If you’re visiting Paris this spring (lucky you!) or simply dreaming of a future printemps in Paris (aren’t we all?), know that spring is one of the best times to visit! The crowds are downsized due to the “off-season,” the blooms are peeking out, & the entire city is ready to defrost, reopen after winter renovations, & flâneur in one of the many gorgeous parks. Many museums start to open their new exhibitions, the wildlife comes out to play in the sun, and bien sûr, fashion starts to take a turn toward the linen, layered, & a little more playful.

There’s no wrong time to visit Paris, but working out your itinerary in the shoulder seasons can be a bit tricky, as the in-between seasons tend to be a bit temperamental. But, plan for both indoor & outdoor activities, remain flexible to the energy of the city, pack a few layers, & you’ll be set!

Below is a list of some items I checked off my list last month in Paris, or from previous visits, that would make a perfect addition to your growing itinerary. You simply can’t see Paris all in one fell swoop, but c’est la vie. That’s why they say, “We’ll always have Paris!”

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Coffee shops

A.K.A. my favorite way to explore Paris. Pick one that looks cool to you, grab a cappuccino, & let that be your entry point into exploring a new arrondissement!

NOIR (Many locations throughout the city, & none of them will do you wrong)

Sevenly Heart

The Coffee (Must try the matcha cookie!)

Café Kitsuné (My favorite spot to people watch)

Monocle (A rainy day fave)

Café Nuances

Café Pigalle

YSL coffee shop (not necessarily a repeat experience, but worth it for the photo!)

Fringe

Jōhō

WHITE Coffee

Merlo Caffé

Boulangeries et Pâtisseries

Most of the time, your neighborhood’s locally owned boulangerie will have the best bread you’ve ever tasted! Don’t be afraid to wander into a place you’ve never heard of.

The French Bastards

Poilâne (Ina Garten’s favorite, & for good reason)

La Grande Épicerie (pick up picnic goods here)

Eric Kayser

Stohrer

Mamiche

Pain Pain

La Parisienne

The Smiths

Bellota-Bellota

Parcs et Jardins

This is the prime time of the year to grab a seat & soak up the sun in one of the city’s many parks. If sunbathing or reading in one of the iconic green chairs isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be!

Jardins du Palais Royal

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Plantes

Parc Monceau

Place Des Vosges (one of the most beautiful photo opps, in my opinion)

Out to Eat

Plan a splurgy dinner or two during your stay, enjoy a few mid-tier spots for lunch, and fill in in-between with some of the best street food that’s sure to be a pleasant surprise. Not every meal has to be a 5-star splurge, but when it is, make it count!

Chez Georges (2ème) (A must for a romantic date night)

Margaux (My new favorite—would visit again & again!)

Chez Janou (order the chocolate mousse for dessert)

Bambini

L’Epoque (5ème) (Our local neighborhood treasure)

Girafe/La Suite (La Suite (upstairs) is a much easier resy to get, & we could not tell a true difference in it vs. the downstairs Girafe)

Café de L’Epoque (1ère)

Le Poulbot (Montmartre)

Otto

Au Petit Fer a Cheval

Le Bonaparte

Ralph’s

Café Charlot

Brasserie Lipp

Bibie

Perruche

Loulou

Le Train Bleu

Bonus—Casual Food Favorites:

Chez Alain Miam Miam

Dumbo (The best smash burger in all of Paris)

La Mosaïque — Pat’s Hot Dog

Cocktails et vin

I’m not much of a late-nighter these days, but I love an indulgent after-dinner nightcap. Even better, a pre-dinner apero moment à la française.

Harry’s New York Bar (order a French 75 or a Bloody Mary)

Bar Nouveau

Avant Comptoir du Marche

The Cambridge Public House

Prescription Cocktail Club

Little Red Door

Velvet Bar Paris

Bisou.

Le Mary Celeste

Bar Hemingway

Tiger

In our favorite neighborhood, Place de la Contrescarpe:

Bar La Petite

La Contrescarpe

La Café Des Arts

Gaston

Café Delmas

Shopping (Pssst…get my full Paris Shopping Guide here!)

Don’t forget your passport to take advantage of the VAT tax refund during your stay, applicable on purchases of 100 euros or more in the same place.

Officine Universelle Buly

Repetto

Puces de Saint Ouen

Flea markets

Sézane

Thrifting in Le Marais

Marin Montagut

Halle Saint Pierre

La Grand Épicerie

Shakespeare and Co

Messy Nessy’s

Galeries Lafayette

Gift Shop

Pharmacies

L’Occitane

Diptyque

E.Dehillerin

Treat yourself

I love that treating yourself to un chocolat chaud, a gelato, or a dessert cocktail mid-day is so normalized in Paris. Un petit plaisir, indeed!

Pierre Hermé (the preferred macaron of locals & those in-the-know)

Café de Flore

Les Deux Magots

Odette (for delicious cream puffs)

Amorino

Berthillon

La Maison du Chocolat

Angelina

Carette

Ladurée

Museums

Book early, and plan to linger. Don’t feel obligated to hit the big ones just for the sake of it, either! I’d recommend spending a little time in pre-trip planning to plan your museum visits based on what speaks to you the most.

Musée Rodin (I could spend hours wandering the gardens here, perfect on a warm spring day!)

La Galerie Dior

Musée de L’Orangerie

Musée D’Orsay (Visit the Renoir exhibit that just opened in March!)

Musée Carnavalet

Musée Cluny

Musée Louvre

Pantheon

Musée de la vie Romantique (Just reopened from renovations. Don’t miss the stunning courtyard in bloom!)

Grande Mosquée de Paris

Other Things to Do…
Because the best plans in Paris are no plans!

Stop at any sidewalk café & order deux coupes de champagne while plotting your next move. Even if it’s a touristy spot, it’ll make for good rest & people watching. Plus, no one can mess up champagne!

Sit or take a walk along the Seine at sunset.

Shop at the local bouquinistes along the Seine.

Knock a few photos off your bucket list à la Pinterest, like Rue du Croissant, Avenue de Camoens, or Rue de l'Université.

Take an evening walk (with a buddy) & appreciate the warm light.

Grab picnic supplies from any local fromagerie or market (& a split of wine, for good measure), & head to one of the iconic parks for a leisurely picnic. Just watch out for les pigeons affamés.

Go on a photo walk around your own neighborhood, my favorite way to spend a little solo time (& capture those gorgeous magnolia blooms!)

Speaking of flowers, keep your eye out for any corner markets selling bouquets! Carrying a bouquet around in your tote bag = instant mood boost for the rest of the day.

What are you enjoying in Paris this season? Let me know in the comments.

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Where I love to shop in Paris:

Repetto: Gorgeous ballet flats made by pros from the dance industry

Marché aux Puces de Saint Ouen: Famous flea markets just north of the city

Weekend flea markets: Locations change every week (I love keeping up with Alicja Kissa for specific locations every week)

Sézane: Iconic French clothing, be sure to visit the flagship in the 2ème

Thrifting in Le Marais: (FREE’P’STAR, OPEN Dressing, Kilo Shop, Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. are all good places to start!)

Marin Montagut: Eclectic brand with the best trinkets

Halle Saint Pierre: Our favorite book shop in Montmartre

Officine Universelle Buly: Custom-engraved beauty (worth the wait & the hype!)

La Grande Épicerie: Iconic large grocery store with all the picnic goods & items to take home to loved ones

Galeries Lafayette: Make sure to visit the Haussmann location for views of the iconic dome & panoramic city views from the rooftop

Shakespeare and Co.: Iconic bookstore in the 5ème

Messy Nessy’s: A tiny, magical gift shop

Gift Shop: The source for all of your favorite Paris spots’ merch

Pharmacies: Any local one you stumble upon will have an excellent selection of French beauty (look for Caudalie, Nuxe, La Roche Posay, Bioderma, La Rosée

Other brands/spots to look for: L’Occitane, Dior, Longchamp, Diptyque, Trudon, E.Dehillerin, Mélodies Graphiques, Antoinette Poisson, Merci

Get a peek at some of my recent finds below!

What are some of your favorite shopping treasures in Paris? Let me know in the comments.

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Fair warning: I am a hustler on vacation. In fact, I’m even hesitant to call some of my vacation…vacation. I’m working on it, and the French are helping.

However, as the over-planner that I may be, you can always guarantee that my recs are well-vetted by myself & trusted sources. (More on my pre-travel strategy/research process later!)

Because I’ve got a lot to say, I’ve included a little TLDR rundown of each day before getting into every dirty detail. For those who are ready to go in-depth, this will also be a great resource to save for later. Choose your adventure!

On y va!

Day 0 (Travel Day):

Travel overnight — We were able to fly from BHM » ATL » CDG on an overnight flight, which I think helped me kick some of the initial jet lag.

Day 1: (TLDR: Settle in, champagne, sunset on the Seine)

Land at 2PM & Uber to Airbnb in the 5ème

Unpack and settle into Airbnb — a very important time to organize your belongings, shower, etc.

A toast with deux coupes de champagne at Café Jussieu — just a couple steps away on our block

Neighborhood stroll around the 5ème

Walk along the Seine at sunset

Dinner at La Rôtisserie d’Argent — This was a recommendation we found from one of our favorite YouTubers. It was more touristy than we had hoped (located right along the Seine in the 6ème), but it was good with a cute atmosphere! You know what they say though: if your chosen restaurant doesn’t have a single local being served, it’s a good sign you’re in a tourist trap.

Day 2: (TLDR: Day in the 5ème, fancy dinner date night in the 16ème)

Coffee at Noir (5ème—our regular spot)

Shop at Messy Nessy’s (a tiny little treasure—must go!)

Shop at Shakespeare and Co.

Street crêpes for lunch (a great way to save money during the day to splurge on dinners later)

A little window shopping in the 6ème

Stroll through Jardin des Plantes

Walk through the Grand Mosque

Loaded up our Metro cards for the rest of the trip

Home to change & Uber to the 16ème

Pics and pre-dinner drinks (Ave de Camoens) — A major spot for tourist photoshoots, but worth spending a few minutes to grab a shot if you’re in the area!

Dinner at Girafe La Suite — Noting that this was a super romantic atmosphere, great for a splurgy date night. However, I’d say that the most memorable part was the view & atmosphere, not necessarily the food. Sit outside on the terrace during warmer months for Eiffel views!

After-dinner drinks nearby — The 16ème is a pretty touristy area, so I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way for any of these bars, unless you’re already having dinner nearby! We enjoyed Le Coq’s terrace for drinks, though.

Day 3: (TLDR: Morning in the 2ème, shopping at Sézane et Le Marais, dinner at Chez Janou)

Coffee at Monocle (2ème) — Absolutely loved this cozy café and wish we could have spent more time here. Perfect place to hide away during a rainy day.

Photos at Rue du Croissant — because how could I resist?!

Appointment at Sézane — I arranged this with their team in advance & this will always be one of my most memorable Paris experiences. (Also half the reason I later had to shop for an extra suitcase…)

While I had my appointment, Peyton visited Paper Republic to custom-build a journal.

Metro to Le Marais

Lunch at Au Petit Fer à Cheval — A really fun, (tiny), classically Paris bistro. Where I fell in love with French homemade limonade.

Shopping in Le Marais

Coffee at Sevenly Heart — A spot I know you’ve seen on your feed! Fairly crowded, but we managed to get seats & loved the vibes.

Dinner at Chez Janou — I had heard mixed reviews here because of its popularity. However, this was one of our standout meals! Extremely crowded & definitely need a resy in advance. We loved our meals, & I’m still dreaming about the famous chocolate mousse.

After-dinner stroll & drinks at Bar Nouveau — A tiny bar that came recommended to us. Felt very local & chic!

Day 4: (TLDR: Full day in the 6ème, picnic in le Jardin de Luxembourg, dinner in our neighborhood)

Metro to 6ème

Poilâne for breakfast — Ina Garten’s favorite boulangerie, and for good reason!

Coffee at Café Nuances — Great for a cappuccino to-go to fuel your day in the 6ème

Window shopping

Coffee & champagne (before noon, à la français) at Café de Flore

Shop at Repetto — Shopping here felt so special and would highly recommend! I grabbed a pair of blue suede backless flats, which are now officially my favorite item in my closet.

Grab picnic goods at La Grande Épicerie — A wow experience. Wish we would have gone back to pick up all the gifting goods for our people! However, we did pick up several packages of French buerre to have shrink-wrapped for travel. Will definitely spend more time here next time.

Shop at Marin Montagut — A must! J’adore their dreamy, eclectic branding, & niche trinkets.

Picnic at le Jardin de Luxembourg — One of my favorite experiences where we truly slowed down & enjoyed a little split of wine & charcuterie together

Walk through gardens to Fontaine de Médici

Afternoon wine at local wine bar, Avant Comptoir du Marché

Afternoon coffee at The Coffee 6ème— (& picked up band-aids for my poor, blistered feet at a local pharmacie)

Christine Cinema Club — A fun photo opp for my cinephile husband

Dinner in our neighborhood — we were wiped out after this day & opted for a deliciously low-key, Italian-owned pizza spot

Day 5: (TLDR: Pantheon, Pigalle, Musée Carnavalet, dinner in the 5ème)

Coffee at Noir 5ème

Visited the Pantheon — So many noteworthy figures are buried in the crypt, & it’s really fascinating

Metro to Pigalle

Lunch at Dumbo — Be forewarned that this is a grab-and-go location, so a little tricky on a rainy day with no seating, but one of the BEST burgers I’ve ever had.

Café Pigalle for coffee

Halle Saint Pierre — One of our favorite bookstores in the city at the bottom of the hill in Montmartre

Musée Carnavalet — A museum of the city history of Paris, & FREE to enter! Would absolutely go back to revel at La Belle Èpoque section all over again

Home to rest and change

L’Epoque for dinner — Our treasured gem in our favorite neighborhood. You’re probably not going to find this one on many other guides (& I almost hesitate to write it here). Absolutely wonderful, cozy, & yummy!

After-dinner drinks in the neighborhood (we usually find ourselves roaming into a few bars around Place de la Contrescarpe)

Day 6: (TLDR: Flea markets, Red Star football match & beyond!)

Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen — We visited Marché Vernaison & Marché Dauphine on recommendation. I could have spent all day here & immediately regretted all the things I didn’t take home with me.

Red Star football match — What our Saturday was really centered around! This is a super local soccer team that my husband follows. I was admittedly a bit out of my element, but I immediately felt welcomed by the infectious spirit of the fans. We have a crazy story to share about this day & the incredible people we met, but I’ll save that for another post!

La REcyclerie— Our adoptive locals led us to this nearby bar after the match, & it was so beautiful! Think: long covered path with greenery hanging above, chickens & local cats buzzing around, & beautiful afternoon light while locals cin cin to a good game.

We were also led to Stolly’s, a bar that’s popular among expats. We were surrounded by English speakers and felt right at home here. Le sigh of relief.

Hot dogs for dinner — talk about feeling right at home. We popped by La Mosaïque - Pat’s Hot Dog, and I don’t know if it was the long day we had, the cold I was developing, or my general state of hangry, but it was one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had.

Day 7: (TLDR: Morning in Le Marais, afternoon & night in the 1st, L’Orangerie, Harry’s Bar, & new fave restaurant spot!)

Head to Les Marais for thrift shopping — Many shops were closed since it was Sunday, but we were able to go into a few FREE’P’STAR locations, which was very affordable and cool.

The French Bastards — Stumbled upon this takeaway café & loved it

Metro to the 1ème

Cafe de L’Epoque — Different from the one previously recommended in the 5ème, but also a re-visit for us! Near the Palais Royal but just far away enough from the main traffic. Love sitting here for a big salad & regular Coke. What a treat.

Palais Royal — A classic photo opp!

Cafe Kitsuné — One of our favorite cafés right by the gardens

Stroll around gardens — Everyone and their maman was out on this beautiful day, sunbathing by the fountains. The magnolia blooms were popping. Sheer Parisian perfection. I went on a photo walk with my film camera, which was so lovely!

Walk through Jardins de Tuileries

…To Musée de L’Orangerie! An experience well worth repeating every time you visit Paris. Monet’s lilies never get old…but that’s the understatement of the century.

Relaxed outside in the famous green chairs & plotted our next move

Walked through the 1ème (& had a few coupes de champagne on the way)

Popped into Dior (I had been eyeing a silk scarf & couldn’t resist!)

Harry’s New York Bar — Iconic bar that’s home of the Bloody Mary, French 75 & so much more!

Dinner at Margaux (16ème) — Immediately topped our list of favorite restaurants with its romantic, moody vibe & surprise (if not understated!) Eiffel views. Cannot recommend enough!

Day 8: (TLDR: Moved to hotel, slight detour, hung out in our neighborhood in the 5ème)

Moved from Airbnb to Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles (A godsend at this point in the trip & our forever fave! Definitely budgeting to stay here the whole time next time!)

The Coffee (5ème)

Bought a new suitcase at Galeries Lafayette — Not terribly proud of this, but good to know that they had a wide variety to accommodate all of our (my) shopping! Bonus that we got to see the iconic shopping center & the spectacular rooftop views during our outing.

Afternoon bevvy in Place de La Contrescarpe (the little circle closest to our hotel—could hang out here forever!)

Snack from L’Ile de Crete (a favorite Greek street food spot of ours)

Quick change at the hotel — since it got very chilly at night!

Dinner at Otto — Loved this for a shared plate experience, and their fried cauliflower was to die for!

In bed by 9 with our comfort movie, Midnight in Paris

Day 9: (TLDR: Cluny, D’Orsay, shopping in the 6th, hit my wall & took a nap, then a fabulous dinner at a new-to-us spot!)

Coffee from Noir 5ème (are you sensing a theme here?)

Musée Cluny — This was more of a request from Peyton since he’s very into medieval art, but I ended up loving the stone sculptures—they were positively breathtaking!

Walked along the Seine and bouquinistes

Musée D’Orsay Renoir exhibit — We got to view this exhibit on its opening day, which was so exciting! I’m such a lover of Impressionism, so I was very much in my element here.

Officine Universelle Buly — Much to say about this experience, but in the end, it was totally worth it. Just be prepared to wait a while outside, and know that queue splitting is normal! I walked out with some real treasures and was treated like royalty…once I got inside.

Grabbed a bite next door at Café des Beaux Arts — picked more out of proximity, this was a pretty touristy spot, and the service felt like it. But, I’m happy most anywhere I can get a cheese board & glass of chardonnay!

I finally hit my wall and opted for a nap at the hotel instead of our afternoon plans in Montmartre.

Enjoyed a post-nap champagne in the courtyard to toast to our last night.

Ubered to Chez Georges for dinner — A fantastic dinner resy that we scored through a sweet friend & the perfect way to wrap up our trip.

Day 10:

Headed to the airport very early for our 8AM flight, only to find out that French Delta employees don’t open up bag checking/VAT refund counter until about 6AM. Lesson learned!

Okay, wow! Going to be glad I wrote down all of these details for my own records.

Leave a comment below if this was helpful to your trip planning, & of course, I’m happy to dive in further around any specific experiences.

Bon voyage!

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Grab your coffee et croissant & settle in, mes chéries. My full guide to everything I packed & actually wore during our recent trip to Paris is here! March can be very tricky weather-wise, & I truly felt like I needed to prep for all 4 seasons. Think: freezing rain in the 30s, up to gorgeous sunny days in the 60s. Oh la la.

As much as I was in denial, let me be the one to tell you: March is still winter in Paris. However, you can lean into springtime with brighter/lighter colors if that’s where your heart is set!

Off-season has its pros and cons, but while considering your own packing list, just remember that layers are key. And, if you’re cold-natured like moi, you’ll never regret leaving home with your coat in tow.

A few wardrobe heroes to note, before I get into the good stuff: a trench coat, a wool coat, a black crossbody bag, black turtlenecks, & a good pair of sneakers will get you far.

On y va!

Shop My Full Packing List Here

The outfit: Sheer white cape top, barrel jeans, crossbody bag, brown ballet flats

(Note: I immediately ran home to grab my coat after stepping out in this. But, glad I got some great pics without!)

The outfit: White button down shirt, Sézane trench coat, grey wool cardigan over shoulders, barrel jeans, brown flats, crossbody bag

The outfit: Blue cropped button down, maxi skirt, black flats, crossbody bag

The outfit: Top & skirt separates from Sézane x Sea NY collection, black Alohas flats, crossbody bag, black hair ribbon

The outfit: White button down shirt, leather vest from Sézane, brown trousers, Sézane Clyde trench coat, Reebok sneakers, crossbody bag

The outfit: Black leather jacket, pleated maxi skirt, black flats, crossbody bag

The outfit: Oversized blazer, black turtleneck, woven black belt, black mini skirt, black sheer tights, twill scarf, black flats, crossbody bag

The outfit: White blouse, denim mini skirt, sheer black tights, black flats, crossbody bag

The outfit: Long-sleeved blazer dress, sheer black tights, black flats, coat pictured below!

Above: The H&M (!!!) coat that carried be through this trip.

The outfit: White tee for layering, pistachio sweater vest, cropped off-white denim, trench coat, brown flats, tweed Chanel bag

The outfit: Sézane chore coat, cropped off-white denim, Reebok sneakers, crossbody bag

The outfit: Black turtleneck, silver hoops (one of which I lost…RIP), twill scarf, brown trousers, coat not pictured

Travel day outfit 1: Short-sleeved cashmere sweater, black trousers, crossbody bag, Reebok sneakers

Travel day outfit 2: Black turtleneck, white cashmere wrap, barrel jeans, Reebok sneakers, crossbody bag

Note: There were more than a few times I opted for a classic (but perhaps not photo-worthy) black turtleneck/jeans/coat combo. This formula will never do you wrong!

Access my Paris March Lookbook

À bientôt, mes amis!

I’m keeping a note in my phone as we travel through Paris, as I learn new lessons with every doorway we step through. One of the most relatable online trends I’ve seen is where people (let’s be real…the girlies) share screenshots of their notes app with indecipherable lists, thought streams, quotes, reminders, plans…and I’ve never related to anything more.

Travel is such a gift, always sparking the parts of myself that I’m most proud of that feel truest to my soul. It can also be…humbling.

As I attempt to improve my French and not pull at so many “push” doors, experience some happy surprises & wonder why so many places are closed during their open hours, I’m doing a little bit of unglamorous journaling to keep track of it all.

So, enjoy a peek into my humble list of learnings. With a few actual explanations, because I’m feeling nice today.

Without further adieu, a very honest list of notes…

More thoughts to come…I’m certain.

Sincerèment, yours in learning. Xx Wes

At risk of sounding trite, there’s a lot of real-life truth to apply from one of my favorite childhood songs from my ultimate comfort film, “My Favorite Things” (The Sound of Music). What’s a rather cute and straightforward tune actually offers some profound advice I’m currently leaning into: gratitude.

Where there are opposing forces in the world, intent on inserting negativity, fear, frustration, and “stuckness” in your life, knowing that those forces cannot touch the items on my gratitude list offers me a lot of peace.

Gratitude, as I’m finding, is a superpower.

So, as you practice the art of gratitude list-making, consider this.

Reframe your gratitude list from:

My Gratitude List or Things I’m Loving Right Now to Untouchable Joys.

My Current List of Untouchable Joys…

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (a delightful French musical film I watched for the first time last week…& immediately fell in love)

Homemade sourdough shared from friends

A Poppi in a wine glass, over ice

A warm meal prepared for me

The cherry blossoms peeking out

The deep sigh of relief I feel going home to my parents’

Watching my cats become friends

A crisp Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade

Feeling my creative spark resurrected

A secret Pinterest board

Gorgeous old architecture & marble details

Going out to see a movie

An outfit looking as good on as it did in my head

Golden hour light

Discovering & obsessing over a new-to-me piece of art

Solid friendships that never wear with time

An everything shower

Getting lost in bins of old photographs

Fresh flowers in the house

What’s on your list of untouchable joys? Leave a comment & let me know.

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^A few snapshots from life this week…

I’m sitting at my favorite local French-style café enjoying a sandwich that the cute guy behind the counter made for me (I’ll see him later at home…), soaking in a little false-spring warmth & wrapping up work for the week. Well, until I switch into weekend work mode. (But that’s the more fun kind, anyway.)

Something I heard this week:

In my full-time marketing work (without inducing a corporate yawn), I’m constantly evaluating “wins” and what we generously like to call “learnings.” In what sometimes feels like an unforgiving industry, this rephrasing is one takeaway I actually don’t mind weaving into my real life modus operandi.

A few highlights, thoughts (because you know I’ve got ‘em), & learnings from my week:

Highlights:

1. Meeting with a brilliant new friend of mine to share some wine & charcuterie while she coaches myself & husband on our French. Our chosen classroom: Golden Age Wine Garden.

2. Hilary Duff is apparently here to save 2026. I’m loving watching her thrive in her moment (& currently coveting tour tickets.) Also low-key giving me hope that I can have a life during parenthood (someday).

3. Continuing to save spots to add to our Paris trip like crazy. Recently added to the itinerary: Mélodies Graphiques, Messy Nessy’s Cabinet, & Merlo Caffé in Le Marais.

4. Working through old film & discovering new favorites that went overlooked during initial production.

5. Feeling so refreshed in creating a content plan for the spring. Thinking: Paris travel guides for both newcomers & seasoned travelers, more film photography, & nostalgic content for the wistful & aesthetically inclined.

6. Making real moves on upcoming creative projects. I’m a great secret keeper…until it comes to my own. More on that soon.

Thoughts:

1. I’m feeling aggressively protective of the Oxford Comma at the moment. I found this post & had to resist the urge to send it to everyone I know. What’s your argument now?

2. I’m genuinely loving the community that I’m finding here on Substack, partially due to the drastic comparison in vibes I’m feeling on the other app. I’m finding so much more freedom in posting whatever is bringing me joy or inspiration here, as opposed to questioning, strategizing, & tracking metrics heavily. Somehow, being perceived feels a bit safer here. So, thanks!

Learnings:

1. You should probably make that appointment that you’re dreading. You’ll feel better once you do!

2. Sometimes you just need to call it a day and go to bed. Also, it helps to have a partner who will just tell you to go to bed when you’re feeling very, very cranky.

3. No one can do it like you. This is my current personal mantra, which I could probably write an entire post on. If watching other people thrive in your lane makes you a bit…defensive at times (hey, I’m a competitive person!) know that it’s okay to feel your real feelings. But try to channel that feeling as fuel to keep creating. & remember that there’s room for everyone’s unique POV! Others successfully existing in your lane is proof that there’s a need and interest for what you do.

4. And always…re-learning that writing is so therapeutic for me.

Bon week-end!

It seems everyone and their mother has an opinion on all of the things you must do during your time in Paris, and well, I’ve got a few thoughts myself. However, what’s less often mentioned are the things you really should save for your next trip, smart detours to save you stress, and items/planning habits you should flat out avoid.

Based on some personal trial-and-error (c’est la vie…), I’ve got some “Paris Older Sister” advice for you to save you time, money & unnecessary stress. Below are 10 things not to do during your first visit to Paris.

Don’t plan a day trip unless you’re spending at least a week in the city. I know you’ll be tempted to squeeze in those day trips to Versailles or Giverny during your 4-5 day long stint, but it’ll be done at risk of missing some essential Paris experiences—and worse—causing some pretty major logistical & crowd-related stress.

Don’t overplan. If you ever find yourself running to your next destination, stop & reconsider your choices. When creating your itinerary, leave (at the very least) 1-2 hours per day wide open to explore the city as it opens up to you. A smart piece of advice I’ve heard is to plan one major activity per day, at maximum.

Don’t exclusively eat at white tablecloth restaurants & don’t sleep on street food! You can spend your entire budget on 5 star restaurants, but my very favorite meals have been those where the environment felt a bit more lived-in. Plus, it’s so fun to stumble upon an unassuming street food spot in your neighborhood & claim it as your own!

Don’t overspend on transportation—take advantage of the Metro & reserve taxi rides for going to-and-from the airport. (Or for a nice dinner outing!) Better yet, explore on foot and soak in all the beautiful scenery & architecture.

Don’t only shop on the Champs Elysees; Yes, do go for a photo opportunity at the Arc de Triomphe, but know that your time and money is better spent at local shops. If you’re into vintage finds, make a plan to explore Rue de Rivoli in Le Marais for an afternoon sifting through iconic thrift stores.

Don’t feel like you have to visit certain spots out of pure obligation. Here’s your official permission to tailor your itinerary based off of what speaks to you!

Don’t expect any of your outings to take less than an hour; there is no such thing as a “quick glass of wine.” Soak up the slow pace & enjoy!

Don’t be too intimidated by the French; you will usually be met with politeness, if you first lead with politeness and humility. A “bonjour,” “merci",” & “s’il vous plaît” will get you far.

Don’t pack high heels. From an ultra-feminine dresser, you know I must be serious about this one. In fact, wearing sneakers with almost anything (including dresses!) is very common & très chic.

Don’t expect air conditioning—check with your hotel or Airbnb to see if they offer it, and otherwise, just prepare to lean into your chosen season!

Bonus: Don’t stress too much about looking like a tourist—you are one, and it’s a great thing that you’re exploring somewhere off your own turf! Just leave the beret at home, ma chérie.

What would you add to the list, seasoned travelers? Let me know your thoughts, plus any other travel advice you’d like to see next.

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Whether you’re dreaming about visiting the most magical city on earth or just booked your flights (let’s be honest—now is the time!), even planning a trip as exciting as Paris can be overwhelming.

You might feel some pressure to over-plan your visit—after all, Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many. But, I’d encourage some quality time spent at monuments that are meaningful to you > quantity of spots visited out of pure obligation.

With so many resources & opinions to sort through, allow me to simplify. Here are mes deux cents on the 10 items you must add to your itinerary when visiting Paris for the first time, plus how much time you can expect to spend at each place.

1. La Galerie Dior (1-2 hours) Then, get lost in the Dior flagship store next door!

2. Musee de L’Orangerie (1-2 hours) See Monet’s famous waterlilies & so much more

3. Palais Royal & les jardins (1-2 hours) Grab coffee at Café Kitsuné & roam the gardens

4. Sunset on the Seine (1 hour) Bring a bottle of wine & watch the sun dip down below the river

5. Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots (1-2 hours) Order a chocolat chaud & prepare to indulge!

6. Le Louvre (Allot 3-4 hours if going inside) Even if just walking the grounds, this is a great place for a photo opp

7. Bouquinistes de la Seine (30 min-1 hour) Browse through books & art prints sold by local vendors—you’re sure to find a treasure to take home

8. Eiffel Tower sparkling at night (1 hour) Pro tip: Plan a fancy dinner nearby & walk down to the river to watch it light up in sparkles every hour for 5 minutes starting at sunset

9. Arc de Triomphe (30 min-1 hour, if going up for the views!) Some of the best panoramic views in all of Paris

10. Montmartre (allot 2-3 hours to explore) See Sacre Couer, La Maison Rose & dine in some of Paris’ most beautiful street cafés

Bonus Items: In case you have a little more time…
Shakespeare and Co
Place de Vosges
Tuileries Gardens
Luxembourg Gardens
Notre Dame

What other Paris guides would you like to see? Let me know in the comments…

By the encouragement of some like-minded friends, I’m excited to be here & share some of the things that fuel my creative tank on a daily basis!

I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve never done well with niches. How many times have you received the advice as a creative to “find your niche” in your personal brand?

Maybe it’s my ADHD, but I find myself drawn to far too many things that hold my interest (see below) to narrow in too much with my content. We might be a little all over the place here, but we’re going to have some fun—and hopefully find a little escape from the mundane.

Here in hopes to create a space for the aesthetically-inclined, the nostalgic, & the creative-minded.

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