Nice is nice

Excuse the cliche title, but I couldn't resist because alliteration (duh) and it's true! This French Riviera city is a gem, and worth spending some time to discover.

This was my first time seeing the Mediterranean Sea! 

Even in mid-October, the weather of Southern France was warm and sunny! There were even people swimming in the sea!

Nice is port city. 

 

Nice is more laid-back than Paris, and their food was cheaper too!

Fall for France

First stop during our October 2021 Europe trip was Paris. A beautiful city with delicious food and amazing architecture. Once you visit, you'll agree that the locals can be snobby 😆

We first visited Paris as a family the summer of 2007, because my dad got invited to attend the 10th European Nutrition Conference. To be able to return and experience autumn in Paris was a delight!

We stayed in an Airbnb south of the Seine near Notre Dame, and spent 3 days in Paris before taking a southbound train to Nice.

Every indoor site and restaurant we visited was checking vaccination cards, and face masks, so we felt safe and comfortable.

Jump below to see which Parisian sites we visited!

Turkish Airlines Review

I'm finally sitting down and documenting my 2021 France & Italy trip! It was my first international trip with only my mom and sister (girls trip!)! 

*We were all fully vaccinated (2 shots), and had no COVID19 symptoms prior to boarding.

First part is a quick review of Turkish Airlines.  I give Turkish Airlines 4/5 stars, because:

1) Good food, as long as you chose the non-pasta entree!

2) Great inflight service. Economy was even provided toiletries, alcohol, and paper menus for each international flight.

3) The airline checked our vaccination status prior to boarding.

4) Cabin crew also ensured people were wearing face masks properly, and provided us multiple bottles of wine each!

Our layovers to and from Europe were through Istanbul International Airport. IST only has good shopping and food (lots of free samples of Turkish delight). Their WiFi is limited by hour for each person and very slow. Their free water stations don't have cold/ice water, and the airport security stole my souvenir magnet and jewelry box from my check-in 😡 I did file a claim, but haven't heard anything since November 😤

Due to my experience at IST, I wouldn't want to visit Turkey anytime soon 😓 BUT Turkish people were nice, and their food is delicious 😋

(top: lahmacun; bottom: pide)

Skincare Spotlight: Dr. Jart+

Dr. Jart+ is a South Korean skincare brand (닥터자르트 in Korean), and reads simply as "Doctor Jart". Dr.Jart+ is not an actual doctor, but a philosophy of "doctor joins art".

 

I haven't used a lot of their products, but wanted to recommend the ones that worked for my sister who has sensitive skin, just in case you want to try this brand!

 

Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream and Vital Hydra Solution Sheet Mask (not pictured) both help your skin retain moisture.

Cicapair Calming Gel Cream

 

(absorbs quickly and soothes redness)

Mineral Sunscreen

 

(has a faint scent, and slight white cast, which dries matte, so better for hot/humid weather)

Jump below for their lackluster products that I don't recommend...

Kansas City Restaurant Week 2022

Another restaurant week has come and gone. This year only two restaurants impressed me: Story and Corvino. Both have 5 star food, 5 star service, and 4 star ambiance!

STORY

(Dinners was $45 for 3 courses)

(specific menu for restaurant week)

(bisque)

(mahi mahi)

(spice cake)

 

CORVINO

(Dinner was $35 for 3 plates)

(front entrance)

(cheeseburger)

(pork ribs)

(lemon tart with ricotta cream)