The Ladybug Lounge

I love Paris = Parisian Love by Google

This commercial ran during the superbowl this year. I didn't watch the superbowl so this commercial is new to me. I love it. How clever are the people who come up with some of these commercials ?! Enjoy ! 

Free Travel guides London, Paris, New York

I love to travel and even better is the planning that comes beforehand. I love finding new sites that help when planning a vacation. I stumbled across Fastchecks Arrival Guides and can't believe I haven't heard of it before ! 

They probably shouldn't be used as your main guide to a city, but perfect for simple easy access and to decide if you want to do more research on a certain place. 

Do you hate carrying around a book when touring a city, don't even want to pay for a book ? That's where Arrival Guides comes in. They have over 400 travel guides translated into 22 languages. They allow you to download PDF's of the city of your choice. The info includes what should be at the top of your list to see and do, eating, sleeping and maps. They include all of this for free ! 

The most downloaded city ? London

 

Please Vote

I have entered the Love Is.... photo contest at Island Life for the month of February. Please vote for our photo here. 

You can see our contest entry photo in this post.  

Love is ..... Contest Entry

You can vote for our photo by following this link .  

 

I'm a new follower of the Island Life blog and have been participating in their Aloha Fridays. They are hosting a Photo contest. The theme for the month of February is Love is.....

This is my contest entry....

Love is ....... just being there with her and realizing nothing else matters in that moment.  

Photo taken at DisneyWorld overlooking The Grand Floridian Hotel and Spa
 


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Slideshow featuring Arc de Triomphe

This afternoon I worked on my photos from Europe. Mainly the ones taken at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. I put together a slideshow using Mac's Iphoto software and was able to upload it to YouTube to share with everyone.  Enjoy the pictures - I really enjoyed finally having the time to go through them. 

Details, details

Details, details
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

There really isn't anyway to describe the level of detail that this monument reflects.

Traffic going around the Arc de Triomphe

Traffic going around the Arc de Triomphe
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

This traffic video only shows a tiny bit of the traffic chaos. I had such wonderful videos on my phone but lost the phone before I took them off - what a bummer. I believe this is one of the only photos we have left and it was one of only a few taken on Dan's camera.

One more view of the eiffel from the top of the Arc

One more view of the eiffel from the top of the Arc
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

Here is another version of the same photo below. I loved the architecture in Paris.

View of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

View of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

This was a photo taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It was a cloudy, windy and overcast day. I still like the way this photo turned out despite the weather.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triumphe
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

I didn't think I would be an Arc fan. I was going out of my tourist obligation. Who goes to Paris and doesn't take time to visit the Arc de Triomphe - one of the most famous historical monuments in all of Paris ?

I loved it. I kept saying throughout our entire trip that pictures don't do some of these places justice. This is one of them ! The detail is amazing.

The arch honors those who fought for France, mainly in the Napoleonic Wars. It stands 162 feet high and 150 feet wide.

Champs Ellyses as seen from the top of the Arc de Triumphe

Champs Ellyses as seen from the top of the Arc de Triumphe
Originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug

I was spending the morning organizing photos from this past year. Some of the photos I have barely gone through are surprisingly my pictures from Europe. I'll probably spend the next few days posting some of my favorites from our trip.

This photo was taken from the top of the Arc de Triumphe. Looking down the most famous streets in the world. It has some of the most expensive real estate in the world. $1.1 million per 1,000 sq feet !! You do the math on that one.

Denver Paris Street Market

When I visited Paris in May I fell head over heels in love with the city. It comes as no surprise that as soon as I heard Denver had a Paris Street Market I went down there right away ! How have I never heard of this before ? I am now finding out that everyone knows and has been - but me !! It is located at Aspen Grove in Littleton, CO. They hold it the 1st Saturday of the month May - October. Rain or Shine.

I went down there this last Saturday on the 4th of July and had a blast !! The booths are set up in a very "boutiqee" way ( is that even a word?).  People were all enjoying themselves and the vendors and customers are friendly and truly enjoying themselves. Many people brought their dogs to browse which is "Oh, so French" !

I could have spent a fortune but truly contained myself. There was so much eye candy !

One of my favorite pieces of the entire show was this gorgeous secretary. It quite possibly would have come home with me if I would have had enough room. It would be amazing in my house with my new red sofa !

 

This window would be perfect in my bedroom and I came *soooooo* close to buying it, but I had my brother and mom talk me out of  it ! I can't decide if I am kicking myself yet or not. Maybe she will bring another one for the next show. If it's there - it just might be meant to be.

 

And how about these chairs ? Do they look a little familiar ?  It is the same chair Tia talked me into refinishing ! I love these chairs but mine is sooo much cuter !! I can't thank her enough for talking me into buying that $5 chair - it is one of my favorites !

 

This sign is an old cupboard door !! I fell in love with it !

 

Red and black were the popular colors ! So of course I loved all the refinished furniture !!

 

My mother-in-law was telling me about the Ball Park Market. It sounds very similar to the Paris Street market but is held in Downtown Denver on Larimer Street. That one is the second Saturday of the month. I will be out of town next Saturday so will miss it. I guess we'll just have to try it out next month.

One thing is for sure - next month I *will* be back at the Paris Street Market ! Hurry up August !!

You can see all the pictures I took in the album here . ENJOY !!