Simply put, LeMixedBag is a hodgepodge of interesting topics. Is it everything for everyone? Of course not. But, there is something for everyone. We love your comments and thoughts and we welcome story ideas and guest posts.

meet the founders

Nicole, Founder

Favorite place: Three spots in the Jardin du Luxembourg—a reclining arm chair by Le Grand Bassin on a cool day, same type of chair under the trees by La Fontaine Médicis on a hot day and a non-reclining armchair watching pétanque on a Sunday afternoon.

Dinner guests outside of family and close friends: Julia Child so we could cook and drink wine in the kitchen. Captain Von Trapp as portrayed in the movie by Christopher Plummer—the epitome of a gentleman. The lovely, mild-mannered, humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Renaissance man and brilliant-minded Leonardo da Vinci. Carla Bruni with her guitar. Mr. Mackey because he’s an m’kay guy and he makes me laugh. Oh, I should probably include Sigmund Freud so he can analyze this motley crew.

Necessary kitchen essentials: Butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon, a chef’s knife, a copper pot, a cast iron pan and a corkscrew.

Guilty indulgence: A bottomless bucket of popcorn and a great movie on the big screen.

Perfect weekend: Takeout Indian, Asian or pizza with wine or beer—depending on the mood—and a movie on Friday night. Pilates on Saturday morning followed by coffee with fellow Pilates mates. An afternoon nap, dinner with friends. Sunday morning coffee in bed, a trip to the farmers’ market, a nice walk with my husband and dog, a beautiful home-cooked Sunday dinner.

Best vacation spot: A major city with great art museums and restaurants.

Affordable luxury: Flowers—pale pink peonies, garden roses in pastel colors, lilies of the valley, lilacs and gardenias.

Shoes: Heels all day every day.

In the bag: For every day, an old Ferragamo bag for my phone, keys, small Moleskine notebook, little makeup pouch for quick touch-ups, hand cream, baby Swiss army knife from my dad, wallet, sunglasses, fold-up Burberry bucket hat for unexpected rain showers and Altoids. For evenings, a Roger Vivier clutch to carry lipstick, phone, credit card and keys. And a 1970’s hippie-ish suede tote bag that belonged to my mother filled with essentials for a day in the park, at the beach or a quick overnight.

Bradley, Co-founder

Wine: Wine is everything—family, friends, food, travel, culture, conversation or a quiet moment alone.

Best meal: Le Comptoir du Relais in Paris (VI) during morel season. Be ready to queue outside on wet cobbles, huddled under an umbrella while waiting for a table—ideally with a glass of champagne in hand, before being ushered into pure deliciousness. Choose from the seasonal specials and select something with morels! The best meals are often unexpected or unassuming. Deeply tucked in a non-tourist part of Tokyo I had the absolute best bowl of ramen. The chef was so delighted by my unexpected non-local presence that he came to my table with an effusive but formal Japanese greeting. Just a bowl of soup, but a best meal.

A book worth re-reading: To Kill a Mockingbird. I re-read many books, knowing the ending lets me slow down and enjoy the journey. It is coming under social scrutiny these days, which I see as a positive conversation for newly evaluating perspectives. But, isn’t it amazing that a 1960 coming-of-age fictional story is still part of the national discourse?

Noteworthy architecture: I spent part of my childhood roaming the Chicago streets with older brother Doug, architecture book in hand. I should choose Frank Lloyd Wright or Louis Sullivan, part of the modernistic “Chicago School” or, the “Prairie School.” But, the one building that struck me is The Rookery, designed in 1888 by Daniel Burnham and John Welborn Root, with the lobby redesigned in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Embarrassed to admit: I am not embarrassed to admit anything. I live by my own standards.

Favorite hotel: Want to be completely and overwhelmingly pampered with sensory overload—Le Sireneuse in Positano. Prefer to be tucked away in an understated nicely located Florence hotel—JK Place.

Music: Almost everything. I’m just as happy in a smoke-filled blues or jazz club as I am at the ballet. I play the harp (harmonica) and can bend some blues notes, but I am not much of a dancer.

Bucket list adventure: To throw my bike on the back of a van and climb the iconic and most difficult Tour de France and Giro d’Italia stages. Le Mont Ventoux, Le Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Passo Gavia, Passo Stelvio and more. Think of the calories burned and the post-ride meal!

My bag: My indulgence. I sling a beautifully designed Loewe Puzzle Back-Pack, in Spanish leather with licorice black and dark chocolate tones. Great for the café and plenty of space for long weekends. It goes everywhere. I don’t baby it either, I take the bag to the farmers’ market and stuff it with seasonal produce and even root vegetables.