I miss traveling. The anticipation when planning a trip, foreign foods, experiencing new places, meeting people around the world. I miss it all. Undoubtedly, you do too. While countries outside the United States may be closed for now, we can still create our own foreign getaway at home. A few years ago I spent the summer in Paris. The City of Light is known for its fashion, cosmopolitan vibrancy, and delicious food! While there, I learned how the Parisians entertain. It’s easy! So, if we can’t go to Paris, let’s bring Paris to us! Call a few friends to join you for a Parisian evening. There are a few basic customs and items you’ll need to add oh la la to your fun party! I’ve included links to help you find pieces that will make your gathering truly French. Here are tips on how you can host a French themed dinner party! Dinner Party Ambiance ~ Lighting, Music and Flowers The French are masters of presentation. They take a simple gesture and make it spectacular. Candlelight is a must on any table. Turn down the lights and place a few candles down the center. Voluspa suede blanc candle ~This beauty has a subtle scent and gorgeous packaging. Burn time is 100 hours, so you’ll have it for many different occasions. Voluspa Goji & Taracco candle in a red jar ~The crimson color will add a pop of color to your table. Taper candle holder set ~A classic set of white taper candleholders are truly elegant. Music playing softly in the background sets the mood at a dinner party. Whether you use a streaming audio service or old fashion CD’s, choose a genre that evokes an evening in Paris. Two of my favorite are: Karrin Allyson ~ From Paris to Rio ~Multilingual
I miss traveling. The anticipation when planning a trip, foreign foods, experiencing new places, meeting people around the world. I miss it all. Undoubtedly, you do too. While countries outside the United States may be closed for now, we can still create our own foreign getaway at home. A few years ago I spent the
The City of Light is dog friendly, if you know your way around ‘Is that a service dog?” the flight attendant asked as she pointed to my bichon frise curled up beside me on the airplane seat. “No, he’s not” I said. “Then he needs to be in his carrier under the seat in front of you” she replied. I obliged as she walked down the aisle. Within minutes I returned Marcel beside me, only this time under the blanket I had draped across my lap, where he slept for the final leg of our flight from San Diego to Paris. Our short layover in Philadelphia gave enough time to take Marcel outside before the remaining eight hours of air travel. For August and September, The City of Light was home to mon petit chien and me. Our quest was to find pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, activities, and boutiques for my upcoming travel guide, “The Privileged Pooch in Paris.” Such a lengthy visit required an apartment rental as home base. An arduous search by a Parisian rental agency for a landlord who allows pets came up nil. Ironic, given the capital’s dog-loving reputation. (Illustration by CRISTINA MARTINEZ BYVIK) But VRBO.com, a website pairing homeowners with vacationers, proved fortuitous. My first two emails resulted in a Saint-Germain-Des-Prés house for the first month, and an Ile Saint Louis apartment built in 1643 for the remainder of my stay. Renting a variety of pied-à-terres allowed me to experience different areas of the city, and provided space to host visiting family and friends. Twenty arrondissements (districts) make up the metropolis of Paris, the first being in center city and the higher numbers being ethnic enclaves on the outskirts. These districts, covering roughly 41 square miles, are clumped into neighborhoods — the Marais, Montparnasse, Montmartre, Le
The City of Light is dog friendly, if you know your way around ‘Is that a service dog?” the flight attendant asked as she pointed to my bichon frise curled up beside me on the airplane seat. “No, he’s not” I said. “Then he needs to be in his carrier under the seat in front
