Last month when I was in Paris, the number one fashion trend I saw was brown sneakers. Yep, every single woman was wearing some variation of a brown sneaker. Most of them were Adidas sneakers, but they literally were every type of brown sneaker.
So of course, I jumped on the band wagon of brown sneakers.
So I have my usual Parisian haunts that I go to every single time I am there, but this time, I mixed things up a little and did a lot of different things. Here are some random places and things I loved last weekend!
This exhibit is small and sweet, but loved every minute of it. And not too busy and you don’t need tickets far in advance. it is being shown until mid January so if you have the chance to go see before, highly recommend.
Currently en route back from Paris to NYC (thank you plane wifi), and so much to write about….but first, have to share with you a run I did when in Paris — 20 miles. From Paris to Versailles and back. It was TOTALLY crazy, but so incredible and I am so so so happy that I did it. It took some more organization than I was used to because my cell service (especially the GPS) does not work so great. So I had to stare at a map for several hours to acquaint myself with the route. There were some points that were questionable (ie running over a freeway, or wondering if my cell phone batter was going to die, etc) but it was a highlight of my time and I would definitely recommend doing this.
I didn’t start taking pictures until I arrived at Versailles….kind of like a marathon….I never buy gear of the marathon until it is over. I didn’t want to take pictures of a failed route (and also needed to conserve my battery). So it was great when I arrived in Versailles and looked up and saw this space invader. Made me feel like I had won the lottery.
OK, I know last week I did a “currently loving” and mentioned a lot of what I was loving in Paris, but there is so much to love, so here is another list of my favorite current things in Paris 2026.
Over half a mile long, this tunnel near the Tuileries is so fun to bike / run in. But you can’t be claustrophobic! I loved looking at the art as I ran by — so many talented street artists out there!
Since I was alone in Paris, I had many things on my to-d0 list. One, was find the best Jambon-beurre sandwich in Paris. So I spent HOURS (yes, HOURS) researching and looking at where I could find this best sandwich.
Jambon beurre is ham and butter in French. It is a classic sandwich and one I love to eat more than any other sandwich. (picture of pig because of the ham).
I have been following and “flashing” space invaders for the past two years and what fun it has been! It has been a great way to explore cities (especially when in France) and to always look up. Space invaders are created by a French artist “Invader” who has been putting up different mosaics in over 30 different countries. There are almost 5,000 of them, and thanks to an app, you can track them (“flash”) them and get credit for seeing them. It makes EVERYTHING that much more fun.
It is especially fun when traveling with the kids, because they are also determined to find them (truth be told, no one is as determined as me to find them, though).
OK so yes we made it to Paris and it was a big blur — lots of friends in town that made it so much fun as well as jam packed. There is so much to love here and I could post a million posts on what I love. So I am going to start with just a few right now from the first week and then come back with more! But here is what I am loving in Paris.
1. European Espresso
It tastes and hits differently in Europe. Love it so much.
This summer, if you happen to be in Paris, I highly suggest viewing the following museums and exhibitions:
I have been at least half a dozen times, but it never gets old. The clothing is beyond beautiful and it screams beauty.
Sorry for the delay in posts — we are in Paris and have been nonstop with activities, museums, steps, and eating! The best! Anyways, I am now no longer jet lagged, no longer every second packed, and so I am baaaaaack. One highlight of the past week was a trip to Giverny, where Monet lived and painted. In all the years I have spent coming to Paris, I have never ever been to Giverny before. And it did not disappoint! Not only that, it exceeded expectations, and I highly suggest that everyone make a trip to Giverny if you have not yet been.
Every morning on our way out the door, we took our photos and did OOTD (outfits of the day) where we told each other our outfits.
Over Spring Break, while doom scrolling on instagram, I came across a sweater / poncho / fun sweater that I knew I needed. Yes, even as a Jew, I knew I needed this Virgin Mary sweater. Or Guadalupe.
The sweater I saw on instagram and knew I needed it.
For the final three days of our trip to Europe, we went to Paris, where the days were filled with walking, shopping, eating, and art. We saw two different art exhibits that I absolutely loved. Although they are closed now (we went to both in the final days), if you have the chance to see either of these artists in the future, I highly highly recommend.
Olga de Amaral is a Columbian artist known for her fiber art — and holy crap — this was one of the best exhibitions I have ever ever ever seen. It was in the Cartier Foundation — a museum, I had never stepped foot in before — so it was also fun to see a new spot (randomly, it closed this past weekend and will be moved to the different side of Paris in the next couple of years).
Another fun new activity to do in Paris, is to go to the virtual reality experience of Etenerlle Notre-Dame. Due to the fire of 2019, Notre-Dame is currently closed for renovations. Because of this, they created an experience in the plaza next door to the Notre-Dame that gives the history, details, and walk through of the historical church. 10/10 recommend — incredible experience.
Located right next door to the Notre-Dame, few people actually know of this experience. We purchased tickets online beforehand, but you can just walk up right now because of its newness.
Last week, I went to Paris with my two kids, and last minute, added two of Cruzzie’s friends. Initially, I had no plans, so it was a mad dash trying to figure out what to do with four kids solo and how to make it fun for everyone. Normally, I just like to walk around all day with no real plans, but I knew that that would be harder with four kids. Thankfully, I had a dear friend who told me about an app “Flash Invaders” which helps you track the space invaders — tile mosaics all over Paris buildings made by a certain French artist, an Unidentified Free Artist that goes by Invader.
First go to the App Store and download this app, Promise you, it is so fun! Addicting, actually.
The morning of Tusia’s birthday, we went on a hunt for the biggest Pain Au Chocolate / Croissant in the city. I had done some research and found that it was 1.5 miles from the apartment. So, that is what we did. We walked, we looked, and we HUNTED for the croissant. Thankfully, our scavenger hunt worked out, and we got it. It surpassed our expectations and highly recommend everyone do this on their next Parisian Adventure. The croissant is from Philippe Continci and it was not just beautiful to look at it, but incredibly delicious. We kept asking how something THIS big, could be so flaky, light and tasty. 10/10 recommend.
Croissants.
The first day we arrived in Paris, Tusia and I noticed that there were so many dogs walking around. The dogs and their owners looked SO more chic than the dogs of NYC (or the States in general), so we decided to document them and it was so fun! Take a look at these photos — not only are the dogs so cute (and the owners and their style, too) but the background and scenes of Paris, OH MY, I love.
Heels to walk the dog, love it.
Went on a quick 3 day trip to Paris last week to celebrate Tusia’s 12th birthday and there are so many highlights from the trip! Here is what I loved from Paris last week (and will always love)
1. The Random Street Art
is there anything more beautiful than art all over the streets of Paris? I could spend days just looking at the walls along the streets!
Introduced to Biologique Recherche skincare products over a decade ago, my favorite thing to do in Paris, is to go get a facial at the Headquarters of Biologique Recherche. The headquarters is located at the base of the Champs Elysees in Paris, (just so happens to be 2 blocks away from my in-laws apartment, so easy to get to). It is a peaceful, serene getaway — not only to pamper oneself with a facial, but the prices for the services AND the products are a fraction of what they are in the USA. So I love to go there and stock up!
This is what you see from the street — just a doorway.
I know everyone has their list of favorite places in Paris and what’s the best thing to do, but here is my current list of favorite activities I did this past month while in Paris.
Restaurants:
This restaurant was recommended to me by a french friend — and it was perfect in every way. VEGETABLES, ONLY FRENCH, ROOF TOP, BEAUTIFUL. I loved every second.
Greetings from France! I came with the kids and have loved every minute I have in this beautiful country. I love the light, food, fashion, language, art and culture. And now, I have my favorite event to add to the list: Pari Roller. Pari Roller is a weekly event in Paris full of roller skaters and roller bladers along specified routes in the city. Every Friday, all year long, starting at 9:30 pm, skaters have the opportunity to skate on closed down roads for 40 kilometers. Since roller skating has become a new passion and hobby, I was excited to try it out and be a part of this unique and special celebration. At the last minute, I convinced my friend Jean from NYC to come with me for a portion of the trip *IF* she roller skated with me that night. Always positive and enthusiastic, she said she had not been on skates for 35 years but was confident in her ability and thought it sounded fun. Jean is an incredibly upbeat, fashionable and creative friend, so it was no surprise that she picked out an outfit that corresponded with her skates.
Jean flew to Paris with her complete outfit (on the right). I thought it would be a great idea to match her, so the DAY OF, I went to Zara and lo and behold, found the silver pants. It was like I won the lottery I was so excited.
This past weekend, I was a true jetsetter and flew to Paris for a getaway with my mother-in-law. Yes, spoiled. Yes, privileged. Yes, extravagant. But oh so fun and wonderful. As I age (thank you, 40), I realize that time together with loved ones becomes more and more important. And even though we live in the same city, I rarely have the opportunity to sit down with my mother-in-law just to be together. We had a great time, simply walking around, shopping, eating, drinking champagne, conversing, and soaking up the beauty of Paris. Here are pictures. Enjoy!
I am a giant compared to my oh so glamorous MIL….
I have been a big fan of Tabio socks for the past five years when I found them in a little store in the Marais district in Paris. Every time I went to Paris, I would stock up on them myself and buy presents too (nothing says I love you more than socks…). But I just discovered that Tabio is now sold online in the USA! Hands down, these are my favorite socks in my closet.
The socks arrive in this great origami package. A present within a present. All the little details are so Japanese — and so beautiful.
Although the US has great healthy options (salads, smoothies, greens, etc…), Paris ultimately has my favorite food, which we enjoyed last week at the Paris Marathon. We had great luck with the restaurants we chose and couldn’t have been happier (well, our stomachs are a little bigger, but C’EST LA VIE!).
Sunday Brunch: Our favorite, Cafe Charlot. Not many restaurants are open on Sundays (and Mondays), but this is a classic French bistro where all the cool kids go to brunch for seven hours. We ate and drank for hours on end. The food is delicious, the sun was shining, life was (is) good.
This burger was the best thing I have ever eaten. And this was AFTER my huge caesar salad with smoked salmon. The waiter looked at me crazy when I ordered two main courses, but hey, you only run a marathon every so often.
Here are traveling tips when going abroad to Europe with kids (I need tips from you all on how to bring kids to Asia — GASP SWEAT GULP….6 months away and so nervous).
* Bring a scooter!
SCOOT!
Below was my itinerary in Paris for my recent trip with Cruz. While it was just from my own research, childhood memories, recommendations and experiences, it worked great. Stay tuned for Friday, for tips on *how* to travel to Europe with children, and things that *worked* for us.
Day 1: Jardin des Tuileries, Ferris Wheel, Place de la Concorde, outside of the Louvre, crepes.
A view of La Place de la Concorde in the Ferris Wheel. It was great elevating and showing Cruz where our adventures would lead us the rest of the trip
I’m back from a whirlwind mother-son-Paris-adventure with Cruzzie, and I am more tired, jet-lagged, exhausted, and yet more full, cultured, and educated than I ever knew was possible. Who knew that a trip to Paris with a 6.5 year old would be so difficult and yet so rewarding! Currently, I feel like I could write a book (a best selling book, too!) about what to do in Paris with children….and I *also* feel like I could pass out from being up for 40 hours straight-and-traveling-across-the-Altantic-WITH-child. So come back on Wednesday for a 5 day guide for Parent-Child-trips-to-Paris, and until then….
Paris Guide Coming to the JGB soon!
