— Life —

OMG! Oh My Gauche!

Tour Eiffel
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La Réserve Bed & Breakfast in Giverny. Ooh la, la.
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Versailles
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La Réserve
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Even though my plate
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This has been the best week! In Paris only one day, and I bought a camel coloured tweed jacket and a rust suede belt at Inès de la Fressange. If you don’t know of Inès, she’s a model, designer and co-author of Parisian Chic, A Style Guide. Her sense of style is relaxed and effortless, and at age 51, she walked the runway for Gaultier during Chanel’s spring-summer show in 2011.

I’m not fessing-up as to which of these statements, if any, were mine.

Since I’m still on vacation, and have vowed to stay as unplugged as possible, this is a short post. However, here are snippets of the week’s conversations that have stuck in my head. To understand most of them, you had to be there. Sorry!

  • This is what heaven would taste like.
  • Chicken with skin is self-care.
  • Extreme self-care is when you laugh until you pee your pants.
  • If you really do what lights you up, that’s play.
  • New is scary. Some of us feel like we’re letting go of control, and we’ve worked very hard for control.
  • She’s festively plump!
  • It’s like we’re at summer camp but with wine.
  • French cheese and pastries… Prunes are our friends.
  • Wax lips and Lemoncello…
  • This was thoroughly disappointing but fun.
  • Rat turds and wine. What could be better?
  • Feeling pregnant with a baby Camembert. More prunes, please.
  • OMG… Oh my gauche!
  • Follow your body compass.
  • Right there! That’s what I’m talking about. Oh yeah!
  • I had sex in Einstein’s closet.
  • The toilettes at Versailles look and smell like macaroons.
  • Don’t pick him up by his finger!

PS: By the time you read this, Esther Zimmer and I will be walking the streets of Paris, together! So excited to spend time with her!

Love, Brenda

26 Comments

  • Cathy Lawdanski April 30, 2016 at 4:40 am

    Makes me wish I was there!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:10 am

      It was fun! Maybe next time!

  • barbara April 30, 2016 at 10:46 am

    When my book is done and a best seller, I’m going on one of these retreats! Mark my words. I am so happy for you Brenda. You have earned this amazing vacation. xoxob

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:12 am

      Barbara,
      Just got back a few hours ago and am a little spacey from jet lag. Here’s my theory on someday… Shit happens while you’re waiting for someday. Grab on to everything and make life count.
      XOXOX,
      Brenda

  • Susan Tolles April 30, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Brenda, your getaway sounds divine! So happy that you are pampering yourself this way!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      Hi Susan,
      Not sure this was a pampering kind of trip. Up early and go, go, go, every day but two! A good time was had by all, however!
      XOXO,
      Brenda

  • Mamavalveeta03 May 1, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    I’m not even going to ask! Sounds so fun! XOX

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:14 am

      …You know which one(s) were mine! XOXOX, Brenda

  • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Hi Ann,
    Got home late last night, and my body was not happy with me for 24 hours plus with no sleep and over indulging in everything! Thank you for the great trip! You and Lauren are amazing!

    Essie and I went back and arranged to have my 200-year-old cow head shipped home. There would have been no way I could have retrieved that monster from baggage claim, go through customs, then take it to the other side of JFK and recheck it, even if it had been the only piece of luggage I had.

    Talk soon!
    Brenda

  • Susan in the Boonies May 2, 2016 at 10:55 am

    Dang, that’s some colorful dialog, right there, that I would have loved to have been in on! Enjoy your time in the City of Lights!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Susan! Returned home this morning, wondering why the French are so slim? I’m there a week and have a roll around my middle.

  • ccassara May 2, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Looks like we are crossing the ocean together. I’m leaving today for Portugal. I hope I have as much fun as you obviously did!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      How fun! Keep us posted.

  • doreenmcgettigan May 2, 2016 at 11:11 am

    It sounds like you are having a fabulous time. Enjoy your unplugged time and travel safe!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Sweet Lady!
      Got home early this morning! Unplugged time was great.
      XOXOX,
      Brenda

  • Jen Lawrence May 2, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Love Inès. And please share Boeuf Bert with us ASAP. Glad you had a wonderful trip. xo

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Visiting Inès’ store was one of the things I wanted to do. It didn’t disappoint!
      XOXO

  • Glenda May 2, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Well, I think we can all agree you’re having an enchanting time – especially if you laughed so hard you pee’d your pants. Those are the best.

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 2:21 pm

      The best, but embarrassing!!

  • Anna Rosenblum Palmer May 2, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Pretty sure I can imagine the sounds and tastes even from just the snippets…

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:54 pm

      Yep, crunchy, juicy, slurpy oohs and aahs.

  • Rena May 2, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    What a wonderful trip! Especially with a good group of friends! I sounded like such a fun time!

    • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:55 pm

      It was, Rena! Now trying to get back on my home sleep schedule. Think I’ve stayed up as long as I can. Nite, nite. xoxox

  • 1010 Park Place May 2, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    Sounds like you got sick:( No fun! I was so loopy last night from 24 hours with no sleep and jet lag, I spent the night at a hotel instead of trying to drive home. Seriously spacey…

  • Marla Martenson May 5, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Inès de la Fressange is my all time favorite super model! How fun you bought a jacket at her store.

    • 1010 Park Place May 5, 2016 at 9:35 pm

      Her store is wonderful, full of things that are whimsical and chic. Through a window, you can even see the seamstresses and designers working in another part of the store. We had to ask if Inès was there, but alas, she was at her country house. Thanks for leaving me a message! I like her, too. Visiting her store was on my “must do” list.

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