Love Wearing Black...............and Marchesa muffins

~ Rear Hotel Lobby of The Maison des Élysées ~

I do love wearing black, in fact I have a Pinterest board named Love Wearing Black . Nobody can say I don't know my fashion in shades of black. I just texted our friend Vicki A. and asked her where I took the above photo last September, that fabulously stylish hotel restaurant in Paris where I ate frites in addition to a full dinner while drinking St. Germaine (I have a killer St. Germain cocktail recipe coming up) while trying not to stare at actress Isabella Rossellini who was sitting directly in my sight view while listening to my most interesting dinner friends that night. Just so you know, Isabella must Love Wearing Black as well and yes, I had dessert too! Come to think of it, we were all wearing black that evening even the mannequins lined up in the rear hallway of this fashionable hotel. * Yes, I would totally consider booking this hotel for next trip.

Marchesa ~ photo by Jamie Beck

Here's the thing. The reason I am thinking about Paris in the middle of a Canadian winter. I lose weight every time I go to Paris. Isn't that just the best thing? I have begun to think of it as a weight loss spa destination or virtual proof that Paris is where I was supposed to live see, even my body does better there. No wonder I have been so fascinated with the gorgeous blog Paris In Four Months, blogger Carin Olsson is living my dream! Daydreaming aside, it doesn't take much to figure out it is the abundance of walking that melts those Canadian pounds right off no matter what I eat and drink. Too bad I can't live there. Too bad I can't go there right now for a week or two, just a few short months before I have to purchase/wear a fabulous frock for two special occasions in May. I say fabulous because I know I want something beautiful, something fitted and colourful, something  NOT Black after watching the parade of runway colour these past few weeks.

Marchesa ~ photo by Jamie Beck

That colour confidence requires going all Jennifer Hudson over here, filling in those time-consuming Weight Watcher menus each day, blending Green Smoothies, and heaven forbid, walking miles in the indoor shopping mall because we really are having a Canadian winter this year.

Triple Chocolate Chunk muffin with Greek Yogurt - 3 points

My son says "Mom! only old, old people walk the mall for exercise". True. I run into my niece and she says "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". True. My WW leader says "you lost 2 lbs this week, good for you!". Hurray. Everybody has something to say when you go on a diet. All I know is that while I was walking in the mall minding my own business, I walked right into a jewelry store on my way out and found the diamond ring replacement that I have been casually hunting for since my wedding ring was stolen years ago. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? As a weight loss method, Paris might be a great deal cheaper and I bet they have fabulous gowns too. In the most gorgeous of colours.

The Maison des Champs Élysées here

Click here to read Vicki Archer's post on Isabella Rossellini.

Photo 1 by Sande Chase/Photo 2, 3 and 4 by Jamie Beck/Photo 5 by Dashing Dish