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For the wanderers

Fabulous Finds…a haven in Paris

Following my introductory blog on fabulous accommodation finds, seems only right to start with the most beautiful city of all…the city of lights…Paris. My love affair with this magnificant city demands regular returns, most recently with friends Ross and Jenny, the latter responsible for finding us this little accommodation gem.

Situated in St-Germaine-des-Pres, this ‘Apartement’ is on Boulevard St Germaine and right in the heart of the action, the region positively pumping with gorgeous little cafes, restaurants, boulangeries, patisseries and fromageries each nestled between antique markets, funky fashion boutiques and organic food markets and within easy walking distance to central Paris, Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay and Delacroix, the lush Jardins du Luxembourg to name just a few of the many treasures around the 6th and surrounding arrondissements.

Oh! And those markets! Picture yourself feasting on a crisp baguette, creamy cheese washed down with a crisp white, or nibbling tenderly steamed plump white asparagus spears, slurping juicy tomatoes or supping freshly shucked oysters? Well you can, ‘cos that’s what apartment life versus hotels affords.

We are met by our English speaking Greeter bearing an enormous bunch of Peonies and bottle of wine and fell in love with the place as she introduced us to it’s beautifully appointed luxury before discreetly departing to leave us to oh and ah at a fully stocked pantry, piles of fluffy white towels and oh so soft beds while singing along to our in house Bose docked iPod. Delicieux! A note of caution… 70 plus stairs, no lifts! Great exercise I say!

St Germaine Luxe:

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To find this and similar apartments in the slightly more luxurious budget category go to: Haven in Paris

And if your as in love with this city as much as I am you will relish Carla Coulson’s work: Carla Loves Photography follow her blog, Pinterest and all scial media forums for a regular dose of Paris inspiration. Enjoy!

Fabulous Finds – Chateaus…Apartements…Maisons…Villas…,

New Year Resolutions…love ’em! Mine always involve another opportunity to explore some part of the world as budget allows. Do you have travel in your sights too?

As we blogged our 2011 travels around France and Italy (archives May-June) so many of you commented on the quality of our fabulous accommodation and those of you planning a similar journey have since been asking for details.

Thanks to our trip coordinator extraordinaire and travelling companion…the beautiful Jenny (Fifi), our journey became so much more than just sightseeing…and eating…and drinking. Carefully researched, selected and booked in advance, Jenny ensured we placed weary heads on feathered pillows in digs that were beautifully appointed, close to the action, just a little bit special, often quite unique yet still within mid range budget. I’m still telling her she should make a career out of this!

With your queries in mind and drawing from our archived details, January’s blogging will be devoted to sharing best of the best.

Looking forward to hearing your comments (click on comments below post), please share your own faves too, if you agree with mine feel free to FB Like/Share.

Searching for a shake…

Sunday morning, nursing dusty hangover and wallowing in self pity when the darling Bellsies, bright eyed and bushy tailed after their early morning cycle, drop in and drag me kicking and screaming to a new coffee hole they’ve just discovered.

My personal hangover cure happens to be a pie and milkshake combo, but this argument falls on deaf ears…and I’m rather glad it did because this is one special little spot! ‘Shucked’ doesn’t deal in oysters as one would imagine with such a name but it does deal in kitch…a great big healthy bowl of it.

Quite literally a hole in the wall with another punched through to an open space that feels like your at one of those ‘garage confined’ parties…you know the ones? Crates ‘n stuff to sit on while pondering the status of the universe? Decor mirroring a melamine clad 60’s household, a mish mash of furnishings and funky wallpaper to match and my hangover head is spinning…in a really rather cool way actually.

Sipping a skinny latte that quite simply tantalises the taste buds over the front, middle and back palette…not dissimilar to the complexities of a fine red wine and something to do with the bean and host specific tailored roasting and we concur…bespoke coffee really is worth trawling for. But what about my ‘cure’?

An overview of Ipad presented menu reveals milkshakes! Ah! Bless!  Two ‘Turkish Delight’ shakes greedily slurped from real, deliciously cool old fashioned tin shakers later and I’m feeling  a tad better.

Toasted turkish pide topped with avocado, feta, semi dried tomatoes and snow pea sprouts substitute the ‘pie’, ticks the ‘virtuous’ box and goes down a treat while my mates hoover eggs nestled in bacon jackets, brekky burritos and more coffee and still more shakes. Just a few of the many delectable items on that menu.

Rubbing tum with satisfaction, I kiss my beloved Bellsies in gratitude and vow to return to ‘Shucked’ real soon…no excuses…and there really isn’t any…for ‘Shucked’ is just a block away!

Try it! Creswell St, Newstead

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