WEDNESDAY/MERCREDI

WEDNESDAY/MERCREDI

I was up for the challenge
– both getting up early on vacation and to make croissants and Pain du
Chocolat. I attended a baking class at La Cuisine Paris
and understood why the flaky pastry tasted SO good. It has something to
do with the 5 pounds of butter.

That was my salmon and
broccoli quiche I had for lunch too.

I managed to walk it off
later in the day when I went to the Louvre and signed up for a treasure hunt
with THATLou. Let me tell you – it was tricky
but I never learned so much about the artifacts and paintings in such a clever
and unique way (sadly I lost – next time I would do this as a team of two at
least!)

ELENA:)

TUESDAY/MARDI con’t

TUESDAY/MARDI con’t

We stopped at this place called Aux Merveilleux de Fred which specializes in flavourful meringues and brioche. (Note: they have a shop in NY!). They are amazing.

I took a photo of the Karl Lagerfeld store, but alas it was closed when we went back to check it out.

Let me explain about the radish sandwich. It was delicious. Butter bread, butter, sea salt and a radish shaped like a cocktail sausages rather than the round ones we get in the North America.

ELENA:)

TUESDAY/MARDI

TUESDAY/MARDI

Roaming the streets to pick up some freshly baked croissants was a great idea. From Bastille, I walked to the Hotel de Ville in the Marais. I read somewhere that designer Giambattista Valli’s headquarters are actually in the Hotel de Ville (which is the building in the first photo)!

Later in the day, I went on a food tour of Marais organized by La Cuisine Paris. It was interesting to learn about area and have a taste of the different specialities I wouldn’t normally go after.

We walked along the Quai De L’Hotel De Ville, across La Seine to the Ile St-Louis which was so small it only had three streets. Then we looped around to the oldest street in Paris – Rue de Rosiers.

ELENA:)

MONDAY/LUNDI

MONDAY/LUNDI

The great apartment in
Bastille served as my home for the week thanks to Airbnb! I have never
been in that area before and lucky for us it was close to the Metro and along
the Port de L’Arsenal. The weather was fantastic. It was unseasonably warm for
springtime in Paris which was great for any photos taken (no filter).

ELENA:)

Orox Leather Co. Review

When I finished grad school, I vowed to
upgrade certain well-utilized belongings that screamed undergrad/high school
student. My laptop sleeve was one of these items. Months passed as I searched
for something that was C-suite worthy and combined both fashion and function.
Alas, I could not find anything that I loved without breaking the bank (Chanel
came out with a great notepad holder which I thought could serve dual purpose –
but the price tag made me feel queasy).

 

As an avid traveller, I find myself appreciating
the dual function of items; like a laptop sleeve that could also serve as a
clutch. If you’re a shopper like myself, you know that having extra room in
your luggage for new purchases is key. In the case of my Paris trip – this
meant my new jacket, shoes, sunglasses and gifts for colleagues/friends could
easily fit in my luggage and I did not have to say a small prayer when my
luggage was placed on the scale at Charles de Gaulle.

 

Orox Leather Co., owned and operated
by the Martinez family in Portland, Oregon handcrafts beautiful leather goods. The
name Orox, is derived from the fusion of the Martinez family’s origin from
Oaxaca, Mexico to Oregon. I had the opportunity to take an Orox laptop sleeve
and a couple cord minders on my recent trip to test out the quality
craftsmanship first hand.

 

When the products arrived at
my house pre trip, I was blown away at the oil tanned tan leather. To say it is
beautiful is definitely an understatement and like most things, I expect it to
get better with age.  There is something
to be said when your flight neighbour in 14C asks you, “Where did you get
that?!?”

 

Classic and elegant, the
style of the laptop sleeve is so timeless and clean – I couldn’t help but to
double it as my clutch as I roamed the streets of Montmartre. It served well,
both protecting my laptop throughout the trip and giving my shoulders a rest
from my cross body bag. I was so impressed that when I got home, I immediately
checked out the belts and other fabulous accessories.

 

Speaking of accessories, the
cord minders proved to have multiple uses as well.  A solution for those unruly computer/phone
chargers; the cord minders are so strong you can even secure a dress or pants
to hanger (using the clothing straps) after a steam. Brilliant.

 

It’s safe to say the Orox
Leather Co
. offers something rare in the mass production of leather goods –
quality products perfected with rich traditional techniques, which will, just
like the Martinez family last for generations to come.

 

Be sure to follow Orox Leather Co. on Instagram/Twitter/Tumblr: oroxleatherco and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.

ELENA:)