Was it worth it?
06: Paris shopping, food and experiences (Part 1)
When I spend money—whether it’s on clothes, food, experiences, or something else—I like to feel good about it.
As much as possible, I try to be mindful of what I buy. I love finding a good deal, but I also don’t mind spending a little extra from time to time if it means better quality. I read a lot of reviews, pay attention to recommendations and try to base my purchases on their perceived value. I’m always asking myself, was it worth it?
Here are some thoughts on what I bought recently. What was money well spent, and what gave me buyer’s remorse?
I’ve had this Was it Worth it on the back burner for almost two months since our girls’ trip to Paris and London in May. Part of me felt guilty for falling behind on these posts, but then I realized it’s actually a good idea to have some space between my purchases and when I do these write-ups. Two months is still recent enough to be fresh on my mind while giving me more time (and wears) to better judge what I bought.
Since there was a lot to cover, I’ll be doing these in two parts—the first one will be reviewing my Paris purchases and the second one, what I bought in London.
Paris
Shopping
Shopping at French pharmacies is all the rage with plenty of articles and reels devoted to telling you what to buy. I initially got carried away in the allure of it all, grabbing a handful of French skincare products that aren’t available in North America. But in the end, I put them back and stocked up on the staples I already use for my ultra-sensitive skin: The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser and Avene Eye Makeup Remover (both were a steal compared to what I would’ve paid in Canada.) Even though French products are probably safer because they adhere to stricter standards in Europe, I decided not to take the risk and to put the money towards something else instead.
Makeup cleansing staples On the other hand, my sister-in-law, Ashley, and my mom, who are better at tolerating new products, went wild. Ashley’s favourite was the Biafine cream, which helps calm irritated skin and my mom’s was the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (a face cream and primer in one that was on sale and came with a small serum.)
After months of admiring it online, I finally got the Gaspard Cardigan from L’Appartement Sézane. I kept debating between the red (such a beautiful colour) and black (a classic) and ultimately decided I’d get more use out of the black. It cost 100 euros, which turned out to be a lot less than if I had bought it online when you take into account conversion rates, shipping and duties.
Wearing the Gaspard cardigan + white tee (similar) + jeans + sunglasses. The cardigan isn’t the softest knit, but what I love about it is that it’s a relaxed fit while still looking really elegant. So, it’s something I could easily wear with jeans and a tee or over a dress. The cardigan is also nice and light. It was one of the only sweaters I packed for our most recent trip to Vancouver and it worked perfectly for the cool summer nights.
I wasn’t planning on buying a new bag, but this Longchamp Le Pliage Tote in Orange caught my eye right away as we were walking through Le Bon Marché. I did a few loops around the department store, contemplating if it would be an impulse purchase, but I kept coming back to it. What persuaded me to buy it was: a) I didn’t have anything like this bag already (nothing in the same colour or size, and I’ve never owned a Longchamp tote although I know it’s been a favourite of others forever.) b) The VAT refund meant I could save some money.
Shopping at Le Bon Marché, obsessing over this Longchamp bag. What else I’m wearing: black and white contrast tank (currently on sale) + linen pants (similar) + sambas + sling bag. Lately, it’s one of my most worn bags because I like how it adds a pop of colour to my outfits and how spacious it is. It fits everything I need for the day: wallet, sunglasses, electronics, sweaters for layering, kids’ snacks, etc. I’ve taken it with me all over from my son’s out-of-town hockey tournaments to airports and to the beach. My only concern now is how the colour holds up. Any dirt on the orange shows a lot more than with the darker-coloured totes, and I’ve already seen some transfer from my jeans.
What I wish I bought:
I’m not normally a big perfume person and have been using the same Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne for years. While I was trying to distract myself from the Longchamp tote, I wandered over to Le Labo and fell hard for their Thé Matcha perfume. If I could smell like anything every day, this scent would be it. It’s subtle and fresh with a hint of sweetness to it. Sadly, they didn’t have the travel size in stock, which is the most I could justify spending while still having an almost full bottle of Jo Malone at home.
My brother’s wife, who couldn’t make the trip, had asked us to shop for a few items for her while we were in Paris, including the Longchamp Le Pliage Pouch in black.
My first thought was that it was so small—literally only enough room for your phone, keys and a few cards. I really didn’t get the appeal at first but after seeing her wear it, I now think it can be kind of chic. I’ve been borrowing it from her (a benefit of having others around you who also like nice things!) for the last couple of weeks and it’s been making me want one. A cute option for those days when I don’t feel like carrying much.
Food
The French Bastards: This was our favourite bakery while in Paris. Their chocolate croissants were incredible, but nothing compared to their chocolate eclairs. I’m normally not a big fan of eclairs, but this was one of the best pastries I’ve ever had. They were light, crisp and perfectly puffy, and the dark chocolate was rich without being too sweet.
I still dream about the eclairs from The French Bastards. Peppe Pizzeria: A casual spot serving delicious Neopolitan pizzas, conveniently located right below our Airbnb. We got the Burrata, Queen Tartufo and their award-winning Campione Del Mondo—would recommend all of them.
The truffle pizza at Peppe. Ladurée: Yes, their macarons are pricey but we had to do it while in Paris. We went to the location at the Louvre after our museum visit and bought a small box to enjoy while relaxing in the Jardin des Tuileries. Their Pistachio flavour is my favourite.
Café Kitsuné: I may be alone in this, but I think their coffee may be a tad overhyped. I ordered an iced Americano and it was just OK. I feel like the appeal here is mostly their aesthetics.
Pink Mamma: This Italian restaurant is all over reels about Paris, so reservations can be hard to get. We managed to snag a lunch reso, but even still, we had to wait an hour in line. Food was good (especially their Burrata Pappa Al Pomodoro and famous truffle pasta), and the restaurant made a fun and pretty spot for an all-girls lunch.
The lineup (for those with resos!) at Pink Mamma is the only reason I wouldn’t go back. Breizh Café: A family-friendly restaurant, with several locations across Paris, serving delicious sweet crepes and savoury galettes. I ordered one of their savoury options with pork belly, potatoes and cheese, and it definitely hit the spot (yummy and filling). They also have a really good truffle, ham and egg galette that my mom got. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back.
Mademoiselle Angelina: We booked a table for brunch for North American Mother’s Day. It was a great location (behind Jardin du Luxembourg) with a nice ambiance, but I’m curious to see how the experience compares to the original Angelina Paris. Their hot chocolate was worth the visit.
Poulette: This chic and intimate French bistro is kind of a hidden gem, although Brad Pitt apparently spent his last birthday here. We dined at the restaurant on our last night in Paris, and their steak frites was one of the best meals from our trip. The service was also so accommodating and friendly. Would definitely recommend!
The Steak Frites at Poulette.
Experiences
The Louvre: A must-visit for your first trip to Paris, in my opinion. Unfortunately, some of the exhibits we wanted to see, like the Napoleon III Apartments, were closed but you could still easily spend a full day here and it would be worth it. We got tickets in advance for right when the museum opens and it was the best decision (the line-up for tickets in-person was truly the longest line I’ve ever seen.)
La Galerie Dior: For a little more glamour, the Dior museum was a dreamy escape, full of stunning visual displays and dresses. The whole experience was beautifully curated, walking you through the creative evolution of Dior. The museum definitely exceeded our expectations.
The kids mesmerized by the tiny dresses in the display. Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise: This one-hour cruise on the Seine was the best 14 euros we ever spent. We were so happy we booked a nighttime cruise because we got to see some of the most beautiful parts of Paris all lit up and of course, the Eiffel Tower sparkle. The experience was so magical and the most memorable part of our trip!
Would 100% do another cruise with Vedettes du Pont Neuf. 
So magical!
Ending this post with this reel, here, for a good laugh. Since our trip, Ashley, my mom and I have been sending each other memes and reels about Paris, and this one made me chuckle.
*This post contains some affiliate links, and I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend what I love and would wear.
Le Labo sells samples from their online store as well as in-person!! Not sure if this was the travel size you meant, but they're $7 USD each-- I've gone through 3 of Thé Matcha to tide me over until I succumb to the full size.
Maria, this is such a great recap - your trip looks amazing! The orange Longchamp is so good, too! I'll revisit your post next time I head to Paris - a girl's trip there is long overdue. I'm so glad you had quality time with your family!