Bye Bye, Elmo. Hello, Baguettes and Tea Time.

We interrupt this program to bring you a very important announcement. Well, okay yes, I only have five episodes left of the entire Friday Night Lights series, but that’s not it…

Headed to Europe! Hold me.

I’M GOING TO EUROPE IN 45 HOURS ON A BIG HUGE PLANE WITHOUT MY BABIES.

And I am ludicrously excited.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this trip and what it will do for me. And to me. I’m normally not one to take on such massive opportunities like this. I’m a homebody by nature, comfortable in my nest with a fairly solid routine and cozy domestic rituals. But right now, in this specific time in my life, I feel that I really need this trip. Not as an escape from anything (besides diapers and snotty noses), but almost as a mini (or major) turning point. In short, I’m craving a cultural movement in my soul. Also, I want to eat a lot of cheese.

Don’t get me wrong – motherhood is truly the most honorable job I’ve ever held. Will and Natalie move my spirit and change my character daily.

But.

I need this. I need an internal shift, something that alters the way I see the world and the way I love my family. I need that evolution in my soul cavity that makes me a better mom, a better wife. A better ME.

Wait, is this getting too Eat Pray Love for you? Because I can totally throw in a “toot” or “armpit.”

Bye bye, nursery. Hello, baguettes and tea time.

And thanks to all of your helpful tips, I’m totally ready! All packed. Mostly packed. Sort of packed. I’ll pack today.

I pack light, but I’m leaving a little wiggle room in my bag for all the berets and cigarettes I’m going to force Aaron and the babies to wear and smoke. (MOM, I’m kiddi…)

O m g – this itinerary. It’s insane. I don’t want to give anything away, but words like “tea time in Notting Hill, Montmarte French cooking class, macaroons and champagne” are floating around. What if I drop my tea on Hugh Grant’s foot? Hahahaha! ha a hah ah a  h ahah a.

Ha?

We’re (by the way, I’m traveling with Ashley and Ashlae! Um, how ridiculous and fun is this going to be?) going to be traveling from London to Paris via Eurostar, the high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, and other cool destinations across France. I LOVE TRAINS.

Lil’ tidbit – my Granddaddy (on my dad’s side) worked for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad his entire life. Therefore, my dad grew up on train rides and became obsessed with the whole train lifestyle. So, inherently that love for the train experience has trickled down (<–grody) into my blood, and now I’m here! Gonna ride this Eurostar train like whoa.

“C’mon ‘n ride the train. ‘N ride it. C’mon ‘n ride the train. ‘N ride it.”

I’ll chill.

Eurostar!

Do you see me right there? ^^^ Just kidding, I’m sitting at my kitchen table in the dark.

See, Eurostar’s whole thing is wanting to connect U.S. travelers with what makes them feel alive. I’m like, does it involve cheese and wine and beautiful scenery and zero diapers and more wine? IN.

So, let’s do this, shall we? Let’s go to Europe! Let’s stalk Hugh Grant! (<-you think I’m kidding.)

I’ll be poppin’ in a couple of times next week with updates on the trip, and obviously bombarding your Instagram and Snapchat feeds with market adventures, pub drinks, scone baking (WE’RE GONNA BAKE SCONES), the Eiffel tower, inside the trains, and beyond.

(and yes, at some point I’ll give you a video bun tutorial. I know how you people are.)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to watch Amelie so I can brush up on my French. Because knowing me, I’ll be all, “Pardon me, where’s the plaid toilet in my mouth?”

AU REVOIR!

*This post and all of my travel is sponsored by Eurostar. THE TRAIN. I’m going on a train.

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22 Responses to Bye Bye, Elmo. Hello, Baguettes and Tea Time.

  1. lesley ann March 18, 2016 at 7:54 am #
    Bev, after my divorce and before my new marriage (and snot nosed gift of a kiddo), I spent 10 days by myself in Italy. I was 30 and had no idea what "next" was meant to be. When I got there, on day 8, I was telephoned by a friend and told I got a new job, the job that really made me who I am today at least in the worker bee dimension. That's just the only obvious life shift that happened - i can't tell you what a shift getting out of your box will make - way to go, cheers to being brave and bon voyage - go find your next you. xoxo
    • nicole b. March 18, 2016 at 9:38 am #
      Lesley Ann- I am crying over here. Thank you for sharing this. Italy is at the top of my list, and I'm in a similar spot... minus the new-marriage + snot-nosed-kiddo, sigh. Sitting here, post-divorce, three years ago, and post-break-up, three days ago, with the man I began dating soon after my divorce, sigh. Hurting. Badly. It gets so much better, right?! (Lie to me.) BEV- I'm so happy for you and can't wait to stalk the hell out of your IG while you're in Europe. LOVE YOU SO! Your oh-so-Euro flat-lay is perfect. Go get 'em!
  2. Mo March 18, 2016 at 8:00 am #
    Yay! You packed your Field Notes (Chicago represents!). Do you know they have ones now with perforated pages (mobile lists!!) Have fun, you are going to love the cheese and museums. And so many sidewalk cafes. And awesome little housewares shops in Le Marais where, say, one can pick up a muscle-bound ghost bottle opener. Can you tell I'm a little jealous.
  3. Sharana @ Living THe Sweet Life BLog March 18, 2016 at 8:20 am #
    Giiirrrlll - you fancy!! Have an amazing trip, it sounds like it's going to be a crazy ride - eat tons, and drink even more :)
  4. Brittany | Words Like Honeycomb March 18, 2016 at 8:36 am #
    Well, I have my doubts about your French ;) but you will DEFINITELY look that part <3 I will have my snapchat app super handy next week!!! love when my snapchat buddies go places...I pretend I am with them and we are having coffee in the same café and then my coworker sneezes on me while passing me and I am slapped back in the reality of cubicle world -_-...yeah I know. cool story bro. BUT HAVE FUN :D
  5. Lauren March 18, 2016 at 8:38 am #
    Soooooooooooo jelly. You go girl. Go git yew some Europe! I can't wait to follow along and see all of the sights. (And by sights I mean wine, baguettes and macaroons.) have a BLASTY BLAST!!!!
  6. dixya | food, pleasure, and health March 18, 2016 at 9:05 am #
    i will be stalking you throughout the trip...so excited for you and you ladies will have a trip of a lifetime.say hi to hugh and eat extra scones with clotted cream for me :)
  7. Rachele March 18, 2016 at 9:21 am #
    Part of the problem with knowing how to say words in a foreign tongue? Not understanding the response. Case and point...about a week in to my trip, i was reaching a bit of a burn out point. While in Aix en Provence, I successfully asked where the restroom was, and I must have done well, because they answered me in full on machine gun French. I figured out a couple key words, wandered a bit, found the restroom, but it was dark...pitch dark when I closed the door thinking there would be an automatic light switch. Nope. I found light switches outside the door, but didn't know which one was it, and I didn't want to turn off the wrong thing. I found someone, mustered the courage to ask, again succeeding with the question, but didn't understand a darn word be told me. I gave up, stumbled back to the table, very full bladder, tears streaming down my face. My husband was like, what happened?? And I was like...I want to go home! I can't find the light switch! And he asked me if I asked, and I said YES, BUT I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER!! He is kind of used to my dramatic flare, and He speaks French (and understands) so he came to my rescue. Stupid light switch was hiding in the door trim, right outside the restroom. Empty bladder, great meal, happy ending. Needless to say, I've worked a bit on my comprehension! HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!
    • Laurie March 18, 2016 at 1:54 pm #
      My first question is "Parlez vous Anglais? Many people speak English!
  8. Ruth March 18, 2016 at 9:36 am #
    I love you. Can't WAIT to follow along and see the shift happen. Europe just DOES that to ya. Safe travels - Eurostar Style! Mwah!
  9. Ellie | Hungry by Nature March 18, 2016 at 9:40 am #
    Ummm this trip is gonna be a-MA-zing! Plus you're traveling with some of my favorite gals (I mean, I don't know them personally - obviously - but after reading their blogs for years, it kinda feels like I do!)... so I'm insanely jealous. Have such a wonderful time and safe travels!
  10. Ashley March 18, 2016 at 10:55 am #
    SO happy for you!! Enjoy this experience to the fullest! I know you will. Totally jealous of the trip and the company you'll be surrounded by! :)
  11. Denise March 18, 2016 at 1:43 pm #
    You are going to have a GREAT time! Two of my favorite cities and Paris always feels like home when I am there! The train station, the St Pancras, where the Eurostar (haven't done that yet) leaves from is AMAZING!! The hotel is out of this world - we are lucky enough to be able to stay every year for business. The bar area of that hotel is beautiful and worth a little walk through. Go early, sit at the champagne bar instead the train station (upper area by the hotel) and enjoy the people watching. And if you want a little cheese and cured meats try Mi+Me also in the train station not far from the champagne counter. My grandfather was an engineer on the Pacific railroad and I always feel this fascination with trains, even though I have not been on one yet. I say that is why we brought a home near an old abandoned train station, because his trains would go through that station, and it makes me feel like he is here all the time! I had the pleasure of being on a trip with Ashley for Tabasco and it was a blast. You will have so much fun - cannot wait to follow along! Wheeee - Paris! London!
  12. Marija March 18, 2016 at 1:49 pm #
    I wish there were decent railway connections with Slovenia, I would love to invitec you to Ljubljana. Enjoy Europe!
  13. Laurie March 18, 2016 at 1:56 pm #
    My husband has been on the train. He said that it is amazing! Have a blast!
  14. Liz A March 18, 2016 at 2:56 pm #
    I'm so excited for you, you're going to die of joy! BTW, you're probably smarter than me, but I took the Eurostar from London to Paris last fall on my first trip to Paris, and we arrived an hour earlier than I realized. They are different times zones by one hour, FYI!!! XO
  15. Hanna March 18, 2016 at 3:04 pm #
    Have an amazing trip!! I just discovered your blog and am already hooked--can't wait to read more!
  16. Kristen March 18, 2016 at 4:35 pm #
    I'm not only insanely jealous of your destination, but your company too! What? You are going to have the BEST time, but never forget PDX.
  17. Jamie March 18, 2016 at 5:01 pm #
    How exciting! I'm going on a meditation retreat in Costa Rica in May for that same reason - I love being a mom (to only one toddler/preschooler, mind you), but I need some me-alone time to open up again to my wide world and make that internal shift. You go, girl!
  18. Elizabeth March 18, 2016 at 8:43 pm #
    Have a great time Bev! You deserve this trip! When it Nottinghill, make sure to visit Books for Cooks. I will make a cookbook lover swoon and such an inspiration for new recipes! Looking forward to your future posts!
  19. Abby | Lace & Lilacs March 20, 2016 at 9:43 am #
    Ooooh, you're going to have the loveliest time, Bev, I just know it! And I cannot. wait. to see all of your stunning photographs. Paris is life. <3 xxxx
  20. Stefanie - Sarcastic Cooking March 21, 2016 at 4:57 pm #
    Have so much fun! Loving the snaps this far! As a fellow new-ish mom, I totally get where you are coming from. I would jump on this chance if it fell into my lap too!

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