Spring in Paris, Day by Day Guide

Another year of Paris in the books. Jordan and I started going here, just the two of us, right after Steele was born. We convinced our parents to split the time watching the kids and after the first year, well we basically told them it's our new tradition and they've gone with it!!

Here's everything we did in our 3 days. We took the redeye on Wednesday night and hit the ground Thursday am. There's no time for jet lag on this vacay!! Here's everything I wore!

To stay:

This is our second time staying at Hotel Costes and we really just adore it. It's chic, sexy (forget the people who come to eat here and drink, the most gorgeous people you'll ever see!!!) and the staff couldn't be more accomodating. Small thing but to me goes far, the mini bar drinks and snacks are all included AND restocked daily. You'll also get a full size chocolate bar on your pillow every night. It's the little touches!

To eat:

Lunch: Cafe Charlot--my fave croque madame and people watching corner, tied with Le Deaux Magot

Le Deaux Magot--it's a cliche kind of place but lives up to the hype!! If it was good enough for Picasso and Hemingway then it's good enough for me! This time I swapped my usual croque madame for the chicken club. I held the bacon, tartar sauce on the side, and I can positively say I still dream of this sandwich.

Dinner:

Verjus--we've eaten here many times and then it closed for renovations. This was our first time back in years and it was delish. It's a prixe-fixed menu of many little courses, each one more delish than the next (and cool food combos I'd never think of myself).

Le Voltaire--I was told this is a must eat at, Parisian institution, and I get it now. We'll def eat here again next time.

Petit Lutetia--This is our third time eating here and it's still a fave. It's reasonably priced for what it is, and the food is quality. It's a cool crowd and the chocolate soufflee for dessert is a must.

I say if you can get morel mushrooms or white asparagus, get both. When they're in season they're divine!!

To do:

As far as shopping, we always hit up the boutiques on Rue St. Honore. I scored an Hermès leather appointment (and a bag) so that was the better part of the first afternoon. I'm still smiling just thinking about that!

The second day we spend it in St. Germaine walking around. We bought tickets in advance for Musee Dorsay (our fave museum) and started the day there. We cut through the Tuileries to get there (we don't take cabs during the day because it's a walking city!). There's a newer French poster exhibit with Toulouse LeTrect and then the usuals like my favorite Picassos and Degas ballerina sculpture. You must head to Le Bon Marche as well. It's THE BEST department store (yes, even better than BG), with an extensive shoe collection (some brands you can't find readily in the US), and there's every designer boutique within boutique on the first floor (Hemès exempt). For men the whole basement level is chock full from streetwear to designer brands.

The final day we spend in the Marais exploring, shopping and popping into galleries.