Coming Full Circle: Donating Your Goods in Paris

Buying second-hand goods is only one part of the circular economy. The other crucial part is being able to, as Marie Kondo says, say "Thank you" and pass your items on. In the US, it feels like common knowledge to go down to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, or even better your local clothing …

Ressourceries – Your New Fave Shops

Back in the US I frequently visited my local thrift stores, mainly just to see what was newly stocked and if there was anything interesting. I soon spent less and less time in the clothing section, as I had already built up my wardrobe to a happy place, and I spent more and more time …

Living the “Anti-Gaspi” (No-waste) Life in Paris

This has been something I've been wanting to write for a while. I have been pushing myself to join the movement and either live a life of no-waste or at least less waste. I've been pushing myself to not buy new as much as possible and to not make impulse purchases. It's hard, and I …

Thrifting in Paris – Clothing

Thrift shopping is Paris can be full of hidden treasures, vintage beauties, or well straight-up trash. It can also range from "every budget" to "out of budget" quickly and easily. Thrifting has a different meaning to different people. Some people mean they want to find high end brand second-hand clothing, some people want to find …

One Month Later……

It's been almost a month since we left Côte D'Ivoire for life back in France, and more notably, life in lockdown. Feelings ebb and flow throughout the days. Somedays I wake up feeling refreshed, relaxed, and excited for another day, but other days I wake up already dreading having to drudge through the day. Sometimes …

Teaching English Online with VIPKid

Prior to moving to Côte D'Ivoire, I needed a way to continue making some sort of income while over there. I remember a conversation I had with someone at an english immersion camp I worked and I decided to reach out and ask her what she had been doing. She explained to me the company …

How to Survive a Quarantine

Life inside is not always so great. It's easy to feel trapped, imprisoned, gasping breath, etc. I made another post that refers to how the quarantine is a bit like building a blanket fort when you were younger. It's fun at first, but can quickly turn into a place of fear and panic if you …

10 Days Quarantined

At first the idea of quarantining might sound fun. It's kind of like when you were a kid and decided to build a blanket fort inside. You gathered all what you needed to both build and have fun inside your fort. You build up your little nest and little home and filled it with everything …

Côte D’Ivoire: I Hope to See You Again Soon

It was not an easy decision to leave. The decision amounted to several hours of denial and sobbing. Never have I felt so heartbroken about having to take a decision and leave a place. Abidjan was our home, we were comfortable and we had prepared. We had stocks of food and water and supplies. We …

Day 3 Quarantine

After having hastily fled from Côte D'Ivoire, I finally have the time and mental capacity to round up my thoughts and start writing again. It's our 3rd day in France, and 2nd day to be fully under the quarantine. I'm at Augustin's Dad's house here in Bordeaux. Luckily it is big and spacious with a …