La Petite Californienne

A Paris Meets LA Lifestyle Blog

lapetitecalfornienne.com blog: La Petite Californienne is a former L.A. girl turned (somewhat) Parisian. She writes about her interesting cultural exchanges/clashes in the City of Light. In this blog, you'll discover adventures in Paris and L.A., French recipes, French beauty tips, philosophical thoughts on the weather, and je ne sais quoi. If you really want to be Parisian, the first step is to master the look of death on the metro. The next step is to learn how to enjoy an entire bottle of red wine by the Seine. Read on for more...

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Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part II
Oct 17, 2016
travel guide, travel, travel information, burgundy, bourgogne, beaune, cote de nuits, wine, wine tasting, museum, museums
Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part II
Oct 17, 2016
travel guide, travel, travel information, burgundy, bourgogne, beaune, cote de nuits, wine, wine tasting, museum, museums

I never knew the Côte de Nuits was very prestigious until just a few days before my trip! I was looking at a subreddit (yes, I'm a secret Redditor) for wine aficionados. Some had gone to Beaune and explored the nearby path of the Côte de Nuits, a famous long country road where you'll find several wineries, both big and small. My submission for this subreddit was basically, "Where should I go?", a question that, much to my disappointment, remained completely unanswered. I'm not a wine expert after all... but I am an expert on drinking lots of wine ;)

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Oct 17, 2016
travel guide, travel, travel information, burgundy, bourgogne, beaune, cote de nuits, wine, wine tasting, museum, museums
Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part I
Oct 8, 2016
dijon, mustard, france, burgundy, bourgogne, wine, market, farmer's market, museums, travel information, travel guide, travel, food
Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part I
Oct 8, 2016
dijon, mustard, france, burgundy, bourgogne, wine, market, farmer's market, museums, travel information, travel guide, travel, food

Ok, our journey through the region of Burgundy, or Bourgogne as the French call it, was actually spread out across a few days. But there was one particular day when Petite Copain and I had to stuff our faces with a super-sized bag of plain store-bought madeleines. Before we get to that tale, let's begin our journey with the beautiful city of Dijon.

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Oct 8, 2016
dijon, mustard, france, burgundy, bourgogne, wine, market, farmer's market, museums, travel information, travel guide, travel, food
10 Favorite Things to Do for Fall in Paris
Sep 8, 2016
paris, travel, travel information, travel guide, museums, gardens, seine, market, chateau de fontainebleau, montmartre, montmartre harvest festival, batobus, bateaux mouches, oscar wilde, petit palais, musee de l'homme, chateau de fontainbleau, marais, aperitif, french culture, fall, autumn, seasonal
10 Favorite Things to Do for Fall in Paris
Sep 8, 2016
paris, travel, travel information, travel guide, museums, gardens, seine, market, chateau de fontainebleau, montmartre, montmartre harvest festival, batobus, bateaux mouches, oscar wilde, petit palais, musee de l'homme, chateau de fontainbleau, marais, aperitif, french culture, fall, autumn, seasonal

It's still comfortably warm in Paris during the month of September and up to the first week of October. Fall is also when tourist season declines and normal Parisian life resumes. You'll get a better sense of how Parisians truly live. Moreover, ticket prices drop, and you'll find better deals on plane and train tickets. It's the perfect time to go to Paris! 

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Sep 8, 2016
paris, travel, travel information, travel guide, museums, gardens, seine, market, chateau de fontainebleau, montmartre, montmartre harvest festival, batobus, bateaux mouches, oscar wilde, petit palais, musee de l'homme, chateau de fontainbleau, marais, aperitif, french culture, fall, autumn, seasonal
A Vacation in the South of France - A Love Letter (Part II)
Aug 23, 2016
south of france, marseille, calanque, beach, hiking, climbing, chateau d'if, old port of marseille, travel
A Vacation in the South of France - A Love Letter (Part II)
Aug 23, 2016
south of france, marseille, calanque, beach, hiking, climbing, chateau d'if, old port of marseille, travel

Dear South of France,

Let me continue to count the ways that I love you. Finally, we're having a hot week in Paris and all I want to do is swim in your ocean. And that's coming from someone who is afraid of sharks! Luckily, there aren't too many sharks in the Mediterranean (at least in this area, I think?).

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Aug 23, 2016
south of france, marseille, calanque, beach, hiking, climbing, chateau d'if, old port of marseille, travel
A Vacation in the South of France - A Love Letter (Part I)
Aug 19, 2016
luberon, luberon valley, lavender, french lavender, lavender oil, south of france, gordes, apt, brocante, Sénanque Abbey, Senanque Abbey, travel, life, travel guide, travel information
A Vacation in the South of France - A Love Letter (Part I)
Aug 19, 2016
luberon, luberon valley, lavender, french lavender, lavender oil, south of france, gordes, apt, brocante, Sénanque Abbey, Senanque Abbey, travel, life, travel guide, travel information

Dear South of France,

Every time I visit you, I fall in love all over again. People are kinder here and spirits seem much high, despite your recent tragedy. Your sun-kissed, exuberant region is still and forever will be popular.

First romanticized by author Peter Mayle in his book "A Year in Provence", the South of France has a reputation for a good reason. But you don't need to read the book to understand why this place is glorious.

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Aug 19, 2016
luberon, luberon valley, lavender, french lavender, lavender oil, south of france, gordes, apt, brocante, Sénanque Abbey, Senanque Abbey, travel, life, travel guide, travel information
The Friendliest Ever Grand Lake Farmer's Market in Oakland
Aug 8, 2016
market, travel, california, northern california, oakland, grand lake market, organic, vegetarian, vegan, healthy
The Friendliest Ever Grand Lake Farmer's Market in Oakland
Aug 8, 2016
market, travel, california, northern california, oakland, grand lake market, organic, vegetarian, vegan, healthy

Even though I'm still missing little (BIG) things like Panda Express or Target, I'm back in Paris taking off on all my creative projects. Still, the Grand Lake Farmer's Market in Oakland, California has been on my mind. It is seriously the friendliest market I have ever been to. The vendors to the crowd to (even!) the policemen were the most cheerful, passionate, and caring people I've ever met (and yet, technically all strangers). It was a big culture shock despite being American. After dealing with Parisians for three years, it was so nice to be embraced at this market. I think a vendor even hugged me. Or it was in my dreams... yeah, the market was that nice.

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Aug 8, 2016
market, travel, california, northern california, oakland, grand lake market, organic, vegetarian, vegan, healthy
A New Home and 10 Best Things to Do in L.A. (or more like 100)
Jul 27, 2016
los angeles, travel, things to do, ojai, museums, museum, beach, corona del mar, channel islands, griffith park, spa, little tokyo, downtown los angeles, union station, metro, expo line, red line, venice beach, santa monica, art, los feliz, restaurants, adventure
A New Home and 10 Best Things to Do in L.A. (or more like 100)
Jul 27, 2016
los angeles, travel, things to do, ojai, museums, museum, beach, corona del mar, channel islands, griffith park, spa, little tokyo, downtown los angeles, union station, metro, expo line, red line, venice beach, santa monica, art, los feliz, restaurants, adventure

For today's post, we shall discover my other beloved home: Los Angeles. Find a comprehensive guide to Los Angeles and discover L.A. like a real Angeleno. My top 10 things to do in Hollywoodland.

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Jul 27, 2016
los angeles, travel, things to do, ojai, museums, museum, beach, corona del mar, channel islands, griffith park, spa, little tokyo, downtown los angeles, union station, metro, expo line, red line, venice beach, santa monica, art, los feliz, restaurants, adventure
California Swag
Jun 19, 2016
burrito, california, calpico, candy, chips, expat, food, japanese, japanese candy, japanese food, japanese snacks, life, los angeles, market, meat, mexican food, mitsuwa, royce, royce chocolates, salsa, socal, southern california, sunshine, travel, vacation, vegetables
California Swag
Jun 19, 2016
burrito, california, calpico, candy, chips, expat, food, japanese, japanese candy, japanese food, japanese snacks, life, los angeles, market, meat, mexican food, mitsuwa, royce, royce chocolates, salsa, socal, southern california, sunshine, travel, vacation, vegetables

My family lives in a small suburb close to Los Angeles. Whenever they pick me up from the airport, we always get to cruise along the famous 1 freeway on the way home. Many people think the 1 goes all the way up the California coast— but this isn’t exactly true (especially going toward San Francisco… you’ll eventually have to continue on the 101). But the 1 is very scenic where it starts along the coast in Los Angeles

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Jun 19, 2016
burrito, california, calpico, candy, chips, expat, food, japanese, japanese candy, japanese food, japanese snacks, life, los angeles, market, meat, mexican food, mitsuwa, royce, royce chocolates, salsa, socal, southern california, sunshine, travel, vacation, vegetables
10 Favorite Things for Spring in Paris
May 5, 2016
beauty, france, french culture, french life, life, paris, parisien, parisienne, printemps, spring, travel
10 Favorite Things for Spring in Paris
May 5, 2016
beauty, france, french culture, french life, life, paris, parisien, parisienne, printemps, spring, travel

Finally, the sun is out and Parisians are in a better mood (well, slightly better). Here are some things I'm enjoying during spring here that I hope you'll find fun too.

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May 5, 2016
beauty, france, french culture, french life, life, paris, parisien, parisienne, printemps, spring, travel
Nice During the Off-Season
Feb 1, 2016
food, france, market, nice, nice france, restaurants, south of france, travel, travel guide, monaco, biot, eze, perfume, fragonard
Nice During the Off-Season
Feb 1, 2016
food, france, market, nice, nice france, restaurants, south of france, travel, travel guide, monaco, biot, eze, perfume, fragonard

Visiting the South of France during the wintertime is still vacation worthy, if not cost-effective. Still warm and still beautiful, head over to Nice to enjoy sun and escape the greys and blues of Paris.

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Feb 1, 2016
food, france, market, nice, nice france, restaurants, south of france, travel, travel guide, monaco, biot, eze, perfume, fragonard
Christmas in the South of France
Dec 24, 2015
cassis, christmas, christmas in france, france, life, market, marseille, noel, south of france, travel, marseilles, farmer's market, marché, fouta, santons, saints, la crèche, crèche, creche, party, la fête, fête, soup
Christmas in the South of France
Dec 24, 2015
cassis, christmas, christmas in france, france, life, market, marseille, noel, south of france, travel, marseilles, farmer's market, marché, fouta, santons, saints, la crèche, crèche, creche, party, la fête, fête, soup

Petit Copain's parents were very kind to invite me again to celebrate Christmas at their home. Nestled in the hills of Cassis, going to Petit Copain's home is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Plus, the air is much more fresh here! Petite Copain and I have gone on a couple adventures between Marseille and Cassis, so I might switch back and forth in this post!

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Dec 24, 2015
cassis, christmas, christmas in france, france, life, market, marseille, noel, south of france, travel, marseilles, farmer's market, marché, fouta, santons, saints, la crèche, crèche, creche, party, la fête, fête, soup
Giverny, Fall Feasts, and The End of Tomato Season
Oct 28, 2015
chicken, food, giverny, life, market, meat, paris, recipes, roast, salad, travel, monet, vernon, marché, farmer's market, berry picking, roasted chicken
Giverny, Fall Feasts, and The End of Tomato Season
Oct 28, 2015
chicken, food, giverny, life, market, meat, paris, recipes, roast, salad, travel, monet, vernon, marché, farmer's market, berry picking, roasted chicken

Exploring the beautiful home of Monet in Giverny. Just 40 minutes outside of Paris, this is an easy getaway for those who'd like to experience a taste outside of Paris. Because as you know, Paris n'est pas la France. Monet's kitchen also inspired me to cook a beautiful roasted chicken, so be prepared for travel tips and delicious food pictures.

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Oct 28, 2015
chicken, food, giverny, life, market, meat, paris, recipes, roast, salad, travel, monet, vernon, marché, farmer's market, berry picking, roasted chicken

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12 Appointments with 12 Wedding Dress Designers in Paris
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Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part II
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Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part II
Oct 17, 2016
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Dijon, Beaune, Burgundy Wine Tasting, and Côte de Nuits - Part I
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Mini Heirloom Tomates Farcies (Stuffed French Heirloom Tomatoes)
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Sep 30, 2016
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SEE MORE ADVENTURES ON INSTAGRAM

Summer pasta... the meal I made for us at Diner En Blanc! #dinerenblanc
Diner en Blanc 2018 ! #dinerenblanc
At this year’s agriculture fair!
Another darling Christmas in the South of France 🇫🇷 🎄
They haven’t removed this thing yet!
At a local market in Bali. Sacred flowers and spicy chilis 🌶
Another shot (cocktail ;) ) at Rock Bar!
Sunset at Rock Bar.