PARIS!

Yes, it is just that gorgeous ALL the freaking time! They really do have a way with lights, that I cannot understand or possibly replicate. In fact, most of my Parisian pleasures were things that could only be experienced and enjoyed in Paris. The food, the lights, the sounds, the wine, the champagne, the bread, the art, the architecture... none of those things could be packed up and taken along to enjoy weeks later in the bland midwest. Well, maybe the wine, but I didn't have a spare suitcase to bring it home.

I did try to export what I could-- cute outfits, ideas for personal and home styling, scarves, photos, and memories.

Now I'm going to try to track down anything that remotely recalls Paris here in the Twin Cities. So far, I've found a good herbed goat cheese, the New French Bakery that sells $1 baguettes after 5 p.m. (just in time for picking up after work), a decent Cremant (sparkling wine) from Trader Joe's, and a sweet shop that sells French style macaroons (which, if you haven't had, are not the same coconut variety we have here) and a Tibetan shop at the Midtown Global Market that sells nice silk scarves.

Oh, yes, I was that inspired.

How could I not be with scenes like that above?

I love Paris in the winter...