Monday, November 18, 2013

Surprise 30th

For Natalie's 30th birthday, her sweet parents hosted a beautiful party at Caffe Luna. I was tasked with getting her to the restaurant without her finding out!

Happy Birthday, Natalie!



Birthday girl and K

Me, Natalie and Sarah

30, Flirty and Fabulous!

Europe 2013

I was lucky enough to tag along with K for a business trip last month in Spain. He was sweet enough to add on Paris as an extra long weekend, and we naturally adored every second of the trip!

The beginning of La Rambla - marked by Christopher Columbus pointing East

The harbor at the end of La Rambla - Ritz Carlton is tall building towards left
At my favorite Tapas restaurant




Barcelona at night


Europe is not complete without a gelato stop
Drinks at the W


Christopher Columbus

I loved all the beautiful architecture


Lunch stop
First day in Paris - lunch on a bench along Boulevard Raspail

Entrance to Luxembourg Gardens



Perfect fall day to visit Paris


My tour guide and human GPS :)



Chocolatier we found in St Germain

Notre Dame



Cocktail hour at Le Select before dinner

The BEST dinner we had in Paris - if you are ever in Paris, La Coupole is a must



The friendly wait staff 
We walked and walked and walked forever, and then we turned a corner, and found it!
Blurry but Paris at night



Breakfast at our hotel, Saint Gregorie


Day 2

Outside the Louvre

From boat taxi

My mom's favorite bridge in Paris - the Pont Alexander III


From the second tier of the Eiffel Tower

Beautiful view

Napoleon's Tomb

From the top of the Arc de Triomphe, overlooking the Champs Elysses


Overlooking the Eiffel tower


Crazy display at Louis Vuitton

Dinner at Marco Polo - one of Barefoot Contessa's recommendations





Gate at the Palace of Versailles

Front view of palace

Gardens of Versailles

Beautiful architecture

It only reminded Khaner and I of how much our yard and landscaping was lacking

Loved all the beautiful fountains and statues


Outside the famous Moulin Rouge

The Basilica of the Sacré Cœur
From the top of Montmarte
Last dinner at La Marlotte- delicious restaurant in our hotel's neighborhood


I hope if you do make it to Europe, you pick and choose the "touristy" spots you'd like to see, but also make time for wandering the streets, taking in the people, the architecture and the culture, and appreciating something vastly different and beautiful from what you know.