Three Christmases Throughout France

Every year we have a few Christmas celebrations, but celebrations were prolonged this year as we road-tripped to visit the girls' great grandma on the west coast.

The girls were so good with all the traveling we made them sit through.

(Makes me want to do more family roadtrips, but the hubby isn't feeling that 😂)

Here are our three different celebrations...

Trimming of the Tree

The girls gain so much joy from adding baubles and trinkets to our Christmas tree.

Last year they took a pile of clean laundry I had yet to put away, and draped it on the plastic branches of our fake tree.
They thought it was so much fun and were so proud of their work.
So this year I just let them at it again.

France Finds: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

I have been living in France for almost 6 years and specifically the French Riviera/Côte D'Azur for 5 years, so I thought I would start up a series about places I love here.
First up on the list:
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild 

That Autumnal Feeling

Winter is creeping up on us.
It snowed near my husband's workplace today...
So let's pretend it is still perfect autumnal weather. 👍

A Night à la Fête Foraine

This week we took the girls down to the fête foraine (like a little carnival/fair) at the esplanade du Pré des Pêcheurs in Antibes.
They had so much fun fishing for ducks and going on rides.
Well... Ellie had fun on the rides.
We learned that our little firecracker Coco is pretty terrified of roller coasters... 😬 🤦‍♀️

Oops. Mom fail.

Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas

My girls love playing dress up and putting on fun makeup.

Here are four fun and easy ideas we have done that can be used for Halloween.

1. David Bowie

Nissa La Bella

The other weekend we headed to Marché aux Fleurs in Nice to buy our weekly bouquet.

After that we took a little stroll around to shake off some energy.

It was a lovely afternoon.
♡

The Last Days of Nectarine Season

To me, nectarines are the best fruit.
Sweet, but still hints of tartness in the skin.
The skin is smooth, unlike a fuzzy peach.
Honestly just perfection.

But as September quickly passes by, nectarine season comes to an end.
My mother-in-law brought over this box of 24 nectarines when she visited us.
These recipes are how I indulged in the last of the nectarines.

Mom Group Made Me Buy It: Made by Mary Poppy Choker

I am a human magpie.
I see something shiny and I NEED IT.
(Although I recently read that is a misconception about magpies and they are actually scared of shiny things... but WHATEVER)
Disc chokers always catch my eye whilst adorning someone's neck.
A different disc reflecting light with every movement.
Glimmering in the sunlight.
So I recently asked my mom group if Made By Mary necklaces are worth the hype.
Do I need one?
Does even more of my money need to go into the state of Utah?
They said yes.
And so...

I bought one. 🙈

Claire's Current Favorite Toys

When we were visiting Lincoln, NE this summer, we stopped in the cutest shop called Paper Kite.

I was overwhelmed by how I needed EVERY DAMN THING there.

Literally everything in their shop is adorable.

I had to restrain myself and I only bought one thing.

A Maileg leek.

Yes.

A stuffed leek.

Unicorn Cake for Beginner Bakers

I am an 'all or nothing' person.

So when it is birthday time, I want to make the most special cakes for my girls. (As seen here)

I don't want store bought cakes.

I also don't plop figurines onto a cake and call it good.

(If you do either of those things, cool! You do you. I personally just don't like it)

BUUUUT I know nothing about cake decoration or baking really.

I enjoy baking, but I am no expert or professional.

So I thought I would share how I make birthday cakes for others who want to do the same.

This was Ellie's birthday cake this week:

Is it perfect? No.

But is it exactly what she begged for for months prior to her birthday? YES!