Marriage is hard and amazing. I have a partner but at the same time I feel alone. I am finding out just a little over 1/2 year in, that everyday is a new experience and a new lesson.
6 Months
We went to the Hollywood Bowl and watched among others She & Him perform the song we had our first dance to at our wedding. The Bowl was sparkling and the timing of the KCRW concert featuring The Swell Season, She & Him and the Bird and The Bee was a perfectly romantic way to spend our "anniversary".
15.7.10
The misadventures of ordering coffee in Paris/Europe - Honeymoon Chronicals
Before our honeymoon I was very excited to do many things a la European style. Probably the top thing on my list was to drink my weight in coffee in France.
So the first day in Paris we got off the plane exhausted and a little dragged down from the Ambien (a travel must). We received our luggage immediately after getting into the baggage claim. We exchanged what was in my opinion too much cash, (travel with just a few hundred dollars) exchange rates are much more favorable if you withdraw from banks! So with money in our pockets and luggage in our hands we hailed a cab thanks to my husbands recollection of high school French and we made our way from CDG to our hotel in Paris proper.
We checked into the Hotel Andrea Rivoli and left our luggage in the lobby until our room was ready. By the time all this happened it was around 11 am and I was in desperate need for a coffee and food and a walk through Paris streets. We walked around our area a bit and headed down a random street filled with cafes. We stopped at the first one and sat outside. One thing I adore about Paris is all the outdoor seating faces towards the street the entire city is built of people watching. So the waitress comes over and greets us in French, I don't speak French, Eric told her we would order and here is how our conversation went.
Me - I would like a cappuccino.
Her - We don't have cappuccino.
Me - Of course, that is Italian, how about a latte?
At this point both her and Eric give me a funny look, I am clueless because I NEED CAFFEINE!
Her - She says something in French, I am embarrassed and agree to whatever it is.
After a few moments she brings out Eric's tea and my coffee with (I kid you not) whipped cream on top. This was not exactly what I had pictured for my first cup of Parisian coffee. It became my goal of that night to spend a few moments on Google learning how to order a proper cup of coffee in French. Some of you might be wondering what about Eric and his high school French well unfortunately Eric is completely hopeless in all matters relating to coffee. He doesn't drink it at all, one might think there is something wrong with him because of that fact, I know I have thought it on multiple occasions especially when we wake up for early morning surf sessions or anything in the morning really. So that night I hit up Google and for those of you who don't know here is a quick tutorial on order coffee in France.
Incidentally Café au lait was my coffee of choice for our time in France and by the second day I had that order down.
So the first day in Paris we got off the plane exhausted and a little dragged down from the Ambien (a travel must). We received our luggage immediately after getting into the baggage claim. We exchanged what was in my opinion too much cash, (travel with just a few hundred dollars) exchange rates are much more favorable if you withdraw from banks! So with money in our pockets and luggage in our hands we hailed a cab thanks to my husbands recollection of high school French and we made our way from CDG to our hotel in Paris proper.
We checked into the Hotel Andrea Rivoli and left our luggage in the lobby until our room was ready. By the time all this happened it was around 11 am and I was in desperate need for a coffee and food and a walk through Paris streets. We walked around our area a bit and headed down a random street filled with cafes. We stopped at the first one and sat outside. One thing I adore about Paris is all the outdoor seating faces towards the street the entire city is built of people watching. So the waitress comes over and greets us in French, I don't speak French, Eric told her we would order and here is how our conversation went.
Me - I would like a cappuccino.
Her - We don't have cappuccino.
Me - Of course, that is Italian, how about a latte?
At this point both her and Eric give me a funny look, I am clueless because I NEED CAFFEINE!
Her - She says something in French, I am embarrassed and agree to whatever it is.
After a few moments she brings out Eric's tea and my coffee with (I kid you not) whipped cream on top. This was not exactly what I had pictured for my first cup of Parisian coffee. It became my goal of that night to spend a few moments on Google learning how to order a proper cup of coffee in French. Some of you might be wondering what about Eric and his high school French well unfortunately Eric is completely hopeless in all matters relating to coffee. He doesn't drink it at all, one might think there is something wrong with him because of that fact, I know I have thought it on multiple occasions especially when we wake up for early morning surf sessions or anything in the morning really. So that night I hit up Google and for those of you who don't know here is a quick tutorial on order coffee in France.
- Café (kuh-fay) is plain coffee with nothing added, but is strong as it is brewed like espresso.
- Café au lait (kuh-fay oh-lay) is a popular French coffee style that has been popularized in America, as it's served in tres francais New Orleans at Café du Monde. In France, this is simply coffee with steamed milk, and it's almost always wonderful. You will sometimes get the coffee served in one pot or in the cup, and then a pitcher of steamed milk to pour in as you please.
- Café crème (kuh-fay khremm) is, as it sounds, coffee served in a large cup with hot cream.
- Café Décafféiné (kuh-fay day-kah-fay-uhn-ay) is decaffeinated coffee. You will still need to tell them you want milk (lait) or cream (crème) with your coffee.
- Café Noisette (kuh-fay nwah-zett) is espresso with a dash of cream in it. It is called "noisette," French for hazelnut, because of the rich, dark color of the coffee.
- Café Americain (kuh-fay uh-meyhr-uh-kan) is filtered coffee, similar to traditional American coffee.
- Café Léger (kuh-fay lay-zjay) is espresso with double the water.
Incidentally Café au lait was my coffee of choice for our time in France and by the second day I had that order down.
8.7.10
Honeymoon - Paris, Day 1
If you haven't been to Paris (I had not been before the honeymoon) GO! It is life changing and I wish everyday we lived there or had coffee like they do there or really most things that they have in Paris. I loved every single moment we were there.
So Paris, Day 1...
To be continued.
7.7.10
Seven Hopes United - The Fair Trade Registry
I am 50% hippie and 50% hard core consumer. I love to shop and I love to hug trees. Now I don't claim to be the best hippie in the world but there are some things that get my little heart a fluttering like the Fair Trade wedding registry from Seven Hopes United. To my knowledge this is the only fair trade registry option there is and we all know how many options you have when choosing to a registry or anything having to do with your wedding i.e. location, vendors ect.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help disadvantaged producers in developing countries. Fair trade is founded on a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that advocates the payment of fair wages to producers as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods. It contributes to social development and economic stability by offering a means to a fair wage and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers - especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The Benefits of a Seven Hopes United Registry
The principle behind Seven Hopes United gift giving is that your gift works in two ways:
1. You are giving the gift of hope and a future to people who need it most, in honor of someone you love.
2. By making giving fun, innovative and convenient, your friend will feel good about the help their gift is providing.
10% Completion Savings Program
Didn't receive everything you registered for? We're happy to offer you a 10% discount when you purchase any remaining registry items for up to six months. Watch for your completion savings code to arrive via email shortly after your event date.
Charitable Contributions
Simply by registering with Seven Hopes United, you can raise charitable contributions. 10% of guests' gift purchases from Seven Hopes United will be invested in community development initiatives throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This donation is made at no additional cost to you or your guests.
If this isn't enough for you how about a discount? A Bride's Brain readers can save 15% on their entire order by using the code "BRIDESBRAIN" at check out, coupon expires on August 6th.
Didn't receive everything you registered for? We're happy to offer you a 10% discount when you purchase any remaining registry items for up to six months. Watch for your completion savings code to arrive via email shortly after your event date.
Charitable Contributions
Simply by registering with Seven Hopes United, you can raise charitable contributions. 10% of guests' gift purchases from Seven Hopes United will be invested in community development initiatives throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This donation is made at no additional cost to you or your guests.
If this isn't enough for you how about a discount? A Bride's Brain readers can save 15% on their entire order by using the code "BRIDESBRAIN" at check out, coupon expires on August 6th.
6.7.10
Summer of weddings? How to afford wedding season.
Planning a wedding can be really expensive and attending a wedding can be really expensive. What do you do when you have literally a summer of weddings to attend? Check out this great article from DailyWorth that helps a reader figure what to do when she is invited to 11 weddings in one summer.
5.7.10
Ras Wedding Shoes
I was perusing Rue La La this morning when I found these. Ras white suede flats with rubber soles and red sequence hearts. These are totally wedding shoes. If I had to do my wedding all over again I would probably buy these. Finding flats for my wedding was a long mission many a shoe was tried on. If you are interested Rue La La is selling them for exactly 24 hours more or you could try your luck with the Ras website (but I didn't see them there). Don't have a Rue La La invite? No worries, click on the link Rue La La or the icon on the right side of the blog. Happy shopping.
23.6.10
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