Paris A-Z: U is for Un Reve

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, U, is for Un Rêve.

This is a total cheat because you can put "un" or "une" in front of any French noun. But look over there! Something shiny!

Now, where were we? Oh yes, "un rêve". A dream. Have you ever dreamed of going to Paris? Have you been to Paris and dream of going back? Do you want to meet a Frenchie and fall in love and make kissy faces? Then what are you waiting for? Book your flight and come on over! And when you do, send me an email and let's meet up for wine.

But before you go (shameless plug) you might want to read my book, Confessions of a Paris Party Girl, where I tell it how it is. At least half of life here is good, otherwise I would leave. But man, bureaucracy and douchebags and so many other things can really bring you down. So before you set off to the City of Light with a gleam in your eye and "un rêve" in your heart, prepare yourself for a little reality check.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: T is for Trousseau

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, T, is for Trousseau.

I hope you don't have a need to visit a hospital on your visit to Paris, especially not a maternity/children's hospital, but I can't talk about Paris without talking about this hospital. It's where my son, Leonardo, and daughter, Stella, were born. Leo was a preemie and received excellent care during his 11 day stay in the NICU. And with the exception of one horrible doctor's appointment, I received excellent care throughout both pregnancies as well. The French healthcare system is amazing and I just had to give it a little shout-out.

While I'm shouting, have you checked out my new book, Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer? My sequel picks up where Confessions of a Paris Party Girl left off, giving an inside look on raising kids in Paris, particularly being a croissant-eating, pregnant whale among a sea of skinny French ladies.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: S is for Sacre Coeur

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, S, is for Sacre Coeur.

I would have a hard time deciding which church I preferred - Notre Dame or Sacre Coeur. Good thing no one's making me. If you're visiting Paris I recommend swinging by both of them. Specifically, here's Vicki's Guide to Sacre Coeur:

- Head up to the cute part of town, Montmartre, where Sacre Coeur lives and wander the streets for an hour or two.
- Climb the steps to Sacre Coeur - don't cheat and take the cable car! The steps are part of the charm.
- Be sure to avoid the creepy guys selling friendship bracelets. If you even let your arm swing out to the side for a second, they'll tie a bracelet on and now you're stuck talking to the dude.
- Admire the view from atop the steps. Snap photos to your heart's content.
- Pop inside the church if you want, but I think the outside is its best side.
- Head over to Refuge des Fondus for dinner. You've earned it!

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Disrupting the Space & Time Continuum: Writing Tips

You know how you'll be reading a book and the characters have a really short conversation, yet we're supposed to believe they've gone to the moon and back during that time?

Or a character will stick something in their pocket that, unless they're Mary Poppins, would never fit?

Those things really bug me. So much so that I wrote an article about it for BookDaily.com. Here is an excerpt:

I'm willing to suspend reality in much of what I read. I know that most real-life relationships don't end as happily ever after as they do in chick lit. I'm pretty sure dragons don’t exist (though can we ever really be sure?) but I can enjoy reading a story about them. Time travel? Could be possible. Definitely could be interesting to read about. The hunky neighbor next door inviting the shy, dorky girl over for an afternoon of steamy... well you get the idea.

I'm willing to buy into a somewhat unlikely premise as long as it is well-developed. I'm along for the ride and am trusting the author to take me to my destination.

There are a few things I just can't suspend reality on, though...

Want more? Read the full article.

What are your pet peeves when reading books? What is so unrealistic that it takes you out of the story?

My Other Book Daily Articles:

Hot Dogs vs. Caviar
What's in a Name?
4 Steps to a Charismatic Author Photo

Paris A-Z: R is for Romance

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, R, is for Romance.

While officially called the City of Light, Paris is also known at the City of Love. Oui, but of course! Everywhere you look, lovers stroll hand in hand, smooching, sighing, and generally being in love. It used to make me gag. But then I met my French husband and now I'm just as bad as the rest of them.

If you can't beat 'em, make out with 'em.

So what does a picture of locks have to do with that? There's a relatively new craze in Paris (and several other cities around the world) where you fasten a lock to a bridge and toss the key into (read: pollute) the Seine, as a way of showing your eternal love (and lack of concern for the river's wildlife). Fellow author Adria J. Cimino recently wrote a great post on why Paris's Love Locks are not a good idea and should be stopped. I even signed the petition.

But I must confess. One of the locks in the picture is mine.

Yep, years ago, when I first met my husband and was hopelessly in love, I stupidly fastened a lock to the bridge. At least I didn't toss the key into the river. I give a hoot - I don't pollute! I can't erase the past but I can help spread the word. If you want to "lock in" eternal love, how about just visiting the bridge and snapping a photo of you smacking lips with that special someone? A picture's worth a thousand words, right? I've never heard a saying about how much a lock is worth.

Update: One of the bridges with the love locks (not the one I did it on, though it hardly matters) has collapsed. The city periodically removes the locks but I guess not often enough (understandable). I've even heard that vendors roam the area selling locks, so you know the problem will just keep coming back.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: Q is for Quaint Shops

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, Q, is for Quaint Shops.

The winding side streets of this bustling metropolis hold some of its greatest treasures. Be sure to plan time for unplanned strolls down streets like this, where you can get lost in time. I must admit, though, that I prefer looking in the windows to actually going in. While normally outgoing, I am meek and awkward when it comes to boutiques. I can feel the shop owner's eyes on me and am nervous about breaking something. I always feel like I should buy something or make conversation. So I typically stick to window-shopping and enjoy the charm of the neighborhood as opposed to actual shopping. But if you're looking for a special Parisian treasure, then venture in to one of these cute shops!

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: P is for Promenade Plantee

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, P, is for Promenade Plantée.

The treasure of the Promenade Plantée is tucked away in the less-visited 12th arrondissement (where I live) but it's definitely worth making the time for. I discuss its beauty (and its flaws) in my book, Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer. Here's an excerpt:

Spring rolled around and we ventured out to explore our neighborhood. Our apartment was close to the Promenade Plantée, a three-mile elevated walking path with a wide variety of trees, shrubbery, and flowers. The French are ingenious like that – they take an unused railway structure and convert it into something that is both functional and beautiful.

Of course, getting on that thing with a stroller is a bitch.

Parts of it are several stories high, so you are faced with numerous flights of stairs or a broken elevator. Seriously, I've never seen any of the elevators working.

But the flowery viaduct is so darned pretty that Mika and I would heft the stroller up what felt like two hundred steps in order to have our relaxing walk.

Wooden benches, with the green paint peeling at the edges, line the path. They're often populated with homeless people enjoying a warm can of beer or teenagers smoking cigarettes away from their parents' eyes. You'll occasionally hear a rustling in the bushes, but it's rarely a wild animal, unless you count amorous adolescents and urinating homeless men as wild.

Signs dot the trail, identifying the different species of wildlife that live in the area. I may not know how to say "tickle" in French but I know two different words for "bat" – pipistrelle, which is the cutest word ever, and chauvre souris, literally "bald mouse." Pub quiz, here I come!

About halfway down the Promenade, the path reaches ground level (or, more accurately, the ground rises to meet the path level) so you can get off the trail without having to wrestle with more stairs. We usually exited at that point and took a roundabout way back home, passing a street of lovely Georgian-style homes that felt more like London than Paris.

Intrigued? Be sure to visit the Promenade Plantée on your next trip to Paris!

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: O is for Musee d'Orsay

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, O, is for Musée d'Orsay.

The train-station-turned-museum of Musée d'Orsay is a must-see. Not only is the building impressive, but it houses some of my favorite artwork. It includes masterpieces created from 1848 to 1915, in the impressionist and post-impressionist era.

Van Gogh is by far my favorite artist, and this museum houses a fair amount of his work (Though, if you're as big a fan as me, you must go to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. Several times). You can also see great works by Monet, Degas, Seurat, Manet, Gauguin, Renoir, and Cézanne.

Side note: The photo for this post was taken in Auvers-sur-Oise, a town where Van Gogh painted many of his famous paintings, like Wheatfield with Crows (on display at the Van Gogh Museum) and The Church at Auvers (on display at Musée d'Orsay). As you walk through the town, you'll spot signs with his paintings and a description, right at the location the painting depicts. Super cool. In fact, I probably need to do a separate blog post on it...

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: N is for Notre Dame

By Moonik (Own work)
[CC-BY-SA-3.0]
via Wikimedia Commons

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, N, is for Notre Dame.

You can't visit Paris without visiting Notre Dame. Like, literally, you can't because it's in the middle of the city and you're sure to pass it even if you're trying to stay off the beaten path. But some things are ON the beaten path for a reason - they're totally worth seeing. Notre Dame will take your breath away the first time you see its façade. As you venture inside (don't be afraid of the line, it moves quickly) your breath will be taken away again as you marvel at the vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.

The belltower is worth a visit as well, and though you have to pay, it's not expensive. The line forms on the north side of the cathedral and it does NOT move as quickly as the line for the church itself. So you have to decide how much you want it, but the views are amazing and you can get an up-close look at the gargoyles.

I also recommend crossing the river to the Left Bank and viewing the church from there. Since the church is so big, it's easier to get a good view once there's a little distance between you and Our Lady.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: M is for Metro

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, M, is for Metro.

What is affordable, convenient, and smells like pee? The Paris Métro! Its extensive network zips you around town for a reasonable cost. I recommend walking as much as possible so you can soak in the sights of the city, but sometimes the distance between Point A and Point B is just too far. Try taking the Métro to your first destination of the day and meandering back to your hotel, or vice versa - meander then take the Métro when your feet are about to fall off. And hold your nose. It's likely that a homeless man will have relieved himself in the station recently. No worries, though. Trains come every few minutes so you won't have to endure it for long.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: L is for The Long Hop

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, L, is for The Long Hop.

In case you haven't read my first book (hold on a second while I cry), I met my French husband at The Long Hop, an English-speaking bar on the Left Bank. I've spent countless, memorable (sometimes fuzzy memories, truth be told) nights at this bar. On a visit to Paris, sure, you should immerse yourself in the culture and sip espresso at a café and eat dinner at an authentic French restaurant. Blah blah blah. When you're ready to go out and have some fun at night, swing by The Long Hop for a drink or three. You never know you who might meet...

...although I can pretty much guarantee you'll meet my friend Etienne (middle guy in the picture above) because he's there every night. He'll be sitting at the end of the bar with a pint. Tell him I sent you.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Naughty Paris: A Lady's Guide to the Sexy City

Feeling naughty? Check out the Kickstarter campaign for the upcoming release of "Naughty Paris: A Lady's Guide to the Sexy City" by Heather Stimmler-Hall & Kirsten Loop.

In fact, even if you're not naughty, this is a great guide to the sexy City of Light:

Naughty Paris is a classy and elegant guide for ladies, not a vulgar sex manual. It’s an invitation to discover the many sensual delights of the City of Light, from food and fashion to culture and cabarets. We believe being naughty starts with giving yourself permission to indulge in whatever makes you feel sexy, beautiful, and alive, even if that simply means treating yourself to a glass of Champagne at a fancy bar, wearing lingerie that makes you blush, or enjoying hotel room service in bed all day with your sweetheart.

You can contribute to the Kickstarter campaign at various levels, and in return receive awesome stuff like the ebook, printed book, signed copies of the printed book, tour packages, and more!

I have my own signed copy of the first edition of "Naughty Paris" and can attest to its awesomeness, even though I started having kids before I had a chance to get out and do many of the suggestions in the book. Not that you can't have fun or be sexy once you have kids, just that for me, having two kids under two is really kicking my ass!

So, check out the campaign, share it on Facebook, tweet about it, buy a book as a gift - do what you feel like! But hurry - the campaign ends July 8, 2014!

Disclosure: I met Heather Stimmler-Hall through her support of SOS Help, an organization I volunteer for. She's a great chick and I recommend buying her guide book and checking out her Kickstarter campaign simply because it's great, not because I get anything out of it (other than the satisfaction of supporting a fellow author).

Paris A-Z: K is for Kir Royale

Photo credit: Alex Brown

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, K, is for Kir Royale.

How do you make champagne better? That's a trick question - champagne is already the best substance on the planet. But sometimes you want a change (first world problem: drinking so much champagne you're starting to get bored) and that's where the Kir Royale comes in. It's a glass of champagne with a dash of syrup liqueur, usually cassis, but can be with any liqueur you choose - peach, wildberry, raspberry, you name it. You can also flavor a glass of white wine with syrup liqueur and it's called simply "kir".

Pretty much any combination will work but one thing is guaranteed - it's going to taste awesome. And as someone who loves drinks, I should know.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave

Photo credit: Terrazzo

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, J, is for Jim Morrison's Grave.

Touristy as it may be, I still recommend a visit to the Père Lachaise Cemetery, not only to see the famed Doors frontman's tomb, but because it's a truly Parisian experience. The cemetery is quite lovely, which is not a word you'd normally use to describe a cemetery. It has little "streets" that even have names, and each resident has an "address". The style is very different from American cemeteries (with the exception of New Orleans, which took its style from - you guessed it - the French).

You can purchase a map or just wander around. Either way, you're likely to come across the final resting places of many other well-known people who were born in Paris, lived in Paris, or died in Paris (the criteria to be buried there). Some notable names: Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Marcel Marceau, and Edith Piaf.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Paris A-Z: I is for Ile St. Louis

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, I, is for Ile St. Louis.

In the heart of the city - and the middle of the Seine - sit two islands: Ile de la Cité and Ile St. Louis. My favorite of the two (and not just because I'm from St. Louis) is the latter. It's smaller, cuter, and I just want to stick it in my pocket and save it for later. Or, really, I want to buy an apartment on it but square footage on the tiny island is some of the most expensive real estate in Paris.

Understandably so.

It offers marvelous views of the Seine and its bridges, passersby, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, and numerous other landmarks. The island itself is full of quaint stores and cute ice cream shops.

What's not to love?

I could go on but I need to run out and buy my lottery ticket. That apartment isn't going to buy itself.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Oh La La... Compression Stockings

Mamalode, an awesome site for moms, is featuring my article for their June theme: "Feats and Feets"

The theme sounds a bit unusual, which was what attracted me to it. How do you write an article about feats and feet? Feats, OK. But feet? Who has anything to say about feet?

Clearly I do.

Also, in case you haven't noticed, I like to talk about my time on bed rest. A lot. I'm the real life version of Michelle from American Pie: "That one time, at band camp..." Somehow I manage to relate everything to bed rest. Have I bored everyone yet?

No? Good. So check out my article about surviving bed rest and the role my sexy compression socks played in the adventure!

Please leave a comment on the Mamalode article, share it, print it out and frame it--however you choose to spread the love!

Want more? Subscribe to receive an email when I post a new article, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Paris A-Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light

As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, H, is for Haussman Architecture.

Strolling through the streets of Paris, you'll notice most of the buildings have the same look and feel to them. It's one of Paris's greatest charms. Certain streets have a unique feel, and yes, I like those too, but I just love that you can be walking in various parts of town and it still feels like Paris.

That's due mainly to the Haussmann style of architecture, implemented from 1853-1870 (though some of his projects continued even after Napoleon III fired him 1870). Monsieur Haussmann essentially renovated the entire city, from infrastructure like sewers and aqueducts to aesthetically pleasing aspects like housing and parks.

We can also thank him for some of the wide avenues that traverse the city nowadays. I love the quaint winding side streets - don't get me wrong - but Haussmann's renovations were necessary at a time when the city was plagued with disease, overcrowding, and crime. By opening up parts of the city, he improved the flow and made the city less dangerous.

Today when you tour Paris, you can enjoy the results of his work while still darting through the occasional tiny cobblestoned rue. It's the best of both worlds.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City