Bavaria

Planning trips to Bavaria always invokes images of romantic half-timber houses, green mountains, and locals dressed in lederhosen riding bicycles through town. Bamberg is one of these perfectly-preserved Bavarian sanctuaries. This weekend, I'm moving to Bamberg. Though I'm sad to be farther from Paris, there will be new places to explore.

Little Venice District

Maxplatz Fountain

Obere Brücke

Coat: Heidi Merrick

Other Bamberg Sights, Shops, and Eats

Sights

Dom St. Peter for a beautiful view of the city, Domplatz

Maxplatz for a stroll through the historic downtown

Shops

Parfumerie Silvy Hahn for lovely scents, Gruner Markt 31

Sixdays Fashion for See by Chloè and Bloch, Obere Brucke 11

Topferlade for rustic-style ceramics, Untere Brucke 1

Eats

Schlenkerla for smoky beer and hearty German food, Dominikanerstrasse 6

Storath for handmade chocolates, Lange Strasse 26

Teegiesserei for apple strudel and sweets, Pfahlplätzchen 2

In The Bag

In my book, a handbag is worthwhile splurge. Whether it’s buttery soft leather, gleaming gold accents, or a demure tote handle, I opt for classic bags that will stand the test of time. This Chloe number that I posted about here is my current lust with its modern yet versatile appeal. It even holds my laptop, folio, and all my girly accessories. Here are some of my other favorites.

I Love Cheese

Raclette

Except for the most pungent Morbier or Limburger, I love cheese. A traditional gruyere fondue with an aroma of white wine and kirsch liquor will always win me over, but I’ve ventured out from some of my standbys. Raclette is an over-the-top cheese experience, complete with its own table and heating iron to melt the half wheel of cheese directly onto potatoes, cornichons {petite pickles}, and prosciutto. Potato and cheese just seem to go well together, enter aligot. This dish combines tomme cheese and mashed potatoes into a velvety, elastic union.

Aligot

Fondue

Outside La Cloche a Fromage, Strasbourg

Work Space

A workspace should be functional and pretty. This lacquered desk from Target and chair from Ikea get the job done with clean lines {plus simplicity lends itself to great inexpensive options}. I chose a color palette of black, white, silvery blue, and muted yellow. Then, I like to add details that evoke lovely memories. My husband gave me a vintage girl’s porcelain tea set from the 1900s last Christmas. I picked up the vintage clock at the Strasbourg flea market. And my husband’s parents gave me this print at our wedding because it reminded them of me on our first windy trip to Paris.

Desk: Target

Chair: Ikea

Cut glass lamp from the 1950s: vintage

Lamp shade: Ikea

Maudit Vent print: Paris street vendor

Candle: Cire Trudon

Josephine bust: Waterloo gift shop

Girl’s porcelain tea set: vintage

Desk calendar: Cavallini & Co.

Clock: vintage

Jewelry tray: Anthropologie

Pocket watch solid perfume: Modern Alchemy

Pencil holder: Anthropologie

Pencils: Staples

Folders: Staples

Lace handkerchief: vintage

Silk dupioni curtains: Pottery Barn

Le Cirque

The bold pops of color for spring remind me of a chic streetwear version of Cirque de Soleil. Colorblocked pieces always provide an interesting focal point and play up a simple silhouette.

~Asos: Poltock & Walsh Colour-Block Swing Coat with Zip Funnel Neck

~Diane Von Furstenberg: Reara Dress

~Marc by Marc Jacobs: Colorblocked Halter Dress

~Pierre Hardy: Color-Block Wedge Sandals

~Urban Outfitters: Sparkle & Fade Colorblock Top

Nutter Butters

Peanut butter cookies are a treat that will never go out of style. I couldn’t pass up a chance to make a modern version, especially from chef Thomas Keller. I recently picked up his cookbook, Bouchon, and its extensive recipe list of everything from fried zucchinis, pommes frites, rabbit with prune sauce, or pain perdu with apricots doesn’t disappoint. Plus, it’s modeled after the bistros of Paris, with simple ingredients and a rustic feel.

Nutter Butters Recipe

{Adapted from Bouchon Bakery via The New York Times}

Cookie

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

2 sticks butter, softened

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts

1 1/4 cups quick-cooking oats

Filling

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar

For the cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, and baking salt. Set aside. Cream butter and peanut butter. Add granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Continue mixing until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix until fully incorporated. Add flour gradually until combined. Stir in chopped peanuts and oats. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until light brown, 9-10 minutes. Let cool.

For the filling, combine butter, peanut butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until smooth. I halved the cookie recipe but kept the full amount for the filling recipe, so apply filling generously. Sandwich together. Makes 12 small sandwiches.

In the Mix

A skincare and beauty routine is something that evolves over time. I try new products and keep old favorites. Playing water polo in high school and college wasn't exactly good for my skin.

La-Roche Posay

In France, I love to pop into the pharmacies, which are meccas of skincare and suncare products. It is a totally different experience than a drug store in the States. Pharmacists complete at least six years of school, so they are trained to answer your skincare or health needs. Recently, I’ve become more interested in La-Roche Posay, touted four its Anthelios sunscreen line. I picked up Hydraphase {a moisturizer and UVA/UVB sunscreen in one} for the day and DermAOX {radiance and anti-wrinkle cream} for the evening. The best location in Paris is Pharmacie de la Mairie; products are cheaper than other pharmacies. But beware, you won’t be able to move through the aisles on Saturdays.

I even get my loose face powder and blush at Pharmacie T.LeClerc. Its powder combines rice starch for a matte finish and zinc oxide to correct minor imperfections.

Pharmacie T.LeClerc

A Field Guide to French Patisseries

On my initial trips to Paris, I spent a lot of time taste testing various pastries to decipher ingredients and flavors. Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Now, I have some favorites. Some are classic French while others have modern flavor twists.

Millefeuille: custard cream or even whipped cream with strawberries between layers of puff pastry, decorated with fondant icing

Best Specimens: Pierre Hermé, Gérard Mulot

Saint Honoré: biscuit or puff pastry crust, custard cream, piled high with whipped cream, studded with small cream puffs

Best Specimens: Ladurée, La Pâtisserie des Rêves, Jacques Genin

Duo Poire Caramel: hazelnut biscuit crust, caramel pastry cream, caramel glaze, caramelized pear

Best Specimen: Gérard Mulot

Mont Blanc: biscuit crust, meringue, whipped cream, swirled with chestnut cream

Best Specimens: Café Angelina, Le Petit Rose

Religieuse: pâte à choux puff pastry, pastry cream, flavored fondant icing

Best Specimens: Carl Marletti, Ladurée

Macarons: infinite combinations of almond meringue cookies and flavored fillings

Best Speciments: Ladurée, Pierre Hermé

Cocktail Hour

Although cocktail rings are not a new concept, an eccentric piece adds a fresh element to an outfit. For something striking but simple, I like rings that play up geometric details, like this Erin Wasson Triple Bar Crystal Cocktail Ring. Plus, bold accessories allow me to stay within my comfort zone while still playing with some of the season's trends.

~Digby & Iona: Stag Ring

~Erin Wasson: 14k Gold-Plated Triple Bar Crystal Cocktail Ring

~Forever 21: Leopard Face Ring

~Kenneth Jay Lane: 22k Gold-Plated Swarovski Crystal Ring

~Kenneth Jay Lane: Octopus Ring

~Paige Novick: Venus Ring

Little White Dress

While there are many renditions of the little black dress for evening affairs, the little white dress is the perfect element for warm spring days. This Erin Fetherston shift gets my vote for its understated yet elegant pleated waist and luxurious silk crepe. I’d pair it with some bold accessories, like this ACB Solaris Tassled Leather and Brass Necklace. Even more, it’s easy to switch out an oversized bag for a clutch on a summer’s eve.

~Erin Fetherston: Ivory Geometric Lace and Silk Crepe Shift

~J Crew: Quorra Peep Toe Booties

~Mulberry: Alexa Metallic Leather Bag

~ACB: Solaris Tassled Leather and Brass Necklace

~Kenneth Jay Lane: 22K Gold-Plated Swarovski Crystal Ring

~Smythson: Premier ‘Notes'

Le Grand Véfour

As a pre-wedding treat, we ate at Le Grand Véfour, an old haunt of Napoléon and Josephine. A gold name plate graced the gilded mirror behind me; it was the former seat of Victor Hugo. Although it was lunch on a Thursday, this was the best food of my life. Amuse-bouche of lentil soup was followed by a first course of foie gras and spiced apples. Everything was art in the form of food. For the main course, I had chicken breast with pumpkin puree. Next up, a cheese course. And then a series of lovely sweets, including tarts, pâte de fruit, and a chocolate hazelnut pastry with caramel ice cream. Three hours later, I got up from the crimson velour seat and floated off down the streets of Paris.

Le Grand Véfour, 17 rue de Beaujolais

Light as a Feather

Last week in Paris, I couldn’t resist this Chloé beauty. The handbag is the perfect mix of modern carryall and chic briefcase. Plus, I love the gold hardware that resembles a vault lock. It makes a sharp contrast against this delicate Erin Fetherston chiffon blouse, complete with billowy sleeves, a ruffled collar, and enamel buttons.

Erin Fetherston Dylan Blouse

J Brand Black Pearl Leggings

J Crew Kilted Ankle Boots

J Crew Pleated Gloves

Chloé Elsie Satchel

Alençon Lace

With its alençon lace, scalloped v-neckline with cap sleeves, and tiered pleated tulle train, every detail of my Lazaro wedding gown was perfect. I purchased it from a former bride on weddingbee.com to keep the designer price tag in check. In keeping with the romantic, vintage feel, I also had an alençon lace mantilla veil custom made by Röhm on Etsy.

The Cave

We had the reception dinner in an old wine cellar, which set a rustic mood for an evening of festivities. Sausages overflowed from baskets, wine flowed from a barrel, and everyone was in good spirits. Dinner started with pâté, sausages, and cold salads. For the second course, I chose the brochette de canard {duck skewer} with ratatouille. Then, my favorite part of the meal was the enormous cheese course with fruit. For anyone who wasn’t stuffed, there was crème caramel and apple tarts for dessert {but I had to save room for the Ladurée macarons}.

Nos Ancêtres Les Gaulois, 39 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île