Foreign, Technically - Spring in Paris
Where I Went, What I Ate, What I Keep Thinking About
This week marked the arrival of spring in Paris. The blooming buckeye trees have been holding my allergies hostage, but the overdue sunshine made it hard to stay indoors.
Where I Went
Opening day of the La Mode au 18e Siècle, Un Héritage Fantasmé exhibition at Palais Galliera— which was packed. I have a soft spot for eighteenth-century aesthetics and found myself enjoying this even more than the recent Marie Antoinette Style show at the V&A Museum in London. Maybe it’s the home turf advantage.
My favorite section focused on hair. Among the displays were illustrated “magazine” plates from the late 1780s that exaggerated towering hairstyles of the period. One style is memorably titled The Hedgehog— a reference not to the animal itself but to the technique: dramatic volume and curls that Marie Antoinette helped popularize.
Another highlight: a corset believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette. In person, it was exceptionally small— not only in height, but especially in width.
What I Did
Another meetup with my mahjong group, this time a few more players at the table. The better we all get at the game, the more satisfying it becomes — less guessing, more strategy. I almost won, which felt like progress.
I biked to Takumi to pick up a Japanese cheesecake and decided to walk home. Living in Paris, it’s sometimes easy to forget what it feels like to be an enchanted tourist— gentle reminders are necessary. Strolling down Rue Saint-Honoré and peeking into shop windows reminded me how magical it can be.
Trying a new instructor at Burning Bar while my regular teacher is on vacation. Ballet barre in 35-degrees Celsius (HOT) is not easy and I continue to leave drenched, occasionally wondering if my age is appropriate for this level of intensity. Still, one thing I have noticed despite the sweat and soreness: attending a class at 1:15pm on a Sunday— albeit a somewhat random time— does wonders for my weekend mood. I may keep it.
What I Ate
Lunch at Takuto in the 6éme— if a hand roll bar offers uni and a caviar add on, I’m in; a beautiful birthday celebration at Juveniles. The pollack prepared simply with vegetables in a velvety fish broth brought life to my week. Extra points to the chef for serving it properly hot, not tepid. 10/10.
What I Bought
I’ve been challenging myself to wear more skirts lately, and this denim pencil skirt from The Frankie Shop made a strong case for transitional dressing.
What I Keep Thinking About
Last week in What I Bought I mentioned my brooch hunt through the Paris flea market. This week, between Paris Fashion Week’s end, the Oscars, my neighbor, and a few Substacks, I noticed others on the bandwagon. Maybe the brooch is back?
What My Dogs Did
Both of them went to the French countryside for the weekend— a treat for them frolic together.
Notes to follow, from Paris.
So glad that Juveniles is still a mainstay. Matt and I spent many hours there!