Returning to Paris

To say that my 22nd birthday in Paris will be memorable is probably putting in mildly. I'm not usually one to complain about heat and sun (because believe me, I love it!) but 40 degree heat in the middle of a busy city is pretty hard going. That, combined with a very ill mum and horrendous delays on the Eurostar to get back to England certainly made for an eventful trip!

Nevertheless, we did enjoy ourselves. I managed to go back to many of my favourite places and I enjoyed just being able to wander around Le Marais area again. 

Photo taken on my run as the sun was coming up. One of my most memorable runs!

It got up to 38 degrees on my birthday but I went out for a run at 6.30am before it got too hot. I was absolutely determined to go because I knew that running round Paris, past the Louvre, Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame on my birthday was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn't miss! Then we went to Le Pain Quotidien (I know, I know it's a chain but I just adore this place) and had their delicious Crunola with a bread basket. I'm hoping to recreate the base of the Crunola which was banana, coconut and cashew nut butter and totally creamy and scrummy - I'll keep you posted if I'm successful!

We spent the morning shopping for a little present I could take home for myself and actually didn't find anything! But that wasn't a great loss as I got to spend my birthday creating the most incredibly memories in Paris. In the afternoon, the heat began to get to mum and we needed to get out of the sun for a while. Mum took me to the patisserie in BHV in Le Marais where, after cheekily telling them it was my birthday, we chose two patisseries (mine was the most incredible vanilla layered mousse) and the waitress brought them over with a candle and chocolate birthday plaque - in French! It was such a thoughtful thing to do and really made my day special. 

We spent the evening in my favourite bar that I fell in love with on my year abroad - La Favorite. My favourite cocktails there used to be the French Kiss but since they had changed the menu I tried the Peach Margarita and my failsafe, Cosmo (they do a mean Cosmo!). I would definitely recommend the Margarita though! Strong, but really good. I'd recommend going in Happy Hour between 7pm and 9pm to benefit from half prices (otherwise it's a fairly pricey place). It was great to have the hotel so conveniently located across the road from my favourite haunt, find it here because I'd definitely recommend it!

The Peach Margarita at La Favorite

Unfortunately, getting home put a slight dampener on our time in Paris. Mum felt ill on the Wednesday we were meant to go back, and with our train in the evening, we felt it was better to get to Gare du Nord early so at least we were there and wouldn't have to worry about her being able to get there if she worsened. However, the station was absolutely sweltering and we were waiting for an hour and a half before we were supposedly meant to board. But the Eurostar was experiencing delays on a huge scale that day so by the time we actually go on the train, we were already delayed by at least an hour, and then the train ended up stopping about 20 minutes after setting off and didn't go again for almost 2 hours. As you can imagine, with the heat, a lack of water and delays, we were feeling a bit fed up. But it really could have been worse. Yes, we got stuck in London but dad had booked a lovely hotel for us which was amazing when we finally got in and slept for 4 hours before getting the train home. Like I said - certainly a memorable trip!

Has anyone else been affected by the Eurostar/Eurotunnel problems recently? How have you coped in the heat this week? Did you love it or hate it? Let me know!

Five Favourites: Paris

It's pretty much a Paris-themed week on the blog due to my recent return so I thought I'd continue with this week's Five Favourites dedicated to my favourite places/things to do in Paris. So if you're planning a trip, here's five ideas for you:

1. Have a cocktail in La Favorite
Absolutely my favourite bar in Le Marais. It's been my haunt for a while, throughout my placement year and when I returned this week. It's a little pricey but Happy Hour (7pm to 9pm) solves that, plus they really are seriously good cocktails. I can also vouch for the mocktails being incredible too, and are also included in Happy Hour. Find details on their website here.

2. Eat Ladurée macarons

When people say they are the best in Paris, they're not wrong. I reckon there are a few independent patisseries that equal them but they are worth their name and, if you're going to try macarons while in France (which you should!) then they may as well be Ladurée with their many enticing flavours. If you can drag your eyes away from the pastel coloured rainbow of macarons then they also do other patisseries and bakes, as pictured above. Find the nearest shop here.

3. Cycle around Le Marais
I was persuaded by a friend to do this on my year abroad and was so pleased I did! I love Le Marais anyway but if you're brave enough to jump on one of the Velibs (find one close to Le Marais by Saint Paul metro stop) it gives a totally different view of this pretty area. The streets are far quieter too so you can worry less about traffic! 

4. Sit on one of the bridges
It almost doesn't matter which one because they all give a different but gorgeous perspective of Paris. Watch the sun go down, or come up and it'll be magical. Watching the sun go down the night before my birthday was truly memorable!



5. Visit Shakespeare and Company bookshop
If you're a Literature student, or just love books, you'll love this little bookshop. It is a bit of a tourist trap and there are other equally cute bookshops in Paris but this is easy to find, and is next to Notre Dame to just pop in. Its history and charming nooks, along with its dedicated reading spaces make it a book-lover's dream. Make sure to go as soon as it opens for a quieter experience. Click here for their website.


Hope I've given you some ideas for your trip to Paris! Do you have any favourite haunts? I'd love to hear them!

City Break: Packing for a weekend in Paris

I think it'd be pretty hard to have missed how excited I am that I'm returning. But allow me to clarify that I am UNBELIEVABLY EXCITED. It actually feels like I'm going home. Ever since I left, pretty much this same time last year, I've wanted to return and this summer finally provided me with the opportunity. What better way to spend my 22nd birthday (eeek!) in my favourite city in the world? Naturally, with such excitement came an epic planning/organisation explosion. I'm pretty sure I've driven mum insane. My packing list has been slowly finalised over the last month or so. Considering I'm going for a total of two nights, I actually do understand how ridiculous this sounds but in case you hadn't gathered - I'm excited. It's also meant to be hot when we're there. And I mean hot. Like currently an estimated 38 degrees on Wednesday, whaaaat! Amazing, but I also remember how sticky the city can be so forward outfit planning is a good idea. So here's a second post for this week (crazy, I know) about what I'll be taking along with me on my Paris summer city break...

Basics
3x tops, one of them striped (of course!)
2x skater skirt, one black, one denim
1x pair loose jeans for travelling
Comfy shoes (don't be fooled though, even Clark's can be comfy and stylish)
(I hope I don't need to say underwear here, I feel like that's a given!)

Special
Dress for the evening
Exercise clothes (if you're like me and can't resist the opportunity to go for a run while you're there!)

Extras
Sunglasses - do not forget those sunnies
1x belt to accessorise (mainly with the skater skirt)
1x scarf, also to accessorise and as a good wrap in the evenings
Across the body bag (think having it slung around your front to keep an eye on it) or one with a decent zip, I still haven't decided on the one I'm taking!

And here's some outfit ideas that I've got in mind...

By watching all the Parisians and their impeccable style for a year, I've learnt that it's good to stick to fairly neutral colours. Think blacks, whites, navies - all classics that can be mixed and matched. Also, make sure you're comfortable... You don't see Parisians wiggling about in their short shorts because they keep riding up - they just wear longer, looser, comfier clothes and exude that incredibly chic je ne sais quoi we all know and love.

Having spent time in Paris, I feel so much better prepared and have a fairly good idea about not screaming 'tourist' with my clothes! I'd like to think I'm not a tourist, but of course, in the eyes of the Parisians, I'm sure I am! If you're planning a similar city break and are struggling with packing, I hope this has helped! I'd love to know any other ideas/tips you have, comment below! :)

Five Favourites: Blogs

It's Fridaaayyyy! For the first time in a long time I've got the genuine Friday feeling because I've just had my first full working week before I begin my job properly at the beginning of August. Even though it's nice to come home and be able to leave work behind, my supposedly completely free evenings have still been super busy this week. Exercise classes, riding and running have all figured and I have to admit, I'm loving having a bit of routine and purpose now that university has finished. I also have a nice slot in the mornings which allow me to mull over my breakfast and check out the latest on my favourite blogs... Which leads me nicely onto my Five Favourites this week! In no particular order, these are my go-to blogs for checking updates, finding recipes, or just generally seeking advice/comfort!

1. Cider with Rosie
I included Rosie's Instagram account on here a couple of weeks ago (post here), and thought it was time to recommend her blog because it's just an all-round great read. She includes restaurant reviews, beauty posts, outfit ideas, and generally lovely snapshots of her life. She also regularly features other bloggers who advertise on her site, and I've found some great new blogs through her.

2. Deliciously Ella
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Ella Woodward is incredible. I honestly believe she could be taking over the world. She's taken the internet by storm and is an Amazon bestseller since her first cookbook was published back in January (I'm a proud owner of a copy). It all started with this blog where she documented her food journey as she struggled to overcome an illness. She strives (and wholeheartedly succeeds) to create delicious but completely healthy and nutritious recipes designed to make you feel amazing. She partly inspired my diet transformation about a year ago, and I have never looked back. I cannot recommend this site enough.

3. Ashley Abroad 
This one is a relatively new discover of mine but admitting that three months after graduation she left to live in Paris for a year, I knew Ashley was a girl after my own heart. Her blog is a lifestyle and travel blog and she really does write incredible travel pieces and exudes the most wonderfully positive and refreshing attitude to life. Her posts on Paris and France are of particular interest to me, and they really are useful for those thinking of spending time over there.

4. The Wonder Forest
I turn to this beautifully designed blog for anything blog or tech related. Dana is a master of design and has given me such great ideas for building my blog in future and also how to get things working properly! Her graphics are great, and her photos gorgeous and those alone are enough to inspire greater things for your website. She also has a great tone to her writing, and her YouTube channel allows her bubbly nature to come across.Fit 

5. Fit Foodie Finds
Lee is my go-to for any exercises, quick and healthy meals and general motivation. She's a real fit-bunny whose positivity shines through her blog and just makes you want to grab your trainers and then recuperate with one of her yummy breakfast ideas. I discovered her website a while back, and it's recently undergone a bit of a makeover which I love. It's so much clearer and easier to navigate and makes the food look even more incredible. If you're into your healthy lifestyle, this is definitely one for you!


I hope you like some of these blogs and I have encouraged you to try something new! I love the blogging world because it opens up a world of completely new possibilities of meeting and interacting with incredible and inspiring people like those above. Are there any blogs you particularly like? Do you religiously check for new posts? Or do you prefer vlogging? As always, sound off in the comments below!

10 Best Bits of 2014

Bonjour! Hello! It's me- I'm back! I understand if you no longer know who I am, it's been a long time. I have no excuses, other than life happened as it so often does. But while I sat here chipping away at another essay (yes, being back at university has hit harrrrd), I thought to myself: I really should do a blog post and not leave it to just be another new year's resolution (that I may or may not keep) because I miss it too much for that. There is understandably a recurring theme in the blogosphere at the moment, the '10 [insert appropriate somethings here] of 2014'. I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and instead of doing a generic catch-up post, thought I'd combine it with a few memories of an incredible year.

1. New Year in Paris

Kicking off 2014 in style with my bestest friend in the world, Sophie, in the best city in the world (I can't vouch for that admittedly, but Paris will always hold a special place in my heart). Even if it was a bit of a flop celebration-wise, we had a great time and it set the bar for the rest of the year. 

2. Mum and I in Paris

The most important lady in my life came to stay with me in Paris in March and I got to show her my new life. We had so much fun together and are even planning round two. Bring it on.

3. June in Paris

I spent my last weeks in Paris having an absolute ball, and my friend came to stay for my last weekend there. Sitting in my favourite cocktail bar, aptly named 'La Favorite', I felt that I was where I belonged and in that moment could see myself living permanently in Paris. Reality burst my bubble of course, but who knows what the future holds?

4. Summer in France

An amazing opportunity with a lovely family and a little girl who I really do miss. I got to see a part of France I never would have seen, and of course got to lounge in the sun too.

5. Lessons on Toffee

Photo of Your Horse Magazine 2014

Over summer I found a new instructor and have never looked back. In just a few lessons, she has made such a huge difference to my attitude and understanding of riding that I know I will make such great progress with her. To top off a great few jumping lessons, Toffee and I also made a name for ourselves in the monthly horse magazine Your Horse. I got to tell my story in their special confidence-centred issue and help other riders in similar situations. I even got a double page spread!

6. My 21st Birthday weekend

Turning 21 in styyyyle. Yes, I now feel old at uni, and yes, I probably need to start making life plans. But for now, I am enjoying my half-birthday as a 21-year-old who is generally having such a great time.

7. Venice

Even if I could have dreamt of the most perfect getaway for my 21st birthday, it wouldn't have topped the trip mum and I took to Venice in September. It was so so memorable and was the most amazing present my family could have given me.

8. Running 5k

Bearing in mind I only took up running properly last October as a huffing and puffing, could barely run 100 metres novice who really likes food, this has to be a huge landmark in my achievements this year. I ran my first 5k with the running club at uni in November in just over 25 minutes! I was aiming for around 30-35 minutes, so you can probably imagine how elated I was when I saw my result. I think I can class myself as a proper runner now!

9. Back with the Equestrian Club

Being back as Vice President of the Equestrian Club is a dreeeaaam. It's nice to still be a member of the committee without the pressure of Presidency and we have some great new members this year. The rosettes above were two of three I got on our Christmas fun day and our socials so far have been huge successes- it's great to be back with like minded horsey people and to see the club growing so much!

10. Christmas with my grandparents

For the first time since I can remember, my Nana and Grandad spent Christmas with us! My Grandad is 90 years old in May and my Nana is 82 and we thought it was high time we all spent the holiday season together. They live up north so transport has always been the problem but mum and I shared the drive so they could spend five days over Christmas with us, and it really was so special to have them there.

Thank you to everyone who has made this year so incredible... 

Here's to 2015!! Happy New Year!

Working in the South of France

If someone had said to me a year ago that I would be working in the South of France for a couple of weeks, I probably wouldn't have believed them. Even less so if they'd have said I'd be by a pool in 35 degree heat in my free time. But that's what happened- I've just come back from another fantastic trip, making the most of the time I have to travel as much as possible.

I've never really thought of myself as someone who could look after children that well so never saw myself as an au pair until the opportunity arose. I already knew the little 8 year old girl I would be looking after since I tutored her in English whilst I was in Paris and my job was to join the family on their yearly holiday to the French Provence to further improve her English and give her mum a much needed break!

The weeks flew by while I was there but I got to do some fantastic things. I visited the town of Roussillon, built from ochre clay found in the surrounding quarries which gave the most incredible red, orange and yellowy tinge to the area. I also went wine tasting to the well-known Baumes de Venise vineyard and tasted the most delicious wines. I got to wander around the little backstreets of nearby villages and visited the local market to sample saucisson, olives and fromage (lots and lots of it!). And when I wasn't working or exploring, I was lying in the sun by one of the two pools. I think it's safe to say I had a wonderful time!

Below are a few snaps from my time there, aided by Instagram because apparently I'm just not a natural photographer!

The view just outside where I stayed

I bought a new hat at the market!

Wine tasting at Baumes de Venise

I loved having early morning swims!

The ochre clay at Roussillon

Breakfast by the pool!

This is becoming a yearly tradition...

It's the 29th June again which means tomorrow is my birthday. Not just any birthday- the big 21. 

I read over my blog post from this time last year, covering my achievements of that year. It's fair to say that I've come so far since then. I don't think I could have predicted how my year in Paris was going to turn out but when people told me it would be the best year of my life so far, I didn't believe them for a long time. Now I realise how true that is. Here's what I did this year: I went completely and utterly alone to live and work in Paris; I built a life for myself out there from nothing. 

I look over my diary entries from those first couple of days which were filled with nerves, fear and uncertainty and I am so proud of myself because I've just come such a long, long way. I'm still me, I'm still Rachel but I'm a better version of myself, and that version thrived in Paris. I am already starting to find that I'm slipping all too easily back into my old, easy life. Paris was so far out of my comfort zone when I moved there and I dreaded everything that I had to do because of that. But by the end of the year, being out of my comfort zone was exciting. That's a feeling I don't want to lose, but being back home makes it easy to slip back into a comfortable lifestyle again. I love home but I need to keep challenging myself, and I do believe that the older I become, and over the next years, I will welcome those challenges and know with confidence that I can face them.

Having left Paris now, I know it will always hold a place in my heart, and will always be a part of my life. Never did I think I would be able to love a city so much since I am a real country girl. But I'm going to have to find the perfect balance of both because I can already see myself booking a weekend away back to Paris before the year is up.

Being abroad gave me a confidence which I never thought I'd find and has made me feel like a young woman ready to take on the world. That is something I'll never lose. So when I look back at my life in 10, 20 or even 50 years time, I'll remember that when I was 20, I had the most incredible year living in Paris which helped me develop into the person I want to be.

I took advantage of every opportunity thrown my way this year and have loved every minute of it. I've said yes when all I wanted to do was say no, and I've jumped when I've wanted to stop. That's a fantastic feeling and that's how I know I've made the most of this year.

I am so lucky to have had such an incredible year, and even luckier to have my lovely home and family waiting for me when I returned. So here's to another wonderful year... I'm going to make sure it's a good'un.

Resolutions for the New Year

Since it is now the 11^th January, I think it’s time for some New Year’s resolutions, something I haven’t done for a few years now. I hate this part of the new year- where people expect you to be all hopeful and miraculously change yourself. But I do have a few important things I feel merit the name “resolutions” and I figured writing them down and having any Tom, Dick or Harry be able to read them on the internet would encourage me to keep them. Here it goes:

1. Lose some weight and be healthier.

Probably the resolution of millions, but I guarantee I’m more determined than the majority of them. Plus, like everyone I properly binged over Christmas and have put on weight since coming to France- damn those patisseries. So now I’m not overly confident with the way I look, so I’m going to change it.

2. Stop feeling guilty for doing things I want to do.

Credit goes to my friend for this one because she realised this is a rather significant issue I have. For example, I wanted to go horse riding, but felt guilty about spending the money. Now that I know I do this, I’ve realised there is absolutely no cause for it either.

3. Dance like no one is watching.

My Auntie bought me a bangle with this saying printed on the edges and it suddenly struck how poignant this is for me. Sometimes I really do just need to stop caring about what others think and go for it.

I think the traditional 10 resolutions are a bit ambitious for me, so I’m sticking with three. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

My friend and I decided to spend New Year’s Eve in Paris this year, since I had the accommodation and the opportunity, rather conveniently, presented itself. Little did we know that London does the New Year ten times better. Yep, that’s right- I was sorely disappointed with Paris, sorry Frenchies. But there were also some amazing highlights... (Read more on my Parisian Life page)

Discovering culturing differences

Having been here for almost three and a half months, I feel it is high time that I address some of the cultural differences I’ve experienced since being in France. Some of them are a little bit funny, and others are just bizarre. But I was talking to a friend recently and certainly compared with the UK, there are quite a few culture changes which have been a cause for adjustment for me.

1. Lunchtime.

Lunchtime isn’t just a meal here. It’s not about grabbing a meal deal and eating it as you walk along back to the office. When you have lunch here, you spend a good part of your day eating, drinking wine, and chatting business, after which time you stroll casually back to work, probably after 2 o’clock. This was weird for me at first since I am so used to eating on a time limit, but the French really have the right idea! It’s the perfect way to find some relaxation during the work day, and enjoy what you’re eating!

2. Sorry we're closed.

Now I really do live in the middle of nowhere in England- sandwiched between more in-the-middle-of-nowhere villages. But on a Sunday, if you want to buy something, you will still be able to find numerous places which are open. Not here! Everything closes on a Sunday. The shops in town do open for the morning but are all shut up by 1 o’clock. If you want anything at all in the afternoon on a Sunday, you’re screwed- even the big supermarket in town is shut. I’m all for Sunday, day of rest but Sunday afternoons in France are like being part of a ghost town.

3. What are you staring at?

On the metro, on a platform, in the shops, the French stare. Here’s the situation: you happen to glance up and see a middle aged woman staring right at you from a few aisles away, but she doesn’t look away when you catch her- not like English people would out of embarrassment! Instead, you look away and when you glance back, she’s still staring! You start to think maybe there’s something on your face, when there’s not you begin to stare back, and yet she won’t stop! This is something which several of my friends have also faced, with both men and women of differing ages- I’m not sure what it is, but it’s definitely weird.

4. Mind my bubble.

I did a post last year about how much I like my personal space, and I believe this is partly an English thing too. So when I came here and people started walking by with centimetres to spare despite having space all around, I was hugely uncomfortable. I’ve suspected several people of pick-pocketing me because they have stood so close when looking at train times or a map. There just doesn’t seem to be this sense of spatial awareness- everyone’s space is everyone else’s. I haven’t quite come to terms with that yet.

5. Marry Me

Answer: no. This one addresses French men, and the handful of stories I’ve heard from just a few people. French men are forward. Where us English are modest about our feelings, and shy away from telling someone that we really do like them, the French plunge into feelings headfirst and don’t understand the word ‘no’. I’ve heard several examples where one date= girlfriend/boyfriend status, or an expectation that you will sleep with them. English girls I’ve met have been shocked by how forward the French men are here. What I haven’t worked out is whether they act worse because we’re English, or if it seems worse because we’re English.

6. Don't wait for the green man.

The little green man at pedestrian crossings means absolutely nothing here. When it changes to the red man, people walk anyway. When it changes to the green man, cars drive anyway. There’s really no perfect situation here, so I’ve learned to throw my life on the line along with every other French person and just cross when it looks relatively clear. It’s also another way to tell who’s French and who’s foreign- the French just walk, the tourists hover until the green man comes up, and then get caught anyway.

7. Puff away.

The difference between England and France for smoking is really quite incredible, considering we’re only separated by a tiny bit of water. So many people smoke here that I genuinely believe I have suffered more from passive smoking since I arrived here than I have in my entire life. Walking out of the front school gates, a cloud of smoke awaits; waiting of the platform, a puff of smoke comes my way; going down the street, a wall of smoke hits me from a passerby. I don’t know when they missed the health warnings, but clearly some message didn’t reach the French. Smoking seems to be almost inherent in their culture.

I’m sure the longer I live here, the more differences I will find, but for now those are some of my favourites. I will add more as and when I discover them. In the mean time, if you know of any strange cultural differences, post a comment below!