Luncheon in Paris
In my Fantasy Life™ I met up with “the girls” for New Year’s lunch at the Pré Catalan, in the gorgeous Bois du Boulogne in Paris. We dined on seasonal delicacies in exquisite surroundings, accompanied by champagne and equally sparkling conversation. The clink of silver and crystal was punctuated by an occasional peal of soft laughter at a risque reference to a recent political scandale.
What does one wear to such an effervescent afternoon in such elegant surroundings? A few years ago (still from the fantasy perspective) I might have chosen something straightforwardly elegant and irreproachable, but even my Fantasy Life™ has moved forward, and so I chose to express my lighthearted side. Already looking toward Spring, I chose light colors, a playful knit and favorite jewelry from my Fantasy Jewelry Box™. These days, I mix the classic with the more casual and contemporary to keep the mix fresh.
It is with much relief and hope that I contemplate moving forward into 2012. I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about moving forward as it relates to style, but here are some additional areas I’ve been examining as ripe for some forward motion:
- Managing my time. I can easily get distracted surfing the net or TV channels, when books I want to read are gathering dust, when little household projects remain undone, when opportunities to take better care of myself are unrealized. I need to set more goals, and though I do need some mindless activity time, I resolve to set a timer to keep 15 minutes from becoming 2 hours.
- Decluttering. Yes, the word that’s on everyone’s lips. I’ve pulled and bagged everything that’s fit for donation (and tossed the rest) but have some clothing and accessories that I need to photograph and list for sale.
- Prepping the garden for Spring. Time to prune, mulch and weed.
- Dog whispering. Or something. Our boy dog has developed some behavioral issues in recent months that are increasingly disruptive and we need to get professional help.
- Breakfast. Every day.
Happy New Year, everyone! How are you moving forward into 2012?
~
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I’ll have to check out the rest of your luncheon group, but I’m quite sure you and Lisa will be the best-dressed ladies who lunch in the Bois. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year dear Pseu! And in a lovely confluence, you and I both chose Chloe:). Great minds and all that…
I’m always so excited to make it into one of your collages!
Love the look, fresh and chic, with a nod to elegance but still fun.
it sounds like a lovely lunch.
I working on the time management too, TV time cn be good knitting time for me, but not mindless frittering away of opportunities.
I am so happy to meet you as a new invite to This little group that lunched in Paris. Bravo for such a well written post! I loved it!. Your choice of outfit is wonderful and i love your turn of frase to bits. I might as well add your number one to my list as well,tsk tsk…guilty as well! Great to meet you from your new follower.
Veronica
Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds
I too have made some style and decluttering improvements over the last year. Plus I’m with you on the ‘less time wasted with media distractions’ thing!
Here’s to even more progress in 2012!
Wish I could join in on that fantasy luncheon (I know exactly what I would wear…)
As for moving forward – I don’t make resolutions but I do look at what’s on my plate and what I struggle with, and try to find generalized areas for improvement that would help.
For 2012, it is “focus” and “flexibility,” which aren’t the contradiction they seem at first blush.
There are a number of things that I must be doggedly disciplined in order to accomplish; discipline is not a problem, but finding and sustaining the focus is. Likewise, the “flexibility” to shift course a bit of needed, knowing there is so much in life we cannot control – both that which tests us, and that which delights us.
Now if only I didn’t feel so utterly disoriented and derailed by the return of my sons – being extremely polite and considerate – but nonetheless wreaking havoc with my schedule, my sleep, not to mention my budget.
And happy to have them here, all the same…
You’ll look amazing in that dress especially with your complexion and hair colour.
I think you’ve chosen a fun and interesting outfit…
you gals will certainly have lots to talk about!
Love those thoughts for 2012.
Hostess
XO
The sweater dress is gorgeous and I’m swooning over the entire ensemble. Tres chic!
Your plans (not resolutions) for 2012 are very simple, rational and to the point. A great example to follow.
Reasonable plans.
But – please, enlighten me: What is it about Paris, that makes so many olalaa?
I have no desire to visit the place. What am I missing?
Happy New Year, my friend!
My new years resolutions this year? to make none..hey sometimes they are a burden so I am freeing myself!
Looking forward to more friendship with you in the upcoming year…
I adore the boots – the first thing I clicked on.
Move forward with lots of things, but without fear of failure – that’s my plan.
Happy New Year to you Pseu.
What a lovely outfit!!! I love the colors so much. But what I really love are your thoughts of life and changes we need to make. I think I have ADD sometimes, and absolutely must manage my time better, so reading this has made me recommit. Thank you so much for joining us, participating, being part of this wonderful group. Happy New Year to every one of US !!!!!
So sorry I couldn’t join you for lunch! I adore what you picked with some MAJOR love for the Vivier boots!! I’m with you on the time management and decluttering – I’ll be trying hard in those areas as well!! Wishing you all the best for 2012!
Love the colours you chose for your outfit. Very fresh and forward looking. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
A very happy new year to you – i need to cherish those i have more, be grateful for what i have more and make the most of everything even when i would rather be somewhere or doing something else – sainthood obviously beckoning!??! on another note we had to get someone when frank was 9/10 months old and she was worth every single penny – given his size we really could not have let it slip – all the very best for 2012 x
http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
Actually, I thought it was you, sitting with your friends at Pre-Catalan! I mentioned to my beau, how I so admired your dress… just the correct color for you!
Today I updated my vision board, as I do each year. I KNOW that putting your thoughts and ideas on paper bring your hopes and desires to you… so I will look out for you again at Pre-Catalan.
I am not big on New Years’ resolutions…I think maybe that’s because I used to make them, and always failed miserably to keep any of them. So I just quit doing it! However, this past year, after making no resolutions and having very low expectations for the year, I surprised myself by tackling a big goal and actually accomplishing something! (I lost 40 lb that has been distressing me for about 10 yrs.).
So I find myself at the New Year (which closely coincides with my birthday, making it even more fraught, usually), feeling unusually optimistic. Having finally, finally, DONE something, I now feel all sorts of possibilities looming. Can I actually accomplish something ELSE this year? The mind reels.
Especially loved the coat and boots. Definitely an outfit to live up to the surroundings. As for resolutions to make this year – stop criticism, judgment, and negativity, practice acceptance, diminish mindless TV watching, magazine reading, most blog reading (except for yours, of course) and a few others, choose reading with more substance, be a better friend. I’ve worked on fashion/image for a few years and I am happy there. Of course there will always be new additions to add to keep things current and just because it’s fun. I came up with some words I use to keep me on course fashion-wise and otherwise: simplicity, refinement, serenity, and courage! Happy NY
15 minutes is definitely not enough time for any task, but 25 minutes. . .aha, that’s a juicy little “pomodoro” of time. Try the Pomodoro technique of time management. I do, and it has changed my days, and my outlook.
This outfit is so luscious! (One way to declutter is to keep certain outfits “virtual”.
As someone who has decluttered in a dramatic way, reducing living space by over half, and possessions by over half, it has been a profound experience. Wish you well on this and other projects with the fervent wish that you keep your wonderful blog!
Your résolution about wasting less time online has hit home. I will be giving your timer idea a try.
Merci et bonne et heureuse année.
Anne (@lapetitepigeon)
Love the ensemble, the lighter palette is refreshing. I too am gutting my closets. I spent the morning consigning stuff at two different shops. It feels great to be “light” again.
@materfamilias Ah, merci beaucoup! Happy New Year to you too!
@LPC Happy New Year, Lisa!! Well, in Paris, Chloe is de rigeur, n’est-ce pas? Great minds, yes.
😉
@WendyB Wendy, you know I dream of owning a boxful of your jewelry…
@coffeeaddict Thanks so much! I’m still swooning over the dress and boots…
@metscan It’s hard to explain. It’s the history, the art, the architecture, the fashion, the food…Paris is my happy place. I’ve always felt a connection to Paris, long before I ever visited.
@Mardel Thank you, that’s exactly what I was going for. Yes, it’s about keeping the mindlessness in check…
@kathy peck Yes, if money (and heel height) were no object, those boots would have been in my cart right away. Your plan is a good one. Fear of failure is a good thing to cast aside.
@Veronica Thank you so very much! It’s truly a pleasure to be in such fine company. (And I’m now following you as well!)
@quintessence Aren’t those boots amazing??? Even though I know I’d have trouble walking in that heel, I still want them! Hope to see you next time!
@Northmoon Hear, hear! I like to think that our success with decluttering and time management will build upon itself….
@Chicatanyage Thank you! Frankly, I needed a shot of “fresh and forward looking.” Happy and Prosperous New Year to you too!
@fashion and frank Your goals sound very good to me. Our boy is very headstrong…we worked with a couple of different trainers when he was young, and now we’re resorting to a behavioral specialist. Yes, with a dog Frank’s size, you need to be in charge!
@BigLittleWolf Ah sons…they are a challenge aren’t they? Focus and flexibility sound like good attributes to enhance, regardless of one’s circumstances.
@hostess of the humble bungalow Thank you! Don’t think that dress hasn’t been tempting me…
😉
@pinkazalea Thank you! Those boots are really exceptional. “simplicity, refinement and courage” are wonderful attributes to aspire to.
@fashionoverfifty I agree that resolutions can be a burden. Some years it feels right to make them and others it doesn’t. Looking forward to our ongoing conversations in 2012 and beyond.
@Splenderosa Thank you so much for including me! It was truly a pleasure to imagine this lovely afternoon. I think there are so many things demanding our attention these days, it’s hard NOT to have ADD!
@Carolyn C. You are too kind! A vision board sounds like a wonderful tool to help focus intention. I may have to start one…
@Jill Ann Wow, what a feeling of satisfaction you must have, having set and attained a very difficult goal! How wonderful to be in that place of possibility.
@L Pomodoro? I hadn’t heard of that. But yes, whatever the increment, 15 minutes, 25, 45…it’s about setting parameters so we don’t fritter away precious time.
@Anne Bien sur, the time I spend writing posts and responding to comments doesn’t count. But otherwise, yes, a timer.
Bonne et heureuse année to you too!
@Duchesse Thank you, and yes, Polyvore is a great way to shop without buying. My goal for the next year is to declutter the entire house, bit by bit.
@karen Hi Karen! I’m finding myself really drawn to lighter palettes these days. And pieces that aren’t too serious. Good for you for clearing out…still an ongoing project with us. The bags are next….
Oh Susan, I can see you wearing this ensemble, it is so YOU. I love the way you express yourself, especially when you feel playful.
As for moving forward, I’m with you, there’s been distractions here too, a need for focus.
My heart goes out to you working with your son’s behavior issues. That has to be hard on all of you. Take your time.