Lori Andre | August 17, 2023
Bonjour, from Paris!
Bonjour!! Back from Paris.
Paris is one of my favorite cities for a number of reasons. Let’s just say that the croissants are on the top the list. Paris is the place to experience croissants, so I decided to learn how to make them while I was there. Needless to say, I will not be making them at home. While they turned out pretty great, I learned that you need 2 days to truly make the perfect croissant. You need the right temperature for the butter and the eggs, a scale, the right surface, and the right rolling pin. Way more complicated than I ever imagined.
Unfortunately, while I was in Paris the weather was very uncooperative. Just like Chicago, everyday was 60 and rainy. The weather, however, did not stop us from visiting some of my favorite sights. The Picasso Museum, Rodin Museum, Luxembourg Gardens, the D’orsay are a few of my favorites.
We stayed in the 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres) very near to Le Bon Marche which was one of the first modern department stores. Every morning, with my grandson in tow, I would buy my croissant, baguette, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. We rented an apartment and because I like to cook, most nights I would prepare dinner with the fresh ingredients from the day.
It’s easy to get used to the French joie de vivre. Afternoons always called for experiencing the cafe lifestyle that the French embody so beautifully. No matter what the weather, people were sitting outside at the cafes, drinking their coffee and eating the patisseries while watching the world go by.
The streets of Paris are lined with so many wonderful independent retail stores, boulangeries, cheese shops, chocolate shops, and perfume stores, all of which I frequented often. I found my new favorite fragrance called #9 Arcana Rosa from L'Artisan Parfumeur while I was there.
French women are so stylish. Words like “effortless” and “undone” come to mind, but I suspect it’s partly the things French women don’t do that make them so fashionable. Their style is understated but chic. They don’t show off; they love simplicity. I’m now on a quest to emulate their style.
Ellen Fiedelholtz says...
On August 22, 2019Lori, you already embody French, Italian and American style.
Thanks for taking us along on your adventures and bringing back some of your favorite things for all of us to purchase and enjoy.
I hope to run into you soon at Lori’s on Armitage. I’m excited to try on all of the new trends and treasures!