What a Whirlwind....

Hi Everyone!

My goodness, it feels like forever since I've posted but life has just been such a whirlwind over the past few weeks. But, here I am, writing to you from Paris no less! I've just been having the most wonderful time over here. The spring weather has been beautiful and I've been enjoying the Paris life to the full.
Where do I begin?
Well, I've rented some lovely digs on the Rue du Bac in the 6th which has played host to five girlfriends who have flown in from Australia and around the world to celebrate my birthday. How lovely to have my girlfriends here in Paris. The last two weeks have felt like one continuous episode of 'Sex and the City'! Every morning we'd all start the day at the wonderful Cafe de Flore on Blvd St Germain to enjoy the world as it hurried by on its way to work.
From there we'd hit the shops - in the little streets around St Germain and the Marais mostly. Favourites have been the Merci store (see pic!), the gorgeous Bonpoint store at Saint Sulpice, Mariage Frere for old world afternoon tea, Le Bon Marche for everything under the sun, Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, the Bensimon store for casual bits and bobs and everything in between.
We've seen exhibitions - Calder at the Pompidou, Andy Warhol at the Grand Palais, David La Chappelle at the Mint and some old favourites - the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin permanent exhibition and gardens. What heaven.
We've eaten our way around Paris - with my 40th birthday dinner at La Societe (the new restaurant from the brothers Costes), traditional French brasserie food at the Lipp, lunch at Ma Bourgogne in Place des Vosges and a lovely rustic dinner at the Alain Ducasse restaurant Aux Lyonnais which was a highlight.
Now the girls have gone and my mother has arrived and with that the pace is a little slower which I'm enjoying!
Tomorrow it's Giverny to see Monet's Garden.
I feel so lucky to be in Paris - it feels so exciting and indulgent at the same time. But I know that I'll treasure my time here as one of the most incredible experiences of my life so far.
sx