GIRLS TRIP TO PARIS....!

Paris was as beautiful and inspiring as ever.  It is one city that I know I shall never grow tired of.  Each time I return, there is always something new to discover, along with the familiar that makes me so happy to visit each time.  So easy to get to for us....a thirty minute drive to the Eurostar at Ashford last Thursday morning and under two hours later, the train drew in at Gare de Nord....perfect timing for lunch!

On this occasion, my daughter Georgie and I decided to rent a small Airbnb apartment in our favourite location of Le Marais.  I have never done this before, but would highly recommend it!  With more space than Paris's notoriously tiny hotel rooms, and a fraction of the cost, it was the perfect choice.   Our helpful and charming host was out of the country, hence the availability of his apartment, but everything was meticulously organised for us and our accommodation was so clean and comfortable....I shall definitely consider this option again.

Situated just a stone's throw from the beautiful 'Place des Vosges'....it could not have been more perfect.  For those of you who might not be familiar with Paris, Le Marais is an historic district on the right bank, spreading across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.  With beautiful buildings of historical and architectural importance, original and inspiring artisan shops and boutiques, wonderful array of bars and restaurants, and a cool artistic vibe...it has something to please everyone.

The very slight draw back to the apartment was possibly the six steep flights of stairs leading to it! However we decided that this was a positive....great exercise to work off all the delicious food and wine that we enjoyed over the three days!

The reward for being so high up was also this fabulous view from our floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the rooftops and with the iconic 'Sacre Coeur' Cathedral in the distance.

Le Marais area is famous for its wonderful bakeries....tempting breakfast treats.

Floral and culinary inspiration everywhere we went....

...and no shopping trip to Paris would be complete without also a visit to the fabulous 'Galeries Lafayette' in the 9th arrondissement.

The newly restored Picasso Museum was a highlight...

...with the stunning architecture as much of a draw as the art.

Beautiful gardens in hidden squares were a delight to discover....

Several fantastic meals were had....and the trip would not have been complete without a visit to our absolute favourite restaurant 'Chez Janou' in Rue Roger Verlomme!

We must have walked miles over the few days we were there...enjoying the elegance of the lovely St. Germain district and the charming Ile St. Louis.

As we closed the magnificent doors to our apartment building, with our suitcases a little fuller than when we arrived....we were sad to leave.  A wonderful mother and daughter trip...special times with special memories.

 

Paris we miss you....but one thing is for sure....we shall return!

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Do you have a favourite area or place to visit in Paris?  I would so love to hear!

Wishing you a happy Thursday...

Sophia xx

A SUMMER LUNCH TABLESCAPE...

A tray of these beauties caught my eye the other Friday, in our weekly flower and vegetable market.   Ornamental cabbages are always a fun and eye catching seasonal treat that I love to buy at the end of the summer each year to plant up in pots around the outside of the house.  They seem to mark for me the change of the season, as we approach early Autumn.  Always sad to say goodbye to the summer, but I just love this time of year too.

Before these lovelies made their way outside though, they seemed the perfect addition to the lunch table for friends joining us the next day for a  fun and relaxed lunch party.

Keeping with the same colour theme, I then added Artichokes form the kitchen garden that had gone to flower, to a bowl of hand painted African balls from our travels....

A little different from the usual choice of flowers...

But when vegetables look this pretty...why not?

What do you like to decorate your table with?

I would love to hear!

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On Thursday I am off for a couple of nights to one of my absolute favourite places...Paris!

A three day trip with my lovely daughter Georgie which will be such a treat!  Precious mother/daughter time in a City that she adores just as much as me.  I look forward to 

sharing our adventures with you on the blog next week!  In the meantime, I shall be sharing beautiful Paris and our finds on my Instagram @sophiahomelifestyle

Wishing you a very happy Tuesday evening!

Sophia xx

PARISIAN INSPIRATION!

ALL PICTURES: SOPHIA HOME

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I hope this belated post finds you all well, and enjoying your summer days?

Now back from our wonderful few days in Paris, I hit the ground running this week with a current work design project and I can't believe we are half way through the week already!

There is nothing like a few days away to top up on inspiration, and of course, there is no lack of inspiration in beautiful Paris!  

Leaving my usual camera behind this trip, here are a few of my iPhone snaps, which some of you who follow me on Instagram @sophiahomelifestyle 

will recognise.  

Paris for me inspires in so many ways…..

The gorgeous patisserie, and sweet treats…

The elegant architecture….

The strolls through beautiful parks….especially the stunning Jardin du Luxembourg...

The hidden courtyards and squares….with Place des Vosges my absolute favourite.

The romance….love and padlocks on every bridge!

The delightful cafés and coffee break stops...

The refreshing mid afternoon Citron Pressé…

The wonderful restaurants….delicious french onion soup and a glass of rosé anyone?

Shopping heaven!

Endless inspiration, with beauty and style at every corner…not forgetting the stunning choice of galleries and museums.  Paris never disappoints.

A special place that I never grow tired of, and I can not wait to return for my next Parisian fix!

***

Look in again soon, for some kitchen garden updates and healthy summer recipes we have been enjoying here at home, that I would love to share with you!

Thank you so much for popping by 'Sophia Home' and wishing you a wonderful rest of the week, whatever you have planned...

Sophia xx

A CELEBRATION IN PARIS...

Good morning!

I do hope you have all had a wonderful weekend?

Ours was busy, fun and sociable, with a family barbecue here at home yesterday which kicked off what looks like one of several lovely celebrations to mark my husband's BIG birthday!

Tomorrow we head off, the two of us, to our favourite city….Paris!  It is where we became engaged 27 years ago, and where we try to return to as often as we can.  It is very special to us. 

With only a two hour train journey from us here in Kent, thankfully this is really so easy!  Staying in the beautiful 'Le Marais' area, for three days with no fixed agenda, other than to enjoy good food and wine, the galleries and small artisan shops in the area, explore and just 'potter'…..however many times we return, there is always something new to discover.  I can hardly wait!

Have a very happy week, and I look forward to sharing our little trip to Paris with you on my return!  In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram to pop in to the delights that Paris has to offer, over the next few days…..@sophiahomelifestyle

Sophia xx

LES FILLES EN PARIS!

Bonjour!

I hope you are all well this Tuesday morning?

My daughter Georgie and I had a fantastic trip to  Paris last week.......a few days of very special mother/daughter time 

which I shall treasure. 

The sun shone and with temperatures up to 27 degrees, it was truly summer in Paris!

We walked the length and breadth of the city.....exploring the bustling Latin quarter, gorgeous St. Germain, through Les jardins Tuilleries and up to Concorde and glamourous Rue St. Honore, and spent much time in our very favourite part....the beautiful historic Marais.

Having been fortunate enough to visit this beautiful city on a number of occasions, and having seen most of the obvious 'tourist' sights before, we concentrated our time on the most serious of activities.......'le shopping!'

The prettiest sweet shop, found in Rue de Monge in the Latin quarter........

Roses, roses, roses.......at 'Le vie en Rose'.....one of the many beautiful shops in 

rue St. Germain......

Gorgeous fresh produce......

Delicious cheeses......

Stunning displays of flowers in the numerous florists and market stalls throughout the city.....

'Laduree's' lovely macarons window display.....always so pretty.....

The stunning 'Hermes' main store in rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore........strictly browsing!

Georgie standing on the Pont des Arts......the famous 'padlock bridge'.  Thousands of padlocks, attached and initialed by couples......

Who said romance was dead?......never in Paris!

A picnic and leisurely stroll through the gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg.......

'Le Marais'......this historic district is without a doubt my favourite.  Stunning architecture.....and the 'Place des Voges', the oldest planned square in Paris....and some say the most beautiful.  It is where my husband and I stayed last year, in the wonderful 'Pavillon de la Reine', to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.... and it was wonderful to share this favourite of places with Georgie, that holds a special place in my heart.

All that walking, shopping and sight-seeing, certainly builds up the appetite.....so I introduced Georgie to the delights of 'Chez Janou' in rue Roger Verlomme, where we ate the most delicious crayfish and avocado salads, and drank rose outside in the sunshine......heaven!

G outside 'Chez Janou'.....

Another great restaurant find the following evening was 'Les Affames' in Rue du Roi de Sicille.....definitely one for my Marais address book.  Serving some of the best fillet steaks we had ever eaten....this stylish little bistro was another great discovery.  

Very cool 'butcher's block' style tables at restaurant 'Les Affames'.

We finished our last afternoon with a stroll around the delightful Ile Saint-Louis.....with its pretty boutiques, cafes and of course, the majestic Notre Dame on adjoining Ile de la Cite.......

Notre Dame.

As our Eurostar train swept us home that evening, we sat exhausted but happy.....and a little sad to be leaving.  We had enjoyed the most wonderful four days together......special mother/daughter time......sharing the delights of the beautiful city that I had first discovered at her same age. 

Georgie too is now hooked on the magic of this beautiful City......and like me, can not wait to return.   I have a feeling that this trip may well be repeated.....and could well become a little tradition! 

Bon journée!

Sophia xx