Pre-Paris

Well, I have made my peace with the weather forecast for our big trip.  Apparently Paris in the Spring = Paris in the rain. Depending on your attitude, that could sound miserable or magical and I've decided to look at it positively. I treated myself to a super cute raincoat, and picked up some super cheap shoes that can get ruined in Paris puddles all week and I won't have to worry about it.

I'm am literally the world's most dramatic packer. Today I must have had an out of body experience though, because I picked out and tried on all my clothes for the trip without a single meltdown, whine, or crying-fit. Maybe the key was that I went shopping immediately before packing, so I couldn't even think about having an "I have no clothes!" tantrum. This isn't to say that there won't be some last minute freaking out. I haven't even gone near a suitcase yet, let alone thought about toiletries or other miscellanei (hey, apparently that IS a word!) Anyway, regardless, this is a packing victory for me.

In no particular order, I can't wait for:

WORLD-CLASS MACARONS AT LADUREE

LADUREE Paris

EPIC SIGHTSEEING

wikipedia

STREET MARKETS

Rue Montorgueil

MY EXTRA CAMERA BATTERY (to avoid a repeat of that tearful moment at the Vatican)

Amazon

We may never come home...

5 Springtime Loves

1. Gap 1969 skimmer legging jeans
I almost can't rationally describe how much I adore these pants.  The colored jeans trend intrigued me the first time I heard about it and, in my eyes, Gap has been seriously finding itself again after many years of weirdness.  When I finally got to try these jeans on, almost every size was already sold out, and this highlighter yellow was the only color left that fit.  I bought them.  Don't ask me where I'm going to wear them.  I don't care.  I've since bought them in green as well, and searched the entire metropolitan area looking for the black ones.

Gap

2. IKEA's 3D kitchen design tool

I have no business daydreaming about renovating our kitchen, but somehow still spent 2 hours this past weekend inputing our measurements and picking cabinets and countertops.  This is seriously good stuff.  You can design in floorplan and 3D modes, and rotate and zoom to your heart's content. There is something ridiculously exciting about being about to edit your actual kitchen layout with the doors/windows/walls where they actually are.

screenshot from IKEA

3.  Breakfast/Afternoon snack/Dinner when Husband isn't home

My love-affair with greek yogurt is going strong.  I think I've sampled just about every brand, and Fage 0% is unquestionably unbeatable in my mind.  It's not even worth buying anything smaller than the family size anymore, and the shelf life is pretty long (not that I ever come close to letting them expire).  A sprinkle of Trader Joe's Pecan Praline granola, a drizzle of Berry Cream of Balsamic, and if it's an extra special day - a few chopped strawberries.  Yes, please, thank you.

              

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                               Amazon.com                                                                                FageUSA

4. Scramble with Friends

I never got into the Words With Friends craze.  I love my iPhone (and my friends) as much as the next guy, but I've never been a keen scrabble player.  A few weeks ago, I got sucked into Draw Something in a BIG way, and played almost constantly for a week during my vacation in California. Just as quickly as I started though, I got totally burned out on it and stopped cold turkey. Somewhere in the midst of all that, I discovered Scramble with Friends (which is basically Boggle) and we're still going strong.

5.  Herbiliciousness

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh picked basil, mint, or rosemary?  How about when the plants are $1.74 each and the limit is 20?  

Home Depot

Did I buy pretty much one of everything?  You bet.

Thanks for the excessive pesto in my future, Home Depot.