Paris - Girls Trip - How it went!

So, the trip I had been looking forward to for so long has finally happened. I cannot tell you how much fun we had.

There was initial trepidation from me as I really really wanted to go but my anxiety levels have stopped me before from enjoying things. Am I the only one who feels like they say no to many good opportunities because of fear? Feeling I can't cope with the social side of life has held me back so much. I find it interesting that opportunities at work or in business in general do not phase me. I grab them with both hands. So why do I find social side of things so hard?

It definitely goes back to my childhood - my parents are not sociable people and we didn't have many get togethers, dinners etc with family or friends. So my experience of mixing, socialising and generally being around people was limited. I think I grew up a lot and lost some of my shyness when I went to University and met my husband. However the anxiety has followed me around my whole life.

However I was determined that this trip was going to be different. I was not going to hold back. It is very freeing when you are actually just yourself. Not deliberately trying to impress others, or suppress who you are as to instead try to fit in with others or what others might want to do etc.

The People

So the trip consisted of Emma from @emmaandersbags and Lorna from @lornas_style both of who I had met before. Also along for the ride were Amelia from @amelis.roses.closet, Jo from @Jo_jolux and Pamela from @bagaddict1971. So the fact I had not met everyone before was a little scary. Would we all get on ok? Would everyone get to do what they wanted? Sometimes navigating a largish group is not always the easiest. I needn't have worried as everyone was super nice and we were all so similar in different ways. You ladies were so welcoming and I felt at home immediately which put me at ease straight away.

Thank you for allowing me to be me.

The Itinerary

So the itinerary was that there was no itinerary. It was important that it wasn't too regimented or structured as we were there to be relaxed and have a good time. However, it was also important that everyone got to do whatever they wanted. We agreed at the outset that anyone who wanted to do their own thing should do that. We didn't have to all do the exact same things at the same times etc. So that worked really well. However, it was sensible to set up appointments at our favourite stores in case we did want to do some shopping as the queues in Paris can be long and it sometimes means that you don't even get into the store never mind be served.

So Amelia set up our first appointment at Louis Vuitton - the Flagship Vendome store - What a beautiful store... The lady looking after us was so attentive and we enjoyed browsing whilst enjoying champagne etc - what a lovely way to shop!

We also had an appointment set up by Amelia in the Chanel Rue Cambon store for the following day but a couple of us decided to call by that evening so that we could have a browse and then when the appointment took place the following day we would have narrowed down the items and pieces we wanted to look at. However, that plan was swiftly dashed as it soon became clear after queuing to visit the Rue Cambon store that we were not going to be able to enter. Therefore, one tip is to definitley make an appointment to avoid disappointment.

Day Two

Day two consisted of more shopping! Whilst we had the Chanel Rue Cambon store appointment set up for mid afternoon, we also had lunch and an appointment set up at the flagship Dior store at 30 Montaigne. Lorna had arranged this for us with the help of her SA in Dior New Bond Street London and we were all very very grateful. This meant we had the morning free to do whatever we wanted. We descended on the Louis Vuitton Store on the famous Champs Elysees. Now a word of warning! Please please allow ample time to purchase an item before needing to leave.

We had a fabulous time in Louis Vuitton and a couple of us wanted to purchase items. We had lunch booked at Dior 30 Montaigne for 12 Noon and we probably had about less than 10 mins walk to get there. So when we had about 40-50 minutes before our lunch date, we thought there was ample time to pay for the items and leave. absolutely not.....

There seems to be in Paris no sense of urgency or sense of time. The majority of the group had already left the store to make their way to lunch and myself and Emma were just needing to pay and would be right behind them.... sadly not. Even explaining that we had a lunch booked and trying to emphasise we could not be late made no difference. How long does it take to box up the item once paid? a couple of minutes? sadly ended up being so long that we had to run to the lunch date very late very out of breath and very embarrassed and apologetic.

Dior was absolutely fantastic and was for sure a highlight for all of us. The flagship store at 30 Montaigne is stunning. It has just reopened and been fully refurbished. The whole atheistic of the store is magnificent.

After the most amazing lunch organised by Lorna, we were treated to a tour of the store - which is truly magical. Some very beautiful and colourful pieces this season which did not disappoint. If money had been no object I would have been bringing home many items. The homeware so beauiful, the craftsmanship was amazing.

Now onto Chanel - Rue Cambon.

What a wonderful special experience. It had been a dream of mine to visit the famous and iconic Rue Cambon store which is the original store where Coco Chanel's apartment was. To buy something from the store would mean the iconic white box packaging! Whilst this seems very trivial to some, for a luxury lover like myself, the heritage and the history of this special brand does mean a lot to me and buying something to commemorate our trip would be a lovely idea.

I was not going to buy for the sake of it as that would of course make no sense but if I did spot something then I would prefer to buy it from Rue Cambon for the white box. Amelia had arranged the appointment with a Sales Associate named Roberta and poor Roberta! when all 6 of us descended she must have wished she was having her day off!

Roberta was absolutely incredible. She was patient and conscientious and went beyond for us. She certainly made our visit to Chanel a memorable one.

I think we must have been in Chanel for about 3 hours - wow what a day!

Day Three

Our final day in paradise.

We were determined to make the most of all the time we had - Our flights were in the evening so we had time to do whatever we wanted.

A trip to Goyard - a beautiful store - typical Parisian quality and heritage. I have not been a fan of Goyard until this visit. I was very impressed and tempted by the vanity cases and pouches in particular. Very stunning.

Back to Chanel Rue Cambon to pick up something for a couple of the ladies and a final farewell to Roberta - until next time Roberta! Then onto a final stop at the stunningly beautiful Hermes Sevres store. I personally much preferred this store to the flagship store on Saint Honore. The architecture and openness of the store was amazing.

..... and Lorna enjoyed the ride.

In summary we all had the most wonderful time. Wonderful people wonderful surroundings.

As for what we might have purchased? You will have to wait for the unboxings!

Check out

@emmaandersbags

@lornas_style

@amelia.roses.closet

@jo_jolux

@bagaddict1971

on instagram and also on youtube for their content of our Paris trip.

and stay tuned.... more tips and tricks to come...