Chic at 60ish!

Bonjour! I’ve just returned from a wonderful—but freezing —week in Paris. Always great to get away, to step out of your box a bit—seeing, tasting & feeling what’s going on in other parts of the world. Particularly at 60ish, while you can still drink the wine, eat the food & climb the stairs—I urge you to travel wherever your heart takes you. I cannot imagine a better gift to yourself!

HERE’S TO OUR “50TH REUNION TOUR!” Fabulous first night in Paris with one of my oldest, dearest friends Susie Housman, at Chez Janou—a “tres French” bistro—very “Emily in Paris!”

The best gift is friendship—I went to Paris with Susie Bogdanoff Housman, one of my oldest, dearest friends since eighth grade, who was also my college roommate. My roommate before Steve!

“JUST LIKE EMILY,” ELLYN & SUSIE DO PARIS! Cold & windy at Versailles, I am layered in a cashmere sweater that I bought at Kujten on Rue St Honore, plus my Veronica Beard blazer, Etro scarf & NM camel cashmere wrap; our handsome guide Paulo in the Hall of Mirrors

We toured Versailles, the Louvre, Musee de l’orangerie, Musee d’orsay, all the sites—but of course you want to hear about the shopping! No matter the cost of their clothes, the Parisians look great— both women & men. They have a chicness & nonchalance that surpasses fashion—throwing a scarf the right way, popping the collar of a jacket. It’s a treat to look at them!

BEAUTIFUL, BUT NO BARGAINS! Almost bought this black velvet jean jacket with corseting (I would have let the streamers fall down the back) at balenciaga.com; floral brocade jacket & ivory faux croc handbag at saintlaurent.com; cognac “belt” bag at prada.com; asymmetrical white wool jacket with self- belt at correges.com

With the dollar down against the euro, there are few bargains; I was really looking for something “special,” something I can’t find here. Susie bought a few fabulous handbags, I spied a gorgeous jacket that was a size too small & many euros too expensive, but overall—though stores are full of merchandise—I did not find that “special” item I craved. A reason to go back!!

LOOKING LIKE A PARISIAN: Such an “Ellyn” outfit, photo from the Rue Cambon; jean jacket with faux fur collar & wide-leg jeans from balenciaga.com; Susie bought a black leather moto jacket with faux fur panels at a vintage clothing shop in the Marais district

Like here, in Paris it is also the season of “anything goes.” Wide pants, slim pants, long full skirts, short skirts on young girls. Lots of cool jackets. Lots of beautiful handbags.

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT! This is why I overpack—layered at the Louvre & dinner at Le Voltaire, in multiple cashmere sweaters & scarves; products with less ingredients, found at every “pharmacie”—leaving your skin “like glass!”

What did I bring home? Cashmere sweaters & scarves, which I wore because it was so cold. And face & eye creams, which have fewer ingredients than ours, they’re more pure—bought in a “pharmacie” near my hotel.

AU VOIR PARIS! Our farewell dinner at Giraffe by the Eiffel Tower, my Veronica Beard pink pantsuit from neimanmarcus.com; toasting our fantastic trip as we leave on all-business class La Compagnie Airlines ( out of Newark)—a wonderful way to fly!

Most important, I brought home insights & education that international travel brings, as well as fabulous memories of laughter, conversation & confidences shared with a cherished friend. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more precious those friendships become. A special trip with a special friend—the meaning of “priceless!” Wishing safe travels & a wonderful summer to all my readers—Au voir, a bien tot! I’ll see you in September!