Category Archives: travel

café loustic

vintage-cafe-sign

loustic-cafe-menu

loustic-cafe-paris

loustic-cafe

_dorothée-meilichzon-design

 

At the recommendation of my good friend Lindsey (who I turn to for all Paris food recs), I paid a visit to one of her favorite cafés, Loustic. Situated on a charming side street in the Marais, the vibrant, vintage café sign is the unmistakable marker of this hidden gem. Fun fact – after chatting with owner Channa Galhenage, he told me the idea for the signage came to him in a dream (think Elvis in Vegas), and was handcrafted in Tennessee! The chic + cozy boutique café serves up roasts from Belgian coffee mecca Caffènation in espresso, filter and chemex variations. In addition, the menu has been thoughtfully curated with selections from Emperor Norton + The Kale Project (shout out to my girl Kristen). I chose the chai tea latte (which I heard was amazing), and seriously–it was incredible. I’ve had dreams about it. Accompanied by a delicious quiche, I lingered there for quite some time, planning my next stop, chatting with Channa, and absorbing the atmosphere. I was smitten with the interiors, by hip designer Dorothee Meilichzon (known for her bold use of patterns), and I’m officially a fan. The Hermés wallpaper had me at hello. This haven for locals is a strong presence in the hot Paris coffee scene, and is my favorite out of the few I visited. Be sure to include it in your itinerary!

 Loustic | 40 rue Chapon 75003 Paris 

sully-sur-loire

sully-sur-loire-castle

sully-sur-loire-chateau

sully-castle-keep

sully-castle-france

 

My brother lives here. Ok fine, not in the castle, but a few blocks away. And ok yes, he’s my half-brother, but I don’t think of him that way. You can read all about our connection here if you’re curious. Now that I’ve gotten that all out in the open, let’s talk about this amazing, historic structure, shall we? For nearly four centuries this beautiful example of medieval architecture has prevailed in Sully-sur-Loire, which is about 2 hours south of Paris, in the Loire Valley. If you’re a history buff like myself, you can read all about the castle’s history here. I’m so fortunate to have family here and know of this great chateau and surrounding town. Quaint + charming, the people are always welcoming and the shop owners know you by name…including one who knew mine (and shocked the hell out of me) when I went shopping for my nephew! My brother’s home is quiet + serene, overlooking farmland, with a chicken coop in the yard. I was especially excited about that, as I had never handled fresh (from the hen) eggs before and was giddy about it, as evidenced by this instagram + this vine. The time with my family was priceless, and I’ll be sharing more of our adventures in the Loire very soon!

bonjour!

susan-hutchinson-paris

 

Hello friends! I’m so happy to be back from France + cannot wait to share more of my adventures–my journey was truly transformative. Having never traveled alone internationally, I pushed my boundaries and found myself outside of my comfort zone often, which I highly recommend. It exposed me to wonderful new experiences, and reaffirmed my self confidence and strength. While it was tough to say goodbye to my French family and friends for now, returning home to my hubby + children was emotional and joyful. As I unpack, get organized, and spend time with my family, I’m very excited to share more with you and promise to do so promptly! In the meantime, you can check out my #fleurishinginfrance instagram feed for a preview…this shot was taken by the lovely Ashley Ludaescher!

 Ashley Ludaescher Photography

fleurishing in france

fleurishing-in-france

 

The time has come…I may already be en route by the time you read this! It’s been far too long since my last trip to France, and I’m beyond excited to visit with my family + friends, some of whom I’ve yet to meet! My first few days will be spent in the lovely Loire Valley, followed by Paris, where I’m renting an apartment. I’ll be on haitus from the blog while I’m gone, (the longest break I’ve taken from it in almost four years). If you’re in need of a french fix, you can always browse my francophilia + paris archives, and of course, I’ll have much more to share upon my return. In the meantime, you can follow my beautiful adventure on instagram + twitter, via the hashtag #fleurishinginfrance.

À tout à l’heure!

packing for paris

packing-for-paris

 

With one week to go (eeek!) until my departure, hardcore packing mode has commenced. Originally I was going to carry-on for my 10 day journey, but I’ve instead opted to check luggage (in a nicely sized, manageable suitcase). I’m a planner by nature, so I begin taking inventory of my wardrobe months in advance, and make lists galore. I’m not a trendsetter when it comes to fashion-I stick to the classics, and what I’m most comfortable in. Neutrals mixed with my current favorite accent, cognac, make getting dressed simple + easy on the go. As always, lightweight fabrics are the best, along with non-wrinkle materials. I usually try to avoid synthetic materials in clothing but honestly, some of the most travel-friendly pieces are a bit of a blend (i.e. cotton + poly). Layering is key, as weather can be fickle this time of year…a lightweight trench coat (or the like) is best. I enjoy coordinating the details the most-gloves, scarves, tech accessories, and my new favorite camera bag (thank you ONA)! Choosing shoes is always tough for me-hence my recent public opinion poll.

what are your favorite travel pieces?