Finding my way in Paris...

International travel, solo at 60...sounds rather daunting doesn't it?
I was as prepared as I could be having done my research ahead of time and I had maps, a French phrase book and a list of places that I wanted to see before my tour started.
(A few things that were not on the Ooh La La Tour.)

The direct flight from Vancouver was 9 + hours long but time passed quickly...(I was very excited!)
There were in flight movies and I cannot praise Air France enough...from their warm greetings, smartly dressed stewardesses, champagne reception and their tasty meals and snacks...their in flight safety announcement is just an example of the quality of service they offer!

When I arrived at CDG airport arrivals gate there was a sign with my name on it and I was whisked away to my hotel in a comfortable car...thank you to the Ooh La La Tour leaders Stephen Solosky and Jamie Cat Callan for arranging such a lovely warm welcome!

After I got settled into my room of Hotel Belloy in the 6th I went out and explored the streets and shops in the area near the Sorbonne...lots of people were out and about and the cafes were full of smartly dressed men and women. (The men looked particularly well turned out in their scarves and stylish jackets!)

Rue Racine near the Sorbonne where my Hotel was located.

Many cobblestone streets beckoned...

The Metro stations were conveniently located...

I preferred taking the bus or walking as I wanted to see all the sights.

I walked for several hours popping into shops along the way before stopping at a cafe for a coffee and a snack...
my Parisian instructor would have been proud of me as I spoke French when I ordered.

Everyone it seems wears scarves in Paris even the children!

Some friends were staying in the next arrondissement...they had arrived 4 or 5 days ahead of me and they kindly took me under their wing and walked me through the neighbourhood and far beyond the first two days after I landed! I was glad that I had brought comfy walking shoes as we walked 6 1/2 hours the first day and 6 the following...our stops were for coffee and a wee pastry and in the mid afternoon for lunch.

We ventured along the rues of the art district, then along the Seine where kiosk sellers have books and posters for sale...this is a very "touristy area"...with lots of shops selling souvenirs and Tee Shirts...
I was cautioned to be on the look out for pick pockets!

After crossing over the Seine we wandered through The Marais...which is full of small boutiques and cafes.
Loved this area for shopping as you get a real taste of the fashions worn here and there are so many chic Parisian femmes street sightings!

We cruised through the large BHV department store where we discovered the "pop up vintage shop" where I bought a vintage silk Jeanne Lanvin scarf.
We lunched in their cafeteria which served a wonderful array of foods and wines...and a wonderful view.

I opted for a healthy salad and a bottle of Badoit water...
after several more hours of exploring we made our way back to the 6th.
I decided that I needed a rest and went into the well stocked Monoprix to see what I could find for dinner.

Fresh strawberries, a cheese plate and a demi baguette with wine.

I nibbled this in my room and had leftovers for another day.

It was lights out by 10:00, physically tired but blissfully happy.

Pinch me I must be dreaming!

Paris is Always a Good Idea!

Audrey Hepburn wasn't kidding when she was quoted as saying "Paris is Always a Good Idea!"

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.

Au revoir...

The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow Blog is on vacation!

The adventure starts here...

I think I'm ready...

I'm taking the plunge to boldly go beyond my usual comfort zone...

I'm taking off...

I've sipped many cups of tea sitting here in the peace and quiet of the Humble Bungalow contemplating

 this "once in a lifetime" adventure.

The Gardens here in Victoria are at their best in the Spring.

I'll miss visiting the glorious beauty of The Abkhazi Gardens...

but there will be The Tuileries...The Luxembourg Gardens and Versailles!

I hope to see The Rodin and Giverny and many more parks in Paris...

PARIS! 

I cannot believe I will actually be in Paris.

I'll be nibbling on pastries...cheeses and sipping wine.

I'll be walking many many kilometers each day exploring and seeing the sights.

Springtime in Paris....

There will be beauty at every turn...

I will make it my goal to take note and capture these moments.

Being in the moment...present to receive nature's gifts.

Paying attention...

focusing.

It will be wonderful to be in the City of Light...

they say that there is a glow about Paris.

So dear readers and friends...

I'll say au revoir for now.

If all goes according to plan I'll be back in a few weeks.

They say that Paris changes you...

I cannot even imagine it.

But soon

I'll know.

White Wednesday ~ 4 more sleeps.

It's almost Wednesday and I thought I'd put together a White Wednesday post from Our Humble Bungalow...
something to distract me from watching the clock and counting the days as I prepare / wait for my departure.
I haven't flown in years so I might be a White Knuckle flier...

Antique knife set with silver and Mother of Pearl handles snug in their velvet lined box.

I love the intricate carved details of these pretty knives.

They are perfect for an afternoon tea party when serving scones and jam or a Victoria Sponge cake.

Cuisinart enamelled Dutch oven ~ inside simmering Lidia Bastianich's recipe for meatballs and spaghetti sauce.

I love Jane Cumberbatch's book, her simple approach to home decor is so fresh.

It's so different from how we live here in our bungalow with dark wood walls, beams and floors.

Pepper is back to her usual tricks and is gobbling her food.

She's been super social with us and has been keeping Chester in line.

So grateful to our veterinary team who gave her all the diagnostics she needed and the extra TLC.

The phone has been ringing every couple of days checking in to inquire about her well being.

Primulas are a reliable and hardy perennial in the garden borders.

They are putting on a great showing right now.

Hellebores are another stalwart...and they self seed so you can share them with friends and neighbours.

The Victoria Horticultural Society's motto is Show What You Grow and Share What You Know.

Green thumbs like to mingle together in groups with like minded growers.

Hence the popularity of Garden Clubs.

If you love to garden you will enjoy the club atmosphere with speakers, slides, the lending library, discounts at the local garden centres, the bus trips and the plant sale table.

(with almost free plants)

The lily of the valley is blooming...

the fragrance is heady and intoxicating.

Not sure which scarf / scarves to take with me...

 if I only take one I might have room in may case for a few new ones.

The weather forecast says it will be cooler and rainy next week so I might need to pack a cashmere sweater and swap it for the light mesh one.

I might pack my Barbour jacket instead of the vest and layer it under my rain coat.

Will be fun to observe Chic French Femmes...

I've read so much about how well dressed the women are and that the cut and style of their clothes is perfection.

Over the years I've read hundreds of books on Paris and France

history, fashion, love stories, relocation journals, fiction...

and many wonderful and informative French lifestyle bloggers.

Here are a few for you to enjoy...

Tish Jett

Vicki Archer

Fabulously French

French Word a Day

David Lebovitz

My French Country Home

manger

I'm not sure that I will be "prepared"

for the emotional feeling that will experience by actually "being there."

(Ready or not here I come!)

"Paris is always a good idea."

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

Au revoir!

Pepper update and some ParisTravel Notes...

Ah I can breathe a sigh of relief as Pepper our beloved cat has turned the corner and is on the road to recovery!
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and kind comments and emails...they mean a lot to me.

The Paris Planning File is bulging with papers, there are lists of things to see and do, clothes to pack and detailed information and the itinerary for the trip.
Pages of historic sites, museums, restaurants and shops that have been recommended by friends and guide books.
I can hardly wait to be sitting in a cafe,
sipping a beverage looking out onto the boulevard watching Parisians go by.

I've got to keep my carry on and my personal accessory to a 26 pound maximum so I'll be packing light and weighing everything before I go to the airport. I do not want a last minute unpacking and repacking fiasco.

I read this awhile back and am skim reading it again just to familiarize myself with some of the highlights.

This week I have hair, manicure and pedicure appointments booked and several bon voyage dinners out!

I've let my hair grow out a bit and am hoping my stylist can shape it into a shortish bob.

I've purchased an adaptor for the French plugs so my Iphone. IPad, and Canon camera battery pack can recharge.

We found an instant charger which was reasonably priced and can be used in a pinch.

Euro's have been ordered at the bank.

Small travel sizes of toiletries and skin care products are set aside ready to pack.

The carry on is sitting on the guest room bed empty just waiting for the contents.

I figured out how to set the lock on the case...

A You Tube tutorial helped!

I'll be writing in a travel journal each day so that I can remember the details when I get home and I will be able to refer to it years later. I did the same when Mr. HB and I went to Pasadena and LA...

I also recorded the details of our San Francisco trip...

(Mr. HB is in charge of writing up the days activities in the log book aboard our boat.)

A dear friend gave me this cheery red journal to record the details of my trip.

It is specifically designed for travel notes...

it even has a section at the back to record expenditures!

I'll be taking 14 basic items.

Vera Moda black and white striped dress

black skirt

 Eileen Fisher black pants

Gap Breton striped long sleeved top

Eileen Fisher black linen long sleeved top

 Wooden Ships black sweater 

 Barbour black quilted vest

 Lands' End cream and black tank tops

Uniqlo cream silk blouse

cream mesh pullover

Talbots black and white striped cotton cardigan style jacket 

Banana Republic jeans

Style and Co. light weight black jacket

silk robe and nightgown

underwear, hose, socks

beret, various scarves

jewelry

short boots

walking shoes 

umbrella

I'll be wearing my watch and pearls.

The small silk twill square is an easy accent piece.

I've been glued to the Weather Channel and the weather has been HOT in Paris!

Oh and the adventure is about to begin...

pinch me and tell me I am not dreaming!