When you have a large camera in your hands there is little room to hold an iPhone at the same time… which is a shame because I love my iPhone camera but often forget to use it.

But when I do remember it and turn off the sound people usually don’t know I’m taking their picture and in this case spying on what they ordered for dessert.  Tarte Tatin, Panna Cotta, no one was dieting at that table.

Except my French boyfriend, you can’t fool him, he doesn’t let a photo opp get away.

A big camera is a lot of fun but even a small camera can catch a big moment.

Enjoy!

Leslie

The original goal was for me to discover new regions of France but now it’s really about finding a place where we will enjoy our time together.

Each year is completely different and this year I had another incredible discovery… On the coastline between Cassis and Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône département of France is the area of Les Calanques.

A calanque is a formation of limestone inlets in the form of a valley, with hair raising-cliffs, that are partly submerged in the sea.

Between Cassis and Marseille there are thirteen different calanques varying in difficulty to reach and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea down below.

We visited one of the easier calanques to hike, picnic, and swim.

You won’t see all the photos (the girls would throw me to the guillotine) and given the rocky terrain the pictures with no watermark were taken with my Point and Shoot.

Last year we visited the village of Cassis but I never would have imagined that just beyond its port would be one of the most beautiful regions in France.

Physically speaking, hiking Les Calanques is not for everyone (there are also boat tours) but if you don’t mind working up a sweat on rocky terrain (where foot trails are not always well marked) the stunning landscape and clear blue water will definitely reward your efforts.

If you decide to hike be sure to bring a picnic, a lot of water and avoid the week-end crowds (My French team knows how to prepare, thanks girls!).

If you haven’t gotten away this Summer, I hope this gives you a quick visual getaway or maybe an idea for your next vacation.

Enjoy!

Leslie

A big thanks to Rachel for a fantastic (un)workshop but an even bigger thanks to my parents who trusted me with their car (scary considering I can’t remember the last time I drove a vehicle with four wheels) and offered me points to stay at a local hotel.

I’m not sure I would have done the trip without their help and I’m so glad I did!

Thank you!!!

Les

This week’s theme is “Bundled Up” to celebrate the cold weather that many of us have been experiencing (we need to find the good in the freezing temps, right?).

These photos were taken in London, crossing Millennium Bridge on the way to the Tate Modern.   It was FREEZING but my friend Riccardo was about to bust out in a huge smile.

The smile may be because he is sporting a fancy new winter coat or simply because Italians love to have their picture taken but either way I love these photos of Riccardo – He knows how to find the good in everything even freezing cold temperatures.

Baci e Abbracci Ric!

Enjoy!

Leslie

But I keep trying and I’m committed to one day buying a wide angle lens to experiment even more.

One of my favorite photographers is Jean-Michel Berts (the French Ansel Adams of architecture).  He says “Architecture is the cultural reflection of a civilization” – so true, especially for Paris.

You can’t visit Paris and not want to be a part of it.  The city is beautiful, imposing, and sometimes daunting (Which I’m sure the kings liked).

Paris is one city by day and another by night.  When the sun goes down and the lights go on the city sparkles, but with more than two thousand years of history it can also feel haunted.

When you have a car in Paris there is nothing better than a “Paris by Night”.  Driving around the city at night with no other reason then to enjoy the city lit up.

Even if the photos aren’t perfection I hope they convey some of the emotion of seeing Paris by night.

Enjoy!

Leslie

PS: Visit the Sous Les Etoiles Gallery through January 29th for an exhibition of “The Cities of Jean-Michel Berts”.

The city is divided into twenty arrondissements (administrative districts) and each district has its own personality.

The twenty arrondissements are like a large group of little French villages.  With their own governing body, they service residents with what I consider the French basics; des cafés (cafes), des boulangeries (bakeries), une poissonerie (a fish monger), une fromagerie (a cheese shop), un supermarché (a supermarket), une église ou deux (a church or two), un station metro (a subway station) and a few Vélib bicycle stations.

Many French frequent the same café or boulangerie in their arrondissement – usually because it’s the best quality in the neighborhood.   It also develops the feel of living in a small village – you may never know your neighbor but you will probably know your local baker.

When you live in Paris it’s easy to overlook the enjoyment of having local merchants (especially when you’re in a rush) but as a foreigner it’s a distinct point of difference that adds to the uniqueness and beauty of the city.

Here’s a look at a few of the arrondissements of Paris.

Enjoy!

Leslie

If you’ve been following my blog since June or the original site you know about the biannual girls weekend.

The January girls weekend is in Paris.  It includes faire les magasins (shopping the stores), les soldes (the sales), eating, gossiping, a lot of picture taking, coffee breaks, and finalizing our resolutions for 2010.

For the first time we were not so lucky with the weather.  Saturday our principal shopping day was pourri (terrible, rotten).  Paris was cold, damp and rainy (Although it was nothing compared to being caught together in a thunderstorm, hiking in the South of France, with no rain gear).

No matter what the weather or the location, what’s important is that we have time together and that we se mettre d’accord (agree) on our next girls weekend.

As last January, a special merci (thank you) to Michele for organizing the restaurants and ensuring we ate well over the weekend and to Mapie who entertained us our fist night in Paris with a home cooked meal.

Here is a very quick run through our girls weekend – Thank you girls, see you in July!

Leslie

I also like it because January becomes a transitionary month.  With our New Year wishes we can look forward to 2010 but we can also look back on 2009.

For me 2009 was about having time.  Time with friends, time to travel, and time to discover and do things I truly enjoy doing.

I’m very lucky to have had this time.  It has created some incredible experiences that I’m truly grateful for.

Here is a snapshot, of some, of my 2009 favorite times with wishes to everyone for a 2010 filled with time to discover and do the things you truly enjoy doing.

Mes Meilleurs Vœux Pour 2010! (My Best Wishes For 2010!)

Leslie

My food experience was great – enjoying homemade Italian nearly every night.  I didn’t have the fish & chips experience, but I did have Pimm’s (a gin based English cocktail mixed with ice, fruit and cucumber), chips (French fries), piccalilli (a sort of relish/mustard that is nice on ham sandwiches) and a lot of tea.   All delicious.

But my favorite culinary stop was Borough Market, London’s oldest food market.

Located in Southwark, South East London, the market is both a wholesale and retail market and the city’s epicenter for fine foods.

Food vendors of every nationality animate this market. Whether you are looking for Spanish ham, Italian olives, local vegetables, cheese, and meat Borough Market will have it.

If you don’t plan to cook while in London, the market also offers numerous restaurants and stalls for prepared food. The restaurant Roast may not always offer the kindest service but the dining room is wonderful, with views over the market and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

And the coffee house Monmouth, with non-stop crowds, is the perfect stop for a carb and caffeine loaded breakfast.

If you will be visiting London add Borough Market to your list.   If you will be visiting from your desk, share the pictures with a colleague and enjoy the escape – without the jet lag or calories.

Enjoy!

Leslie

The city revolves around tourism. With a vast transportation network of trains and buses it’s easy to take it all in. My refillable Oyster card got me from Heathrow Airport to Central London and beyond, with an average trip costing just $1.50.

World-class museums, famed department stores, traditional markets and restaurants (at every budget) are ready for tourists from around the world.

I squeezed in the V&A, The British Museum, The Tate Modern, Harrod’s, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty, and a few reputable restaurants for coffee breaks and snacks in between.

The only down part of visiting the UK is the weak dollar – ouch! But many of London’s attractions and major museums are free. This helps balance the initial sticker shock when converting dollars to pounds.

Whether you are planning your own trip or need a little getaway, I hope these pictures will give you a taste of London.

Enjoy the escape!

Leslie