Christmas in Paris!

I can't say much, because it's 1am in Paris and I haven't downloaded today's footage, and I haven't slept, or packed... and my flight home is tomorrow morning. There are two more days of shooting that I haven't even looked at... what I can say for now is that we have had some fun...we have been lucky with people being willing to help us... and that I LOVE PARIS!!!! For people who celebrate it, Merry Christmas! For people who don't, I hope you are healthy, warm, and happy.

Another day in the rain!

Chateauneuf du pape was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. (I know... every day. It's TRUE though...)

I started my day with a brief walk around the town to see what I hadn't discovered yet... and around every bend, there was something even more beautiful that then one before.






Then, off to see another hotel... yet another place I would love to stay.




Still with no model, Julian agreed to meet us for lunch for some additional groom shots.




For this shot, you have to use my imagination. My idea is to get a shot of our model, and photoshop her into this picture under his umbrella!!! (feel free to vote as to weather you think I can do that successfully, or not... results will be posted no matter how amusing they are)

And THEN!!!! at the end of the day... after planes, trains, and automobiles... they ARRIVED!!! Our model had made it, and it was so worth the wait. Julian politely proposed right away...


Mia gracefully accepted and the family fake congratulated them on their fake marriage.... all of which looked great for the camera.


... and then it was off to the curch... in the dark, in the rain... nothing could stop us after waiting so long to get these shots!!!

Day 3: Church Bells and more...

Today we went from Marseille into the southern countryside... through winding roads...


..and eventually into town.

The nice thing about traveling with someone who knows not only the area, but the people... like Bliss Travels is that you're welcomed like family everywhere you go. Michel and Nicolas were the most accommodating hosts, morning noon and night... they made us feel most welcome. Of course, it may have been the Nicole Miller ties they got as thank you gifs for hosting us!


Wendy, Josette and I at Christmas lunch.





At lunch, Wendy and I were brainstorming how to take wedding pictures without our model or a wedding dress. We thought if we had a groom, we could get a few shots in the old church. Just as we were brainstorming our waiter came to the table to drp off coffee... and we knew we'd found our model. He was perfect. Now all we had to do was kidnap a frenchman.... which we did. Julian was hesitant at first, but soon fell naturally into the role.



After completing the shots we needed to get at the church we had a chance to climb into the bell tower, in the PITCH dark, and pouring rain to ring the church bells! We learned about each bell, and what it meant to ring each one. Even Julian, who had tried to feign disinterest, was excited for the opportunity.


Of course by the time you have a late lunch, for 2 or 3 hours, and then go see a church, it's dinner time! Back to the bar for more wine... and more food!






Even the dog, Beethoven, has a spot at the table!

Lionel modeling his new tie for us! (Thank you Nicole Miller! and Beethoven looking the way we all felt... full.


Another long day of eating, drinking and adventure.... with Bliss Travels ... and we're totally satisfied.

Day 2: Transport to Marseille

Today began with the realization that it was never going to get light. The snow had obliterated the sun, and it would be dark in Brussels forever. After coming to terms with this fact I decided on breakfast in my hotel, where I met some of the nicest folk you could imagine. I'll quote him (on the left) with his picture. "Cab driver. Retired. Lotto winner."


He says he actually did win the lottery... and now he's on Holiday with his wife and friends, so he must be doing something right.
If you have ever dragged a suitcase through 7 inches of snow over cobblestone then you know what my morning was like. This was the scene when I left the hotel:


Seat-mate from the TGV. Very cute

But finally arrived in Marseille, found Wendy, and the entire point of our trip came into focus. Food!!! We had the most amazing bouillabaisse ever. For those of you who don't know... (I didn't) a bouillabaisse is a soup like food that is made up of fish from the mediterranean, and saffron... as well as other key ingredients. According to the French, you can ONLY have a true bouillabaisse if the fish is truly from the mediterranean, and if you meet a variety of other specific criteria. I am told that this was the real thing. What I can tell you, is that our was prepared table side, and that it was delicious.

Day One - Brussels, Belgium

Well, I'm here! Let's start out with a shout out for a country who's two national foods are chocolate, and waffles!! Seriously! These people know how to EAT!

After 15 hours straight of travel, I was deposited on the sidewalk by an evil cab driver who said that my hotel was "right there!" and pointed... turns out "right there" was over a quarter of a mile away over icy cobblestones... and down several flights of stairs on which I nearly busted my tail. (he successfully charged me the same amount without having to drive through the traffic to give me the door to door service I paid him for....)

Brusseles isn't used to snow, and they don't have proper ploughs, or proper salt for sidewalks. I did finally find the hotel, after asking two more people. It's not a large room, but it's clean, I feel safe, and it's RIGHT in the center of things. Inside, I realized that though I packed 6 sweaters thinking I'd wear one each day, I'd much prefer to wear all 6 every day... just rotate the one closest to my body. If you think Philadelphia is cold... we've got nothing on Brussels.
After a brief rest, I went out to see the sights. The obvious place to start was the Grad Place... the square just around the corner that is at the heart of Brussels. I'm sure it's beautiful all the time, but Christmas seams to make it just a little more lively.




... and at dusk they begin a light show displayed on the face of Grand Place, accompanied by Holiday music, and the square filled.


The walk back towards the hotel offered an array of shops and sights as well...

.. mostly having to do with chocolate. The first piece I had was the best chocolate I've ever tasted. The second was better than that. 50E later, I had a bag under my arm with intent to share... by the time I reached the hotel, I decided I'd better make another chocolate stop tomorrow.



Assortment of gourmet ice cream that is made with all natural ingredients.

I'm saving the waffle experience for the morning... but I'll be sure to submit a full report! For now, I'm off to bed. I made it all the way through to 8pm... and I'm hoping to adjust to the time difference soon. Snow in Philadelphia has delayed the rest of my travel companions, so depending on the weather, my schedule may be up in the air yet again. Next Stop, Marseille.

Travel Time!

A trip has been arranged by Bliss Travels to create a destination wedding brochure featuring wedding dresses and apparel by Nicole Miller Yes, I love my job. Yes I am very excited. The shoot will be done in southern France and Paris... and will feature some incredible venues, exquisite food, and a tour of the Chateau Neuf du Pape vineyard and winery... not to mention Christmas in Paris!!! Our favorite model of all time, the amazing, the beautiful... Mia will be flaunting the fashions and exploring the region with us. My goal is to blog every day from Saturday until the 26th... internet connections pending! Facebook us... we'd love to hear from you over the holiday and throughout our adventure!