Parisian Lace in Normandy: 30x30 Outfit 3

Lace Top: Thrifted at Paris's Marché aux Puces (Jus d'Orange) / Button-up: Consigned at Periwinkle (Calvin Klein) / Pants: J Crew final sale / Neckace: AE / Bracelet: Banana Republic / Shoes: Privo

Blogging abroad with limited wifi and a netbook is for les oiseaux*. I had a breakdown after hours in a MacDo last night. Who wants to spend their French evenings battling wifi at McDonalds?  The Husband was amazingly patient. Photos take forever to upload. I'm not even tempting editing. But I'm almost caught up with my 30x30 outfit posts. I must beg "Patientez, SVP" {Patience, please!} for future posts. We're moving on to southern France, the Riveria, the Alps, and Italy and I've no intention of using precious time on the Internet, so it looks like I'll be doing most of my work when I get home.

Yesterday was Lace Day for Everybody, Everywear, and I did wear lace.  I had grand lacey ideas after discovering a lace dress and skirt while thrifting in Eugene.  I had it all planned, then realized Lace Day would coincide with my trip and my fancy outfit didn't go so well, so I packed my teal lace top from Buckle instead.

But then I went to the Marché aux Puces {Flea Markets} in Paris. And you know what's better than thrifted lace? Thrifted lace from Paris! I found this darling, made in France lace top for 5 euro. The tag is Jus d'Orange and it's pretty faded, but I'm sure it's not old enough to be considered vintage by most standards. But still, it's French and old and from Paris's vintage market! So I've now 28 items in my 30x30. Two spots left!

Yesterday we also explored Normandy's D-Day beaches and memorials. The photos below were taken by the Town Hall {France has the most beautiful town halls!} of Carentan, where a key battle involving the Easy Company of Band of Brothers took place.  It was really exceptional to see these sites and think about what brave men did here to ensure freedom in the world. I feel so incredibly blessed to benefit from their heroic efforts.

The history here goes back even further than that, however, with William the Conqueror, the Norse invasion, the grand Dukes of Normandy, and the Battle of Hastings. The countryside is scattered with old castles, mossy stone walls, buildings, and turrets, and loads and loads of beautiful flowers.

The bed and breakfast farm we stayed at is over 300 years old. For breakfast Madame Sébire served fresh croissants and baguettes with homemade strawberry and apricot jam and fresh butter and milk from her own cows.  In a perfectly French kitchen. Add in the fancy Lindt cocoa she gave us to make hot chocolate and we were on cloud nine. Best hot chocolate in the world. Who knew milk could be so delightful?

By now, however, we've packed up and headed to Mont St. Michel, a fortressed abbey on an island right between Normandy and Brittany, and Carcasonne, a medieval walled fortress village.  It may be a few days before my next posts, but I'll keep documenting my outfits and get them out there soon :)  À bientôt*!

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*les oiseaux = the birds; À bientôt = See you soon!
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