Paris: That Je Ne Sais Quoi — Christie Alexandra

I think it's no secret to any of my friends and family that my favorite city in the world has got to be the brightest of them all… Paris. For my birthday, my darling boyfriend took me to the city of love to spoil me with lots of shopping, art museums, and one too many croissants. Ever since I can remember, I've been in love with Paris and all of its history. From reading biographies about Coco Chanel to studying my favorite Impressionist artists, it's easy for me to say that Paris has that je ne sais quoi that truly speaks to my soul. I have even gone so far to say that one of my past lives must have been in Paris, particularly during the early 1920's. Couldn't you envision me in the same circles as the Fitzgerald's, Hemingway, Picasso and Dali? I certainly do! The mixture of romance and bohemian attitudes, the intertwinement of art and literature, and the fabulous flapper styles of the Parisian Jazz Age invigorates every single artistic sense in my body. As soon as the music fills the air, the entertainment encompasses the city and you can feel the joy from both the young and the old. Many before have said, "Once you've experienced the city, it truly never leaves your soul."

Fast forward to my modern adventure - I still feel that magical sense of Paris each time I arrive. The one of a kind architecture compliments the high fashion alumnae and the incredible works of art that call Paris home. Millions of tourists visit this sprawling city every year, but this time, I didn't feel like a tourist. And it's not just because I've finally conquered the metro or seen the most famous spots… a feeling of serenity comes over me as I ride my bike along the Seine River, awing the beautiful view in my foreground. This feeling is familiar, but there seems to be no words at that moment to describe the true bliss I am feeling. Later that evening, as we stand outside one of (if not the best) steakhouses in the Saint Germain des Pres District, Le Relais de L'entrecote, I hear a familiar noise in the background. I turn around to see a tall Parisian man playing his recorder to none other than the infamous Woody Allen song about Paris. I couldn't help the grin come onto my face as my eyes lit up with happiness. All around I see other couples walking through the narrow, yet traditional, Parisian street with the same smile on their faces, enjoying the cool evening, perfect for a date night with your special one. I begin to feel that same sense of nostalgia. As I breathed in the crisp air and took in the fleeting moment, I knew that Paris will always hold a special place in my heart and there was no need to understand why… it just would.

"Paris is always a good idea." - Audrey Hepburn

xx Christie