How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are

I was already living by this book before I even read it...

I haven't been feeling well for almost a week now and it's been rough sitting at home doing nothing. I picked up How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are when I took a trip to Island Books a few weeks ago and I am so happy I bought it when I did.

This book is my ultimate "feel good" read I could flip through forever any day.

To get a good idea of what the book is like, Into the Gloss pulled a few great passages to read from...

Find of the Week | 11

I did not intend to buy anything today, really.

Until I ended up buying a cookbook and a pair of wedge booties...

In my own defense, I need to learn better recipes to make while I'm at school and I have been looking for a pair of wedge booties for a while. It was only a matter of time before I would them, anyway!

Meatless, bought at Island Books (In Martha I trust)

Report Footwear wedge booties in natural, velvet REvoultion

Fall in Newport

It's been a busy start to the fall semester--not to mention senior year--but it's been great living back in Newport.

Yesterday, I walked down William Street and Spring Street yesterday afternoon to look for things to decorate the dorm. Because this is my last semester on campus, I decided to buy things that I wouldn't be ashamed to use as a "professional" adult post-graduation...

La Tour Eiffel  in Venetucci Home. Need this.

Late summer blooms on William Street

Spring Street charm

Kitchen towels from Spring Fever and a Pride and Prejudice notebook from Island Books

The Beach and a Burger, Books and a Barbour

I am blessed to split my time between the two most beautiful areas of Rhode Island: Narragansett and Newport. 

On Sunday, my parents and I got our beach passes and stayed at the beach for a few hours. As of this year, beach passes will be photo IDs--just like a driver's license. The process itself is kind of like going to the DMV--waiting in line with your current license and registration-- but at least you have an ocean view and easy access to Del's. 

From the beach, Ryan, who decided to visit on his way back to Boston, picked me up and we went to Crazy Burger for lunch. I have been meaning to go there for years and I'm happy to finally have made it, because the Silly Turkey Burger (made with risotto) is amazing! Ryan and I worked off lunch by going to Galilee, then mini-golfing at Adventureland.

We finished off the day with dinner at my house and a Brickley's waffle cone of Peanut Butter Cup and Fudge Brownie ice cream.

Inside Crazy Burger--I had no patience to take a picture of my burger, I was too excited/too hungry

Starting yesterday, I've been taking advantage of the time between Job 1 and Job 2, checking out new stores and grabbing a cup of coffee for the afternoon. Today I went to my two favorite stops on Spring Street--Royal Male and Island Books.

After I save up for France, I plan on rewarding myself with a Barbour jacket.

Rose garden on Spring Street

I felt obligated to buy something at Island Books, so I got the latest issue of Cosmopolitan. I grabbed a free issue of the Anglophile newspaper Union Jack in Royal Male.

Bella resting Day 2 of post-surgery

Shopping Green/Local/Fair Trade for Christmas 2012

Last year, I wrote a Christmas wish list that had nothing to do with local, Fair Trade, or green shopping whatsoever. This year, I hope to shop only local and/or green for the holidays and beyond.

To be honest, I have been refraining from shopping at clothing chain stores. I have browsed through so many stores during the semester, but I cannot bring myself to buy them because I don't know if I can trust their ethical practices in their clothing production. The only place where I have bought clothing in recent months is Wish Newport, the designer consignment boutique downtown.

With Black Friday and Small Business Saturday a few days away, here is my shopping plan for the weekend:

Crosswynds Traders, Narragansett, RI (local)- I haven't been in here for a while, but I will definitely want to look at their selection of Lucky Brand, Juicy Couture, and Urban Outfitters.

Green Envy Boutique, Newport, RI (local/green/Fair Trade)- This is where I plan on getting "smalls"--jewelry, tea, etc--for friends' gifts. Also, guilt-free shopping because it's an entirely sustainable boutique.

Wish Newport, Newport RI - Obviously.

Laura Jean Denim Shop, Newport, RI (local) - When I went in last week, there were beautiful cashmere sweaters, the cutest Frye boots, and the oh-so-perfect pairs of J Brand jeans. I plan on spending paycheck here on a cashmere sweater or a couple pairs of leggings. It will be so worth it.

Island Books, Newport, RI (local)- Picking out some new reads for my relatives and little cousins would be great. Probably my favorite bookstore.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Jack Wills, Newport, RI (green-ish)- I know they are technically a chain store, but they are a foundation member of the Ethical Trade Initiative, which makes me feel better shopping there... Also planning on spending a full paycheck here as well...

Source: jackwills.com via Mia on Pinterest

Renee Bowers of the Fair Trade Federation, whom I interviewed for my journalism assignment on Fair Trade, referred me to a holiday gift guide assembled by the Fair Trade Federation, which contains all sorts of beautiful Fair Trade certified products to give this season. The gift guide has categories ranging from home decor, women's apparel, bath and body and more.

Source: fairtradefederation.org via Mia on Pinterest

Some of the brands are very familiar--Guayaki Yerba Mate is listed with its mate gourd; Equal Exchange is listed with its organic spicy hot chocolate; One Mango Tree is listed with its hand-loomed scarves; and Dr. Bronner is listed with its organic body care products.

Other products listed include an eco-leather briefcase by Jolica, raw shea butter by Ojoba Collective and Gone Global Cruelty-Free Leather iPad Case by Handmade Expressions.

Green America also has a green holiday gift guide, which can be accessed by clicking here.

I hope that you consider shopping green this holiday season!

Newport/Narragansett: I Need to Go to Paris

For the past few days, I have been obsessing about studying abroad in Paris. It's probably because:

1. I am taking Intermediate French and a course on 19th century Paris.
2. In my Cross-Cultural Psychology class, I was assigned to do a project on French Polynesia.
3. I learned there is a study abroad program in Paris with my current French professor and her husband, who is my Macroeconomics professor. 
4. I went to a downtown bookstore (Island Books) and found a book about a woman who moves from New York City to Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton through her addiction to sweets (Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas) .

It's as if all of these circumstances are signs.

Besides researching summer programs in Paris, I went to Apothecary Newport today, celebrated my friend's 21st birthday, and figuring out my work study with the Pell Center of International Relations. Overall, the week has been pretty normal...

And I decided to sign up for a women's bootcamp at Black Diamond Mixed Martial Arts studio in Kingston. I need to work out more regularly somehow between classes and commuting. My first class is tomorrow after French... It should be interesting to say the least.  

Monday's Outfit: Dress, Xhilaration; Cardigan, Simply Vera by Vera Wang; Flats, Nomad; Purse, Gap

Tuesday's Outfit: Cardigan, Charlotte Tarantola; Pants, Gap; Shoes, Ralph Lauren

Wednesday's Outfit: Cardigan, Old Navy; Tunic, Gap; Leggings, Gap; Boots, Steve Madden

Today's Outfit: Sweater, Gap; Jeans, American Eagle; ID lanyard, Jack Wills