quick glance at my looks, I could imagine someone saying “why does this girl not wear ANY colors?” and to that my dear friend, I have one word for you: simplicity.
With limited closet space, budget, and time (like everyone else I suppose), I find that sticking to neutrals like black and white allows me to easily pull together “effortless” and “timeless” looks while maximizing my cost per wear of each item.
Now that spring is on the horizon, I’ve been wearing more of my transitional coats like my mom’s vintage Ann Taylor leather coat and my white pleather coat that I bought from Anthropologie last year. I also find that white jeans are the perfect transitional staple that bring a bit of lightness to my looks.
Shout out to my dear friend Jess, who gave me her old black coat (pictured in the middle row) before making the move to Morocco. We love a second-hand look.
What I Ate:
Meal Prepping Inspo: A friend sent me this recipe on Instagram for a Mediterranean Casserole. I’ve created my own spin on it adding sausage, chickpeas, and kidney beans for color.
Blueberry Season: Springtime means berry season. They are SO expensive at the markets, but worth a little indulgence every so often.
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte: Famous for only having one thing on the menu, steak and fries, this restaurant is my go to suggestion for friends and family visiting Paris. Be prepared to queue, but it’s worth it.
My BBQ California Chicken Pizza Dupe Recipe: I had a craving…
Store bought pizza dough
Premium BBQ sauce (important!!)
Red onions
Diced chicken (perfect if you have any leftovers from a previous meal prep)
Mozzarella
Spices: oregano, rosemary, red chili flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Meal Prepping Inspo: Garlic Noodles (I add sesame seeds, edamame, and my protein of choice)
Girl Dinner: Cheese plate at Classique
Teatime at Hotel Balzac: serving my new favorite matcha
A Parisian breakfast on the go
Coffee RDV: Cafe Noir on rue Saint-Florentin
Where I Went:
Le 19M: The HQ for Chanel’s Haute Couture Maisons specializing in everything from embroidery to shoe making, Le 19M is a must-visit for any fashion lover. I went to a special workshop showcasing the various Maisons and their artisans up close.
GUERRISOL By GUERRIDA: A vintage lovers’ paradise, this location in particular had one of the best selections of vintage fur coats and hats I’ve ever seen (Opera location).
Pink Moon by The Haute Fragrance Company: Hosted at the very chic Maison Villeroy, the little soireé was a special evening celebrating the launch of the new fragrance. Many thanks to my dear friend Ivana for inviting me to be her plus one.
Gallery Devals: Located in the scenic corners of the Royal Palais Gardens, this is a lovely little hidden gem.
DIOR Paris 30 Montaigne: Perfect for a little afternoon tea and window shopping.
Petit Palais: One of my favorite free museums in Paris and my ideal scenic spots to enjoy the arrival of spring.
Hotel Balzac: Minimalist, yet elegant with sophisticated interiors, this hotel’s lounge room is where you’ll find me hiding away.
As always, thank you so much for reading. This past month, I haven’t had much time to thrift but currently, I’m on the lookout for a new everyday bag that I can use for work. Previously, I was using my vintage, trusty Longchamp bag, a staple for Parisians of all ages, but now that my bag is beyond repair, I want to change it up. Any suggestions are welcome.
What are you looking forward to the most this spring?
Bisous,
Kiana