Tag Archives: France

Trip Recap: Paris Is Always A Good Idea (Part 2) + ElectroDash Promo Code

Good morning, lovies!

How did your Canada Day go? I’ve heard many of you had some great plans and workouts to celebrate. I wanna know every single little detail! *HA!*

Before I carry on with the recap of my trip to Paris (see Part 1 here), I’d like to save a few bucks for my fellow Canadians. Last night I finally registered for ElectroDash, the 5 km dance party, on August 29. I’ve been obsessed with this race ever since I saw it on last season of Bachelor. That night my hubby and I solemnly swore to each other that if ever we get a chance we’ll participate in it. *So dramatic, eh?*  

Since yesterday was Canada Day, organizers decided to throw in a promotion to celebrate the occasion. If you register before midnight on July 2 and enter a promo code CANADADAY1867, you’ll save 18.67%. *To those who wonder why the number is so strange, Confederation occurred in 1867. Now it all makes sense, doesn’t it? Haha!* Honestly, I CAN’T WAIT!!!

On a side note, a portion of the proceeds from ElectroDash Montreal benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I know quite a few people who, unfortunately, were affected by this terrible decease, and I’m glad that my participation can make a difference, no matter how small it is.

Back to Paris…

As you may remember, I frooooooooze on the first day there. So when the second day came around, I didn’t care about fashion: I put my running shoes with a big smile on. All I cared about is being warm!

Notre Dame, Paris

*How cute?! Or maybe a fashion disaster? Haha!*

Louvre was first on our to-do list. However, once we got there, we saw a huge line up. We decided to instead explore the city since we had until 3 pm before having to head back to the airport to fly to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Louvre was beautiful on the outside too! *Haha!*

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My brother had a chance to go back there when I had to return to Canada. This is, hands down, the best picture someone ever took next to Mona Lisa!!!

DCIM103GOPRO

*He is GENIUS! Haha!*

Then, we headed to Notre Dame de Paris. On our way there, we enjoyed views of the Seine river and multiple bridges stretched over it.

Seine

When we came to the cathedral, I was BLOWN AWAY! Notre-Dame was so much more than I’d ever imagined! Every single statue and detail of the exterior is different. It is indeed a spectacular masterpiece with a long history!

Notre Dame de Paris

As my brother and I started getting away from historical landmarks, we dove in into little streets to get a real feel of Paris.

Paris

I was amazed how many pink chestnut trees were there! *I mean, I was born in the chestnut tree capital of the world, Kyiv, but they all bloom white there.* 

However, the more I enjoyed Parisian living, the more self conscious I became of my white running shoes… and then my stylish self rebelled, and I went and bought myself a better matching pair of shoes!!! *Hey! They were only 15 euros, it was a steal! Haha!*

shoes swap

*YES! It was that bad! I didn’t care to go in a shady ally just to change them! HAHA!*

Afterwards, I was a happy trooper!

Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction when you traveled? How did the first day of Spartan bear crawl challenge go?

xoxo
Olena

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Trip Recap: Paris Is Always A Good Idea (Part 1)

I’ve been terrible! It’s been almost 2 months since I got back from Europe and I never did any recaps of my trip. Mostly, it was caused by the situation in Ukraine and my grandma’s health. I just couldn’t bring myself up to it…

As probably some of you remember, my brother and I went to France, Ukraine and Spain. It was a beautiful two and a half week trip, and I’ve got to admit, I miss that European charm here in North America. It must be all the history and culture that comes with it.

ready to leave01

Today I’d like to share with you some bits and pieces from Paris. It’s a majestic city, and I truly fell in love with it. It even makes up for their Charles-des-Gaulle airport! *Let’s see who else missed their connecting flight there? Haha!*

It was definitely WAYYYY colder than I expected it to be, and I didn’t bring any other shoes apart from my flats. This was the last time I listened to my friends who kept on telling me that it was ‘warm’ there and I shouldn’t worry. *Running shoes weren’t the option because they didn’t complete the look. Silly girl!*

During our first day, we covered a lot of ground. Here are some of the highlights.

The first place we went to was Arc de Triomphe. To be honest, I didn’t expect much, but I was completely blown away by its beauty and detail.

Arc de Triomphe

The next stop? Ladurée!!! Are you even surprised? It only took us about half an hour to get in there. *Thank God, my brother was patient with me!!!*
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Shortly after *when my happiness finally set in, and I was able to walk with some seriously delicious macaroons in my hands*, we headed to Place de la Concorde, which was a short walk away. It’s kind of crazy to think that many people were executed there by the guillotine during the French Revolution, including King Louis XVI…
Place de la Concorde
Somehow whenever I think about the dark periods in history, I never imagine people dying in beautiful places like this square *Not that I think of people dying, period!*… Or is it just me?
As you can see, the skies cleared out by then and when we looked around, there was this beautiful view.
What I really regret is not being able to run here: The river Seine and its surroundings are breathtaking!
Seine
Next, we passed by the Hôtel des Invalides, where Napoleon Bonaparte is entombed. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get in because it was late in the evening. According to what I read, even Napoleon’s frock coat, hat, coronation saddle and even his actual horse, Vizir *Eeeesshhh!*, are there!!!
Hotel des Invalides
By the time we made it to the Eiffel tower, it was getting darker. And that’s when we witnessed magic when it was lit up: a truly unforgettable moment! *Too bad my hubby wasn’t there with me… tear…* 

Eiffel tower
We opted not to go to the top of it because, frankly, I was shivering from being cold. So we just walked around to take in the joyful atmosphere and the beauty of the view.
Carousel
*To be continued…*
Have you ever been to Paris? What impressed you the most?
xoxo
Olena

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Absence Makes The Heart Say ‘What The Hell Is Up With This?’ I’ve Missed You!!!

Hello my darlings!!!

Holly guacamole, I’ve missed youuuuu! *Secretly, I hope you’ve missed me too! Haha!*

I miss you so much

Source

A week prior to my vacation, I’d been super super busy, trying to spend as much time as possible with my hubby and our Belly-Button *our almost 6 months old German Shepherd puppy whose name is actually Bella, but who also goes by Belly, Bellissima, Bells, and even Pest, when she is really a pain in the a@@ lol!*; unfortunately, they are not with me on this trip. Anyhow, over the past week, my access to Internet in Ukraine was quite limited. So to make up for this long disappearance, I’ll share with you a few pictures from my trip so far. I am super super sorry for being away for sooooo long!

 Paris, France

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe
Seine river

Seine river

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower


Ukraine

Easter celebration

Orthodox Easter celebration

In a village

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Independence Square, Kyiv

Independence Square, Kyiv

Currently, I am back to Paris. However, my plane to Spain is only a few hours away. In all honesty, I can’t wait to be there already to relax a bit. It’s been a really emotionally charged trip so far, and it’d be really great to unwind.

The Spartan Race is only 3 weeks away! Eeeeesshhhhh!!!! How’s your Spartan 30 push ups for 30 days challenge going?! I’ve been slacking!!! *Bad, bad girl!*

How have you been? What’s new in your world?

xoxo
Olena

 

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