Life with Lauren

San Sebastian

April 3, 2025

** This is not a sponsored post and I did not receive anything in exchange for mentions in this post.

I first heard about San Sebastián years ago because this small city in the Basque Country region of Spain is known for its amazing cuisine. San Sebastián, or Donostia to locals, has more restaurant Michelin stars per capita than anywhere in Europe and I believe second most in the world. So, being a foodie, of course it went to the top of my list of places I want to visit.

Another big draw is that San Sebastián is on the coast and the beaches are beautiful. My husband is a beach bum and is happiest in and around the water, so the possibility of surf and the chance to eat amazing food for every meal were the reasons we planned a trip there to celebrate our ten year anniversary this year.

How we got there

We found a great deal on a non-stop round trip flight from Austin to London on Norwegian Airlines. From there, we booked a quick cheap flight to Bilbao, Spain. As soon as we got off the plane, we caught a bus for the one hour ride to San Sebastián. We left Austin around 5pm, and got into San Sebastián just before 5pm Spain time, so it made for a pretty long travel day and neither of us slept much on the plane. We were exhausted, but excited to be there. We only did carry-on and that made it a little easier so we didn’t have to deal with checking and waiting for bags. (**Tip and reminder: we have TSA pre-check in the US and I’m so used to not having to take out my liquids, tablet, etc., but that doesn’t apply in Europe and they are strict about the liquids all fitting in to one clear plastic bag. Save yourself some time and pack accordingly).

Where we stayed

We really wanted a hotel that was close to the water with views of the water. Since we were only going to be there a few days, we were looking for a hotel instead of a short term rental. We decided to book a room with a view at Lasala Plaza Hotel and it was perfect! The hotel is beautiful with great views of the bay. The rooms are a good size and the service was great. It’s also in a perfect location— right near the bay and close to bars and restaurants, the square and other sights on our list. It was just a short walking distance from the surf beach and the bus station. There’s a beautiful rooftop with a small pool and gorgeous views. Can’t recommend it enough.

We had a beautiful view from our hotel room balcony.

The hotel has a rooftop pool and beautiful views.

What we ate

Pintxos!! The pinxto—a mini appetizer you can eat in a few bites that’s usually on a stick or piece of bread—was invented in San Sebastián. In the evenings, the bars and restaurants open their doors and line their bars with pintxos. We loved strolling the small streets, going from bar to bar sampling a couple at each spot. And I’d pair them with txakoli, a light white wine produced in the Basque Country. Some of our favorite pintxo bars include: Bar Txepetxa, Ganbara, Casa Vergara and Casa Alcalde.

We loved eating a few pintxos at each bar we visited.

Pinxtos and txakoli were the perfect combo!

Of course I also wanted to go to one of the Michelin starred restaurants since we were in the area. I read about several and a friend recommended Azurmendi. Unfortunately, I failed to do my research after making a reservation (which is so unlike me, but I had just left my job and moved and things were a bit chaotic leading up to the trip) and I didn’t realize that the restaurant was located an hour away in Bilbao. Soooo we had to hire a driver to take us there and back which cost almost as much as the multi-course, three Michaelin starred meal. My bad! Thought my husband might want to kill me for a minute there, but, it was an incredible, once in a lifetime dining experience.

Our dinner at Azurmendi was an unforgettable dining experience!

What to see

Playa de la Concha has been called one of the best beaches in Europe. The water is a turquoise blue and calm, which makes it very family friendly. There’s a promenade along the bay and a park with a big carousel and playground. It’s a great city for kids and we can’t wait to go back with our son. The cobblestone streets of the old town (Parte Vieja) are so charming and on weekends they’re packed with people meeting to catch up over pintxos. The historic Plaza de la Constitucion is in the heart of the town and on Friday nights, crowds of people gather for music and dancing. It’s a great spot for people watching.

We loved strolling along Playa la Concha.

I had to hop on the carousel!

About a mile from where we stayed is Zurriola Beach which is a hot spot for surfers. There’s a great surf shop near the beach that rents boards and wet suits called Pukas. On one end of Zurriola, the Urumea river flows into the ocean. There’s a bridge with beautiful views of the water and the city’s Belle Epoque architecture on one side and a modern glass structure on the other. We loved making that walk each morning and stopping for café con leche and a pastry along the way.

we strolled through town to Playa Zurriola each morning.

I knew that we couldn’t leave San Sebastian without hiking Mount Urgull. I had seen pictures of the stunning view from the top and after all those pinxtos, we could definitely use a little exercise. It’s an easy hike that starts right in Old Town by going up a small pathway near the port. We went up and around Mount Urgull, walking past the ruins of the old British Cemetery and up to the Mota Castle. There are cannons and walls with cut outs to take in the incredible view. The giant Sacred Heart Christ statue stands on top of the castle and can be seen throughout San Sebastian. The hike was a great opportunity to learn a little history and capture some of the best views during our stay.

Great views along the hike up Mount Urgull.

You can see the Sacred heart Christ statue from the Plaza de la Constitucion.

We loved our stay in San Sebastian and can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking for a beautiful beach town that has amazing food and culture and is also family friendly.
Traveling with a Toddler

April 3, 2025

Ahh traveling with kids. It’s a constant struggle between wanting to create memories and experiences, and dreading the actual process of getting there. Traveling with kids means you’ll be packing more and relaxing less. More time spent entertaining and less time for that book you’ve been trying to read for three months. It’s all about keeping them happy. Anything to make them them happy.

We’re about to go on our annual summer trip with my family which means we’ll be on a long 4-5 hour flight with our 3.5-year-old. He’s been going on plane rides since he was a baby and has traveled a lot, but that doesn’t mean it gets much easier. He’s a high energy, always on the go toddler. Sitting in one spot for more than 20 minutes isn’t his idea of fun. So, a long flight is tricky for mom, dad and Runner.

I’m sharing a few items that have helped make traveling with a toddler a little easier for us.

Tablet with handle holder

We do screen time and we’re all about it when traveling. We download a few movies and let him watch as much as he wants. Whatever it takes to keep him happy and quiet. This case is great because it stands up on it’s own or he can hold it.

Bluetooth wireless headphones

These are a must when traveling with the tablet and the wireless is great.

Kids luggage

Not necessarily a must, especially if your child is too young to pull the luggage themselves. We’ve traveled with this one for some trips, or just put his clothes in our suitcase for others. I love the durable hard case and their own luggage can get them excited about packing and going on a trip.

Car seat cart

This has made traveling with a carseat so easy. This one is pretty pricey, but it has been worth every penny for us. We’ve gone on several trips where there has been a stroller where we’re going, but we need a carseat. You add this to the seat and you can wheel your child through the airport while they’re sitting in the carseat. Our son loves it and it makes it easier to get around. Then we just gate check the carseat.

Water marker coloring book & flash cards

Our son loves these and there’s no mess! I always like to have a new coloring book or activity for each trip.

Inflatable bumpers

These are great if your kid is transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed or adult bed. They’re easy to travel with, then inflate and you stick them under the fitted sheet. We actually moved the mattress to the ground the first time Run slept in a twin mattress and they worked great.

Travel Sound Machine

We all sleep with white noise in our family. I have since college, so Justin was forced to when we got married and Run has since he was a baby. So, when we travel we make sure to bring a small white noise machine with us or we use an app on our phones. It’s definitely helpful when staying in a house full of people, especially at nap time.

Last on the list is SNACKS. Lots and lots of snacks. More snacks than you think you’ll need, haha.

If you have any items you can’t travel without, let me know on Instagram.

Happy travels!
Lake Tahoe. Favorite place on Earth.

April 3, 2025

Ahhh where do I start? I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on Lake Tahoe. I had heard about its beauty, but no description or pictures could do it justice. It’s simply magical and I was at a loss for words. A giant lake of crystal clear blue water meets white sand beaches at the edge of the pine tree covered Sierra Nevada mountains. Tahoe is cut in half by the border of California and Nevada. We went for the first time with my family about six years ago and I’ve been back almost every year since. It is my happy place and if I could visit all the time, I would.

Enjoying an evening in Incline Village in North Tahoe

First of all, disclaimer: I’ve only been to Tahoe in the summer (would love to go for ski season!), and although I’ve spent a couple days in South Tahoe, I’ve spent more time in North and West Tahoe, so I’ll share more about North in this post. But, no matter where you stay around the lake, it’s beautiful. {Also, this isn’t a sponsored post and we’ve never received anything in exchange for posting.}

Family hike in West Tahoe

The easiest way to get there is to fly to Reno and then it’s about an hour drive depending where you stay on the lake. I believe there’s a bus that runs from Reno, but you definitely want to have a car while there to drive to different parts of the lake. You can be just about as active as you want, or not, in Tahoe. There are hikes with beautiful lake views at different challenge levels, great bike paths, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. You can rent boats or go on a sunset cruise. The beaches are beautiful and honestly rival what I’ve seen in the Caribbean. The water is turquoise blue and crystal clear (cold, but clear). Some beaches are a little rocky and require water shoes, but others have soft, almost white sand. I could sit at the beach there for hours, enjoying the view and perfect weather. During the summer months, highs are usually in the 70s and 80s with lows in the 40s and 50s. It’s very family friendly and we’ve been taking Run there since he was a baby (actually, since he was in my belly!).

Barely there bump in 2015

Hike in South Tahoe near the CA/NV border

Sunset on Lake Tahoe

We’ve mostly stayed in Tahoe City and Incline Village in North Tahoe. We’ve rented homes in Dollar Point which is a great subdivision for families with access to a pool and tennis courts and a small private beach. Plus, it’s only a 5 min drive into Tahoe City where there are shops and restaurants, a grocery store, etc. In the summer time there’s live music at Common’s Beach on Sunday evenings. People pack picnics along with chairs and a blanket and post up to listen to music as the sun sets. Incline Village is further north on the Nevada side. The beach is beautiful, but you can only go there if you’re staying at a home or hotel in Incline Village. We love the Hyatt in Incline Village. It’s great for families with a pool and small game room and s’mores at night.

Enjoying s’mores by the lake.Photo by Ashlyn Savannah

In addition to Incline Beach, we really like King’s Beach which is pretty big and you can rent kayaks or SUPs. We also love Sand Harbor in North Tahoe which is beautiful with lots of big rocks. It’s really popular, so make sure to go early for parking. We also love Meeks Bay on the West Shore which is gorgeous on a sunny day. Make sure to bring cash to pay for parking.

Meeks Bay beach

Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, NV

Chambers Bar & Beach

Of course, I’ve also got a list of restaurant recommendations. Here are our favorites in the area:

•Wolfdale’s— in Tahoe City really good American/Asian fusion cuisine, on the nicer side, Bocce Ball Court great for a game before dinner

•Gar Woods— about 15 mins north of Tahoe City, on the water, good food, fun tiki cocktails. On the pricier side, make reservation & go early for sunset

•Sunnyside— about 15 mins south of Tahoe City, (West Tahoe) on the water, fun for lunch

•Chambers Bar— another fun’s spot in West Tahoe on a beautiful beach, known for their Chambers Punch

•Lone Eagle Grill—at The Hyatt in Incline Village, pricey, but great for date night or happy hour/apps in the bar area. Also, there’s a bar on a floating dock in the water that’s fun for happy hour

•Squaw Valley— ski resort about 20 mins from Tahoe City. The village is has little shops & restaurants. There is live music once a week during the summer. Great little pizza spot near the music.

Enjoying a glass of wine and the cool evening temps

I can’t recommend a trip to Lake Tahoe enough. It is truly a magical place and I can’t wait for my next visit!
Thanksgiving Table

April 3, 2025

*This post was originally published November 2020

I have yet to host a big holiday meal our extended family including 8 kids and when we do it will likely be more casual than this, but I thought it would be fun to put together a tablescape based on pins I’ve saved over the years and using pieces I already own along with some new (to me) things.

I reached out to my friend Leah Ashley, an interior stylist and vintage shopping expert, to see if she would be up to the challenge of helping make my vision for the table happen. I wanted to add in some vintage and inexpensive used pieces with what I already own. Luckily, she said yes, and she got a jumpstart on shopping.

I’ve always loved vintage blue and white china plates and wanted to incorporate those with blue goblets I own and a neutral centerpiece made of mini white pumpkins, candles and fresh greenery on a burlap runner. The only problem: I didn’t own one vintage blue and white plate.

We definitely had our work cut out for us trying to find at least six salad and six dinner plates in less than two weeks time. So, Leah got started on one of her vintage shopping trips and was able to find several plates. The next week, she and I met up to try to complete the collection. We had three hours to shop and went to several Goodwill Locations, a Savers, a Salvation Army Family Store and ended at the Austin Antique Mall.

We found about half the plates we needed during our shopping trip. Those, along with the plates Leah had found a few days before and a couple she already owned were enough to complete the table. Moral of the story is: you shouldn’t try to build a collection in a week. But, with an expert vintage hunter like Leah, you can make it happen. I love how it all came together and hopefully one year I’ll get to host a holiday dinner at our house.
Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas

April 3, 2025

*This post is not sponsored in any way and these opinions are all my own.

In September we left Austin for our first trip away in seven months and decided to go down to the Texas Coast for a beach weekend. Justin is from Corpus Christi and we actually go down there a few times a year to visit family and go to the beach. We own a short term rental about a mile from the beach on the Island in Corpus Christi, but wanted to stay somewhere with beach access to make it easier with the baby, and so it felt a little more like a mini vacation after being at home so long.

I’ve heard a lot about Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas, just outside Corpus Christi, because it’s pretty popular with families in the Austin area. The beach community is known for the homes’ clean and classic architecture painted in coastal colors. Palm trees line the sidewalks and hibiscus bushes are dotted all around the very picturesque community. There are several pools, a couple restaurants, a small store and manicured common areas. Its a short walk to the beach over a wooden pathway, large enough for golf carts which you can rent by the day to make getting to and from the beach even easier (you can drive on the beach there). You can also rent an umbrella and chairs for the day that are set up in front of the property each morning. There’s live music on the weekends and picnic tables are spread out. There was also an outdoor movie night for kids while we were there.

The community has homes to rent of all sizes which is great if you’re traveling with a lot of kids or even multiple families. Since we were just needing a place for the four of us and Paloma was still sleeping in our room we decided to book a two bedroom condo. We booked directly through the Cinnamon Shore web site where you can put in your travel dates and check availability then choose your rental according to room number, price and proximity to the beach. We wanted a first floor unit to make getting in and out easier with the kids and beach gear. The only negative to that was we had some pretty loud people staying above us and it sounded like they were moving furniture all night (still confused about that one..), so that’s something to think about when booking. The condos are in a great location right near the “town square” and not far from the main pool.

As far as safety protocols in place due to COVID-19, it’s a residential community and not a resort, so guests are expected to follow the guidelines put in place by the county. Staff at the restaurants and shops wear masks and there are signs requiring that customers wear masks when inside those businesses. But, in the common areas, I did not see a whole lot of mask wearing. It was easy to socially distance though and just stay close to your group. We had a really great time and it was fun taking Paloma to the beach for the first time. It’s a great place for families and we can’t wait to go back.
Tips for Bringing Baby to the Beach

April 3, 2025

We recently took Paloma to the beach for the second time and also brought Runner to the beach as a baby a number of times. I’ve learned a few things about how to survive a beach day with a baby and wanted to share some tips that have worked for us.

SHADE

This one probably goes without saying, but I can’t stress it enough. You want to make sure you’ve got a good shade source, whether that’s a large beach umbrella or small beach tent for the baby. A hat is also a great idea, especially if they’re too young for sunscreen. The first time we took Paloma to the beach, when she was less than four months old, I had her under an umbrella almost the entire time, but didn’t always have her hat on her and she still got sunburned.

AIR

We go to the beach wearing little clothing and get in the ocean to cool off. AKA: it’s hot. So, of course you want to make sure your baby is staying cool. You don’t have to build your own A/C system like Justin did. But, it’s a good idea to pack a portable fan, especially if you’re going to the beach in the summer.

BABY SEAT

When she was only a few months old we brought a baby bouncer chair to the beach. Now that she’s sitting up, we bought a $7 inflatable baby tube with a little back to sit her in and it was great. A friend also suggested a small inflatable baby pool you can put a little water in to keep the baby happy, so I think we’ll try that next time. And of course make sure it’s under some shade.

ENTERTAINMENT

Isn’t that what we’re all striving for as parents? Keeping our kids happy and entertained, so we can enjoy a moment of peace? Well then don’t forget the toys. We sat Paloma in her little tube and made sure she had a couple small beach toys she could easily grab to keep her happy.

NAP PLAN

If you want to be able to spend a few hours at the beach without having to rush back home for nap time, then you’ll have to be prepared for where to put the baby when they get tired. Runner was very particular when it came to nap time and wouldn’t just sleep anywhere. Paloma has been a bit like that too, so I couldn’t just create a little bed for them under the umbrella. We have a small portable bassinet Paloma slept in at the park when she was really little and that may have worked at the beach too. She usually will snooze when I wear her, so I made sure to pack my carrier and wrap for each beach trip and I was able to get her to sleep for a bit on me.

I’m including some of the essentials we’ve used below. I hope you found some of these tips helpful. If you have anything to add, please let me know on Instagram!
Baby Play Area

April 3, 2025

Paloma is on the move! Girl isn’t fully crawling yet, but she’s got this one legged scoot going on and she can definitely get around, so it was time to create an area for her to play and move safely. When we had Runner, we were living in a small condo, so the living room basically became his area and we just moved the coffee table out of the way and put a baby gate around the bar cart. Our living room in our house now is larger and I didn’t want the play area to completely take over, so we fenced off a section for her.

We ordered a white gate and bolted it to the wall, creating a roughly 4×8 foot space. We also ordered a mat made up of 2×2 squares. I found a gray one with a rug like pattern. I also bought two big woven baskets to store toys in when the kids aren’t using them. I’ve can’t stand clutter, (and my son is basically a hoarder, which drives me insane), so I love using storage bins and baskets throughout the house. We put Paloma’s ball pit inside the play area and a few other large toys that she’s loving right now.

Speaking of toys, I wanted to share the items that she’s been playing with the most lately. I mentioned the ball pit and this was a great purchase. We got it for her for Christmas and it’s definitely seen a lot of use— from both Paloma and Runner. It was especially great before she was mobile because we could sit her in there and she would play with the balls and other toys.

She has two little walker type toys that are also big hits. One is a little wooden ice cream truck. She loves playing with all the ice cream parts. The other sit to stand walker lights up and makes sounds. I found it in a pastel colors to match the ball pit because I’m nuts like that. We also recently bought her a play TV remote and cell phone and she’s loving those since she can press the buttons and they light up and make sounds. I also use those to try to get her to crawl to me because she always wants to get her hands on them.
Family Friendly Breweries & Beer Gardens

April 3, 2025

Out in the field at Jester King Brewery

“You have a baby…in a bar.” Pretty much. Well, not really a bar, but an outdoor beer garden. I may not be a huge beer drinker, but I do enjoy a good brewski every once in a while and I love sitting outside at a brewery with the family on a beautiful day. In honor of National Beer Day on April 7, I’ve rounded up a list of family friendly breweries and beer gardens in the Austin area.

Vista Brewing

This was the number one response I got when I asked on people Instagram for their favorite family friendly brewery. Vista is located on 21 acres in Driftwood. There are walking trails and wide open spaces on the property. The web site boasts “hyper-local food and beverages that capture the beauty and bounty of the Texas Hill Country.” They also serve wine and cider and often have live music. High on my list of spots to check out!

Jester King

This was one of the first breweries I’ve ever been to and I always love going back. It’s located in Dripping Springs on a 165 acre ranch It’s an authentic farmhouse brewery with a tasting room along with a relaxed outdoor setting. Picnic tables are set under trees and out in the field. There’s also pizza and wine. Reservations are encouraged.

Meanwhile Brewing Co.

Another popular response to my Instagram question. Located in South Austin, Meanwhile has a giant beautiful new tap room with leather seats and modern fixtures. There’s a rotating selection of more than 20 beer, wine and ciders. There is also an inviting outdoor space with a big lawn, food trucks and a stage for live music.

Frontyard

The web site says, “the front yard is where we spend time with our neighbors who become friends and friends who become family.” After this last year, that’s definitely true for so many, and a dream front yard is exactly what this brewery in Spicewood looks like. There is a big open lawn outside the tap room with plenty of space to spread out with chairs and blankets. There is a food truck on site and even pickle ball courts available by reservation.

Fitzhugh Brewing

This is a newer brewery named for the road it’s located off of in Dripping Springs. The tap room is a really pretty modern looking farm house and there’s a beer garden. There is food available from PEJ Kitchens with a menu of smoked meats and comfort food.

Family Business Beer Co

With “family” in their name, they’ve got to be on the list, right? Located just up the road from Hamilton Pool, family Business Beer Co is a brewery and tap room with an outdoor oak grove. The brewery currently requires reservations.

Central Machine Works

This has been one of our favorite spots to go since it opened and we’ve brought the kids several times. Located in East Austin, the micro brewery and beer hall has a big outdoor area with picnic tables. There’s a great menu with pizza and a delicious pastrami sandwich and a kids menu.

Live Oak Brewing Company

Live Oak sits on 22 acres in Del Valle, near the Austin airport. There’s a tap room, shady beer garden and even a 12 hole disc golf coarsen property. A food truck is open on the weekends.

12 Fox Beer Co

This newer brewery in Dripping Springs was started by two Army veterans who were exposed to European craft beer while stationed in Germany. The brew pub has a bakery and a beer garden featuring lawn games. They host family friendly events and live music.

Austin Beerworks

ABW has a great brewery and tap room along with a patio and turf play area in North Austin. They’ve embraced the beer can revolution and have a variety of beers to offer.

Easy Tiger

With three locations around Austin, Easy Tiger is known for its delicious bakery and menu of sausages and sandwiches. The beer garden at the South Lamar location is the largest with picnic tables and a turf play area for kids.

The Shady Llama

The Shady Llama is a a family owned outdoor beer and wine garden located a bit further from Austin in Wimberley. There are llamas and miniature donkeys roaming the property (hence the name). They don’t brew their own beer, but offer a great local selection.
Girls Night {Day} Out Restaurants in Austin

April 3, 2025

Valentine’s Day is coming up which means it’s also time for Galentine’s celebrations! I’ve got a list of spots in Austin that are my favorite for a day or night with my ladies. Grab your girls and go!

Taquero Mucho

508 West Ave. & 11101 Burnet

The popular all pink Mexican food restaurant from Gabriela’s Group now has a location near the Domain along with the original downtown location. Lots of Instagram worthy photo ops, delicious food (and even pink tortillas!) and fun cocktails. It’s a guaranteed good time with your best gals.

Josephine House

1601 Waterson Ave.

The Clarksville cafe is the sister restaurant to fine dining restaurant Jeffrey’s next door and is a go to spot for girls brunch or lunch. The small dining room is intimate and adorable and the outdoor patio is perfect on a beautiful day. Favorites on the brunch menu include the avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes and the rice bowl with pickled veggies.

Aba

1011 S Congress Avenue

The Mediterranean restaurant located on South Congress in the Music Lane area has one of the best patio’s in Austin and the food is delicious! A giant oak tree sits in the middle of the patio, creating a serene atmosphere. The design blends indoor outdoor spaces with lush greenery and comfortable seating. Order the crispy short rib hummus!

Grizzelda’s

105 Tillery St.

The East Austin Mexican food spot from the Jacoby restaurant group has a coastal vibe and a colorful patio that can’t be beat. Owners Adam Jacoby and Kris Swift have said the beachy and bright design was inspired by trips to Mexico City and Tulum. The menu features queso fundido, a variety of sizzling fajitas, ceviche and tacos. Don’t miss ordering the bright pink signature margarita the grizz mizz.

Juliet

1500 Barton Springs Road & 10000 Research Blvd.

The Italian restaurant is beautiful and spacious inside and out, making it an ideal spot for a girls dinner. There’s also a great happy hour menu with discounts on beer, wine, cocktails and antipasti dishes. The menu includes a variety of pastas and pizzas, fried calamari and bruschetta along with cocktail favorites like aperol spritz and frosé in the summer.

Tiny Boxwoods

1503 W. 35th St.

The Bryker Woods neighborhood restaurant is located in a picturesque white cottage in Kerbey Lane Village. Tiny Boxwoods is open for lunch and dinner and brunch on the weekends and is a quintessential ladies lunch {& dinner} spot. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie and a full wine and cocktail list. Don’t forget to order the delicious hot cookies for dessert or to go!

Justine’s

4710 E. 5th St.

The French brasserie is one of my most favorite restaurants in all of Austin. It tops my list of best date night and girls night out spots because the ambiance is romantic, sexy, a bit quirky and fun and the food is excellent. Think French staples like steak frites, confit de canard, escargot, and a variety of cheeses and charcuterie along with oysters during the winter months. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table for a group, you’re guaranteed a great experience.

Swedish Hill

3663 RM-2244

A bakery, coffee bar and deli in one with display cases filled with delicious pastries, salads and smoked fish. The menu also includes sandwiches and pizzas while the bar serves up coffee with just about every milk option, fresh juices and beer and wine. The space is bright and inviting and a perfect spot to catch up with a girlfriend or two.

P6 at The LINE Hotel

The rooftop bar and lounge features open air dining and drinks with views of Lady Bird Lake and South Austin. The menu features Mediterranean inspired small plates and seasonal cocktails and is a great spot for a girls night out or happy hour.

Cafe No Se

1603 South Congress Ave.

Located at the hip South Congress Hotel, Café No Sé is a bright and airy open all day café. It’s a perfect spot for meeting up with girlfriends for brunch before a little shopping on South Congress. The mine features fresh baked pastries, salads and bowls, sandwiches and various toasts and bagels in the earlier hours.

Clark’s

1200 W. 6th St.

One of my favorite spots on a beautiful day to meet a friend and catch up over rosé or sparkling wine, oysters and fries. The small seafood cafe on West 6th St. has a great raw bar, delicious house-baked sourdough and a lobster roll and burger that are mouthwatering. I never get tired of dining here.

Devil May Care

500 W. 6th St.

If you’re looking for a more of a sexy underground club vibe for a night out or lively brunch with your girls, this is it. Lounge seating both indoors and out with a Mediterranean menu, craft cocktails, along with DJ sets and VIP bottle service.

Vinaigrette

2201 College Ave.

Located just off South Congress with a patio that surrounds a giant Live Oak tree, this is a go to girls lunch spot for me. The menu features a long list of delicious salads along with soups and sandwiches. The rueben is one of the best I’ve ever had! I also love the list of fresh juices and tinctures which can be made with or without alcohol.
Paris, je t’aime

April 3, 2025

*This post was originally published in January 2023

It’s been a while since I’ve put out a blog post. I last published a post in June and have several drafts of posts from around that time I haven’t finished. My dad got very sick over the summer and passed away in July. Since then, I’ve spent most of my time traveling, spending time with family, doing a little on camera hosting for Spotlight ATX and focusing on content for a few partnerships. I’d love to get back to writing and blogging on a regular basis, and this post is a perfect place to start. It’s a near impossible task to put into words how much I love Paris, to articulate the way I feel when I visit, and to put together a short blog post about a city that has captivated me for more than two decades and I imagine will for all my days. But, here I go…

This trip in October was my 5th time to Paris, but a very special trip because I went with my mom just three months after my dad’s passing. My mom has been going to France since she was a teenager and speaks French fluently. She has friends in France and always loves to be there, so when the opportunity came up to go with her, I jumped at the chance. {I’ve been in a bit of a “YOLO” mindset since my dad died, but that’s probably a topic for another blog post when I’m ready to write it…}.

I went for 5 nights which is a good amount of time in Paris, but I could {always} have used one more day. Paris is divided into neighborhoods called “arrondissements” and the Seine River runs through the middle of the city. That’s why you often hear of areas referred to as “left bank” and “right bank.” We stayed in the 6th arrondissement which is on the left bank and an area known for good boutiques and restaurants, not far from the Luxembourg Garden, Boulevard Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter. I love this part of Paris and would definitely recommend it. We stayed at a small boutique hotel, Hotel de Buci which is located on a cute and very lively street with great cafés and brasseries.

After we checked in to our hotel and dropped off our bags, we immediately stopped at a near by café for a bottle of wine. When in Paris… My older brother and his wife joined us on the trip and we were all so happy to be there. Afterward, we strolled to the Jardin du Luxembourg which is beautiful and a must visit spot. We got lucky with the most amazing weather. It was cool and sunny and not at all the typical cold and rainy fall weather that was originally forecasted for that week.

Our first night there we were able to get a reservation at Girafe {thanks to our amazing conceriege at the hotel}, which has a beautiful patio with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and has exceptional reviews. I’ve had this restaurant saved for months in my “Paris” folder on Instagram and was determined to try to make it there. I literally gasped when we arrived and stepped outside to see the view! As if that wasn’t enough, the food was delicious (I ordered the sea bass and oysters) and we were all very happy with our meals. After dinner, we strolled around the Eiffel Tower, watching in delight as it sparkled, which happens every hour on the hour for five minutes and it’s oh so magical every single time.

Our first full day we slept in thanks to the jet lag, so we got a bit of a late start. We did a little sight seeing around the Palais-Royal and Colonnes de Buren and had lunch at Le Café Marley near the Louvre. I’ve been to the Louvre before and didn’t feel the need to go again, so I didn’t go inside this trip. There are many great museums in Paris, but my favorite thing to do there is just to stroll around different neighborhoods, stopping in shops and cafes. I also love walking along the Seine and across the bridges and seeing all the bouquinistes {book sellers and little antique dealers} set up along the way. That night we had dinner at a great little spot, Poulette, followed by wine at Frenchie wine bar.

The next day we woke up early to head to Versailles. The Palace of Versailles is the former home of King Louis XIV built in the 1600s and is located just outside Paris. We took a train, but you can also arrange for transportation or take an Uber. It’s definitely worth a visit and I highly recommend booking a tour or tickets ahead of time. The palace is incredible and the surrounding gardens are beautiful as well. Just be prepared for crowds. We opted for a casual dinner that night at Les Deux Magots, a famous café on Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and that’s where I made this video lol.

We woke up to another gorgeous day and my mom and I did a little shopping followed by a walk through the Tuileries garden and lunch at a cute cafe near Notre-Dame. That afternoon I met up with a photographer for some photos near the Eiffel Tower. I know it’s pretty silly and cheesy, but I had so much fun getting dressed up and this was something I’ve wanted to do for years, so why not?

We had dinner at L’Ami Jean which Justin and I ate at the last time we were in Paris and I was more than happy to go back. It’s cozy with a small but delicious menu and it’s fun to watch the chef working in the kitchen. It’s located in the 7th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower, so we walked over to see it one last time at night. On my last day of the trip we went to the Champagne region about an hour outside Paris to visit a couple Champagne houses which was a pretty amazing experience. I was so happy to get this trip with my mom in our favorite city and I can’t wait to go back again.

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