It is such a busy time right now! I got back from traveling three weeks ago and we’ve had (awesome) houseguests the last two weeks so I still feel like I’m playing catch up. This week we’ve been trying to close up accounts and sell furniture and make sure everything is all ready for the move. It’s stressful and I’m feeling a little drained. This weekend I’m going to do a “practice pack” which means I’m going to make sure everything we’re taking fits and isn’t overweight in our suitcases. We aren’t moving for another month but I’m trying to get the “work” out of the way so the last few weeks we can enjoy the city and spend time with our friends. I am signing off early this week so I can get stuff checked off my list and I just plain need some time away from the computer! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! (ps: Plus my sister Design Mom is coming up to spend a kids-free day in Paris with me tomorrow–I can’t wait!)
One more thing–we are still looking for an apartment in San Francisco beginning in May. If you know of any 2 bedroom apartments that get great light and are in Cole Valley, Hayes Valley, or Mission Dolores that are $2500ish/month please let me know!! (We are a little flexible on price and location.)
I also write for Babble.com. Here are my posts this week.
I’m going to buy this $10 lamp. Stat.
Prettiest laundry baskets west of the Mississipi.
Come here you stripey dress, you.
I love this Etsy shop.
I love this skirt but am guessing it won’t be doing my hips any favors. Heading to try it on this week.
Jane
March 28, 2012
two things about the accounts (if you are talking about french bank accounts)
we werent able to close our account before leaving and 3 years later we still havent managed, despite lots of letters/phone calls. so do it before you leave if you can!
however, we ended up owing french taxes the year after we left, so at least it was useful for that. something to keep in mind if you pay taxes there.
The New Diplomat's Wife
March 28, 2012
wow! getting closer – enjoy every minute of these last days, even the frustrating ones! once you leave, you’ll forgive paris nearly everything.
i will also echo jane – we have also found that closing accounts can sometimes take forever – as does closing out cell phones if you have contracts in europe. just set aside lots of time for that stuff, it’s the weirdest stuff that ends up taking a ton of time.
LP
March 28, 2012
$2500ish/month??????????????? GASP and SHUDDER. I feel your pain. We live in a rural part of Canada and I just cannot fathom that.
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
March 29, 2012
I hope you have a great weekend! I bet you’ll have an amazing few weeks in Paris when all the work is done!
Carole
March 29, 2012
Hi Jordan,
We had to do the same a couple of months ago when we moved back to Australia. We ended up posting some boxes; it is pretty easy, 45 euros for up to 7kg and you can subscribe to an insurance… it is called Colissimo. Very convenient for books or packed food.
Enjoy your weekend and your last month in Paris.
caroline
March 29, 2012
Good luck on the apartment search. That’s what a 1 bedroom flat costs in central London. Hence, we have just moved to the very end of the Northern Line! Sucks.
Gina
March 29, 2012
I love your photo. Why is French “Barbe a Papa” so beautiful! Do they have it in the assorted flavors in Paris? We found the variety in Aix-en-Provence at Christmas time!
http://www.willowday.com/2011/12/street-food.htmlhttp://www.willowday.com/2011/12/street-food.html
I hear you — I am still recovering from the kids last break, (preparing for their next!) visitors, new US visitors arriving tonight — why is the change up both so exhilarating & distracting. It doesn’t show here! Your site is always a pleasure to visit! Good Luck! It definitely feels good to hear you utter this, as well!
tjremp
March 29, 2012
ooooooooooooooh, now all i can think about is getting my hands on some sweet cotton candy…
Amanda
March 29, 2012
Holy moly, that’s expensive for a two bedroom flat. We could never afford living in San Fran that’s for sure…
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your last month in Paris!
tt
March 29, 2012
Hi Jordan! Longtime reader & fan, first-time commenter– because i just had to share with you my new obsession in case you hadn’t come across it yet: http://www.padmapper.com.
You can search for apartments in your price range and location and even keywords (we’re also moving to San Francisco this year and my husband searches for “view”!) It aggregates apartment listings from a bunch of websites and organizes them on an easy google-maps map. It even calculates if the apartment is a certain percentage more or less expensive than similar apartments in the area… amazing…
I also have the iPhone app and I must check it about twice a day (even though we won’t need a place until September, I’m not from SF originally so it’s helping me to learn about the price ranges and neighborhoods!) They also have listings in a few other U.S. cities for your readers.
Enjoy and good luck with the move! I hope to run into you in SF someday!
Nisha
March 29, 2012
I just moved into Cole Valley last October and I can say its pretty hard to find a decent 2 bedroom in good shape for less than $2800. And if its priced any lower usually it becomes a bidding war between the applicants 🙁 But if you haven’t already, try http://www.padmapper.com/. You can set up alerts and save your searches so you don’t have to sit online 24hrs day looking through craigslist, it makes apt hunting a lot less stressful. Another site people like is http://www.trulia.com/ but I haven’t tried it myself. Good luck!!
Tina Fussell
March 29, 2012
It is going to be sad to see you leave our side of the world. 🙁 It’s been a lot of fun seeing Paris through you and your family’s eye! As a veteran packer, I absolutely sympathize with the trouble of weight and volume in luggage. The best thing we ever bought was a handheld scale that hooks to the bag handles. Here’s a link just in case you don’t have one: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/lewis-n-clark-744492-mechanical-luggage-scale/1107657591?ean=29275018985&itm=1&usri=0029275018985
It saves us from having to weigh ourselves and then weigh ourselves with each bag! Happy packing and happy early weekend!
Robin k
March 29, 2012
Have the best time, Jordan and Gabby!
Marta
March 29, 2012
Enjoy!!!LOve this post! Great blog thank u for sharing
Victoria Desemone
http://www.victoriadesemone.com
Jewerly and Accessories
M
March 29, 2012
Have you thought about other neighborhoods? $2500 can get you a 2 or 3 bedroom house with a yard in the Sunset. It’s not as foggy than you think and super kid friendly. Good luck with your search!
han
March 30, 2012
Hi! I am living in paris and want to know where i can find photos of the furniture you are selling.
Zsa Zsa
March 30, 2012
I have moved only once and that was before we had kids. I feel a bit envious when other people move because it seems such a great adventure.
robyn
March 30, 2012
ah-not long-moving is a crazy busy time.
Han
March 30, 2012
Strange, just noticed that another Han posted today! Anyway, wanted to wish you luck with the skirt… I bought a similar one recently (impulse buy) and regretted it instantly. So cute in concept, but not for ladies blessed with hips, that’s for sure.
Just discovered your blog recently, and I’m really enjoying it! (Spent a good few days going way back into the archives… so many fantastic ideas and your kids are so adorable! And I want to move to Paris RIGHT THIS MINUTE.) Just started my own blog recently (for fun, I have no idea what I’m doing), and I will be crediting you for giving me so much inspiration. Thanks, and happy weekend!
http://www.allofthebrightsides.blogspot.ca
tammy
March 31, 2012
Oh no, not the Sunset! It’s a trap! I am dying to move out of the Sunset.. $2500 is kind of hard to find in the areas you’re looking for nowadays, but I’m sure something will turn up.
As for leaving Paris, it’s the worst feeling in the world. I lived there five years ago, and I miss it every day. But it’s nice to get back to the convenience of U.S living. Normal-sized washing machines! I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time re-discovering San Francisco!
Jordan - Polkadot Prints
March 31, 2012
Oh I feel your pain! I’m a week off from moving from Australia to Canada. It’s a big deal! Enjoy every last moment and I truly hope you get to do all your favourite Paris things before you leave. I’m ticking things off my list like a mad woman….(before I do officially go mad of course!)
en yeni oyunlar
March 31, 2012
truly hope you get to do all your favourite Paris things before you leave. I’m ticking things off my list like a mad woman
Verena
April 1, 2012
I hope you had a great weekend with some time to relax!
I love your blog!
Hug´s,
Verena
deirdre pharr
April 2, 2012
I found your blog when we were living in London and visiting Paris last summer. I don’t know your timing. If you are really stuck, we are in Cole Valley and have a VERY small, funky (two rooms that should be bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom…with new appliances, kitchen, bath but with little light) apartment below our house that we don’t usually rent out. My cousin is staying there while in nursing school but is planning to move out at end of May. Not ideal since you don’t want to have to move twice (and it is not furnished). If you end up being desperate and need a place from which to look, drop me a note and I’ll find out when she really plans to leave.
Deanna (Silly Goose Farm)
April 2, 2012
Heck! For $2500/month, I’ll rent you my 4 bedroom, 2 bath farmhouse in Upstate NY/Hudson Valley (complete with barns, cows, apple orchard and 20 acres!).