FabFrance....you are dead on. I am planner and literally could not accept the possibility that I might have lost my passport! I always tote around my husband's, in addition to mine, because I am better at organizing things.

I have read so many books that talk about how hard it can be to get things done in France (all meant to be humorous, not derogatory)-especially if you move there. So, I can kinda see why with process required to purchase something at a store or shop, efficiency doesn't seem to be the goal. And, it is funny to me.

Chaz is a big Tolkien fan and with the LOTR movies, Gollum is a regular around here! So, that reference was a nod to him. He was very patient with the passport retrieval process!

I don't know that shop but I wish I did! Would love to visit next time to see what they have! Amazing how there is always something in Paris that is new to you.

I need a picture of the scarf! (Great report

Bookmarking - really enjoying your lovely report!

OK - a link to a scarf photo:

http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...jqg6c.jpg.html

Denise:

The scarf is stunning! Excellent choice along with the necklace. You are a good little shopper!

" I finally found an ATM around the corner that gave all 20 euro bills rather than 50s, which are hard to use!" I keep trying to remember which bank gives 20 euro bills rather than the annoying 50 euro notes. Of course the morning we arrive we always end up with the 50s and my DH has to break it to get coffee.

Thanks for the slice of Paris. I love the TR title.

Just found your trip report Denise and am enjoying it very much. Love the photos too. We are off to Italy this year because we just can't go to France every trip but it will be difficult to change planes at CDG and not visit Paris. Thank you for allowing me a vicarious visit.

Ozgirl07, please share the info on the shop in Florence--I would love to be able to visit it.

Thanks weekender...great to hear from you and thank you all. I appreciate all the nice comments. Chaz spotted the scarf first and so the credit has to go to him for bringing it to my attention.

Cape Cod, if it helps you ever...this ATM was Banque Populair at 54 Boulevard St Germain. It is right by the Maubert Mutualite Metro station.

OK - a few photos from Sunday and Le Comptoir:

http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...ec%2022%202013

I believe we have more that haven't made it over to photobucket yet. More later....

Scootoir and Denise here's a link to the shop in Florence
http://www.boutiquenadine.it/

Ohmigosh Denise, DH and I want that cheese! Love the photos and putting this all on my list for our next trip to Paris.

Ozgirl--the shop looks great, thank you for sharing.

Happy 2014, Denisea! So enjoying your report! We thought of you & Chaz being in Paris. Your descriptions so vividly remind us of our wonderful Paris trip over Christmas two years ago. So glad that you got a table in Georges V! Your pix are great. Looking forward to your next installments!

Here are more pictures of the Georges V and also Baccarat:

https://plus.google.com/photos/10521...hkey=CNrpi7aJq

Scootoir - that cheese was so very good! Hi Tomarkot- thank you and so great to hear from you!

Loving your report. Your necklace is beautiful, enjoy many many years of wearing it.
I too used the logic that if you prorated the cost of an expensive item over many many years it just came to a few pennies a day. so therefore within our budget,
Always gave my dear departed husband many laughs.
Looking forewrd to more of your adventure.

Denise, your enthusiasm is contagious. Please allow me one criticism. A new necklace and scarf look best when worn by the new owner. Photo please... even if the photo is taken in Atlanta and not Paris.

Odd - I was able to see all the other photos, but the last link tells me I don't have permission.

That is a LOT of cheese, girlfriend. ;-) No wonder you couldn't finish it. I've never had tête de moine - it's beautiful!

Love both purchases, btw.

https://plus.google.com/photos/10521...CNrpi7aJqPuEQw

Try this link instead for the Georges V and Baccarat photos. I mistakenly uploaded these to Picasa and it has changed just enough that I don't know what I am doing! I think it was not public before but I believe I corrected that. Sorry - this is not my strength.

Someone (I apologize for not remembering who) told me about tete de moine on the forum right before we left for Paris. It is quite decorative the way it is cut. When I saw it, we had to try it. It was delicious, as well.

Ziggypop - point well taken. I will try to get that when I am not wearing sweats and have actually taken a moment to slap on some makeup. I have been working from home this week before I hit the road next week and it's a low maintenance zone.

Denise - thanks for the pics of the Georges V. We have only been once when i managed to talk DH into the splurging on lunch there and i just loved it. It's not how i'd like to live, but as an occasional treat, it's so nice to see how things ought to be done!

I'm included in the "OMG I want that cheese" group. Along with your scarf and necklace.
I can't believe you have a husband who loves to shop. Consider yourrself very lucky.

George V is always beautiful but at Xmas it glowed---how beautiful.

thanks for including a photo of Marco Polo for MDH. I spotted it right away. I don't get why he likes to have Italian food in Paris. He says the food is good but he really likes all the French people who go there---we've had some very intereesting conversations with the next tablles.

tête de moine, thank you for naming that cheese. Wow, it was pretty but that was a huge cheese platter.

Scary thing, the link would not work but all my pictures from my cell phone came up! Yikes, even ones I have deleted. My cell phone pics must be synced with google.

I am fortunate that he does not mind shopping at all, TPAYT. You will hear more on Marco Polo later, as well. We always need a break from French cuisine and have always had good experiences at Marco Polo. There are lots of locals there and we were seated next to the cartoonist Jean Jacques Sempe a few years ago at Marco Polo.

flpab - did you try the second link?---based on TPAYT's comments the link should work.

To all....everyone should spend a few hours at the Georges V just once. It is really a great experience but it is a splurge.