It's okay to rest!?
The French countryside, girl gangs, and why you need to be seasoning
The Parisians are back! The Seine was filled with sips, laughs, and dancing couples at sunset. It felt like a summer night, with the back-to-school energy of the brisk air awaiting us for our morning walks. Juxtaposition is necessary for reinvigoration and redirection. After the monotony of the LA groundhog days, I welcome the feelings of fall. Changes should be happening on all fronts and fonts. Wardrobe turnover, new flavor profiles in your weekly meal obsessions, learning from someone and somewhere else? Let the temperature and sunlight make these decisions (anyone else always uses Fergalicious to spell that word lmao) rather than forcing yourself into renewing on all fronts. Let yourself be surprised and excited by your new interests (maybe even cringe at them).
Just like land, you can be harvesting or growing at all times. It needs irrigation, and hibernation to bloom and bring for the bounty. Summer is that irrigation period, you’re socializing more than you usually do, chatting, bopping, and open to any opportunities that come your way. The last week of August reminds me of those burlap covers that people with hedges cover their manicured lawns with (obviously they’re not personally doing it). We’re shutting down our exterior slightly, but the inside may have a wood stove burning that’ll power us through winter.
I spent the weekend in Chaney, France napping, ripping croissants, strolling by the river, and spreading butter (lots of butter). I took two weeks off in August, and I’d be lying if I didn’t feel a slight pang of indulgence and guilt to go forth on yet another idyllic weekend. You can’t think like that though!! Just go :).
We rented a car and drove ~2.5ish hours southwest to the little town of Chaney. Think like Condiment Claire’s mill. I feel like this is what Air BnB was supposed to be. Our gracious queen of a host greeted us fresh OJ (my vice when in France) and madeleines, before showing us the magnificent property.
Unlike most group trips, we all didn’t go into planning mode of how to optimize seeing the most we could. Instead, we began to read and doze as the pitter-patter of rain started on the greenhouse roof. We awoke as the rain was stopping and excited for the dining experience (nothing could have prepared us though) we were about to have. I regret to inform you all that I have driven 1-hour to dinner many a time (rip LA lyfe <3). This hour was well worth it!!
D’une îLe — Think the Gjelina and Gjusta of France. The genius behind Septime, La Cave, Clamato, and Tapisserie has created an oasis in the national forest, Le Perche. Sauna x 24 rooms x farm-to-table tasting menu. Le dream!
I highly recommend this weekend trip location. Stop in random towns, sit and sip cappuccinos with people you’d have fun in a jail cell with. The two friends I was with this weekend are the two newest in the core. Adding to the core is rare in your mid to late twenties I feel. They both are averted to the idea of girl gangs. However, we discovered on this trip that it is the aversion to “group think”. Independence doesn’t have to mean solitary confinement. Community is everything. I luv them <3 so!
US re-entry is upon us. Back to the city!!
xoxo Walk