Kathy of A Passion for Food

If we looked even remotely alike or if Kathy had been born during the disco era instead of the new wave era, you might think we were separated at birth. She travels, writes for local publications and has a soft spot for sweets. In fact, whereas I used to have the sweets beat for Metro newspaper, Kathy has the enviable position of writing the Sugar Rush column for Serious Eats. Kathy is so smart and sweet, and is living such a charmed and delicious life, it makes me want to hit rewind and relive my 20s again. It also makes me happy to include her lovely blog, A Passion for Food on the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour.

Andi of Misadventures with Andi

Anyone who’s ever met Andi knows there is a light inside this woman that cannot be extinguished. She’s in Seattle, Vegas, Toronto, Beijing… always on the go, and never without sharing interesting posts along the way. And though she’s a California Girl, she always comes back to Paris… which is how I met her at a darling Montmartre bar over wine and cheese with about a dozen other bloggers in the fall of 2009.

Since then, I’ve been following Andi’s Frolicking/French Fridays (and Wordless Wednesdays and Saturday Sixes) along with all the delicious meals she shares. Her vivaciousness, generosity and bonhomie make her a favorite of anyone who’s ever met her, and I’m honored to have the covetable French Friday spotlight as part of the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour. Merci, Andi!

We interrupt this Blog Tour for something(s) sweet

The religeuse from Eric Kayser

A beautiful box of bonbons from Jacques Genin

Three wee macarons from none other than Pierre Hermé

The irresistible display at Ble Sucré...

...La Maison du Chocolat...

...And Pain du Sucré

Tarte tatin!

The famous Mont Blanc at Angelina

Getting full? Well, the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour is nearly over. Just a handful of more stops await you this weekend. In the meantime, a million thanks to everyone who’s been following and participating and maybe feeling hungry for something else.

Linda of Parisien Salon

If there’s one thing you should have gotten by now, it’s that the Francophile and foodie communities of Paris and beyond are wildly talented and ambitious. Designer bags, fudgy brownies, debut novels, pastel watercolors… what doesn’t this lot from the Blog Tour do?!

Enter Linda Donahue of Parisien Salon. She brings so many great things and talents together with her wonderful online magazine and boutique. I first met this tour de force at a friend’s soirée—one of those lovely gatherings in a Parisian pad overlooking the zinc rooftops, the Eiffel Tower pulsing in the background, wine, cheese and sweets laid on the table in abundance (oh, moments like this, I too ask why I left Paris…). But since we didn’t have time to chat we made a date to meet for tea at Rose Bakery. There, we bonded over our backgrounds in advertising, connections to New York, and, bien sur, our love for the City of Light. Since then, as both she and I ping and pong through Paris, we’ve continued bonding and I’m delighted Parisien Salon is today’s stop on the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour. Merci, Linda!

Lindsey of Lost in Cheeseland

Lindsey Tramuta. The girl kills me. When I first met her, I understood her to be an uber savvy social media/advertising guru. Fair enough. Then I started taking notice of her killer photographs. Sheer talent. And then, I realized, she can seriously write. And, well, don’t even get me started on her baking skills. Dare I say Lola’s brownies are the best I have ever eaten?? (Sorry, maman!)

Fast forward a year and a half. Now I know Lindsey to be not only a talented woman, but a good friend. She is generous and thoughtful, bright and inquisitive, honest and fun. She was kind enough to take all the photos of me you see peppering this Blog Tour; she’s accommodating enough to fulfill my Lola’s orders when I’m in town; she’s cool enough to hang out in cafes for hours with; and, well, she’s just plain nice. Lindsey, merci for the photos, the inspiration and being part of the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour!

My Vegan Mondays

After a week that included stuffing my maw at Friedmans, Gotham Bar at the Peninsula, Café Asean, Rye, Maison Premiere, Georgetown Cupcake, Jack’s Wife Freida, Eataly and others, today’s Vegan Monday was more than a little essential. (And we just won’t mention licking the bowl while making chocolate ganache this evening…) Pants... getting... snug...

Morning
Coffee with soy milk
Granola and almond milk

Afternoon
Cannellini bean salad with avocado, roasted tomatoes and zucchini and pumpkin seeds
Banana
Dried cranberries

Evening
Lentil soup
Roll

Carol of Paris Breakfasts

There are few other people with greater passion for Paris than Carol G of Paris Breakfasts. At regular intervals every year, she (and Bear) journey from New York to the City of Light (as well as London and beyond) just to explore new bakeries, meet new people, and sketch and paint more of her lovely watercolors. Her witty posts are filled with wicked insights and sharp observations—every day is a fun new discovery at Paris Breakfasts.

The first time Carol and I met was nothing short of classic. She invited me to lunch at the very proper restaurant Lassarre, where a British TV company was filming a reality show about apprenticing waiters on their way to becoming proper serveurs. Needless to say, the service was abysmal and the typical two-hour French lunch dragged for at least three. Luckily, Carol has a great sense of humor and we just laughed and we continued laughing at subsequent meetings, such as for tea and sweets Carette and the croissant smackdown. As such a devout Francophile and devotée to all things sweet and pretty, I'm honored that Carol joined the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour.

Helen of Helen Hearts

Just as her blog’s name implies, Helen is filled with love and affection. It comes across in her posts as much as her pictures as she explores New York City and the occasional foreign destination and shares the fashion, food, art and design that she hearts.

Big whoop, right?

Except that Helen is just a youngin’. Not even a year out of New York University, she’s already building a successful marketing career at the world’s largest beauty company, L'Oreal, while eating up the city’s best restaurants, parties and events. At 22, she’s already successful and worldly and is proof that we don’t have to weep for the next generation. Keep up the inspiration, Helen, and merci bien for being part of the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour!

Erin of Butter + Brass

I have a confession: I have a girl crush on Erin. No, I’ve never even met her in person but I’ve been following her blog for years and we’ve been corresponding along the way and I just know we’d be fast friends if we lived in the same town.

Erin is uber talented (check out her design, for god's sake!), inspired and engaged—all you have to do is look at the artists and photographers she curates, the beautiful life moments she captures, and the fashion she shares (oh, the fashion!) on Butter + Brass and beyond. The girl is just cool. She has a sweet soul, stylish sensibility, and thoughtfulness gushes from every word she lays down. Personally, I love having girl crushes, and I’m thrilled that Erin is part of the Paris, My Sweet Blog Tour. Merci, Erin!

Richard of I Prefer Paris

Richard was actually the first blogger I ever met in Paris. He emailed me, after having stumbled upon my fledgling blog just a few short months after I landed in Paris, and, boy, did I feel like I had made it. This popular blogger, whose site I had already referenced a million times, was emailing me? And wanted to meet for coffee? Woah.

So we met. And bonded over our shared histories in New York, our passions for Paris, the ins and outs of freelance writing, and myriad other juicy bits. I later took one of his cooking courses, met him for dinners, and attended readings and soirées together. Alors! I’m not only happy that Richard’s participating in the Paris, My Sweet blog tour, but that it’s during his annual Sweet Week.

He's hanging in there

Every once in awhile, someone emails to ask how Milo is doing. I think he pines for his Parisian window perch, but otherwise, he's doing just fine.

Sion of paris(imperfect)

Still waters run deep. That’s what I have always felt about Sion. She’s never the most boisterous at a gathering (unless she’s laughing – she has a kickass, contagious laugh). She’s always calm and collected. But once she’s engaged in conversation, she’s absolutely radiant. Sion is quick with a smile; she’s warm, thoughtful and sincere; and then there are her creative talents. Have you ever read her poems or essays? The girl is brilliant. I admire and envy the complexity, depth and intelligence that ignite her internal engine.

As I’ve gotten to know Sion, it all makes total sense. Not only is she a fellow Scorpio (!), but when she explains how she’s feeling, or where her head is, it’s always a place and a feeling that I get. Places and feelings that I’ve also had. And she shares them so articulately and honestly in her blog. So it’s for that and many other warm and fuzzy personal reasons that I’m honored to have Sion on the Blog Tour!

Kate of La Petite Choue

Let’s just start with the name: La Petite Choue. Cute, French and fun. And everything about Kate and her awesome blog is, indeed, cute and fun with a Frenchified twist.

And the brains behind the blog? Kate’s the kind of girl you want dressing you, telling you what to listen to, and what to eat and drink with your friends this weekend. She’s got style, and I’m thrilled to bring the Blog Tour to sunny California to visit her for the day. Hel-lo, Kate!

Kasia of Love in the City of Lights

Kasia Deitz. I call her “bella” because she really couldn’t be any more beautiful (and I’m not just talking about her enviable bone structure, 100-watt smile, or beautiful, big blue eyes). She is just a warm and lovely person whose inner compassion, creativity (check out her fabulous totes!), curiosity and joie de vivre come shining through. She is an inspiration.

She is also a New Yorker, a world traveler, and worked in advertising before the love of her life stole her away to Paris (from the intersection of Spring and Broadway, no less!). Kasia and I have bonded over many drinks, meals and emails; creative brainstorming sessions and empathetic heart-to-hearts. I can think of no one more appropriate to kick off the Blog Tour. Merci, mon amie!

The Blog Tour

When I look back on my time in Paris, the evolution of this blog, and the luck and accomplishment of Paris, My Sweet, one thing is clear: from all of it, a whole community of friends was borne. In fact, my second year in Paris, the more I wrote and blogged, and wrote and blogged, the more connected I felt. I met amazing people and had the happy occasion of getting to know a big group of talented, warm, generous, adventurous, fun, diverse, supportive (largely) expats who altered my whole experience—they made it richer, more meaningful, and 10 times better. And, in some cases, the friendships have only deepened since I left. All in all, this blogging business is just another way that my Parisian experience ended up being life-changing. It was magic. And I’m forever grateful.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll be taking Paris, My Sweet on a two-week “Blog Tour.” Every day, I’ll introduce you to one of my favorite bloggers who’s been kind enough to share some thoughts and words about the book. It seemed only appropriate that I use the forum that connected me to so much light and love, camaraderie and conversation, good will and joyful moments in Paris with everyone, everywhere.

To all my Blog Tour participants, thank you in advance—your support and generosity are astounding. And to everyone who comes along on the tour, I hope you enjoy meeting—or reacquainting yourselves—with these most amazing voices!

What a week!

Weighing in at 280 pages, laden with calories, memories and more than a couple embarrassing moments from my life abroad, my baby, Paris, My Sweet, is finally out in the world!

As well as a feature in the New York Post (!).

There was a double flower delivery… Dinner with friends from different chapters of my life… drinks and nightcaps and bottles… and a million well wishes and sweet thoughts. It was incredible. Thank you, everyone. It's been the best week ever!

Approaching midnight

It’s here! As of midnight, my baby, Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate), will officially be born!

The past few weeks have been mind-blowingly hectic and I haven’t had proper time to think about this; to anticipate and relish and hold onto the excitement. But today I felt more and more giddy with every hour that passed. There were well wishes and plans coming together and everyone’s pre-ordered copies of the book have shipped. Some of my favorite quotes of the day:

“…If I may be so bold to say if eating sweets has you looking so young, then I will be indulging in desserts every night!” (My super sweet Sourcebooks publicist.)

“Tomorrow is the big day!!! Please wake up and pour yourself a big glass of champagne!” (My ever supportive, boozy and wise friend, Connie.)

It’s definitely going to be an interesting few months. Last week, I read a not so great review, which made me realize I better brace myself for criticism, both fair and bitchy. It just comes with the territory. But mostly, the support and enthusiasm so far has just been so exciting and rewarding that I’m already dying to do all of this again. I'm ready for Book #2!

But, for now, I’m going to try that relishing bit. To stop running around and just absorb and enjoy this moment and accomplishment. In just a couple of hours, my dream will be a proper reality. Amazing. Thank you for being part of this. Merci, mes amis. Bis! Bis! Bis!

Heavenly views

Look out the window…



… peek off the balcony…




… There’s nothing like sneaking a view in Paris.



(Even Milo agrees.)

My Vegan Mondays

Boy, do I have a lot to atone for this Monday. About four chocolate chip cookies, four cupcakes, five slices of cake and 80 handfuls of Swedish fish, malt balls, Haribo raspberries and other ridiculous penny candies in 36 hours. What can I say? It was my nephew's sixth birthday this weekend and we all were riding sugar highs. Why stop when you've sunk so low??

Morning
Granola with almond milk

Afternoon
Steamed veggies and fried potatoes
Granola bar
Raisins

Evening
Udon soup with kimchi
Licorice (just a little left over from the weekend's festivities...)

Happy Monday

Here's to a bright, cheeky, fun and unexpected week!

The cutest restaurant in New York CIty

It may be rare that I fall head over heels, but when I fall, I fall hard. Like with Buvette.

I've been lamenting the fact that I never go out for dinner the way I used to. For whatever reason(s), since returning from Paris I just don't have the opportunity, occasion or companions the way I once did. I fell for Buvette late last spring and had only had one repeat visit. But this morning, I had the lucky opportunity to have breakfast there. And my love is for real.

Nutella crepes...

They call these tartines, but never have I seen such fluffy-thick-soft bread. And the butter and marmalade on top?! Heaven.

Waffles buried under a cloud of whipped cream and fresh berries.

Et voila... tarte tatine. Sweet-savory, caramel-y tarte tatin. For breakfast. Pourquoi pas??

Not that there weren't other amazing little baked bits to choose from...



But I guess I need something new to try the next time I go back.

The brute had some softness

"There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris."
–Ernest Hemingway

Let’s hear it for books!

I obviously have books on the brain as of late. Paris, My Sweet (Sourcebooks) comes out in a mere 10 days. I’ve also been eating up Adam Gopnik’s The Table Comes First, am getting ready to dive into Jeffrey Eugenides’s The Marriage Plot, have been delighting in the U.S. printed version of Paris Versus New York and am anxiously awaiting some upcoming releases including The Little Paris Kitchen, Paris in Color, Apron Anxiety and Mastering the Art of French Eating. What can I say? I’m a book girl.

Naturally, I fell for this video when I discovered it (while reading a nice review of Paris, My Sweet on The Novel World). I just love the idea that books are alive. And that they have the power to make us feel alive.

What was the last book you read that made you feel alive?

10 easy reasons to love Paris

My Vegan Mondays

I'm still swooning over The Artist. And feeling plump and happy from my Manhattans at Monkey Bar, spaghetti puttanesca at Mario's Ballato, strawberry cupcake from Little Cupcake Bakeshop, and chai latte that went perfectly an apple bran muffin at Think Coffee. Indulging is what weekends are for, n'est-ce pas?? Just as Vegan Mondays are for rebooting.

Morning
Coffee with soy milk
Oatmeal with goji berries
An organic Fuji apple

Afternoon
Lentil soup
Some strawberry suckers

Evening
Ahhh... one of my favorite things about winter: the carrot-ginger soup I make. Miraculously rich and creamy without a lick of dairy.
Chocolate

Some nights are just… perfect

It can happen. When you go to one of your favorite places in the city (the balcony of the Paris Theater).

And see the best movie you’ve seen all year (The Artist—go now).

And then go somewhere you’ve always wanted (Monkey Bar), with someone whom you adore (Mr. B) and it’s even better than you hoped.

Cool, clubby and old-school New York. But not a drip of attitude or pretension.

Gorgeous cocktails. Friendly bartenders. Corn fritters with thyme honey.

Catching up with a good friend and looking forward to a whole new year…

It was the perfect night in New York City.

Still a sucker for Louis

I had an excuse to go to midtown last weekend (actually, two excuses: a visiting bff and the makeup counters at bg).

I popped into Bendel’s and taunted myself at Smythson. And naturally, I had to cruise the windows at Louis Vuitton.

Trop amusant!

Wouldn’t it be fun to be a window dresser?

What do you say, Simon?