Mother’s Day in Paris

Bonjour! Hello from NYC after a whirlwind trip celebrating Mother’s Day with my special mother-in-law Josie Natori! As most of you know, I have a deep profound love for Paris and feel that it is my second home (Cruzzie corrected me and said “third’ — after NYC and Oregon, so true true). As it had been over a year since I had last been there, I was dying to get there. So my mother-in-law and I (just the two of us), jumped on a plane and went there for the long weekend. And what a special and wonderful treat it was. I am currently cross-eyed from no sleep (Jet Lag and I don’t mix), and we #ShoppedTillWeDropped, but it was so special and fun; a weekend to always remember. Take a look.

 

The view from the apartment. There is just something so special and glamorous of the buildings there. #BuildingEnvy

The view from the apartment. There is just something so special and glamorous about the buildings there. #BuildingEnvy

Love the juxtaposition of H&M on the old building.

Love the juxtaposition of H&M and the old building.

This photo does not do it justice, but look at the greenery growing ON the building. It is truly spectacular and a piece of artwork.

This photo does not do it justice, but look at the greenery growing ON the building. It is truly spectacular.

My mother-in-law and I roamed the Jardin de Tuileries. Paris with the light and sun can't get any better.

My mother-in-law and I roamed the Jardin de Tuileries. Paris with the light and sun can’t get any better.

Lounging. With the Ferris Wheel on the right to see the sights.

Lounging. With the Ferris Wheel on the right to see the sights.

L'Arc de Triomphe.

L’Arc de Triomphe.

We splurged and had a facial at the headquarters of Biologique Recherche, which happens to be my favorite line of skincare. I had no idea but the flagship store of the line is a block away from the apartment. We called up and asked for an appointment and got it. It was ridiculously amazing.

We splurged and had a facial at the headquarters of Biologique Recherche, which happens to be my favorite line of skincare. We called up and asked for an appointment and got it. It was ridiculously amazing.

The products all lined up.

The products all lined up.

We toured every shop in town. Left bank, right bank, every corner and inch, we saw it all. My favorite store is Le Bon Marche on the Left Bank -- and even the building itself is spectacular.

We toured every shop in town. Left bank, right bank, every corner and inch, we saw it all. My favorite store is Le Bon Marche on the Left Bank — and even the building itself is spectacular.

I lounged in Jardin de Luxembourg for an hour and soaked up the people watching and the views.

I lounged in Jardin de Luxembourg for an hour and soaked up the people watching and the views.

Not too shabby for the view on my run! On the first run I took, I wanted to only run 5 miles, but long story short, I got lost, I ran into clusters of prostitutes, including a transvestite prostitute PERFORMING, and ended up running 10 miles. I couldn't believe my morning -- and I was half awake and not sure what day or time it was (obviously with the stupid turn I took!)

Not too shabby for the view on my run! On the first run I took, I wanted to only run 5 miles, but long story short, I got lost, I ran into clusters of prostitutes, including a transvestite prostitute PERFORMING, and ended up running 10 miles. I couldn’t believe my morning — and I was half awake and not sure what day or time it was (obviously with the stupid turn I took!)

I mean, I can't stop looking at the beauty of Paris!

I mean, I can’t stop looking at the beauty of Paris!

treat

It is hard to take a photo next to my mother-in-law who happens to be the tiniest and most gorgeous human being on the planet. Much better just to have pictures of her solo. On Saturday night, we had a date night at Le Voltaire, which was just recently purchased by a new owner. In the last five years, I have been against that restaurant because it became too American. But MAN OH MAN, was it amazing on Saturday night. The food was perfection, the atmosphere all french and special. Truly a treat.

Massato

Haircut. My mother-in-law had her special and talented hairdresser give me a French haircut. Massato is a big name in Paris with his products sold at Le Bon Marche, Colette, and all the big cool places.

Place

Sadly, Paris was empty with few tourists and visitors. Most of the people visiting were French or Chinese. Tourism is down because of the two attacks in 2015. What a sad reality. We visited Place de la Republique where everyone gathered after the attacks on Le Bataclan.

lillacs

This doorway in the Marais, led us to this spectacular garden. With lilacs! My dream come true. Where is my espresso?

falafal

Sunday, we toured around the Marais (only section open in Paris on Sundays), and even went to Ken and my special place of Falafel land! But as you can imagine, we didn’t get a falafel.

salade

Sunday lunch. Salade Nicoise. Perfection

Place des Vosges.

Place des Vosges. Most of the people lounging around were the French. Wish I had been the one lying on the grass stomach down (can you imagine my mother-in-law doing that??)

entertainment

Entertainment

insallation

Chic woman. Chic art installation. Chic Paris

picasso museum.

Picasso Museum

view

View from inside

the two of us

The two of us

playgrounds.

Scouting out playgrounds for when I take Cruzzie there next month. Yes, next month, I go again! And look at this beauty of a playground!!!

 

We had such a special and wonderful time together, just the two of us. Thank you, Mom, for treating my like a queen, spoiling me rotten, loving me for the birkenstock-tie-dye-wearing-liberal-hippy that I am, taking me on such an extravagant holiday and vacation, and being a loving and wonderful companion for the weekend. I love you loads!

Anika Yael Natori, aka, The Josie Girl

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14 Comments

  1. I didn’t necessarily think it was abnormal that my wife and mother were going on a trip together for Mother’s Day until everyone I spoke to this weekend commented. #LuckyHusband #LuckySon

    • THIS! Why no after?!!!

      My husband and I really want to take my mother in law to Paris. My father in law was going to take her after they attended a friend’s child’s wedding in Belgium a few years ago. But my father in law was having a health panic and decided they should go back home to the states. He apparently knew something we all didn’t, as he died from a massive stroke not a month later. She has not gotten to go to Paris yet, and it’s our plan to surprise her with that trip, though we haven’t yet gotten that worked out. Now with the attacks, it’s getting less likely to actually happen. I am sad to hear that it’s so empty though. It’s my dream to shop my way through that city (my husband’s worst nightmare! Probably much like your husband’s worst nightmare…)

      I am trying to picture your beautiful mother in law face down in the garden, but I did laugh out loud at that comment, much like I just laughed out loud at Ken’s posted comment.

    • Second that, Gigs! I want to see my daughter with coiffure…

      Very nice post — but no falafel when there is no line?!

  2. J’adore Paris! Sounds like a great girl’s weekend. So jealous you got to be there at such a beautiful time of the year.

    • It truly was a special trip and one that I will always fondly remember.

  3. I studied abroad in Paris and you just brought back all the memories I had there – visiting the Tuilleries garden, the Marais, the eiffel tower and just strolling the streets. You’re so so lucky!
    Thanks for the post. You really made me laugh out loud when you wrote, “Wish I had been the one lying on the grass stomach down (can you imagine my mother-in-law doing that??)” So funny. Glad you had a fun Mother’s Day trip!

    • I thought it was pretty amazing that she walked in a park, and it would have been even more amazing if she sat down to people watch (she is always working or too busy), but even BEST would be lying on the grass…..face down.

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