Paris is magical. It’s historic, culturally rich, dramatic (in the best way), inspiring and romantic….and really, the only place to purchase Chanel.

But not for the reason you think.

The #1 reason you should only buy Chanel in Paris…IS FOR THE EXPERIENCE.

Buying a Chanel bag in Paris is a TRUE EXPERIENCE.

But it’s not about just about Chanel, or even just about Paris.

When you wander the avenues of Paris, meet the people, eat the food, discover the culture, it’s east to understand why Gabrielle Coco Chanel was so inspired. Inspired by the Paris and its beauty. Inspired by the experience of life.

When you stroll into any of the Chanel boutiques in Paris, the welcome is, by and large, quintessentially French.

What I’m saying here is, it ALL COMES DOWN TO THE EXPERIENCE. 

If you’re interested in Chanel, the experience of obtaining that coveted item it should be equally (maybe more) important to you than just getting the item. 

Things to consider when purchasing Chanel:

1. The selection in Europe is often different from the US
2. The Paris boutiques seem to have a broader selection as well as more limited edition pieces.
3. Each boutique has a different selection, so if you see something you love but it’s not in the right color you can visit one of the other Chanel shops around Paris and you might find the unicorn you’ve been looking for.

From walking through the door and seeing all the designs, to interacting with sales associates. The moments of debating between which bags.  Maybe even LEAVING to think your options over while having lunch at a cafe with an Eiffel Tower view!  From the very beginning of your interest in Chanel, up to the moment it comes home with you and beyond, it was never just about the accessory!

It’s about the experience as a whole; from purchase to envisioning where you’ll wear this item.

Every time you look at the item; bag, scarf, shoes, accessory, etc. it should bring you memories of a full experience; of joy.  It’s not really about the item…it’s about creating a life you love living, full of moments you treasure.

But ultimately, where you choose to buy Chanel, or Dior, or any special purchase isn’t what really matters. What DOES matters is the experience you create for yourself.

So maybe you stroll the Champs Élysée in Paris before purchasing your Chanel item in the flagship store. Perhaps you scour the best vintage shops in every arrondissements to find a discontinued gem. Possibly you even purchase it from the boutique closest to your home. All of these are great options – as long as you consider whether the experience you’re creating is the one you want to have. Make sure you’re enriching your Tapestry Lifestyle.

And if nothing I’ve said resonates at all, there’s always the VAT refund!

So I made the Ultimate Nashville Guide, which you can read here, and now I want to share something else I’m loving in Music City – wall murals!

I just love art.  Not all art, but most art.  From music, or sculptures, to architecture, I just love seeing what can be created in beauty from the mind.  So when I started taking an interest in the wall murals that were popping up all over Nashville, I started wanting to bring them into my own world by incorporating into my posts.  

Then I realized other people might enjoy seeing these works of Nashville wall mural art as well. So I created this guide(with the map) of most of the murals I’ve seen around Nashville, but there are always more popping up, so I’ll be sure to add them as I find them!

12 South

Nashville Looks Good On You

Hillsboro Village

The Red Lips

Charlotte Pike

Wish For Peace

Germantown

The Like

Kindness Is…

West End

Hyroglitches

East Nashville

The Cleo 

We Are Nashville

Go Slay All The Dragons

The Gulch

Nashville Wings

Edgehill Village

Pink Wings (inside No Baked)

Wedgewood/8th Ave

Hyacinths and Waves

Ruins on the Beach

Galactic Gardens

Life Is Sweet

Guitars and Birds

Love Y’all 

The Nations

The Fountain of Juice

It’s no secret that when traveling it’s easier if you know what you’re doing.  Traveling with the right tools, (read apps) makes travel less stressful and therefore more fun. ( If you’re visiting Nashville or Toronto soon, check out those guides here (Nashville) and here (Toronto)).  So here are some of my favorite travel apps.


You’ve probably noticed I like to be thorough, so I’m going to break these up into categories.

Transportation and Accommodation:

Expedia – This is the app I always check first for flights or flight hotel combos.  *Insider tip: If you’re in any country other than the US, check your website and then check expedia.COM. Sometimes the US site has the same flights for cheaper. (Even taking into consideration exchange rates!)


Hotel Tonight – Often if we’re on a road trip I don’t plan where exactly we’re staying.  That’s why this app is so great.  I can compare hotels and books so quickly, with literally the swipe off a finger.


Uber – I’m guessing pretty much everyone knows about Uber by now.  If you don’t know, it’s a car service that picks you up. The driver is using their own car as a taxi.  It’s usually cheaper than an actual taxi.

Food:

Opentable – A favorite of mine.  I love being able to make reservations to a restaurant I’ve heard.  Or if I have a favorite restaurant in the city already then I can make reservations without having to remember to call in when their open.


Infatuation – This app was new to me and recommended by a friend, but I LOVE it so far.  It doesn’t have every single city on it (it’s much more curated than Yelp) but the cities and recommendations it does have are wonderful.  It’s also curated by true food critics and food writers, so it has a standard to uphold, which I love.


Uber Eats – Too tired to go out to eat? No rental car? No problem.  Uber will not only pick up people, but Uber Eats will pick up food from a restaurant you choose from the map and then deliver it to you!

Other:

Yelp – Yelp and I have a love/hate relationship.  It has sent me to a few places based on recommendations that ended up being disappointing.  However, I have also found some real gems on Yelp, which is why I’m including it here.  There is one thing I LOVE about Yelp; it isn’t just for food, it has a ton of categories for shopping, spas, activities, and types of food!


Currency XE – When traveling internationally you ALWAYS want to know how much something is relative to your currency! This app can do exchanges in nanoseconds. It makes it so much easier to understand how much you’re really paying for something.
Weather Channel – This is an obvious app for travel, however I like this one specifically because it’s so detailed and -typically- correct.

Venmo – This app is great for life as well as travel, but if you are traveling and need to pay someone this app is so convenient.  You simply enter their phone number or email (once they set up an account), enter the amount, what it’s for and hit send!

City Specific:

TKTS – New York City – An app to get you tickets to Broadway shows typically at a slightly better price.


MyDisneyExperience – Orlando – This is your best friend for all things Disney while visiting Disneyworld


MyPark – Orlando – If you’re visiting the outlet malls on an extremely busy day (Saturday or Sunday), this app is a game changer. It allows you to reserve a parking spot at the mall (you do have to pay for the spot).


GreenP – Toronto – This will make parking so much easier.  It’s so much more convenient that locating the pay machine. You just set up a profile for your car, enter the code for that area – which is posted near every parking spot, pay, and you’re done!


Momondo – Canada – This app (and website) gives you the BEST deals for flights.  Sometimes the flights are ridiculous in terms of layover times, or connections, but if you want to travel and save money, this app is amazing.


New York Subway MTA Map – this app is SUPER HELPFUL if you’re trying to navigate the subway in New York City


I’ll add more to these as I find apps I love!

Toronto.  I like to think of Toronto as a Canadian New York City.  It’s diverse, busy, but it has a culture all it’s own.  Over the years I’ve spent a fair amount of time in “The Six” and I’ve uncovered more than a few favorite spots to spend time.  As with my Nashville Guide – which you can read here – I’m going to make this a “living guide” also, meaning I will update this frequently with my new favorites and new experiences at old favorites. 

*If we have a favorite dish or activity I’ll add that in too!

Eating

Brunch

  The Old School – Blueberry Pancakes
  Over Easy 

Dinner 

Hy’s Steakhouse – Caesar salad and Prime Rib
 King Taps – Pizza

Cafe   

Forget Me Not – Toasty Almond Latte
Light Cafe – Strawberry Waffle

Sweets   

Eva’s Chimney’s – Cinnamon
Ihalo Krunch – the taro and charcoal coconut ice cream 
Royaltea – Cookies and Creme bubble tea
Short and Sweet Bakeshop – cupcakes (but almost everything here is delicious)
Sweet Jesus – seasonal favorites

Lunch   

Windsor Arms – High tea
Earls – Warm Kale Chicken Salad Joey’s – Frozé and Ahi Tuna Tacos
Fork and Spoon – Spicy salmon roll, pad thai, and general tso’s chicken  

To-Do

Sites to see

Grafitti Alley – artwork by some of Toronto’s best as-of-yet undiscovered graffiti artists        Queen Street – Unique boutiques that sell everything from fabric to skincare        Pacific Mall –  an extension of Toronto’s Chinatown.  It’s out of the downtown core, but it’s a very fun experience if you appreciate asian cultures
Peace Collective – A new Canadian staple.  Specializing in slogan covered clothing for the canadian enthusiast.

Activities 

Elmwood Day Spa – I love this day spa.  We went here for my birthday a few years ago and I just loved it.
Her Majesty’s Pleasure – We got our nails done here before my wedding.  It’s half spa, half bar, with 100% feminine design details.
Niagara-on-the-lake – A beautiful region of wineries and scenery just an hour drive from Toronto.
Niagara Falls – A natural wonder and something you should see if you’re so close! Niagara falls is also about an hour from Toronto.

Where To Stay   

Fairmont Royal York – One of my personal favorites. Pet friendly, so decadent, and I just love that every time we stay here it’s an experience.
One King West – In the financial district.  Great rooms with kitchenettes if you felt like cooking or having breakfast in your room cooked to your specifications.
The Ritz – I love the attention to detail here.  They also are willing to go above and beyond with extra touches are your request for birthdays, anniversaries, and such.