They say Paris is best enjoyed on foot and I feel as if I have put that to the test my spending the entire day marching around until my feet cried 'no more!' although my eyes and spirits were ready for ever more sights. We walked slowly through Notre Dame which is stunning, but also just filled with the most glorious streaks of colored light from the stain glass windows. With a soft soprano singing "Ave Maria" in one of the alcoves, it was an especially numinous experience (despite the hordes of tourists with cameras, like myself...).
Here in Paris nearly every street corner seems to be an example of beautiful architecture. While my sister can educate you on the history of Haussmann's renovations, which had as many political as visual motivations, I merely like to pause and snap pictures of fountains and art-nouveau Metro signs.
The Seine was a lovely stroll at midday and early evening; lined with little booksellers and the water teeming with boats. I was particularly charmed by the love locks on the Pont des Arts bridge: by attaching an engraved/marked padlock to the side of the bridge the promise of everlasting love can be made. And if your lock came with a key, cast it into the Seine and your love is doubly secured.
Perhaps we should have saved a visit to Shakespeare and Company when we were feeling truly deprived of English characters, but it was still a delightful bookshop that you could easily disappear inside of for a week or two...































Outfit details:
UO jacket
Built By Wendy dress
Target tights
Deux Lux purse
*pictures of me, taken by my sister
Wow - the whole idea of the padlocks on the bridge is amazing! I never knew that...
ReplyDeleteThe aviators just seem to finish off that outfit
Beautiful photos, as always
Great photos and great outfit! You make me want to pack a suitcase and fly to Paris immediately ; )
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful! What greaet scenery for your photos.
ReplyDeleteGIRL. These photos are OUT OF CONTROL. The stained glass and locks are amazing. I think you just may have provided the ammunition I need to convince my husband we should go to Paris (he's afraid of the "rude French people" rumor)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having an amazing trip!!! So very jealous but so very happy for you!! You have some great photos so far - can't wait to see the rest!!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Karen
http://rubytuesdayfashionanddesign.blogspot.com/
I went to Europe when I was 16 for a summer, and loved every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteIt was before the time of fashion blogging and even just before digital cameras were the new big thing.
I spend a ton of time in Shakespeare & Co, and even have four books I bought and traveled home with.
I love looking at your photos because it reminds me of my time spent there :)
I get the most whimsical feeling in the world everytime you describe places to such detail! It has always been a huge dream of mine to visit all of the places you are visiting now, so I feel so lucky to be a member of your blog and get to read all about them! Thanks so much for sharing, Rebecca. AND you look absolutely fabulous as always! (I love the aviators too) ;)
ReplyDeletexx
lyndsey
Beautiful scenery and outfit! :)
ReplyDeletexo
http://bonjourgazel.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei really really REALLY love paris! absolutely ADORE it! im kinda jealous right now... seriously..! ;) ENJOY!!!
ReplyDeleteps. great paris outfit btw!
Paris.. looks so dreamy to me. Please post more pictures so i can at least continue dreaming about it!
ReplyDeletexoxo, http://heelsandwedges.blogspot.com
oh that book store looks divine
ReplyDeleteparis is so lovely- notre dame's stained glass is to die for :)
ReplyDeletewow . . . it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love that first picture of you too. you look so "cool" . . .hehe.
love the photos!! Every time I see you wear this dress I swoon over it! so cute ^,^
ReplyDeleteThese pictures and your description of Paris make me miss it so much!! Beautiful job though. :)
ReplyDeletex
Michal
Ohh, these pictures make my heart ache; I want to go to Paris so badly! Art Nouveau is one of my favorite art movements, so those details are making me especially happy. I wish the original Shakespeare and Company was still open, but I still really want to go to the newer one :)
ReplyDeleteThat lock gate is amazing.
ReplyDeletehttp://behindthelashes.com
This looks dreamy.
ReplyDeleteAHH, Rebecca, I will be in Paris TOMORROW, and I'll be there over the weekend, let me know if you have time to meet up!! I would really LOVEEE that! I'll show you my favorite patisserie!
ReplyDeleteEmail me and let me know!
<3 Jessica
Rebecca, it looks like you are having an oh so wonderful time in gay Paris! Please keep up updated on the rest of your French adventures!
ReplyDeleteI really like your way of picturing cities with shots of little details and places full of stories. Paris through your lens looks more beautiful than what I've seen with my own eyes!
ReplyDeleteI love your aviators and I adore Paris! I actually know a fair bit about Hausmannn from my Art History days. Does your sister study History, I never asked?
ReplyDeleteAnyway love your pictures!
ah, Paris, one of my great loves! Hope you are having a grand time.
ReplyDeletePS: I remain enamored by this dress.
I love the dress!
ReplyDeleteI just started a new blog and would appreciate it if you checked it out (::
Lovely photos, isn't Paris the best! That thing with the locks must be a European thing, they have the same thing in Florence!
ReplyDeleteI just returned from 2 weeks in Paris myself! LOVED it- if you have time, you should grab dinner at L'ebouillante. The food and drinks were great, and the courtyard is lovely- you are sitting in the shadow of the St-Gervais-et-St-Protais church- it's so lovely! I am aching to return to Paris. I miss it so much.
ReplyDeleteAlso the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (right next to the Louvre) is FANTASTIC and they have a really cool Jules Cheret exhibit up right now!
-Mae
http://turn-to-the-right.blogspot.com/
PS They have a fashion section at that museum I mentioned with a couple amazing Christian Lacroix pieces!!!
ReplyDeletei am beyond jealous of your paris adventures!
ReplyDeletesomehow-someday.blogspot.com
x
Did you put your foot on the center of Paris (Kilometre Zero) in front of Notre Dame? When I went about twelve years ago I didn't know about it until we saw the cluster of people standing randomly together, jostling to get to it and take pictures. Notre Dame looks lovely, it was covered in scaffolding during my trip.
ReplyDeleteIf you get the chance, and you're planning to do the Eiffel Tower, I recommend going up just as the sun is setting. We started up while it was light and it got progressively darker as we ascended and watched the lights of Paris slowly coming on around the city. It was unforgettable.
Oh how wonderful! My heart fluttered greatly when you mentioned Shakespeare and Company. I worked there one summer and volunteered another and met the greatest friends and loves of my life there. Is George, the original owner and proprietor of the bookstore still around? I have yearly nightmares that he's passed away and I'm too afraid to check the news. He used to cook me and the other travelers pancakes that had lumps of salt and when he wanted to cut his hair he would set it on fire and we would all shout, NO GEORGE, NO! I used to get tears in my eyes when he would go out on his motorbike because he was nearly 91 back then, and I was afraid he would crash and break his bones.
ReplyDeleteI hope you spent some quality time in that bookstore! It's my favorite place of all time and I'll never forget it.
love,
Jenny
Those photos are just divine! Unfortunately when I was in Paris we had just one day {ONE DAY!!! >M<} so I did not get to see inside Norte Dame. I wish I could go back.... And one day I will. For at least 2 weeks this time!!
ReplyDeletexox,
b. of Depict This!
amazing. I love the padlock fence
ReplyDelete*sigh* I miss Paris.
ReplyDeleteglad you're having a lovely time :)
love your ruffle dress
LOVE it all! You're inspiring!
ReplyDeletex imelda
greatt photoss and outfitt as alwayss :DD
ReplyDeletexoxo
gorgeous! just right for paris ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the locks is so romantic! I wish to do it one day!
ReplyDeletejuliet xxx
yey! super enjoyable watching you take this trip. i really like your outfit too.
ReplyDeleteah is that shakespeare & co?! i love paris, i think i'm really going to enjoy your posts while you're there.
ReplyDeletei just caught up on your posts -- it looks like you're having an amazing time!
ReplyDeletei love the new sunglasses, and the et/yoda post made me smile. i tried covergirl's orange nail polish a while back but the nail polish itself didnt go on well so i ended up throwing it out -- maybe OPI would go on better? and of course you look gorgeous as always!
Paris looks goregeous, and the outfit finished it off. I've loved that dress ever since you first wore it on the blog, and the burgandy tights are beautiful!!!! Ahhh these pictures make me want to go go to paris now!
ReplyDeleteYou suit the aviators so well!! Also, I wanted to comment on your nail poish post but couldnt find the link; i love mad varnish colours too! I change mine all the time it's silly. Lovely post, as ever xx
ReplyDeleteLove love love the shoes.
ReplyDeleteAh I love Shakes, I have lived there twice, last year for ages. It is so magical! Check your email, I sent you one about my favorite Paris spots...food, clothes and parks. I hope you're having an amazing time, it looks like it!
ReplyDeleteglad you're enjoying our lovely city? how long do u stay?
ReplyDeleteoooo loved the tiered dress and ur awesome background!! Can i please go there now??? Hope your having an amazing time! xo, Kim www.eatsleepwear.com
ReplyDeleteCool reflections of the windows!
ReplyDeleteahhh I miss Paris! I used to visit annually but haven't been for a couple of years for fear I'd become too familiar with it. Shakespeare and co is brilliant isn't it? As a book addict i must admit i was overwhelmed and only bought a leatherbound collection of Shakespeare's works. It seemed appropriate :)
ReplyDeleteLovely outfit as always. :) I really am enjoying your Paris posts.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who stayed at Shakespeare and Co. during a visit in Paris and got to meet Anais Nin. How awesome would that be? Your photos are stunning, btw. Thanks for sharing! Annie.
ReplyDeleteI must be losing my mind because I realized right after I posted that that Anais Nin passed away a long time ago. Now I can't remember who it was my friend met! I have a terrible memory.
ReplyDeleteYou're a savvy and smart packer. I don't know how to pack well anymore. The one and only time I traveled to Europe, I was able to fit a week's worth of clothes in one small suitcase with my husband's stuff. 2 pairs of shoes and that's it. I doubt I could do that now. I've acquired a lust for shoes and changes of outfits in the four years we haven't traveled internationally.
ReplyDeleteMy wedding trip was 9 days long, and I packed a HUGE suit case of things.
I love that you don't look like a traditional US tourist. You have cute ruffly dresses, cardis and aviators and a chic bag. No maps or chunky sneakers... which would give you away. :)
I can take cues from you, I think.
XX.
Mae Lu, thereafterish.