The best laid plans...

Sometimes even with the best laid plans...things beyond our control can necessitate change, which fortunately can be fixed for a price...
After the Paris tour I am going to visit friends in the Midi Pyrenees and have purchased my train ticket but it turns out that I cannot return to Paris on that same train as they are performing annual maintenance on the tracks so the two days that I would have opted to travel I am unable to go by train...so I have called my travel agent to see what she can do to get me on a flight back to Paris or change my flight home.
Fingers crossed she can make it work.

"Planning a trip" just like in life, one needs to be flexible, patient, and not expect that "everything" will go according to plan!

Thank you all for the constructive advice and feedback on my Paris wardrobe...
"3 weeks in a carry on" the first list of things I thought that I would take with me.
I have amended my list already!
I've ordered some light capri length underthings from Lands' End from their thermaskin line and I am pretty sure that...unless the weather forecast drastically changes, the sandals are staying home and my Barbour vest is coming with me!

I've decided to take a long sleeved black dress wrap style instead of the sleeveless Banana Republic dress and may or may not take the print dress...I think my basic look will be black pants or jeans with a tee or a tank and a cashmere sweater, vest and scarf, short boots and trench coat.
I think I'll pack a beret as well as my "texting gloves" and umbrella.

I bought some packing cubes and will use a few of them.

The local pharmacy has been a great source for small sizes of Avene face cleanser, moisturizer, serum, masks and the La Roche Posay 60 spf sunscreen

I've also found wee bottles of Tylenol, hand sanitizer and toiletries.

Zip Loc bags will be used for the liquids and I'll pop in a couple of extra

 just in case my laundry does not dry in time.

I've got several lists in my file with a few more things to find.

 A light Fossil black leather cross body bag was purchased at the consignment shop.

 I will put that inside my Longchamp bag.

I've been so immersed online checking out things to see and do, reading blogs and checking out Pinterest that time has flown by...

 It was way past my lunchtime by the time hunger pangs started so I whipped up an easy egg burrito and brewed a pot of Lapsang Souchon tea.

It tasted delicious.

I was satisfied with the taste and the way it looked.

 (within my daily WW point count)

Tea Time...one of the joys of my afternoon routine.

which is great because the Country Living UK awaits

and Louise Penny's The Beautiful Mystery is on the table too.

Now which one shall I read?

Thoughts and comments are welcome...

you are helping me SO MUCH!

Rosacea...a post in repsonse to a reader's question.

Please forgive me as I have been remiss in not posting a timely response from a reader.
Her question asked me to discuss in a blog post how I manage my rosacea.
Other than the crucial habits of eating healthy food, drinking lots of Perrier, avoiding red wine, reducing stress I rely on a line of gentle products by Avene that are specifically created for sensitive skin.

My skincare regime is simple.

Morning and evening cleansing with a foaming cleanser

 sunscreen

moisturizer

followed by a moisturizing tinted cream

(my mature skin is dry and the extra moisture is absorbed like a sponge!)

In the evening I remove all my make up spritz with thermal water and gently pat on serum.

Weekly or bi-weekly I'll have a spa morning treatment.

I use Bio-Gommage an exfoliating product by Methode Physiodermie

and then slather on L'Occitane Divine Cream and go about my domestics.

My favourite sunscreen by La Roche Posay

 Sea Buckthorn Salve which I use if I have a flare up of redness.

I use this at night as it is rather greasy and not suitable for wearing under tinted moisturizer or make up.

I am not a dermatologist and would never suggest that I am an expert on rosacea so if you do have this condition I would strongly advise you to seek medical attention.

I saw a specialist years ago and have learned that my skin reacts to strong chemicals in skin care products so I avoid using them on my face.

Changing my diet made a big difference in how my skin looks.

When I worked I would have a facial every few months at The Willowstream Spa in the Victoria Fairmont Empress and they customize a facial after consulting with you about your skin.

I loved how my skin felt after having a spa facial.

 Now that I am on a pension, and saving for my trip to Paris I do my own facials...

My favourite tinted moisturizing cream by Sweet Lei Lani

created by a woman in Langley BC

for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy 

and still wanted to look lovely during her treatment.

It is gentle and light and adds a dewy finish and comes in a variety of colours.

In addition to these skincare thoughts...

 I try to get lots of fresh air by walking outdoors by the ocean everyday.

Rest and relaxation is vital, as is sleep.

It is high on my list of healthy priorities but can often be a challenge at my age

it seems to be broken up

 not as long

and as a result is not as restful as I would like.

If I have a restless night I will try to take a longer walk.

The sights and sounds out and about in nature are so soothing.

So with those thoughts in mind I am off for my walk and will be back soon.

Enjoy your week!

Hostess