Author: Milli Stephania

Family and event photographer based in Stratford, CT. Candid, color-rich storytelling for families + celebrations. Serving the Fairfield and New Haven Count in CT, and the NYC Metro North area

Madrid |Nothing Like a Mother’s Cooking

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania, Travels


Oh, what happened?

Did you really think my trip way over?

It’s time for part 2, The two hair plane ride to Madrid, Spain was pretty painless, which I’m grateful for. Finding our airbnb this time was a little more than a hassle then it was in Paris. Our host gave us directions, but for some reason all the calles (streets) seemed to confuse me.  We hiked up the up-hills with our luggage, loud as ever due to the cobble stones. I actually ended up walking inside the wrong building and ringing a complete stranger’s doorbell.

I was at least grateful that unless France, I knew the language and I could pass by. My spanish isn’t perfect, and let’s face it, Dominican spanish is all pretty much slang. I appreciate how Spaniards are so polite and well spoken. Let’s see if some of that rubs off on me.
Ramon’s mother had a special treat for us, but before we get in to dinner, as soon she opened the door she ran straight into his arms. You can tell how much she’s missed him, and how much he’s missed her.

The first thing I noticed was how much they resembled each other, second thing, she was was so damn cute with all of her giddiness and excitement. We all sat down for dinner and opened up a few bottles of vino rojo, red wine.

Our first course was served, it was a seafood lasagna, and I’ll admit, at first it didn’t look so appeasing, but the taste, good. I was ready for the second course, and since Nikki isn’t a fan of seafood, she was too. It was tuna stuffed into red peppers, so good, but nothing, I mean nothing, beat her main dish, paella with mussels. Delicious.

Dessert was nothing short of amazing as well, it was a champagne sorbet.

Thank you for such a welcoming dinner!

♥,M

Paris | Take Me To The Top Baby

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania

Take me to the the top baby— top of the Eiffel Tour that is, as the french call it “Tour de Eiffel”.

We’ve visiting the sights at night, and how glorious it was, this time it was time to catch a view from above and we were all excited. We made the long ass line and when we reached the front we had to go through security twice. I guess all the fuss is necessary after all the attacks a few months ago.
We rode the elevator to the first stop, it was freezing, the wind was making an appearance, and I kept hiding behind all the pillars I saw. We were all going bat shit crazy running around. The view was foggy, everything looked tiny, and seeing the landscape of Paris in all it’s intricate ways was just speechless.

Time to hit the next level,back to the elevator.

We were higher, and this time we in a closed space, I noticed a set of stairs and made my way to the top..the very tip top of the Eiffel Tower. What a fucking view!

A view and the cold… I was shivering.

I spotted a bartender and with the last of my euros, I purchased two flutes of champagne, one for me and my beau. He looked surprised, we toasted and like any latinos…. we made the most of it.

I turned the music on on my phone, played a bachata song and what do you know, Dominicans in Paris! We danced a quick song and then ran away from the cold.
Our nights in Paris have been numbered, I left our host Estelle a little goodbye note and we were off to the airport!

-M

Paris|D-E-A-D, Dead

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania, Travels

cat·a·comb
ˈkadəˌkōm/
noun
plural noun: catacombs
  1. an underground cemetery consisting of a subterranean gallery with recesses for tombs

It was time to visit the Catacombs, I was actually pretty stoked for this trip. I have a huge love for cemeteries, and this one was just over the top amazing. When we first left the metro we actually went right past where we were supposed to enter. When we finally found the entrance we were guided down a long spiral staircase that led us underground. Think the city, then the metro, we were waaaaay under the metro train., with over 400 miles of tunnels. The Catacombs is a burial ground for all of the lives that never made it, and with so many deaths the bodies were just overflowing. So many bones are just stacked on top of each other, stacks on stacks on stacks.

I saw many people going through the tunnels and touching everything, the last thing I wanted was to be disrespectful to any lost souls and didn’t want any bad juju, so I kept my hands to myself. I wasn’t necessarily scared, but I was a bit creeped out, once I got to the end of the tunnel and saw the light I was grateful I would never have to spend a night alone there ever.

After our eerie adventures to the crypt, it was time for some grub. We walked in to Fourteen Cafe, which was d-e-a-d. I guess that was the vibe for the day. The lady in charge was sweet, and managed to whip up a huge and gorgeous meal for all of us, all by herself. I ordered the filet mignon with mushrooms and baked potatoes, delicious!

That woman killed it in the kitchen.
The whole time we arrived at Paris, Nikki has been feening for some Éclairs, a dough pastry with a creamy filling. Everyday, that’s all we heard, and today we were on a mission to get them. We rushed our asses off  and happened to get to the store as soon as the guy was locking the door. Luckily for us, he was sweet enough to open up the doors and since Nikki was determined, she ordered about 6 different flavors.

I think my favorite must have been the vanilla bean with walnuts. Mmmm…

Paris|Musique

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania, Travels


Yesterday was a long night, not necessarily because of the time, but because my feet were  exhausted. I wasn’t used to all this walking. Ramon, Fitgi and Nikki woke up early to go to the Palace of Versailles, Marie Antoinette’s estate. According to their pictures, it was beautiful. I on the hand was not up for waking up early, at least not today.

Chris and I decided to keep it casual today and we headed to a small exhibit called Musique Club. It was an interactive exhibit full of music. It was nice, and Chris and I just made a day off it.

We got some food afterwards and just wandered the streets of Paris.