There She Goes: Friends in Paris
Hello From Chamonix!
After another week in Paris, we recently arrived in Chamonix, France. This past week we had some visitors in town, one of which I’ve known nearly my whole life. It was such a dream to spend time with her and her (also new) fiancé, and I’m feeling such gratefulness for such a strong longstanding friendship that crosses oceans!
And now we’re in Chamonix! As I’m more of an outdoor-in-nature versus outdoor-in-city type of person, I’m so excited to start exploring this place and breathing the mountain air. I hope to have many photos and stories to share next week.
Songs To Stitch To, Sing To, Get You Through The Week
Set Aside Some Time This Week For Some Self-Care
Practice “pigeon” and “fallen warrior” poses. I’ve found my hips to be tighter than normal due to all the walking we’ve been doing. These are two of my most favorite poses to practice at the beginning of the day, at the end, or anywhere in between.
Drink tea with fennel seeds. Fennel is a good friend this summer. I’m discovering the magic of it’s cooling & healing properties, and also that it can go well with just about anything! The seeds of fennel are amazing for the stomach, just like a natural form of tums. Next time you’re looking for something a bit soothing, try a fennel tea. More information here!
Write a thank you note… to yourself! We write notes of gratitude to others but have you ever written one to yourself? Have fun with it and think of specific examples from the week or what you’d like to thank yourself for by the end of the week. If you don’t know what else to say, thank yourself for showing self compassion, for believing in yourself, for being kind to others, and then make sure you continue to do those things.
Uplifting Things Happening Around The World
Check out this video of young people inviting LGBT+ seniors to their first Pride event. Good day to follow guaranteed.
There’s an Instagram account that “rates” cute dogs. Perhaps you’ve already discovered it but it’s news to me! “WeRateDogs” is hilarious and adorable and I highly suggest you take a peek and follow for laughs.
“Mental health day” to become an official reason for missing school in Oregon. Students introduced and successfully passed legislation that they hope will change the stigma around mental health and help to alleviate the mental health crisis gripping the state.
Sunday Salutations
“It’s comforting to remember that everyone is just guessing” — Laina Rauma
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” — Joseph Campbell
“You are a match for your mountain” — Danielle Doby
There She Goes
It was so nice to have a visit from a few good friends this week in Paris. These are the same friends that I visited out West back in April (if you’ve been following this newsletter since then you’ll remember this, if not check out the She & Jim post about it!) and now it’s a crazy delight to see them in a foreign country! We spent the week gallivanting around the city, showing them our favorite spots and also discovering some new ones. Though it was sad to say another goodbye, I’m thrilled to be in the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix!
Sights that have made me say “WOW”
I. The view from Arc de Triomphe. Last time I visited Paris I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower but this time we went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe! It was a stunning view of the city and other major monuments (including the Eiffel Tower) and it was much roomier and calm than I expected too. I would highly recommend this activity. Go around sunset!
II. Notre Dame. This week we spent some time wandering around the Latin Quarter and the Île de la Cité (one of the two natural islands on the Seine). From these areas we were able to look at Notre Dame from a few different perspectives. I am still amazed by the story of Notre Dame and how it became to be so famous, and I am eagerly awaiting more updates on the damage assessment and reconstruction plans. Did you know that they actually held a mass in hardhats just two months after the fire?
III. The talented roller-skating at the Moulin Rouge. I had not initially intended on seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge but we were convinced by a friend of ours and went with a fun group of 6 people. We did dinner and a show and we sipped champagne as we watched the can-can performed in it’s birthplace! The most spectacular part in my opinion was when a male and female roller skating duo performed on a small circular platform with no railings, so just one mistake would have easily thrown them into the crowd… at one point the male skater was somehow horizontally windmilling the female around just holding onto one of her legs.
Destination Fun Facts
I. The Mona Lisa wasn’t famous until it was stolen.
II. You may know that the Eiffel Tower was constructed for a Universal Exposition in 1889… but did you know that it was just one proposal alongside a few (quite bizarre) others such as a a giant replica of the guillotine?
III. Aspiring Moulin Rouge performers must first pass the height criteria — females must be at least 5’9” and men 6’1”.
Good Eats
I. A picnic in the park. This is a super Parisian thing to do — every night of the week (so long as it’s nice out) you will find parks full of groups of people with impressive spreads of food. The traditional picnic includes bread, cheese, some fruits, cherry tomatoes, and lots of wine. We prepared a picnic for our friends on the first day of their arrival to Paris. It was so fun picking out cheeses with them and then hauling everything to the park!
II. Dinner at Le Murillo. Holy smokes this place was a great find! Not so far from Arc de Triomphe, this restaurant has amazing food, stellar service, and beautiful floral design! I was wowed by how the waitstaff instantly made us feel welcome and how, in our group of 6, everyone loved their food!
III. Falafel at L’As du Fallafel. This was not what I would have imagined myself hunting down in Paris but it came as a special recommendation from Cecilia, our Chief Kitting Officer. I’m so very glad we made it a priority to make it to this place, which is conveniently located close to the Louvre, because it was such a treat! This place is so well loved that there are YouTube videos of people visiting it and the New York Times published an article about it.
Have a stellar week everyone!
Be well,
Sheila