One more week in France, and this time I finally felt like I had the time (and energy) to actually explore Paris. It's funny living so close now to this mythical city I heard so much about and romanticized my whole life. I remember reading fashion and lifestyle blogs by stylish Parisian girls in the early 2010s, thinking they led such a cool yet foreign life compared to mine. I even asked for the book My Little Paris: The Best-Kept Parisian Secrets for Christmas one year. Then I sort of forgot about all that until I finally visited, solo, in 2019. It happened to fall during fashion week, and between the beautiful sunsets and the fashion everywhere, I was charmed, though I was also strangely excited to get back home to green and leafy London afterwards.

My second and only other visit was last summer, with my friend Emily. I really enjoyed experiencing the city with someone else, but it still felt like it was missing that instant cozy feeling I get in other cities. Maybe it's just the season, or maybe it just takes me longer to warm up to Paris, but I'm finally starting to romanticize it more and more. Follow me through Paris this week…

What I Wore This Week

A mix of more casual and dressed up! One thing I like about Paris is that people do truly make an effort to look and feel their best. I enjoy seeing less athleisure and a few more dresses around the city.

Look 1 is what I wore for a day exploring Paris. I wanted to wear these heeled sandals but ended up switching them at the last minute for ballet flats because I knew I’d walk upwards of 20,000 steps. The rest of the outfit just feels very me with white jeans and everything else navy.

Look 2 is a Rodebjer dress I found secondhand in Stockholm a few years ago. It has a ‘keyhole’ open back detail, and I really love its flowy silhouette, though I do always wonder if I should get it shortened a little bit.

Everyday Delights

My main highlight this week was my Sunday in Paris. I wanted to explore two Scandinavian cafés (you know me by now… it's inevitable) around the 19th arrondissement/Belleville, so I made a day out of it. The first was Mardi Café: a really bright and sunny spot with a gorgeous outdoor section, serving up the classic Danish breakfast plate, granola bowls, and more. I love their ceramic dishes, Sabre cutlery, and the mix of wood and stainless steel throughout the decor. It gets busy quickly, so I recommend visiting right when it opens or on a weekday.

The second spot I went to is my absolute favourite new find in Paris: Bokbar. It's a mix between a café and a bookshop, but with only Nordic books. In their original languages, as well as French and English translations. The pastries are all handmade by the team, and their cardamom bun is one of the best I've ever had. They also host literary events, so I'm excited to go back and explore even more. It was such a lovely place to stop, enjoy my cup of tea, listen to the music and just feel really cozy.

And then after my two Scandinavian stops, I decided to walk to the Rive Gauche for some Paris charm. I find this area can sometimes be overlooked, but I absolutely love stopping by Le Bon Marché and La Grande Épicerie (granted, they’re touristy but they’re also favourites). Both of them feel like stepping into a magical world with beautiful things (and delicious butter). I took my time looking at absolutely everything. That’s the beauty of solo days sometimes: you can follow your own rhythm and do absolutely everything on your list! And then at the end of the day, I met with my friend Lucie, who was only passing through Paris, but we met for a lemonade, and it was such a gorgeous Sunday!

Then on Tuesday, I had a work event that meant staying in Paris a little bit later, so I made a little staycation out of it at the Hoxton! If you know me, you know I'm a lover of this hotel chain. I've got a soft "goal" of staying at all their locations and collecting their branded mugs along the way. I had been to the Paris location for afternoon tea before but hadn't yet stayed there. They just renovated the lobby, and it's now a beautiful space for meeting friends or getting some work done in a stylish setting.

The rest of the week was also filled with fun things, and I’ll tell you more about the highlights in next week’s note!

This Week’s Edit

Atteindre l’aube, Diglee

One of the French blogs I used to read religiously was illustrator Diglee’s. I spotted her latest novel in a bookshop and was immediately drawn in by the story and mystery surrounding her great-aunt and the women in her family. It’s a beautifully written, deeply moving read, and I highly recommend picking it up if you read in French.

Cou Cou Cachet on the Fashion People Podcast

Fashion People is always in my podcast rotation, and I especially loved this interview with the founder of the underwear and sleepwear brand Cou Cou. She’s challenging the industry by creating pieces that prioritize comfort while still feeling undeniably feminine and beautiful, using organic cotton and the brand’s signature pointelle fabric. It was fascinating to hear how she’s built a distinct identity for the brand and to get a behind-the-scenes look at the underwear industry.

The Peach Club

I’ve talked about The Peach Club on the blog before, but it’s been my favourite way to do Pilates lately. Between commuting and settling into a new routine, I haven’t had the time, or found a studio that feels like the right fit, so I’ve been doing most of my workouts at home with their classes instead. And let me tell you… they burn.

Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack

I’ve never been much of a backpack person, but I quickly realized my back wouldn’t survive my daily commute if I kept carrying a shoulder bag. So I set out to find the chicest backpack I could and eventually landed on the Longchamp Le Pliage one. It’s already something of a Parisian classic, and I can see why. It’s compact enough that it never feels bulky, yet it fits everything I need for a day at the office and looks put together with my outfits.

Love, S.

Note 44 - Scandi Cafés, Staycation & Self-Care

Effortless & Edited

Note 44 - Scandi Cafés, Staycation & Self-Care

Note 43 - The Last Year of my Twenties

Effortless & Edited