Fake it ’til you make it!

Pain au Chocolat

We’ve all heard the expression “Fake it ’til you make it!” and that’s what I intend to do – live like I’m living in France, until I can make the move.

For me, the French/European lifestyle is all about working to live, and not living to work.  Taking time to enjoy life’s pleasures. Being an artist. A writer. Dining outside. 

Parisian Cafe

When I’m in Europe, I take the train to visit different cities. I walk more. I eat bread (*gasp*). Spend hours, sometimes entire days in Museums AND Cafés. Drink Champagne. Enjoy Crêpes and Pain au Chocolat (chocolate croissants)  – a lot! So why not do this now?

Nutella and Banana Crepe

Before I leave for my French Adventure, I plan on doing the following things right here in the Good Ole U.S.of A.:

1. Take the train to another State (perhaps Denverto visit my bestie Heidi; or Chicagoto visit my brother; or just maybe travel to a city I’ve never visited).
2. Finish my novel.
3. Relax in the park with a loaf of French bread, a bottle of wine and a good book.
4. Start drawing /painting again.
5. Enjoy the local museums and galleries.
6. Dine outside as much as possible.
7. Host a French Dinner & Movie Night –  complete with French music, a French film, Champagne, Hors d’oeuvres and Crêpes!
8. Speak French daily.
9. Cook French cuisine.
10. Sit in a local coffee-house for hours and people watch.

I better get started tout de suite!

This post is also posted in my new blog: The France Project 

Bikes, Bites and Art

Sacramento has a lot to offer its residents and visitors!! So many amazing restaurants with sidewalk seating, as well as art galleries, museums, boutiques, theatre and sporting events. One of my favorite things to do in Sacramento is the Second Saturday Art Walk – or Ride, I should say.

Some of us ride our bicycles around Downtown, Midtown, and/or East Sacramento, stopping to visit a gallery opening or two, then we’ll leisurely ride a few blocks to visit some more. We usually take a break for some Tapas or appetizers and a cool beverage before heading back out to see a few more galleries. It’s a pleasurable and entertaining way to enjoy the evening.

But even if you aren’t in town for Second Saturday, practically any summer day/evening is perfect for a bike ride in Sacramento. If you have visitors in town, or you yourself are without a bicycle to ride, may I suggest renting one from Bikes and Bites. The Bikes and Bites bike rental pairs out-of-town visitors and locals with cool beach cruisers so they can bike to one or more restaurants for a bite to eat in Midtown and Downtown Sacramento. The fleet of rental bikes includes both men’s and women’s classic single speed beach cruiser style bicycles, a combination lock, front and rear light set, an optional helmet, and a front-mounted basket with a sponsoring plaque on it.

Bikes and Bites is the brainchild of Robin Little, who has over 20 years of travel marketing experience and is the owner of UnionVacations.com. Bikes and Bites is the perfect way to get the message out to the public in the Sacramento Region about the importance of lowering their carbon footprint. There are currently 30 bikes available for rental with the possibility of additional bikes being added to the fleet during the 2010 season.

According to Robin, “We have taken the next step and are now placing bikes in a few office buildings, hotels and even a B&B.”

The Cost to rent a bike is only $10 for the first two hours and $3 for each additional hour, a maximum of $30 for 24 hours. What’s cool, and why this is call Bikes and Bites, is that your bike rental can get you easily around Midtown and Downtown Sacramento and spending money in sponsoring restaurants and shops.

The Sacramento Air Quality Management District’s, “Spare the Air” program will even pay for an hour of the bike rental if you ride your bike for several hours. (Please see http://www.BikesandBites.com for details and list of locations.)