I spent the majority of Saturday behind the wheel. After driving down and back to my son's college, I returned home to drive my daughter to the far end of town. My neck and shoulder were achy, and I was in dire need of some relaxation. After lighting some candles and scenting the bath with deliciously scented coconut bubbles, I sank dreamily into a foamy heaven. I lost myself within the pages of Paris In Love, chuckling out loud a few times, as my feet became webbed and my muscles unwound.
Eloisa James packed up her Italian-professor hubby, two non-speaking-french children and moved to the city of lights. She shares her adventures in an eloquent and witty prose which makes you fall in love with her from page one. She makes you feel as if you are there with her, savoring the tastes, fashions, culture and beauty of Paris. Eloisa provides us with many laugh out loud moments via her spirited children and her Italian mother-in-law, who feeds the family's not so tiny chihuahua, an endless array of prosciutto and caters to his, "emotional needs."
I know so many of you love Paris as much as I do, and don't we all secretly dream of packing up and moving there for a year? Cheers to Eloisa for having the guts to do it!
Eloisa James packed up her Italian-professor hubby, two non-speaking-french children and moved to the city of lights. She shares her adventures in an eloquent and witty prose which makes you fall in love with her from page one. She makes you feel as if you are there with her, savoring the tastes, fashions, culture and beauty of Paris. Eloisa provides us with many laugh out loud moments via her spirited children and her Italian mother-in-law, who feeds the family's not so tiny chihuahua, an endless array of prosciutto and caters to his, "emotional needs."
I know so many of you love Paris as much as I do, and don't we all secretly dream of packing up and moving there for a year? Cheers to Eloisa for having the guts to do it!
Giveaway Requirements:
This giveaway is open to all readers of Inspired Design.
Simply leave a comment below telling me what you think would be the best part of living in Paris.
Good luck and bon jour! xoxo
Visit inspired designs. or email me to find out about having a custom blog designed.
That would be a dream to live in paris!! I hope you had a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read the book...please put my name in...the whole relaxation experience sounds wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, how lovely is this Book.. me wanna have & read please! Haven't been to Paris yet, but always dream to go.. especially to Paris Fashion Week.. wheep!
ReplyDeleteWhat bliss it would be.. to mingle with the most elegant Fashion Crowd and sit in the lovely little Bistros on the corners and watch passengers go by!
As well, go up to Montmartre and stroll around the Art Folks to look and inspire yourself with their artistic works.. not to mention to see the Mona Lisa! oh lala
xoxo
fingers crossed!
Following you on Twitter, too of course, sweets! xo
ReplyDelete.. and on a Follower on Facebook, too! xo
ReplyDeleteI would love to read that book
ReplyDeleteThe wonderful cafes. The museums and the beutiful scenery would be right there for me. Going to Sacre Coeur.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to speak French all the time woould be a dream come true...I've been so passionate about the language ever since I first started speaking it.
ReplyDeleteAlready follow you on GFC. Gros bisous xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
I am a people watcher. I'd love to sit and sip some tea or coffee and watch the happenings.
ReplyDeleteI have recently become absolutely addicted to bubble baths! I also love reading in the tub, AND I use coconut & cream bubble bath. Great minds think alike, sister :)
ReplyDeleteI am from Texas, currently studying abroad in lovely London, so through the lenses of this experience I would have to say that living in Paris would be fabulous because of the chance to soak in and learn all about another culture so different from my own. That has been the most incredible part about this semester.
I have already liked you on Facebook, and I follow you via Bloglovin'!
XOXO
megansalters@gmail.com
I am going for my first trip to Paris this summer! The best part of living in Paris would be having the time to explore at leisure. To find out of the way streets, shops, flea markets, etc. To spend hours and hours and days in the museums and see the paintings with different eyes on each visit. Alas, I am going for four days and will have to hit the highlights and absorb as much as I can!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Debby...Sounds like you had an extremely busy weekend....glad you took some time for yourself!!! This book sounds wonderful....my kind of reading. Definitely going to put it on my list of "Must Reads"....I find the Paris lifestyle so intriguing and romantic....I could definitely see my husband and myself strolling along the streets (don't tell my kids they're not coming with us) LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a WONDERFUL day!!! :)
Patti
The best part? Oh dear, is all of it an okay answer?
ReplyDeleteOkay, the best part would be my obvious transformation into a chic Parisian fashionista 'cause that happens when you move there right? You also instantly speak French too right?
Strolling, I think there would be a lot of strolling and flowers in baskets.
Seriously, for me, it would be the flea markets :)
Bonjour mon ami!!! I'm smack dab in the middle of reading Bonjour Happiness by Jamie Cat Callan and I'm so ready for a trip back to France!!
ReplyDeleteParis in Love, sounds great especially since her hubby is Italian (as is moi's)and we don't have children but two Yorkies and a lab... LOL...
So happy to read you were able to sit back an unwind, dream and re-energize!!!
Fabulous giveaway!! Wishing you a super week..xo C. (HHL)
I love the art and atmosphere of Paris, I'm an art student so it's my dream to visit there someday.
ReplyDeleteMalvina Beatrice
darkenf(at)rocketmail(dot)com
living in paris would be a dream... walking by the beautiful gardens, having picnics there, fresh cheese, fruit and bread from the boulangerie, slow life, cups of cappuccino and great style all over the place...
ReplyDeleteI am reading Lunch in Paris and it is making me long for this gorgeous city. I think the best part about living in Paris would be the food (enough said :^) and living near so much history and culture.
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway! I have the book and haven't finished, bit I am loving it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
Pavement cafés and walks along the Seine....I love Paris. I've just finished a similar story 'Lunch in Paris' (which I've reviewed on my blog) and I was looking out for my next good read - I think this may be it - thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
The outdoor cafes and restuarants would defintely be the appeal for me. Of course the normal attractions and art galleries, etc, etc. would be a wonderful way to spend some time.
ReplyDeleteHello Debby!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you!
I know it has little to do with this but I started following your blog and other because I love everything has to do with beautiful interiors...
Since I'm Italian and the blogs I follow are in English, I take advantage to improve my English.
So would you kindly explain better the sentence you mentioned: “who feeds the family's not so tiny chihuahua”. Sorry but I do not understand this.
All told I think Paris is one of those cities you must have to visit at least once in a lifetime, because Paris it Paris..ok I won’t be trivial, it make have a taste of emotions, people, culture, art, fashion, philosophy of life. Finally Je pense que c'est une ville magique!
I really hope to continue to improve my English in a fun way with something I love for example with Paris In Love!!
Bye
Though I've been to Paris a time or two, it was never long enough! The best thing about Paris is the incredible architecture. What a dream to spend a year focusing on photographing only the fabulously detailed doors. That's what I would do.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back to Paris and stock up on French ingredients for my pantry!
ReplyDeleteThe best part about living in Paris would be trying each day to capture it with my camera. That would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteI adore reading your blog! Such beautiful photos you always put together. There are so many things I loved about living in Paris. Probably what I miss the most is being able to walk every where. The last apartment I had there I didn't even buy a monthly metro pass because it was so easy to walk every where I needed to go. That and the food. I miss the delicious food. Especially, the smell of the fresh croissants and baguettes in the morning coming from the boulangeries on my walk to school.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun Paris read is Paris Hungover. It's probably more like a beach read, easy and fun. I's about a woman who gives up her 2,000 sq ft. apartment in NY to finally live her dream and move to a 500 sq ft studio in Paris. I found it quite funny.
I love reading other people's experiences about moving abroad to Paris. It's always so entertaining. Great giveaway! xoxo
Okay, putting this one on the library list.....
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway and a nice bubble bath seems like the perfect spot to be reading about the city of lights!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
nice giveaway, I'm so in!
ReplyDeleteThe best part about living in Paris ... where do I begin? I'll just keep it simple: eating baguette and sipping a latte on the banks of Seine, with the Eiffel tower in sight ;-)
of course I follow on Facebook and I've already tweeted this giveaway ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe best part of living in Paris would be being so close to Versailles! Versailles was my favorite part of my quick trip to Paris on my study abroad and I would love to be able to visit the gardens any time I wanted. And of course the food and Lauderee wouldn't hurt ;)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite thing about Paris would be the croissants, the bouquinistes and the Sacré Coeur. Thank you! Marta García martaplayita at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThe best part about living in Paris would be going to the Fromagerie, the Boucherie and the Boulangerie, all to choose the food for my evening meal, discussing each of my selections with the shop owner, and then taking it home to my apartment with the beautiful view of the Eiffel tower and cooking a wonderful meal for my husband with the freshest of ingredients.
ReplyDeleteHaving lunch and dinner at one of the charming sidewalk cafes with a great glass of red wine, maybe a Bordeaux? Shopping on the Rue St. Honore with girlfriends. Learning to really speak French. Taking my dogs with me everywhere (so French) and not having some rude American shop/cafe owner tell me "NO DOGS ALLOWED," when I'm carrying them. Lingering. Exploring all the forgotten passageways. Going back to the Place des Vosges again & again. And, the book, definitely put me down !! Great giveaway, you'll have 1000 entries. xx's
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower by email
and I have liked Inspired Design on Facebook for quite a while.
I would love to live in Paris and shop in the local street markets and bring fresh food home and prepare it in my own kitchen for my fabulous husband. Paris is the city of love.
Sam
The best part of living in Paris would be exploring all the antique shops, picking up some of the chicness of Parisan women and drinking lots of fabulous wine.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog via email and enjoy it greatly.
Shelly
I actually leave next week for London- and we will be taking some time to visit Paris as well! I went ahead and ordered this book-perfect reading for my plane ride over. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe best part of living in Paris has to be the food...Bon Appetit :)
ReplyDeleteI will be driving 750 miles to my son's college in a few weeks, turning around and driving back home. I wandered around Paris almost 10 years ago for a very short weekend. Everything was beautiful. The buildings, flower shops, sidewalk cafes, wine, food! I loved it! Maybe this book would make me feel that I was back there!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun read! I think everything about Paris would be fabulous! I would love to sit outside at a cafe each morning, have coffee and a pastry and just enjoy the moment. I would also like to do a little shopping! The possibilities are endless in Paris! Enjoy your week, Debby. XO
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and living in Paris would mean that I would have access to all the old architectural pieces and antiques that I could afford!
ReplyDeleteIf not the food, then definitely the history of the city! xx
ReplyDeleteHOW DID I MISS THIS????? count me in dearest. And your comment was so kind and wonderful. We must shape the lives we WANT. It has to be intentional, n'est-ce pas? And if things do not turn out as intended, then follow your heart. We BOTH have courage and I KNOW YOU DO....you are bright, beautiful, talented and You will FIND MORE OUT THERE! BRAVO TO YOU! Anita
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I think the best part of living in France would be the bread. Or the cheese. No wait - the wine.
ReplyDeleteOh the french bread!!! I could live on that alone, in fact when we were there (for a visit) we brought cheese from Holland and had bread, cheese and wine almost every meal! I would also buy beautiful french antiques to bring home! chedeb5353@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteWalking.....everywhere.....riding a bike along the Seine with cheese and bread and a bottle of wine in the adorable basket that would most surely be on the front of it and stopping to enjoy all of the above with my love!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so lovely! I think the best part of living in Paris would be just being able to start over with new people and so much beauty!
ReplyDeletexo
Sharon
the history
ReplyDeleteThe best part of living in Paris for me would be to be able to get a proper cocktail and to have the Galleries Lafayette to shop at whenever I wanted :)
ReplyDeletethis is definitely my kind of book, I am always telling the hubs someday we will own an apt in Paris
ReplyDeleteThe best part of living in Paris? The food, j'adore!
ReplyDeleteWell, naturally the food (esp. fromage!), wine, cafes & fresh flowers on every street would be a massive plus to living in Paris but for me, dreamily wandering around the historical streets where every corner reveals a hidden time-worn beauty would be all I need. Listening to those sexy French accents all day couldn't hurt ether ;-)
ReplyDelete~ Clare x
I would love to sit and relax in my recliner just reading about Paris.All the sites decor,sheer elgance of Paris.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be the food! And the overall ambiance of history, culture and beauty. Sounds lovely right about now. Let me grab my passport and we can be on our way!
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on facebook! Lucky me!
ReplyDeleteTo drink espresso in an outdoor cafe surrounded by gorgeous flowers and twinkly lights, with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Sounds like heaven!
ReplyDeleteParis the city of LOVE.
ReplyDeleteI love it to be there in a lovely Hotel or B&B, and to go outside to enjoy...
Paris a great city to be..
Love,
Patricia
♥
Its so hard to say just one thing that would be wonderful about living in Paris. The lavender, the Tour, the art, the history, the language...and of course the shopping! :)
ReplyDeleteI never win anything, so fingers crossed!!
Jennifer
I've only dreamed of a visit to Paris, but never actually living there! Can you imagine?! The strolls through the city admiring the architecture, sitting on benches listening to Parisians speak the beautiful language, the art, the romance- so many things to love about the idea of living there!!
ReplyDeletexo, Julie
The best part about living in Paris would be the simple pleasures...croissants and coffee at an outdoor cafe in Montmartre, hearing and speaking French, strolling around the world class museums, seeing the infamous pink light, daydreaming on the bridges of the Seine, watching lovers hold hands in the parks, and eating the best food in the world. I love Paris, and miss her dearly!
ReplyDeleteThe best part of living in Paris would be living in Paris!; the food, the restaurants,the architecture, the people, the churches, the language, the people, the Seine, the museums, the shopping, the croissants and butter and bread and cheese of course, the espresso, the Arc de Triomphe and the ferris wheel, the...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this opportunity!
For me, the best part about living in Paris would be the opportunities to eat croque-monsieurs daily. My absolute favorite, and it's left me itching to go back! May have to break out the passport again soon ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I would love sampling wine and people watching in Paris :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be possible to name just one. I dream of visiting Paris for the architecture, history, food, and the Paris fleas!
ReplyDeleteI just recently read a Year in Provence. So I'd love to visit for the food and the wonderful culture. This trip for me would be bliss.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
the foood, the best of paris is definatelly the food and the architecture! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get a new book;-)
http://inspirationalmail.blogspot.com/
Deletehave a look
I am saving up for my own extended stay in Paris-- hopefully sooner rather than later. I look forward to the cheese!
ReplyDeletechitownchicas at gmail dot com
Oh Debby this would be a perfect book for me to have, We are going to Paris for the first time in the Fall. Sign me up, fingers crossed. You know I have followed you since the beginning!! xo Kathysue
ReplyDeleteOoops I forgot to tell you what would be the best part about living in Paris. WE will be living in an apartment for two weeks and I am looking forward to the sidewalk cafes, the local markets for fresh food to cook. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteParis is one of my favourite cities in the world. It´s been a few years since I´ve been there...The best part about living in Paris is walking on those long avenues that seem to never end, always taking us to beautiful places as if you had never been there before.Everytime you go back it always seems it´s the first time. I love Paris :) The book would be the perfect way to visit Paris without living your home.
ReplyDeleteThe cafe's! The croissants! The crepes with nutella on the street. I dream of Paris everyday...I've been twice and would give anything to go back again. If I can't be there I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon than reading about it.
ReplyDeleteDebby,
ReplyDeleteThe history of one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Thank you for your lovely blog and transporting us through your thoughts and images. V
the food, toujours the food.
ReplyDeleteWhere to begin? The cheese! The wine! The walking and metro! Art! Oh, I just love it (and we actually have a possibility to live there a few years down the road!).
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you on facebook!
ReplyDeleteLiving in Paris I would learn the language finally! Walk everywhere with a smile on my face, eat fresh and less. Have all my clothes fit into one armoire, except for the shoes, of course!
ReplyDeleteThe best part about living in Paris for me would be the pastries. Decent pastries! Heaven! (I follow you on GFC)
ReplyDeleteI "like" your FB page too :)
ReplyDeleteI tweeted and follow you on twitter (@VanishaMVakaoti)
ReplyDeleteGosh, it is hard to pick from all the wonderful things Paris offers: regularly visiting the Musee de Orsay, bread from Poilane, Hermes, people watching while enjoying coffee at a cafe, macaroons at Laduree...
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Paris mainly to enjoy watching the people, dining in little cafe's and of course, shopping. Maybe one day. Until then, I will just have to read about it. Thanks for your blog. I enjoy it every day!
ReplyDeleteI have never been there so not really sure. Maybe winning the book might give me some ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have never had the opportunity to visit Paris but my daughter speaks fluent French, so obviously she would have to go :) and we would shop for days and eat, of course!!
ReplyDeleteFresh Croissants and a true Cafe au Lait!!!! Bliss!
ReplyDeleteSo much access to Europe and mini-getaways.
ReplyDeletei'm dreaming of paris too!
ReplyDeleteI think the food and lovely architecture would be the best part of living in Paris.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog...the beautiful pictures, inspirational quotes and cleaver writing