It's the boring stuff I remember most.

Good day sunshine! Happy Wednesday and happy Leap Day, since you get an extra day this year make it a great one. It's another gorgeous day in Limoges, it's supposed to be 61 degrees today and I couldn't be happier, if you didn't know I live for this weather.

Today Kyle and I are heading to the train station to pick up my ticket for my trip to Paris Saturday, which starts my journey back to New York. I am a little bummed because Kyle leaves for a road game tomorrow morning and won't get back until early Saturday morning, just in time to drop me off at the station. So today is our last day together for two weeks, I know two weeks isn't a long time, we've endured a lot worse but I just hate being someplace he is not.

I love Ellie and Carl. 

Last night after our daily long walk with Wooden, we came home and watched one of my favorite Disney flicks, Up. This movie gets me every time, I cry within the first five minutes like clockwork. Anyway, last night in particular one scene really stuck out for me, spoiler alert if you haven't seen Up. In this scene the character Russell is talking about a game that he plays with his dad, then he stops and says, "I know it sounds boring,"..."But it's the boring things I remember most." Such a simple line and there I was with tears streaming down my face.

In life it really is about the little things, the simple days which to an outsider might look boring, but those are usually the days that you remember most. From a simple walk in the park, a conversation with a loved one, laughing at something random, that's what life is made up of. When you realize that day to day life isn't that grandiose, it's just life, that I feel is when you really start living. If your every days are full of sincerity and meaning, if you put forth your best self, you'll find that the simplest of days could in the end be the most interesting.

Have a great day!

“I know it sounds boring,”...“But it’s the boring things I remember most.”
-Russell, Up

Pinteresting Finds and My First Pinterest Challenge!

Happy Tuesday Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes Readers! Hope your week got off to a great start. As I mentioned in last week's edition of Pinteresting Finds I will now be doing a Pinterest Challenge every Tuesday, to prove that people do put their pins to good use. This week I did a double challenge, one taken from my Beauty Board and the other from my Foodie Fun Board. 

Challenge #1. Nail Love

I saw this nail design and I had to try it, it didn't seem too complicated so I thought it would be perfect for my first Challenge. I chose to use my Chanel "May" nail polish and my O.P.I for Sephora "Only Gold for Me" polish to take on this challenge. It wasn't too difficult and I was very satisfied with the result, which got quite a few compliments. 

Here's the result and the original pin. Try it out and sparkle!

Above: The Original Look. Below: My Pinterest Challenge Result.

Challenge #2 French Toast Souffle

When I saw this next pin my mouth literally watered, I had to try this for myself. The pin comes from The Pink and Blue Blog and the recipe was really quite simple. Since I am currently living in France, I thought French Toast would be the perfect Pinterest Food Challenge to try. 

Here's the original pin, the recipe and the result. I suggest you all try this fun take on a classic, you and your tummy will not be disappointed. 

The Original from the Pink and Blue Blog.

The Recipe:
French Toast Soufflé
makes 4 individual servings

1 small loaf of french bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (5 cups)
4 large eggs
1 cup of half and half
1/4 cup of maple syrup (plus more for serving)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

For Serving :
1/4 cup of powdered sugar
maple syrup

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon.  Add bread cubes and toss until all of the cubes are coated.  Pour into individual ramekins or one souffle dish.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes (for individual ramekins), 30-35 for one larger souffle.

Serve warm with powdered sugar and maple syrup.

The Result: My French Toast Souffle. 

The Result was Yummy!

Now here is this week's Pinteresting Finds. Enjoy and Happy Pinning!

Loving the Bun look! Board: Beauty 

This dress is stunning, I love it! Board: Fairytale Finds

I loved these Coral Pumps so much, I ordered them off Lulu's.com! Board: My Closet

Love her (Miranda Kerr) and this swimsuit. Board: Fashion Snapshots

Love all things Lululemon! Board:Sporty Love

This quote is beautiful. Board: Quotes I Dig

Obsessed with this watch! Board: Stuff I Love, Love, Love

Find Passion

Happy Monday Loves! Hope you had a fabulous weekend, now it's time to conquer the last days of February. I had a great weekend and now I'm getting things in check for my trip home to New York at the end of the week. I'm really looking forward to seeing my family, going for some great training runs and getting home just in time to celebrate the Staten Island St. Patty's Day Parade.

Yesterday Kyle, Wooden and I woke up to some amazing weather in Limoges, since Kyle had the day off we wanted to make the most of it. We packed ourselves a little picnic and headed to one of the local parks, to take in some sun and relax. It was such a great time, nothing beats enjoying the simple things in life like a glass of wine, great company, amazing weather and good conversation.

Here are some pictures from our Sunday in the Park.

























As I mentioned last week, my marathon training has really been on point. I feel great and can't wait to take on the Paris Marathon mid April, I feel like my passion for running is at an all time high. Finding something to be passionate about is so important in life, it makes everything else you do better. Which brings me to today's quote from the Dope and Legit Blog, it's an amazing one. Go out into the world and be passionate and also have a great Monday.




Let your passion be the reason for your existence, and your success be the product of your resistance.
-Dope and Legit Blog

Best,
Meggie

Friday Favorites

This week flew by, I hope you are ready to enjoy the weekend! Temperatures are supposed to hit high 50's here in Limoges and that makes me one happy girl. Here are some other things that made me happy this week as well. I'm now off to my first French Lesson, I'm nervous and pretty excited, I'll let you know how it goes. Have a great weekend!

I'm super excited for the return of Bethenny Ever After. I love this show, even though this season isn't looking so, "happily ever after". Check it out Monday nights at 9pm on Bravo.

In other Bethenny news, she announced some new Skinnygirls that will be hitting liquor stores come April. The new trio includes Rosè, White and Red Wine!

I whipped up these cupcakes on Sunday, that actually came put pretty yummy. They are vanilla cake with peanut butter/cinnamon icing. I'm getting good at this baking thing.

On Saturday, Kyle and I went to our local supermarket and we almost fell over with laughter when we saw a cardboard cutout of Kyle greeting us at the main entrance.

A yummy lunch at Le Artiste, which is becoming my favorite spot in Limoges. I can't wait to take my sister here when she visits.

I am lusting for a pair of the new Nike Flyknit running shoes!!! These are a must have.

Wooden sketched! I'm obsessed with the new iPhone App Sketch+

Only 51 Days until I knock a big goal off my Bucket List, Running a Marathon in a Different Country. Marathon de Paris here I come.

This video is a must watch! I've set a new goal to be able to do some of these more complicated yoga poses by the end of the summer. 

It fits.

Hey there Loves, Happy Thursday! I hope you are having a great week and putting your best self forward. I can't believe I'm heading home to NYC in a little over a week, this year really seems to be flying by. Even though I'm excited to be in New York for a couple of weeks, I hate leaving Kyle and my pup behind in France.

Because of the amazing weather we've been having here in Limoges, I've been able to really step my marathon training up. Yesterday I pounded out 15 hill repeats and while I am super sore today, I'm happy that it was a successful workout. On our way home from the park after my workout, Kyle told me how proud he was of me, that I've really been beasting it, working out every day and really focusing on my training. It's great to hear those words coming from him, not just because those are words you want to hear from your significant other, it's mainly because I value his words and advice when it comes to working out/training because he is a professional athlete. He never sugarcoats things, he isn't a believer in the phrase, "I can't" and because of his intense desire and determination, it motivates me to be the best.

Every day I am realizing more and more that I've met my match when I found Kyle. This is something that I am so grateful and thankful for. How lucky am I to have met the man that I want to spend all my days with. Kyle allows me to be myself, he accepts all of me, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Our relationship hasn't been the most conventional but it's ours. We've proven to each other that if you want something bad enough, you'll climb any mountain, cross any ocean to make it happen, you go after it, you don't give up just because it gets hard. It's not always easy and because of my guy's career there is always that feeling of never knowing what the next chapter will be. That used to scare me, the whole not knowing where we may end up but now I'm ok with it. I think I'm ok with it because I know Kyle is it, he's my person.

We've created so many amazing chapters together and we have only been together a little under four years. We've had to make many life altering decisions and so far they have all worked out for the better. We both know we've found our counterpart in each other, that balance that keeps one another grounded. I'm not trying to be mushy and lovey dovey, I'm just honestly proud of the couple we've become, it may not look like the perfect pairing to others but to us it fits.

There's this line in one of my favorite movies, P.S. I Love You, when Gerard Butler's character Gerry says, " Watch out for that signal, when life as you know it ends." I carry this quote in my heart and believe that when I met Kyle, my life as I knew it ended. Everything changed, I learned so much from someone really loving me. Kyle has allowed me to be myself, to go after my dreams, such as writing this blog, every day he asks, "what are you going to blog about?" He always shows interest and pushes me to be the best. For me, I've hit the jackpot.

The greatest thing you can do in life is surround yourself with love. Be around people who believe in love, who are passionate, who set great examples. I've been very lucky to grow up in a family drenched in love, my parents have been married for over 30 years, they are the ultimate example for me, through good times and bad they are always by each others side. Then there are my siblings who are both married with kids. Watching them and the love they have for their little families gets me excited to one day have that.

I will end this post with a simple statement that I truly believe in. Don't be afraid of love, don't be afraid of that moment when life as you know it ends.

Pinteresting Finds and a Milestone.

Happy Tuesday Loves, hope it's a great one for you! Starting next week there will be a new twist on Tuesday's Pinteresting Finds. Every Tuesday I will pick one pin from one of my pin boards and test it out. Whether it be a recipe, a D.I.Y, a hairstyle, nail design or being inspired by a fashion snapshot, I will try it, share it with you and compare my experience. I thought this would be a cool experiment since I pin so much, it's time to make my pins a reality. If you have a pin you'd like me to try out, you can post the link in a comment below and I'll feature it in one of my weekly Pinteresting Finds Posts.

Until next Tuesday, enjoy this week's pins that are currently inspiring me.

I love everything about this outfit! Board: Fashion Snapshots

This sign and it's words are perfect. Board: Quotes I Dig

I have to try these, perfect summertime cupcakes. Board: Foodie Fun 

Love the color, so bright and refreshing. Board: Home Design

Must find these decanters, so cute! Board: Sweet Stuff & Ideas for the Home

I am obsessed with the back of this dress, classy yet sexy. Board: Fairytale Finds

Simply Beautiful. Board: Stuff I Love, Love, Love

Classic Style. Board: Fashion Snapshots

Lace and an open back = sexy. Board: Fashion Snapshots

P.S. Today marks a very special day for Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes, this blog has reached 100,000 views! It might not seem like a lot to some but with everyday that passes viewership is increasing and it is a dream come true. I am still not where I want to be with this blog, I'm still trying to reach the "tipping point" but I can still enjoy this moment and this milestone.

I want to thank all of you my loyal readers, if it weren't for you, your comments, emails and continuous support, this blog would be nothing. I am forever grateful and I'm ready to take 100,000 views to 1,000,000! It never hurts to dream big. 

The Vow.

Last night Kyle and I sat down to watch a movie I've been dying to see, The Vow. There were two reasons I wanted to watch this flick: 1. I'm a sap who loves a great chick flick and 2. Channing Tatum, need I say more! It was a great movie and it really got me thinking about my life and its journey. I started thinking of vows and no, not wedding vows but vows regarding my life. What would my vows to my life be? This was kind of a loaded question but it stayed on my mind, actually keeping me up until 2am, that and the cup of coffee I had after 7pm. What are the promises/vows I've made in regards to my life?

We all have our own vows deep inside us, they can be as simple as, I vow not to drink soda, to the harder, I vow not to judge others. As I laid in bed, I imagined myself standing in front of a mirror looking at myself saying my vows and helping me on the my journey to becoming my best self. This morning, I put these vows on paper and now I will share them with you.

What would your vows be?

My Vows.
I vow to smile more and frown less.
I vow to worry less, life is too short.
I vow to cherish the simple things, like the taste of an amazing caramel macchiato.
I vow to always put forth my best self, no one likes half efforts.
I vow to always remember that everyone is fighting their own battle, so don't judge.
I vow to be a good daughter, sister, and friend. Family is one of the most beautiful things on this earth.
I vow to be a good mate, to appreciate and never take for granted what love has to offer.
I vow to never stop being corny, it's part of who I am.
I vow to never give up, even when the path in front of me is full of fog.
and above all...
I vow to love, there is nothing greater then a heart filled with love.

Friday Favorites.

Happy Friday Beauties! Here's some of my favorite things that got me through the week. Have an amazing weekend.

With all the current "Linsanity" surrounding the New York Knicks, I had to set the record straight that I've been a Knick fan since my youth. I don't believe in jumping on the bandwagon, with that said, GO New York, GO New York, GO!

Since living in Limoges, the only other thing I've craved as much as my beloved Starbucks was a SkinnyGirl Margarita. Since they don't sell that here, I decided to make my own and I'm delighted to say it came out pretty darn good.

The atmosphere at Kyle's game was amazing, took me right back to his college days playing at Notre Dame.

My 17 year old bichon frise, Cobi! He looks amazing, freshly groomed and still has his puppy charm. I can't wait to see Cobi when I get back to the States.

Our pup, Wooden trying to make me crack and let him up on our bed. How can you say no to that face?

A lovely lunch at Les Artiste a great spot in downtown Limoges. I enjoyed a Gin Fizz and cheeseburger, yummy!

Best find so far in Limoges, a coffee shop that serves large Caramel Macchiatos! It's no Starbucks but it was very satisfying.

Kyle and Wooden = Two Mush Faces!

I've been looking at different hairstyles and I'm really digging this ombré look on Jessica Biel. I think this will be the new look I'll go for when I return to New York.