{ooh, la la!}

In honor of Bastille Day, Vive la France! Eager to learn French, do so by podcast on the following site: http://www.frenchpodclass.com/ The website allows one to learn French on a daily basis--tres' fun!

{monestery surrounded}

A great place to lose oneself is at the Mont St. Michel in France. It is a 2-3 hour drive outside of Paris and well worth the trip. It is believed to be the site were the Arch Angel Michael was first seen. Because of tide waters, the monastery can often be found surrounded by water and then as the tide recedes, the water goes out with it, leaving visitors stranded. Within the walls of the village surrounding the monastery, are quaint little shops and restaurants. Of course, I have to have a crepe where ever I go in France, and these were not disappointing. To commemorate the experience, I recommend purchasing a beautiful watercolor, like the one I have in my powder room. The artist is quite good and is the only watercolorist featured on the island.

{pretty funky flavors}

MSN's Top 9 Ice Cream Places in the US: woo-hoo! the bent spoon is on MSN's top 9 ice cream places in the US! Andrea Pyenson writes, "The best ice cream in America is made by small outfits, often with local ingredients. With warmer weather on the way, here are nine parlors sure to please...The following ice cream shops represent a mix of old and new -- some are family businesses that have been passed down through generations; others are less than five years old, and some have pretty funky flavors... They all offer ice cream that is made with love, by professionals who care about delivering something truly special to the people who, more often than not, stand in line just to get a scoop." Of course, the ice cream really is delish, but I must take a moment to rave, RAVE, about their cupcakes! They are to die for... Pleave visit them in Princeton or at http://www.thebentspoon.net/index.html

{royal service in Singapore}

Recently, while on vacation in Singapore, I found myself in the Royal Copenhagen Tea Lounge in the Takashimaya Department Store halfway between the Hermès and Jimmy Choo shops. As I perused the menu, a bus boy circled the tables with a crystal pitcher full of water and fresh-cut strawberries, the taste was so refreshing, I asked for a refill. I then was served a steaming pot of Earl Grey tea, so complex was the mingling of flavors. In complement was the two scones, strawberry jam and orange marmalade, with clotted cream. This was definitely a respite well enjoyed. So, if you ever find yourself dodging an afternoon monsoon in Singapore, tuck in at the tea lounge.

http://www.royalcopenhagen.com/Service/Stores-and-Shops/Tea-Lounge-Singapore.aspx

{ Monet's envy? }

The Kenilworth Acquatic Gardens in Washington DC seem to be plucked out of Monet's Giverny. It is hard to imagine that such a beautiful place is smack dab in the middle of such a large sprawling city. Waterlillies and cat tails paint the picture of lush greens, vibrant pinks, demure blushes, and creamy whites. This is one of those hidden gems not to be missed. http://www.nps.gov/keaq/

{exquisite taste}

While on a visit to Paris, a must see place to stop is Ladurée to try the famed macaroons. These exquisite little cookies are a scrumptious blend of sweetness with a cookie crispness. I visited the shop on the Champs Elysées. The shop was gorgeous, full of gilded fixtures and twinkling crystal.

If you can't visit there any time soon, an excellent feature of their website is an e-postcard that one can send to a friend. Please visit: http://www.laduree.fr/index_en.htm

{Views of Paris}