Autumn in Paris

After a glorious September in San Francisco (following a freezing summer, the coldest in years), instead of a few golden days of Indian summer, we had weeks of it, and I lay in the sun like a lizard soaking up the last rays of sun (even though it's no longer p.c., I always feel better with a tan, at least in the summer months, and am city pale the rest of the year)—-I trotted through New York in October (and appeared on the CBS Early Show for my new book "Legacy"), and it was just the beginning of fall in New York. And from there I went to Paris, and found myself smack dab in the beginnings of winter, with all its charm and lures and chilly weather. I love winter and snow, and the Christmas holidays, and all the excitements of the winter season, but I have to admit I really enjoyed the summer and the hot weather. But those lazy days are over til next year.

Back in Paris, I turned up the heat, pulled out my winter coats, and threw myself into the fall activities in Paris. One of my favorites is a big art fair that happens every October called the FIAC, which I had fun browsing. It happens at the Grand Palais, a beautiful old glass structure with domes like a Palace, where there are many art exhibitions, fashion shows, and cultural events throughout the year. It's a fabulous building, recently restored to its original beauty in the past few years. I wandered the aisles, looking at all the booths and a dizzying amount of art, as well as several smaller art fairs that sprout up at the same time. September is the month for antique fairs in Paris, and October for art fairs, and I thoroughly enjoy both, and try to see them all.

I caught up with friends after the summer, invited my favorite ladies for lunch, and am planning to give a Halloween dinner, with decorations I brought from the states. Halloween is virtually non-existent in France, and all of Europe, so it's fun bringing a bit of that to Paris. I've been taking long walks in the chilly weather, doing some shopping, and starting to plan for Christmas. It just feels like winter again, and as incredibly beautiful and appealing as spring and summer are in Paris, it's beautiful here in winter too. They're starting to string up the Christmas lights in the trees on the Champs Elysees, although they're not lit yet, but Paris goes all out decorating for Christmas, the way we used to do in years past, and no longer do to the same extent. Winter is in the air here, and Christmas will be here before we know it….I'm ready for the Parisian winter, and will be back in California for the holidays too…..so Indian summer is officially over….bundle up….I can hardly wait for the first winter snow blanketing all the parks and monuments of Paris, and hanging off the trees like lace. It's so beautiful here!!! I miss the summer sun, but it's exciting that winter is here!!!