Paris is always a good idea...
(Even when it slips your mind)
This year, we’ll be spending my birthday in Paris for the third year in a row.
I’ll admit, my original hope was to venture somewhere new - Florence, to be exact (that one’s pinned for later). But when flight prices soared and the Eurostar sweetly beckoned with a sale, I relented, albeit begrudgingly, to a third Parisian anniversaire.
I know - je suis un brat!
And yet, as May and June rolled along, I found myself craving the city of lights. In Brighton, I power-walk, dash, or run, constantly trying to match the frantic pace of my working week. In Paris, I stroll. I gander, peruse, and mooch. Of course, it’s probably just the holiday effect (I’m sure Parisians dash about too) but still, the shift feels real.
So I started playing a little game in my head.
As I picked up my breakfast on the way to work, or read my book during the commute (incidentally, Julia Childs autobiography ‘My Year in France’ - because of course Paris had to creep in from all angles) I’d say to myself with my best homage to Fran Lebowitz…
Pretend you’re in Paris.
Turns out Paris is a mentality - and one which you can slip into faster than you can say café crème.
I found a delicious feeling of ease swept over me whenever I imagined I was no longer in a rush. That I had time to look and pause, and could lounge leisurely in the parks of my beloved Brighton with the same joie de vivre and careless abandon that I would have in Le Jardin de Luxembourg.
Whilst discovering new and exciting corners of the world is undeniably appealing, there's also something deeply satisfying about returning to a familiar place, where the charm lies in a comforting blend of the new and the known.
We have our favourite Parisian spots for coffee or lunch, and we know exactly how to locate them from the nearby metro stops. My scholastic French even gets a little workout too, though with varying degrees of success it must be said.
Every time I’ve visited in recent years (including twice in 2024, as an autumnal ‘girls’ trip’ was a welcome addition to the usual routine!) the city reveals a new side of itself - and I always find myself stepping onto the Eurostar home wishing we had just a little more time.
So with our return to the City of Lights just around the corner, I thought I’d share a few favourite moments and snaps from past trips, not least of all, to whet my own appetite for our hat-trick trip!
There’s also a sneak peek of my capsule wardrobe (ie. trying and always failing not overpack) and a playlist to help you drift into your own Parisian daydreams!
When I'm on holiday, I make it a priority to visit local galleries and museums. In Paris, past trips have included finally seeing Monet’s Water Lillies at the Musée de l'Orangerie, a very good exhibition on the creation of department stores at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the incredible Stephen Jones retrospective at the Palais Galliera (where I discovered he and I went to the same art college no less!)
We also caught one of the exhibitions at the building that was previously Yves Saint Laurent’s atelier - now a museum dedicated to his work and legacy (temporarily closed for refurbishment if you were planning your own trip FYI)
For this visit, we’ve earmarked the David Hockney retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton - I love Hockney, so I’m really excited to be immersed in what I hear is an exhibition of epic proportions!
It’s also my first visit to the Foundation LV, so I’m looking forward to seeing a new space!
Also pencilled in is ‘Agnès Varda’s Paris, from here to there’ - revealing the artist’s little-known photographic work from her courtyard studio in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
Naturally, one of the other big draws of any city break is the shopping, and Merci is a fixed agenda item on our list. I always seem to leave with a mountain of tableware that I then spend the rest of the day lugging around with me, and nervously guarding until we get home.
Still, it’s always worth the hassle, as I treasure the pieces we have, not least of all because they’re not easily found here in the UK!
Another standout spot - especially for the sewing-inclined like myself, is Ultramod, the oldest haberdashery in Paris. I happily spent the better part of an hour poring over trims, ribbons, and buttons, all beautifully displayed in original packaging and antique wooden cases. Even if you don’t sew, it’s a truly special experience.
Also always worth a peruse is the independent bookshop Ofr. Paris. Magazines, books and art tomes fill the walls from floor to ceiling, and there’s always something in there that comes home with me!
If all of this has left you feeling somewhat inspired and you fancy having your own ‘Parisian Pace’ daydream (whether on your commute or not) then this petite playlist below might just the thing for helping you slip into the mindset!
And with regards to packing? Oh it’s a hot mess gang - we went to a wedding over the weekend, so I haven’t really had a chance to think about it (and don’t get me wrong, this is one of the fun parts about going away!) but I’ve started hanging pieces to one side, hoping that a common thread will start to form.
I have also treated myself to the Posse polka dot bloomers after seeing they had gone into a sale (and I think I’ve been looking at the Posse instagram longingly for about two months!) which I mentioned on my past newsletter. Special purchases like this are usually something I know I’ll love and wear for a very long time.
I then have the usual smattering of crisp white cotton, both vintage and new, and of course my regular bloomers will be packed too! There’s also a stunning vintage floral jacket, complete with huge decorative bow - what more could a girl want?!
You’ll have to excuse me now, as I click publish, I’m off to go and pack, as well as sort the flat (because there’s nothing worse than coming home from holiday to a complete mess right?!)
And don’t worry - I’ll be sure to tell you all about it once I’m home!
Au revoir!