Amy’s Love Notes

I’ve been wanting to create something like this for a while… a little place to put all the things I fall in love with along the way.

Amy’s Love Notes.

Think of it as the things I’d usually send in a voice note or drop in the group chat… just all in one place.

Places, moments, little details - the kind that stay with you.

So to start, I’m taking you to Paris.

I was there recently, and it reminded me why I always go back. There’s so much to do, but it’s the way you move through it all that makes it - long dinners, walking everywhere, last-minute plans that end up being the best ones.

These are my favourites from this trip. The places I always go back to, and the ones I’d genuinely tell you to book.

Amy’s Love Notes - My Paris Finds

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme is my home away from home when I’m in Paris.

The location is perfect - I walk everywhere from here. And I always end up romanticising the idea of spending a whole summer in Paris, just wandering, stopping for a glass of wine, maybeeee even reading a book in the park… (which I always bring with me and never actually take out of my bag, but a girl can dream).

This is the kind of place that makes that version of life feel very doable.

What really sets it apart, though, is the attention to detail.

Once you’ve stayed a few times, they just KNOW you. Favourite flowers in the room - white roses to be precise- and little things you’ve mentioned once, somehow remembered forever.

Even my kids’ favourite chocolates - white Kinder Buenos, of all things - tucked away in a little den they made for them… which, honestly, is quite hard to beat.

It’s those touches that make it feel less like a hotel and more like somewhere you’ve just… moved into temporarily… IF ONLY!

During fashion week, it’s also a really good spot - close to everything, but calm enough that you can actually switch off when you get back (which is rare).

And the spa…

They have a dedicated La Mer spa, which is exactly what you want after long days. The La Mer Signature Facial is a must - one of those treatments where you come out looking like you’ve got your life together again.

If you want to feel morning magic in Paris, set your alarm early and go for a sunrise run along the Seine just after 7 am.

It’s a completely different city. The streets are quiet, the air feels softer, and everything moves a little slower before the day properly begins. It’s one of my favourite ways to see it - before the noise, before the rush, just you and the city waking up.

This has become a bit of a ritual for my husband and me, and honestly… it’s one of those simple things that just feels really special.

Run along the Seine, take it all in, and then finish it properly with a coffee at Café de Flore - sit outside, people watch, and pretend you live there for a minute.

As a mum of boys, you do have to strike a bit of a balance.

They’ve been to more than their fair share of dinners, fittings, and all the fashion bits with me in Paris… so it only felt right we did something that was properly for them.

And my 6-year-old is football-obsessed. Like, properly. Ronaldo is God.

So we did a Paris Saint-Germain stadium tour - and it was actually such a good shout.

You go behind the scenes of the whole place - through the players’ tunnel, into the dressing rooms, out pitch-side… all the parts you’d never usually see.

And the highlight - they let you have a go at scoring in the goal. Which, for a football-obsessed 6-year-old, is basically everything.

And being from Liverpool, I do love a bit of football myself… so it really wasn’t too much of a sacrifice ( I secretly enjoyed it if I’m honest )

It’s one of those things that’s genuinely great for them, but you end up enjoying it just as much.

A good one to mix in if you’re travelling with kids - especially if they’re into football.

For a true Parisian treat, you can’t miss Hot chocolate at Angelina.

I know… some people will say it’s overdone.

But after trying what feels like every hot chocolate spot in Paris… nothing compares.

Angelina just does it properly.

You either need to be there at the crack of dawn (and even then, don’t be surprised if there’s still a queue)… or just accept you’re going to wait a bit.

It is a tourist trap - but rightly so.

The hot chocolate is the one. Thick, rich, almost like melted chocolate rather than a drink. It comes with whipped cream on the side, which you absolutely need, whether you think you do or not.

If you’re going all in, order the Mont-Blanc as well - their signature dessert with chestnut cream. And the crêpes are a must. At that point, you may as well just lean into the whole “when in Paris” thing and do it properly.

The pastries are also very good, but honestly… you’re there for the hot chocolate.

Paris is obviously the fashion capital… so of course you’ve got all the originals. The OG Hermes & Louis Vuitton Maison Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Rue Saint-Honoré - literally some of the best shopping in the world.

But honestly, that’s not even my favourite part.

What I love about shopping in Paris is that if you know where to look, you can find some really special pieces… ones that actually feel like they’ve got a bit of a story to them.

Vintage shopping here is NEXT LEVEL!

It’s a bit of a passion of mine, and Paris just does it properly. The quality, the selection… it can feel like a bit of an Aladdin’s cave if you’re willing to have a proper look.

It’s not overly curated or commercial - you actually have to dig a little, which makes it even better when you find something.

Old Chanel coats, vintage accessories, pieces you just wouldn’t come across anywhere else.

A few of my favourites:

• Didier Ludot - proper archive pieces, very chic, very Paris
  24 Galerie de Montpensier, 75001 Paris

• Valois Vintage Paris - amazing for Chanel, especially bags and jewellery
  8 Rue des Saussaies, 75008 Paris

• Thanx God I’m a VIP - a bit more relaxed, but always good finds
  12 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris

• Les Merveilles de Babellou - if you’re in the mood to really dig
  Stand 12, Marché Paul Bert, 18 Rue Paul Bert Allée 1, 93400

• Louise Paris - for second-hand luxurious pieces
  10 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris

It’s the kind of shopping where you go in for a lil gander and come out with something you’ll keep forever.

And, of course, Montmartre…

This is actually my favourite part of Paris.

It feels like you’ve stepped into a different dimension. It’s full of life - artists, music, people everywhere… a bit chaotic in the best way, but still veryyyy charming.

When Ed and I first started dating, we went up there for a day and did the whole thing - wandered around, got completely lost, and left a little lock-up by Sacré-Cœur.

Very cliché… but who cares!?

It just felt like another world.

Paris is obviously the epitome of love and creativity, but Montmartre is where you really feel it. It’s busy, it’s energetic, a bit messy… but that’s what makes it.

And the best part is, you don’t need to spend loads to enjoy it.

Just walk it. Go up to Sacré-Cœur, take in the view over the whole city, wander through the little streets, watch the artists in Place du Tertre… it’s one of those places where you don’t really need a plan.

Food-wise, keep it simple.

Grab a crêpe from one of the street stalls - my go-to is always a cheese one - something warm you can eat while you walk, very Paris, no fuss.

It’s the kind of place you go for a couple of hours and end up staying all day without realising.

Dinner at Lapérouse is a perfect way to finish your day in Paris!

This is one of my absolute favourite places for dinner in Paris.

Like… if you know, you know.

It’s been around since the 1700s, tucked along the Seine, and it still feels like it’s holding onto all its secrets. You walk in, and it’s all winding corridors, hidden little rooms, low lighting… very what is going on in here then energy.

Back in the day, this was where men would bring their mistresses - and honestly, nothing about it has lost that vibe. The mirrors are all scratched and etched (apparently by women over the years, which I love), and the whole place just feels a bit naughty in the best way.

It’s sexy, but not in an obvious way.

Just cool. And a bit indulgent.

The food is also unreal.

The truffle pasta is a must - don’t even think about skipping it. The caviar rigatoni is ridiculous, scallops are always a good idea, and if you’re in the mood to go all in, just do it properly.

I’ve done Valentine’s Day here (very romantic, obviously), but I also had my bachelorette dinner here with all my girls, and we had the best night. It’s one of those rare places that works for both date night and slightly chaotic girls’ dinner.

The Louvre at Night

I was invited by Moët & Chandon to visit the Louvre at night to kick off Paris Fashion Week… which I majorly aware is not your standard Louvre experience.

Honestly… it felt like the movie A Night at the Museum… like the art was about to come to life at any point.

I’ve been a few times before, and it’s usually chaos - queues, crowds, you’re kind of just moving through it without really seeing anything.

This was obviously very different.

We were just wandering around, no rush, no one pushing past you… and I actually got to see the Mona Lisa up close and personal - I’m still wondering what she’s smiling about?

Probably because she knows she’s the most talked about woman in the room… and she hasn’t had to say a word.

But - you absolutely do not need a Moët invite to enjoy it.

You just need to be a bit strategic.

Go early in the morning or later in the evening if you can - it makes a massive difference. Book your tickets in advance (non-negotiable), and don’t try to do the whole thing in one go because you’ll just end up overwhelmed and slightly annoyed.

Pick a few things and actually take the time to enjoy them.

If it’s your first time, do:

• The Mona Lisa

• The Venus de Milo

• The Winged Victory

Then just wander a bit, get lost and see what you end up finding.

Outfit details:
Dress: The Row
Heels: Tom Ford

Picking just a few highlights from Paris was tougher than I thought! There were so many moments I didn’t want to leave out. But I hope this gives you a little taste of what makes the city so magical.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments on what has been inspiring you this week.

With love, Amy x