Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Sick In Paris

And the sickness that has been making its way through our group has finally hit me... and it sucks. But I guess if I have to be miserable, I might as well be miserable in Paris. 

I am off to go consume my 800th cup of tea and contemplate studying for a test tomorrow.


xoxo
Rowyn Wren 

Sunday, September 21, 2014

The Paris Diaries: I am in Paris?!?

Remember that one time I blogged about getting ready for my study abroad trip to Paris? It happened, I'm in Paris, I've been here for two weeks, and it had already changed my life.

I really want to blog regularly about my experiences (good and bad) and my adventures that I have on this adventure of a lifetime.

This post will serve as a catch up on my most important experiences so far. A lot has happened in the past two weeks so get ready, because this might be a long post...

Our Apartment:
Not what we expected, but I feel like it has made it easier to adjust to life in Paris being in such a typical Parisienne household  (small, eccentric, but with an enormous balcony that has the most amazing views of the sunrise and sunset)


view of the rooftops

my first glass of wine in Paris

so beautiful any time of the day

YES ITS THAT PRETTY

EVERY NIGHT IT IS THAT PRETTY I AM NOT JOKING.


The First Week:
It seemed to go on forever. Lots of emotional and weepy phone calls home, many adult decisions to make (the worst), and an innumerable amount of new and slightly terrifying experiences that I tried to accomplish with as much grace and poise as possible (I did not always succeed with the grace and poise thing).

A guided bus tour of the city. Was nauseas and exhausted from the lack of sleep and food and the overwhelming amount of anxiety. I'm not sure how much I actually learned on that tour, but I did see the Eiffel Tower for the first time.




We had the opportunity to go on a boat cruise tour on the Seine River. Absolutely gorgeous views of the city and lots of new friends made this experience very special!

I can't wait to sit by the river and drink wine with friends.

(heart eyes emoji)

The sun reflecting of the water made this a fairytale.

Eiffel Tower, never not stunning.


Went to one of the amazing flea markets here in Paris and felt instantly at home. Was able to bargain with vendors in very broken French (but still French nonetheless) and bought some amazing articles of clothing along with a new necklace that I have been wearing every single day since I purchased it.

bonus points for that sweet couch in the background.

my new favorite accessory.


Parc Monceau is about a 5 minute walk from our apartment and I feel so lucky to have found it. This park is literally huge with a long running path, pony rides for children, a carousel (side note: I've discovered that the French love a good carousel. They're everywhere!), a puppet show theater, multiple ponds, and lots of space to lay on the grass and have a picnic, work on homework, or just relax.

How gorgeous!


I finally saw the Eiffel Tower sparkling during my second week. A few other girls in the program and I went and had a lovely dinner at Cafe du Marche and then walked to the Eiffel Tower to see it light up and sparkle just in time!

Yum!


So beautiful!!!

(heart eyes emoji X2)


On the Wednesday of my second week, I learned that it is probably best to not walk over 10 miles in one day. I also learned that I can deal with heat, but if you throw in humidity I cannot handle it.

I had my first visit to the Louvre. It was a tad stressful, but when I forced myself to stop and just look, holy moly, that place is amazing...

i'm not very good at taking tourist photos seriously

I went on a walking tour of Montmartre, and update: I think it is my spirit place. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the street art on the walls goes to show you just how many artists thrive there.

street art example A. 

beautiful sights around every corner.

Example B

Sacré-Cœur


I Love You Wall

Every wall is a masterpiece.

Goodnight, Paris. View from the Sacré-Cœur.

This weekend, I visited Champagne, France for some champagne testing (duh) and exploring of Reims, and I found a super chic and chilled out internet cafe along with a totally cool vintage store.

Champagne reminded me of my home in the Wine Country. And the lack of humidity was refreshing. Also, drinking a glass of champagne before noon is fun, but probably not the best idea..

The time when this photo was taken: 11:30am..

Champagne for breakfast with some new friends.

Napa. Or Mercier Vineyards in Champagne?

Us Wine Country Girls felt right at home here. 

Would be a lovely picture if it wasn't for that giant construction thing in the very middle..

Gorgeous inside the Reims Cathedral

Every window was more beautiful than the previous.

Pretty flower shop found in Reims.

The internet cafe that was discovered today is called Coworking, it's in the 10th, and the quiet, and focused atmosphere and modern space is perfect for getting sh*t done.

Us, getting sh*t done. 

And finally, I think I will be purchasing lots of vintage items whilst studying here. How can you not when you have a selection like this?
(swoons)

My new stomping grounds. 

Okay, that was the last two weeks! I promise my next posts will be smaller and more detailed, but I figured this was the best way to catch up and continue into the next posts! 

Goodnight from Paris, 
The sunset tonight, even after a rainy day, Paris never dissapoints.

xoxo
Rowyn Wren


Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Paris Diaries: Oh, Pinterest...

Hello Again!
I am back after going to several meetings, signing lots of documents, and pinning more travel tips and outfit posts than I should.

Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I am not one to do anything last minute. I like my outings to be planned, and my outfits to be coordinated. So considering the fact that this trip is going to be one of the biggest things to ever happen to me EVER, I have already started planning.

One of the things that I am equally excited and terrified for is the fashion. Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world and I do not want to disappoint the parisian women with sweat pants and flip flops. That being said, I too have days where I want nothing more than to put on my yoga pants and my college sweatshirt and run errands, but I am going to try to avoid that faux pas in Paris as much as I possibly can!

To combat my anxiety surrounding my attire while studying abroad, I have turned to the ever overwhelming, but also fantastic, PINTEREST!

I have been pinning everything from plane ride tips, to classic outfit ideas, to street style, and so much more.

I am not the most organized pinner, and pins that should belong on one board are often pinned to another, but I think this is an amazing way to store all my ideas in one place.

My Boards that I am currently pinning on like a mad-woman are:

Style - if I see a shirt that I love, or a really amazing outfit it will most likely be pinned here.

I love the strappy sandals and flowy dress.


Street Style Inspiration - dedicated to my favorite street style shots. this is where I get the bulk of my inspiration from on a daily basis.

her camel coat with those lightwash jeans and black boots is everything I've ever wanted.

Paris - everything Paris related.

Hopefully I will be able to visit the Louvre several times

Travel - half travel tips, half travel outfits, half things I want to purchase before I leave, you get the idea...

I think I have about 800000 of these lists pinned by now...

Essential Wardrobe - this board serves as a reminder to me that I will not be able to bring my entire closet with me, so I must learn love the philosophy of capsule wardrobes, and basic v neck tee shirts.

"I'll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color."

I hope you enjoyed my Pinterest boards! I know I have five months left still, but I get more and more excited every day. 

Check out Lanea's blog while you're at it!
(paris roomie)


xoxo,
Rowyn


Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Paris Diaries: Quick Update!

As of about 20 minutes ago, my application for the Study Abroad Program in Paris is officially completed!
 WE ARE GOING!


xoxo, Rowyn

The Paris Diaries: My Top 5 Things That I Wish To Do.

When one is going to Paris, it is impossible to NOT daydream about everything that you want to do. Now I understand that I will not have an unlimited amount of time to spend exploring Paris, but I can have a list of top five things that I want to do while I'm there right?

Here it is:

1. Devour the macarons at the Parisian bakery, Ladurée. Who cares if the line is out the door! I WILL get my macarons. ;)



2. See some production at the Opera Garnier. I don't think the theater girl inside of me will be very happy if I skip this one... And just look at those stairs!! My cardio would be done by the time I reached the top! 

 

3. See Monet's paintings at the Musée de l'Orangerie. He was my favorite painter as a child and still is today. To be able to see his water lily paintings would be incredible! 


4. Another museum that I am most definitely going to visit (there is no way that I will leave Paris until I have gone at least 2 or 3 times) is the Musée du Louvre. More importantly, to see the Mona Lisa. I know it is virtually impossible to see her without 80 other tourists surrounding you, but can you imagine being in the same room with the Mona Lisa all alone?? I think I would most likely start to cry. Now I will admit that I have recently finished The Da Vinci Code, and much of my determination to see this legendary painting spurs from me wanting to pretend to be Sophie Neveu while she solves her grandfathers riddles about the The Prieuré de Sion. Seriously you guys it is an incredible book. 


5. Visit La Tour Eiffel. DUH.


So there you have it! This list could go on for ages, but these are the top five places that I wish to visit as of right NOW! 

xoxo, 
Rowyn