St. Louis Cathedral

Just remembered I never posted these pictures of St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter - A New Orleans landmark.

I think no matter what religion you are, you can always appreciate the art and architecture of historical places of worship.

I love the lines and shadows of this cathedral and the fact that it slightly resembles a mini Disney castle

Toasted Israeli Couscous with Figs and Apricots

Before I leave for Morocco, I am trying to make as many Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes as possible. Couscous is a huge part of their diet - as it is mine - so when I saw this recipe for Toasted Israeli Couscous with Figs and Apricots - I knew I had to try it. Salty from the pistachios, sweet from the dried fruit, crisp from the peppers and sour from the lemon juice - it is the perfect melding of flavors and textures. It even kept for a week in the fridge!

Mixtape Monday: Rainy Day in France

When its cold, wet and dreary outside, like it is today, I like to vaguely stare out of windows while listening to French music (dramatic? yes.). I find rain romantic - unless its interfering with outside plans - like concerts or parties.

Also, Little Boat suggested I make a French playlist because I featured some in last week’s mixtape.

Rainy Day French Mixtape

1. Marseilles - Hey Marseilles (I adore this band and their Beirut-like sound. This song belongs in a French movie where the two lovers finally meet again and live happily ever after.)

2. La Même Histoire - Feist (from the Paris je t'aime soundtrack - a movie I feel like watching today)

3. Comme des enfants - Coeur de Pirate (The video for this is darling. Such a sweet, girly song - like a bon bon)

4. If You Rescue Me - The Science of Sleep Soundtrack (Great/strange French film with Gael Garcia Bernal)

5. Ratatouille Main Theme - Ratatouille Soundtrack (I often find my favorite French music from films, as you can tell. I want to watch this movie today too...

6. Le festin - Camille

7. Décrocher les étoile - Keren Ann & Benjamin Biolay (Keren Ann was one of the first French artists I listened too. Listening to her reminds me of sophomore year of high school.)

8. The Summer Wind - Madeleine Peyroux (In addition to listening to French music when its raining, I also love to listen to this woman. Jazzy, Vintage and Lazy.)

9. On set loin - Keren Ann

10. Comptine D'un Autre Ete - Yann Tiersen (from the Amelie soundtrack...movie to watch today #3)

11. La Javanaise - Madeleine Peyroux

12. Complainte de la butte - Rufus Wainwright (from Moulin Rouge)

13. Belle - Jack Johnson (This used to be the most played song on my iTunes. I still love it. Its very sexy.)

14. California Rain - Madeleine Peyroux

Anthropologie Internship!

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The other exciting news I had about this summer: I got an internship at Anthropologie!

Each store has a group of interns who help craft the window and store displays. My dream job out of college is to be a Visual Display manager for Anthro (and the interns work under them).

I am so excited to learn new crafting techniques and come back to school with a plethora of interior decorating ideas. I will be helping in the late summer in time for their autumn windows - my favorite season :)

Morocco in May

{all photos from this source}

My first of two really exciting announcements about this summer:

I AM STUDYING ABROAD IN MOROCCO!

I am leaving in May for 25 days and will travel the whole country. I am beyond thrilled.

The culture, the architecture, the food, the colors - it's going to be beautiful. I am planning on blogging while I am there too, so Pamplemousse might turn into a travel site for a while haha...

Ah! I can't stop thinking about it!

*Have any of you been there before? I would love to have tips on safe travel there - and what to wear!

Mixtape Monday: First Day of Spring

{picture of me taken with my Diana F+ camera}

Spring is officially here and the 70 degree weather only confirms it.

Here is a playlist of songs inspired by Japan, France, and love - all things I associate with Spring:

1. Tokyo - The Books (I relate Japan with spring because of cherry blossom trees, so I like to listen to lots of Japanese-inspired songs during this season. Also, I've been thinking about Japan a lot lately because of the horrific events that have taken place.)

2. Life in Technicolor - Coldplay (makes me think feel like in walking downtown Tokyo)

3. Waterparker - Botany

4. Contact High - Architecture in Helsinki

5. Always Everything - Sin Fang (Seabear side project, new love)

6. Parachute - Shugo Tokumaru

7. Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros (ambient Icelandic music that grows bigger, like flowers)

8. The First Day of Spring - Noah and the Whale (Another one that builds and gives me goosebumps. Spring is about new beginnings and expanding your horizons.)

9. Silly Love Songs - Glee Cast (happy, fun, light)

10. A Little Love - Meaghan Smith

11. Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni ( I also associate French music with Spring. Paris in the springtime is such a cliched, but wonderful thought...and thats when I first went to France.)

12. Mushabloom - Feist

13. Printemps - Coeur de Pirate

Happy Spring!

Stop- Motion: Mardi Gras

{I promise this is the last post about Mardi Gras!}

Here is a stop-motion I made about our visit:

Song: Ruby Blue by Roisin Murphy

*Click here to watch larger and in HD!

Mardi Gras: The French Quarter

Mardi Gras was the first trip (and event) that I had no expectations going into it. I always have expectations of what I think places will be like and what I think will happen there (or want to happen). But for this trip, I didn't.

I had no expectations, and in return was given the most carefree and joyous weekend ever. It made me less cynical, less uptight and gave me hope that everything WILL work out alright.

My mind was refreshed and I became more optimistic.

(this post truly expresses how I feel)

It also made me realize how much I truly love dancing :)

1. Festive balcony

2. Me, in a bit of an awkward stance

3/4. Bourbon St and the beautiful Victoria

5. Gumbo and Boudin from the Gumbo Shop

6. Mardi Gras Day

7. Favorite costumes ever

8. Courtyard

9. Favorite day

Mixtape Monday: New Orleans

New Orleans is as famous for their Jazz as much as they are their food and festivals. When I think of New Orleans music, I think of jazzy, sexy blues with a sprinkling of cajun folk thrown in. Every corner you turn in the French Quarter, there is live music. It's quite magical and you cant help but dance.

1. Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups (iconic Cajun/ Mardi Gras song - heard it all the time when I was growing up)

2. F**k You - Cee-Lo Green (they played this song at practically every parade)

3. Chop and Change - The Black Keys (sexy rock - the Black Keys are so great at it)

4. Hurricane Drunk - Florence and the Machine (we did drink a lot of Hurricanes...)

5. Ruby Blue - Roisin Murphy (dysfunctional jazz)

6. When They Fight, They Fight - The Generationals

7. The Ghost Who Walks - Karen Elson (New Orleans seems like such a haunted city)

8. Dancing with Myself - Nouvelle Vague (there was lots of dancing in the streets)

9. Inspiration Information - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

10. You Know that I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse

11. Peace, Love and Happiness - G. Love and Special Sauce (sounds really Cajun)

12. Jack Killed Mom - Jenny Lewis

13. Where it's At - Beck

Mardi Gras: Parades

I am back from New Orleans, exhausted, but I must say that my weekend at Mardi Gras were some of the best few days of my life thus far. I was there with best friends from both high school and college surrounded by good music, good food and festival happiness.

These are some pictures of the parades and floats. I think my favorite ones were at night because of how the floats were lit up - very carnival like.

I also loved the high school marching bands who got everyone dancing in the street.

Mardi Gras is a happy time.

Stop- Motion: Savannah

Here's a stop-motion I made with the pictures from the previous post:

Song: Rave On - M.Ward feat. Zooey Deschanel

*to watch this larger and in HD, click here

Day Trip to Savannah

I'm heading down to New Orleans for an extra long weekend for MARDI GRAS! I was born in New Orleans and was raised in it's suburbs until we moved when I was 11.

New Orleans has such a European and mysterious charm to it, much like Charleston and Savannah. All cities are full of wrought iron gates, old crooked houses and perfectly manicured courtyards.

This past October my friends and I took a day trip to Savannah (it's only 1 1/2 hours away) and had the best time. We walked through shops (my favorite - The Paris Market), relaxed by the riverfront and managed to eat 2 meals and a snack while we were there. Looking at these pictures reminds me a lot of the way New Orleans looks, and makes me even more impatient to visit my hometown!