Bonjour Mon Ami!
These Are a Few Of My Favorite Things
Family
First and foremost, I am a wife to a unicorn of a man. And mom to three amazingly unique kids. I'm also a band mom, theatre mom, taxi, and chief operating officer here at home. My family and our home are always my first priority.
The Fullness of Experiencing
That feeling you get when you try a new food. The excitement when you buy something special. The love that flows through hosting a party. The adopting of slow living and life's simple pleasure. This defines how I live my every day life.
Culture | Learning | Travel
I might be the most curious person you'll ever meet. I'm always eager to learn new things, experience new cultures, find hidden cultural gems, learn about the human condition, and travel with Paris and France being my main obsession. There's something about the reverence of history, the preservation of architecture, and the observance of tradition that I'm just utterly obsessed with.
Creativity
Whether it's making art, designing websites, singing, doing theatre, decorating a table, creating a gorgeous digital design, or planning a well executed event I was made to create, creating gives me purpose, joy, and keeps me engaged with life, love, and learning at the deepest levels.
A More Formal Introduction
Hello, I'm Kellie Daab, professional planner, artisan, and entrepreneur. I have served and operated businesses in the event planning and project management field for over 25 years. I am a professional educator, speaker, and designer. I help fancy and frugal travelers plan the Paris trip that's right for them!
After 25 years in the planning industry, I've learned a thing or two about putting together cohesive, well thought out, and budget friendly experiences. When I began traveling to Paris, I tackled the preparation just like I'd tackled hundreds of large-scale events in the past. With extreme research, precision, and a fancy and frugal approach to investing.
This means I have a unique approach to travel planning. The Frou Formula, actually. It's never about getting to every popular monument or viral cafe. It's about weaving together valuable experiences, elevated add ons, and customized travel plans. I've spent months learning French culture, walking the streets of Paris, reading, researching, trying, and cataloging the best fancy and frugal spots in Paris. Now it's time to share it with you!
Yes, some. There is an insane amount of boutique hotels, restaurants, boulangeries, and shops in Paris. I could not possibly have experienced them all first-hand. But we do include places we have experienced as well as highly researched and curated recommendations. You can trust that I've done the legwork to be sure an experience or suggestion is worthwhile before I've suggested it.
I will be sharing all of my new experiences and recommendations with you as I travel and build my portfolio as well!
We understand that travel itinerary planning services or guides are not for everyone. Maybe you're planning a multi-location or longer stay and would like a looser list of recommendations. Maybe you just need some guidance on your already existing itinerary. We are happy to help! Just send me an email at kellie@kelliedaab.com and we'll be happy to work with you!
On Stereotypes, Generalizations, and Over Romanticizing
Let's Chat Real Quick...
There is a lot of content on this website. Primarily written by me through my lens of Paris, France, and the French people. I have never lived in Paris extensively. I am not French. I do not speak the French language very well. Given all of those things, It is inevitable that stereotypes, generalizations, and over romanticizing are going to arise in my writing and belief structures about France.
But here's what I know...
Stereotypes and over generalizations don't exist without some anecdotal evidence. In comparison to American women, French women are chic and insanely good at dressing themselves and managing their beauty routines. French children do follow rules more quickly and have a more stern school environment. The French do seem to have a magical "je ne sais quoi" that I am mystified to decode. Some of the things that get labeled as stereotypes are true. I over romanticize because, compared to my life in Midwest America, France IS romantic. I know the French face life's issues just like we do. But my rose colored glasses still see all of the beauty, history, and eloquence. And I'm not sure I ever want to take them off!
But I also know...
Not everyone is the same. I know French women often struggle under the weight of society to look French enough. I know children misbehave. I know that not everyone or everything is as it seems. And frankly, I love that! And I want to learn about it. But it means that in my quest to summarize what I love about France, I may step in the stereotypical merde now and again. Désolée! It's not my intention... but just know I'm a total fan girl of the French no matter how they come.
In short, I hope you hear my heart...
Frou La La- Our Name
I grew up being called Frou Frou. Everything I did was too fancy or extra for my family! I hated this word for a really long time! All I wanted to do was make people feel special, loved, and to make intentional choices for my personal style, home, and life.
Then I learn that the term 'Frou Frou' is actually a French! It was the word coined to describe the swooshing sound of gowns as they glided across the floor. As the French do they wrote about it in a play by that name. Frou Frou. Once it made it's way to the English language it changed meaning to very heavily decorated and fancy.
I've decided to embrace my FROU!! To present my extra by saying... Frou La la! I am extra in all the right ways! And now you get to join me Frou Friend!!
COME BE FROU WITH ME!!!
