What happens when your plans change?

A couple have friends have commented to me recently that they've been missing this blog.

I admitted to them that I do, too.

But here's the truth: a few things have happened over the past year that have speedbumped me, in a way. And I've been bashful about bringing it here.

Last spring, I moved to Paris for three months with an idea to come back to States refreshed and reinvigorated about living in New York City. I hoped that a set of guidelines I created--dubbed "The Paris Plan"--would put me on the right path toward appreciating my own city again.

That plan didn't pan out as I'd hoped.

Instead, those 15 rules of mine--which included a 9th about "not forgetting the men"--managed to send me back to Paris again. And again. Also again. And will do again this summer. Because I played by my rules, and didn't ignore the guy thing, I met one. A French one, in fact. And now I am finding myself in Paris part-time.

It's weird and awesome. I am smiling a lot. And I don't want to go into the details, since it's a private/personal thing. (I knooooow. But you get it.) Yet I also don't want to avoid writing here, because if you follow me elsewhere--on Instagram, for instance--it's clear, but probably confusing, that I am not in New York all the time.

So I had to say something. Moving forward, I want to say even more--specifically about the challenges and opportunities I am finding shuttling between two countries. I've learned so much about myself and how to conduct my freelance business in the last year. I've become a better traveler. I am paring down the things I own to make space for flexibility. I beginning to learn French. I am learning to cook in a foreign kitchen. I'm just--learning. Open to things. Realizing there's more. In a great place. Or places, that is.

My goal is to be here on a more regular basis and to share a bit of what's up. So you start dropping by a bit more often, too, okay? And let me know if you're ever in NYC or Paris. We can grab a bite or a beverage--I've now got a few decent coffee shops and restaurants we can scope out in the City of Light, and I'll always know where to go in the City That Never Sleeps. Plus, if there's cocktails involved, maybe I'll even give you the dish on my dude. ;)

It's Here! Meet "Flea Market Fabulous."

During the summer and autumn of last year, I had the great honor of helping Lara Spencer--anchor on "Good Morning America" and host of "Flea Market Flip"--write her second book. It's called "Flea Market Fabulous" and it's just out today! Check it out here and in bookstores.

Last night, Jonathan Adler (who wrote the book's adorably colorful intro) hosted a party for Lara in his Soho studio. It was the first time I saw the printed book in action. Kind of surreal...

Also surreal: getting to watch Lara spread the word in various media outlets. So far, I've seen the cover on GMA as well as "Live! with Kelly and Michael" and "The View," and it's been featured everywhere from People and Redbook to Domino and Domaine. It's this project we poured our little hearts into for a long time, suddenly come to life, like magic, in front of lots and lots of people. Lottttttttts of people.

It was a meaningful, super creative (and in some ways, very intimate--we spent lots of time together!) experience with talented people: Lara, plus designer Jen Chu, photographer ChiChi Ubiña, editor Dervla Kelly, plus teams of amazing folks, from Lara's "Flea Market Flip"/"I Brake For Yard Sales" cast and crew to everyone at the publisher and even to Lara's sweet family. A real team effort.

Gosh, we hope you like it. Let me know!

And P.S. before you ask (because everyone does), here's the real scoop: yes, she is as nice as she seems. No, she wasn't a diva (not even close). Yes, her house is awesome. Hell yes, it's fun to follow her around a flea market. And no, she didn't phone anything in, ever; she really might be the hardest-working person I know.

I'm proud to be part of such a personal project. Lots of love injected in those pages! Please keep an eye out for the book wherever you are. And be on the lookout for possible future collaborations. (Paris fleas, anyone?)

Photos I Almost Forgot: La Promenade Plantée in Paris

Can't believe I almost overlooked these pics! Back in May, Paris' Promenade plantée (also called the "Coulée verte") was bursting at the seams. The elevated park--built in 1993 on an old, unused railway--reminded me a lot of NYC's Highline. I really dig a smart urban greenway like this, especially when it's heavy with roses juuuuuust after they've hit that spot where they're big and bloomy and juuuuuust before they're about to depart for the season. It's slightly dramatic, slightly sad, and completely dreamy, all at once.

Here's how to deal with leaving Paris

#1. Don't write about it on your blog, because if you do, maybe then it means that you really did leave.

(Hi. So, I really did leave.)

I've been back from my three months in Paris for a few weeks now, and I think I've been avoiding M-Dashing because it feels real any time I write about something on my blog. But it is real: I am back on U.S. soil, back on NYC's gritty streets, and back to feeling like, "Okay, so what's next?"

While I suss all that out--because it's going to take some real time--I've got loads more to write about Paris, so expect additional posts coming up. I'd love to share more about what I learned, what I saw, and, ahem, what I ate. (Because heaven knows my waistline is still dealing with that last one. The Paris Plan #5 and #6 4-EVA, y'all.)

And speaking of The Paris Plan, I'm doing my best to incorporate those guidelines into life here in New York. It's not always easy. (#7 comes straight to mind, because, what do I use there instead? Something about embracing/not masking my own actual Southern accent within a sea of Northern ones?) (Oh Lord have mercy, we'll just discuss that later.) But I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks to everyone who read along during my adventure. Thanks also to those who helped make my adventure so--I don't even know what adjective sums it up--memorable? Magical? Monumental? Whatever m-word it was, it was all a gift. All of it.

Here's to more adventures soon. Stay tuned.