The past three weeks have exceeded my expectations and although I am slightly jet lagged I am very excited to be able to post a few words here and share a few quick thoughts.
In the next few days or weeks I plan to do some more in depth posts on Paris and my travels south to the idyllic and enchanting village of Auvillar and the surrounding countryside.
Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
the iconic church on the Seine.
Paris IS a beautiful city!
The best way to see it is to walk in the various arrondissements taking in the sites then when you get tired stop for a coffee and a croissant in a street front cafe.
(Great way to study Chic Paris Street Style!)
Lunches were delicious and I frequently opted for salads, omelets and I tried a traditional Croque Monsieur.
I started my day with a big breakfast in the morning at the Hotel.
The bread in France is like nothing I have ever tasted before...I don't know what they do to it but it is exceptional!
Meandering along the rues and grand boulevards gives you the best views
and behind the beautiful doors there are hidden gems if you peek inside!
These doors, when opened reveal an inner courtyard.
I was obsessed with these doors and took many photos of them...
if you followed me on Instagram while I was away you've seen quite a few already!
The Ooh La La Tour was fabulous and I met some great women.
I'll chat more about this later...
I had some fun and silly moments after our tour of the Fragonard museum!
I'm going to miss the champagne social...
that The Hotel Belloy provided every afternoon...
oh and the pastries and espresso!
I'm happy to report that my carry on was the perfect way to travel and my minimum wardrobe worked beautifully and I wore every item several times in the 3 weeks that I was away.
Basic wardrobe.
Black Eileen Fisher pants
Dark denim skinny jeans Banana Republic
Black and white striped Tee dress
black skirt
4 tees
2 tanks
silk cream blouse
black cowl Wooden Ships sweater
2 bras
4 panties
2 pairs of black textured hose
2 pairs of socks, one compression style
nightie and light weight silky robe
short black boots
black ballet style walking shoes
2 scarves
watch
opera length pearls
umbrella
Barbour quilted jacket
black lightweight rain resistent coat
I did some shopping in Paris...more about that later...
Here is the vintage Jeanne Lanvin scarf I picked up in the vintage "pop up shop" at BHV.
Hope you've been well while I have been away and thank you for stopping by to read my little blog.
Hope you have a great week and I will be back soon.
I'm so glad you had a marvelous time, but I was pretty sure you would! :-) So glad to hear the travel wardrobe worked well for you too. Am looking forward to reading more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you safely home. I'm thrilled to hear that the trip exceeded your expectations. Love the photos so far.
ReplyDeleteYou look so happy! Looking forward to some tips. We will be there in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! I can assure you that once you've been you will be planning to return and return! Looking forward to hearing more .........
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Bet you met some gorgeous weather, lovely people and beautiful places.
ReplyDeleteMary
Welcome home! I'm so glad you had fun in Paris! Can't wait to hear more details about your trip!
ReplyDeleteGreat images and thank you for sharing your wardrobe. Hope the jet lag has passed.
ReplyDeleteContinued joy
Helen
Glad you are back, good to hear the wardrobe worked well. What shoes did you take ? I am going to the USA in October for 2 weeks so will copy your clothes list
ReplyDeleteJaney
I took two pairs of footwear...Clarks Artisan short blcak leaher boots and Clarks black ballet style walking shoes...both super comfy and I walked for 6 1/2 hours straight two days in a row!
DeleteGlad you are back and had a wonderful time. Wonderful that your minimal wardrobe worked out so well. May I ask, what may seem like a silly question - how did you do laundry while you were away?
ReplyDeleteI hand washed my Tee shirts and lingerie in shampoo and hung them to dry in the hotel bathroom.
DeleteI was just thinking of you earlier today, missing your blog, but glad to think of you having a great time in Paris. Welcome home! I can't wait to hear all about it in your future posts.
ReplyDeleteYou really look happy in your photos. Of all of the places in the world, isn't Paris one of the most beautiful. That's a lovely scarf! Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteParis was exceptionally lovely.
DeleteI fell in love with the quaint historic Villages of Auvillar and Ste. Cirq-LaPopie....and there are dozens more that I did not explore.
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time, and am looking forward to hearing all about it so I can live vicariously through your posts!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the trip and you look lovely in your new scarf. Did you find the local femmes suitably chic? Look forward to hearing more of your impressions of Paris when the jetlag subsides. How did the dream compare with the reality. Regards Mary
ReplyDeleteI focused on women of a certain age when I studied their style and I was most impressed...I will discuss this further in an upcoming post.
DeleteThe dream was based on what little knowledge I had gleaned of Paris through books and reading other travellers writing...Paris was far more beautiful and rich in culture, art and architecture than I could ever have imagined...
one must visit and see it in person to really experience all it has to offer.
So very happy that you had a wonderful time. France clearly agrees with you - you sparkle and your photos do too:).
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. Looking forward to hearing about your fabulous adventure.
ReplyDeleteYou look fantastic. Love the pics, and can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home - love the photos. Your trip sounds like all you hoped, and more.
ReplyDeleteWe missed you (:
I don't know if this was your first trip to Paris, but, if it was, it only gets better every time you go. Croyez-moi. Although...........there's nothing like the first time. It's like being a Virgin. You get better at it, but you always remember your first.
ReplyDeleteCheers, M-T
It was my first visit to Paris!
ReplyDeleteHopefully not my last...I think this trip and the memories of it will stay with me forever.
How wonderful!!! Your first trip. She will always be waiting for you à bras ouverts (with open arms).
DeleteM-T
Welcome home. I missed you. Now I can't wait to hear all of your stories. I know it was divine!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you can already envision your return to Paris in the not too distant future! Sounds like you had an ab-fab time and we're all awaiting your trip report and pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about it!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear that you had a good time. And wasn't I right...you looked just as fashionable as any Parisian. The pictures are adorable.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that you would be home soon - how great to see your post. First of all, YOU look fabulous in that photo - a great scarf and a great lipstick color.
ReplyDeleteOh Paris! Such a wonderful city. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your experiences and observations.
Welcome back Leslie. Sounds like you had an amazing time ... you look so happy in all of the photographs. I hope it was everything you thought it would be ... and more! I enjoyed following you on Instagram and look forward to hearing more about your travels. Love the scarf!!
ReplyDeleteRosie
Welcome back! Missed your blog. Paris, it suits you! Are Parisian women "rail" thin as we have been lead to believe?
ReplyDeleteSharon
I saw some very whisper thin femmes but they were mostly in the clothing shops...I'd say that the women in Paris generally looked healthy and their clothes fit their bodies...not too many baggy outfits so the message I got as to dress to suit your figure type. Oh and that reminds me...there were so many beautifully dressed elderly women walking in the 6th going about their business...dressed in smart outfits with elegant handbags and shoes...it was really rather inspiring.
DeleteI am so happy that you had such a great time...I knew that you would! :)
ReplyDeleteThey say it takes one day for each hour of time zone difference to get rid of the jetlag, so be kind to yourself these next few days please...
My goodmess that would make 9 days...as Paris is 9 hours ahead of our clock!
DeleteMy husband is spoiling me...I am adjusting to our time zone by getting lots of light and sleeping when it is dark out...so far so good.
I did follow you and your trip on Instagram, but I'm happy you're back and looking forward to reading more in detail about the trip.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! So looking forward to further details (after you've rested a bit) - these pictures are delightful. Jen, NY
ReplyDeleteSo happy you loved Paris and he such a wonderful time in France, although you prepared so well that I'm not surprised. On the plane home, I recognized a woman who'd stayed at the same hotel, and I asked how she'd enjoyed her visit. It was all a disappointment, all 3 days in Paris, one of which they'd used to cram in a visit to Versailles! Your approach, leaving days to stroll and savour and sit and watch is so much wiser. I look forward to reading more and I did enjoy the Instagram shots, especially since we seemed to be only a step or two apart at some points. 😉
ReplyDeleteI don't think one can rush Paris...Versailles was beautiful and worth the visit but it takes the better part of a day. My friends who are there for 8 weeks walked me around the first two days I was there and gave me the lay of the land as they were staying in the 5th and I the 6th so we walked 6 1/2 hours the first day and 6 the following...with stops for coffee and lunch...their introduction helped me get my sense of direction and I was able to navigate without getting lost before my tour started...they live as the French do by staying in a small apartment and shopping in their arrondissement...and walk everywhere!
DeleteI'm very glad you had such a wonderful trip. Love your photos and and can't wait to heat more about it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! What a fantastic trip you've had! I enjoyed following it on Instagram, and look forward to reading more details about it in future blog posts.
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in your travel uniforms - what wonderful photos. Welcome home friend!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. I hope you'll continue to get your happy on - at home and away from home.
ReplyDeleteBarbaraG
Eeep! I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time! I can't wait to read more about your trip!
ReplyDeleteFrom Margie in Toronto - glad to know you are home safe & sound and that you had a wonderful time. I can't wait to read more! But recover from the jet lag first.
ReplyDeletePS - Love the scarf!
Welcome Back Leslie. I'll have to check out your Instagram, and I look forward to your Paris posts.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a good trip! Just curious, for your first trip you had the support of friends who happen to be there, a tour group, and friends who live there, but would you consider going alone next time? Is Paris safe enough for a woman (of a certain age) to travel alone in? It used to be but I don't know about now! Welcome home! Barbara
ReplyDeleteBarbara...if you stay in a residential area like the 6th I think you'd be fine. The Metro can be problematic and we were warned that pick pockets worked the lines so keep your hand on your purse...I preferred to walk and take the bus. I felt completely safe as there were so many people out and about walking even into the night. I'd say be aware of your surroundings just like you would be at home...Paris is a busy city and there are lots of people so I'd say there is security in numbers!
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you and the Eiffel tower should be framed! Wonderful shot. I'm so glad that all of your planning for this trip went so smoothly! I love the doors, too. :)
ReplyDelete