Lately

In the past few weeks, I've been exploring Paris without my camera. (Okay, well, except for my iPhone camera...I'm on Instagram on the regular.) The city has a bit of a hold on me--much more than I thought it would, to be honest--and I'm enjoying spending a little time with it one on one, with only my eyes seeing and experiencing what's going on around me.

In other words, I think I feel like I live here a little bit.

I went through this when I moved to New York (and to London before that, way back in the day). It's a time when the razzle-dazzle of a new place loses a bit of its shine, and starts to emerge as something familiar and comfortable. It doesn't make the city less beautiful; it's actually more so, I'd argue.

One of the first times I noticed I was feeling more comfortable was a couple of days ago, when I broke rule #3 of my Paris Plan. For the first time ever, I walked to the metro wearing earbuds, listening to a song on iTunes. (I know! Gasp!) I really needed the energy of music that day, and the trek to the train station is familiar enough now that I could allow myself to get lost in a song, and give Paris a soundtrack of my own for a minute. It was a bit jarring--especially because I was listening to this jam, which is not exactly a song that is in sync with a stroll along a central Parisian street. But I felt like myself in a city that's unexpectedly feeling more like me on a daily basis. It was weird and wonderful at the same time.

I'm not sure what to do with that feeling. Other than just go with it. But it's nice to find me here, you know?

The Paris Plan - Achieved Today: Rules #14 and 15.

5 Less-Touristy Places for Great Views of Paris

Forget views from the Eiffel Tower. (You can't see the famous iron structure from THAT view--and you know that's what you want!) Here are five places to catch great views of Paris, most of them for free.

1) Printemps. Trek to the cafe terrace on the 9th floor of the Beauté/Maison building of this department store and get ready to squeal like a little tiny baby girl. HOLY COW. (I mean, HOLY VACHE.) This is hands-down my favorite view. I recommend going on a stormy day. Because take a look at the above pano my iPhone took just before a storm a week or so ago. Beyond. 64 bd Haussmann, 75009 

2) Parc de Belleville. Go at sunset (duh, but still). At the top of the park is both a cool-looking boulangerie (I didn't stop in, but it smelled gorgeous) and a great cafe/bar where you can grab a drink and a bite for a decent price. So dreamy in the spring! 47 rue des Couronnes, 75011

3) Panthéon. Not the most dramatic view of the city, but it somehow makes you feel a little king-of-the-world-ish. Place du Panthéon, 75005

4) Centre Pompidou. I keep reading how beautiful the view is from the 5th floor of this modern-art museum. My girl Zovig is currently in town visiting, and she confirmed it for me after she spent a last-minute evening there. (It's sometimes open as late at 11pm.) On the must-do list! Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004

5) Le Parc de Saint Cloud. If you're feeling adventurous, hop a train and hit this park for a sprawling view from just outside the city. Bonus: tons of tree-lined paths and rolling meadows peppered with fountains and fancy regal architecture. Your Instagram followers will totally heart you for it. 92210 Saint-Cloud

The Paris Plan - Achieved Today: Rule #2. (I like this rule, y'all.)

Things I should stop confessing in public

A couple weeks ago, I admitted to saving a few adorably reusable, terra cotta-made La Fermière yogurt cups here and there.

Several weeks later, I think we need to call an intervention.

For starters, here's what the yogurts look like in their packaging, before I feast on one for breakfast.

You'll notice that, unlike the baby blue cups at the top of the post, these particular cups happen to be a dark navy color. That's because, if my poorly translated French is correct, they are a special "horoscope edition" of the vanilla flavor. I happen to casually (not casually) spot (stalk until I found them) at a nearby convenience store.

And what did I do?

I bought six. (Not really. Eight.)

S-I-X. (ACTUALLY, EIGHT.)

IT'S NOT EVEN MY SIGN.

But, come on, you get it, right? They're sweet, right? They can be bud vases! They can be pencil cups! They're dishwasher safe! You can cook in them!

Somebody help.

What would you do with these suckers?

Should I paint them in even more fun colors and use them to create an art project? Do I sell them on eBay or etsy? (This happens, apparently.) Or do I just recycle them and chalk it up to a funny little breakfast habit I had when I lived in Paris?

Do throw me a bone in the comments. (Just don't throw it in the direction of the pots. We don't want them to break. Don't hurt the babies!) (Okay, seriously. SOS.)

The Paris Plan - Achieved Today: Rules #5 and 6.

Purple Haze

When you are told to go find the wisteria in the back alleys of Paris' Montmartre neighborhood, you go find the wisteria. Here's what else you'll find.

The Paris Plan - Achieved Today: Rules #1, 2, and 4.