A very Parisian birthday

How does one celebrate a birthday in Paris? A relatively insignificant birthday, but one that falls on the best day of the week?

I spent my morning at home, puttering and writing. Then it was off to Versailles and the Trianon Palace with Rach and Deanna. The royal treatment beckoned!

We had actually planned to see the Takashi Murakami exhibition a few weeks back. I know and like Murakami mostly through his work with Vuitton but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not a huge fan, but his cheeky sculptures were actually quite perfect at Versailles.


Both he and the chateau are so outrageous in their own ways, the juxtaposition really worked.



That’s us, documenting our presence in the Hall of Mirrors...

...before indulging in one last splash of happiness…


…and stepping out into the rain.

From one royal setting to another, we arrived at the Trianon Palace, where the Rolls Royces were lined up… for my arrival?

I thought maybe it was a very special party, just for me. But alas, the $250k cars were someone else’s guests.

The tea was still rich enough.

Chocolate mousse, vanilla macaron, English scone, sugar-glazed gingerbread and a very special red mystery orb in the middle, filled with creamy praline and passionfruit.



The best part was when Rach whipped out a birthday candle, turning tea into an instant party. (Thanks, Rach!)

A little respite back at home before dinner with the girls.

What can I say? It was perfect.

Okay, the food could have been better, but it was a perfect party of four.

Goofy. Laidback. Warm and wonderful.

And just before the clock struck midnight?



Cake! Sparklers! A good omen for the year ahead!