As a fashion buyer I used to travel to Paris twice a year to shop, I got paid to shop and visit a fabric trade show. My life was very tough (!) It was the time when a new breed of young French designers were at the fore: Maje, Sandro, The Kooples and other lesser known brands gave us the best of French style and elegance but with a modern-day hipster twist. Back then, a day in the Maris, from a design perspective, was far more inspirational than a long weekend in New York. During my frequent trips I built up a selection of favourite restaurants in the Maris; Le Voltigeur for a quick lunch of tart, salad and vino and Café Charlot a typical affordable French Brasserie on Rue Charlot for dinner.
So when Dr Husband suggested a weekend away, just the two of us (ah!), I jumped at the chance to go back to Paris. We booked our Eurostar and air B&B, an entire apartment in Jourdain and I started the cursory research: new restaurants, exhibitions and the independent shops I hope we’ll visit. In the midst of all the planning and the shock and sadness of hearing about the terrorist attacks there, I forgot, for a brief moment, that I was a mum. I forgot that I have someone, other than myself, to think and worry about.
Sunday night was spent in Whittington’s A&E department, as Daisy, my 16 month old daughter, had developed a hacking cough and was breathless. We had a slightly frightening moment when we discovered her sats were alarmingly low and her temperature was 39 degrees. She was duly diagnosed with Bronchiolitis and kept in for observation. In hushed tones over a sleeping child, at 4:30am the main topic of Dr husband and my conversation was, can we go to Paris? The truth is, we currently don’t know.
What has struck me though is how my perspective has changed post Daisy. If this had happened pre Daisy, I’d be tearing my hair out with angst and worry, completely stressed about the waste of money. But in all honesty I just want my daughter to get well, and if that means missing a weekend away then so be it. OK, so I’m not totally laissez-faire about the situation, but I have noticed that I now have a greater acceptance that things don’t always go my way, and as much as I like to think I’m in control, that is so often not the case. Interesting that it’s taken a tiny human being to teach me that.
Anyway I thought I’d give you a sneak peek into what’s going into my suitcase for Paris (if we go). It would be irreverent to travel to Paris without a trusty Breton Stripe. I bought this one last year by L’Atelier Saint James, their jumpers are made for Breton’s deep-sea fisherman in Normandy, France. It’s 100% cotton, but a substantial weight and not a thin cotton jersey, so perfect for layering and going in and out of cafes. The camel coat is this season from & Other Stories, it’s a midi length, wool and belted to keep me warm. As for the guide-book, I’ve spurned the usual choice of a Lonely Planet or a Michelin Guide, in favour of Paris Select, a book with over 100 inspiring ideas of things to do. I can’t wait to “feast with the foodies on rue St-Dominique.” I’ll need to doll myself up, so in homage to Coco Chanel, I’ve packed an essential Chanel red lipstick and a few of my favourite jewellery pieces: midi finger rings from Maya Magal and Ways of Change, my bee necklace from Alex Monroe and an ear jacket from Stella & Dot.
I’m currently using Green People’s Age Defy+ serum which is so lovely, but I’ll go into more detail another time. Because I like to attempt to travel light, I’ve opted for an all in one hair and body cleanser from Soley Organic’s which contains icelandic birch. Being away from Daisy means I’ll actually have time to do my nails and makeup, so I’m making use of the little treats I received in my Pink Parcel last month, an Opi nail varnish and L’oreal Millon Lashes Mascara. I may even remember to splash on my favourite Jo Malone perfume, Pomegranate Noir. The grey beanie hat is an angora one bought from Topshop before the angora scandal and the ripped jeans are from Zara. I opted for a straight legged pair, as they are slightly more forgiving on the waistline than my skinnys. Finally, the pair of sun glasses is perhaps wishful thinking, but I love my new ones from Finlay & Co.
You’ll find out on Monday whether we went!
To be continued
Shop the Edit
Breton Stripe: Atterley, £55 (nearly sold out)
Coat: & Other Stories, £165
Jeans: Zara old, link is to similar ones, £39.99
Hat: Topshop old
Lipstick: Boots, £26
Guide Book: Amazon, £12.59
Midi Ring: Maya Magal, £31
Midi Ring: Ways of Change, $35
Earing: Stella & Dot, £40
Necklace: Alex Monroe, £150
Serum: Green People, £34.95
Cleanser: Soley Organics, €22
Pink Parcel: £12.99 per month
Perfume: Jo Malone £42 for 30ml