Author: Soraya
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Venice at Christmas – A Winter Road Trip Through the Alps to Italy
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When my daughter came to visit for Christmas we had ten precious days together and we fully intended to make the most of them. Rather than staying close to home, we decided that after Christmas would be the perfect time for a few short adventures. Less rushing, fewer crowds and…
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Small Habits Create Real Change- A Better Way to Set Resolutions
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This time of year, we hear a lot about resolutions. They’re usually well intentioned, eat better, exercise more, and be more productive. Improve ourselves in some meaningful way. All of those reasons are not a bad thing. Wanting to feel better in our bodies and our lives matters. But often,…
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French Parapharmacies Explained: How Homeopathy Works in France
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I felt called to write this second part mostly because I’m currently on week who knows what of cold symptoms, sore throat, lingering cough, the whole package. So it feels fitting to talk about pharmaceuticals in France, especially for me their very different approach to everyday illnesses. Here are French parapharmacies…
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Top 5 French Pharmacy Beauty Picks
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One of the nicest surprises I’ve stumbled upon while living in France is the treasure trove of beauty and skincare products inside the French parapharmacies. If you’ve ever wondered what the “para” in front of pharmacie means, it simply signals that this is where one can find skin and beauty…
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Retiring in France: Finding The City That Stole My Heart
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When I started to think about life retiring in France, I never imagined that choosing a city would become its own little adventure. Last year, I gave myself three months to explore. I spent half the time in the south of France, and half in a town I only read…
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Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures at any Age
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In a world where anything can be delivered to your doorstep with a clique of a button within a few hours, there’s something quietly radical about creating something with your own two hands. A philosophy rooted in “olden times” was when people didn’t just consume, they crafted, built, and tended…
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10 Lessons That Autumn Can Teach Us: Part 2
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We are back for 10 lessons That Autumn Can Teach Us: Part 2 6. Savoring the Present A walk among the leaves, a warm drink, or lightning a spiced pumpkin candle at dusk helps us savor simple joys. It’s in the gentle and ordinary joys that keeps us grounded and…
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10 Essential Gifts for Expats: Practical Must-Haves
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Moving abroad is certainly an adventure, exciting, beautiful but yet it can feel overwhelming all at the same time. Whether someone is relocating for retirement, work, or a new chapter of life, here are a few simple gifts that can make the transition feel smoother and more welcoming. In this…
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10 Lessons That Autumn Can Teach Us: Part 1
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Every season holds wisdom, but autumn has a way of speaking directly to the warmth of our heart. With its brilliant red and golden leaves, the crisp mornings and shorter days, autumn reminds us that change can be beautiful. That letting go is part of life’s natural rhythm. Beyond the…
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Falling for New Orleans: A Month of Culture, Flavor, and Life Lessons
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This past summer I completely overlooked writing about one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. It feels fitting to circle back and share that chapter, because it marked the first step in my journey toward moving to France. For a month and half, it was just my dog and me…