Post Paris Year In Review

 

I'm simply delinquent in posting these days.  The rest of my Paris trip was as incredible as the first few days.  Here's a quick recap of happened after Paris, to catch you up. :-)  

 

In October, I went back home to ride the annual Memphis Hightailer's Bluff City Blues ride.  I haven't missed the ride since I started cycling.  Since, I live in the land of flat roads and wind, I was unsure how my legs would respond to the hills.  I wasn't as fast as the prior year, but that was ok.  It was quite possibly the most enjoyable BCB, thus far.  Miles and miles of socializin with the best friends a girl could have!!

 

 

 

 

 

Then, one of my best friends from those crazy college days came to my 'hood.  She kind of kicked off the rash of winter visitors.  Not that I'm complaining  :-)  Such fun catching up with her and her hubby. 

 



 

 

I went to Key West and visited Hemmingway's home:

Drank too much rum:

Saw a sign that seemed to state the obvious:

And watched sailboats go by:

I had more rum and went to a painting "class."  This is what I was supposed to paint:

Since, I don't like to do what I'm told, this is what I decided to paint.

More Paris!

My friend from Switzerland wanted to go to the Tamara de Lempicka exhibit at the Pinacotheque.  I was not familiar with her work, but was game.  She's a modern artist who was friends with some of the Hollywood elite in the 20's & 30's, including Dali.  The exhibit was quite interesting & I liked that it was "off the beaten tourist path." 

 

We also went to one of the places on my "list."  Galeries Lafayette.  It's a gorgeous department store/mall designed in the style of an old, grand opera house. 





 

This is Au Printemps, one of Galeries Lafayette's competition.  It was pretty grand, too.

Here's the ceiling of the entryway to Galeries Lafayette!  Un-freakin-believable!

View from the Chanel store.  Heaven!

Another cool thing about Galeries Lafayette is that they have a roof where you can grab a bite, drink or just relax and check out the view.  Here's a shot of the street below from the roof.

Paris selfie - don't judge.  Sometimes you do what you have to do.  This picture cracks me up; evidently, someone didn't want their picture taken!

 

 

Later we went to grab a bite in the Bastille area.  This famous guy, Matt something or other, was having dinner there, too.  If you watch Breaking Bad (which I don't), you'll recognize him.  My friend's friend's friend (got it?  Fantastic, let's continue) was a HUGE fan.  I asked him to send me the picture of he and Matt so I could show my friends in the States who watch the show. 

 



 

 

Always thinking, I decided that I needed proof that I didn't just grab a picture of the web and tell a tall tale of eating with famous people in Paris.  So, here's proof that I knew the guy in the picture with Matt!  

I don't recall the name of the restaurant, but do recall that my Swiss friend's Parisian friend ordered Rose and I discovered that I heart Rose...a lot.  We had a delicious, entertaining dinner and plenty of wine.  Pretty sure I was asleep before my head hit the pillow that night!

A Streetcar In Paris

Wow, how time has flown.  I'm ready to go back to Europe, but I never finished sharing my last visit.  It was the most incredible trip I've ever had.  My first trip, I did all the touristy things I felt obligated to do.  This trip, I did all the things I wanted to do and saved time to explore and hang out with Parisians, like a Parisian.  That's the way to truly experience a place, in my opinion!

Finishing up the walking tour, we ventured to the highest part of Montemartre, Sacre Coeur!

 A view from Sacre Coeur.  It's the Eiffel Tower in a tree!

 

I could reach out and touch it!

We rode a Streetcar...I didn't even know Paris had a streetcar.  It was only about 2 blocks, but still..

Afterward, we ate, here:

My friend, Etienne taught me my new favorite thing, which I discovered at the restaurant...Cafe Gourmand.  It was a sampling of desserts with espresso.  Yummmmmola!  I've been trying to talk restaurants into offering cafe gourmand, here!

Post walking tour and Sacre Coeur, I went to a private party, where a friend of my friend's friend (got it?  Ok, good let's continue) was having a private party for his latest scarf designs.  I didn't take any pictures; I thought it would be rude.  Everyone was quite friendly.  The apartment was located just before the building opened up into a courtyard...and the decor!  It was so very perfect.  Chic without seemingly trying to be so.  Anyway, I didn't purchase any of the creative scarves, but I did buy this:

It was such a unique necklace - a leather braided back with several strands of chains; different textures and lengths.  This photo does not do it justice...I'll have to take a photo wearing it!