Showing posts with label birthday trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday trip. Show all posts

PARIS 2023 Days 3 & 4

Day 3 in Paris was an extra good day because it was my birthday! I can’t think of a better way to start a birthday, then with room service at one of the most amazing hotels and looking out the window to see the Eiffel Tower! The Hotel even had a dessert with a candle in it for me. That was probably my favorite sweet treat of the entire trip!



 

The Louvre Museum was right across the street from us, and we were so excited to get a tour of it. When I had originally looked, all tours were booked, but it was such an additional treat to see Aphrodite and the Mona Lisa on my birthday!  

My Louvre Outfit



She's a beauty!!

I may have gotten reminded "ma'am, you're too close'" lol
 

We came back to our hotel and changed, for me into something cute and ended up being my favorite outfit for the trip, to go up to the cobblestone hilly streets of Montmartre, the most charming in my opinion of all of Paris! I was so excited to garner a reservation at the coveted le Maison Rose, and we had the best waiter. Now the entire restaurant probably only seats about 16 people, but he told each of them to sing happy birthday to me with my name when he brought me out dessert with a candle. It was so sweet and charming. 




Then Mr. Nine and I strolled around the area which was so romantic. We saw the most Parisian guy on the planet with his cat playing the accordion. We also saw the beautiful Scare-Coeur.






SO CHARMING!!


We saw The Moulin Rouge, but I must tell you that area scared me a little bit. I didn’t realize it was a bunch of nasty shops if you know what I mean, shops, lol. 


So, we hightailed it out of there and did a little shopping on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Some stores had moving mannequins but the Louis Vuitton one scared me. It’s a collab with Yayoi Kusama an I did not love it, lol


Got my first macaroons. The ones at Pierre Herme were the best!

We headed back to get ready for the dinner cruise on the Seine River. This is a cruise where you can see all the major attractions at night and old were they glorious, the Eiffel tower was lit up blue. The food was a four-course meal and just OK but the ambience including the dinner cruise singer was fabulous and they also saying happy birthday to me with a candle along with another gal on board the boat who had a birthday too. SO MUCH FUN!!


Yes, they filled all those glasses and we drank it all. LOL


 OH that Eiffel Tower Blue!


The next morning was finally one that we had a little more time to relax, until our first adventure at Sainte Chapelle, the church with all the amazing Stain glass. Another great story behind this landmark. 


Lower level is beautiful too


We walked over to see Notre Dame, and while it was still under renovation, it was not as impressive as I thought it would be. 


It was such a beautiful day we were dying to be able to eat alfresco, but we’re struggling with where to eat in the St. Germain area. We stumbled upon an adorable café, and when I looked it up, they had great reviews and boy was it smart on! Not only was it charming, but the brunch food was probably my favorite in Paris. AND WE ATE OUTSIDE!!!





The café was right across from the Luxembourg Garden so we strolled through there and then we’re ready to do a little shopping. 


I had my heart set on certain things, and we were happy to find those in the area. My most favorite purchase came from Saint Laurent, it was fun to be able to get a YSL purse and card/coin purse, which are from Paris, in Paris, lol. Another favorite was the perfumery, Fragonard and Angelina, where they had the most delightful tea and hot chocolate.



Ready for a break we stopped for cappuccino and cocktails, what’s better than that for an afternoon and Paris! We even had snacks and oh so fun to people watch and enjoy the afternoon and sunshine. And More Maccaroons. And By the Louvre again.





We were just so elated to finally see the sunshine in the able to stroll like that without horrible winds and cold. So, we continued on in our hotel area as I was looking for a Diptyque candle store. We also saw the Palais Royal. I cannot believe I didn't sit o one of those but we were so tired.

 

I also needed to get a photo taken in a pair of flip flops by cute café for a brand. The weather was not conducive to flip-flops, but you better believe I made it work pulled them out of my bag, swapped out my sneakers and cut the cute shot with a giant teddy bear. Look

at the French lady on the left in the window probably sating "Those crazy Americans'" lol!


We were a little hungry, so we ended up just going to the café across from our hotel and grabbing a pizza because we hadn’t had any substantial food since brunch. 

Then it was back to our hotel! We were blessed with a sunset to enjoy last Eiffel Tower views ...



and then one last sparkle! After seeing the weather forecast, we wish we could’ve stayed about three more days to get carbon copies of this one, but hopefully someday we will get back. 


Happy and Honored to be Parisians for a few days!

I was not able to put together a post of my outfits for last week, but I will include some on my What’s Up Wednesday this week.

 

Merci for indulging me in my documentation of our trip recaps.

In case you’ve missed any of the recaps: 

Favorites from Trip HERE

London Days 1 & 2 HERE

London Days 3 & 4 HERE

Paris Days 1 & 2 HERE


Happy New Week..Last of April..Whaaat?!


THE NINES ARE GOING TO PARIS AND LONDON!

Bonjour! And let’s go to the Pub! The Nines are headed to London and Paris! You may recall a couple years ago when I turned 50 and we were unable to do any big trips due to the Vid! I knew I just knew I wanted to get out of dodge this year for my birthday and more than just our normal Chicago getaway. I feel like this is the first year that the pandemic seems to be by the wayside.


Going to be lots of this going on, lol

Isn’t the title picture of Miss Stella Mae in a beret the cutest way to announce this trip! Sweet Grandma Giga will be taking care of her, but there is part of us that wishes she could go across the pond too, lol. 


How Stella truly feels about it since she doesn't get to go.

Dog Beret HERE // Dress HERE // Eiffel Tower HERE


Look at this precious Gift that was such a coincidence from my mom. She had ordered it for me for Valentine's the morning before I called to tell her where we were traveling. She didn't realize it had an Eiffel Tower in the globe part. And look it's as if the bears are Mr. Nine and I and he is presenting me with the trip along with Cherry Blossom (let's just say they are) trees that might be in bloom when we are there!! I LOVE IT!!


Get IT HERE
(it's so well made and packaged so nicely, 
the globe top comes off the mug)

I think between not being able to go the last couple years, everything going on with my dad, when I was sick a few weeks ago and everything with menopause led Mr. Nine to really want to do something special. It’s funny, I think he’s more excited about London and I’m more excited about Paris and there are quotes that are directly kin to that like the one at the bottom and this one:



I’ve heard London is one of the best cities in the entire world, so I am beyond excited! I think I’m probably equally excited about both, but on the morning of my birthday, I get to wake up to a view of the Eiffel tower, which is the ultimate cherry on top! Below is our Hotel.

9 Paris Hotels with the 
BEST Views of Eiffel Tower HERE


I’m even excited about the flight itself as will be sitting and hopefully sleeping in recliners. It’s an overnight flight, but I can never sleep on planes.  The first five days will be spent in London. We have found the most wonderful YouTube videos to help us plan our itineraries. A couple of my sweet Blogger friends that have been have helped me as well. On Saturday, we sat down, and we mapped out each day. London is very large, so you want to plan your days according to areas. One of the things I’m super excited about is, we’re going to do two very unusual afternoon tees. And of course, we will be seeing a show in the West End! Along with Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, etc. And something I am very excited about is just exploring the various neighborhoods.  

 

Then we will be on the Eurostar to Paris for five more days.  Since it is a different country, we will have to go through customs, and then we plan on being greeted at the most glorious hotel across from the Louvre with the Eiffel Tower view as seen above! Of course, I am so interested in the main attractions, in addition to the Eiffel tower like the Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Seine River, Musée d’Orsay, Tuileries Garden and The Louve.

 

This outfit is a strong contender for a London or Paris evening. 

FP Body Suit HERE // Faux Leather Pants HERE (AMAZING and great Price) // Belt HERE


Since the fire in 2019, Notre Dame is being rebuilt, so we are very sad we will not get to see that. We are also planning a day trip to the Palace of Versailles and that has me super excited as well. There will also lots of cafés, people, watching, croissants and banquettes eaten. AND MACARONS!!

 


Some of you may have seen a few hints on Instagram leading up to this.  A macaron and pastry shop called love Le Macaron & French Pastries recently opened in our town and my mom, and I went last week, and boy did that get me excited. (and how lucky are we and Stella to have sweet, stylish Grandma Giga taking care of our girl!) 



AND Just look at these clocks. It’s Paris time and my town time.

Express Blazer HERE // Joggers HERE // Nikes HERE// Hoodie HERE// Pin HERE

Of course, I am planning all the outfits like crazy and plan to be a little more refined for London, and a little more flair in Paris. Is packing ever going to be a chore, lol!  

 

In each city, we are going to take time to just wander on one day not stick to the itinerary and see where it finds us! 

 

We pretty much have our itineraries planned, but I would love to hear your thoughts; if you want to go someday, if you have ever been to either or both…what some of your favorites are? 


Merci and I LOVE YOU!



 LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday


xoxo




BLOG DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS