Summer in Switzerland, please

My experience in Switzerland is a perfect example of the truth of the saying "when one door closes, another opens." I went to law school during arguably the worst time I could have. I was expecting to get some great internship during my first summer, and in reality, I had nothing. So what is a girl to do? Study abroad in Geneva of course! Looking back, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to live abroad once again because... sadly... it was probably my last time. I'll take my summer in Switzerland over a summer staring at the computer any day. 

our home for the summer

they just don't make buildings like they used to 

sailing from swiss to french waters 

chateau de chillon, quite possibly the cutest chateau ever 

Geneva was gorgeous at night 

United Nations 

amazing ceiling in one of the UN rooms  

real swiss chocolate yum

cows, fog, mountainside... sigh

gorgeous interlaken 

best view in the house 

the water color was unreal 

p.s. excuse the picture quality. I used to value the color of the camera (I just HAD to have the pink one) over the quality of the pictures :) 

Julia Child

On Wednesday, it would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday. I honestly didn't know much about her, but I signed up to take a cooking class in her honor at Sur La Table. I was in for a treat. We made four dishes from Julia's recipes and they were all delicious. French cooking is probably my favorite, but I was always so intimidated by it. After the class, I bought some souffle dishes to try to force myself to attempt the recipe again.

Does anyone have Mastering the Art of French Cooking? I can't wait to get my hands on it. 



Coquilles St. Jacques

Asparagus with hollondaise 

 Cheese souffle

chocolate mousse (with orange liqueur!)



I found some of her recipes that we used on different blogs:

Coquilles St. Jacques

Asparagus with hollondaise

Cheese souffle

Chocolate mousse


Happy Friday!

A few of my favorite things...

Its been one of those days where reflecting on things I love is a necessity. Here are a few of my favorite things. What are yours? 

the first snow

restaurants overlooking the ocean 

candy shops

roses

Paris at night

caffeine 

my sidekick

Here's to a new day tomorrow! 

Balance

Dallas Aquarium

Why is it SO hard to find balance? I am not married and do not have kids and I still feel like I am mediocre in everything. My energy levels are just not there. I skip the gym more often than not. I haven't even watched the Bachelor Pad the last three weeks. Does the life of a working woman ever get easier or is it all downhill from here?  

Home

Home. I think I can finally say it. Before, "home" would always mean North Carolina. Four years is a long time to feel like you are just visiting. It has been an adjustment to say the least but Dallas is really growing on me. I moved into a town home last week and I love the feeling of having my own grown-up space. It is older and has its own problems but it has a lot of character. Yesterday I found a little vine growing inside through the wall... can't get any cuter than that. 

I have acorns. 

 I have a neighbor with a secret garden. 

I have a magnolia tree. Okay not really but it looks over my patio.

I have a living room with a fireplace.

 I have outdoor lighting.

 I have a cozy kitchen to make meals in. 

I have someone to share conversation and a glass of wine with. 

I have a home :)