birthday weekend
There are worse ways to spend your birthday than drinking martinis with a view of the Eiffel tower and one of your best friends by your side.
Sometimes I feel so lucky I wonder how I deserve all of the wonderful people that come into my life.
I wonder how I end up in these magical moments, and then I realize that if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen.
My birthday started at 2 a.m. that morning. I came home from a late night of babysitting and opened the paper bag in my closet that read ‘Do not open until October 17th‘, in my mother’s fine handwriting.
I unwrapped a candle, a great new book and the scarf I’d been coveting and grinned. It is nice to feel so loved. In true birthday tradition, I lit the candle and put on the Beatles ‘They say it’s your birthday’ and danced around the room.
I fell asleep around 3 a.m and woke up a few hours later. I threw on some comfy clothes, my boots and my winter jacket and headed out the door. I stopped at the fruit stand and bought a big bag of medjool dates, the perfect birthday breakfast.
I ate my dates as I walked past the Louvre and along the Tuileries to hotel Meurice. Here’s where we get really fancy. My boyfriend wanted to me to start my day off right and booked me a massage in one of the city’s great spas.
The hotel concierge led me along the marble floor to the elevator and told me to take it downstairs to the spa. There I was greeted and led to the changing room, where I giddily put on the fluffy robe and slippers.
I tested out the sauna and steam room, unsure of the protocol in taking off your clothes I wrapped a towel around me (thankfully as a man passed me at one point). But had most of the morning alone to myself. Eventually a woman come and told me it was time for my massage.
For the next 50 minutes my body travelled to a far away land of pleasure of which I hoped to never return. When she whispered for me to get ready at my own pace, I considered kidnapping her, then remembered I had a day of birthday celebrations ahead of me.
The best gift was waiting for me at the apartment. I walked up the stairs of my building to find one of my closest childhood friends grinning in a big grey sweater. ”Gilly!!!” she yelled. My friend Jenny flew over from London for the weekend to see me. We hugged, got ready slowly, had a good skype session with my parents then took off wandering.
We caught up over big organic salads, a rich vegetable lasagna and organic red wine at Le Potager du Marais. We made up for our vegetable consumption by hitting up the chocolate store next, where we filled a bag, and I walked down the street with chocolate covered fingers and the biggest child-like grin on my face.
We walked and explored, kicked back strong espressos, then bought some hummus, tapenade, baguette and a bottle of champagne for our pre-dinner party.
At the apartment we got decked out, threw on some heels, talked over cups of champagne then ran down the street to catch our reservation at Georges, the sexy rooftop restaurant at the top of the Georges Pompidou centre.
It was a gorgeous evening of small bites and strong martinis. We celebrated my birthday in style, and I was happy to have someone so close to me by my side.
We continued the celebration all weekend, with a picnic in the park, more chocolate, a visit to my Turkish family and a long late night walk around Paris.
Today I get back into my work groove, with my heart rejuvenated and my confidence back in place.
I’m 23-years-old, I feel good about what I’m doing, I have people that I love me and I’m living my life the way I want to.
Early celebration in my apartment with a gift from my mother
Poppin the champagne
Jenny and her glass (no flutes in this apartment)
At the end of the night after many martinis, rose and free magazine in hand
Picnic in the park
Assortment of goodies
A lot of this was consumed
My gorgeous, playful friend getting silly with her spoon
On the roof of the Arab museum
Mint tea on the roof of the Arab museum
I love her. And yes that is the same jacket, a hilarious surprise.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Perfect celebration
Wishing you a very happy birthday!!
October 19th, 2009 at 5:03 am
Happy Birthday to you !!
I wish you the best !
It’s great reading your blog, as always..
October 19th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Happy Birthday.. it looks like you had an awesome celebration. Your pics are gorgeous!! I am going to pretend I am in Paris right NOW!
October 19th, 2009 at 6:52 am
What a great birthday weekend! I’m Glad someone enjoyed Paris. My warm bed was just too comfy to leave this weekend
October 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Happy birthday Gill and warm wishes for a splendid year ahead. Glad you had such an excellent, indulgent celebration!
October 19th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Bonne fete, birthday twin! It’s no wonder I love your blog. All the best people are born on October 17th.
Amuse-toi bien!!
October 19th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Happy birthday, Gillian! Your weekend sounds like a dream.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Gillian…What a perfect weekend. Happy Birthday!! All the best in the year to come.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Happy birthday!! I’m glad you were able to enjoy it so well. All the best xx
October 19th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Happy Birthday! I love reading your blog, it’s like being there! Sounds like a perfect weekend.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Happy Birthday Gillian! Looks like a marvelous day, i’m so pleased that you got to spend it with your best friend and what a treat from your boyfriend!!
October 19th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Happy belated beautiful one!!! It sounds like you had a WONDERFUL birthday. I would’ve considered kidnapping her too
You are such a beautiful person in and out! I think part of you being where you are is not just your will (although I know it’s strong!!), but I think you have this magnetism that draws people to you. Just reading your blog evokes so much appreciation for this life and world!
October 19th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Happy Birthday Gillian! I’m glad to read that you had a wonderful birthday. I live vicariously through your writings for a while now. Ditto Katharina — you’re truly beautiful inside and out.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! all the rest is was already said above.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Happy Birthday to us then! I hope you enjoyed yours as much as I did mine.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
So your a Libran..”known as the harmonizer”
Happy Birthday Gillian, glad it was awesome.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
[...] I would love to spend my birthday in Paris (hint hint husband!). [...]
October 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
happy happy birthday! i know i’ve said it before, but i adore your writing. you always create the most beautiful images in my mind and convey such a feeling of calm and comfort. i absolutely love it.
October 20th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Happy Birthday!! All the best!! cheers, Carolina
October 21st, 2009 at 7:40 am
happy day indeed! looks like the perfect way to celebrate.
oh how HAPPY!! the picnic on park/goodies photos make me
October 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Happy birthday!
What a splendid way to celebrate another year of life. It looks like you had a wonderful time.
I love the fun pictures! Happiness shines through you and the sights are beautiful.
Aha- so you are skilled in both writing & photography, eh? You truly are a gem!
<3Karina
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Gill, I’m about to visit Paris on honeymoon. I haven’t cut my hair since the summer for the updo, and I need a new look. Any recos for a fashionable salon that won’t break the bank?
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Hey Lindsay, great question! If you’re looking to save money the Frank Provosts hair salons around Paris are a pretty good deal for what you get. However I just got my color done at a salon in the neighborhood, for a little more of a splurge and I was happier than I’ve been in a long time. The prices are still within reason and a cut shouldn’t cost you too much. I advise coming with a look in mind, and maybe a photo, or just tell them to do something chic! Here’s the info-
Jean-Claude Biguine
59 Rue des Francs Bourgeois
My favorite hair salon in the neighborhood. The prices aren’t cheap but not unusual for Paris. Rudy does a great job on color!
Tel. 01 42 72 42 33