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Yes, I am in Paris.
Can you believe that this is my first time?? A Parisian virgin! *wink*
I had to come because after 22 years of working in fashion and even more years as a fashion victim, I figured the fashion world would remove my credentials if I didn't come visit soon.
Flying Singapore Airlines direct to Paris economy via my Aeroplan points... This Princess doesn't fair well in economy but a business class seat would have had me transiting in Beijing with a six hour layover. No thanks.
I booked my stay via Agoda. Seemed seamless enough. My car I booked to take me from the airport to my hotel never showed up. I called Agoda and got their voicemail. (They never returned my call.) I have seen the movie 'Taken' and although I am sure no one wants this old lady, I didn't want to be alone trying to source a ride. I have trust issues and Hollywood doesn't help. Finding a taxi que was easy enough; of course as in every airport you have the illegal drivers chasing you asking if you want a taxi. Ignore them.
My taxi driver was a sweet older man whose English was on par with French so we worked out my destination just fine. The Jules Hotel.
View from my room at the Jules Hotel.
The Jules Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the 9th Arr. (Paris is broken down via districts) I was about six hours early for check-in so I had a coffee in the lobby bar, jumped onto the free wifi to let everyone know on Facebook and Twitter that I was in Paris. Enfin!! ( I know no one cares really...pretend with me) My view from my room is of the gorgeous architecture; beautiful buildings with iron balconies. (My first New York stay, my view was a brick wall that read 'Canadian Furriers')
This morning the Jules Hotel breakfast buffet had creme brûlée! I resisted because I had a ton of cheese and pain au chocolat. Last night at a restaurant across the street I had duck confit with garlic potatoes cooked in duck fat... OMG. I need to walk off all of my food and I have only been here 24 hours! That whole French women are skinny...? Yeah... Bullshit.
I have yet to run into the stereotypical rude Parisian cliche. So far, friendly 'Bonjour's' are aplenty!
I taxi'ed to the Champs-Élysées and shopped. H&M and Sephora is where my VISA saw the light of day. As I walked out of Sephora, I struggled on which way to walk. I chose to turn right... The view as I walked a bit was the Arc de Triomphe. If you regularly read my blog you do know that I have idiot moments. I didn't realize that it was here; yes I knew it was Paris but not specifically steps away from Sephora on the Champs-Elysees. Apparently my reading The Lonely Planet Paris on the plane didn't sink in. I blame jetlag.
Brighten up a tired jet-lagged visage with a full colour lipstick.
In Sephora I stocked up on a lot of makeup that I cannot buy in Singapore as well as I discovered a brand similar to Iman called black|Up. Check back as I will review them next week when I can actually upload photos to my blog.
My little sister is joining me today. Yay!! We travel well together. I haven't seen her since last summer when I was home. (yes, I have a husband who couldn't come on my last minute impulse trip)
Part of my impulse booking was the fact that my friend, the talented and beautiful singer/songwriter, Sarah Slean is performing here with her husband Royal Wood; damn they are going to have ridiculously adorable babies when they do. (thanks guys for providing that extra excuse that pushed me to book Paris!)
*I am writing my blog post via my iPad and for some reason I cannot upload pictures to my blog this way nor can I add in links. Please jump on over to my Facebook (click my cheeky photo to the right) if you care to see my trip pics that I will add daily.
If you have any suggestions for me kindly leave them below. I could use all the help I can get!
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