Hey y’all ! Here is a Paris Diary. It’s a mix of photos with Cannon mark 111 and my iPhone. I think travel is such an amazing way to take you out of your day-to-day routine and into a dream state where your mind becomes open to new ideas and questions. When you see something that moves you and inspires you on your travels you will be forever changed. I have been to Paris about 4 times but I have never had so much time alone. Here are a 10 thing2 I learned about Paris on this trip that I didn’t know.

#1 The French aren’t into excercise class. HA! I was seriously thinking I would attend some amazing group class but it was so hard to find any. So I went for long runs every morning but it was nothing like LA . LA is all about waking up to a healthy free drink and getting in some cardio

#2 You actually sit in Paris to have a coffee. There are very few places to order something to go. My first dinner I was eating late so I decided to just pick at my food and take to go so I could finish it off for dinner and the sassy French waiter literally said no! We do not pack food to go in Paris eat it here! HA! Gotta love him but I just had no idea!

#3 One of the best places to shop in Paris is the Pharmacies! Seriously the beauty products are amazing! And cheap. The French are very much into beauty. I am actually going to do a dedicated post to the pest products in the Parisian pharmacies.

#4 Getting lost is the best thing that can happen in Paris. When I am traveling alone my favorite thing to do is wandering around all day long. I try not to focus on eating the pastries but more on just people watching and gaining inspiration for the essence of the city. For instance I needed to but a new toothbrush. So I made a full on excursion out of it. I traveled all the way from The Madeline ares to the saint Germaine are just to but a toothbrush and come back. Along the way I experienced too much. I didn’t need a ton of chocolate or tons of wine just figuring out how to get there was enough simulation for me. I will say I had the most interesting conversation that night with a stranger in the street.

#5 and maybe most importantly Ladies it is HARD to eat healthy in Paris. I am also going to do a separate blog post about how to eat healthy while on your trip. Most restaurant /cafe are very much about sitting down having bread cheese meat and pastries. I was getting very anxious . I didn’t see one juice bar. I had to get super creative and # healtyparis to find vegan places in Paris. I will post a blog about steps you can take to ensure that at least 2 meals day in Paris will be healthy.

#6 Everything s closed on Sunday! HA! Seriously this was amazing to me it reminded me of Alabama. After living in New York and La associate Paris with this city’s and totally assumed that I would do all of my shopping on Sunday. Nope not happening, I actually went to the movies alone in Paris and it was one of the coolest things I did.

#7 Europeans do not live to work in the least they work to live. I am a person who loves my job so I do work like 7 days a week but work and pleasure are a mix for me. In Paris its just so different they want to enjoy life and take such pride in relaxing and strolling as I feel like we take pride in being busy. I will certainly be taking this concept home with me. To stroll, to sit for my coffee, to lay down in the park and just be.

#8 There is art on every corner, I mean you can seriously walk in to a cool gallery and be inspired take some notes and walk out in 20 minutes with 20 new ides. It’s on every corner.

#9 One hour outside of Paris is the country. It is like the small town I grew up in Alabama. I just shocked after leaving Paris heading south for 45 min I was in a country town riding my bike alone in a big wheat field that went on for ever.

#10 In order to get great shot of places you love you must wake up very early pray that you find a place that you find a coffee shop open that early and wander around by 9 it is so crowded you cannot get clean shots.

I hope you enjoy this walk through Paris with me and I appreciate and feel honored that you would come along. Also I have a Paris gift back I am giving away tomorrow ! To Enter the giveaway comment on the blog post and sign up for my mailing list here .

All mark 111 shots were shot on 35mm lens and edits with my preset.

All iphone photos were edited with VSCO cam.

I will announce the winner tomorrow am of the paris gift bag! good luck!

As Always Stay Inspired!!

Jana