Pardon my French

Sometimes I like to admit the most blasphemous things about myself that I can, just to make sure y'all are still paying attention.

PARIS is not my favorite European city.

There, I said it.

And I hate Dave Matthews Band, which I've said before and I'll say again.

Don't get me wrong, I did love Paris, but it doesn't take the cake for me.

I took a lot of trips during my study abroad in Florence and you know what trip to France really stood our for me? The one that I took with my friend Morgan to the Southern countryside. 

It was absolutely magical. We hit Nice, Aix en Provence and St. Raphael in a matter of days.

I loved every second.

With Pinterest, the blog world and every shelter publication trying to showcase the next big and best thing, it's easy to get bogged down by wanting too add too MUCH of everything to your home, wedding, entertaining repertoire, life, etc.  I often think of the South of France when wanting to get back to the root of what I love most design wise.

 The beautiful simplicity of the French countryside.

It is full of this effortless charm.

Food, Fashion, Interiors, Architecture, even nature.

Like the Lavender Fields. Which, god willing will be in bloom in at Becker for my wedding this April.

 I love incorporating elements of simplistic French design into my home and as of late, into my wedding.

For instance: 

I purchased about a zillion and one of these bottles for water at the wedding.

I actually poached the idea from one of my favorite Houston haunts, Tiny Boxwoods

 I am super obsessed with these French Monogram pillows that I found on Etsy. Customizable with different letters and colors. Be still my heart.

And will someone please send me a couple Laduree macaroon towers? They are so fabulous looking. And I'm sure they're equally delicious.

I'm not sure that the trend of smoking loafers necessarily came from the French, but I've been wearing these leopard Via Spiga versions non-stop since I got them. Usually with skinny black pants.

I'm also pretty sure that I need the heeled version. Obviously.

I've also been trying my hand at traditional French cooking.

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I've been dabbling in Paleo.

Partially as a wedding diet thing and partially because the research I've done on it is astounding and I will never look at grains in the same way again.

I've gotten some great Paleo recipes on Pinterest, but I've gotten the best ideas from the Paleo people I follow on Instagram.

Once account in particular  @mangiapaleo has fabulous ideas/recipes and she just started a new food blog.

Check. It. Out.

She inspired me to try the Paleo version of Beef Bourguignon. I modified Barefoot Contessa's recipe, which was super easy. I just used Grass-Fed Butter and Beef instead of regular and used almond flour in place of the all-purpose. It was sooooo delicious.

Does any exotic locale inspire your lifestyle?