Getaways Guest Blog Series: Mackenzie of Design Darling

Today I'm happy to be hosting the delightful Mackenzie of Design Darling. Mackenzie, who just returned from Europe and is now interning for Jonathan Adler (how amazing is that?!), knows a thing or two about travelling and she's here today to dish about her favorite place to visit and the tips that make her vacations a breeze.

Hi everyone! I'm Mackenzie from Design Darling and I'm delighted to be participating in Connie's amazing Getaway Series today.

Favorite Vacation Spot

I just returned from six months of living and studying in France so how could I not say Paris? There's something about the City of Lights that draws you in and never lets you go. Whether it was spending the evening of Valentine's Day with my boyfriend on the third floor of the Eiffel Tower or meandering down the Champs Elysées with my grandmother, I've simply never had a bad time à Paris. I don't think it's possible!

Where to Stay

I like to stay at Grand Hôtel Lévêque, a no-frills hotel on Rue Cler, an adorable pedestrian-only lane close to the Invalides and the Musée Rodin. The hotel is simple but the surrounding neighborhood is not to be missed — outdoor flower markets, delightful boulangeries, and the lovely locals you meet when you veer just a little off the beaten path of the more touristy areas.


Where to Eat

I love Café George V on the Champs Elysées but the truth is you won't eat a bad meal at any of the sidewalk cafés for which Paris is known. Choose a table with a view ideal for people-watching and order a hearty omelette or a yummy dessert to savor! If you've got a sweet tooth, the brunch and macarons at La Durée are not to be missed. I love Berthillon, a purveyor of tasty French ice cream, and Angelina, a darling salon de thé that serves delicious desserts worth the wait at the door. One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is to pick up a baguette, a slice of brie, and a few fresh fruits and head to the Jardin des Tuileries — a little gem of a park situated between the Champs Elysées and the Louvre. If the weather is right, the sidewalks are lined with ice cream vendors and the pond is surrounded by kiddies pushing their toy sailboats.

What to Do

Besides eating your way through the city, head to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for the best view of Paris. Go as high up on the Eiffel Tower as you can — the top floor is blocked off many days but it's worth a repeat visit if you've got the time and patience. It's easy to get sucked into big museums like the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay, but I also love the sculpture garden at the Musée Rodin and the view from the Sacre Cœur in Montmartre.


Five Vacation Essentials

1. When in Paris, do as the Parisians do — and that means dress to impress! This is a time for those never-fail wardrobe staples: the perfect button-down, the striped boatneck tee you've been saving for this very trip, your favorite white jeans, the omnipresent little black dress, etc.

2. Accessories not optional! Swap out your baseball cap for a chic fedora or sunhat and skip your sneakers in favor of chic but walking-friendly ballet flats. Don't forget to pack sunglasses and keep jewelry simple; there's a reason they say Parisian women are effortlessly chic!

3. I would not have survived my six months in Europe without my crossbody bag. There are so many glamorous options available at every price point and it's the ideal shape for keeping all your goodies in one place that you can keep attached to you at all times.

4. Lights, camera, action! Don't forget your camera. If you're on the hunt for a new one, I'm obsessed with my Panasonic Lumix.

5. Travel-sized everything! It's such a hassle to be stopped at airport security with something as silly as a water bottle or a too-large shampoo in your bag. Downsize!


What I Pack

The above plus probably three dozen other things I never end up using. My boyfriend will attest that I'm a lousy packer as he's had to cart my heavy bags more times than he'd like to remember!


Favorite Traveling Companion

During the past semester, my boyfriend and I had the opportunity to travel together to London, Paris, Amsterdam, the Loire Valley, Interlaken, Venice, Florence, Rome, Athens, Ios, and Santorini. I love, love, love traveling with my family but it was so exciting to explore Europe with him and share exciting new experiences like ATVing in Greece and hang gliding in Switzerland. I can honestly say we had the time of our lives together — I couldn't have asked for a better companion — or a better bellhop, as the case may have been!


The Next Spot I'd Like to Visit

I hope that I'll be fortunate to continue traveling throughout my life; I hope to see all 50 states (my family and I have hit 37!) and set foot on all seven continents. In the near future, I'd like to trek up to Montreal but I daydream of things like ringing in the New Year in Fiji and doing a safari in Africa. I'd love one day to stay in the Giraffe Manor in Kenya — how fabulous would it be to feed baby giraffes through your second story window?

Thank you, Connie, for having me here today! It's been such a treat sharing my recommendations and reveries with you all!



All photos provided by Design Darling