French Riviera: Nice Beach

We spent a day meandering around Nice and the area around our apartment. My sweet husband bought me fresh flowers at the market (Cours Saleya) and presented them in this cute little teapot that came with the rental. 


We have spent a good amount of time in France, but Nice, by far is the most laid back. The beach? Absolutely gorgeous! I loved staring at the stunningly blue water. Pictures don't do it justice. 


We stopped for a couple of drinks, mid-day and enjoyed the view of the market square.

French Riviera: Monaco

Monaco & Monte Carlo were a short train ride away from Nice, so we took advantage of that and visited the Principality of Monaco for a day.


The train stations in Nice & in Monaco were gorgeous in and of themselves. All the lines & curves & architecture. Perfection.


Monaco is where the Monaco Grand Prix is held, yearly. The Grand Prix actually took place the week we were in the Riviera. We walked along the track and were in awe of the grandiose yachts docked for prime viewing of the race. Can I just say these things were crazy awesome?! I loved day-dreaming about the fun I would have sunning on the decks or swimming in one of the pools on-board. Ahh. Maybe one day. ;)


Later in the early evening, we found a little cafe to have dinner at and as a bonus, saw a fireworks show from our seats outside. 


In any place I visit, I love getting the feel of a place by watching the skies get dark and the lights of the city light up the sky. Monaco was no different. I loved the lights along the coast. 

French Riviera: Cannes.

While in the Riviera, we took the train to Cannes for the day. The film festival was actually being held while we were there. We didn't see any famous people, that we know of, but it was still a gorgeous city. 


We had not expected it to be such a sunny, gorgeous day, so none of brought our swim suits. Sister & I promptly fixed that problem by stopping in a cute little French suit shop and scoring 2 super cute, super cheap new suits to rock for the day.


We walked around, looking for a place to grab lunch and ended up settling on a little modern cafe. Sister and I ate, changed and then staked our spot out at the beach and got our tan on. The entire time, I think we were both just thinking how surreal it was to actually be sitting on a beach, in Cannes! The guys checked out the casino and walked on the red carpet that you see the stars on while in Cannes.


After a couple of hours, we all met back up to do a little shopping. Along the way, I spotted a macaron shop, Jean Luc Pele's and I rarely pass up a macaron. ;) Sister tried her first macaron and I recommended it be of the salted caramel variety. Needless to say, now she is as hooked as I am on anything salted caramel. :)


After shopping and our sweet snack stop, we had dinner before getting on the train back to Nice.


Cannes was absolutely gorgeous and the beach was especially great!

French Riviera: The Journey & Arrival in Nice.

On our journey to the French Riviera, we unexpectedly traveled through Switzerland. The Alps are absolutely stunning. We took a couple of photos at a very well-placed look-out on the autobahn.

We arrived in Nice and were able to get our stuff settled in our apartment in Old Nice. I loved being able to look out on the little streets and watch people going about their daily business, while on vacation. I love the old shutters. I love the hanging clothes on the lines. I loved being on the top floor of our gorgeous, old building and looking across to the neighboring roofs and windows. I really loved everything about Nice.

Lately, I've been soaking up every little bit of life and time with those I love, especially my sister, while she is here. 

I hope to blog our trips and a little trip we took to the French Riviera, but forgive me if it's not really soon. I love this blog, but life comes first. ;)

Things I am Loving...

Things I am loving, right now.

+ Homemade pizza, fresh off the grill. J & I enjoy Pizza Fridays every week. Lately, he has been firing up the grill and cooking them that way. Amazing!

+ Spring Fruit Tea from Tea Gschwender. J & I picked up this tea a couple of weekends ago at our favorite little tea joint. When brewed, it has a delicious caramel aroma. I normally drink green tea, but I fell in love with this fruity blend. It is delicious with a teaspoon + of German rock sugar.


+ Friends getting stationed here. I am so excited to have a girlie friend to spend time with again!


+ SUN! Thank you, Germany!


+ Planning future trips.


+ New music! Thanks to my friends with fabulously awesome taste in music and One Tree Hill. :)


+ Overnight oats. Combined with 2 of my other new favorite things, vanilla almond milk & a teaspoon of Smart Balance natural peanut butter.


+  Anticipating my sister's visit! One week!


+ Life, pure & simple.