Room With A View: Paris

Paris St. Germain

I’m here! And this is my early morning Paris view.

I arrived last night, and can’t wait to get out and explore. As of right now the weather forecast looks great; it’s warmed up from last week (highs in the low 50’s F) and there’s no rain predicted. I walked around a bit last night and was comfortable in my down jacket without hat or gloves.

I’m meeting up with several blogger friends over the next few days, and plan to take lots of photos of the holiday store windows to share with you.

On the long flight over, I took a page from Lisa Eldridge’s book and gave myself a facial treatment during the flight. My routine wasn’t as involved, but I did use a makeup remover towelette and then applied some of the Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask which I left on for most of the flight. WOW, what a difference! Usually my skin looks dry and dull after a long flight, but this time it looked smooth and dewy, even after I’d removed what remained of the mask 9 hours into the flight. Definitely understand why people rave about this product. Yes, it’s pricey. I had a free sample that I’d been saving to try. I’m going to see if it’s any less costly here and may splurge. I’m also planning to visit Citypharma this week to see if I can score some of my favorite products at a discount.

The sun is up, my phone is charged, and I’m headed out the door. More soon!

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42 Comments

  1. So envious! Say hello (bonjour) to the Place de la Contrescarpe for me, if you pass by. Do you ever stop by the Palais Royale to check out Serge Lutens fragrances?

  2. Have fun! Silly me–I should have suggested eyeglasses, since you have some cool pairs! I guess you can pick up frames and have the lenses done in the U.S. There are several very cool eyeglass makers–Anne et Valentin (based in Toulouse, all handmade), Theo (based in Antwerp, Belgium), Frod’s, Shelter, etc. Selima Optique (two locations in the Marais) has an unusual selection.

    1. You see such fabulous eyeglasses frames in shop windows in Paris that I’ve always wondered…If you brought your prescription with you, and went into a shop on your very first day in Paris, would they be ready by the time your vacation ended? Ten days? A week?? Does anyone know?

        1. I would not recommend this. I did it once, and the lenses came out totally wrong. It turns out the prescription system is not the same.

      1. Bonnie, my local optometrist is able to make prescription lenses for frames I’ve purchased elsewhere. I’m actually hoping to find some fun frames this trip. Check with your local person…I’ll bet they’ll be able to do the same.

  3. Susan,

    I am really looking forward to your Paris reports! What is the mood on the streets? Is December a good time to visit (and should we plan our own December 2017 trip!)? Details on the cafes, crowds, clothing, and Sisley/Citypharma, please!!

    Wishing you a wonderful time, Ann

  4. Ah! What a great view. Are you in the 6th? I’ll be living vicariously through you, because being in Paris in December is on my bucket list. I’ll be there at the end of March but three+ months is a hard time to wait to be in my favorite city in the world.

    Please make some fun new discoveries for us, will you? 🙂

    Je vous souhaite de bonnes vacances.

  5. I am so glad the weather is cooperating. Have fun at CityPharma! It was almost as rewarding for me as the Louvre.

  6. Have a great time, Sue. I always forget that you live out on the west coat. What I first read that your flight was nine hours, I was gobsmacked. Nine hours?? Oh…yeah..there’s that big thing called the North American continent that you had to cross.
    By the way. Were you travelling first class with one of those sleeping pods? Just wondering how you managed to do a facial during the flight.

      1. I always do a facial long haul too. But I use one of the Sephora face masks – there are quite a few different kinds to choose from depending on skin type and the effect you want. I always go for the moisturising/hydrating and relaxing types. Expect it would be very much cheaper than Sisley. Makes a huge difference to the state of one’s skin on arrival and is also hugely relaxing on board. But I use it on the really long haul sector, not the first 8-9 hour flight from Sydney to Singapore (that’s just a hop, skip and a jump for us). The flight Singapore to Heathrow is around 12 hours or so depending on prevailing wind and other conditions. Then we usually fly on from there direct to Nice or Marseille (which is why it takes Aussies around 26-28 hours of travel time at least because we always have to spend at least an hour or two or more on the ground between flights) to relax by the Med before flying a couple of weeks later to Paris. Plus Sephora now also do hand and foot masks So as well as a facial, it’s possible to do a pedi and mani treatment. May try this next time. Best wishes, Pamela

  7. Be sure to find time to visit the big department stores for their holiday windows and displays. I was there once in December and loved the late afternoon light. I finally understood why people love to visit in the winter rather than at other times of the year.

  8. At Citypharma or elsewhere you’ll find another wipe-off cream mask, very good, less expensive (11-14€): Avène masque apaisant hydratant.

  9. I love CityPharma!! Also, both my husband and I have Anne etc Valentin glasses! We love them and are constantly given compliments! Lucky for us a great optician carries them here in Dallas. I saw them in a couple of shops in Paris. I am sure they are also available in LA.

    1. It is not a place to browse. You need to have a good idea of what you are going to buy. Going when just opened, or close to closing is best. We went a weekday in September and it wasn’t busy at all! I LOVE CityPharma – SO worth it!

  10. What fun. There’s a gorgouely chic woman Linda Wright who owns a cashmere store “Crimson.” Check them both out on Pinterest or Twitter or??? Please send us photos of the bloggers you meet up with. Can’t wait to see them in person. Kinda.

    1. Sandra, I love Crimson! Stopped in there in July and bought a cashmere poncho during les soldes. It was a lifesaver on a chilly flight over. Plan to go back again to see what she has in stock.

  11. Bonjour Susan,
    You might also want to try (if you haven’t before) Pharmacie Monge (right beside the Rue Monge street market at Métro Place Monge) for great prices & large selection of top quality products. There’s even a metro exit right beside it! I was just there in September. Have fun in Paris!
    Chris

  12. Damn, I love your blog! And virtual girlfriends who know what they’re talking about. So enjoying your trip along with you. Thanks for the postcards. 🙂

  13. I get such a feeling of happiness reading about all the women who love CityPharma. I cannot have a trip to Paris without entering the threshold of all my girly products. I’m so in love with this store. I wrote about it in my Day Two of our Paris trip! https://atypical60.com/2016/12/04/three-days-in-paris-day-two-amusement-avec-les-morts-and-an-avant-premiere/
    I cannot wait to read your adventures in the City of Light–and how much warmer the weather was rather than last week!

  14. You are too much! A facial mask on the 11-hour trip to Paris. That’s what I call OPTIMIZING … Good for you. Sounds amazing. I feel the cool air and imagine the lovely streets and BAGUETTES all coming your way.

  15. Would love to know where you stay Susan….would you share that information? Have fun, will be with you in spirit .

  16. I love following along with you! I have visited Paris many times, but, not in December. It looks magical. Have fun and enjoy your time with fello bloggers. If you are craving pizza I can recommend Pizza Chic in the 6th. Fantastic pizza and wonderful salads. We stay at the little hotel down the street.
    Sarah in Michigan