One of the things I will never become jaded or complacent about is traveling. At its worst, it’s expensive and exhausting but at its best, it’s inspiring and invigorating. It opens you up new places, new experiences, new friends, and in the best of circumstance, new romances.
Things have been a bit stressful lately and this trip could not be coming at a better time. I am in desperate need of a change of scenery. While I’ve been to both cities before, the beauty of Paris will never cease to amaze me and the politeness of London is always a welcome reprieve from the brusqueness of New York.
The beginning of my journey will be spent in Paris with new and old friends. I look forward to staying in Saint Germain and dining at Ralph’s, a restaurant that has won over even the fickle French, I might brave the Louvre again to view the Napoleon III Apartments, and maybe even climb to Montmartre.
I will EuroStar over to London in the middle to meet with new friends and see as many sights as possible. The Sir John Soane Museum is at the top of my list and I can’t resist the British Museum. I look forward to staying at the Firmdale Hotels designed by Kit Kemp and the new London Edition Hotel designed by Ian Schrager which is the talk of the town. I also can’t wait to visit some of the fabulously talented interior designers at their chic shops and showrooms. I might even photograph a few people for my second book.
I will end my trip in Paris which was planned for the express purpose of shopping the brocante de la rue de Bretange that I found on my trip to Paris earlier this year. But it’s a good thing I double checked the dates my friend gave me because it looks like it’s actually taking place the first weekend I’m in Paris. Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men. I look forward to staying in the Marais this time to mix things up. I’ve booked the Hotel Bourg Tibourg which is part of the Costes family of hotels. My friends at Flair suggested visiting the Victor Hugo Museum in the area too. The last two nights, I'm switching to the Pavilion de la Reine hotel on the Place de Vosges which looks amazing.
I was going to return to New York on Sunday, 1 December but I was persuaded to stay until Tuesday, 3 December by the chic peeps at Cartierto attend their new exhibition at the Grand Palais. I would walk over hot coals if Cartier asked me to so staying two extra days in Paris is not really a hardship. The exhibition Cartier, Style, and Historywill open to the public on Wednesday, 4 December and should not be missed. It will include over 600 Cartier pieces, including jewelry, objects, watches and clocks. Designed as an art history exhibition, each of these creations will be presented alongside dresses, coats, accessories, furniture and fashion magazines to give visitors an idea of the art and taste of the time
Probably the only black mark on my trip has been dealing with Air France. Or I should say dealing with Delta who picks up the phone for Air France in the US. But as I joked on twitter, sometimes when things seem to be going too right, the universe will give you a middle seat when you change your flight just to keep you in check. Although, it does have extra leg room so at least there’s that.
Speaking of twitter, you can follow all the fun in real time on Twitter and Instagram. I know some of you will be disappointed that I didn’t photograph my outfits for a packing post. I just ran out of time. I will try to pull something together for Instagram while I’m away but I can tell you I will be wearing this Merino Sweater Dress from Talbots in each color most of the trip. I cut the buttons off though.
While I’m away for the next two weeks, I will definitely be posting to the blog so fret not. You will still be able to wake up with Habitually Chic, just read each post with a French or British accent depending on the day.
Au revoir and cheers!
XOXO,
HC
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