A Pilgrimage of Beauty: Help Erica Celebrate 45 in France

Hello Friends of all sorts!

This July, I’m turning 45. While I adore any reason to put on a gown, I’m following a quiet, insistent draw to celebrate in a way that feels wildly alive, reverently meaningful, and creatively nourishing.

So, I decided to whisk myself away to France.

Not merely on a whim — more so, an unrelenting pull.

The dream is to stay for the entire month of July, and I'm booked to depart in less than two weeks.

I will be landing in Paris for the first four days to swirl in the grandeur and grace of the architecture, cathedrals and art museums. I look forward to lingering with a baguette and cheese in an obscure garden, and being romanced by the poetry of exquisite pastries.

I have every confidence Paris will be an epic delight, yet the the primary pull is taking me South, to a quieter region nestled in the Pyrenees, to a quaint bed & breakfast and goat sanctuary (Yes, really!). It’s a place of stillness, and feminine devotion.

At this point, I can only imagine what waits for me to uncover from the land and within. All I know is my only desire is to lay myself on the earth, soak in the sacred waters, and walk goats into the hills. The rest is a mystery to be unveiled each day.

As a whole, this trip is for me and all for and about Beauty.

Placing myself in the position to be deeply moved,

inspired, and in awe.

I know what comes from me in return.

An overflow of more of Her —

Beauty through my flesh and bones.

Here’s how you can partake in the Creation!

At the moment, my budget is humble — hostels and bare-bones travel. Which I can absolutely live with, and it would be that much more glorious to elevate my accommodations, train travel, and dining experiences.

For example, staying in a regally quaint, boutique hotel will help me rest easy, provide a sense of grounding and the luxury of ringing the concierge to help me figure out navigating the city solo. Others are the possibility of taking a short train ride to The Gardens at Giverny (Monet’s home) to smell the blooms that inspired his masterpieces. To perhaps indulge in a private tour to be shown the relics hidden in plain sight and of profound significance yet often walked by.

Additionally, I’d like to extend my stay in the Occitanie region with the Goats by another 10 days. Doing so will allow me to not only blow out my birthday candles somewhere simply divine (probably by a cave), but I’ll also be able to celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene on July 22nd, on the land that still remembers her footsteps, which absolutely swells my heart and soul.

If you know me, you know:

Every morsel of this pilgrimage will be turned into beauty. Whether through devotional photography, writing, or spontaneous vignettes, this journey will overflow into creative expressions sourced from communion and marvel with the wish for it to inspire and move others as deeply as I too am touched.

I'll certainly be grateful to reach my goal, and absolutely thrilled to exceed it! Every extra dollar will go into accentuating the details — a better train route, a sacred site detour, the means to say Yes to an unexpected experience that becomes part of the magic, and my continued outpouring of creation even after I've returned home.

Thank you for being part of my life and this dream unfolding.

Your support — whether financial, energetic, or shared with a friend — means the world to me, and Beauty Herself.

With love & For the Sake of Beauty

Erica