When you’ve got been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that this journey to Paris was a REALLY large deal for me due to my worry of flying. Although Paris regarded magical within the films, I actually didn’t assume I might ever see the Eiffel Tower with my very own eyes as a result of I could not envision myself surviving the flight and the nervousness of touring. I do not even actually like touring inside my very own metropolis for a complete day not to mention a international metropolis. I’m a real homebody and although it could have been good to have some new surroundings for the Gram, I do not assume I’ll ever actually have the journey bug.
In 2021, it was determined that I might be the brand new Chaumet Boutique Supervisor at my work. I might nonetheless be the supervisor for Birks, however I might tackle this extra function because it was nonetheless a reasonably new model in Canada. We had a slightly small area for Chaumet on the time, however as a result of we have been upgrading to a full blown boutique in December 2022, it was determined that the brand new area wanted a devoted supervisor and employees. A part of being a supervisor for Chaumet was the chance to attend the Worldwide Retail Seminar (IRS) which might be in Paris (although I’ve heard it modifications areas yearly!). Once I heard this, I used to be instantly struck with worry and I did not actually assume it was taking place even when my flight was booked! It wasn’t till I had resort reservations and an itinerary that I began to consider it was actual! Basically each time I thought of this journey, my abdomen would lurch and I might be consumed by nervousness. I even requested to resign as supervisor and was advised in a not so good method that that was not an choice and realistically, who of their proper thoughts would flip down an all-expenses paid journey to Paris with an attractive jewellery model?! So, a few month earlier than I acquired a prescription for some low-grade anti-anxiety treatment, acquired the Calm app, obtained three varieties of Gravol and talked to a therapist (who mentioned I used to be uber ready and to make use of logic to speak myself out of my fears). I will not lie although that for the entire week earlier than the flight, I used to be a ball of nerves. I wakened with butterflies in my abdomen and I went to mattress with them. I misplaced 4 lbs and needed to drive myself to eat as a result of I additionally did not wish to get sick earlier than the journey!
My husband had already been in Europe for nearly 2 weeks and after I mentioned goodbye to him on the airport, he mentioned to me “The following time I see you, can be in Paris!” He met me at my resort after I had landed and it was such a aid to see him and know that I had made it to The Metropolis of Love! I solely had an hour of sleep on the airplane so I used to be fairly out of it, however I used to be solely going to be in Paris for 4 nights so I knew I needed to make it rely! The day I landed, there was a welcome cocktail celebration on the resort at 6pm so I took a fast nap beforehand, advised myself to be social and meet the opposite 130 boutique managers! As a traditional introvert, there have been MANY moments on this journey the place I wanted to psych myself up, however in the long run I knew that because the beginner supervisor, I may both have a “meh” journey or do my finest to make it as memorable as potential. Clearly, I selected the latter and truthfully, as soon as I gave into the occasions and chatting with individuals, it was straightforward to neglect how drained I used to be or how shy I felt. I simply needed to dive headfirst and DO IT and never assume an excessive amount of about it. I had three days with Chaumet that went from 7:45am-10:30pm the primary two days after which we ended round 3pm on the final day in order that we are able to run off and discover Paris.
On the primary day, the gross sales assembly and welcome breakfast have been on the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, in-built 1784, and was initially a puppet theatre. It seats 750 individuals and is now used as a playhouse for varied reveals. It felt quite a bit just like the Moulin Rouge period and seeing a crimson velvet curtain full with crimson velvet chairs was truly fairly cool to expertise.
We later went to Cafe de la Paix, constructed within the 1800s, and host to many friends together with the likes of Victor Hugo and Ernest Hemingway. We had an extremely filling lunch and dessert that I want I may have doggy-bagged (I heard that this does not actually occur in French eating places)!
Subsequent, we have been off to 12 Place Vendome, residence of the Chaumet flagship retailer and Atelier aka the place the jewellery is made! I had been dying to see Place Vendome as that is an iconic luxurious buying space and residential to the Ritz. We spent about 2 hours testing new jewellery releases and seeing how a tiara is made! It was so informative and I really feel like I acquired to know the model so a lot better!
That evening we had dinner at one other iconic Parisian place known as Maxim’s! Established within the early 1900s, Maxim’s has performed host to many worldwide celebrities like Marcel Proust, Brigitte Bardot and Barbara Streisand! The vibe of this multi-floor restaurant is assessed as very Artwork Noveau and there was a ton of leisure through the cocktail hour main as much as dinner. There have been enjoyable individuals like these guys right here and even make-up artists giving us some additional glitter for the evening!
All of that was on the primary day from 8am to 11pm so I used to be fairly exhausted by the tip of the evening. I left when the celebration was nonetheless happening as I needed to maneuver previous the jet lag as rapidly as potential and fortunately, I slept proper by means of the evening!
The following day was all work as we spent many of the day at Chaumet headquarters in a gathering room planning for our group displays the subsequent day so no pictures have been taken. As soon as it was introduced that there was to be one spokesperson for the group and that the displays wanted to happen in English, I knew it could be me seeing as how I used to be the one Canadian there. It additionally threw individuals for a loop once they came upon I used to be Chinese language, however could not converse Mandarin and had satisfactory French. What DID actually wow me at this seminar was the variety of Chinese language individuals who may converse French, Mandarin and English fluently! What a wonderful trifecta of languages to know! It impressed me to begin Duolingo once more simply to brush up on my French! I plan on being extra ready after I head again to Paris as a result of whether or not it’s for work or pleasure, I wish to go once more!
Later that evening, there was a cocktail celebration at 12 Place Vendome plus the chance to attend the “Golden Age” exhibit which showcases Chaumet’s collaborations and inspirations from the 60-70s! This exhibit runs till Dec.2, 2023 and is freed from cost by appointment. I didn’t count on to spend a stable 2 hours there, however I used to be completely enchanted by the jewellery I used to be seeing! I’ve all the pictures from the exhibit on my Instagram in case you are taken with seeing extra!
The third and remaining day of the seminar was to happen on the Louis Vuitton Basis which was about 30 min by automobile from our resort so all of us loaded up into buses on a wet morning and I needed to take this photograph of the Arc de Triomphe now that I’m obsessive about Le Tour de France! That is the place the cyclists circle on the enduring remaining stage of the Tour so it was actually spectacular to see it with my very own eyes!
By the point we reached the LV Basis, the solar had come out and there was no rain in sight! Not like the opposite buildings we had been within the earlier days, this architectural feat was in-built 2014 and is an hommage and committment to artwork, tradition and heritage. The Rothko exhibit had simply began and although I did not have time to see it, it regarded unimaginable even for a non-art particular person like me!
As for the group presentation, properly I helped write a poem which type of is sensible since I used to be the one native English speaker so I used to be tapping out the beat with my palms throughout our assembly. I by no means advised anybody that I used to be additionally a classically educated violinist so I form of took over on the beats and measures elements of the poetry-writing, however we additionally had a extremely good facilitator, Marco, who saved us on monitor. I learn it in entrance of 150 Chaumet staff with the theme music to Chef’s Desk taking part in AND we have been the primary ones to go! It went properly, I did all of it with a velvet tiara and I really feel like I massively overcame some intense public talking nervousness although my flying nervousness FAR outweighed public talking!
OMG after which our group received one among three awards! I used to be so pleasantly shocked as there have been some actually good displays on the market! We received a extremely stunning Rothko hardcover ebook in addition to a enjoyable learn with pictures about Chaumet. Now, as a lot as I appreciated this present, think about attempting to fly residence with a 15lbs ebook! Nonetheless, I’m nonetheless VERY glad to have it on my bookshelf at residence as a reminder of what I managed to perform in Paris. I’m not usually one to brazenly toot my very own horn to individuals, however between the getting on a airplane, being very social and combating by means of the bodily discomfort of journey after which talking in an auditorium full of individuals together with the CEO and VP, I really feel like I’m allowed to say “Good Job Jayne!”
We ended the afternoon with lunch at Jardin d’Acclimatation after which it was time for me to say goodbye after which spend the afternoon with my husband – lastly! We had very totally different schedules the entire week as I devoted myself solely to work and he and my MIL took the time to discover town and have most of their meals collectively.
We did not have a number of time so we determined to stroll alongside the Champs Elysees and simply have a look at shops. I had needed to see the Parisian variations of many beloved magnificence manufacturers so I acquired my pictures of Guerlain and Lancome which have been my favourites to have a look at. I did take a flick thru Sephora, however it was MADNESS and I needed out fairly rapidly!
For dinner, this was the primary evening it wasn’t supplied for me, I had made a reservation at La Souffle the week earlier than after I was nonetheless in Vancouver primarily based on the advice of my boss. He mentioned the final time in Paris, it regarded like a brilliant cute place and that when he requested if they might seat him, they laughed in his face and mentioned they have been absolutely booked! I’m VERY glad I made a reservation as a result of I actually watched individuals get turned away in entrance of me. The restaurant focuses on one factor – souffles! It additionally solely seats 20 individuals so it is tremendous intimate, however but I did not really feel like I may hear anybody’s conversations.
The souffles have been soooo good and soooo large! I needed a dessert souffle, however they have been the identical dimension because the dinner souffles! I additionally determined to attempt some escargot as though I’ve had them earlier than in Vancouver, there’s something about attempting a French speciality IN France! No regrets right here as a result of they have been scrumptious!
Our flight was at 10am the subsequent morning which meant being on the airport at 7am so we ended our evening round 9pm and walked my MIL to the prepare station, took this photograph of the Eiffel Tower after which turned in for the evening. Despite the fact that I did not get as a lot free time as I needed to in Paris, I did miss residence and my kitties. I felt so pleased with myself and the adventures I had on this journey and simply saved telling myself in the beginning that I might be so completely happy to make new experiences for myself as I have not had an actual journey in awhile. The pandemic actually fed the homebody in me and I used to be comfortable with that, however being in Paris has form of made me wish to attempt a couple of new issues in Vancouver!
Thanks to so lots of you who checked in on my psychological state as I used to be so freaked out concerning the flight. The few days main as much as Paris have been actually not enjoyable for me though I attempted so exhausting to remain calm and so lots of you had options and suggestions or simply phrases of encouragement which was very comforting. Let’s hope I can do that once more and see a bit extra of the world! A bientot!
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