Between my DD14 and I, we took 1400 photos of our two weeks (she took all the best ones - she's our shutterbug and has a real knack). But I won't bore you with all of the photos and the anecdotes that go along with them! Instead, here are just eleven fashion-related photos I thought you'd enjoy:
1) What I finally decided to wear on the plane:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....754636402/
You may remember I was so stressed out I was terribly indecisive about this particular part of the trip. The shirt is a ralph lauren top from last season that I had forgotten about. I love the neckline of this top. The jeans are my most comfy Citizens Huttons. The plane over ended up underbooked so we all got to spread out and actually lie down and sleep.
A note about the tote bag: it was perfect for the trip! Not just roomy enough to tote around a cardi, scarf, umbrella and trench when necessary, but the fact that it isn't leather (some lightweight synthetic material) and only cost about $10 means I had no qualms setting it on the ground when necessary (including dirty restrooms). LOL. The only drawback with the bag was that on the few very hot days we had, it made me sweat.
2) My DD15 and her makeover at Sephora on Avenue des Champs-Elysées:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....753806373/
I deliberately tried not to hit any shops that we have here in the US, but we just couldn't resist going into this Sephora. It is enormous, and it was packed with an amazing multicultural crowd. Imagine women in burkas loading up their baskets with mascara and eye-shadow. It was such an experience.
What's more, the sales clerks were so much more friendly than they are at our local Sephora here. I don't know how the stereotype of rude Parisians ever got started, because that is completely opposite of the experience we had. Everywhere we went, we met the nicest people and I would have to say that I have had much more experience with rudeness in the US.
So... back to Sephora: I just couldn't resist when they offered a makeover. My DD15 has been struggling with terrible acne due to a med she is taking. So the sales clerk was wonderful, coaching her about how she need not wear foundation until she's much older, and how washing her face and moisturizing will help clear her skin over time. She talked to her about how Parisian women have beautiful skin (which is definetly very true!!!) because they keep it very simple. And moisturize, moisturize!
But meanwhile just for fun the sales clerk pulled out all the stops with her -- doing up her eyes in dramatic smoky eyeshadow, etc. The makeover took an entire hour. She wasn't allowed to look until the very end - and here is her reaction as she was finally allowed to see herself in the mirror! It was a priceless moment I will never forget.
We ended up splurging on some cosmetics that we can probably get here more cheaply but ohhh welll.... I am usually a drugstore cosmetic gal (department store cosmetics intimidate me, to be honest) so this was a treat for me too. Chanel moisturizer, makeup remover, NARS lipstick for me, Givenchy lip glosses for the girls. And a special mascara for DD15 that they insisted is only available in Paris. Just a few things!
3) 3-for-1 scarf deal:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
You can buy these scarves everywhere for very little $ in the souvenir shops (which my DD14 couldn't resist - she loves cheap souvenirs and stocked up on eiffel tour key rings and the like). Of course, you can also get them at H&M in the states. We almost bought some at the Puce market (flea market) but resisted. It wasn't until we hit a day when the weather was chilly with a misty light rain that we finally decided to buy these.
A note about the weather: except for a few very hot days, and one night with a huge thunderstorm and downpour, the weather was mostly beautiful, low 70s. I was perfectly comfortable in clamdiggers or skirts and occasionally the need for a cardigan. On the hot days I lived in the brown and white dress with the long pearls. I wore jeans on one other day, but it got too hot.
Most parisians seem to live in jeans, even in the hottest weather. We think we figured out why... there are bugs on the metro that bite. We think maybe fleas from people bringing dogs on board... not sure. I can just tell you that all four of us had times when we emerged from the metro with very itchy bites on our legs or arms. So I can definetly see why maxi dresses are a hit this summer in Paris.
4) Bling jacket:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
This is from our day at Galleries Lafeyette. My DD15 loved this jacket. I thought it was atrocious. No, we didn't buy it.
5) Mango sunglasses:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
My DD14 fell in love with these sunglasses which we found at Mango. She took a zillion photos of herself posing in them. I found a cream fall jacket at Mango; I will share photos later when I get around to wearing it. (Along with a photo of the other jacket I bought the same day).
6) Window-licking:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
According to our guide book, "window licking" is what you do when you can't afford the goods but wish you could. You probably can't read the names on the window - this is in Place Vendome where they sell haute couture.
7) The chanel jacket:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
Just off Place Vendome we stumbled into a small shop selling second-hand couture. This is the 1392 euro chanel jacket that I sadly passed up. I'm actually kicking myself over that - it was cheaper than the 5700 euro necklace, afterall!! LOL. (Seriously, I'd rather spend that sort of money on new bedroom furniture, which we desparately need.) But don't you think it fits me perfectly? It must have been owned by a woman who was just my size and had it fitted for her. Sigh....
8) Anne Fontaine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
This particular day we were too late and it was already closed. But we returned later and I did try on several blouses. None of them worked for me. I needed the 38 for my girth but the 38 was just waaayyyy too long lengthwise, and from what I know about sewing, there was no way the blouses could've been tailored to fit without ruining the line.
I did want to try a 36 - since the blouses are stretchy so with the right cut it may have worked - but the store was completely sold out of 36's. This was a common theme everywhere we went. I understand that the sales are in July, so by August, I suppose the pickings are slimmer.
Size-wise, I actually had the best luck in inexpensive stores catering to juniors. There were a lot of these stores and my girls had fun in them, as did I. I *almost* bought a white trench coat in one of these stores, as well as a motorcycle jacket that wasn't real leather but was adorable. But the quality was really cheap, so I passed.
9) Weird window display:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
Not much else to say about this one!!
10) Green scarf:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
Found this in a little store near Ponte Marie (where we had a very nice picnic one day). It is "my" green, my favorite color of all time. So I had to have it. It's silk and cotton and I wore it a lot, including on the plane on the way home.
I think the lighterweight silk/cotton scarfs work best on me. Pashminas are just too much fabric for my short stature, and overwhelm.
11) Metro photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
.... just to give you an idea of my family and how different our styles are!
- DH is the prep who lives in khakis or levi's, button-down shirts, and docksiders (although for most of this trip he stuck to sneakers).
- DD14 is our "California" girl who happily epitomizes American teen fashion - abercrombie & fitch is a particular favorite.
- DD15 is our "goth/emo/euro/march-to-a-different-drummer" girl. She's always dressed in a style that is quite unique and unlike anyone at her school, and she even makes her own clothing. She was very sad that her pink hair tips faded before this trip, but consoled to discover the many euro-teens who dress similar to her style.
- And you know my style already. So you can imagine what an interesting troupe we make when we are out and about! I wouldn't have it any other way.
