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Colorado is, in my eyes, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The richness of the views in almost any direction, or climate, are breathtaking. Being home for the holidays was the perfect excuse to take it all in, and let my mind reminisce the simple times. It’s a funny feeling, being somewhere so familiar with your lover for whom, despite being several times, it will always be so new. Something as simple as driving unexpectedly down a certain street or passing a random food chain can ignite crazy memories of teenage shenanigans. I often think about my pre-teen and teenage life in the Rockies, and about all the things I did and experienced, and how its all shaped me to be the woman I am today. I also wonder sometimes what my life would be like had I never left for a year abroad in France when I was 16. Not that I have any regrets at all whatsoever, but sometimes I wonder what kind of woman I would have become.




My twin sister lives in Boulder. My brother works in Boulder. A human I adore is from Boulder. I didn’t realize until after I got back from my trip how much I’m actually linked to Boulder. I even took Louis to a high school friend’s frat party on New Year’s Eve there in 2010 for the perfect first-time-in-America experience. Ha. Oh, Boulder. I always hated driving up there in High School for orchestra stuff, hiking or whatever, because of all of the pedestrians! Ah!

This time it was a different kind of spin by Boulder. One where I got to get off the beaten path for some snazzy places, awkwardly spread out, which I secretly really like… we had delicious beer and the best Mexican in town. I’m anxious to get back there next time I’m home.

AVERY BREWING // Home of deliciously crafted beers, get a flight or two

BRU // Restaurant and handbuilt ales

EFRAN’S II // Best Mexican in town

THE KITCHEN NEXT DOOR // Friendly and casual spot on Pearl Street

SANITAS BREWING COMPANY // Try their black IPA

UPSLOPE BREWING COMPANY // Try their Thai Style White IPA

 

DATE NIGHT @ HOPS & PIE DENVER

Dinner dates with a homegirl are just the best. So for a little background, my best friend Liz loves her some pizza. Her house parties even in high school always involved delicious homemade pizza that I will never forget. Even when we did a summer internship in New York together during Uni, I always trusted her judgement when it came to pizza joints.

Anyways, she took me to one of her favorite Denver spots, Hops & Pie, for a dinner date when I was last in the Mile High City. I secretly wish there was one in Paris that I could go to all the fucking time because it was some top notch mountain pie. You can pair a brew with your artisanal pizza, with the help of their divine beer menu in a simple Mead binder (yeah, the kind you use in Elementary and Middle School… simplicity = key): cans, bottles and pours from both Colorado and other state’s craft breweries. The bar is impréssionnant, with the colorful taps lined up and loud conversation happening. It really is just a good place to be. That’s a nice feeling when you’re out to eat.

Simple and family friendly with a little hustle bustle, it’s some of Denver’s best pizza and the perfect spot for a dinner out or to be delivered to you while you’re binge watching a good series on Netflix.

Hops & Pie
3920 Tennyson Street
Denver, CO 80212
Tél:

LA FAMILLE

This past holiday season I spent in my hometown with my family. I was welcomed home to a fresh sheet of powder and a baby nephew that I had been so anxious to meet since my brother and his wife welcomed him into the world last February. There were new places to discover, new beers to taste and familiar faces to see. It was full on family time to the most extreme level, and I couldn’t have asked for a better kind of Christmas.

It seems like the world turns at a faster pace when you’re away, and when you come back you realize how much has changed and how everyone has grown. And not to mention how much a city you used to know so well has evolved. It’s rather funny to think about, actually. I’m sure there’s the reverse side as well when I see my mama once every year, a year is such a long time and I’m sure I’ve grown every time I see her.

It’s like a breath of fresh air to all be together again for the holidays — my little complex, unique and happy modern family — as being far away isn’t always easy.

A GLIMPSE AT CHRISTMAS

Being home for the holidays makes my heart all warm inside. Rediscovering little traditions and the little things that make Christmas just perfect and full of love. Every year my mom gets us each a glass ornament, and it’s always spot on. Mine have ranged from a French flag, to French cheese, to a camel to a stiletto to a pint of beer to a nutcracker. My sister’s range from a snowboard boot, to an octopus to a peace sign to round peace glasses. The brother’s range from a rocket ship to a burger to a tennis racket. It’s always just spot on. Now that our family has become bigger, the sister-in-law, baby nephew, stepsisters and Louis are included in the growing collection. When I’m here I always ask myself how I could ever miss a Christmas at home in Colorado.

Christmas Day always involves strata by my stepdad which I anxiously wait for even the night before while watching Home Alone and the Family Stone, as I can smell it as it’s being prepared.

This year we may just get a fresh layer of snow, which adds to the charm of this magical place. Wishing you very happy holidays, wherever you may be.

 

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