Another trip abroad, another suitcase filled with the lovely things we brought back.
Traveling abroad is always the occasion to get a few things that will remind us of our trip after we are back home. Most times, they are edible things that will last a couple of weeks and sometimes it could be something such as a loaf of bread and fresh pastries from a local bakery picked up right before heading to the airport. Those are perfect to have the next day as a mini extension to our holiday time.

A trip to France is always the occasion to fill the suitcase with delicious things. I sometimes even get a variety of cheeses and charcuterie vacuum-packed but we skipped it on this occasion since we were staying at a hotel for the last bit of the trip. Here is a selection of what we brought back from la Belle France this time:

Bonjour and happy Saturday! 
How was your week? Are you starting to settle into Autumn and its cosy weekends (or Spring and its warmer days suited for picnics and drinks in the sunshine if you are on the other side of the world)?
Just when I started to fluff my warm jumpers this week, warmer days made an appearance. I guess this is what we call Indian Summer, those unexpected warm days when the weather has been much cooler for the past two weeks. It is certainly dark much earlier in the evening too but with just enough light left for us to observe a little bat fluttering between our building and the trees this week (it's my first time spotting one in Dublin city!).

​I have a few interesting things for you to read or listen to with your breakfast/brunch so here we are. Have a lovely weekend!

Autumn is here and I could not be happier! 
If there is a season I really enjoy and look forward to every year, it is this one. I eagerly look at the weeks passing by during the Summer until we reach 21st September (which I still consider the first day of Autumn) and I can exclaim: hurray for the cosy season of warm jumpers, delicious pumpkin soups, blackberry picking, walks on crunchy leaves, apple desserts and all of the vibrant yellow, orange and red colours everywhere!

This is the season where I feel I can slow down a bit and enjoy everyday's little things until the rush of Christmas hits us (I have nothing against Christmas by the way; I quite enjoy it but it just goes a bit too fast for me). This does not mean I take a three-months holiday obviously but the idea is to make things nice and cosy enough to appreciate at the end of work days and weekends. 

So how do I go about planning the next three months and getting ready for this beautiful season? Here are a few of my tips (and you do not have to go along with it, this is just a starting point to then make your own Autumn plans):

On the occasion of a family event last month, we spent a week in France. We planned it so there would be three days at the end of our stay that we could spend in Nantes. As you know if you have been following this blog for a while, this city is one of my favourites. Not only because I have family there or because I used to study at the Université de Nantes, but because every time I spend time there, I always seem to discover something new: a museum or gallery I had never visited before, a specific building or area I had never seen, older and newer cafes or restaurants I had not heard of, etc.
Just like the time we were there before Christmas last year, we stayed at Hotel La Pérouse which is a very central base when you like walking around rather than taking public transports. It is also very relaxing and just like last time, we really enjoyed our stay in this hotel.

Are you ready for another mini visit of Nantes? It's definitely warmer and sunnier than on the previous occasion. Here we go:

Bonjour, c'est le week-end! 
How has your Summer been? I have spent the last few weeks seeing lovely images and stories of people on their holidays, whether traveling abroad or discovering parts of their own country/city. I will soon get to do the same when we head to France for a family event and a few days of our own to explore and relax.
I haven't just been marvelling at other people's holidays of course, I also took the time to take note of some interesting things here and there so I could share them with you. Have a lovely weekend!
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- Something interesting: I have tried camembert ice cream many years ago and it was alright but I am not sure how I feel about cheese tea.

- Something delicious: I have already made this tomato salad with grilled cheese croutons (minus the basil) twice and it is really delicious.

- Something else delicious: speaking about salads, the pear and Serrano ham one I shared three years ago is perfect this season and already on my menu list for the weekend.

- Something to watch: the short film AMA by Julie Gautier shot in the deepest swimming pool in the world, stunning and mesmerising.

- Something else to watch: this cinematic proposal video, so beautifully shot.

- Something to read: I have really enjoyed reading the graphic novel The Arab of the Future 1 and 2 by Riad Sattouf over the past two years and I look forward to getting the third one on my next trip to France. The book talks about the author's childhood in the Middle East and it is very interesting both visually and for the life story itself.

​You say Summer, heat and sunshine and I say iced tea.
This is the one refreshing drink I really enjoy having when the weather is hot. And water of course, but that really just makes sense, right?
I love it unsweetened. Just plain cold brew tea served in a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes and a few slices of lemon. The perfect Summer thirst-quenching drink in my book.
I am also partial to a sweet version when it is nicely made and not full of artificial flavours.