This may not look like anything special, just a hallway and you would be right in most cases. But, because Paris is filled with so many courtyard passage ways that lead to the unknown, each time I pass one it fills my head with wonder. Each one is different and beautiful in their own right, just like a person, with a soul and personality all to its own that can look like it goes on for miles and miles in many cases, like this passage way here.
So I was looking through my phone to post another picture when I came across this video from Aug. 2017. In reference to the post before this one, this is another time that I was surprised with an extravagant moment where I wished I had dressed differently! #storyofmylife ! This is one of the biggest surprises my boyfriend has ever pulled off so far! The story was that we were going for dinner and then after we were meeting friends at a bar in Pigalle not far from one that we used to frequent often, which also happens to not be far from the @moulinrougeofficiel ! Its actually around the corner. Since we were in this area, it didn’t phase me at all. But, when Rudy took a turn on another street I had never seen before I was a little skeptical…and said, “Dont we neeed to go this way?” As he replied that no, and ended up on the corner of the street of the Moulin Rouge he got a mysterious “phone call” from a friend saying that plans have changed. He then told me that plans were canceled and asked if I wanted to do something else. I started to think and while I was Rudy asked me to open a piece of paper he forgot to show me at dinner. To my surprise, as you can see in this video I was completely shocked! It was tickets to the Moulin Rouge!!! When I get really excited my voice gets really high! So l, since my voice is higher than a dog whistle you can clearly see how excited and happy I was to be finally seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge! A lifelong dream of mine in which again I did not feel I was dressed appropriately enough for! Haha! The show was spectacular, spectacular… And our table was front row center with only two tables in front of us! It was perfect! After, we went to the bar we were supposed to be friends at and had a beautiful night of fun and dancing! Take me back to Aug 2017. ✨🎶🎶💃🏻✨💃🏻🎶🎶✨#moulinrouge #darasenders #stylesendersgoestoparis #paris #cancan #frenchcancan #surprise #mondaymood #paris #parisfrance #americaninparis #anamericaninparis #theater #frenchie #burlesque #jetaime #parisianstyle #parisjetaime #memories #throwback
You guys! I’m feeling super nostalgic again today! So, here is the first photo I ever took in Paris! • I was super jet-lagged & Rudy wanted to take me out for a very special dinner to celebrate my arrival. Although I was over the moon happy to be in Paris for the first time, I just wasn’t feeling it. My idea of going out to dinner for the first time in Paris was something I imagined out of a movie...definitely not feeling so exhausted that I wouldn’t appreciate it in full or feel my best. But, after major convincing, Rudy got me out & off the sofa! I put on some makeup & we headed towards the Metro? Yes the metro! He really wanted to give me the “real” Parisienne experience! But there was a reason as to why we took the metro that I was later surprised with! Riding the metro for the first time was an experience! As we walked towards the exit we approached a grand staircase. It was at that very moment Rudy told me to close my eyes & follow his lead walking up 40+ steps. I kept my eyes half open till we got to the last few steps to avoid me breaking my neck on my first night in Paris. As we got to the top of the stairs, Rudy had turned me around, & said “Okay, you can open your eyes now!” But I was just facing him with a backdrop of buildings & a main avenue with lots of traffic. I said, “OKAY! Are you my surprise?” in slight confusion. He laughed & had me close my eyes again as he turned me around. He then told me to reopen my eyes & when I did, it felt like all the air had left my lungs & all the joy in the world entered my soul! I was standing in front of the Palais Garnier! My dream building! I had said how much I wanted to visit the Opera just once maybe on our 2nd or 3rd date. The fact that he remembered this meant more to me than anything! I was so happy to be here! But the surprise wasn’t over just yet! He had made reservations to eat dinner there that evening, too! Being the true perfectionist I am, I was so upset that I wasn’t dressed in a cocktail dress with my hair perfectly coiffed & a less than full phone battery to take more photos! In a weird way Im happy it wasn’t documented as per usual. I guess that’s what makes this photo so special to me!
ME the moment Re-Confinement lifts on Dec. 1st!🤗 I loved this day so much! What a dream it was to look off a petit balcon of the @operadeparis on a cool Aug. 2017 day! I was very tan from just returning both Nice & Sardinia & really needed to visit my favorite spot in Paris before I hopped on a flight back home, not too certain when I’d be returning. As the very social & personable woman I am, I’ve always loved being in crowds, speaking to strangers, & specifically here dancing around the ballrooms & hallways of the Opera without care! Yes, I did pirouettes, tour jetes & sang “Phantom of the Opera” out-loud like the theater loving gal I am. As we approached the terrace of balconies Rudy grabbed my camera. I posed for more serious photos then told him to get ready for something fun that I will only do once. I suddenly placed my feet on the ledge, leaned forward & threw my arms out wide like I was flying, screaming “BONJOUR PARIS, JE T’AIME!” I felt on top of my world, with so much freedom, love, passion & appreciation in my heart, body & soul feeling like I needed to thank this magical city for such amazing moments & opportunities over the past year! As I did, moments from my childhood’s dreams spun through my memories like the most beautiful carousel. I teared up, I sighed, I exhaled that deep breath I took while standing on the ledge & realized something larger than life has miraculously allowed me to be here in Paris, doing what I am doing with an overwhelming feeling that I am right where I belong, with a man I love, with new friends, new experiences, new moments, all had & first to be had! Oh, how the world has changed since this photo. I feel as though I’ve sort of lost that spark in me that keeps my passions alive! I think so many of us feel the same,too! May captured memories remind us of what was & allow us to gain our sparks back! I pray everyday for our “normalcy” to return at its best so we can go back to having dance parties, fun gatherings, lots of travel & so much more without the fear of loosing it all suddenly due to a pandemic. Till then, let us live the best we can while making extraordinary plans for our uncertain present & hopeful futures!
NYC circa 2013 - in my hotel room planning my incredibly packed schedule for @NYFW, draped in rainbow sequins shot by @mollytorianphoto. My career was truly beginning here! I remember this moment vividly! We were shooting in the hotel room which was sponsored for the week. I was really in the moment here. I remember thinking to myself, “I love being a writer, I love being a blogger, but I want to do more, so much more!”
