Last week, my husband and I spent a few days in Paris celebrating my 40th birthday. It was our first return to Paris together since our honeymoon 15 years earlier, so we were very excited. When I travel, I always bring my running shoes, just in case. And since I am currently training for a half marathon, I was hoping for a nice warm morning run by the Seine River. So when the sun was shining on us our first morning, I was quick to convince my husband to have a small breakfast, put our sneakers on, and get out in the nice spring weather. We started our run by the Notre Dame, ran on the old cobblestones by the river, passed the famous Pont Neuf and Musee Du Louvre, and ended by the Eiffel Tour—it was an amazing run in this beautiful city.
Later on in the day, we had been invited by our friends from Clarins to visit their new spa, My Blend by Clarins, located only a few steps from The Arc De Triumph at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris. We enjoyed a fabulous couple's massage, which was a perfect treat following our morning run. We also spent some time relaxing in their luxurious white paradise pool lounge sipping some splendid teas. After our wonderful My Blend experience, we strolled around Champs Elysee, enjoyed the French wine and food, did some shopping, and ended the evening with a surprise visit to a famous French cabaret. I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate my 40th. Running, spa-ing, good wine and food, shopping, and a spectacular showcase of my beloved Christian Louboutin! All this with my favorite person in one of my favorite cities. I am already looking forward to my next visit.
—Monica Helmstetter, East Coast Regional Account Manager, American Spa