Welcome Back!

I'm back in New York! I miss being in Europe but it's time to get back to real life. I've spent the past week getting my life organized after 2 months away and going on interviews for internships and part-time jobs. I also worked at the NY International Gift Fair at the Javits Convention Center for Tocca Fragrance & Beauty. Absolutely amazing to see the thousands of booths full of new products and inspirational ideas! Classes resume next week but not before a quick trip up to Mystic, Connecticut with a (very large) group of friends in a little house! Should be interesting .... Look out for more frequent updates and posts now that I'm back to a semi-normal routine (if there is such a thing).

{ via Note to Self }

Paris, Une Semaine Plus Tard

Paris, one week later. I honestly can't believe I've almost been here for a week already! On the other hand, I feel like I've been here forever. It has been an extremely busy week and we are all completely exhausted every night from early wake-up times, classes, constant new impressions, and non-stop exploring. I am lucky to have a lovely roommate (thank goodness because we practically sleep in the same bed in a tiny tiny room) and a class full of interesting people. This is my first weekend day and I celebrated my finally sleeping in and now having a cappuccino et un sandwich au fromage at our neighborhood cafe while taking advantage of their free wi-fi. Today I plan to visit the Louis Vuitton & Marc Jacobs exhibition at the Louvre and then taking a long walk and seeing what I come across. À bientôt!

Eiffel Tower at dusk.

Standing outside the Chanel Haute Couture show.

 My dream apartment .... 

Roomies!

Paris Fashion Week at its best.

Leslie Mann at Chanel.

Clemence Poesy at Chanel.

 Sofia Coppola at Chanel.

Romance on the bank.

 Field trip to Assouline publishing company.

Exploring Assouline's amazing coffee table books.

Amsterdam Adventures

We've been in Paris for about three days now and I've been super busy with classes and exploring! Unfortunately I've been falling behind with posting because wi-fi is extremely limited. I've also been occupied with starting a spin-off blog here for class. I was assigned the topic of jewelry and each day we have a new blog topic so it will be updated each day. On another note, below are some photographs of my last two weeks in Holland!

                                                                                                by Kim Tas

Bonjour Paris!

I'm sorry I've been a bit M.I.A. but it's been a super busy week and weekend. After arriving in Holland two weeks ago I've been visiting my grandparents, walking around Amsterdam, and getting settled into our new house. Last week, two friends came to visit for a few days and we walked (and biked) all over Amsterdam. I arrived in Paris for a two-week fashion course this afternoon and have no idea where I am or where to go but I'm sure I'll get a hang of it soon enough .... 

Packing, Packing, Packing

{ image via my Pinterest }

I'm getting ready to leave the USA for 2 months! Let me tell you, this is not an easy packing trip. Today I fly home to Amsterdam for two weeks. July 1st I start a two week Fashion Industry course in Paris, then returning to Amsterdam, and then sailing in Greece for a week in August. Doesn't sound terrible does it? However, I will miss my lovely friends and NYC (I've very much fallen back in love with this city recently). To anyone else travelling soon: Bon Voyage!

Marrakech, Mid-Atlas Mountains, & Essaouira

We had a great trip to Morocco full of exploration and inspiration. Marrakech is an intense and chaotic city, bustling with colors, smells, and beautiful architecture. Thankfully the riads (guesthouses/palaces with small courtyard) we stayed in were a peaceful oasis within the insanity. We took a day trip to the Mid-Atlas mountains and the Ouirgane valley where we hiked through small villages where they had gotten electricity a mere few years ago and visited local argan oil women's cooperatives. After a day back in the city we ventured to the coastal town of Essaouria by bus. Essaouira may have been my personal favorite as it was a more laid-back fishing town set on a powerful and rugged coast. Back to Marrakech for the weekend where we enjoyed a great stay in another beautiful riad and explored the multiple museums and monuments as well as some indulgent and lavish restaurants. It's safe to say I wasn't ready to come home! Below are just a few photos from my many hundred ....

 Love these color combinations!

 Our first riad: Riad al Massarah

 Moroccan Mint Tea everywhere you go .... 

View into the courtyard from our room at the first riad.

Amazingly intricate.

Berber market in the mountains.

Argan oil women's cooperative.

Tour of Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot hotel.

On our hike.

Chez Momo.

The famous (and hectic) Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.

He may just be the King of little things.

The beautiful and rugged coast of Essaouira.

The most amazing color blue I've ever seen.

 The luxurious Riad Dar Mo'Da.

 Birds-eye view of Marrakech.

 After several minutes of waiting .... no hoards of tourists in my photograph!

Natural dyes.

Jemaa el-Fnaa at night.

                                                                                             ALL PHOTOGRAPH RIGHTS TO KIM TAS