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!