Eze, France

Last post of my Cote d'Azur vacation, I promise!!  But I just couldn't resist sharing this perfect little city with you.  You might have heard of it, it was most certainly in most tourist books we saw.  It is small and not entirely well-known but oh so worth it.  I am so glad we took the time to visit this beautiful little city.  To catch up on my little vacay here are the posts: Cannes, Nice, and Italy & Monaco.

I will try to explain how enchanting it was through the pictures.  So come, take a mini-vacation with me to the south of France, a little city perched high up on a mountain top, overlooking the French Riviera.

The town of course has a little church like most, if not all, French towns.  This particular church was rather old and the outside was rather plain.  However, when I walked inside, I was mesmerized by its beauty.  And after being in the Notre Dame in Paris this past weekend, as far as the inside goes - Eze takes the cake.

Now come take a walk with me through the narrow, cobblestone streets that were here when the Romans were.  The city was actually established close to 2000 BC.  That's B.C., people! The castle or fortress was built in 1388 AD and the church {first pictures} is the oldest standing building from 1306 AD.

Isn't this city fabulous?  I feel like I am living in medieval France and my knight in shining armor is going to show up any minute.  Except, of course, for the restaurant in the picture on the right.  I am sure that is from at least 1500 AD.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, people actually live in this little fortress.  Amazing!  I don't think I would actually dig something like that, so many tourists all over the place, but so cool to live somewhere with such rich history.

This is the walkway to someone's home.  

View looking out from the fortress looking down on Nice.

A view looking up to the fortress.  As we were driving towards it, we saw the castle perched out there on a cliff and we all thought 'what the heck is that and how do you even get there!'  Thanks to our sometimes trusty GPS we made it and I am so glad we did!

There it is, just sitting out there about to fall off a cliff or something.  I stood on that edge!  Yikes!

The fam bam walking the many stairs.

Then we made our way to the old Roman ruins in Nice.  This was our historical day.  So stinkin' beautiful.

This ampitheatre is from the first century.  So incredible so much has lasted.  And no, I don't know that couple that is posing for this picture... whoops!

The funny thing about this place was that there was this beautiful park right next to the ampitheatre and the old Roman baths (which were next to this, I didn't get a picture) and people were in the park like it was nothing!  I mean maybe that is weird coming from an American, from California no less, where the oldest thing is my grandpa.  He's like 86 and has some great stories....

But as much as I love my grandpa and his stories he's told {many times} this trip was one of a lifetime and I feel so blessed we got to go!

On that note, I left for Sweden yesterday!  So I might be a little MIA next week, hang in there with me!  I will still have posts scheduled, etc. but just maybe a little slow on comments and things like that.

I have never been to Sweden, any must sees while I am there?

Italy & Monaco

I have some beautiful pictures for you today!  More from my south of France vacation.  I am breaking this up into quite a few posts because frankly, it was an awesome vacation and I love sharing these beautiful places.  And travel is a big part of my life, so it kinda fits!  If you want to catch up, you can see our trip to Cannes and then Day Two in Nice.  

On this particular day I woke up in Mougins, France, had a little snack stop in Monaco and ate lunch in Italy.  Monaco was be-U-tiful!  Little out of my budget, but ya know, nice to look.  

 Wouldn't this be cool for a balcony?  I would love to have breakfast sitting overlooking the Mediterranean. ahhhh... one can dream!

 Monaco has a very interesting history.  It has stayed ruled by the same family, the Grimadlis, since the 1200's, longer than any other.  The current prince, Prince Albert (his mother was Grace Kelly) is a descendant.  Grace Kelly was the American actress that married Prince Rainier.  I won't bore you, but very interesting history here!
 One of the famous Casinos I didn't gamble at.  I only gamble with other people's money.  And since I don't have a lot of people just handing me money to gamble, I don't do it a lot.

 That's my yacht right there.  The big one.  Ya, this little blog is doing pretty good for itself.  :)  Who knew?

 Can you see the stores?  Hermes, Dior, Valentino.... just to name a few.

Our view leaving Monaco.  So beautiful!

Then we stopped in Italy.  My dad is 50% Italian which makes him pretty much an expert on everything Italian.  He felt particularly attached to his 'peeps' and wanted to look up his last name, Durso, a popular Italian name mainly in the south.  So we had fun teasing him about his 'peeps' and if he saw any of his cousins.  Everything was either 'see what they're doing? Stupid Italians.'  Or 'see what they're doing?  Italians are awesome!'

And of course we had to have Italian pizza while in Italy.  Eli particularly liked the soda.  Which he doesn't usually get, but you know, Grammy and Papi around, times are special!  He kept saying 'aaahhhh' after each sip, it was so cute. 

 My dad and Tae, skipping more rocks on the Mediterranean.  These two are best buds.

 Welcome to Italy, Italian food, and old men playing bocce ball.  Does it get any better?

Lunch with my boys!

It was on the Italian Riviera where I took this rather difficult to pose picture. Good bye 2011, welcome 2012!!

So far so good, can't wait to see what she brings us!

Oh, and if you're wondering where my husband is in all of this, well, he had to leave early.  Stinkin' basketball practice or whatever.  Such a bummer to not have him there!

Family Day & an Outfit

At least once or twice a week my husband and I try to do a family day.  Something where we can get out of the house, entertain the kids (wear them out for early bedtime) and just enjoy each other.  Sometimes these days are movie days spent sipping hot cocoa and watching Kung Fu Panda.  

On Sunday we decided to treat the boys.  They have been obsessed with the tram that runs through town around here.  They always yell when they see it and tell me they want to ride it.  So we thought, let's do just that!  There is a Marche de Noel going on in town with a huge Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and lots of cute little Christmas shops.  We could have very easily drove, but we thought it would be more fun to catch the tram.  The boys loved it.  Tae kept talking about how fast it was going.  They really aren't that fast, but he must have had it in his mind that we were going fast!

The boys waiting for the tram.

Tae and daddy on the Ferris wheel.  I have got to be honest, it was a little scary.  I have never been afraid of heights before, but this was a bit different.  I had my babies with me!  It just made me nervous.  The view was gorgeous, though!

Eli was a little nervous too.  He was all cuddled up next to me, it was cute.  He managed a smile for this picture.

Me, Eli, and Spiderman.  That's all I need.

Me and my boys.  Love those boogers.

Lavar caught me zoning out on the tram... haha                 Then I made him take some outfit pictures!

Boots, Top & leggings: Target // Jacket: Berska // Scarf: Paris market // Hat: Italian market

Then later that night be called a babysitter and went to see a movie in Lyon!  The Fete De Lumineres was going on, so it was crazy busy.  I kind of wanted to go to that, but we went last year and didn't plan ahead this year.  Maybe I will share some of last year's pictures with you and act like I went this year...

This hairstyle will have a video tutorial on SITS Girls on Wednesday if you want to check it out!  I guest posted there yesterday with Tips on How to Wear Bold Lips.

So overall it was a wonderful family day.  I love days like that where we can just spend time together, enjoy each other's company.  What do you do for family days?  Do you have something that is specific for your family?  I love to hear other ideas, I sometimes like to try to adapt them to fit our family and try something new!

Happy Tuesday!

Waxing in France

Okay.  So I have a foreign experience I want to share with you.  Mostly because it's funny.  It's embarrassing.  It is soooo not American.  And I thought you might get a good laugh!  Last week I went to an appointment here in France.  It's called epilation here, but for us English speakers, it's just plain gettin' waxed.

Now, this wasn't my first experience, but somehow it is not something I have gotten used to.  I guess I would be considered a prude American.  Let me try to share with you about my experience without making anyone too uncomfortable... you'll see what I mean.

Oh, and guys, if you're out there, this one's for the ladies... I'm pretty sure you won't be interested.

So, I get waxed about once a month, when I am on top of making appointments, etc.  I usually get my eyebrows, upper lip (keepin' it real ladies!), and my bikini waxed.  Now, if we were in America, I would walk in and the specialist would ask me if I want some water or anything and then exit the room while I get down to my skimmies.  There would be a towel waiting for me on the table so I could cover up and not feel so uncomfortable.  She would come back in and proceed to put gloves on and start with my eyebrows.

Now, the only thing about the above paragraph that rings true about the experience here in France is that they start with the eyebrows.  Here, this is a little more how it would look.

The specialist would lead me into the room and shut the door.  She would tell me to get undressed and then turn to wash her hands.  What?  You're not going to step out?  Um, ok.  I would proceed to take off my bottoms and be standing there in my skimmies.  She would turn around and say that I should take those off too.  Um, ok...  Is there a towel or something to cover up?  I quickly scan the room.  Looks like I am outta luck.  Okay, I am standing here in just a shirt.  This is interesting.  She tells me to lay on the little bed/table thingie.  So she proceeds with my eyebrows, without gloves.  That's pretty normal from what I remember from the states. Okay, that's fine.  They use a hard wax that rips off without applying paper.  Which means at any given time you could have 3 or 4 strips just on your body.  She finishes the eyebrows, moves on to the upper lip.  Pretty easy, I'm okay.  Trying not to think about the fact that I am lying in front of a stranger half naked.  Next time I have got to remember to wear a longer shirt!

She finishes up the upper lip and proceeds to move toward my lower region.  Okay, so she'll put on gloves now, right?  I mean, that would be pretty gnarly waxing a complete stranger down there with no gloves.  Wait, is that the wax?  She still doesn't have gloves on!  Um, okay, I guess we're just doing this!  Good thing I showered! For her sake anyway.  She puts two strips of wax on and then the door opens.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I am lying here half naked with heated wax strips on my coochie (sorry) and someone just walks in???  My specialist tells me one second and LEAVES.  I am lying there, alone, with wax strips down there, and no one to pull them off.  This should be interesting.

About what felt like 30 minutes later (but was probably 2) she comes back in to yank 'em off.  I am happy to find out she stays the rest of the time and no one else barges in to 'check on my progress' or whatever.  Without going into too much detail, let's just say there was wax in places it's never been before.  And I was in positions that now only hubs and French waxing lady have seen. Yet, somehow I make it through.  Amen and amen.  Can I put my pants back on now?  THANK YOU!

Oh, and did I mention, this was all done while conversing in French.  And let's just say, it isn't my first language.  Awkward small talk while laying there half naked is a bit more awkward when you are searching for words in your very limited vocab.

Needless to say, it was quite an experience!! I really did try to spare you the agonizing details.  I wasn't sure whether or not to blog about it, so I threw it out there on twitter and the overwhelming response was to do it!

Well, now it's your turn!  Ever been in an embarrassing situation like that before?  Spill the beans!! Or you can just laugh.  That's okay too.