0 hey there

"Where have you been Niki?" Well last week was my birthday. And I actually took some time off!

On Thursday, I had dinner with some of my best friends and family at the Pit. I have been resisting the over abundance of carbs and fried food in NC since I moved back, but on my birthday, I indulged!

Then over the holiday weekend I visited Chicago for the first time...

Amazing city - I think I fell in love the first time I laid eyes on THIS. Frank Gehry is one of my favorite architects, and I'd never seen one of his works in person. Absolutely stunning!

And across the park from that amphitheater is the iconic "bean". Very cool, but it didn't wow me like the amphitheater!

I ate at some amazing restaurants and checked out Randolph Street Market, too. I wanted to live in that market and never leave. So much amazing vintage!

I'm sorry that I didn't take more photos, I was too busy gasping with excitement.

I did buy some "new" vintage navy cowgirl boots tho! ;)

I flew back to NC early Tuesday morning and went right back to work. I have to say that this may have been my best vacation yet. Can't wait to visit Chicago again.

Hope you had an awesome holiday weekend too!

2 dreamer's digest: week 11

Last Friday, I traveled a little over an hour from Paris to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's home and gardens! The weather was perfect this weekend in Paris so the visit couldn't have came at a better time. Monet found the Giverny area after viewing the little town on a trip on the train. He later decided to move there and rent out a house and the gardens that surrounding the house. Monet lived in the house still on the property until his death in 1926. The property and house was really well preserved.. I really felt like I was walking through a painting! Take a look!






And of course, I promised birthday pics! My birthday was quite enjoyable. My friends and I went to L'as du Falafel to grab some of THE best falafel in Paris. Unfortunately, Berthillion is closed on Tuesday, so we grabbed gelato from Amorino's instead. We met up later on to have dinner at Tribeca, as planned and ended the night with a stroll on Champ de Mars!








I'm sooo excited for my sister and family to arrive in Paris next week!!!! In the mean time, I'm studying for my final exams..wish me bon courage (good luck!!)!

--Adrianne

3 dreamer's digest: week 9

Today is my 22nd Birthday!! Not only am I in disbelief that I am turning 22 today today, but I can't believe I'm able to celebrate my birthday in the beautiful city of Paris! Bringing in a new year of life with new friends in a new city is no ordinary birthday and I'm beyond grateful!



Celebrating this birthday is a little bittersweet, because I'm also coming to the realization that I only have 3 weeks left here in Paris. As you can see by my lack of blogging last week, my friends and I have been doing everything we possibly can to enjoy our last month here. Almost every day last week, I left my house at 11 in the morning and didn't return until about 10 at night! We are making sure we are seeing everything we want to in this amazing city, and of course, spending as much time together as possible.



Today for my birthday, I plan to visit Berthilon for a few scoops of their world famous ice cream, have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Tribeca and hoepfully take a night stroll to the Eiffel Tower!

By the time you all will be reading this, I'll probably be half-way through my birthday so Birthday pictures next week :)