Hello! Naturally Estes readers!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to be here posting for Brittany.  I met her through a SITS series, that we never finished…, but that is okay, because I got to know Brittany and her hilarious blog.  It has been one of my favorites since!

Well, I guess I should introduce myself.  I write a lifestyle blog over at Ma Nouvelle Mode {my new style in French}  Why French, you might ask?  Let me tell you our little story.  I was born and raised in Southern California.  I met my husband, who was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, when we were 18, freshman year of college. (Just celebrated 4 years of marriage!! Wahoo!)  We got married and up and moved to France, where my husband plays professional basketball.  So c’est ma vie.  A little crazy and very adventurous but we love it.  Oh and to add to that craziness, we have two little boys.  And by little, I mean young, because they are actually huge.  Like future 7 footers here.  {I am 6′ tall and my husband is 6’7″. So it kinda fits}

Little photo shoot near our house in France

Today I am going to talk a bit about why I love living in France.  The reason I am choosing this topic is because I think that quite a few Americans, believe it or not, could maybe learn a thing or two from the Frenchies…  I know crazy, but hear me out.

1.) Sloooow down people!  I am from California, so I am not sure how true this is the rest of America, but everyone is always in a hurry!  For what people?  Take your time, visit your grandma, take a walk.  Yes, a walk.  Walk somewhere!

Talking our son Tae to school

2.)  Enjoy your food.  And no, not McDonalds.  The French take a 2 hour lunch break everyday.  They sit there and enjoy their meals and enjoy people’s company.  It is refreshing.  And apparently, healthier!

Having lunch with friends in Switzerland

3.) Take a vacation!  Our friends in France were shocked to hear that we only have two weeks a year to take vacation.  He had, get this, SIX weeks.  I know we can’t do anything about getting more weeks, but if you get a chance, take a vaca!

Shakespeare & Company in Paris. If you’re ever in Paris, go here. It’s lovely

4.) There is life beyond the border… Don’t get me wrong, I love America.  I want to be here when we are done.  But so many people have never left the country and cannot understand that something in a different culture might be good, if not better, sometimes.  Imagine that!

Annecy. Another must-see in France.

 5.) Enjoy life.  I think this is the most major point and encompasses the others.  Like I mentioned, I love America, but somehow it feels like the French enjoy life better.  There isn’t a Starbucks drive-through on every corner {*GASP*} because people sit down and enjoy their coffee. {it is actually somewhat offensive to the snobby French café drinker}  There are festivals and Christmas markets.  There are farmer’s markets in every city and the main stores aren’t open 24 hours.  Because they take breaks.

Farmer’s Market in Switzerland

The French also do silly things that don’t make sense to us Americans.  Before we got married, my husband would tell me to “check your logic at customs because it doesn’t belong here.”  I didn’t believe him, but after living here for a bit, it is so true.   I guess you take the bad with the good!

Well I have been living in France for 4 years now on and off and I love it.  It isn’t always easy, of course, like any lifestyle, but I would have to say it is one of the best experiences of my life.  It takes some adjusting when we return to the states.    If you would like to read more about my life in France, click here.  I have also written some about living in France in general.

Here’s us!

It was so nice to ‘meet’ you all! I hope you stop by and visit my blog.  Thanks again Brittany, for letting me take over for a day!  Happy moving!

Hello! Naturally Estes readers!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to be here posting for Brittany.  I met her through a SITS series, that we never finished…, but that is okay, because I got to know Brittany and her hilarious blog.  It has been one of my favorites since!

Well, I guess I should introduce myself.  I write a lifestyle blog over at Ma Nouvelle Mode {my new style in French}  Why French, you might ask?  Let me tell you our little story.  I was born and raised in Southern California.  I met my husband, who was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, when we were 18, freshman year of college. (Just celebrated 4 years of marriage!! Wahoo!)  We got married and up and moved to France, where my husband plays professional basketball.  So c’est ma vie.  A little crazy and very adventurous but we love it.  Oh and to add to that craziness, we have two little boys.  And by little, I mean young, because they are actually huge.  Like future 7 footers here.  {I am 6′ tall and my husband is 6’7″. So it kinda fits}

Little photo shoot near our house in France

Today I am going to talk a bit about why I love living in France.  The reason I am choosing this topic is because I think that quite a few Americans, believe it or not, could maybe learn a thing or two from the Frenchies…  I know crazy, but hear me out.

1.) Sloooow down people!  I am from California, so I am not sure how true this is the rest of America, but everyone is always in a hurry!  For what people?  Take your time, visit your grandma, take a walk.  Yes, a walk.  Walk somewhere!

Talking our son Tae to school

2.)  Enjoy your food.  And no, not McDonalds.  The French take a 2 hour lunch break everyday.  They sit there and enjoy their meals and enjoy people’s company.  It is refreshing.  And apparently, healthier!

Having lunch with friends in Switzerland

3.) Take a vacation!  Our friends in France were shocked to hear that we only have two weeks a year to take vacation.  He had, get this, SIX weeks.  I know we can’t do anything about getting more weeks, but if you get a chance, take a vaca!

Shakespeare & Company in Paris. If you’re ever in Paris, go here. It’s lovely

4.) There is life beyond the border… Don’t get me wrong, I love America.  I want to be here when we are done.  But so many people have never left the country and cannot understand that something in a different culture might be good, if not better, sometimes.  Imagine that!

Annecy. Another must-see in France.

 5.) Enjoy life.  I think this is the most major point and encompasses the others.  Like I mentioned, I love America, but somehow it feels like the French enjoy life better.  There isn’t a Starbucks drive-through on every corner {*GASP*} because people sit down and enjoy their coffee. {it is actually somewhat offensive to the snobby French café drinker}  There are festivals and Christmas markets.  There are farmer’s markets in every city and the main stores aren’t open 24 hours.  Because they take breaks.

Farmer’s Market in Switzerland

The French also do silly things that don’t make sense to us Americans.  Before we got married, my husband would tell me to “check your logic at customs because it doesn’t belong here.”  I didn’t believe him, but after living here for a bit, it is so true.   I guess you take the bad with the good!

Well I have been living in France for 4 years now on and off and I love it.  It isn’t always easy, of course, like any lifestyle, but I would have to say it is one of the best experiences of my life.  It takes some adjusting when we return to the states.    If you would like to read more about my life in France, click here.  I have also written some about living in France in general.

Here’s us!

It was so nice to ‘meet’ you all! I hope you stop by and visit my blog.  Thanks again Brittany, for letting me take over for a day!  Happy moving!