How is it possible that today is the ninth day in a row of absolutely perfect weather!

What to do today? Museums are mostly closed, as it’s Tuesday.

There is one item I wanted to buy for Baby Henry that was – and apparently always is – out of stock. The salesperson told me to maybe come back in a few days. So, maybe today, I’ll stop by. Fingers crossed.

Otherwise, I spent the morning over coffee planning museum visits for the rest of the week. It can get tricky – not just with the burner phone and credit card issues, but with those third-party ticket organizations. Here’s why: they will sell you tickets on days the museum is closed. (Today, for example, they offered tickets to le Musée de l’Orangerie, but they are actually closed on Tuesdays!) So, always check the official web site first to make sure they’re open. Try the official site FIRST for tickets because you will pay double (!) for a third-party ticket, but they often have AVAILABILITY that the official site doesn’t have. So, it’s a mix, and you need to check both! And double the price is still less than most museums in the U.S.

I had a little bit of a list to things to do during this trip:

1. Petit Palais – Worth exhibit

2. Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris – Münter/Matisse

3. Musée de l’Orangerie – Monet

4. Musée d’Orsay – Impressionism

5. Le Musée de Louvre – Fashion

6. Musée de Rodin – Sculpture/paintings

7. La Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Paris

8. Le Canal de Saint-Martin et la promenade en bateau sur la Seine

9. Picnic at le Jardin des Tuilleries to view the rising of La Vasque (Olympic Torch)

Alors…

I’ve done what I can, considering I bought NOTHING in advance, and did absolutely no planning. It was a spur-of-the-moment type trip. Nathalie needed someone to watch Luigi and the apartment… and I volunteered. <wink> So when I landed I just went online to find tickets ASAP.

I don’t think I’ll make it to the Orangerie because they are sold out through August, as it’s a major tourist attraction. Third-party organizations will have tickets, but they will not be timed, and it’s a line (outside) to get in, and because of its small size, they only allow so many people at a time.

Also, I’m probably not going to get to see the Worth exhibit at Petit Palais because they’re closed today, and don’t have much availability for the rest of my stay. Too bad, because I do love that museum. It’s also free, except for special exhibits, and it has a darling café.

Most of the morning is behind me as I type, but I am not a Type A person, and I don’t mind having no plans for a day here or there. Leisurely time is never a waste here – it’s a way of life. I have 3 terrace doors open, and the breeze is blowing in – along with the occasional iconic sounds of sirens. I tend to live in the present for the most part. That said, I secured tickets for Thursday at le Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris to see the Münter and Matisse exhibits.

It’s been a great stay, and I even threw in a unique (!) foot massage and a trip to the Apple Store.

So today’s a “free” day, a wandering day. I’ve already bought a little something for each of my loves at home without going crazy (really!) and without needing to buy another suitcase to come home. You laugh – but omg Thomas and I last summer, let’s just say it was epic and will never happen again. I hope. No, I promise. I went a little crazy and didn’t realize how much suitcase space those Olympic hats and t-shirts would take up – plus the Haribo Orangina gummies for everyone!

I did want to go to the 6ème to buy butter for everyone. Seriously, there’s a way to have them seal it for you – and then you freeze it before you depart, and it supposedly works just fine. But I don’t know if I want that in my suitcase, and I doubt the TSA would allow it in my carry-on. lol! (Can you imagine?) But people do it. And the service is available at La Grande Épicerie, which is in my old neighborhood. And, if you’ve never been, you need to go. Anyway, this is how I get into trouble. My mind is now thinking maybe I can squeeze a few pounds of butter into my suitcase. And, do I have any ziplock bags? Nathalie won’t. She’s a major recycler and wouldn’t dare make such a purchase. So, I’ll argue with myself all day as I wander.

I need another coffee, yoga, and then I’ll head out… stay tuned.

I had to add this link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK5cc4OSGqJ/?igsh=NjFjazNjMDd0azZw

Note: le pantalon!!!! That is what I wear when I go to the foot massage place!!!

After exiting the Métro, there was a line of security in the hall checking everyone’s (!) Métro cards/tickets. That happens periodically. You just hand them your Navigo card and/or your paper tickets. They will fine you on the spot if you don’t show the correct ticket. Ask me how I know?

Ok blogging on the go here. There are a lot of Seinfeld “puffy” shirts in stores – for women. But still.

I had to stop photographing all the leopard stuff – c’est trop!

You can’t believe what I left out!

Also, I’m starting to see Zebra now.

I’m home from Galeries Lafayette. They still don’t have the item I wanted to buy for mon petit-fils, Henri, mais sa Mimi ne se laissez-faire pas abattre.

I have ALWAYS loved wearing black and brown, and in fact I wore black and brown on my flight here, but, I’ve seen enough leopard to last a lifetime. I like an accent here or there, but HERE à Paris, you can find that accent in everything from socks, barrettes, earrings, belts, sweaters, pullovers, dresses, nightgowns, underwear, pants, skirts, bags, and even Birkenstocks. I bought ONE accessory because when it goes out of fashion, it’s going out big time.

Time for girl math. Instead of dining out with a glass of rosé this afternoon, I bought a dress. Yes, another one. And maybe shoes, purse, and earrings that go absolutely, stunningly perfectly well with said dress. So, it’s olives for dinner again! Girl Math! I know you ladies understand. And now we all know why French women are so thin. Do I feel guilty? No. If you read my 04 août 2025 entry, you’d know I’m the type that still has 20-year-old cardigans. C’est moi.

What else did I notice today? Wide-legged jeans/pants are in, and a lot of them are high-waisted.

Another huge thing in Paris – THEY LOVE SECOND-HAND and it’s offered in every store. Even Galeries Lafayette. Weekend tag sales are big here.

I had spritzed a new perfume on my hand whilst meandering, and I’ve spent the last few hours being reminded of it… I like it, just not sure if I like it enough to buy it.

It’s hotter today, as was yesterday – but not unbearable. Chilled Rosé helps.

Entered beneath the dome as I walk around all the perfumeries.