Missing Paris

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WINTER MADNESS

I don't know about you, but this time of year always starts to get to me... no sunshine for days, too much rain (and or snow depending on where you are), zero vacation time, and too much to do at work. All of these factors combine and you have a classic case of winter madness on your hands.

To keep from going crazy, I've been spending my spare moments daydreaming about all the places I'd like to go once I finally manage to accrue more than 2 hours of PTO.

Places like... Hotel Particulier in Paris. I know, I know, I just got back from there, but it's definitely one place I will never grow tired of and this place sounds so intriguing! Let's start with the fact that it's located in my favorite part of the city- Montmartre. Yes, it's touristy, but the views are unparalleled and there are plenty of places (like this one) that the crowds will never discover. It's hidden away along a secret pathway called "The Passage of the rock of the witch". You automatically feel like you're living in your own fairytale. Beyond the entry gate are extensive gardens and an old mansion with 5 hotel suites. Each one was designed by a different French artist. The one I'm dying to check out- The Hats & Poems Room by Olivier Saillard. Every object in the room has a little tag hanging from it with a poem inside. The room is literally full of secrets and discoveries!

Of course, staying in a mansion filled with first edition designer furniture & art installations comes with a pretty hefty price. Looks like I'll need to be saving more than just my vacation hours if I want to stay here.

HAPPY 2010!

A new year, a new decade... you can't help but reflect on the highlights of the last 12 months and think a bit about how you'd like to see the next 12 play out.

All in all, I'd say it's been a pretty fantastic year for me- especially in travel terms. I was lucky enough to go on 3 vacations! Maybe not the greatest idea, now that I'm left working extra over the holidays since I used up all of my paid time off, but I'd say it was worth it. None of the 3 trips were planned very far in advance- opportunities arise and I'm never one to say no to the next adventure. :)

Here are a few (but, by no means all) of my favorite moments in 2009 :

Sailing- Grenadine islands

Ole! Splash Mountain, Disneyland- Los Angeles, CA

Pt. Reyes blue cheese with thyme infused honey picnic at the lighthouse- Pt. Reyes, CA

Last night in France- Picnic at the Eiffel Tower- Paris, France

Massage Point at the Rockhouse- Negril, Jamaica

Let's hope 2010 can be even better. I've got a good feeling about it...

SHELTER ME

I'm a designer and I'm obviously obsessed with travel, so it probably comes as no surprise that I prefer to focus on hospitality design at work. I'm one of those annoying people that takes pictures of their hotel room as soon as they enter. I evaluate every detail & file them away under do's and dont's for future projects. If only I could expense my trips as research!

On this last trip to France, we tried out many different types of accommodations- everything from couchsurfing to the newest hotel by Phillipe Starck. Stay for free in one place and you can spend a little extra in the next, right?

He did not disappoint. I'd been reading articles about Mama Shelter for the past few months. It's on every one's hot list and I had to check it out. It's marketed as one of the newer crop of designer "budget" hotels. The owner bought property further out in the 20th arrondissement, next to Pere Lachaise cemetery, so he could save a bit of money and charge a little less. I didn't feel slighted in the least. Everything in Paris is easily accessible by metro and this just encouraged me to explore new areas I hadn't fully experienced before.

Even if the neighborhood was terrible though, I would STILL recommend this place. The design is absolutely amazing. Starck's creativity and sense of humor are apparent around every corner. There's an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories that no one else would think to put together and yet he can somehow make it work. The ceilings in the lobby & restaurant are gigantic chalkboards covered in sketches & quotes. The same motif is carried into the corridors & rooms on custom carpet. Each room comes with huge Apple flat screens, super hero nightlights, and a fresh flower in your bathroom every day. The dark interior feels cozy even with the concrete walls. Downstairs, there's a restaurant that's popular in its own right. Feeling social? Take a seat at the communal table that's made from huge flat screens covered with a glass top. Feeling more private? Grab a wing back chair near the "fireplace" or head out onto the patio to enjoy your rapper themed cocktail.

Mama's definitely makes it on my top 10 list. You won't find a better deal for the experience. Don't miss out!

PARIS, JE T'AIME

I know it's only been a month since I was there, but I'm already missing Paris. There are a few locations that are particularly special to my heart, and this weekend I really could have used the escape. It may be a huge city, but there are still a few secret spots where you can find some peace and quiet to collect your thoughts and just admire the beauty around you. A couple of my favorites:

1. Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont- discovered this one thanks to a friend on this last trip. It literally feels like you've been transported out into the country. You leave the dirty, busy streets of the 20th arrondissement and walk into a vast landscape of rolling hills, complete with caves, waterfalls, and duck filled ponds. Then, you catch a glimpse through the trees down over the city. You can't help but be transfixed by its beauty.

2. The stairs at Mont Martre- ok, this one isn't so secret, but it still remains one of my favorites and if you go really early in the morning you can avoid all the tourists and guys hawking fake purses. The light is beautiful coming through the trees and the view of the city is of course amazing.

3. The view from ??? in the 20th- I'm sorry, the exact location seems too good to give up. Maybe if you ask me really nicely... All I can say is, it's the best view I've ever had of the Eiffel Tower. You can dine outside on tarts with brie & honey or goat cheese & golden raisins, enjoy a fabulous bottle of wine, and watch the lights twinkle on the tower. Follow that up, by sitting along the concrete ledge at the top of the hill and just try to do your best to take it all in.

PS It's the Eiffel Tower's 120th birthday today! They have a special light show going on through December to celebrate. Joyeux anniversaire!

CHEZ JIM

Things have been super busy lately, but I'm trying to fit in some research for this upcoming trip to France. Fortunately, I've been getting some fantastic suggestions from friends. For example, I recently heard about Jim Haynes in this article. He's a 75 year old ex-pat, living in Paris who opens his home every Sunday night to anyone interested in meeting new people and enjoying some great food together. He doesn't even officially charge, there's just a suggested donation of 25 euros. Apparently, he's become popular enough that attendance can get up to 70 people or so. They say he's hosted over 120,000 people over the years. In describing himself, he quotes Tom Paine, "I am a world citizen. All human history is mine. My roots cover the earth. I believe we should know each other. After all, our lives are all connected." Who could say it better?

I love the idea of this! What better way to get to know locals and fellow travelers and take part in a truly unique experience. Unfortunately for us, we leave Paris on Sunday morning, so it looks like we'll have to miss this one. I'm so sad!!! I've heard there are other similar activities in town. If anyone knows of them- please pass on the info!

WISHING I WERE HERE...

Perhaps over Labor Day???