Author: Roisin Astell

Versailles Christmas

Whirlwind weekend to start the Christmas holidays

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For me, like so many, Christmas is all about spending it with your family and loved ones. Before heading back to England for the Christmas holidays, I blessed to have a visit to Paris from my parents and brother. We had a fantastic weekend, and it was a great start to the holidays. Our weekend adventure took us all over Paris, including the roof terraces of both Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, and all around Versailles. Below are just some of the photos taken by my Dad during this whirlwind weekend. And with this I bid Paris a fond farewell for two weeks, and head home to England for Christmas – Merry Christmas everyone!    

This week on Instagram

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A wide variety of formage at Les marchés de Versailles; a beautiful view that can be experienced at the top of Printemps on the terrace bar; some gingerbread cookies that I made for my last day of school. The main Christmas Tree that you encounter in the Town Square of the Main Street, USA, in Disneyland Paris; Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Paris; a festive shop display at Au Roi Soleil, a boutique Chocolatiers. Don’t forget that you can follow me on instagram here: http://instagram.com/roisin__grace/

A Merry Christmas from Disneyland Paris

A Merry Christmas from Disneyland Paris

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Last weekend I had the pleasure of venturing out to one of the most magical places on earth – Disneyland. Despite not going to a Disneyland park since my last visit in 1999 to the California resort when I six, I was still incredibly excited and giddy – yes, giddy. Recently the weather in Paris has sucked. It’s currently cold, raining and miserable. Much like England I guess! So, sadly for us when we went last Saturday we were welcomed by drizzle and grey skies. Despite this, we didn’t let it dampen our day, pardon the pun; as we attempted to make the most of what we could. The very first ride that we waited for was Space Mountain Mission 2. Unfortunately we ended up waiting for at least an hour and a half, because there seemed to be issues with the ride – not great when you’re just about go on it (!). Anyway, eventually our time came around, and it was amazing! Even though I was pretty terrified during the whole 3 minutes …

ONA Camera bag wish list

ONA Camera bag wish list

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I love my DSLR camera, there is no denying that. However, the one downfall for having such a big camera is trying to carry it around with you. I sometimes feel that I need to prepare in advance what bag I’m bringing it in whether it’s going to be somewhat protected in said bag. And then, whilst I’m out, there is the odd occasion in which the bag containing one of your prized possessions can accidentally knock into a wall or table whilst you’re on the go. And if this wasn’t a problem enough, trying to find a camera bag that is remotely stylish is a tough one. Even though the standard camera bags are great for keeping your camera all protected, they just don’t always go well with your outfit. A hard life, I know. However, I recently randomly came onto this website which seems to have solved all our camera protection and style woes. I present to you, ONA. ONA design and sell premium camera bags and accessories, which have been handcrafted to deliver …

Christmas at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris

Christmas at Notre-Dame Cathedral

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With just a week to go till Christmas Eve and the big day itself, I thought it was about time that I uploaded some of the recent photographs that I took one night of Notre-Dame Cathedral being all festive. The Christmas Tree that adorns the square infant of the Cathedral was actually donated by Russia. Due to the struggle of the Cathedral to raise the money to purchase a tree, it appealed to foreign embassies in Paris for aid. According to Russia’s ambassador to France, the “Tree is a message of peace”, as I am sure that we are all aware of the current political occurrences regarding Russia. Although I’m actually not that impressed by the tree – I’m more of a gold and red Christmas decoration kinda’ girl – it is still lovely to see and photograph the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral during this merry time of year. What are your thoughts on the Tree?

Au Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Au Canal Saint-Martin

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A few weeks ago, some friends and I ventured into the 10th arrondissement to enjoy a stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin. Before coming, I had heard a lot about the canal and seen many beautiful pictures – to me, and many will probably agree, it is like having a tiny part of Amsterdam here in the middle of Paris! You may well recognise the Canal Saint-Martin from its staring role in the film Amélie, which shows the audience one of her favourite past times – skipping stones across the water. I totally forgot to do that myself when I went, so I’ll will have to go back to attempt to recapture such a moment. The construction of the canal was begun during the beginning of the 19th century under the direction of Napoleon I, with its main function to supply fresh water into the city of Paris. Throughout the centuries, the canal was also used as a means of transporting food and various building materials into the heart of the city. However, today the canal is simply a magical …