Wednesday 29 April 2009

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

21 comments:

Jo said...

Sounds fabulous! You lucky girl. Monet's Garden. Wow. I expect to see pictures of that. (if they allow). have fun!

Chantelle {fat mum slim} said...

Wow. What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday. It sounds so wonderful.

Enjoy every moment. x

Sharnel said...

I'm speechless, it all sounds so much fun. I hope one day to be able to do the same with my girlfriends too.
Have the most wonderful time for the remainder of your holiday!
xx

Unknown said...

this sounds heavenly and it is precisely how I spent my 30th birthday there a couple of years ago. I adore that area for shopping and Vanessa Bruno is definitely a fave. Plus there's a lovely shop across the way where I picked up a few beautiful linen shirts and a fabulous velvet blazer. sigh...Rue du Bac. I LOVE it!!! enjoy and happy birthday!!!

Amanda said...

Oh, it really does sound like a fabulous time you're having. How special to celebrate your birthday, with your girlfriends, in Paris! Enjoy. xx

Kristin said...

Oh that sounds just lovely and scrumptious and just the best way to spend a 40th birthday or well anytime in Paris is amazing to me!

Lovin the adorable image! Precious!

Kylie @ All Things Lovely said...

Oh, you're living my dream!! Think I will plan something amazing like this for my 40th. Happy birthday!!

Porchlight Interiors said...

Sounds wonderful Shannon! So glad you are living it up over there! What great memories you are going to have of turning 40 - you are doing it in style! Tracey xx

vicki archer said...

I am so happy you are having such a wonderful birthday Shannon - keep up the pace there, is no time to loose in Paris, xv.

Stella said...

Shannon,
What an amazing holiday you lucky duck!
Have a wonderful time.

Bella said...

Paris sounds so divine. I wish I could be there too as it's possibly my favourite city in the world. The Merci store sounds amazing - I've seen some postings on other blogs about it and I'll definately be heading there next time I'm in Paris.

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Happy belated Birthday Shannon! Kiss the air, kiss the ground, kiss your mother, kiss anything in Paris from me! xx

lily-g said...

I'm so excited for you, how great to spend time with your friends in the most beautiful city in the world, go girl have the best time ever, we are all thinking of you back in OZ xx

Anonymous said...

haha, what a great photo! Very Parisienne chic.

Ezabelle

Shelley Trbuhovich said...

please tell me you had the hot chocolate at cafe flore....
this is all sounding so wonderful. congrats on embracing this amazing milestone in style.
x shelley t

Barb Fisher - Hopscotch said...

It all just sounds so fabulous! What a truly fantastic way to celebrate your 40th. Mine is coming up in four years, think I'd better get planning...

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Heidi said...

Happy 40th Birthday Shannon.
I hope that you're living it up over there in gay Paris.
Congratulations.
Heidi

Anonymous said...

Pia Jane Bijkerks book would be the one for you to get, looks like fantastic things to do and see in Paris. hope you can get it.
Love it, its such a great place!

Karen Anderson said...

LOL ... that car is fab ... and ummm a little overloaded lol ... looks like fun ..

liz said...

Sounds like you had a great great time in beautiful Paree, glad you made it to the Merci shop and that u enjooyed it so much, I wanted to send you some other addresses but then I just ran short of time. Gotta keep some for the next visit eg: Astier & Vilatte...
take care
liz from Paris

pregnancy bridesmaid dresses said...

WOW!Sounds great!The car is full of stuff.