5 Reads and Resources for Mindful LivingAs I wrap up Self-Care September on the blog, I’m not retiring any of the practices that I’ve shared throughout the month. I’m just going to get better at them over time! For instance, today I took a two-hour after work and I hope to do that every single Friday from now on. I’ll be incorporating self-care rituals into my everyday and continue to be more mindful about how I view self-care overall. With so much being wrapped up in a pretty bow and sold to us through social media today, it can be hard to distinguish the real from the gimmicks. I’ve become so much more selective about what I’m reading these days. Today I’m sharing a few books and blogs I’ve been reading throughout the last month as part of my ritual of winding down in the evening. And instead of listening to music when I go on runs with Jack, I listen to my favorite podcasts. Each one of these reading choices has served as a reminder of how I can evolve and improve a bit more each day. Perhaps more importantly, they have guided me in finding contentment in the here and now. I hope my selections will inspire you to live your life more fully too! Be Mindful Mindful Mondays- A Yoga and Mindfulness Program to Help Your Child Improve Attention and Emotional Balance This resource was shared with me by a fellow yoga instructor and mindfulness teacher. A publication by Little Flower Yoga, this weekly email would be great for classroom teachers as well as parents. As an eighth-grade English teacher and yoga instructor, I’ve been including this resource in the classroom. Every Sunday you’ll receive an email for the week ahead. It includes a mindfulness article, a kid-friendly video and a breathing exercise that can work for kids and adults alike! Visit here for the direct link to sign up. I couldn’t be more grateful for this resource as I started teaching a yoga and mindfulness class at my school this year. It has been a great addition to my teaching arsenal. I also discovered this book and have been using it as an additional resource in classes. It offers breathing exercises, yoga postures with easy to follow instructions and inspirational quotes throughout. Little Flower Yoga also offers trainings for teaching yoga to children. They have both in-person training as well as webinars and online. Live Simply The Simple Sophisticate Podcast and The Simple Sophisticate Podcast. If this blog didn’t already exist, I would write it. It’s the perfect mix of all the things I love including French culture, food, fashion and how to live simply luxuriously. Shannon Ables is such a refined, authentic person. She’s a high-school English teacher and blogger who wants to bring the simple pleasures or as she calls them, petit plaisirs, to her readers. A very well-read woman who shares the best books, her podcast often features guest authors and shares all the tips on how to live a fulfilling life. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoCiD-7hZ2_/?taken-by=thesimplyluxuriouslife Each week she puts out a This and That post where she recommends books, articles, recipes and signature style pieces. She recently posted this article which I’ve been reading to my students and yoga clients. These 10 Truths that Will Change the Way You See Yourself Today has been such a profound reminder of all the ways in which we see ourselves and how we can shift that perspective as well how we can change the stories we tell ourselves about what has happened to us along the way. Check out her book, too. She's releasing another in November! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/641200065674580265/ Honor Yourself If you haven’t heard of this book, you may be living under a rock. Just kidding, but not really. My friend over at @becomebetty recommended this book over the summer and I finally dove into it. This is another good one for reframing the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. It’s full of great tips and and motivating stories that Rachel has experienced. Full of humor and truth, this book is a friendly reminder that we are not what has happened to us. Some of the lies (chapter titles) are "I’m Not Good Enough", "Something Else Will Make Me Happy” and “I’ll Start Tomorrow”. I find this book to be especially helpful for those of us who want to take a leap and do something different with our lives, but that little voice inside of us keeps getting in the way. Entrepreneurs and career changers alike may really appreciate Rachel’s words in this book. Rachel’s podcast RISE also has episodes where she reads chapters of her book to you, so if you don’t want to read the book you have the option of listening to the audio version. She also has RISE Together a podcast about relationships that I want to dive into next! Yogaland Podcast This podcast is great for yoga instructors and practitioners alike. It’s so much more than information about the postures. Andrea Ferretti talks about the sutras, yoga as a business and has other yoga instructors on the show to share their journey. If you don’t mind some of the silly banter between her and her husband when he’s on the show, the you just might like this one! Eastern Body Western Mind This was one of the required readings for my Yoga Teacher Training and I keep coming back to it time and again. I’m intrigued to learn about the whole person and this has helped me understand why we are the way we are. It’s basically a guide to the chakras which explains all about our personal development from the inside out. Learning the chakras is not a small task. There is so much to know and thankfully this book breaks in down in an easy-to-read yet comprehensive way. If you're interested in learning about the chakras, this book is a great place to start! What books and blogs are you reading and what podcasts are you tuning into that make you feel good? Are they helping you on the path to living more fully? Share them with me in the comments or on my instagram page. I hope you took the time to care for yourself this month. It's so important for us to slow down and have those rituals we can turn to when we need them most. Wishing you well. xoxo Ashley As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
French FavoritesEvery time I go to Paris I fall in love with the city all over again. My most recent trip was no exception. It was so lovely that I came back missing it more than ever. So upon returning from my trip, I’m doing everything I can to bring Paris to moi! Restarting my French lessons, spritzing my new favorite French scent, reading a Parisian themed book and creating a new French playlist on Spotify are just some ways I keep those French feels alive and well. Here are some of my favorite French finds to help you bring a little bit of Paris to you too! French Perfume While staying in Le Marais during this past trip, I discovered some great new brands that I am sure to covet for years to come. As I walked down the Rue de Sévigné heading to Easter brunch, I smelled the most beautiful scent of Lilac that I couldn’t get out of my mind for days. I made it a point to stop back at Parle Moi de Parfum before leaving Paris and pick up the scent Totally White. It's the perfect scent for spring- light and flowery. I feel so uplifted the moment I put it on. The creator’s son (and a very handsome Parisian!) was heading the store that day and let us sample every single scent they had in their lab. He was so passionate about his perfume. Go give him a visit at their shop in Le Marais! Inspiration My recent obsession is Rebecca Plotnick of Everyday Parisian. Her love of all things French is a match for my own! As an aspiring travel photographer, she picked up her life in Chicago and moved to Paris to follow her dreams. Since then she has been making the most beautiful prints and writes a great blog that constantly quenches my thirst for Paris. One of her recent blog posts was so relatable for me. You can read it here. This print is in my cart and I can’t wait to get it up on my wall! Her photos make me feel so much closer to Paris when I look at them. Check out more of her prints here. A Paris Walking Guide Paris is Stride is a beautifully illustrated walking guide that highlights the well known as well as some lesser known cafes and neighborhoods in Paris. It really came in handy on my trip. I think this is a great guide if you're a first-time visitor to Paris. So if you’re planning a trip anytime in the future, I highly recommend it! If you've been to Paris before, this guide will highlight some old favorites and add some cool new spots to your list. Discover a new neighborhood without worrying about getting lost! The Broken Arm is an awesome boutique paired with a café so you can grab a coffee to forget about the jacquemus shoes they didn't have in your size. Don't forget to check out the Broken Arm. Such a cool store! Fluent in French Jen is a French expat living in NYC. She teaches French language classes virtually or in person to students of all ages. I discovered her on instagram over a year ago and I recently won a free one hour French lesson and book from a giveaway she had. I was so excited to have my first lesson with her this past Sunday and it was fantastic! Check out her French word of the day here. She also has a crêpe catering business on the side and I can’t wait to host a party catered by her very soon! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh_zgHAjAEv/?taken-by=crepesalamaison My French Inspired Playlist Whenever I'm working, relaxing or just putting on my own little fashion show at home, I love to listen to my Paris is Calling playlist that I created on spotify. Check it out here I hope my French favorites can become some of your favorites too! Questions? Visiting Paris soon? Leave me a comment below! Bisous, Ashley
Paris EatsFood is such a big part of why I love Paris and definitely something I look forward to when planning a getaway to the city of light. On my first visit to Paris 6 years ago, the only place I wanted to eat was Ladurée. (They have the most divine french toast on the whole planet.) Other than that, I just stumbled on places to eat and every meal was the best ever. On my second trip, I planned nothing and had the most delicious croissant ever. This time, I planned my whole trip around food!! Between the croissant, the cheese, and the array of fresh ingredients, there isn’t much I don’t like about the food in France. Petit dejeuner at Chez Julien A food tour, a five course tasting menu, street falafel, and a pop-up pastry shop that's worth waiting in line for, I’d have to name this one of my favorite foodie trips to date. I’ll give you a taste of all of my favorite places to eat in Paris and why you should go there. Warning: don’t read while hungry!! Carbón Paris Good for: Lunch or Dinner Carbón Paris. Since this was the first Easter I would be spending away from my family, I wanted to make sure it was still a special day with an extra special meal. Carbon did not disappoint. Upon arriving a few minutes early for our reservation (You must reserve a table here, you won’t be seated otherwise, even if you see tables that are free) the waitress told us that the kitchen would be open soon, but would we like a drink first? Mais, bien sur! We went with the 2017 Judith Beck Koreaa, a great white to pair with the scallop and cauliflower appetizer. It was easy to drink with light fruit notes. A perfect Easter wine from Austria. All of the wines they serve are organic and they only have about 7 bottles to choose from. They only advertise by the bottle, but you can get certain wines by the glass. Just ask! We had the greatest server, who was very accommodating and helpful with choosing our wine and food. I’d go back here just for the great service. The ambience is très bien aussi. It’s cozy, not pretentious (as some may think restaurants in France to be) and just beautiful to look at. And is located right in the heart of Le Marais. The food is super fresh made with seasonal and mostly local ingredients. All of their dishes are cooked over fire, no gas or electric is used. Just like Francis Mallman’s Los Fuegos in Miami. The menu offers about 6 different appetizers, 5 mains, and 2 desserts with specials du jour. What to order For a party of 2, I’d recommend you share two starters. We ordered the scallops. They were perfect texture and served with a cauliflower puree which was one of my favorite tastes of the meal. Then, we shared two mains which were the halibut and the lamb. Both delicious and perfectly cooked. The menu is constantly changing based on what’s in season, so don’t go looking for these dishes. Just know that no matter what you order, Carbón will do it right. A perfect Easter brunch Verjus Good for: Dinner My top pick for a full gastronomical experience in Paris that won’t break the bank is Verjus. After reading several reviews and recommendations for this restaurant, I was convinced I had to try it! Verjus serves a tasting menu so each item is selected for you. Ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally. The restaurant is small and reservations book up quickly so I recommend booking a few weeks before your visit. Plan to stay for a few hours as you will be savoring every bite and enjoying the experience. This isn’t a quick dinner. If it’s a special occasion (when is Paris not a special occasion?!) do the wine pairing. It’s worth it to discover some new wines and have a fresh glass with every course. You’ll start with a few finger foods that are sure to satiate your sophisticated palette. So simple, yet so delicious. This is followed by 2 veggie courses- ours were asparagus and morels (mushrooms). The main course was a lamb tartare. You’ll end with 2 separate dessert courses. Save room because you won’t want to pass this up! Paris by Mouth Food Tour Good for: Tasting/ Cheese &Wine/ Desserts After stumbling upon the Paris by mouth blog I was convinced that I had to hop on one of their food tours during my trip. This was such a special treat. Being guided to the best croissants, baguettes, cheeses, wines and chocolates by an insider and French food expert was a priceless experience. Not only will you get the best of the best when it comes to food, but you’ll get a history of the neighborhood where you choose to take your tour and a lot of the food history as well. I won’t give away all of Paris by Mouth’s secrets, but I encourage you to take one of these tours. If you really want to know some of these spots, and can’t get on a tour, just email me! Tours last about 3 hours, all tastings are included, and you will have a chance to sit and enjoy a wine tasting with your food. Here are some highlights from the tour... We kicked off the tour with bread, baguette de tradition to be exact! Shouldn’t every day start that way?! I learned so much about the history of baguettes and how you can tell the good from the bad! If you want more info on how to find a great baguette in Paris check out this article. best croissants- bien cuit (well done). We went to a local fromagerie and a charcutier traiteur (Butcher) to grab some meat and cheese to pair with our wine from La Cave de Turenne. Here we enjoyed six cheeses, a variety of meats, and three wines. We learned about where and how our wine and cheese was made- a delicious education! The grand finale was only the best chocolate! Don’t leave without trying the mint ganache in dark chocolate. It’s tastes like a mojito!!! Printemps du gout Great for: Lunch/ A shopping snack break/Views of the city/Cheese/Artisanal French products I highly recommend you check out Printemps du gout- located on the 8th floor of the Printemps Haussmann- Homme. If for nothing else, go here for a great view of the city! I'm very proud of my photography skills with this one! Enjoy a perfect french onion soup and croque monsieur du jour with la tour eiffel. Cedric Grolet’s pop-up shop at Le Meurice Good for: Pastries This pop-up pastry shop located at 6 Rue Castiglione is brought to you by Cédric Grolet, Chef Pâtissier at the restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse. He was elected World’s Best Restaurant Pastry Chef 2017 by the Association Les Grandes tables du Monde. Don’t miss this, because it won’t be here for long. Otherwise you’ll have to spend a pretty penny to taste his creations at Restaurant Le Meurice. Chocolate cookies and chocolate Madeleines to die for! Saint Honoré- a French specialty Mi Va Mi Good for: Falafel/late night snack After a long day this just hit the spot in every way. Located in the Jewish Quarter in Le Marais, this authentic and fresh made falafel was totally worth waiting in line for! Although there are many more to mention, these were my top picks and what I thought worth sharing! Have you tried any of these? Chime in in the comments below. Bisous, Ashley
La Mercerie, Not Just CroissantsIf I can’t be in France until another month or so, I might as well pretend to be. I spent the first day of my midwinter recess frolicking around lower Manhattan for a French facial at Caudalie (review of that coming soon) followed by tea and croissants with my dear friend and fellow travelista, Debbie. It’s always so lovely to spend time with friends with no agenda, but endless options to choose from. That is one of the very reasons I love living in New York. You never know what amazing places you may stumble upon. La Mercerie in the Guild is one of these great finds. Flowers by Emily Thompson to greet you as you walk into La Mercerie Art with your afternoon tea Roman and Williams Guild is one of the most gorgeous spaces I’ve ever stepped foot in. I could picture every piece from this unique design concept store in my dream house someday. Upon entry to the space at 53 Howard street, you’re greeted by a flower shop and a chic tea room. Serving pastries, teas, coffee and fresh squeezed juices from 10-4 and cocktails from 3-7, La Mercerie is the perfect place to grab a coffee with a friend in a laid back, yet beautiful setting. Stroll through the design studio after enjoying some of the yummiest Brioche and Croissant. Pastries range from $5- $7 and tea and coffee from $3-$6. As a nice bonus, you can actually purchase the glassware you use at the café. AM Brioche and chocolat chaud with a croissant and housemade Earl Grey tea The Showroom The studio is like a page out of Architectural Digest. Furniture with a modern edge and many one-of-a kind pieces curated by the couple who imagined and created the place. Some of my favorite pieces were this pink couch and an exquisite gold mirror for a mere $12K. The designers and owners of the space have designed many others including Le Coucou right down the block from this location. If you're ever on strolling through SoHo, pop into La Mercerie for an afternoon pick me up or some serious design inspiration. Soon they'll be operating a full kitchen, so get in while you still can! Questions? Leave a comment below or visit our instagram page. xoxo Ashley
Croissant Round-Up Part DeuxIt’s that time again... National Croissant Day. What a perfect bookend to the first month of the new year! #Treatyoself Last year I rounded up a selection of my favorite croissants and this year I’m focusing on the best croissants in Westchester County. Check out my top three croissant destinations below. 1.La Renaissance Patisserie Francaise- Scarsdale, NY My dear friend Linda, a Scarsdale resident, told me that this is the place to go for croissants, and boy was she right. To think I’ve lived in this county for 15 years and this weekend was the first time I’ve been to La Renaissance. I've been missing out this whole time, but better late than never I guess! One bite of this light and fluffy croissant and I was transported to Paris. Croissants for days The regular croissant is soft and smooth, unlike the well done and flaky variety that I've had. The pain au chocolat is just as soft with just the right amount of chocolate. Get here early for hot croissants fresh out of the oven . They’re open from 8-6 Monday- Saturday and 8-1 on Sundays. Sign up for their email list and receive $5 off your first purchase! De rien. Stroll around the historic Scarsdale village to enjoy the best croissant the county has to offer. One of each because you never know when the craving will arise 2. Chantilly Patisserie- Bronxville, NY This charming Patisserie in the heart of Bronxville village does croissants very well. They offer a Dulce de leche croissant as well as a delicious almond croissant. Flaky, buttery, and not an overwhelming almond flavor. They feature a different croissant flavor every few weeks so you'll always have something new to try! They're open Tuesday-Friday 7 – 4:30, Saturday 8:30 – 4, and Sunday 9 – 1. I've yet to try this one, but it's next on my list. It looks irresistible. https://www.instagram.com/p/BedPQ3nFqyX/?taken-by=chantillypatisserie_ 3. Café E 4:2- Tuckahoe, NY I saved the best for last here. If you follow my Instagram stories, you'll know that this has become my go-to café to get some writing done. Here you'll find the best coffee in the county and the perfect playlist to go with it. What's special about the croissants at Café E 4:2 is that they're delivered fresh daily from Bread Alone, a family-owned, values-driven bakery in Rhinebeck, New York. This bakery boasts having the one and only French pastry oven in the state of New York. In my element The croissants are made with all organic ingredients and you can't go wrong with an almond, regular, or pain au chocolat. Be sure to grab these early because as a small business in a small town, they only order a dozen a day. The best Barista and my friend, Cristhian, will toast the croissants for you too! Check them out M-F : 6am – 7pm, Saturday – 8am – 4pm, and Sunday – 8am – 4pm. Pain au chocolat with a Kona coconut coffee If you're ever in the area, tell them The Daily Croissant sent you! Wherever the day leads you, may you find some time to enjoy a decadent croissant. Bonne journee! Ashley
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