Travel – Francois et Moi

The Ultimate Guide to Flying with a Toddler

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 11:00:04 +0000

Over 50 moms weigh in with their best ideas on how to rock flying with a toddler. Get their top tips with specific toy and snack recommendations! The countdown to our first family trip + Sylvie’s first plane ride is on, and I realized OMG, I have absolutely no idea how these three hours in airplane captivity are going to go with a very active 2.5 yr old. So I reached out to my fellow moms on Instagram for advice on flying with a toddler, and more than 50 moms and grandmothers weighed in. The general consensus seemed to be: Bring LOTS of snacks, compact but interactive toys, and don’t–for one second–feel guilty about iPad screen time! There were such great tips and words of encouragement that I want to share them with all of you. If you have a trip planned in the near future or just hope to travel at some point with your little one, read up and pin this one for later. Below are some of the advice highlights, and you can see the original IG post here. Also, make sure to check out the toy and snack recommendations for flying with a toddler at the […]

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My Trip to Emily Henderson’s Mountain House

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 12:57:35 +0000

Come see the insider’s, behind the scenes look at Emily Henderson’s Mountain House. Take the tour and hear what EHD’s reader events are really like! Today I’m here to dish ALLLL the details from Emily Henderson’s Reader Event! In case you’re just tuning in, last month, Emily Henderson and her team hosted an event for her readers at her Mountain House in Lake Arrowhead, California. They announced the event (and how to enter to attend) at the VERY bottom of another blog post. This was the only place they mentioned it–not on social accounts or anything, so you had to be a loyal blog reader, or perhaps check out the blog on the right day. Though I am a loyal EHD blog reader, and LONGTIME fan of Emily, I didn’t see this post! BUT…my friend Lea Johnson of @creekwoodhill did read that day, and entered. Long story short, she was chosen and GENEROUSLY invited me along as her plus one! (30 readers were chosen and each person got to bring a friend.) Lea was notified by Emily herself (!!) through DM on Instagram at the end of July and the event was on Saturday, August 17th, so we only had […]

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Big Sur Style

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 01:11:18 +0000

Somehow the first half of June has snuck by us, and Ken and I are already hopping a plane to Big Sur on Saturday. Whoa. #wherehasjunegone !? I’m feeling a little unprepared so I’ve been doing a bunch of research on what to pack. Something I’ve come to realize about myself is that just about the only time I typically buy new pieces (wardrobe-wise) is when I’m preparing for a trip. Is that strange? Anyone else? I’m much more focused on the style of my home than my personal style (But that’s a story for another time!) During our time in Big Sur we plan to totally unplug (no cell service!) and hike up a storm in the Redwoods/along the coast, so I’ll be packing casual, comfy (but still put together!) pieces that can go from cool mornings, to warm hike-filled afternoons, to happy hour overlooking the sea. These are a few pieces I’ve got my eye on for the trip! Jacket | Sunnies | White Top | Backpack | Scarf | Shorts | Dress | Camera

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Travel Files: Salt House Inn

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:41:01 +0000

Whenever I think of ‘getting away’ my mind subconsciously leaps across the globe to foreign far away places . And while I’d love to get to every continent at least once, I sometimes forget how many fantastic vacation destinations and diverse cultural experiences there are to be had right here in the good ol’ U. S. of A. I came across the Salt House Inn in my most recent Travel and Leisure Mag, and was super inspired by their clean, coastal aesthetic, and the curiosity clusters carefully curated (say that 5 times fast!) above each guest bed. Love. Located on the northern most tip of Cape Cod, Salt House Inn is perfectly positioned for exploring Provincetown, Massachusettes’ famous beaches, galleries and local seafood. As P-town’s first boutique inn, SHI redefines the traditional (and sometimes stuffy and old-fashioned) B&B, offering New England Charm in a refreshing, new way. Salt House Inn. 6 Conwell Street, Provincetown, MA Photos via Salt House Inn.

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Springtime at Jardin des Plantes, Paris

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 13:19:25 +0000

I was minorly disheartened to arrive in Paris in early May and find that the cherry and apple blossom boom had already come and gone, but I got over it quickly as I was in Paris afterall. Not to mention I discovered these gorgeous pink numbers at Jardin des Plantes which were a great stand-in! Jardin des Plantes is the main botanical garden in Paris which includes a botanical school, zoo, and several science museums. We spent some time lounging on the lawn–yes, you could actually walk on the grass in this garden!–strolled along the promenades and enjoyed the acres of spralling flora and fauna–a late afternoon full of blooming inspiration!

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Travel-Style Primping

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:41:32 +0000

When preparing for our trip abroad I decided to really simplify my morning routine so that I’d spend more time exploring the streets of Paris and less time in front of the mirror getting ready. Besides spending all day outside tends to wear off most my make-up anyways! I narrowed it down to just four must-haves I needed to feel somewhat put together in the morning: face lotion with SPF, blush, eyebrow pencil, and lip color, either bold red or pink-tinted lipgloss depending on my mood! Pairing down my cosmetic bag not only saved on time, but also weight and bulk in my carry-on suitcase. When you’re hopping from city to city, it’s so important to pack light! In terms of hair, I’d just gotten my hair chopped short right before we left and under direction from my stylist for my new ‘do,’ I’d spritz a little volumizing spray right out of the shower, use the hairdryer at the apartment or hotel, then do a quick straightening using my flatiron I’d brought from home. Everything (less the Aveda Style Spray) is from the drugstore. It works for me, so why not?! Olay Complete Face Lotion with 15 SPF | Aveda Style Prep | Chi Flatiron | Covergirl […]

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Buon Fine Settimana!

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:38:34 +0000

Next week we head to Italy where they seem to just have it all figured out: food, wine, work/life balance, fashion, art, and the list goes on and on. Join us as we dive head first into it all! But until then, happy weekend!

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Au Revoir!

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Fri, 02 May 2014 12:46:32 +0000

Follow along on Instagram as we explore Southern Europe @francoisetmoiblog. Merci et au revoir!

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Travel’s Eve

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 01 May 2014 12:50:30 +0000

It’s hard to believe we leave for Paris tomorrow. Eeek! From the day I stepped off the plane 8 years ago, post-return flight home from a 6 months study abroad in London, I’ve been yearning to go back. It’s true what they say about how travel changes you. It opens your eyes to the beauty and adventure that’s out there in this big world, sometimes forcing you out of your comfort zone and helping you celebrate new experiences and differences in people, scenery, food, and ways of life. When I arrived back home in 2006 I had a new view, a different, richer lens in which I saw my “everyday,” noticing things I’d become immune to, and appreciating them in a new light. My time in London (and Europe) shaped my daily American life, and I took comfort in my fantastic memories knowing I wouldn’t be back for awhile. 8 years later, and I’m ready and hungry for this trip more than ever; I’m a different person than I was at 20 years old. I’ve begun to grown into myself, and I know who I am so much more than at 20 when (as I look back) I was really struggling to figure out who I was as a woman. And so I […]

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DIY Travel Wallet

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:23:37 +0000

I’m not a huge fan of the “bodysafes” or fanny packs that Americans are always told to wear to avoid being pick-pocketed when going abroad, mostly because anytime you whip it out to pay for anything it blatantly reinforces with a proverbial blinking arrow sign that you are a tourist, and thus potentially putting you at a greater risk for being targeted. I wore a bodysafe on my first trip abroad several years ago, and I found it uncomfortable and inconvenient, so I’m always interested to hear of alternative ways people stay secure, sans bodysafe. Taking a cue from Marcy’s 10 Packing Tips for European Travel, I made a lightweight, flexible 2.5″ x 4″ wallet, just big enough to hold my credit card, ID, & Euros (paper & coins), and one that I can keep nestled down in my front pocket (covered by my top and layered by my crossbody camera bag). It’s similar to my Mini Felted Clutch, only smaller and less complex. This baby came together easily in about an hour (The most difficult part was trying to remember how to thread my sewing machine and wind a new bobbin). I can’t wait to put it to work on our trip! Materials List: 4″ x 7″ wool felt […]

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City Sightseer Staples

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:23:37 +0000

Here at the Francois household, we’ve been busy preparing for our trip abroad, not only trying to think through what we’d like to see in each city, but also what to pack. Since I’m not checking a bag for our 14 day trip across the pond (carry-on only, baby!), I want to make sure I’m thoughtful about what actually makes the cut and into my carry-on. I’ve chosen not to check a bag because we’ll be traveling across several cities, and who wants to lug a giant, heavy suitcase over cobblestone streets or carry a 50 pound pack on your back from city to city? Not I! We plan to divide our time between metropolitan cities (Paris & Rome), rural hikes (Zermatt & Amalfi Coast), and the beach (Positano), so we’ll be packing accordingly for each of these three experiences. Here are a few of the key pieces I’ll be packing for our city exploration: Fedora | Lightweight Linen Scarf | Shades | Cross Body Satchel | City Maps 2Go Pro App (no wifi needed for this app!) | Good Camera | Comfy Shoes

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Mandy + Louie’s Road Trip Engagement Photos

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 13:50:17 +0000

I’m so delighted to share with you a collection of road trip inspired engagement photos by Jamieson Dean Photography featuring the simply stunning affianced couple, Mandy and Louie. Their story began with an instant connection and a cross-continent courtship, so a road trip engagement shoot seemed like the perfect way to not only capture, but also celebrate their story. I hope you enjoy the glamorous vintage styling, detailed vision, and pure happiness beaming from this couple’s shoot as much as I do! From Mandy: “Lu and I met a little over two years ago while I was living in Los Angeles (he in Toronto). We both were working for the same company. Lu was speaking at our Regional Meeting in Palm Springs where we first met and we instantly hit it off! From there our instant connection and friendship quickly blossomed into a long distance relationship. We always say “we just knew” from the very beginning. It was just a short matter of time before I was packing up my things to begin my new journey and life in Canada with the man of my dreams. Since our relationship began long distance and naturally we did a lot of travelling to see […]

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