Atypical 60

To be honest with you, I had other ideas in my head such as a blog post on just why I decorated for Christmas upon our return from a Halloween weekend in Cincinnati,

We had a ton of fun in Cincinnati over Halloween weekend.  We babysat for the boys while Oona and Sam went to a party dressed up as Costco  samplers.  The funniest thing was my husband thought they were doing a fundraiser at Costco and they were working.  I guess Halloween was different when he was growing up in Paris!

Yes. Both trees are up and lit like someone who overindulged in Martha Stewart Egg Nog. 

It’s time management for me. Between work and hosting an early Thanksgiving and traveling–it’s now or never!

How crazy am I to take Oona’s ornament from either Kindergarten or first grade that has deteriorated and update it with new pretzels. I ate the remaining giant-sized bag of pretzels.

Then I started packing for our upcoming trip to Paris (who knows how long delays will be with this effing government shutdown—we had a three-hour delay leaving from Philly to Cincinnati.  We were lucky because our flight was merely delayed and not cancelled— I am getting triggered. I need to stop).

Luckily, the flight from Cincy to Philly was on time and landed early!

Anyway, I started packing for our upcoming trip to Paris and curating my choice of outfits and it slapped me just like a baby exiting the womb.  I can write about how the way I dress has changed as I’ve aged!

I believe most people are organized when they pack. Not me!  Everything is in a pile, then I go through it, try-ons, then it goes in the suitcase.  Note the suitcase. The exterior is filthy.  I’m not buying a new one. This has been with me for many years and does the job.

I mean, twenty, thirty, even ten years ago, there was always a little thought in my gray matter muttering “But what will others think of this outfit”?  When my husband and I travelled, especially to Paris, those thoughts will surface.  And the funny thing is I used to live in NYC!  For decades! I mostly wore black so I didn’t give my clothing much pondering.  Why, then, was I so concerned when heading to Paris?

I wouldn’t go as far as dressing as a can-can dancer but…

I’ve been shamelessly known to sport a beret!

Could it be because of all the “influenzas” and their smoke and mirrors, or those internet sites showcasing what people in Paris, Milan and other European cities are traipsing around in.  Lest we forget, those videos are painstakingly edited and the street cinematographer is most likely spending hours upon hours on a street corner to get that impressive outfit.

Oui! Is this French enough for my wardrobe?

Although I can speak only of major cities as NY and Paris, most people dress normally.  I’ll give the Parisiens kudos for their incredible ability to style and I give New Yorkers for the ability to not give a f*ck and stick to black.  But I have to say, this time around, I am packing for me and only for me.

As I’ve aged, the middle portion of my body has spread. —like melted cheese spilling over a dish, my middle has spread over my panties and pants.  And instead of whining about it, that spread needs to be dealt with.  By hiding it.

My midsection is thicker these days but this old skirt still fits–INTO THE SUITCASE!

These old J. Crew Pixie pants are the closest things to leggings and delightfully, have stretched along with my body! This old sweater, I believe I purchased it about six years ago from Nordstrom, hides what needs to be hidden!

I love a good long sweater and now, with the weather heading into winter, those longer sweaters are more than welcome.  Here’s the thing.  All but one of the sweaters I am packing is old.  Old like me. With our faltering economy (there I go again), it’s more pragmatic to rely on what we already own—especially for our demographic that is on a fixed income (for now).  I’m not saying I haven’t bought anything new because I have—but most of my clothing is old.

Again, the tired and true Pixie pants.  With a long sweater. The sweater is new. From Amazon and is so soft and comfortable. I’ll be able to walk the Parisian streets all day–especially should I wear loafers instead of booties!

Comfort is key as I’ve aged.  Forget the jeans that dig into my gut every time I sit down.  My preference is for something looser or thrifting up to a larger size.

These jeans by Lucky Brand were thrifted for next to nothing.  The waist is comfortable due to stretch and with jeans–you can always change up the look with shoes or a different sweater.

 

Plaid ankle pants with a tunic sweater. The sweater is about ten years old from J. Crew.  Everything pictured is in the suitcase!

 Heels?  Oh boy. If you recall my blog post about Jake’s wedding and the heel conundrum, you’ll probably catch the fact that I can no longer wear high heels.  This hurts—and it hurts way more than my feet—it hurts my soul; and my soles!  I envisioned me to be that 90-year-old woman wearing five-inch stilettos while using a walker.  Ain’t gonna happen.  If I can even stand up for ten minutes in heels, these days it’s a miracle.

The heels I wore to my son’s wedding. I ended up offering them to the Blessed Mother in exchange that I never wear heels like this again. Rest in Peace high heels.

I’m packing one pair of heels.  An old pair of J. Crew, discontinued Duli heels that took years to break in.   Oh. And I packed a pair of kitten-heeled booties—of which I need to take out of the suitcase and run around the house for at least two hours to break them in and then add innersoles.

The J. Crew Dulci pumps from a 2017 blog post.  Eight years old and they are finally comfortable. BTW, I can no longer get those pants over my thigh. I don’t even know why I am still holding on to them.

From now on—it’s flats for me.  Comfort is so important.  Especially now that I try to outrun my grandsons when I’m with them.  Gam Gam can be very stubborn and proud—even if it means the possibility of a sprain or broken foot from running into a door.

And I have a penchant for pointy-toed flats! These aren’t getting packed because it’s cold out and I won’t wear slingbacks in cold weather.

 

Top pic is before polish. Bottom after!  Bass Weejuns and Navy Repettos are packed!  In they go!

Okay, not to hijack the topic but.…..the loafers and ballet flats. I have a story for you. When my siblings and I were kids in Catholic school, my dad, who was obsessive with polished shoes, would have us line up our shoes after dinner and he would polish them. He was extremely serious about this.  Rubbing the polish in carefully, then buffing with a towel, then going over with a brush for shine.

Anyway, I took a good look at my shoes and realized that I neglect my footwear because I don’t polish them my husband is a shoe–polisher.  So, I made Vincent take me to DSW to buy Cordovan shoe polish and navy shoe polish.  DSW did not have shoe polish.  The store did, however, have a shoe sponge with built-in black polish that shines the shoes–it was ten bucks and he purchased it.  It worked alright on my black loafers but I was not impressed.

Instead, I ordered shoe paste on Amazon in Cordovan and Navy.  Both worked beautifully!

This shoe paste is incredible. No more scuffs!

I didn’t give up on my skirts.  They aren’t worn for work anymore because corporate clothing and business casual have been traded for more comfortable attire in the State Hospital—however we do have a dress code to adhere to—no flip flops or high heels for obvious reasons.  Women are discouraged to wear clothing that might drive the forensic patients’ libidos.  I get that.  Besides, my office is so cold that I need to wear double-sweatshirts, sweat pants or jeans or heavy leggings.  I stick to flats but draw the line on socks.  I still despise them.

Along with the leopard print skirt, I’ll bring the houndstooth skirt and plaid one.  They are already packed. The short sleeved sweater is from two years ago. Temu. Eight bucks each and I gotta say, these sweaters held up a lot better than expensive ones! While I realize it’s fast fashion, if it lasts for years it’s slow fashion.  I love tights and these are packed along with the Dulci pumps!

Another Temu favorite. This trench coat. Around $25, it’s going on two years. Why am I packing it?  I can’t stand traipsing around in a heavy coat all day. I may be old but I still get hot easily and hot flashes.  The cut of this coat–especially in the sleeves, is generous enough that a heavy sweater can be worn underneath, giving warmth.  I just need a scarf, gloves, and a knit cap to keep me toasty when walking out and about.

And during this season, Mariah Carey might croon about all she wats for Christmas is you, but all I want is to come home from work and put on my Old Navy pajamas.

No longer do I feel the need to dress up at home.  Sure—if we have guests, I will get dressed into nicer clothing.  But in all honesty, I look forward to Christmas when we are at my daughter’s house and we all have matching pajamas and don’t leave the house.  It’ll be more fun to play with the boy’s toys from Santa, eat food all day and just be with my family.

Old Navy PJ’s are the bomb.  After daylight savings on the last day of October, I LIVE in these when at home.  At least I’m not wearing a Mumu!

Aging, while something people fret about, isn’t bad.  It’s that point in your life where you can be comfortable in your own skin.  Where you can look in a mirror and see your present reflection that can make you think of your younger self—but allows you the confidence and empowerment to realize that is a memory, a fond one, and you don’t need fillers or filters to make you look younger.

My aging 70-year old face sans makeup and wig. It’s not my 20 or 30 or 40 face but it’s mine and I love it–nothing a bit of makeup won’t enhance..

I would rather see a cartoon of me than an over-filled or over-filtered me.  Actually, I would rather just see real me.

Perhaps I don’t dress age appropriately to some but for the most part, I just want to dress nicely–no matter what my age.

 

So, get comfortable. Throw the heels out.  Slip into flats.  Eat a steak with fries and have that cake.  Wear those elasticized waisted skirts and pants and sweats.  And be thankful that you have the privilege to experience the aging process!

Hey!  Have you changed the way you dress or anything since you’ve aged?  Are you comfortable with yourself? Write a comment and let us discuss!

Okay.  Continuing to work backward regarding this past summer, our annual trip to Theoule-sur-Mer took place from the middle of June until the beginning of July.

What was slightly different this year was that nothing was planned except for dinner reservations at L’air du Temps. Other than that, it was a truly relaxing two weeks. The focus being on the word relaxing!

Twice we had dinner here. It’s our favorite restaurant in Theoule!

We left Philly for Nice on an uneventful flight that had us arriving early morning to extremely hot weather.  We are getting a bit used to the fact that American Airlines lacks a hub terminal and that we must exit on the tarmac for a bus.  My only solace was that at Nice, I can piggy-back onto my husband’s EU passport so I do not have to wait on a long line.

Almost there!

The wait for our luggage wasn’t long and we were able to board the tram to the car rental in no time.  I am not gonna lie and not gonna sugarcoat the wait for the car rental.  It was long.  And I waited outside while Vincent was inside waiting.  The car rental is always incredibly crowded during summer.  I swear, I got a sunburn waiting for him to come out with the car keys but once we were in the vehicle and out of the airport—our vacation officially commenced.

How I feel at the car rental…

Finally able to hit the road!

There is something extremely comforting about returning to a place year after year.  While I realize some think it might be odd to visit on repeat or adhere to the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt,” we think differently.  It could be because with age comes wisdom.  It could be because as we’ve gotten older we prefer a routine rather than a surprise.  Or it could be that both of us work full-time, so we need to plan our time off in a pragmatic way. We love the area so we travel there.

It also makes me happy to pass familiar sights that haven’t changed—not that I don’t like change, but I happen to be a creature of habit and I find it comforting.  When we pulled up to the apartment, a smile immediately spread across my visage.  I couldn’t wait to get to the terrace and soak in the view of the Mediterranean.  I couldn’t wait to spot, in the distance, the infamous Bubble Castle.  I couldn’t wait to unpack and head to Auchan for our essentials and groceries. French supermarkets are the greatest.  They don’t have cheese or bread “sections” but rather have those items in complete aisles of broad selections—it’s mind boggling and I love it.

Let us enjoy the overwhelming choices of the simplest of foods such as ham for sandwiches!

The apartment had little changes but nothing major.  The bookshelf that I leave novels I’ve read was still in the corner and my books were waiting for new guests to arrive—and arrive they did because I did a lot of reading this summer!  The terrace was the way it always was and the view spectacular.

Familiar but always that thrill when we get to the apartment..

Look to the back.  My books are still on the shelf..

One of the additions from summer 2025! This book was fantastic!

The major difference this summer was the weather.  In 2024  it was rainy and cool.  And to be honest—with no pun intended, it left a damper on me.  I almost didn’t want to return.  However, this year things changed—and the weather was extremely compliant.   This year it was incredibly hot and we had not a drop of rain! For two weeks!

Biew from the terrace. The weather was a gift!

And,  as I stated before, we unpacked and headed to Auchan.  Having made most of the list on the plane, there was still room for extras—which is always quite a bit.   Might I add that at this point it was nearing late afternoon so there was a bit of oncoming jet lag.  But it didn’t stop us from spending a long period of time at the supermarket.

Yes. We purchased goodies of all sorts–I picked up 9-euro espadrilles and the pureed gourgettes were absolutely delicious!

And when we arrived back at the apartment, we unpacked the groceries, and I started making dinner.  It was time to enjoy our first aperitif of our stay on the terrace and overlook the Mediterranean Sea.

We traded in Kir Royals for Peche Royals. Tchin. Tchin Baby!

For the next two weeks, we enjoyed the doings of doing nothing except heading to the beach, reading by the pool and swimming.  The excursions we made were purely out of guilt—but not in a bad way.

Where we spend a great deal of time!

We took a boat ride to Ile Saint-Honorat and attended Mass at the Church at the Monastery of Abbaye de Lerins.  The island was beautiful and so incredibly peaceful.  And on the boat ride over we ran into a Muslim gentleman with a group of people with a ton of food.  He explained that every year a group of Muslims and Christians head to the island for a feast and to join and put differences aside.  It was so moving that both Vincent and I got misty-eyed.

The trip to the monestary had us thinking why we hadn’t done this years ago?  Moving forward, it’ll be done again. This was a fantastic day!

Another activity of sorts was to visit the Fondation Maeght in St. Paul de Vence. We’ve visited about four times and it is, hands down, one of my favorite places to visit.  The exhibits are always unique and interesting and the grounds incredibly soothing and calm.

You never know what you’ll come across at Fondation Maeght.  We saw a wonderful dancer and look at all the fun toy cars!

The same day, we headed to Opio to see where Vincent’s grandfather lived. Opio is charming—a bit inland to the back country but nonetheless, beautiful.

Vincent was thrilled to stand at his grandfather’s square.  The maire’s building has quite a number of his grandfather’s paintings.  I wanted to take one but my husband stopped me!

Oh yeah, we went to Cabris where I paid homage to St. Rita and we strolled at a leisurely pace.

Is isn’t an official drive to Cabris unless I stop to say hi to Saint Rita and offer my thanks!

We also played tourist and took the choo-choo train around Cannes.  This was our second time doing this.  And it is always a ton of fun.  The driver stopped at the top of Cannes to allow us to disembark to take photos.  I highly guarantee if you are in Cannes, do this touristy activity—you’ll enjoy yourself!

We played tourist and rode the choo-choo from the port at Cannes all the way to the top.  We did this a couple of years ago and it was so much fun that we did it again!  It was so stinking hot though that I cooled off by storing my cold water bottle in the top of my dress!

Naturally, it would not be a trip if we didn’t head to St. Tropez.  I purchased my annual pair of Rondini sandals and, the weather was so hot that it finally became uncomfortable for me—not for my husband though.  What was different about this trip was it being our only visit to St. Tropez.

More Rondini’s.  A naughty fan I purchased at the flea market. A yacht we were not invited on and more.  St. Tropez is always fun!

A return to Fragonard in Grasse, heading to Marché Forville for produce we also enjoyed.

It’s always a good time to load up on my Fragonard products!

The spices. The food. The flowers. THE MUSHROOMS.  I could have kicked myself in the ass for not buying Morels and bringing them home. I’m a moron for not doing so because they are so incredibly expensive at home and in France are cheap–and they are my favorite mushrooms!

And., I made a friend at the pool.  I heard a voice with an accent. It was a New York one so I followed the voice and luckily met Rena and her husband Jeffrey.   Since our return home, we’ve been trying to find a weekend to get together but we both have busy weekend schedules.  Hopefully, soon we will be able to see them.

A funny thing happened when we returned home.  Co-workers and friends inquired as to why we keep returning to the same spot year after year.  Why spend the money? Don’t you want to see America? Aren’t the French vengeful toward Americans?

Seriously. What’s not to love? I’ve never had ANY Frenchman or woman acting vengeful towards me. In fact, the reception has always been positive!

than my explanation at the beginning of this post—I will address other reasons why we head to France in the summer:  Have you ever looked at the prices of summer rentals at the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons in New York?  They are astronomical.  For the same price or slightly less, we can fly to France, rent the apartment, and relax.  And, quite frankly, if you’ve ever been to Stone Harbor, or Avalon, or the Wildwoods, the amount of Trump flags are sickening.  I have no desire to spend more than a few hours at the NJ beaches.

I don’t have to explain further.  We love it there.  And while we are still in good enough health to get around—it’s perfect.  The other thing is we’re over that age of needed to go clubbing at night.  We go to bed early and rise early—and we enjoy that.  It is the summer vibe.

Besides–where can you get such great food–whether at a restaurant or market–or swim in the sea that has no life-threatening waves, or buy the greatest sunburn spray on earth, or be overwhelmed by the wine choices?

Don’t get me wrong—when we are in NYC, it’s more conducive to be out and about later—much later—especially when we get to see the dress rehearsals or live show of SNL.  But—everything has a vibe!

Even though I am extremely lucky to have seen SNL in person quite a few times, France is always a great place to visit.

So that’s it. It was a busy summer.  From France to Santa Barbara.  From a relaxing vacation to my son’s wedding which was a whirlwind of fun.  I have wonderful memories to look back upon –and those memories get me through the oncoming bleak days of winter season after the holidays.

Do you have great summer memories to look back on?  Let me know!

It’s no surprise that I turned 70 earlier this month.  My celebration lasted quite a while from a weekend in New York City that was gifted by my three children to a fantastic dinner last night at our favorite restaurant—Springmill Café in Conshy!

I’m still over-the-moon thinking of my NYC weekend!

And while I am absolutely blessed to have made it to 70, there have been changes that, I would be lying and completely dishonest if I said they didn’t bother me.

One of those changes is in my skin.  Those changes occurred starting at around 50 years, with noticing more lines and wrinkles and slightly drier skin both on my face and body.  I think the biggest changes, though, took place during the past few years.

My hands now look like “old lady” hands.  Those age spots and crinkles are quite visible.  However, I did manage to, after decades, grow out my natural nails and get regular manicures.

Hands are the biggest sign of age. I remember a time when my hands were as smooth as a baby’s behind.  They still are but with the texture of a baby hippo!

It’s the changes in my face that I’ve noticed the most. My complexion has gotten ruddier.  Spots on my face seemingly popped up overnight—and I am not talking about cute freckles either!  The drier skin has made exceptions for actual dry patches.  The eyelids have morphed into crepe paper, making it difficult to apply liner.

Don’t let anyone fool you. THIS is 70-year old skin without any makeup or enhancement.  Decades of sun damage. Age spots. Wrinkles. Ruddiness and uneven skin texture–and disappearing brows. It ain’t pretty folks.  But I know how to work it!

UPDATE:  In February of 2024, I wrote a blog post regarding Il Makiage Foundation.  In the course of a year, this foundation no longer works for me.  I no longer order and have had a challenge trying to stop my subscription but I am pushing the dates back until my card expires.  My skin has just changed and I’m annoyed that Il Makiage makes it difficult to cancel.   Here’s my review in case you hadn’t read it.  Il Makiage Review

Application of makeup has also changed.  I’m more mindful of how I’m applying.  And, as less-is more at this juncture, ALL foundation has been thrown into the trash and my new best friends are skin tints.

Not allota product can change the appearance so let’s go……….

Another thing of note.  Since I’m purchasing less makeup—I’m spending more on individual items and brands—simply because I am worth it. Add to the fact, drug store prices have risen astronomically so for a few dollars more, I’m treating my skin!

So let us commence and I shall share the products that I’m using presently and I’ll let you know which are my favorites!  Note. This is cosmetics only. I’ll get to skincare in another post but I do make sure skin is cleaned, and serum and moisturizer is applied!

And Embryolisse remains my GOAT of moisturizers before applying cosmetics.

The concealers and/or eye brighteners.  Call them what you will. They are applied to the eyes to brighten, conceal blueness and discoloration.  I use two and will tell you which I prefer.

First, DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector.  Yes. I ordered two products from this brand. This Eye Corrector is one of the products.  It is said to cover discoloration and acts as a “brightener” and also “vanishes” fine lines.  The cost? 44 USD.

The applicator actually feels great and gives a cooling effect when applying. The issue is that when you “pump” the tube, way too much pruduct comes out. And when one is spending forty-four bucks, that can be very wasteful.

It definitely does the job with brightening–I’ll give them that.  And the application is smooth. But my lines do not vanish.  That is what drives me crazy.  There is no need to to add it vanishes fine lines.  Just go with the brightening and correcting and it’ll be fine.

Is it aging and mature-skin friendly.  Yeah. “Vanishing” fine lines withstanding, it is friendly to older skin.

Do I like this? Yeah. But for the price, I would not repurchase. Overall the product is good but the amount of money for too much product to be pumped out unless you know to use a LIGHT HAND, I can’t justify the repurchase. Again–it’s a good product and if it were less than 25 USD, I would repurchase…

Overall, a good product but for $44, I cannot justify a repurchase.

Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer:  I love this. And have been using it for years.  In fact, I have two unopened boxes as backup.  In my humble opinion, Glossier products, while advertised mostly to attract a younger demographic, are incredibly mature-skin friendly!

I’m going with a stock photo because you do not want to see what my little pot looks like. It’s almost all gone….

 

The texture LOOKS like it could be dry and cakey but it isn’t. Honestly, this is the greatest concealer.  I don’t use it only on my eyes.  I have a very red nose and it covers the redness. This is a great product!

Here’s the thing about this product. It is definitely a godsend for dry skin.  I’ve read many reviews that state it is somewhat greasy.  It isn’t.  At least on drier, mature skin it isn’t greasy at all.  I prefer this to the DRMTLGY correcter because it does correct and does a better job at covering discolorations while brightening at the same time.  I apply with a tiny beauty sponge and it does a beautiful job. The wrinkles stay but this is quite hydrating.  And at  22 USD, it is a very, very good deal.  Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer is also great in that you do NOT need a lot of product.  I’ve had my opened pot for over a year. This is a definite repurchase for me.

The Main Event:  FACE TINTS Originally, this post was to be exclusively about the face tints that I use and like and or don’t care for.  However, you know me and my penchant for jumping from one thing to another.  But, these are the products I really wanted to focus on.  All but one of these are great.  Let’s move on, shall we?

Stay with me friends–I know this is gonna be long but all but one are worth repurchasing!

WAIT!  I left one of my favorites out of the group! How could I do this?

Serum Face Tint by Typology.  So nice, I purchased twice…

Well, I didn’t completely forget. I added it to a previous photo meant for this post!

Starting off with the  Serum Face Tint by Typology I’m a fan.   You need but a drop or two to apply the product to your face.  NOTE: I apply all the face tints with my fingers and smooth with my palms.  It’s the best way and the coverage is just enough to get rid of the ruddiness and even out the skin.  Flaws such as age spots aren’t going to be completely hidden but remember these are NOT foundations. They are a different product alltogether.

The formula is more of a liquid but it is nice and light.  What I’m NOT crazy about is the “dropper”.  Although it is very sanitary, I have to squeeze the rubberized top a few times to get a drop or two. It isn’t a deal-breaker though because the product is very good.  At 44.90 USD, Typology Serum Face Tint is a bit pricey but for use on the entire face with a minimum amount of product, it’s worth it.

Now, I’m gonna go there.  The product is made in France. There are no stores in the States where you can purchase–the products can be purchased online only and the only “store” they are sold at is Printemps in Paris.  I do not know if the pricing has been affected by the tariffs but since tariffs are now in effect, I’m not purchasing until further notice.  I have enough products.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer. This is the one I am not crazy about–in fact, I am purging it.  

Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer:  This was purchased some time ago in the clearance area of TJ Maxx.  It has since been repackaged and, I believe rebranded. The cost is, at Nordstrom, 48 USD. I don’t think it is worth it, but other might disagree.  For me, it is too yellow.  Years ago, when Oona was in high school, she was a fan. I purchased the foundation and it was just too yellow. Some things don’t change.  I found this to have a nice texture but when the shade doesn’t work. It isn’t worth the effort to keep it.  Luckily, I paid about six bucks for it.

MAC Studio Radiance

VERY liquidy but does a decent job of evening out the skin tone!

I have NO idea why this is referred to as a fact and body FOUNDATION. My thought process is this USED to be called a skin tint but I do believe it was rebranded because perhaps as a skin tint it didn’t sell.

There is definitely a learning curve to this product because it IS very liquidy but once you get the gist, it’s smooth sailing.  I use my fingers and hands and, at times, pat with a beauty sponge. I use this only on my face and not my body!

Anyway, (because we all know that AnywayS is not a word) this product is very good. I purchased the old skin tint by MAC and purchased this and they are both the same. Light coverage. Second skin. It’s fine and at 44 USD, it seems to be the average price of these tints!

THIS.  Perfect for summer and any outdoor activities all year.

ELTA MD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen:  Having had skin cancer thrice, when I’m outdoors–which is mostly in summer because in winter I hibernate like a momma bear, I purchased this at my dermatologist’s office.  What a shock when I received a full-price refund because my medical insurance covered the cost! and at 42 USD that was a nice surprise.

The texture is akin to a mousse. The pump distributes the perfect amount of product.  This comes out of the can looking darker but like a miracle just blends into your skin to enhance your natural skin tone.  At first, it feels just a tad dry, then the dryness dissipates and it feels like nothing! This is a summer staple.

This sunscreen is EXCELLENT and, if you can be lucky to purchase from your derm, maybe your medical insurance will reimburse you!

You can see from the looks of the cap that I use this A LOT! And I do!

GLOSSIER Perfecting Skin Tint: *Sigh* Why doesn’t Glossier start marketing this to mature audiences?  Again, like the MAC skin tint, there was a learning curve to this because it is very liquidy.  However, once you get it, you can’t help but have this on hand at all times.  This filthy-capped bottle is my fourth over the course of a few years.  I used to switch between foundation and skin tint but now, it’s purely the tint.  On days when I ponder whether to just go bare-faced or not, I reach for this.  Again, I apply with fingers and palm and it just blends in beautifully.  It doesn’t cover. It just leaves a nice finish to my skin and at this point–many days, that’s all I want.  Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint comes in at 28 USD for a 1 oz bottle.  I have to say, Glossier products are priced VERY fairly and are so worth the money.  My only gripe with the brand is they don’t realize who mature-skin friendly their products are.  It’s a shame!  But then, maybe the pricing would rise so I’ll keep my mouth shut.  For now.

I like this much better than the corrector. And it’s more cost-effective.

DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer  How can this be 29 USD when the small corrector is 44?  Explain this to me because I am confused.  This is a GREAT value for the money.  It is the best product I’ve ever purchased from Instagram advertising. Not a mousse, but not a runny liquid, it is somewhere in the middle. I like the pump as a ton of product doesn’t pour out.  It looks darker than when applied, and, again, goes on like a second skin.

You can subscribe to this product and will save a few dollars as the subscription price is 23.20 USD but I would be hesitant to subscribe and here’s why:  I subscribed to I’l Makiage.  The product is impossible to cancel and my only recourse is, as explained earlier in this post, to wait till my credit card expires or pushing back the date of the next order.  I am not a fan of subscriptions but you can use your judgement on that.  I think the 29 dollar price point is very fair.

OVERALL Thoughts on Skin Tints:  I’m a fan.  Trust me, aging  wreaks havoc on your skin–especially if you’ve been a beach lover or sun lover all your life.  Sun damage can be controlled but it cannot be reversed. Neither can the process of wrinkles or ruddiness or age spots and yada yada.  However, we can enhance what we have with products and these skin tints are wonderful for aged skin.  The key is chosing what works for you.

Since I have various brands, I rotate them.  Nothing special to my method with the exception of the Glossier. I really do use it on days when I have to ponder going bare faced–usually to work.

WAIT! THERE’s MORE!  You really didn’t think I would stop at the skin tints–dis you?   Before I go on, however, you know how much I despise shilling?  And I never want my blog to turn into a sea of advertisement. That’s why if I recommend a product where I receive a commission, I am transparent about it. Below is that product. And it is effing great…..

The greatest gel eyeliner for mature eyes……… Drumroll please…

Revant Cosmetics Gel Pencil Eyeliner:  First off, this is advertised for  Mature eyes and, I have to say, it is true.  I stopped wearing eyeliner a while ago. It was just becoming an annoyance to me.  The liquid liner was getting stuck in creases and just became one big mess.  Pencils were skipping on the crepe paper texture of my lids and when I tightlined, the liners were settling on my lower lids.  I’m not even going where the liners turned into “gunk” and collected in my tear ducts. That drove my husband cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs and he was constantly running after me with a tissue to wipe the gunk off.

It’s unfortunate because  wearing glasses–without liner my eyes have a tendancy to disappear.  The other unfortunate thing is my lazy-crossed eye. Eye liner allowed me to use the liner so that my eye could appear a bit more normal.

Then something happened.  Revant reached out to me to see if I wanted to try their liners.  I said yes but my expectations were low.

Oh yes.  My low expectations were low for a VERY short time!

I was sent a box of the various colors of pencils.  Black. Charcoal. Brown. Green. and Purple.     All the colors are wonderfully intense with, for me, the exception of the purple. The purple doesn’t make my eyes pop and I look a bit as though I was crying.  Which, is no big deal because not every color works for everyone.    And because my daughter’s coloring lends itself better to brown brow products and mascara and liner, I gave her the liner–and she loves it!

A boxfull of liner!  But did they do the job?

Surprisingly, I was blown away with the green.  Green shadow has never worked for me at all–but this green gel liner pencil works beautifully. It’s crazy! The green is intense and just really looks nice with my hazel eyes.   I use the black, the charcoal and the green on rotation.

But–is the gel eyeliner worth the 20 USD for one pencil?  Is it worth buying multiples as the price is lowered per each when you buy two or three at a time?

Yes. It is. My crossed-eyes are extremely happy.  THIS LINER STAYS PUT!  It’s astounding.  The liner doesn’t collect on the bottom waterline when applied to the top for tightlining.  The liner glides on and doesn’t skip or snag in those crepe-paper spots on the lids.  My husband is thrilled because he is no longer wasting tissues and running after me because there is no gunk collecting in my tear ducts!

The sharpener really works to keep the pencil pointy!

And, having sensitive eyes, application is a cinch.  There is also an added sharpener at the end of the pencil.  This is greatly appreciated because lord knows how many sharpeners I own that don’t work on every pencil. I love a sharp point and this works without wasting a ton of product.

Honestly, if you are a fan of eyeliner, as I am, then this is an epic liner.  The folks at Revant have also given me a code:  ATYPICAL allowing you to save ten percent on your order. That is in addition to any other sales the brand has.    I’m going to use my own code to order more!

Other Bits:  I flip flop between eyeshadow sticks and powder. My preference is powder and always neutrals as the sticks can dry out and surprisingly, can be difficult to work with.

Powder:  I ALWAYS powder under my eyes.  Why?  One word:  Mascara.  Powdering lightly keeps the mascara from turning me into a racoon-eyed monster.  The powder that I use is Chanel. It is so finely milled it is like air. It does not cake up. It is beautiful.

Contour and blush. I’m not big on contour because I’m lazy AF. If there is a special occasion, I’ll add and I do prefer the Fenty stick in Amber.  I’ve had it forever and I’m sure it’s expired but it still does the job.  Same with blush. I  have liked the Tarte Cheek Stain  for over a decade. Mine is so old that the packaging has changed but I checked on the website and it’s on sale for 15 USD so if you are interested.  Again, I’m sure this is expired but I don’t care. No welts have appeared on my face yet.

So that’s it.  I do want to thank the folks at Revant for sending me the eyeliners and if I am raving, then you know those shadows are excellent. Give ’em a try. You won’t be disappointed!

See? From this to that! It doesn’t take much. Just some face tint and a great liner and some gloss on the lips and a great head of fake hair and you’re good to go!

It has been a while since my last blog post but mentally, I am not there.  The effects of the political administration have made me both physically and emotionally ill.  However, I need to shake it off and so, this past weekend was the well-needed cure….

In three weeks, I will be 70 years old. Truth be told, it isn’t the easiest birthday to come to terms with. But this past weekend was perfect!  My three kiddos, Jake, Roman and Oona treated me (along with my husband) to a weekend in New York City.

And a fine early birthday it was!!

Jake flew out from LA but was in the city for business purposes.  Oona flew in from Cincinnati and Roman..well, he lives in the city so he took the subway to be with us. It was a fantastic time from Friday afternoon to late Sunday morning.  I couldn’t have rubbed Aladdin’s lamp to wish for a better time.

Here’s how it rolled:

Friday:   Vincent picked me up at work at noon.  We were blessed with weather that welcomed the beginning of the new spring season.  After dropping Chippy off at PetSmart for the weekend, we were on our way.  Check-in at Hotel Chelsea was at a great time of 3:00 PM.  Jake took care of the reservations so everything ran smoothly.

Casually dressed for our drive into The Big Apple.  I’m wearing big NYC hair too! Nashville by Margu wigs! Don’t mind the mess. I’m transitioning my winter clothing for the summer!

No traffic as we made our way from the PA and NJ Turnpikes to the Holland tunnel and finally, to our destination.

Friday afternoon 1PM headed to the Holland Tunnel…

No traffic. Beautiful Day. Clear to see the skyline!

And now–we’re in the City. Ahhh. It’s so beautiful!

We arrived at the Hotel a few minutes before check-in. And, as always, a practitioner of time management, I ran from car to front desk to get a parking voucher for our car.  The hotel had a discounted pricing for a garage around the corner. And, our room was ready.  I headed back to the car, handed my husband the room key and told him to drop our bags in the room so we could drive around the corner to the garage.

We’ve arrived!

Marilyn is seated next door. Greeting us with a ukulele tune!

Bags dropped off, my husband told me I would LOVE the room, and off we went.

Spring in the city.  Depending where you are, the east and west ends of Manhattan can have a wind-tunnel effect due to the rivers Hudson and Harlem.  The side streets were windy but, the warmth of the sun made the walk back to the hotel more than bearable.

There weren’t a lot of people walking on side streets due to the wind!

*** Of note:  Back in the late 1970’s/early 80’s one of my friends lived in Chelsea, not too far from the hotel.   It was a great time to be young and living in the city.  Rents were affordable.  Bar drinks were cheap. There was a grittiness that was appealing and slightly romanticized.  NYC had not become completely regentrified yet and there was a charm that could be appreciated by those of us who lived there.

Now, Chelsea, although retaining much of its charm, is turning into Cityburbia with fast-food joints and Fed Ex centers and the annoying bike lane.  Guiliani’s Disneyesque Times Square it making the way downtown, and I do miss the grittiness of the city. But–that’s another story and that’s change.

Back to the hotel.

I was astounded at the old-school beauty of the Hotel Chelsea.  Doors leading to corridors with elaborate chandeliers overhead.  Crown molding which I, in my mind, had visions of taking a crowbar out, dismantling the molding and bringing it home.  Paintings in the hallways were fun.  Artistically designed to please the guests—it was like walking back into time.

Plenty of old-world charm and oh boy, if these walls could talk!

Our room was even greater.  I almost cried at the beauty of the hardwood floors.  They brought to mind memories of our house before moving to Long Island and visualized every apartment in Manhattan that I’ve lived in.   The room was perfect!  Nice closet space.  The bathroom’s deep tub and golden fixtures made me smile.

The hardwood floors made me misty-eyed.

The bed was incredibly comfortable!

And for those having a throwback to the 1970’s, the name of the hotel is embriodered on the sheets–just in case you wake up not knowing where you are!

The loveseat and cushioned chairs gave a comfort of being in one’s favorite sunny nook at home.

The furnishings were delightfully funky and quirky and I loved that!

Tons of fun works of art in halls, rooms and throughout the hotel made us smile!

It was a pleasurable place to rest before meeting up with the kids.  Roman arrived first, and was impressed with the room.  Then Jake, arrived and a few minutes later, Oona.  She met one of her friends who was working in the city and they caught up on old times.

Everyone loved the room and Vincent and I suggested before dinner, we head to the Hotel’s bar for cocktails on us!  As mom would have it, I asked Jake for the millionth time “do you think you’ll move back east—to New York.”  And, with a Cheshire Cat grin, he responded “I have something to tell you…”  He broke the news to me that he and his girlfriend of many years had purchased a home in LA.   I guess that was my closure.  Anyway, there are enough bedrooms in the house for multiple guests so hopefully, we will be spending Christmas in California!

LA! Home of the SNL skit “The Californians”.  Maybe I’ll become one!  “Ouuuu, mah son is, like, sooo Californian”  and I can’t wait to get there and envelope myself in the Cali Culture!

Downstairs at the Hotel’s Bar area, it was nice to see a crowd on a Friday evening–I haven”t experienced that since my days on Wall Street–fun times!  Our host seated us in an area of living room vibes!  A series of large rooms across from the bar area lent itself well for many patrons.  There was a wedding reception in one room.  And in ours, people unwinding from a busy week.  We enjoyed catching up with each other while enjoying perfectly-blended drinks then it was off to dinner.

A toast to the weekend! As usual, my big mouth is opened! We had a cocktail blast!

On this Friday evening, the wind died down from the afternoon and we walked from the hotel to The Cookshop. It has been a while that I have dined in a restaurant with a youthful and fun vibe and The Cookshop was it.  Jake has been here before and said the food was good. He wasn’t lying!

Dinner at Cookshop!

We started off with Deviled Eggs which, admittedly, I was envious. They were better than mine!  We also had the focaccia which was served with whipped ricotta flavored with lemon and Rosemary.  Diet begone for a bit—the carbs are getting’ in my belly! The oysters we ordered were incredibly fresh and more delicious than Garron Noone!

Yum!  I didn’t take a lot of pics because we were having fun and eating.  The oysters were extremely fresh.  The dipping butter for the Focaccia was out of this world. 

I had the spaghetti because it’s Lent and I’m not eating meat on Fridays.  Vincent had a pizza, Roman, a burger; Jake had the very healthy Fluke and Oona opted for a pork chop. Lots of lively conversation and good times.  There is nothing that can be said derogatorily about service in NYC restaurants. Service was outstanding. Overall, it was wonderful food and a fantastic time.

The family that dines together…loves food and stays together!

A slow walk back to the hotel on the side streets adorned with beautiful brownstone homes.  I couldn’t help but wonder just what do people do for a living to be able to afford living in the city in such magnificent homes.  Not all of them are millionaires. Some have been handed these homes down as an inheritance and some..well, they were smart enough to buy when nobody else wanted them. But why can’t I live back here???

We spotted this at the same time. I fell in love with the owners without even knowing who they are. I love NY!

After we bid good night to Jake and Oona at their hotel and bit Roman farewell at his subway stop, it was off to an incredibly peaceful sleep on a very comfortable bed at the Hotel!

Saturday:   Rise and shine! And I deserved a hot soak in the oversized tub!  Lots of Epsom salts, and thinking about the previous evening put a smile on my face but today was to be a busy one.  After getting dressed, I enjoyed two Nespresso’s while waiting for the kids to arrive.

This tub though.  Deep and wide and like a mini-spa.  I could have spent all morning soaking but I had things to do and places to go!

Knowing it was going to be a busy day, I wore my old reliable J. Crew Pixi pants from the year of the flood, a turtleneck, light scarf and loafers. All I needed to change for dinner was my shoes!

The day was gorgeous. That early spring day where the sun is shining and when you take that first step outdoors, it’s brisk and cool, but as you begin walking, you end up carrying your outerwear!

Could not have asked for a better day! The sun was shining.  The weather was warm. It was delightful!

We walked over to The Smith, 27^th and Broadway but first made a flea market stop.  It was fun to browse through but better deals can be found at a local thrift shop.  The Smith was buzzing!  And a good part of it was it being the first glorious weekend of spring.  Families with young kids. Lone diners.  Couples. Large groups.  It was fun to be in a lively, and not subdued atmosphere!

If you’re in NYC, might I suggest stopping at one of The Smith locations for brunch.  We were at the Nomad location.  

Another wonderful meal!

I had Shrimp & Grits and those grits were outstanding!  Vincent went with a plain salad—which is why he is a thin Frenchman and I have a belly that could house a baby kangaroo. Jake went with the Ranchero Scramble a Tex-Mex blend dish, Roman opted for Avocado Toast and Oona the Smith Eggs Benedict.  We were happy and stuffed and ready for more walking when we left.

Chock-full of shrimp and real grits, this was just what I needed!

The purpose of this constitutional was to head to the Palace Theatre to see Glengarry Glen Ross starring Bill Burr, Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk and Michael McKeon.  More on that in a bit.

Who knew an early birthday weekend would be so epic?

We made a side stop. Roman was smart enough to have the foresight of knowing we would all need to use the bathrooms so he got us passes for Rock Center!  They were well-appreciated! We had a little tour of the SNL studio where he works then it was on to walk to the theatre. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a play.  Kinky Boots was the last one and my favorite play has always been Albert Innaurato’s Gemini, which I was lucky enough to see Danny Aiello in—twice! We are going back a bit.

A look upward at the SNL site.

Me and my babies. “Live from New York…”

It truly was a fun afternoon!

My stepdaughter, Claire, was a part of the Glengarry treat but was unable to be there.

The play was a hoot—a dark comedy with very dramatic moments.  The best cursing play of all time.  Even I can’t curse with the finesse of these guys—and I have a very astute foul mouth!

What a cast…

And for me, it was even more exciting to see David St. Hubbins aka Michael McKean in the play!

Seriously though, watching these powerhouse actors was a goosebumps-on-your-arms experience . It is always a thrill to see stellar theatre acting and the comedian Bill Burr was the most natural—my theory is he’s used to stand up comedy and preforming live.  It was a full house and we all enjoyed it.

The Palace theatre–all seats are great…

I was able to snap this pic as the cast left the stage.  The standing ovation was well-deserved!

Because we had to hurry it up a bit for dinner, we took the subway halfway back to the hotel.  JHC, I miss the NYC subway so much.  The older I get, the more I despise driving. I lack patience and there are way too many arrogant drivers.  I long to just be able to walk up the street, get into a subway car and ride underneath all the bad drivers hovering on the road above me.

See how happy I am to be on the subway?  As one who despises driving in the suburbs and who misses public transportation–I was in my glories!

We had an hour to get ready before heading downtown to Le CouCou.  This was going to be a dinner event!  The sister restaurant to La Bourse et la Vie in Paris.  Both run by the same chef but the one in NYC has a Michelin star!

All dressed appropriately, yes. Appropriately, there is an underlying dress code at LeCouCou. No ties or jackets are required but it is suggested to elevate your mode of dress for dining. No baseball caps or those mesh shorts men wear in January.  Dress nice. And it is always a pleasure to dress for dinner. It was an even better pleasure to see my children dressed so well.  They always understand the assignment.

Meeting up in the hotel lobby to head to dinner!

When we arrived at the restaurant, I was not prepared for what lied ahead of us. It was spectacular.  The aesthetic was elegant—magnificent chandeliers, beautifully set tables, high ceilings, subdued lighting.  All the boxes were checked.  The service was wonderful too. From the moment we arrived, we were treated as though we were regular patrons.  I received Birthday greetings from all!

Le CouCou was abuzz.  And it is a magnificant restaurant!

Table for five–beautifully appointed.

Five people can oftentimes be difficult to seat but the table was a very accommodating size.  We started out with yellowfin tuna, scallop, espelette oil, spring onions and the buckwheat fried monkfish, cucumbers, and curry vinaigrette.  Both were gorgeously presented and tasted even better.   After that we had Crépinette de volaille au foie gras which was   chicken and foie gras, last year’s pear.  We had a good laugh because we couldn’t figure out what “last year’s pears” meant—and when we inquired, it was what it was—pears from last year!

A sampling of what we started off with

The pears last year were a most excellent vintage!

Oona’s roasted duckling!  Make way!

More food!

I went with a small plate for my main dish.  Sweetbreads. I can’t pass those glandular delights by.  They were served in a tarragon cream sauce with maitake mushrooms.  Pommes Dauphine, puffy potatoes were served on the side.  I’ll tell you right now—the sauce was incredible.  Roman and Vincent kept dipping bread into the sauce—it could have been soup—that’s how good it was!

The sweetbreads.  THE SWEETBREADS!  If I lived in Soho, I would order this for takeout once a week!

Oona and Jake had the roasted duckling, Roman had sea bass and Vincent had his usual filet de boeuf.  Everyone was very pleased.  And the great thing that Roman pointed out was the portion sizes.  They weren’t huge portions, but weren’t bite-sized either.  The portions were perfect!

Vincent’s steak, bone marrow and purred potatoes. Our meal was exquisite!

We placed Vincent in charge of ordering the wine and he went with a bottle of the least expensive which turned out to be a nice hearty but light red.

Dessert?  Oui!  Jake and I ordered Marjolaine—but mine came with a candle and a “Happy Birthday message! Vincent had lemon sorbet, Oona had Vacherin aux fruits exotiques  which was the most amazing dessert I have ever seen or tasted in a long time. A passion mango sorbet, with coconut cream (you could not even taste the coconut) in a perfect meringue. Roman had a baba au rhum which didn’t look like a typical baba. It resembled a big slice of sponge cake accompanied by two bottles of rhum!  We had a good chuckle over that!

My Birthday Dessert!  They should have given me 70 of these!

We were also presented with mini-Madeliene cakes and..

mini macarons!  How cute is that?

Hands down, it was the best birthday meal I have ever had in my life!

Best dinner ever!

Back at the hotel for more cocktails, we ended a fantastic evening!

Back at the hotel for a nightcap. Either Mommy had too many enjoyable spirits or I am studying Cinema Verite–the art of the shaky camera!

Sunday:    Ahh.  All good things must come to an end.  Jake and Oona were flying to Cincinnati. Jake for business and to see the boys and Oona to go home.  Roman spent the night with Jake at his hotel and met us for a late breakfast/early brunch.   We headed downstairs to the Café Chelsea for well-needed coffee.  With Vincent’s two croissants, my avocado toast and Roman’s eggs, we ended the weekend.

A delightful breakfast at the hotel.

Vincent ended up ordering two croissants!

I had avocado toast with poached eggs and Roman had eggs!

With bags in tow, we bid Roman a big thanks and goodbye at the subway, and we walked over to get the car.   One stop was made—I stopped into Aesop for a jar of the brand’s excellent hand cream.  I treated myself!

My gift to me. Every time I apply it on my hands, I think of the weekend!

And as we bid farewell to New York City—just like that—it was over.

Goodbye New York.  Goodbye Jake and Roman and Oona.

An entire weekend of just enjoying my kids. Like old times.  Only this time, they took care of me.  I was teary-eyed the rest of the day.  Not in a morose way, just in that way, where you go back in time to the present and you realize that, regardless of how bad a parent you thought you were, you can look at your kids with pride and realize you did a great job raising them!

They will forever be my little kiddles!

Allow me to give my opinion on what I liked for 2024.  There are items I used that will not be repurchased.  It isn’t because I despised the, it’s simply they didn’t work for me. There are a couple of reasons for not repurchasing products.  If I find something is lackluster and very expensive but doesn’t work wonders, it will be a one-off.  If a product doesn’t live up to the hype, I won’t repurchase.  If I find the product just doesn’t work for me despite what Instagram and Social Media influencers promised with their filler-filled and filtered visages, I won’t purchase; or, if I foolishly spent money on said product(s), I deserve to feel like a fool.

LOL! I’m spending this gray and freezing Saturday enjoying writing this post. Dressed to the nines in pajamas!

2024 was the year I started to wear less makeup.  I didn’t take a cue from the gorgeous Pamela Anderson, I just realized that at my age of soon-to-be 70, less is more. Heavy makeup and foundations can look caked-on.  The foundations will also creep into those wrinkles and crevices making you look older.  NO foundation, despite what influencers or social media ads pontificate, is going to make a 50, 60, 70 and older year-old woman look 25 or thirty. Truth.  Stop being delusional!

2024. The year I decided that less (makeup) is more!

Foundation is a naught for me I rely on skin tints to give my skin a bit of an extra “oomph.”

Contour?  Never got fully into it.  I do like a bit of a bronzer—especially in winter when I am vampire-pale.

Let us just get into my recommendations and other opinions.

Skincare: As a firm believer of a good night’s sleep, protecting your face from the elements, and washing that makeup off every night, skincare is basic for me.  Not loyal to many brands when it comes to caring for my skin, I cannot exist without Albolene makeup remover. It is, as I have said in the past, lard for the face.  It has been around for years and on an average, I will pay ten bucks for a substantial tub full. I think this is my fourth mention over the years of this wonder product!

This image is from a past blog post. I cannot ever run out of this. It is my holy grail of makeup remover!

It does have a balm-like texture and when I see brands and influencers yapping about the greatness of any new balm, I chuckle.  They are overpriced and over-scented.  Gimme unscented Albolene any day.  It is the greatest makeup remover out there.

I also love Jergen’s body lotion. The original scented.  The one that smells like cherries and almonds. I slather this on all year. The scent reminds me of days gone by.  Decades gone by.  And, it does the job.

Legs, arms, neck. Jergens original scent is the one moisturizer I have used since childhood!

Inasmuch as I love Albolene, I follow up by cleaning my face with water and…whatever facial scrub is within my reach.  Skin cleansers all do the same job.  Apply, work it in with H20 and rinse. Two dollars to Thirty dollars.  When you are finished—your face is clean. Kudos to those using a washcloth.  You are my people!

I buy this in bulk at Walmart. Cheap and when they get extra grimy from mascara I trash them.

Toners?  I’ll use the ones I have on hand (i.e. Fragonard’s Fleur d’Oranger) and mostly in the summer when my skin gets sweaty.  In the winter I tend to leave my skin alone because toners can be drying.  At least for my very dry skin they are. I love the Fragonard toner because it is so light and my face never feels taut after application. The price in the USA is about $21 per bottle but I purchase cheaper in France.  I very much recommend this.

Best toner out there.  And the scent.  Orange Blossom.  Warms my heart! 

Serums?  I will admit, I do like the snail ones. I was thrilled to see this in the stocking that Jake, Roman and Oona had in my stocking this Christmas.  I’ve purchased this on repeat and it’s the one serum I always return to.

I’m also subscribed to this serum on Amazon.  I save a dollar or so by subscribing

Guerlain’s Abeille Royalle Skincare Line:  I received three full-sized products from this line from Influencer.  I received it to write a review, which I did and post a picture on Instagram, which I did.

The items I received were:  The Fortifying Lotion with Royal Jelly, The Double -R Serum, and the Advanced Youth Watery Oil.  This trio retails for $285. There is no way I would repurchase unless I won a few million bucks in the Lottery.    To be perfectly honest with you, this trio is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  I received it in early Autumn and the Serum and Watery Oil are both almost finished.  The Fortifying lotion is ¾ full.  Based on the two items alone, one would have to repurchase at least one time during the year, making the products pricier. Not gonna lie, I noticed that my skin had a glow to it after a couple of months.  Wrinkles were still there.  Redness was too.  However, my skin still really looked better.

These products are great but way out of my price range.

It’s too bad that the products are so expensive.  My recommendation on this trio is—if you are the one percent and can afford it with no thought that it is pricey—buy it.  If you are retired and on a fixed income, or working to make ends meet (as many of us Boomers do), do not go into debt for it.  Ask for it for next Christmas!

Of Note:  The one brand that I did get hooked on in 2024 was Typology.  The skincare products are excellent, albeit, not cheap. Not as pricey as the Guerlain.  The products can be purchased online at:   Typology.com  I could kick myself in the ass because the only store the products are sold in is Printemps.  I cannot believe that I was in that store, shopped there and wasn’t aware they were sold at that location.

Some serums and creams from Typology.  The Face Balm and Moisturizer will definitely be a repurchase.

Anyway……in 2024, I started ordering the products.  The serums are good but I’m not sure about repurchasing.  What I will repurchase from the brand’s skincare line is the Lipid-Replenishing Face Balm and the Nourishing Moisturizer.  The Face Balm is great for applying before heading out into the winter weather.  It is a great product for daytime use.  The Nourishing Moisturizer, I use at night (among other products).

These “limited editions” really bother me.  I keep this face scrub at my bathtub because I love to use it while taking a bath.  Now it isn’t available. I’m pissed.

I really loved the cleansing face scrub but it was limited edition and no longer available.   What I suggest is trying out the products before deciding on which work for you.  I ordered their Discovery gift set which has ten products.  Many of which I have but I love the smaller sizes for travel…

Lots of mini-goodies in this Discovery Set.  I haven’t used anything yet because it arrived last night!

…..I ordered the Travel Set and it worked perfectly when we were in Paris last month.  I was able to put the products, in the pouch they came in, in my carry-on and had no problem.  The sizes are TSA-approved!

This travel set is perfect.  And the sizes are TSA-approved which means you can put them in a carry-on or purse!

They arrived in this pouch which you can throw other products in as well!

These French skincare products:

I wrote about these in my last post regarding our Paris trip.  The A313 is something I would not repurchase. The hype is ridiculous.  I’ve read reviews that women saw a difference in one application. That is bullshit.  The Biafine is something that I would repurchase though. It’s pretty darn good!

And, as usual, I cannot be without my Embryolisse.  Picked two more tubes in France.  If you can’t make it to France, buy it from Amazon! * Full disclosure. Any links to Amazon, I receive a minute commission. I am not an affiliate of any other site.

Makeup:  Let us talk about it.  Since I am wearing less these days.

I’ll show you which products I used go get from point A to point B! Without a TON of makeup!

Skin Tints: Coming back to Typology, I am absolutely loving their face tint.  Because I am no longer working in Corporate and am at the State Hospital, I don’t wear face makeup every day.  However, when I am going out and about and, on those days, when I want my skin to look not as winter-sickly, I will use the skin tint.  This is the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is undetectable since it doesn’t cake up and doesn’t slip into wrinkles. It works wonders to tone down the redness yet it is as light as a feather. Like a second skin.  It stays put all day as well. I cannot say enough great things about this. And yes. I have two of these and will absolutely repurchase.

The skin tints and the shimmering dry oil.  I honestly have no idea what the difference from T 10 to T 12 is. They both work the same.  The shimmering dry oil is fantastic for just a tiny glow up.  The bottle will last forever.

I know the lighting is weird but look at the photo on the far right. It was taken before adding the skin tint. See how blotchy and red my skin is?  The Typology skin tint evened out everything .  Wrinkles are still there.  So is my skin texture but my redness is gone!

It’s akin to Brylcreem because ” a little dab’ll do ya”!

Glossier also has a face tint that I’m quite fond of. It is lighter in weight than the Typology and doesn’t cover the redness as well, but still—it is a wonderful skin tone.  I have a backup and would repurchase.

Glossier is another “mature” skin friendly brand.  The Futuredew gives a nice glow under the Glossier skin tint!  And the concealer is wonderful!

MAC Cosmetics as a “Face and Body Foundation” that is not a foundation—it is more of a skin tint and it is good.  I would not repurchase simply because I’m ridiculously happy with Typology.

Although deemed a foundation, the MAC body and face “foundation” is more of a heavier skin tint.   I also used the Merit lip oil a lot in 2024.

Concealers: I am hooked on Glossier’s concealer and have been for a few years.  It isn’t for everyone because many deem it “greasy.”  If you have dry skin, such as mature skin, this concealer is wonderful.  It comes in a pot and I apply it with a mini blender sponge. It works as both an eyeshadow primer and brightens the undereye as well as conceals.

The Glossier concealer.  Works great for super-dry skin!

Eyebrows:  Ugh. The older we get; the eyebrows disappear and make their way to the chin! (Have a tweezer on hand at all times).  There was a time when I had thick brows. No more.   My eyebrow pencil or pen, of choice for 2024 was the same as previous years.  e.l.f.  has the best brow pencil.  It is downright cheap, it has a spoolee at one end and product on the other.  It works. It fills the brows in and that is what you want. One does not need to spend a lot of money.

Used regularly through 2024 as you can tell from the marks on the pencil.

The brow gel that I use to keep them in place?  I have a few.  The one I like the best and used the most in 2024 is the Typology.  It has a good amount of product in the tube and you need but a light hand to keep those brows in place.  It isn’t the cheapest in price on the market but it works.

You can see this brow gell has been well-used!

Eye Shadow:  I don’t like colors in eyeshadows. A bit of glitter?  Yeah.  But, no color except for neutrals.  Although I have way too many neutral eye shadow palettes, these were the ones I used the most in 2024.  The Mally palette was discontinued a long time ago but I found three of them on eBay so I’m good for a while.   The Kat Von D palette has also been discontinued.  I’ve had this for years and the shadows work well.

I’ve hit pan on three of these palettes. What can I say? I’m a fan of neutrals because I feel they make the eyes more awake and attractive!

The Jones Road palette is the only one not discontinued. And it is very good.The MAC palette?  I made it myself.  Purchased individual shades and can replace them as needed.

There’s not much more I can say on this subject because a neutral is a neutral is a neutral.  My personal thoughts are neutrals work well for the mature woman.

Mascara:  OMG!  I LOVE mascara! I’m that one who also loves a bit of a clumpy mascara because they make the lashes look fuller—especially from far away! I use a lot of mascara.  A LOT!

I use all of these mascaras.  They make the lashes look thicker!

Every mascara pictured is a repurchase except for the yellow tube by Nocibé.  I’ll repurchase on my next trip to France.  It was purchased last summer in Theoule.   Our lashes thin out as we age and I can’t stand a weak mascara.  I’ve also learned that not wearing eyeliner and mascara only makes the lasher look longer.

 

Lips:  Okay.  Back to Typology.  Their lip oils are wonderful for my perpetually-chapped lips.   The Powder Pink shade is gorgeous and the Ruby Red when applied very lightly is nice for dressing up! Suffice it to say, I am NOT a red-lip person, but this lip oil isn’t a harsh red.  The Luminous Glow lip oil is my favorite. I use it every day and will be repurchasing into 2025! The staying power isn’t great but sets the tone for a hydrated kisser!

2024. The year of the lip oil for me.  I’ve read pros and cons regarding these oils but in my opinion, I think they work well for the woman of the mature demographic. Granted–they don’t last long but they give a good base for hydration.

My go-to’s and most go back past 2024.  Lip stick and gloss!  Loreal’s Number 165.  A beautiful pink, I’ve been wearing this shade for years and I have multiples for various purses.  Guerlain’s Kiss Kiss Rose Glow is another balm with color that works well.  Again, not as harsh as a deeper lipstick, my preference these days is balms.   Jone Road Cool Gloss.  This squeeze tube is great for a bit of a glittery glow and shine.  Chanel Coco Baume in Dreamy White.  Plain.  Simple. Basic.  Hydrates lips beautifully.

These are all in a pouch that is in my everyday purse.  

Here are the shades.  165 is the prettiest pink ever!

Here’s the finished face.  I applied too much of the Jones Road gloss as you can see.  But. This is the face of age.  And that skin tint is far better than any foundation!

Bronzer and Blush:  During the summer, the people at Boom got in touch with me to see if I would like to sample their Boomstick Bronze.  Naturally, I accepted the offer but, what happened was I never received the bronzer, in error I was sent the Boomstick Parisian Red blush stick.  I did get in touch with them to let them know of the error and the bronzer was sent.

These sticks by Boom are a 2024 treasure!

 

Let me tell you, I have not used any other blush since receiving this. It was, hands down, the greatest error ever sent to me. I use it every day.  I love it.  The “red” is more of a pink on my skin and blends so well with my natural skin tone.

The bronzer is also quite nice.  I use it almost daily to add a bit of depth and to warm up my face.  Sometimes I’ll use it alone and sometimes over a skin tint.  I apply it by rubbing a brush over it then lightly brushing on my face.

I apply each product with a brush instead of applying from tube to face!

At $28 per stick, I think this is a fair price—especially considering you don’t need a lot of product.

That’s about all folks.  My skincare routine is simple.  I don’t spend hours mulling over taking care of my skin.  I follow a basic routine.

As far as makeup goes, I don’t wear as much as I used to.  In addition, if something “drugstore” such as e.l.f. works—I’ll buy it.  I don’t mind spending money on other items but I have a limit.  As much as I loved the Guerlain trio, I simply cannot justify the price.

Done!  I took these photos by the window where the light is brighter. I’m no makeup artist but for the most part, all of these products work well….

AND, for those who cannot bear to see an ageing face…

Here is “fake” face me. The kind that makeup and skincare companies use to entice older women to buy products.  They foolishly believe makeup will make them look 25 again.  Ain’t happening.  Embrace your age. It sucks at times but overall, be glad you’re around!

Thoughts welcomed in comments.  How much would you spend upwards on skincare and makeup?  Are you wearing less or more as you age?  What tips to you have and what favorites?

There is always something to share regarding shopping, dining and other tips and unwanted advice when it comes to our trips to Paris.  This year was no exception.  I learn something with every trip and this time around, learned that due to the crowds that have been visiting, we will need to get tickets to the Louvre and Orsay in advance.

Never before have we ever had to wait in a line to enter the Louvre or Orsay. We learned a valuable lesson during this trip. In the future. GET THE TICKETS!!

So, like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, let’s start at the very beginning…

Packing:  There is a new (or perhaps not-so-new) trend with packing only carry-on bags for a week, two weeks, three weeks and more.  If it works for you, fine.  However, over the years I’ve noticed that the description of carry -on baggage is changing. Backpacks, as personal items are getting bigger.  The carry-on measurements oftentimes go past what qualifies.  Luckily airlines are catching on to this and making people check their many carry-on items.  I bring one carry on, one personal item and check the rest of my luggage which consists of a large suitcase. The suitcase is filthy and I prefer it that way.  However, the past two trips I’ve taken, I have used a cheap cover from Amazon and I am able to spot my suitcase immediately.

This suitcase is absolutely filthy on the outside. However, it serves the purpose of having a ton of space for all my clothing, beauty items and stuff that I’ll buy to take home!

I purchased a cover for it to make it look more presentable. My Longchamp carry-on is perfect for my wigs, a change of clothing just in case and fits beautifully in the overhead.  The vintage LV Randonee (that I had the vachetta replaced) is shoved under the airline seat. It is a workhorse of a bag!

Allow me to explain why this is a pet-peeve. Its inconsiderate of other passengers. I want my carry on to be in the overhead directly above me. I don’t want some self-important traveler who is sitting ten rows in front of me taking up my overhead space. It is a vicious cycle.

Buy an Air Tag.  I love mine. I can track my luggage and when I arrive at my destination, I can see where it is…

Besides, winter weather can be challenging.  Some days it can be warm enough for a blazer and others, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, and the heaviest winter coat you own.  I am not stuffing that stuff into a carry on to get wrinkled.

This is December in Paris. The day started out cold but by afternoon, I was wearing a blazer. Pack for changes in the weather!

My point is, be mindful when packing—that is all.

Accommodations:   When my husband’s aunt, Daniele was alive, we stayed with her at her apartment. I got spoiled.  It was a penthouse apartment.  We had a view of the Eiffel Tower sticking its head above the buildings.  She had a housekeeper and cook. I didn’t have to wash clothing or iron and all my meals were taken care of and were spectacular.

It was great to be in her kitchen and see this fun view! And at night, the view from her living room had this tower sparkling!

After Daniele passed, it was time to stay at hotels.  We enjoyed staying at the Prince de Conti but it is now under renovation.  One year we stayed at Citadines which was next door to Daniele’s apartment at 53 quai des Grandes Augustines.  It was horrible. The carpeting was filthy and there was a very questionable large stain on the sofa. Suffice it to say, we never returned.

This time we stayed at Hotel de Buci on Rue de Buci. We LOVED it and will be staying there in the future.  The hotel isn’t inexpensive but it is not on the price point of staying at the Plaza Athenee.

This is now our favorite hotel…

The staff was incredibly accommodating and nice.  The rooms beautiful. The bathroom had a tub.  The housekeeping staff was amazing and the in-house breakfast was excellent.  I didn’t get to the spa because there was no time but if time allowed, I would have.

The staff was incredibly nice, and attentive.

This was our room and I am still coveting that wallpaper!

The hidden door to the bathroom–proving how details are so wonderful!

And the location!  Smack in the Sixth!  It was ridiculously convenient—for us!

My advice for accommodations is, first, find the area you want to stay in. Then research, research, research hotels.  Google is your friend when it comes to this.  And don’t ignore reviews.  Keep away from influencer reviews because they are receiving the stay as a gift so everything will be sunshine pumped up your a$$.  Trip Advisor and Google reviews have opinions from people who pay.  Do you catch my drift?  For us, the sixth is always special.  From the time I met Vincent’s aunt, Daniele Delorme, we had the best connection. She was my second mother and I could not stay anywhere else!

Many prefer Airbnb but for us, it is too risky.  I’ve read too many horror stories and the French government is putting more and more regulations on these types of rentals.  There are agencies you can reach out to rent apartments for the short-term so I suggest, if you do not want to stay in a hotel—head to Google to find a real-estate agent specializing in short-term rentals.

Accommodations can make or break your stay so be mindful!

Shopping: Who doesn’t love shopping in Paris (or any city for that matter)?  With a plethora of small shops and boutiques to the luxury designer houses, and to the flea markets, Paris offers something for everyone who loves to shop.

This store, Oona, on Rue Dauphine has been here for quite a few years. The items are simple and beautiful..and my daughter is named Oona! Shopping in small shops is a pleasurable experience!

I have found out there are two ways to approach shopping.  One is to take a designated shopping day.  The other is to incorporate shopping around seeing the sites.  For example, if you are going to be in the First Arrondissement at the Louvre or seeing other sites, you can incorporate heading to a shop or two in the area.

Faure le Page, in the First Arrondissement, is a great boutique to drop into if you are out and about seeing the sights nearby.  I had a very nice time shopping here in 2023.

And you do not need to spend a fortune either.   Paris offers some great discounts.   If you are not a “luxury” bag person, I very strongly suggest you head to Sophie Sacs on Rue de Rennes. It is a tiny shop (it used to be even tinier until and expansion a few years ago) with tons of leather bags and even some vegan bags to choose from. Small bags. Large bags.  Buttery soft bags. Structured bags.  Small leather and non-leather goods. It’s all here.  And the owner is so sweet. He is extremely helpful and always has a smile on his face.  Over the years I’ve made many purchases at this shop.

I snapped this pic when the shop was closed. It is tiny but is a treasure trove!

 

This time around I purchased a small cross-body bag that holds a lot more than you would think.  It is very expensive looking and cost only €45!

At 45 euros, this bag was well-worth it. Made-In-Italy, leather, it is small but holds the essentials! Proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune!

Inasmuch as luxury bags are concerned, I’m rather fond of Louis Vuitton. And although most of my LV bags are vintage that were purchased from Japan and sent to LV repair for Vachetta replacement, I purchased items from the Louis Vuitton boutique on Blvd. St.-Germain.   It’s never crowded (except during the Holidays and even then, it isn’t too bad) but last month I waited 5 minutes to get in due to the Black Friday weekend.

This year’s purchase was the LV MM Agenda. It’s already chock full of everything to keep me organized..

The staff is wonderful.  In fact, I am recommending if you go to try to make an appointment with Cumba Balde, I have added a photo of her card. She is both amazing and adorable!  The manager of the store is equally adorable.  You will receive great assistance and the shop is small and very user-friendly if you do not like a huge shop.

Make the appointment with Ms. Balde. She is great! And while you’re at it, make a dinner reservation at La Bourse et la Vie. The meal was marvelous!

Case in point.  I wanted to purchase a MM Agenda. I was so jet-lagged when we went in on Saturday, November 30^th, that when I (Oops. I mean my husband) purchased it, I forgot to get my initials heat-stamped.  I went back later in the week and there was no issue.  I am waiting for our next visit to purchase a Pochette Metis—and I look forward to seeing Ms. Balde and the store’s manager!

This trip was my “bag” trip.  I saw a large tote that piqued my interest. It was from Le Tanneur, a leather goods shop that has been in Paris since 1898.  But when I saw the tote in real life, I wasn’t in love with it. Instead, I opted for a smaller cross-body bag, the Sophie.

The year of my cross-body bags!

Pleased with the roominess and quality of this bag!

And now I will tell you a story about the in-store VAT tax refund.

Read carefully.

We went to Galeries Lafayette to admire the store’s windows all done up for Christmas.  Then we went in to see the tree, which was nice.  Galeries Lafayette has done better but still, it was nice.  We also had put aside some time for a bit of shopping.  Vincent purchased a cashmere sweater but at that point, the store was just too crowded for me.

Nice but not spectacular

Instead, we headed across the street to Printemps—which was delightfully more manageable. While there we noticed an area where Le Tanneur bags were being sold. Rather than head to the brand’s shop on Rue de Sevres, very close to our hotel, it was easier to look at Printemps.  Purchase in hand we were ready to walk back to the hotel with a stop at Monoprix.

The display that drew me in.

I cannot recall how we found out, but we did discover that both Printemps and Galeries Lafayette have in-house areas where you can get your VAT refund immediately.

What is the VAT refund?  Explanation.  For non-EU residents it is a tax refund that can be received at around 12 percent of the purchase. For purchases over 100 Euros and more, this VAT refund is decent.

You can head to the kiosk at the airport and submit the forms before heading to your flight or…. some stores have an area where you can get the VAT refund sooner than later.  Some stores work differently.  No matter how the stores work, you must have your passport at time of purchase and have a few moments to allow the sales assistants to fill the information for you.

For convenience sake, head to the airport extra early to go to the VAT kiosk. There could be a line and maybe not! Better be safe than sorry!

Now. Pay attention. It was not until a few days after making these purchases that we were made aware of the in-house VAT (we never bothered in years past because our flights were always very early). Printemps VAT rule was that you could not use the in-house VAT refund process after three days of purchase. 

So…. that Friday, after going to the Opera Garnier, we headed to Galeries Lafayette to get the VAT refund on the sweater Vincent purchased.  Then, as a lark we headed to Printemps to do more shopping and to see, if we could, in fact, get the refund even though it was past three days of purchase.

We headed to Chanel Beauty to purchase a bottle of Mademoiselle for Oona and for a bottle of Chance for Vincent’s daughter and granddaughter.  Oh. And I also picked up a lip balm.

Off we went to the VAT Refund area.  Here’s where you need to realize how helpful the sales assistants are.   Before acquiring the refund for the Chanel items, we asked about acquiring a refund for the Le Tanneur purse.

It was suggested to head to the Le Tanneur area, ask for a refund on the purse then immediately repurchase.  I was a bit skeptical because I’ve read and heard horror stories that under no circumstances will a refund be given in any store in Paris.

Do not believe everything you hear.

Upon explaining our situation to the sales assistant, she went to get a manager. We were able to return and repurchase the bag with no issues whatsoever.  Did it help that my husband did all the talking in his native tongue?  I dunno. Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is there was no issue and everyone involved was pleasant with me being rather humble and very grateful.

Off we went to get the refund.  The machines are self-explanatory.  You need your passport and receipt of purchase and there are assistants there to guide you through the process.  You have the choice of getting cash or having it go to your card. We chose cash and it was easy-peasy.

At Printemps

Important information

There are a number of VAT kiosks in an organized line..

You can readily scan your documents..

Opt for cash if you want and that’s it!

For the Louis Vuitton purchase and Guerlain purchases we made at Samaritaine, we had the paperwork filled out and dropped it off at the Kiosk at CDG airport.  I am confident our next statement will have the refund.

 

I realize this is long-winded but it’s really a good thing to know you can get a VAT refund at some stores on the same day. Caveat:  There is a small fee for this processing, but it is more convenient.

Scent was another big expenditure.

I ran out of La Petite Robe Noire and L’Instant—two scents from Guerlain that are my go-to’s.   Might I mention that at both Guerlain and Chanel, a ton of samples were stuffed into the bags! My husband picked up his favorite Guerlain scent.  This was done at Samaritaine Dept. Store and, once again, the assistance was stellar.

It wasn’t all about my purchases. This is my husband’s favorite scent. It’s his signature and smells soooooo good! Oh lalalalala!

My favorite “Spring” scent..

I can’t find the photo I took but I’m so happy that L’Instant now comes in the old-school Guerlain bottles. It’s my “winter” scent!

Clothing is something I do not buy in Paris because my body leans towards the athletic side and I’m big-boned. The clothing doesn’t fit well for me.

At the airport’s Duty Free I picked up Paris St. Germain beanie hats for my sons.

What to wear: Head to any travel group on social media and you will see a plethora of posts on what to wear.  It is even worse on TikTok and YouTube.

Wear whatever you want to wear.  Exception being pajama bottoms while out and about or skirts that are so short that you can see your Origin of the World when you bend over.  “They” say not to wear leggings but, I’ve seen plenty of women out and about in them. The responses that I’ve seen by armchair fashionistas on what to wear and what not to wear are almost laughable.

My Temu special. The coat was around $25. And it is perfect. Kept me warm. Nobody knew it was a cheapie. As long as you are neat and not wearing anything offensive, you’ll be fine!

Years ago, Paris, as in New York or any large city whether abroad or domestically, was a mecca of women (and men) dressed to the nines.  I remember going shopping in Manhattan as a child and we had to dress up. Even when attending a movie or going to the theatre. My mother would not have it any other way.

It used to be like that in Paris. In fact, when I first started visiting, I would get more dressed up than down.  Now, my ensembles consisted of jeans (skinny ones at that) during the day and even for a casual dinner, and black pointe pants.  In addition, I wore black sweaters.  It’s easier for me to be monochromatic and take one color (black) than an assortment because I’m lazy and don’t want to spend time mulling over what to wear.  I took two pairs of loafers. One black and one cordovan.   I wore a sweater dress once. Out to dinner. With boots. That was it.

My go-to dinner outfit. Black ballet flats. Black pointe ankle pants. Black sweater. Scarf.  Comfortable yet appropriate.

Please for your sanity. Unless you will be parading up and down looking for approval on Avenue Foch in the 16^th, wear what you deem most comfortable and what is you!  Don’t dress to impress.  You are the one who matters.  Nobody knows you. Nobody cares. Just take a bath or shower, put on deodorant, and brush your teeth.

This was the Paris my husband’s grandfather photographed. One no longer needs to dress as if in a Jacques-Henri Lartigue photo.

The French are Different.  Learn Basic Words:  and phrases.  Always—and I stress, always say “Bonjour” upon entering an establishment.  I forgot my “bonjour” at a museum and my husband elbowed me harder than any elbow I have ever given to tourists when I lived in NYC.   I made up for it with a huge “bonjour” and the museum guide thought it was the funniest thing ever.  All three of us ended up laughing.  But seriously, that one word will make for pleasantries throughout your day.  Leaving or exiting?  An “au revoir” will do or better yet “bonne journee”.  You don’t have to be fluent or half-fluent.  Know your shoe size.  Know colors.  Use your “merci” (thank you) and your “s’il te plaît » (please). The French are very polite.  Unlike here in the USA (Yes. I am being honest) where everything is fake-friendly with the big toothy smile and everyone knows your name, in France the tone is a bit formal.  And extremely polite.

Don’t ever do this with a baguette unless you want to start another French Revolution!  Be respectful and polite!

Also, use your indoor voice.  Trust me. I come from a very LOUD NY FAMILY.  Usually, a week or so before heading to France my husband will gently remind me to practice my indoor voice. AKA my soft voice.  It is difficult but it can be done!

Transportation:  Paris is a great city for hoofin’ it. (walking).  Even during the colder months, it is not bitter cold and walking is a great way to exercise.  Have difficulty walking or have an impairment?  Uber and cabs are your friends. For us, G7 is our cab of choice and we’ve been using them for two decades.  The metro is another easy and quick way to get around.  I will be honest here.  My husband grew up in a privileged household and did not use the metro—he rode buses and his two cents is ride the bus. It gives you an opportunity to see Paris from the streets.

While some tourists do not like G7, we have never had an issue. It’s the cab company we use.

Another thing about the Metro.  Many online forums will have horror stories blown out of proportion regarding pick pockets.  Use your common sense.  Carry that bag close to your person.  Be mindful of your surroundings.   The funny thing is I never read about foreigners to the States being petrified of guns and our mass shootings.  Paris is safer than any major city in the USA.  Remember that.

I’ve been on the Metro only a handful of times. However, living in NYC has taught me to be aware of my surroundings. In New York, the subway was my mode of travel. If I lived in Paris, I would be taking the metro every day.  Just be mindful.

If you love to drive. And I mean love to drive—especially in cities, might I suggest renting a car?  Hear me out on this.  Having a vehicle allows you freedom.  It’s so much easier to drive out of Paris and enjoy a beautiful drive to Vaux-le-Vicomte or Chantilly, Fontainebleau or even Versailles.  You can do a little detour and drive through quaint villages. Or enjoy the scenery.

Driving in Paris is definitely a challange. But..you don’t need to be James Bond to drive there. Would I drive in Paris? No. It is a bit more challenging than NYC but my husband LOVES driving in his home town!

About an hour’s drive and we were in the splendor of Fontainebleu.

We even saw horses!

Also, when you are driving, you are on your schedule and not the schedule of a train or bus.  It allows you some freedom.  I’m not saying this is for everyone.  I am merely suggesting if you love driving, rent a car!

It’s also fun to see the sights from different views.

Besides–who doesn’t love to have their own private chauffeur?

Good Eats – The Restaurants, Bistros, Cafes:  Let me make myself clear.  Although I am not a food snob, but  I have no patience for those who say they don’t like French cuisine. You do not have to be a fan of escargot or bone marrow, but you can always find a great roast chicken and steak frites.

And you can also get a great burger. The burgers at Cafe de Paris on Rue de Buci are the best I’ve ever had in my life! Two years in a row!

We take the pragmatic route and include our meals into our budget.  One thing we do, and this is not for everyone, we skip lunch. There is a method to our madness here and has nothing to do with a budget.  It is all about time.

Having a substantial breakfast allows us to make the most of our day.  Many venues clear out during the lunch hours and are less crowded.  This is blissful.   Also, we cannot see sitting for an hour or two eating lunch when we know we’re going to have a very substantial dinner.  Our time in Paris and throughout France is limited to weeks at a time.  We want to make the most of it.

Beware of dining establishments with pages and pages of menu offerings.   They are sure to be tourist traps.  Oftentimes the fare is frozen food warmed up.  Again, it is a personal choice.

Many deem one of our favorite restaurants as a tourist trap but we disagree.  Le Procope.  It is one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.  Voltaire, Balzac, Danton, Ben Franklin and more enjoyed meals, conversation, and great debate there.  It is a bit of history that brings you back to a time completely different than that of which we presently live.

Disreguard any pretentious or disparaging reviews of Procope. It’s fine! The service is wonderful. The food very good. And it is chock-full of history!

Table settings are perfect.  The offerings are old-school.  I was infuriated when Rognons (kidneys) were taken off the menu but now they are back and I am a happy camper. The food is fine.  It isn’t haute cuisine but is consistently very good.

Reservations are a must and don’t be offended by what I will tell you next.  Dress appropriately.  On our first night during last month’s visit, making reservations for dinner completely slipped our minds.  When my husband suggested we stop at Procope to see if we could get a reservation for that night, I doubted we could but…. I went along with it.

Both of us were dressed appropriately.  Not like slobs.  My husband very politely and nicely asked if we could get a reservation for that night at 7 :30 PM.   With a smile, we got the reservation and the people behind us were turned away.  My guess—you don’t go into a restaurant wearing a baseball cap, shorts, and sneakers to ask for a last-minute reservation or any reservation.  Use common sense.

Allard is another favorite.  Seriously. We love dining out in Paris!

Being older and American and Franco-American, we made all our dinner reservations between 7 o’clock and 8 :00 PM.   An earlier timeframe allows for walking around to exercise the extra calories off!

Neighborhood places are wonderful.  Blend in with the locals.  Try to dine in the arrondissement where you are staying because you will discover fantastic gems of places.

Try to order in the French language—even if your knowledge is basic, it will be greatly appreciated.

The French Pharmacie : Pharmacies in Paris and throughout France are wonderful.  They aren’t chains like CVS or Rite-Aid.  Each has its individual flair and if you come down with a cold or sore throat or any minor mishap, you will be well-taken care of.

CityPharma is where I head when I want to purchase skincare.

Let’s talk about the other subject matter of the French pharmacie.  Skincare products. Go online to any travel forum or head to Instagram or TikTok and Influencers will pontificate how OBSESSED they are with French skincare brands and how the price point is so great.

Yes.  And. No. The price of skincare is worth the trip to a pharmacie when in Paris or any part of France.  But you need to know what is best for your needs.

For example—I am a huge fan of Embryolisse.  I love this cream and have been using it for years. It really does a great job moisturizing my dry skin.  A couple of years ago, CityPharma, my pharmacie of choice for skincare items, ran out of stock.  Instead, another brand was suggested and I purchased.  I hated it. It was nowhere near the job Embryolisse did.  When I arrived home, I ordered on Amazon making me spend more money in the end.

My well-used and well-loved Embryolisse. I cannot live without it.

There is also an obsession with A313 Pomade.  It is good but isn’t a Holy Grail.  Many women swear by it.  For me, it’s good for the bleak, cold, dry of winter.  I use it only at night.  Would I purchase again?   Probably not.

Biafine is a cream I would repurchase.  Being the one with skin that tends to burn, this is soothing. Last summer while in France, I got a bit of sun poisoning on my lips, blowing them up as though I had filler.  A pharmacist recommended this and I’ve been using it since.

Hands down, it is just as good as Embryolisse for moisturizing skin. The size of the tube is generous soi t lasts for a long time.

The lip balm pictured here was the worst I’ve ever used. However, it might be good for you. 

Last month I was looking for a good lip balm due to my perpetually chapped lips during winter.  At CityPharma the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast lip balm was recommended.  I can’t stand it! First, you need to squeeze the tube hard to get product out.  And it doesn’t spread smoothly.  I prefer the Chanel overpriced lip balm or the generic € 1 generic lip balms that are available.

My point?  You can purchase great skincare products for a fraction of the price but know your skin.

Little Things:  I’m not big on tacky souvenirs. And I try to make purchases that will fit into my every-day life.  That’s why one of the little things I love are the shopping sacs from Monoprix.  I buy them in multiples and give them as little gifts.  I keep one in every purse because you just never know when you will need a stop at the market and these are sustainable.

The Monoprix sacs I purchased. And the Borjois mascara. I LOVE this brand’s mascara!

Its also fun to purchase ornaments for the Christmas tree. Something to remember year after year.

Picked this up at Opera Garnier

This from Musee Marmottan

Sometimes it is the little things that help to make a trip more enjoyable. I hope some of this unwanted advise was helpful!

I LOVE these slippers from the hotel. The reminder is very pragmatic!