My annual trip to Paris has finally come to an end, though not without its fair share of anecdotes, new discoveries, and meeting both old and new friends in my beloved second home. At the start of the year I read yet another Paris memoir (I’ve read a few, book clubbers will know), and I was surprised by just how much it made me fall back in love with a city I thought I couldn’t adore any more.
Paris Dreaming is the work of Katrina Lawrence, an ex-beauty editor for Cleo magazine in Australia, who has spent many years travelling back to Paris at different stages of life.
I loved the book so much that I reached out to Katrina to sing my praise and I was stunned when she responded with an offer to give away a few copies of her book to my readers, as well as meet up in Paris in April on this year’s trip (eeee!)
Giveaway: Win 1 of 5 Copies of Paris Dreaming
Katrina was kind enough to offer five copies of her book, along with a YSL lipstick, to 5 lucky winners! The book is a beautiful addition to any Paris lover’s collection of memoirs, and who can say no to a YSL lipstick… what could be more French!?
How to Enter
To win 1 of 5 copies, answer the below in 25 words or less in the comments below:
“What does Paris mean to you?”
Entries are open globally. Winners will be contacted on 18th May. There are five prize packs up for grabs, each with a copy of Paris Dreaming and a YSL lipstick.
A huge thanks to Katrina, Harper Collins and YSL for offering this giveaway to WOW readers! Good luck!
WINNERS:
Congratulations to these 5 lucky winners:
Anita Hammond
Cathy Neubauer
Hannah Louey
Jovana Miljanovic
Elizabeth Schilg
For me, Paris is the place that always feels like home every time I visit the city. It enchants me and makes me feel to never leave it.
Paris is a romanticised fairytale destination; a city I’m yet to explore; I’d love to see it for myself (and indulge in French pastries!)
Teaching me about aging and beauty, food and eating, drinking coffee and just enjoying the little things but mostly…..it means baguettes, gloriously crunchy baguettes!
Wow! awesome article on Paris giveaway. well, I am from Singapore and I really want to visit Singapore to buy corporate gifts.
Paris to me means a dream destination. It means amazing wine, food and experiences.
Paris is posibility, and adventure, and dreams I’ve had a million times. Channelling my inner Audrey Hepburn. It means being free to explore history and art, and culture and fashion, and the food! Eat all the pastires my little body can fit without bursting.
The pure warmth of the summer breeze while you’re riding through the streets. The smell of freshly-made bread and flowers in the air. Paris is an ongoing fascination of light, love, books, style and food.
Paris is diverse. It can be whatever you want from it. Hope,Romance,Adventure. Everyone views it differently, but everyone leaves inlove.
Hi Brooke. I have written a short acrostic poem about what Paris means to me 🙂
Pastries and coffee; j’adore!
Art; Picasso, Monet and Matisse….
River Seine; browsing the
Bouquinistes.
Irresistible Parisian men; oh là là!
Montmartre; mon quartier préféré.
“We’ll always have Paris” is what this city means to me because of the trip my mother and I recently took. It took 10 years of planning and many ups and downs in both our lives but we finally got to go last year. There really aren’t words, Paris is more of a feeling. The art, history, food, beauty, style and sophistication are just a few of the things that made me fall in love but it’s really the fact that I will always have this beautiful memory of a beautiful place with my beautiful mother when life is less than perfect.
Paris is the city that epitomizes beauty and romance, and the country at the very top of my to-visit list. Everything from the food, to the fashion, to the beauty seems to be on a level that can only be imagined…
Paris is love. Love in the air, love everywhere.
On my first visit I was 10 and my dad convinced me to buy the most gorgeous black jacket. For me, Paris is nostalgic.
I can’t explain Paris in just a few short words. For me, it feels like coming home. Maybe I was a Parisian in a former life, but from the architecture to the food, I am happier there than anywhere else on earth.
Paris is my dream. Beautiful, romantic, so much history & so many delicious sweets! I’m obsessed with Paris & I haven’t even been yet.
i love Paris, city of love. I love the food, fashion everything of Paris.
Paris is the place I feel most at home, out of the 8 places I have lived <3
Paris is my heart. On my first day I arrived, I stepped out of the taxi and felt an overwhelming sense of being home.
Paris is endless wandering, baguette and chocolate on the bank of Seine and architecture porn!
It’s the smell of the croissant, the parfum in the street, the person you become because Paris make you feel special.
Paris is magic. Light on beautiful buildings, beauty at every turn. Paris is elegant yet raw; timeless, but always fashionable. Paris to me is perfection.
Paris to me means history – especially the history of the many revolutions.
Paris is the first city my boyfriend and I went to together. We were 17 and 18 years old and madly in love. We spent hours and hours walking through the city and enjoying the beautiful buildings, streets, parks, art and each other. To make it more special, we went to a concert of Aerosmith, my favourite band, which I had never seen live before. It was one of our most memorable trips! 9 years later aka 2 weeks ago, we went to Paris again together and it was as magical as the first time we were there!
Paris lets me continue dreaming in my ordinary life that I know one day soon I hope to be amazed by the Eiffel Tower.
To me Paris means savoir-vivre, elegance and French chic.
Paris gives me reason to get lost in a city where I am mesmerized by the energy and passion of Parisians. Life itself down every street, the people and the clouds even, all create a breathless experience.
Paris gives me reason to get lost in a city where I am mesmerized by the energy and passion of Parisians. Life itself down every street, the people and the clouds even, all create a breathless experience.
Since I’ve never been to Paris, I hesitate to describe it – but to me it’s a dream that I”ll someday realize.
Paris for me is inspiration. From the architecture, art, culture, food, fashion, history, everything is a source inspiration for a designer like me.
Paris means beauty – the fashion, architecture, and desserts. I hope to visit one day soon.
Thanks for sharing your memories in Paris. I got ideas to sent time there. How is the weather now there? If I want to visit when should I plan for it? …
Paris the adventure: a wander at the Louvre, mulled wine tasting with French pastries, Eiffel Tower gazing, and Montmartre street art vibes!
Paris to me is joie de vivre. I’ve always dreamt of going to Paris as a little girl. Living in Ghent (Belgium), Paris isn’t that far but it took me quite some years until I finally made the dream come true. Once I was there, I fell in love instantly. The beautiful buildings, desserts, flowers. Magic! And of course there are downsides, like the many tourists. But when you find a beautiful, quiet place to enjoy a croissant or macaron… that’s when you really get to know the joys of life and travel.
To me, Paris means dreaming. I have been traveling for years now and Paris has always been a city I dream of but have never been. That’s changing as I am going in February to spend my 28th birthday! Dreaming about it every day and reading any book I can find on it until then!!
Paris awakes our 5 senses – see, touch, smell, taste and hear. In everything we do here, it never fails to arouse all our five senses.
Paris is a city I dream of visiting. There is much to see and do. The architecture, history, art, and literature are wonderful. Old World meets New World, is the experience it offers for the dreamer of it’s vibrant culture.
Paris is a city I dream of visiting. There is much to see and do. The architecture, history, art, and literature are wonderful. Old World meets New World, is the experience it offers for the dreamer roof it’s vibrant culture.
Macaroons & Champagne!
Paris is a dream I developed when I first read your blog one year ago…You made me fall in love with Paris!
Romance in the air, beautiful architecture, red wine, effortlessly elegant Parisians having picnics by the Seine, and last but not least… CROISSANTS!
Paris is the first city that I visited with my parents, who had never been able to travel before. Very special because of that.
Paris is everything to me. <3 It's the place I've been in love with since I was a little girl. A place where dreams come true. I can't wait to FINALLY have to opportunity to go there. x
Paris to me is a city of firsts. It was my first foreign country visited, where I had my first kiss, and when I first fell in love with architecture and design!
Paris to me means Brooke Saward
How exciting, thanks Katrina for the chance to win a copy of your book (and Brooke of course!):
Paris to me:
Is a city best explored by yourself – with beautiful scenery, oodles to do and delicious food, it’s a dream for solo travellers (like myself!).
Paris means getting to experience travel for the first time again and again. I’ve the Eiffel Tower 30+ times and everytime I fall in love.
To me, Paris is love, art, and elegance. Rooftops, french bakeries, gardens and history everywhere you look. Paris is the end and beginning of all dreams.
Paris gives a feeling dream and romance. I visited once and cant wait to go again. The boutique shops and bakeries are pure bliss.
Paris to me means the city of love and where I took my lovely girlfriend once (who told me about this giveaway ha!)
Paris to me means fashion, food, and everything glam. I immediately think luxury and everything posh. Oh, and of course the macaroons!!
To me, Paris is a happy memory and something to look forward to. I visited Paris back in 2012, and now am planning a trip back “someday” with my Mom.
Paris means memories of my beautiful mum. It was our dream to go together and whenever I think of Paris, I think of her.
Oh I just loved Paris when I went last fall! For me Paris was the start of my love affair with Europe. It’s the first city in Europe I’ve ever visited and from there I took the train to Belgium. I can’t wait to go back to Paris!
it took three trips and being there during the terrorist attacks to fall deeply in love – now i know well that paris is about LIFE.
What does Paris mean to you?
Paris means dreams, love, culture, people. Paris also means heartbreak, loss and worry. Paris is just like every city, but just a little more special.
Paris is a dream made flesh, desire become reality, and a secret wish come true.
Paris _ such a beautiful word, invoking adventure and excitement. Streets of history with endless stories of personal lives. Dramatic episodes of fashion, season after season.
Paris, to me, is a fairy tale city with endless possibilities and dreams, romance, and many hours spent at cafes eating macarons. 😀
Paris to me is unassuming luxury.
I feel nostalgia for Paris even though I’ve not yet been. It represents beauty and allure; energy and elegance.
Paris is open to interpretation, with omnipresent magical possibilities. The Paris experience is uniquely beautiful to each person willing to wholly embrace it.
Paris to me is the city where I feel most truly myself.
To me, Paris means culture, relaxation, and amazing desserts!
To me, Paris is culture – food, fashion, art, & exploration.
To me, Paris means beauty, joy, creativity, history and love. The best part is knowing there is always something new and wonderful to be discovered!
Paris represents a dream; a place I’ve always wanted to go. It’s where good food and good company come together in a magical way.
Hi Brooke,
Just have to say firstly how much I love your blog! You first inspired me to take the leap and travel solo around Europe two years ago and I’ve since gone back and done it again! As soon as I plan a new holiday I always jump onto WOW and check out the archives- currently taking on all of the advice ahead of a trip to Bali next week and Japan later this year!
Now….
Paris to me is a place where every-where I read about as a child comes alive- from seeing Notre Dame in the flesh, to picnicking under the Eiffel Tower- it really is somewhere where childhood dreams come true.
Paris is hidden galleries and walkways, it’s cheese and baguette, it’s white wine drunk along the Seine and it’s a picnic in the Jardins du Luxembourg
Paris means everything and nothing to me. Overcrowded, tourists, traffic, happiness, love and culture!
Paris to me means love, art, fine wine and champagne, delicious desserts, French bread and cherry blossoms. Merci!
I’m never sure if Paris is real. I can’t grasp that we get to people-watch at cafes that are eternal and iconic. Also hosted Dali!
Paris is the city I once returned to as an ‘obligation’ (boyfriend lives there). Now I return because I fell in love with every corner.
Paris is Passionate, Artistic, Romantic, Iconic, Seductive, it means opening yourself up to the beauty all around.
Paris is romance, excitement and elegance all rolled into one cute macaroon shaped package. I fell in love with the city the moment I set eyes on it.
Eiffel,Louvre,Versailles,Arc de triumph,Notre-Dame, Champs elysees, Musee grevin, Disneyland, Zoo Du Jardin, Croissants, Camembert, Chocolate chaut, Channel, Louboutin,
To me, it’s the view from the Eiffel tower, the Louvre, hot chocolate from Angelina’s and walking through the gardens on a summer’s day.
Paris for me is the city of light, love and life. A reminder and celebration of the beautiful things life has to offer! C’est magique! <3
xx
for me Paris is the best place for foodie like me, i love all the patisseries
and the best to see fashion, even on the streets
Paris is the Belle Époque. Degas, Monet, Hugo, Zola, Balzac— these are my French heroes that come back to life when I’m in Paris.
To me, Paris epitomizes culture, sophistication, history, and finesse.
Standing atop the Eiffel Tower soaking in sublime Paris below was a blissful validation that dreams do come true when remaining focused and vigilant.
Paris is simplicity and sophistication; an all too perfect conundrum that I may never master. However, I shall continue to live as if I will.
Paris is historically elegant & rich with flavor because of the breathtaking landmarks & sweet taste of crêpes and macaroons. Paris est animé!!
To me, Paris means coming down with the flu and seeing kindness in action when forced to rely on the incredible generosity of strangers. 🙂
It was where i celebrated my 25th birthday with my sister! First time in Europe and absolutely magical.
Paris: fully experiencing independence, inspiration, beauty, food, and language for the first time 🙂
Jazz, dinners at cafe’s, wine, history, incredible architecture.
I’ve always thought of Paris as my spiritual home. It holds my dearest memories and no matter what, I always long to be in Paris.
Paris to me means style, sophistication and culture.
as cliched as it may be, it’s the epitome of Je ne sais quoi..my time there was magical and brings a smile and an yearning always!
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Paris is a place where streets smell like a fusion of croissants, flowers, and unique scents that comes from within people who live in it.
To me, Paris is sassy, loud, crazy and silly. However, it is also mysterious with hidden secrets. Generally, it’s special with magical vibes.
Paris means enduring history to me, I have been there once briefly and would love to return to see the beauty of Versailles.
Paris is the place that dreams are made of, the most beautiful city in the world.
For me Paris is like a dream that one cannot describe in words or even expressions and that only the heart can feel.
Pairs is a love affair of the old and the new. It’s a place to discover, to imagine–to dream in and dream of.
Paris for me is a place id Love to Explore more. Ive Been there as a Child and Never came back but would love to return ASAP
Paris is everything from art, history, fashion, food, the most fabulous city, totally like no other!