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You probably have been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that this journey to Paris was a REALLY large deal for me due to my concern of flying. Although Paris seemed magical within the films, I actually didn’t suppose I’d ever see the Eiffel Tower with my very own eyes as a result of I could not envision myself surviving the flight and the anxiousness of touring. I do not even actually like touring inside my very own metropolis for a complete day not to mention a overseas metropolis. I’m a real homebody and although it will have been good to have some new surroundings for the Gram, I do not suppose I’ll ever really have the journey bug.
In 2021, it was determined that I’d be the brand new Chaumet Boutique Supervisor at my work. I’d nonetheless be the supervisor for Birks, however I’d tackle this extra position because it was nonetheless a reasonably new model in Canada. We had a somewhat small house for Chaumet on the time, however as a result of we had been upgrading to a full blown boutique in December 2022, it was determined that the brand new house wanted a devoted supervisor and workers. 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 places yearly!). Once I heard this, I used to be instantly struck with concern and I did not really suppose it was taking place even when my flight was booked! It wasn’t till I had lodge reservations and an itinerary that I began to imagine it was actual! Primarily each time I considered this journey, my abdomen would lurch and I’d be consumed by anxiousness. I even requested to resign as supervisor and was advised in a not so good method that that was not an possibility and realistically, who of their proper thoughts would flip down an all-expenses paid journey to Paris with a stupendous jewellery model?! So, a couple of month earlier than I acquired a prescription for some low-grade anti-anxiety treatment, acquired the Calm app, obtained three forms of Gravol and talked to a therapist (who stated 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 awoke 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 need to get sick earlier than the journey!
My husband had already been in Europe for nearly 2 weeks and once I stated goodbye to him on the airport, he stated to me “The following time I see you, will probably be in Paris!” He met me at my lodge after I had landed and it was such a reduction 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 depend! The day I landed, there was a welcome cocktail get together on the lodge at 6pm so I took a fast nap beforehand, advised myself to be social and meet the opposite 130 boutique managers! As a basic 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 greatest to make it as memorable as attainable. Clearly, I selected the latter and truthfully, as soon as I gave into the occasions and chatting with individuals, it was simple to neglect how drained I used to be or how shy I felt. I simply needed to dive headfirst and DO IT and never suppose 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 will run off and discover Paris.
On the primary day, the gross sales assembly and welcome breakfast had 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 numerous reveals. It felt loads just like the Moulin Rouge period and seeing a purple velvet curtain full with purple velvet chairs was really 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 had been off to 12 Place Vendome, dwelling 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 procuring 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 night time 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 classed 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 further glitter for the night time!
All of that was on the primary day from 8am to 11pm so I used to be fairly exhausted by the top of the night time. I left when the get together was nonetheless happening as I needed to maneuver previous the jet lag as rapidly as attainable and fortunately, I slept proper via the night time!
The following day was all work as we spent a lot of the day at Chaumet headquarters in a gathering room planning for our group displays the subsequent day so no pictures had 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 will be me seeing as how I used to be the one Canadian there. It additionally threw individuals for a loop once they discovered 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 an excellent 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 once I head again to Paris as a result of whether or not it’s for work or pleasure, I want to go once more!
Later that night time, there was a cocktail get together 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 the entire pictures from the exhibit on my Instagram if you’re inquisitive about seeing extra!
The third and ultimate day of the seminar was to happen on the Louis Vuitton Basis which was about 30 min by automotive from our lodge so all of us loaded up into buses on a wet morning and I needed to take this picture 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 ultimate 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! In contrast to 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 seemed unbelievable even for a non-art particular person like me!
As for the group presentation, effectively I helped write a poem which form of is smart 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 skilled violinist so I form of took over on the beats and measures facets of the poetry-writing, however we additionally had a very good facilitator, Marco, who stored us on monitor. I learn it in entrance of 150 Chaumet workers with the theme music to Chef’s Desk taking part in AND we had been the primary ones to go! It went effectively, I did all of it with a velvet tiara and I really feel like I massively overcame some intense public talking anxiousness although my flying anxiousness FAR outweighed public talking!
OMG after which our crew received certainly one of three awards! I used to be so pleasantly stunned as there have been some actually good displays on the market! We received a very stunning Rothko hardcover e-book in addition to a enjoyable learn with pictures about Chaumet. Now, as a lot as I appreciated this reward, think about making an attempt to fly dwelling with a 15lbs e-book! Nonetheless, I’m nonetheless VERY glad to have it on my bookshelf at dwelling 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 via 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 numerous 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 had been my favourites to take 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 night time it wasn’t supplied for me, I had made a reservation at La Souffle the week earlier than once I was nonetheless in Vancouver based mostly on the advice of my boss. He stated the final time in Paris, it seemed like a brilliant cute place and that when he requested if they may seat him, they laughed in his face and stated they had 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 had been soooo good and soooo large! I needed a dessert souffle, however they had been the identical dimension because the dinner souffles! I additionally determined to attempt some escargot as regardless that I’ve had them earlier than in Vancouver, there’s something about making an attempt a French speciality IN France! No regrets right here as a result of they had been scrumptious!
Our flight was at 10am the subsequent morning which meant being on the airport at 7am so we ended our night time round 9pm and walked my MIL to the prepare station, took this picture of the Eiffel Tower after which turned in for the night time. Regardless that I did not get as a lot free time as I needed to in Paris, I did miss dwelling and my kitties. I felt so pleased with myself and the adventures I had on this journey and simply stored telling myself firstly that I’d be so pleased to make new experiences for myself as I have never 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 need to attempt a number of new issues in Vancouver!
Thanks to so a lot 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 had been actually not enjoyable for me regardless that I attempted so laborious to remain calm and so a lot of you had strategies 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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