4 Cs-Champagne, Cartier, Chanel & Christmas in Paris 2013 were fantastic!
Jan 1st, 2014, 08:29 AM
#41
loving the report and all the detail - keep it coming please. but what's this about needing your passport to buy something from Chanel?
Well, the best laid plans…I found the dream item, tried it on, loved it, etc…It was all going so well and then they asked for a passport>>
I've never been asked for my passport when I've bought something in Paris.
but then, I've never shopped at Chanel!
Well, the best laid plans…I found the dream item, tried it on, loved it, etc…It was all going so well and then they asked for a passport>>
I've never been asked for my passport when I've bought something in Paris.
but then, I've never shopped at Chanel!
Jan 1st, 2014, 09:24 AM
#42
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It was all to do with the tex issue. I also had never been asked for a passport, but have not purchased anything expensive in the past. I almost asked if we could skip it and I could forego any tax refund, etc....
They really did everything they could, a copy or just the number would have been accepted. They even offered to call the hotel as you would present a passport at check-in, but we stayed in an apartment.
They really did everything they could, a copy or just the number would have been accepted. They even offered to call the hotel as you would present a passport at check-in, but we stayed in an apartment.
Jan 1st, 2014, 09:45 AM
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Tax, not tex issue. Sorry, annhig.
Flpab...I think Prada created the windows for the Galleries Lafayette this year. I don't have a great camera, so I had to take what I can get on which photos turn out. I think kerouac posted photos or video of the store windows, if you'd like to get a better fix!
TPAYT - We got the Chouquettes at the boulangerie on Blvd St Germain across from the Maubert Mutualite metro stop. Not far at all from ISL.
Nikki - didn't think about the invisible thing! I didn't ask to wear the necklace out of the store for fear I would look like a 5 year old wanting to wear their new shoes home from the store!
You're welcome, taconic...great to hear from you.
Flpab...I think Prada created the windows for the Galleries Lafayette this year. I don't have a great camera, so I had to take what I can get on which photos turn out. I think kerouac posted photos or video of the store windows, if you'd like to get a better fix!
TPAYT - We got the Chouquettes at the boulangerie on Blvd St Germain across from the Maubert Mutualite metro stop. Not far at all from ISL.
Nikki - didn't think about the invisible thing! I didn't ask to wear the necklace out of the store for fear I would look like a 5 year old wanting to wear their new shoes home from the store!
You're welcome, taconic...great to hear from you.
Jan 1st, 2014, 10:52 AM
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Oops annhig, yes as we bought a few things that ended up requiring a passport. The refund will go straight back to the card we used and the refund desk at CDG was easy. It will be worth it for sure.
Jan 1st, 2014, 12:06 PM
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Jan 1st, 2014, 12:10 PM
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Flpab...thanks...there were 3 that I really liked and they are constantly changing, i did choose what I thought I could wear the most. This can also be wrapped multiple times to make a bracelet. Major splurge but I know I will wear it forever so dollar/wear will decrease over time ( that's my story)!
Jan 1st, 2014, 12:27 PM
#51
denisea - the necklace looks fab. There have been a few times when I've looked at buying things and not done so [a bit like excursions you decide not to do] and I've normally regretted it. Whereas I have very rarely regretted a purchase or a trip.
I know that I would have raced back to my apartment and back again with my heart in my mouth in case it had been sold in the meantime.
I know that I would have raced back to my apartment and back again with my heart in my mouth in case it had been sold in the meantime.
Jan 1st, 2014, 02:21 PM
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I am kicking myself for not buying the huge Longchamps tote at Duty free in Munich Nov. It was so early in the morning my brain was foggy but wanted it and should have bought it. I think you need to gift yourself! It is an excellent investment.
Jan 1st, 2014, 02:32 PM
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Thanks all...I think annhig is right about rarely regretting a purchase or a trip. I can say that this time I made up for passing on things in the past! So glad you all like the necklace and the report.
Jan 1st, 2014, 02:59 PM
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Glad to see you have started it here. Have enjoyed what you sent to us elsewhere.
I still have the Tsarine Rose Champagne bottle that Florent and Michael brought to Asheville last summer and we all enjoyed together.
I often walk across the Seine and go to George V..Gallerie or Le Bar for lunch, or whatever.
You had a whirlwind trip and did not ewaste any time!!
I am getting geared up for departure 1/27...
a bientot....
Joan
I still have the Tsarine Rose Champagne bottle that Florent and Michael brought to Asheville last summer and we all enjoyed together.
I often walk across the Seine and go to George V..Gallerie or Le Bar for lunch, or whatever.
You had a whirlwind trip and did not ewaste any time!!
I am getting geared up for departure 1/27...
a bientot....
Joan
Jan 1st, 2014, 03:22 PM
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Day 3 – Sunday, December 22, 2013
I awoke remembering that dragon scarf that I had seen the night before. Paris is a very dangerous city for obsessed shopper.
We had no plans for the day (intentionally), so no reason I couldn’t go back for the scarf.
Our day started out like a “rewind” of the previous day: pain au chocolat, Starbucks and then we headed to rue Cambon again. (Chaz mentioned the scarf to me because he saw it in the Chanel store and I missed it. I might have been focused on the necklace. The store on Faubourg St. Honore showed us the scarf online but didn’t actually carry it. They were nice enough to call the store and confirm that they still had a few at rue Cambon). The staff there remembered us and I am sure I have seen more than a few people come into the boutique more than once. Should I get the red or the blue? Hmm…I chose the blue in the end. We still had a bit more shopping to do.
We needed to get to Hediard for their cheese straws and brown butter biscuits. They are addictive! Creed was also on the list because Chaz’ made a bottle of Green Irish Tweed last for two years but it is empty. And, we still needed to find a Christmas present for Chaz. It was nice to be out a bit early so the shops we were going to hadn’t gotten crowded yet.
Hediard was up first in Place de La Madeleine. We found all the goodies we were looking for and got our ticket from the sales clerk, went to the cashier and paid and then got the cheese straws and butter biscuits back from the clerk. This is a difference in shopping in Paris that always drives me kinda crazy….Why, oh why, can’t you take what you want to buy straight to the register and pay for it and then leave? I don’t understand the point of waiting for someone to write up or print a ticket for something that is right in front of me, sending me off somewhere else to pay and then showing back up with the stuff I had in my hands in the first place. (“Thank you, Madame, for that fascinating lesson in our cultural differences”…is playing in my head as I am thinking this…from the “Concierge” in the movie French Kiss). OK, rant over. Vive la difference.
We gawked at the windows in the area and the super luxe food items, like caviar. I am also on the hunt for some little votive holders that say “bonheur” on them. One of those things I saw on the last visit, didn’t buy and wish I had. We spent some time marveling at Baccarat. I don’t know why but we love going in there! Not our taste, usually, but they have some incredible things! We stepped into Burberry to do a lap and found a beautiful overcoat for Chaz. I could tell he really loved it but wouldn’t dare buy something like that for himself. So, in a second, I got my shopping done! I have to say that Chaz is hard to fit, so it is rare that he will find something that fits him on the spot.
We didn’t find the votive holders I was searching for, but it’s OK. We started hunting for a little lunch and didn’t see anything that appealed to us. Or, if it looked good, it was closed. We did find a Durance candle shop. They have a great orange cinnamon candle that made a good substitute for the Dyptique candle we couldn’t find. We were about to enter a little spot that we weren’t that “sold” on and Chaz said….let’s keep going. Good move.
We came to Fauchon and decided that maybe we would find something here. We spotted a guy putting together some little cheese trays and using a girolle to cut tete de moin. We chose one of the cheese selections and went about ordering some champagne to go with it. Here we go again; you pay and then take the ticket to someone else to get the champagne. Sorry, sorry. I went to claim a table outside, where the sun was starting to pop out and Chaz went “next door” to buy some small baguettes. Eventually, the champagne made it out to us. Great little “lunch” for us but more cheese than we could eat.
We found ourselves chuckling at an American couple who sat behind us to drink some water and work out whether or not “he was just miserable” or not. They had two kids in separate strollers and I can’t imagine trying to manage all that in Paris and it being fun. If you know us, we don’t have kids, but Paris probably wouldn’t be a destination we would choose with 2 very little ones. (Note: If you have kids and can manage all the gear and enjoy Paris with little ones, that’s great and please don’t be offended). Anyway, “he” of the couple was really whining (and I was afraid it would be the babies…or maybe he was the biggest baby in their group). I was also thinking that maybe some wine, rather than whine, would be better to drink than water, if you’re just miserable. Whining isn’t appealing but I find it extra annoying when coming from a grown man. I wanted to give him the 2 strollers and send him back to their hotel and take her with us. "Well, gee we’d love to stick around and listen to you whine some more, Bro’ but we gotta run"!
We headed over to Creed by Metro and got lots of Jingle Bells on the accordion in the Metro station(fun). We arrived at Creed and found it was not open (Sunday). Were we gonna whine about it? Not at all. I hatched a quick plan.
I routed us around the corner to the Georges V. I thought we could park it in the bar for a while and sip a bit more Champs. We took a look at the Christmas decorations in the lobby (huge gold reindeer) and headed over to the hostess to schmooze a table at Le Bar. I was careful to say we just wanted a drink at the bar to, hopefully, make sure we got in. Well, we got a table right up front (where we sadly, we watched a lot of other people get told that they couldn’t get a table or a seat in the bar). They checked all of our shopping bags, coats, scarves, you name it and it was nice to sit there without all the “stuff”. They had live music, great Christmas decorations and great champagne. They brought some olives, etc…and well, we stayed for 3 glasses. Hey, it was Christmas, we had no plans, nowhere to be and we weren’t driving. I had great fun telling Chaz that “This is the Georges V. This is not some some backpacker’s hovel.” (again, more from the Concierge in French Kiss). It’s a lovely, elegant hotel and we enjoyed “hanging out” there. Outside, it was rainy and chilly but inside, it’s a little piece of heaven.
Another reason we might have stayed so long was the couple at the bar. Let’s just say they put on quite a show and we were betting on how long before they left to get a room or if they would just “you know” right there at the bar. It was like a car accident and we couldn’t turn away.
Time finally came and we headed back to the apartment. A little rest, some Andrea Bocelli on the iPad, clean up and prep for the trip the next day to Strasbourg. We decided to wing it and head 2 Metro stops away to a favorite area, the area around the Odeon metro stop. I knew Chaz was hoping to get into Le Comptoir, but also knew that there were plenty of options around there if we didn’t. We got there in the nick of time, as things really filled up quickly after we sat down.
Our meal was good but we both thought that it has slipped just a bit. We both got lobster bisque and beef cheeks. The bisque just didn’t have the depth of flavor that it had in the past but it was good. The beef cheeks were good and in a thicker sauce than in the past. It used to be in more of a broth that was so flavorful but not salty. It was good but not as good. At this point, we are pretty spoiled with Paris cuisine and splitting hairs, probably. We split an apple tart for dessert and it was excellent. Sadly, Madame “Lent” was not there this time, so we got our food and drinks in rapid fashion. It wasn’t a late night, as we were taking the TGV to Strasbourg the next day.
Some other thoughts about this trip. We were treated to a lot of music in the Metro and an occasional “rant” by individuals on the train this trip. I also have to say that I always enjoy all the movie posters in Metro, don’t ask me why! Our stop was really close to the apartment and I finally found an ATM around the corner that gave all 20 euro bills rather than 50s, which are hard to use!
We enjoyed the area we stayed in because it was quiet at night, close to Isle St Louis, Notre Dame and the Seine and had a great open air market right there on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, plus a row of permanent shops with all you need: traiteur, fromagerie, boulangerie, wine shop, poissonerie and boucherie. More on that later. There was also a Carrefour Express right down the street. Also, a Monoprix next to the Starbucks close by.
As we would walk to Starbucks or the Metro, we passed the Cluny and a look down one street was the Pantheon (although the dome was covered in scaffolding) and down another was a view of Notre Dame. We were also treated to the sound of church bells a lot during our stay. The funniest thing to us in the ‘hood was the Mexican restaurant at the end of “our” street. You just don’t see many Mexican places in Paris and it is not something I crave in Paris. It may be wonderful and I know it’s not there for tourists but was just kinda funny to us.
I awoke remembering that dragon scarf that I had seen the night before. Paris is a very dangerous city for obsessed shopper.
We had no plans for the day (intentionally), so no reason I couldn’t go back for the scarf.
Our day started out like a “rewind” of the previous day: pain au chocolat, Starbucks and then we headed to rue Cambon again. (Chaz mentioned the scarf to me because he saw it in the Chanel store and I missed it. I might have been focused on the necklace. The store on Faubourg St. Honore showed us the scarf online but didn’t actually carry it. They were nice enough to call the store and confirm that they still had a few at rue Cambon). The staff there remembered us and I am sure I have seen more than a few people come into the boutique more than once. Should I get the red or the blue? Hmm…I chose the blue in the end. We still had a bit more shopping to do.
We needed to get to Hediard for their cheese straws and brown butter biscuits. They are addictive! Creed was also on the list because Chaz’ made a bottle of Green Irish Tweed last for two years but it is empty. And, we still needed to find a Christmas present for Chaz. It was nice to be out a bit early so the shops we were going to hadn’t gotten crowded yet.
Hediard was up first in Place de La Madeleine. We found all the goodies we were looking for and got our ticket from the sales clerk, went to the cashier and paid and then got the cheese straws and butter biscuits back from the clerk. This is a difference in shopping in Paris that always drives me kinda crazy….Why, oh why, can’t you take what you want to buy straight to the register and pay for it and then leave? I don’t understand the point of waiting for someone to write up or print a ticket for something that is right in front of me, sending me off somewhere else to pay and then showing back up with the stuff I had in my hands in the first place. (“Thank you, Madame, for that fascinating lesson in our cultural differences”…is playing in my head as I am thinking this…from the “Concierge” in the movie French Kiss). OK, rant over. Vive la difference.
We gawked at the windows in the area and the super luxe food items, like caviar. I am also on the hunt for some little votive holders that say “bonheur” on them. One of those things I saw on the last visit, didn’t buy and wish I had. We spent some time marveling at Baccarat. I don’t know why but we love going in there! Not our taste, usually, but they have some incredible things! We stepped into Burberry to do a lap and found a beautiful overcoat for Chaz. I could tell he really loved it but wouldn’t dare buy something like that for himself. So, in a second, I got my shopping done! I have to say that Chaz is hard to fit, so it is rare that he will find something that fits him on the spot.
We didn’t find the votive holders I was searching for, but it’s OK. We started hunting for a little lunch and didn’t see anything that appealed to us. Or, if it looked good, it was closed. We did find a Durance candle shop. They have a great orange cinnamon candle that made a good substitute for the Dyptique candle we couldn’t find. We were about to enter a little spot that we weren’t that “sold” on and Chaz said….let’s keep going. Good move.
We came to Fauchon and decided that maybe we would find something here. We spotted a guy putting together some little cheese trays and using a girolle to cut tete de moin. We chose one of the cheese selections and went about ordering some champagne to go with it. Here we go again; you pay and then take the ticket to someone else to get the champagne. Sorry, sorry. I went to claim a table outside, where the sun was starting to pop out and Chaz went “next door” to buy some small baguettes. Eventually, the champagne made it out to us. Great little “lunch” for us but more cheese than we could eat.
We found ourselves chuckling at an American couple who sat behind us to drink some water and work out whether or not “he was just miserable” or not. They had two kids in separate strollers and I can’t imagine trying to manage all that in Paris and it being fun. If you know us, we don’t have kids, but Paris probably wouldn’t be a destination we would choose with 2 very little ones. (Note: If you have kids and can manage all the gear and enjoy Paris with little ones, that’s great and please don’t be offended). Anyway, “he” of the couple was really whining (and I was afraid it would be the babies…or maybe he was the biggest baby in their group). I was also thinking that maybe some wine, rather than whine, would be better to drink than water, if you’re just miserable. Whining isn’t appealing but I find it extra annoying when coming from a grown man. I wanted to give him the 2 strollers and send him back to their hotel and take her with us. "Well, gee we’d love to stick around and listen to you whine some more, Bro’ but we gotta run"!
We headed over to Creed by Metro and got lots of Jingle Bells on the accordion in the Metro station(fun). We arrived at Creed and found it was not open (Sunday). Were we gonna whine about it? Not at all. I hatched a quick plan.
I routed us around the corner to the Georges V. I thought we could park it in the bar for a while and sip a bit more Champs. We took a look at the Christmas decorations in the lobby (huge gold reindeer) and headed over to the hostess to schmooze a table at Le Bar. I was careful to say we just wanted a drink at the bar to, hopefully, make sure we got in. Well, we got a table right up front (where we sadly, we watched a lot of other people get told that they couldn’t get a table or a seat in the bar). They checked all of our shopping bags, coats, scarves, you name it and it was nice to sit there without all the “stuff”. They had live music, great Christmas decorations and great champagne. They brought some olives, etc…and well, we stayed for 3 glasses. Hey, it was Christmas, we had no plans, nowhere to be and we weren’t driving. I had great fun telling Chaz that “This is the Georges V. This is not some some backpacker’s hovel.” (again, more from the Concierge in French Kiss). It’s a lovely, elegant hotel and we enjoyed “hanging out” there. Outside, it was rainy and chilly but inside, it’s a little piece of heaven.
Another reason we might have stayed so long was the couple at the bar. Let’s just say they put on quite a show and we were betting on how long before they left to get a room or if they would just “you know” right there at the bar. It was like a car accident and we couldn’t turn away.
Time finally came and we headed back to the apartment. A little rest, some Andrea Bocelli on the iPad, clean up and prep for the trip the next day to Strasbourg. We decided to wing it and head 2 Metro stops away to a favorite area, the area around the Odeon metro stop. I knew Chaz was hoping to get into Le Comptoir, but also knew that there were plenty of options around there if we didn’t. We got there in the nick of time, as things really filled up quickly after we sat down.
Our meal was good but we both thought that it has slipped just a bit. We both got lobster bisque and beef cheeks. The bisque just didn’t have the depth of flavor that it had in the past but it was good. The beef cheeks were good and in a thicker sauce than in the past. It used to be in more of a broth that was so flavorful but not salty. It was good but not as good. At this point, we are pretty spoiled with Paris cuisine and splitting hairs, probably. We split an apple tart for dessert and it was excellent. Sadly, Madame “Lent” was not there this time, so we got our food and drinks in rapid fashion. It wasn’t a late night, as we were taking the TGV to Strasbourg the next day.
Some other thoughts about this trip. We were treated to a lot of music in the Metro and an occasional “rant” by individuals on the train this trip. I also have to say that I always enjoy all the movie posters in Metro, don’t ask me why! Our stop was really close to the apartment and I finally found an ATM around the corner that gave all 20 euro bills rather than 50s, which are hard to use!
We enjoyed the area we stayed in because it was quiet at night, close to Isle St Louis, Notre Dame and the Seine and had a great open air market right there on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, plus a row of permanent shops with all you need: traiteur, fromagerie, boulangerie, wine shop, poissonerie and boucherie. More on that later. There was also a Carrefour Express right down the street. Also, a Monoprix next to the Starbucks close by.
As we would walk to Starbucks or the Metro, we passed the Cluny and a look down one street was the Pantheon (although the dome was covered in scaffolding) and down another was a view of Notre Dame. We were also treated to the sound of church bells a lot during our stay. The funniest thing to us in the ‘hood was the Mexican restaurant at the end of “our” street. You just don’t see many Mexican places in Paris and it is not something I crave in Paris. It may be wonderful and I know it’s not there for tourists but was just kinda funny to us.
Jan 1st, 2014, 05:30 PM
#58
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CHANELLO indeed! Love the necklace Denise! I burn with envy
I went to the store but felt like a fake because I wasn't buying anything. Not even makeup because I noticed it's cheaper for me to buy in Singapore Airport Duty Free.
I am going to Florence this year and will try to go to a boutique I hear uses vintage Chanel buttons to create jewellery.
The 2.55 can wait another couple of years.....
I went to the store but felt like a fake because I wasn't buying anything. Not even makeup because I noticed it's cheaper for me to buy in Singapore Airport Duty Free.
I am going to Florence this year and will try to go to a boutique I hear uses vintage Chanel buttons to create jewellery.
The 2.55 can wait another couple of years.....
Jan 1st, 2014, 07:03 PM
#59
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Well, nothing wrong with browsing at Chanel, ozgirl. I have done it a lot and this is the first time I have bought anything.
I am so intrigued by the vintage Chanel button jewelry. Very unique...can't wait to hear what you find!
I am so intrigued by the vintage Chanel button jewelry. Very unique...can't wait to hear what you find!
Jan 1st, 2014, 08:13 PM
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denisea
so enjoying your report-I almost feel as I am walking with you as I was there 2 weeks before you (no trip report but I hope to get to it soon).
Oh I had to smile reading your passport panic as I know that feeling- after planning, anticipating the day for days and then...what, where?...how could I mess that up with all the perfect planning I do?!
And I so get the what's with order, pay, then come back and pick up thing...I swear one time I forgot to go back and pick up my food order. Got to the park and realized the potatoes were missing!
But all part of the adventure-so all good.
I love your "my precious"- good choice.
Have you ever been to Les 3 Marches de Catherine B in the 6th?-a little shop that carries vintage Chanel and Hermes-fun to look at all the pretties.
so enjoying your report-I almost feel as I am walking with you as I was there 2 weeks before you (no trip report but I hope to get to it soon).
Oh I had to smile reading your passport panic as I know that feeling- after planning, anticipating the day for days and then...what, where?...how could I mess that up with all the perfect planning I do?!
And I so get the what's with order, pay, then come back and pick up thing...I swear one time I forgot to go back and pick up my food order. Got to the park and realized the potatoes were missing!
But all part of the adventure-so all good.
I love your "my precious"- good choice.
Have you ever been to Les 3 Marches de Catherine B in the 6th?-a little shop that carries vintage Chanel and Hermes-fun to look at all the pretties.
