Living on Cloud Nine

FRIDAY FAVORITES...DOUBLE THE FUN

Hi beauties! I could’ve done my usual 5 favorite things but there’s 2 such BIG ONES this week, well three, that it’s all I’m going to showcase this Friday!

1. We are Going to be Grandparents

OF TWINS!!!

In case you missed Mr. Nine and my video on Instagram, announcing this, watch it. We are blessed to announce that we are going to be having twin grandbabies this Fall. Our oldest and his lovely nurse fiancé are going to grace us with twins. Surprise of the BEST KIND! We will find out the sexes in a few weeks and I’d be lying if I said, I didn’t want a girl in there, but of course, happy healthy babies is all we want.

So it’s been a no-brainer forever that Mr. Nine‘s grandpa name would be Pop Nine because that was the name of his beloved grandpa. But for me, I’ve really struggled. Ultimately, we think it’s going to be “Glammy,” so the kids had these darling shirts made for us. I guess it’s all going to depend on what those babies want to call me, but one thing I know for certain; they will be spoiled, and they will be loved beyond measure!

Mr. Nine calls me Annie and Ann as do some of my friends and family, so maybe Grannie Annie or Gannie? LoL!

Oh and lovely mama had an ultrasound Tuesday so here is the 1st look at our beautiful grandbabes.

2. Laura Geller Chicago Luncheon

with Friends!

And another HUGE event this week also allowed me to see the lovely friends in The Blonde Squad! I ventured to Chicago yesterday and we were honored to be guests at a luncheon with the magnificent Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Beauty! Her award-winning makeup is an Oprah Favorite Thing and I love her devotion to ladies of all ages but especially those over 40! She’s a gem!

We enjoyed the most delightful lunch at Cindy’s, a rooftop restaurant on Michigan Ave. The view was spectacular! And the weather surprised us with some warmth and sunshine!

After lunch our friends crew headed to the Broken Shaker, an award-winning cocktail bar with great street food. Always fun to hang and catch up with these sweethearts! The real deal unlike many influencers these days, with hearts of pure gold! Til next time ladies!

And if you missed it, Monday I did the first Paris recap! 2nd Paris recap coming This Monday. In the meantime, you’ll find me twin babies shopping, lol.

Happy Weekend Loves!!

Linking up with Friday Favorites // Metamorphosis Monday

xoxo

My lil cousins.....TWINS!!

PARIS 2023 Days 1 & 2

The Eurostar train from London to Paris was super fun, and you did not even know when you were under the water. (31 mile long tube under the water). It just amazes me.

blurry but happy, lol

We got a taxi from the train station right away to our hotel across from the Louvre museum and it was beyond spectacular, one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed in in my 52 years, definitely top three. It was recommended by a fellow Influencer and she was spot on.

The Hotel Regina catered to our every need. We did not have to lift a finger for anything. Not only was our bed decorated so sweetly with roses, it was a suite that had two bathrooms which Mr. Nine and I love! One was charming and one was modern. There were even rose petals in the bidets! AND oh that view.

The Eiffel Tower view never got old. We cheers big time after Champagne was delivered to our room!

We were so excited go get a bite to eat and start our time in Paris. The concierge was beyond spectacular and she recommended this sweet little café called Café Flottes down the road. I had the most delicious Caesar salad. And we shared a delightful crème brûlée.

We had tickets to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for 6:30, so we quickly found our way to walk there but it took a little bit.

We made sure to get familiar with the metro to head back but sometimes even though you have tickets you still have to get in line so we did not end up getting up to the Arc until sunset. That actually was an amazing blessing because guess what? We got to see the Eiffel tower light up and sparkle, what an amazing site. And all those 284 steps on the spiral staircase worth it to get up there!

Stunning...then at 9.... it Sparkled!!

Our Hotel on the walk back from the Metro at night.

Even Mirrors on the ceiling too!

Saturday, was a packed day. We had to get up bright and early for our photo shoot with a company, called The Paris Photographer, also recommend to me. But I really had reservations about doing it, it was what our photographer, Alex, told us the windiest day in Paris in three years, and it was only 39° out. His assistant, who is also his wife, did such a good job of keeping me warm. I’m currently in the process of picking out our photos so I believe it was worth it but I’ll never forget how miserable I was. Mr. Nine had a sport coat so he was a little warmer, lol.

Sneak Peak..still selecting photos.

We grabbed a quick coffee and croissant and headed back to change for our trek to the Palace of Versailles.

Croissants just weren’t enough, lol, so we went down to the Happy Caffe (2 F's) for crepes and I can see why it is called that. It is one of the top rated in Paris even though just a little hole in the wall, but the owners are absolutely spectacular, and so so funny! We had the best crepes we’ve ever had in our lives. Mr. Nine got a savory, and I got a sweet and we shared them and look at the precious Cappuccino.

We should've grabbed one of these.

Unfortunately, the train you take to get to Palace of Versailles was out so we had to figure out this crazy way to get there as it is about 45 minutes outside the city. Needless to say, we got kind of lost and had to grab an Uber and made it to the tour group by the hair of our chinny chin chin, lol. The Palace of Versailles is a massive and such an incredible story of power, greed and gluttony with the kings of France.

Located in the countryside, about 45 minutes outside of Paris, the 17^th century chateau boasts 2,300 rooms across 87,728,720 square feet!! You can read more about the history on their website. The below photo is from National Geographic to show you how massive the Palace and grounds are.

All that gold

I thought this tour was going to be amazing, but it was the beginning of the busy season and I thought I would have a panic attack with the wall-to-wall people. But the rooms were a sight to behold. The Hall of Mirrors was my favorite.

Our tour guide was a little boring which I did not think would be the case. But as soon as we got out into the palace gardens, we were mesmerized and even though cold, the fresh air felt great!

We sat and admired the pond and I got a hot chocolate, but then had to get an Uber to get to the Eiffel tower for our tickets there and it was pouring down rain and we were standing on a corner in the gardens while the Uber‘s kept switching and we never thought we get there. Finally one waited for us, but we had to walk about a half a mile because they would not allow him in the gates. Everything is a little confusing in Paris and they were many ways they could’ve made it easier. Crazy.

The clouds parted a bit so we could climb to the 1st observation area. Views were spectacular. Everyone said there was no need to go to the top and they were right.

Rain began again and we were starving so we found a fabulous lil Italian place and had some wonderful burrata and a salad for me.

Then, since hadn’t had berries of any kind since of been there so Mr. Nine bought me the most beautiful strawberries from a market so I could have them on the following morning: my Birthday! Can’t wait to tell you about days 3 (my favorite) and 4 next Monday.