Phone Home............ready to leave Paris now.

We saw these adorable vintage items in a very cool store in the Marais today. Impossible to believe, but like ET I am ready to phone home..................I mean go home. I leave Saturday and my bags are packed with the most wonderful new friendships and lots of stories. Oh, and about 900 fabulous photos of Paris if I do say so myself.

This vintage doggy in the window almost came home too.

He isn't the real kind, but I have some photos of some real ones too. 

Wave goodbye to Paris..................until the next time. 

Get ready to see Paris over the next few weeks.

I cannot possibly save it all for myself.

Too beautiful for words.

I will back track and add links to stores and hotel next week.

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Paris fuel....................to keep me going

When in Paris you need certain things to keep going. To sustain your energy. Lots of expresso, American coffee, and Coca Cola Light of course.

And then you need to hunt down the Toilettes.

A few croissants to snack on in between. I told you my sister-in-law Louise would keep me going at a breakneck speed. Don't you love how the French make even a humble pasty bag clever with a few corner twists?

The real fuel in Paris is the visual candy, the beauty, the endless supply of incredible beauty. 

The petite floral shop near our hotel.

Louise was sitting here at 5:30 am this morning watching the sun rise, the joggers go by, the workers begin their day. Her quiet time while I slept in a bit.

Cafes for waiting out a few short bursts of rain.

And seeing a fun pair of red shoes.

~ Luxembourg Gardens ~

Thank you to the readers and followers who have been leaving such lovely

 comments while I am traveling. And welcome to new followers. Though 

it is difficult to see too-much Paris, if it starts to get boring, just let me know.

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Keep on..............walking the Paris streets

Something tailored.

Something serious?

Something tempting.

Something adorable.......

Something everywhere.............

Some wishful thinking. 

Paris still perfect. Only four more days. Keep on walking. 

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Paris...........perfection

I know..............isn't this the most lovely of walls? We have finished up at the Maison et Objet show and it is when looking at the photo images that I see what my eyes couldn't take in fast enough. Occasionally in life, you experience a perfect day, rarely a perfect week. This has been my perfect week. 

I have had the pleasure of absolutely perfect company, fabulous and engaging conversation, beautiful restaurants, delicious meals, perfect weather, visual beauty, and today I am going to catch my breath. Sort out my sleep, my nails, my hair, my photos, my stories to tell you in the weeks ahead, the people I want you to meet. 

Tomorrow is going to be another perfect Paris day.

Photos by Vicki Archer ~ Maison et Objet, Paris

kiss, kiss from Paris

Bonjour........and my apologies for not posting as planned over the past few days. A laptop that is not cooperating, email server problems, a phone that won't charge, a fried hairdryer, a camera that is acting strange and the joke around here is that there is some tech-cloud hanging over my head here in Paris. Example: I finally get on the internet tonight at 12:45 and open a new post and where is the photo download on dashboard? But, boy have i some gorgeous pics for you to see from the show when this all sorted out. I will use Vicki's laptop tomorrow to post with photos. I refuse to let these pesky details stop me from having what is a most wonderful trip with the most gorgeous weather. And what a fabulous travel partner! I use her laptop to email home, her hairdryer to do my hair, she graciously takes photos for me (hers are stunning), and makes the best dinner reservations and even orders for me. The most pleasurable part of this trip has been to meet and spend time with Vicki Archer of French Essence. She is a stylish woman with an impeccable command of the french language, a generous spirit and is warm and wonderfully fabulous (she will be totally embarased when she reads this).You should buy her books........all of them and as fast as they come out. Her new book French Essence is going to make the best holiday book when released in North America late October. She is the real thing ladies and everything you would imagine if you read her mega-popular blog. Our late-to-bed-and early-to-rise schedule is now over and the next few days are going to be exploring Paris. In the meantime while I am posting with no photos (a first), please head over to to see Vicki's wonderful show photos (surprise, surprise, link also not working) so if you are not a follower then link through to French Essence my Blog Favorites sidebar. I have my own fun, fun show photos which I will post tomorrow or early Monday, on Vicki's laptop, yes again.
Thank you for your kind comments, see you tomorrow.

Bonne nuit ~
to my two guys JPC and APC.............miss you, miss you XOXO

Random thoughts...........before I leave for Paris

Thank you for all your lovely Paris travel comments and good wishes. My tummy has not been this excited since Christmas 1958 when Santa brought me that big life-sized doll I wanted. Except for my wedding day but this is a chic girly trip so the feeling is the same. I always bring my husbands best love letter tucked into my wallet. I really must quit buying so much black clothing. My open suitcase(s) looks like a nun is traveling. One really good pair of sparkly shoes are tucked into the suitcase corner.  I am looking for major gift and gift wrap inspiration to share with my lovely readers. Did you know that beautiful glow in Paris is in part caused by the sun reflecting off all the stone buildings? I figured that out last time I was there. I may post from Paris if I don't drop each busy day. No promises. But quite likely a few quick ones. Do you know if you hug someone for over 6 seconds that your body releases those feel-good endorphins? Hug someone and count to six. Lots of six-second blogger hugs ahead. I read that scientific fact in the book the Happiness Project. More about that book and my happy friend later. I am packing my cycling helmet for Paris cycling. Did you know there is a newer park in Paris for cycling and walking called Promenade Plantee? Cycling does work ladies. But I am repeating myself. Lots of new blogging material ahead. Stay with me. Welcome, welcome to all the new followers. No, those aren't my sparky shoes but I wish they were. Enjoy the beginning of September. Don't you love that month? My son just completed his long drive to New England...........now I am ready to leave. And my tummy has settled down. 

Photo of Sergi Rossi shoes via The Cherry Blossom Girl

Meeting a favorite blogger(s).............in Paris

Bloggers will at times ask themselves "why am I doing this?" Sometimes it seems there is no answer and it becomes even harder to answer when other people are asking the question. Why do I blog every day, every week  (I know I am a bit short on that schedule this summer), sometimes with few comments, and no pay? This is my answer. Because sometimes you will get the opportunity to do the coolest things and meet the most wonderful people. Next Tuesday I will be on an overnight flight to Paris, France and will be staying in this remarkably beautiful city for 2 whole weeks.............that is the coolest thing part of this story. And this is the best people part, I will finally meet and spend time with a wonderful blogger friend.  Actually, if all works out I may get to meet more than a few of you.

When non-bloggers hear you are heading across the ocean to meet another blogger they give you a incredulous look. As in "are you crazy?" It is hard for non-bloggers to understand you can know someone even when you haven't met them personally. What you do learn from blogging is that sometimes there are people on the other side of the world that you do want to know better. Vicki Archer of French Essence is one of those people and I think it is quite cool that I will get to meet her.  It is also quite cool that we will attend the Maison et Objet Paris show, something I have always wanted to do. Note to self: This is going to be so much fun. 

The Maison et Objet Paris show attracts buyers and exhibitors from all over the world. So we figured this might present another fun opportunity that can only come about because we blog.................to meet other bloggers or readers who may be in Paris that week as well. Is that you? We will be joined by the fascinating Claudia from The Paris Apartment who is also attending the show and staying nearby so  there will be at least three of us having a sparkly drink. All three of us are posting today about our informal Paris meet-and-greet so here are the links to French Essence and Paris Apartment. Do join us................. actually I have already received a few emails so there will definately be more than three of us. If you think you may join us then send me an email at sandechase@agiftwrappedlife.com or leave a comment so we have an idea of how many to expect at this lovely Parisian cafe on a cool September evening. Note to self: How cool is that?

Date: Sunday, September 5th at 7 pm

Place: Cafe des Deux Magots

6 Place des Saint Germain des Pres

75006 Paris

Since I am all the way over there and the first week is going to be a whirlwind of activity..................I figured I might as well stay a bit longer .You know, life is short and all that. For the second half of the trip I will be joined by my sisterly sister-in-law Louise who is going to join me in exploring Paris by foot and cycle. Yes, we're going to try those Paris rental bikes and see how we do, which explains my recent walking and cycling frenzy. I am almost ready. Note to self: remind very active sister-in-law that you are 10 yrs. older than her.