Frenching with Liz // Part One // Paris

It feels wrong to be posting about my magical time in Europe in light of the sadness that is happening there right now. I almost didn’t, but then I thought, what if I kept that magic alive despite the current circumstances? What if I walked you through a 10 day trip that changed my life? A trip that inspired me like never before? That is what this post is about. It’s about remembering the good when everything seems to be falling apart. When ones think of Paris an insane to-do list comes to mind. My list however, didn't involve what you would expect. I didn't focus on specific paintings, sight seeing or shopping.

My list involved an attitude I would live and breath when I got there.

// I wanted to stay present, wake up when I wanted, enjoy morning rituals, taste all the things I had been dreaming about and meet as many people as possible. I’m happy to report I did all those things and more.

// I woke up with the sun and walked to a new place for coffee almost every morning. I walked aimlessly and let myself be surprised by the next corner block and what it had to show me. I introduced myself to random strangers who ended up sharing an afternoon with me. I rode a bike along the river and met a lovely woman who lives in Texas (hi Elise!). I indulged in a crazy amount of sugar and bread and felt absolutely no guilt about it. I met up with a dear friend and instead of just having dinner we spent three whole days running around the streets of Paris together.

I let go. I allowed things to just happen organically. I was patient and let the day unfold without putting any restrictions on myself. I was free.

That’s really what this trip was about I guess. Freedom. I left my camera at home (shot everything on my iPhone) and embraced that kid in me. You know what? It was easy. It felt good to have no expectations. It felt good to sit at a cafe for 2 hours with nowhere to be.

I brought back a fierce desire to stay young at heart and always focus on the simple things in life. Things that matter. I may never see every dream or goal come to fruition, but what I do know is that I live my life to the fullest and that means I’m making my teenage self proud.

// Now please enjoy a lot of pretty pictures...

I hope they inspire you and remind you to take a friend to lunch or plan that road trip you’ve been “meaning” to do. I hope you call that girl you’ve been thinking about and can’t seem to swallow your pride enough to do it. Listen, life is happening now. Right now! Don’t wait because before you know it it’s going to be five years from now. xo