packing for paris – with kids!

packing-for-kids

 

I’m currently surrounded by a sea of clothing + suitcases, with only two (gulp/eeek!) days until our departure. I’ve shared my packing for paris tips before (un + deux), but this time is much different – I’m packing for my children too! I’m a planner by nature, so I began taking inventory of Henry + Marie’s wardrobe as soon as we booked our tickets, and promptly identified the items they needed. For instance, since our international flight takes place at night and they will (hopefully) be sleeping for a good bit of it, I thought it would be smart for them to wear inconspicuous pajamas to the airport, along with their comfiest soft moccasins. They’ll also be toting their lovies + a few small favorite toys in their adorable backpacks. I wanted to involve them as much as possible (at almost three years of age) – they’re so excited!

I must admit – I have a lot of fun dressing both a boy and a girl. I always do my best to try and coordinate (not match) their outfits.  I tend to stick to the classics for them, with a little French twist, of course, and an indie/hipster add-on here and there. As with any adult-packing advice, comfort is key, and neutrals make mixing + matching outfits simple + easy. Layering is always a good idea, as weather can be fickle this time of year…I was sure to include a lightweight coat and rain boots for the occasional pop-up Parisian rainstorm. I’m not going to go crazy with the number of items I bring for them, as one of the many benefits of renting an apartment is having a washer/dryer…three cheers for airbnb! Now if I can just get them to use the (basic) French they know while wearing these cute duds…wish us luck!

clothing by GapKids | backpacks by Fjållråven | boots by Hunter | bow tie by Forage Haberdashery

we’re going to paris!!!

french-books-for-kids

 

Our children’s French + Francophile book collection came in handy for the exciting news we shared with Henry and Marie this week (and are now sharing with you)!! While these shelves usually have an interesting mix of subjects, I gathered and arranged these especially for our announcement. We invited them in (mommy poised with camera in hand), let them peruse the familiar books, and then posed the magic question after they had a chance to study them.

 

marieandbooks

henryandbooks

 

“We’re going to be taking a very special trip soon – can you guess where we’re going?!” To which they simultaneously replied “France!” + “Paris!”!!! I just had to animate these photos for full effect. I think it’s safe to say they’re excited.

 

goingtoparis

 

WE’RE GOING TO PARIS!!!!!!!!!

centre commercial kids

centre-commercial-kids-paris

centre-commercial-kids-shoes

 

Every time I shop for the kids, my mind drifts away to my favorite children’s boutique in Paris. Steps away from Canal St. Martin (and a stone’s throw from here), Centre Commercial Kids is a modern space packed with handmade treasures, locally sourced goods, and eco-friendly designs. The child of concept store Centre Commercial in the 10th arrondisement, it opened in 2011 and unfortunately, it took me until this year to discover it! Catering to a wide range of ages, their goods are suitable for ages 0-14. The shoe selection alone is worth a trip-I brought back the most amazing boots for Marie + Henry. Between the vintage furniture, local goodies and brands like Oeuf, Blabla + Bobo Choses, you can’t go wrong.

 

shopping-for-kids-in-paris

blabla-centre-commercial-kids

centre-commercial-kids-clothing

 

 Centre Commercial Kids | 22 rue Yves Toudic 75010 Paris

I ♥ brooklyn

brooklyn-bridge-black-and-white

 

I recently escaped to NYC (solo) for a few meetings, and spent an inspiring 48 hours in Brooklyn. I was lucky enough to stay at a good friend’s place while she was in Paris (le sigh), and got to know a new (and lovely) neighborhood. Believe it or not, of all the times I’ve been to New York in my life, I’d never walked the Brooklyn Bridge – I can check that off my list! I’m quite proud of myself, considering I could see through the planks and fought my fear of heights big time. (I was the crazy person talking and humming to myself along the way to stay calm). I wandered around Prospect Heights, Williamsburg, Cobble Hill, + Dumbo…stopping at almost every coffee shop and consuming copious amounts of espresso. Brooklyn is rich with inspiration–I would live there in a heartbeat. I’m excited to return with the family sometime soon! If you’re planning a visit,  you can see my adventures + day trip suggestions over on steller!

a day in brooklyn

abbaye de fleury

fleury-abbey-france

saint-benoit-france

 

Abbaye de Fleury is a very special place for me. I’m not religious, but I find myself at this historic church every time I visit France. My brother introduced me to it upon my first visit to his town, Sully Sur Loire, as it is minutes away. It had me at Fleury. Founded in 640 (yes you read that correctly), this Benedictine monastery is incredibly peaceful and humbling…it captivates me. I’m sharing excerpts of my experiences there, via my travel journal…the full story is on steller.