Souvenirs from Paris

My last trip of the year was unfortunately another work related one – but at least to a nicer destination, Paris! As an added bonus, I was able to spend a weekend there. And even better yet, Mr. Feather also happened to be in Europe for work, and we were able to have a day together. Hoorah!

I’ve been really trying not to turn my travel trips into shopping ones (the temptation is strong), partially because I always end stamping on my luggage on the last day to make it all fit. Anyway, since it was nearing Christmas and also because I had a willing if ever-so-sulky husband with me who could help with ferrying carrier bags, we made our way to a few shopping destinations, including over to the mothership Hermes, on Rue du Faubourg.

I had a couple items on my wish list and since the inventory was quite good during the Christmas season (the best I’ve seen in years), I was able to snag both! A Christmas miracle, as far as Hermes is concerned.

First up was a new cashmere/silk shawl. I love these shawls and find them much easier to wear than the silk scarves, personally. I usually only buy one or two maximum per year, so try to be really picky and only buy the patterns/colors I love.

As soon as I saw this colorway and pattern (Peuple du Vent), I knew that it was the one! I love the complimentary colors and don’t have enough blue. Plus, this pattern is so awesome. I adore all the animals on it.

My favorite animals in the shawl include the little cat and polar bear. I have a thing for polar bears. Did you know that I still sleep with the same stuffed animal I had as a little kid – the ubiquitous Gund polar bear? His official name according to Gund is “Snuffles” but I’ve always just called him “Bear”. Anyway.

This is a current season shawl, so you should be able to find it in stores online. Right now Hermes USA has the Peuple du Vent shawl in five colorways.

The next item on my wishlist was a bit tricker. I had a few very specific bags that I wanted and had requested. At this point I’m pretty happy with my accessories collection, so I’m very exact and quite picky about what I will add. Hermes mistakes are costly, my friends! Each of the bags on my wish list were ones I knew weren’t produced very often, so I wasn’t exactly holding my breath. Even with our salesperson returned with some boxes and a smile, I still had some doubts.

As soon as she opened the first box though, I knew I’d be taking something extra home.

This is what I ended up keeping – an ostrich Kelly Pochette in the color “Bleu Iris” with palladium hardware. Hello my new friend!

I had asked for a darker colored pochette in ostrich earlier, thinking that I was going to take one in black. The manager advised though that a) Hermes didn’t make the pochette in black ostrich unless specially ordered, and b) she thought that any color but black would be better for ostrich anyway, since it showed off the unique skin better.

When the bag first came out, I knew that it was a super duper color. I still had been thinking about black though, so I mulled it over for a few minutes. “If I don’t end up taking this one…I wonder if I’ll cry in a few days,” I said.

The manager considered this for an instant, and then replied, “Yes. Probably.” She’s the kind of cool, chic blunt French woman who wouldn’t hesitate to tell you not to buy a wedding dress while all your other friends are blubbering over how beautiful it is, so I knew I should obey. And I’m glad I did!

I’ve been abstaining until after Christmas to use this bad boy (Mr. Feather says I have no self control…I’ll show him) so I’ll be taking this one out for a maiden voyage soon, and will follow up with a more detailed review post on the pochette. In the meantime, thank you for reading along, and I hope that you all got a Christmas wish (or many!) this holiday season.

Happy 2015 to you and your loved ones!