French dispatch
A surprise two-week trip to unknown destinations
Bonjour from the French countryside!! As an 11yr anniversary gift my husband planned a two-week trip to unknown (to me) destinations and told me to pack like it was NY weather. The problem is NY was ranging from 40-80 degrees. So basically, I just packed for ALL weather.
He did, in fact, crush the itinerary and these are the shoes I packed for 2 weeks in the unknown (literally). Each pair of shoes in this picture crushed 20k+ steps. I’m really proud of them.
Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex sneakers: Excellent for hiking, long walks and the Gore-Tex fabrication makes them waterproof, so excellent if it rains. Really great for rainy days in NY too!
Reformation Inez Pumps: I get compliments on them endlessly. They’re so comfy and I’ve walked so far in them. Easy to dress up or down.
Freda Salvador Elba loafer: Favorite most comfy loafer that still has structure.
Vibram: These are my gym shoes, so they go with me everywhere. It’s as close as I can get to working out barefoot. All my knee pain went away when I started using these.
Jude Blade Croc pumps: 2” heel. Look amazing dressed up or down. Chic as hell.
Checkered Slip-on Vans: I wear these all the damn time, but I extra like them for travel because you can slip ‘em on and off easily on the plane, etc. Somehow, the checker goes with anything.
We started the trip in Paris at my dream-turned-reality hotel, Le Grand Mazarin in the 4th arrondissement. Holy shit, it was just the most beautiful jewel box of a hotel. I cannot get over the interiors, and the pool is obviously a showstopper. Never thought I’d enjoy being in a pool in Paris, but it’s a must. Location was also a 10/10.
While in Paris, we had two magical dinners with one of my best friends + lite shopping.
A shopping highlight was my private appointment at Laoli, which I’d been eyeing for more than a year. The founder Olivia was beyond cool, her South American roots mesh seamlessly with a Parisian vibe to give you pieces that are easily dressed up or down. I went home with these two bad boys, but I’m already itching for more. Who knew I’d be rocking a luxe puka in the year 2026??
I would have gone for the Drop collar with diamond, but she didn’t have any on deck with the smoky quartz, and I was eager to wear it asap. However, next on my wishlist is a pendant puka with a diamond bead and citrine drop. I’d also maybe order a colored cord in blue so I could mix and match with the pendant. Just really obsessed with the mix of texture and material in this line. This pearl necklace is also insane.
I also bought this trench coat from Massimo Dutti while on the trip and it’s now my favorite jacket to make any boring outfit more funnnnnn.
Ironically, after buying a trench coat, we then ventured over to London to see Olivia Dean!! Also popped into the West End to see Cynthia Erivo’s one-woman Dracula show. And finally went to Annie’s Ibiza (!!!!) ... wish I had a reason to buy a heavily beaded dress or hand-stitched corset.
Big thank you to my London gal, Olive, who showed me around. We did tea (I’m into it) and browsed jewels at the Jessica McCormack townhouse.
Random beauty stuff I picked up along the way… + not pictured is a With Nothing Underneath x Lucy Williams Sóller shirt in the most perfect blue.
That’s all for now! Was thinking of doing a breakdown next week of everything I packed for two weeks into the unknown. What do you think?
Au revoir, going to eat cheese.