Beauty is all Around
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Embracing the Journey: On Overcoming Self-Doubt and Reinvention
Hello, dear friends, Today, I’m sharing a glimpse into the personal journey that shapes us all, touching on the internal battles we face in pursuit of our dreams. There’s a voice within many of us that whispers of inadequacy. I’m no stranger to it. Yes, we’re all a collection of imperfections, each with our own set of cracks and flaws. In a recent interview I listened to, Dr. Jordan Peterson, speaking with Chris Williamson, voiced a powerful sentiment: we’re bound by a moral duty to give life everything we’ve got. The world can indeed be a harsh place, and in navigating its trials, offering anything less than our best might…
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Family Bonds and Gothic Splendor: Visit at the Saint-Denis Basilica
In the gentle meanderings of life, some decisions are made by necessity rather than choice. Such was the case when my husband and I returned to my native France to care for my parents—a duty that beckoned with a grateful yet heavy heart, but one we embraced with the guidance of faith. Responding to a divine nudge, we took the leap. And in a manner so characteristic of Providence, this move proved to be a blessing not just for my parents, but a beautiful chapter for us as well. I had longed for the embrace of my family and the beautiful and familiar streets of Paris. The distance had only…
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The Val de Grâce: A Parisian Treasure Touched by Miracle
Hello, dear friends! Caroline here, excited to share with you a Parisian spot that is very close to my heart. It’s a place of breathtaking beauty and elegance, marked by a history as rich as it is miraculous – the Val de Grâce. The inception of this magnificent church dates back to a royal promise made by Anne of Austria, Queen of France. In gratitude for the birth of her son, the future Louis XIV, in 1638, she envisioned the creation of a royal abbey. The construction, led by the famed architect François Mansart, began in 1645 and reached completion in 1665 under Gabriel Le Duc. Today, Val de Grâce…
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The Overlooked Jewel by Luxembourg Gardens
There’s a building across the street from the south end of the Luxembourg Gardens. Because it exists in the shadow of these extraordinary gardens, most people walk by it on a mission to get to there, and as a result, barely notice it. Thankfully, one day I did. And since that day, I’ve never passed it without stopping to admire its beauty. Unlike many buildings in Paris, it doesn’t have the year when it was built stamped on the façade, so I’m going to guess it’s from the late 19th / early 20th century, but I could be wrong. It’s of course one of those stunning Haussmann influenced buildings with its stone…
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A Century Apart – Parisians Succeed in Spite of Themselves…
Parisians, like most of us, sometimes succeed in spite of themselves. This is nowhere more true than in the controversies surrounding two of the most iconic Parisian landmarks, exactly 100 years apart. I’ll take the second one first. I. M. Pei’s Pyramid at the Louvre. Set square in the middle of what might be the most beautiful building in the world is a space age glass pyramid emerging from the courtyard. Its glass and metal structure couldn’t be more different than its settings if it were a fish on Mars. But here’s the thing… unlike (presumably) a fish on Mars, Pei’s Pyramid fits, it actually enhances its surroundings, helps to bring the Louvre to…
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A Tote-ally Parisian Experience at the Galeries Lafayette
Hello, fellow Paris enthusiasts! As you know, this is our little corner of the web where we showcase the delights of the City of Lights, and today we’re visiting the stunning Galleries Lafayette, the 19th century landmark that is very much at the top of the list of Paris destinations during the Christmas season. Today’s narrative? A whimsical photographic journey through the festive that is the Galeries Lafayette, and a tiny amount of promotion mixed in. Year after year, this Parisian landmark transforms into a wonderland crafted by the most imaginative minds in France. Witnessing their latest creation? An absolute delight that stirred my creative spirit. The grandeur of the…
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Hidden in Plain Sight, Treasures are Everywhere!
Paris is easily the most beautiful city in the world. True, I’ve not been to every other city in the world, but from what I’ve seen in person and in pictures, I’m confident in my assessment. Paris seems to be one of those places that’s on most people’s bucket list. Whether for their honeymoon, a romantic getaway, a shopping spree or some other “excuse” the idea of Paris makes most hearts skip a beat, and with good reason… There are of course the required sights on the list that we all want to check off. The Eiffel Tower. The Louvre. The Arc de Triomphe. Notre-Dame. The Sacré-Cœur. And maybe if you have time, Versailles. …
