Paris' local one-stop shop

Paris has quite a few marchés ... well, quite a few in each arrondissement (and there are 20 arrondissements in Paris). Most of them are open twice a week, some all week long, and others just one exceptional day to show off their fresh produce and goods. Luckily the one near me happens to be open on one of my days off. Like any "farmer's market," they have the typical fresh fruits/veggies/meat/seafood/prepared food.

colorful peppers liven up the spread

romaine, red leaf, green leaf, mesclun, roquette, baby greens, spinach, you name it.

custom-made trail mix with dried fruits and mixed nuts, anyone?

I think the sign describes exactly what they're selling.

the peppers aren't the only things brightening up the place!



seafood!


you can either get some fresh fish for your dinner that night...


... or some freshly ground meat.


or even some pig ears, feet, or snouts.

And for those of you leading hectic lives that leave little time to prep dinner, you can also get food all ready to put on the table!

all-you-can-order buffet... pay as you go

fresh pastas

don't forget the dessert!

And remember, since this is a one-stop shop, we can't forget the other goods.

if all the food shopping wears a hole in your sock, get a new pair tout de suite!

40€ for a pair of Converse?? What a steal!

Ladies, you can never have enough lingerie...

nor bags or hats! Time to stock up :)

i love my apartment

several glimpses of the apartment that I am so happy and thankful to live in.

my view once I step out of the shower... (thanks to a strategically placed mirror)

multi-colored rose from one of the guys in gastro ADPA

a little touch to brighten up the place: ornamental detail along the edges of the ceiling

love the ironwork of my "balcony"

newest -- and most appropriate -- member of ma cuisine: cute cute floral apron (merci, kristin!)

although I miss the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean, I guess this can stand-in for the time being.

a year unlike any other

A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated one of the most relaxing birthdays. I knew it would be a good one when my eyes saw the light of day at the comfortable time of something past 07h30, when I would naturally awake during my days off.



Although some might dread doing errands and consider going grocery shopping a hassle, I, on the other hand, love it (as some of you know). After a lazy morning, I left the apartment in search of a few key ingredients of the day, including at Eric Kayser for a delicious tomato and mozzarella panini on olive bread. With the perfect weather on that gorgeous sunny day, I munched on my sandwich and fresh juicy peach in the park while listening to music and reflecting on my experiences within the past 10 months. Wow, 10 months. Can you believe it? I don't think I've stayed in one spot for this long (without going home).

Anyway, let's get back to this wonderful day :). Lunch in the park made me regret wearing jeans so before heading back out to do more errands, I changed into a sundress and made my way up toward school where I tried out a newish pâtisserie, La Patisserie des Rêves.

their famous Paris-Brest, in cute puffy flower form

umm, can you say adorable packaging?? 1st, they put the pastry in an innovative (albeit awkward to carry) pink triangle box with a handle. 2nd, they tuck in a cloth napkin, not even made from the thick paper that's in fancy bathrooms. 3rd, translated to the Pastry Shop of Dreams, I'd have to say P. Conticini was pretty spot-on with the name and his goods!

La Pâtisserie des Rêves
93 Rue du Bac, 75007 PARIS

last puff of the Paris-Brest. Normally just filled with crème pralinée (praline buttercream), Conticini brings it up a notch by adding some oozy goozy chocolate praline in the middle!

After a bus ride, a wander around an area I didn't know too well, and a couple changes on the metro, I finally made it home in time to sit down and rest up before my fabulous birthday dinner chez Ece. Home-cooked with the some of the most amazing non-Parisians I've met here, I ended the night with a tricky finish (re-lighting candles...)! Thanks, girls :)

on my way to work

Usually I get to enjoy a quick (and efficient) 12-min. bus ride to work, however, on Sundays just like everyone else, the bus also needs to sleep in. That's when I cross the mayor's square and head up to the metro.

some of the joys of taking the metro early Sunday mornings...

taken just before descending into the depths of the tunnels of Paris' public transport

view from one of the 3 trains on my way to work

And one night, after a long day of work (starting before 07h30) and staying later to practice making gaufres (waffles), I came out to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling, as it does every hour in the evening...... at 21h.