48 Hours in Paris

Bonjour, mes amis!!! 

Buckle up—Mama's taking you to Paris. 🇫🇷 I spent 48 hours in the City of Lights for Couture Week, and oui, it was a whirlwind. I’m super excited to share all the behind-the-scenes details with you here, along with some of my Paris recommendations and travel tips.  

You might be thinking: "Ashley, what's more intense—Fashion Week or your life with three little ones?" 😂 And honestly, it's a tough call! Before even stepping foot in Paris, I packed, dropped the kids at school, and got my tan, nails, and everything else done so I didn’t have to waste precious time there. I didn’t get much sleep, either, but who needs sleep when you've got couture to drool over and French food to devour, you know?

On that note…I did not go hungry in Paris. Croque monsieur! Nutella crepe! I also had the most decadent sushi. And how had I not heard about Galette des Rois? You really do learn something new every day. (Just don't ask me to pronounce them—my French is trés terrible.)

Tuesday: Dodging Traffic and Dinner With Tiffany

I landed in Paris on Tuesday morning, ready to conquer Couture Week, and first up was a quick fitting with Ludovic de Saint Sernin. He's an incredible designer who's dressed pretty much every It girl you can think of—Miley Cyrus, Tinashe, Charli XCX, and yes, even yours truly. 🙃I was honored to wear a Ludovic look to the Met Gala last year and so excited to try on some of his new creations. But let me just say, Paris traffic is no joke. That "quick" fitting turned into a 45-minute trek each way. 

But hey, I made it, and it was so worth it. Ludovic is a genius, and I loved getting to collaborate with him again. We spent the afternoon perfecting a custom look for his Jean Paul Gaultier couture show (more on that later!). After the fitting and some back-to-back Zoom meetings, I managed to squeeze in a power nap at the hotel. That 45-minute nap felt more like 5, but it was enough to give me a second wind.

Coffee in hand, I hit the chair to get ready for the Tiffany & Co. dinner. I worked with makeup artist Francesca Brazzi and hairstylist Luke Hersheson for the first time. It can be kind of nerve-wracking trying out a new glam team for a big event, but they were really great. I love switching things up and keeping it fresh, and I felt beautiful!

For the dinner, I wore a seriously sexy gown by LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi. Fun fact: It was his first-ever dress design! I felt like a million bucks. The slit and train…it was hot. I wore a bodysuit and thick pantyhose underneath to elevate the look a bit.

And the dinner itself was a blast. It was held at the Plaza Athénéé (such a gorgeous venue) to celebrate the launch of Pharrell's Tiffany Titan collection. I mingled with Pharrell and his wife, Helen. They have triplets(!) so we talked kids, of course. It was also great catching up with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gabrielle Union (we're both Nebraska girls, so we always have a "Go Big Red!" moment).

Pharrell's collection was stunning. Each piece is really wearable and chic and feels like everyday luxury, and it really showed off Tiffany’s long history of incredible craftsmanship. Their jewelry is always so perfect for special occasions and making memories. And it was a good reminder that luxury isn't just about the price, but about the feels and stories that come with each piece.

Wednesday: Content, Couture, and Crispy Rice

Glam started bright and early. My stylist Emily Evans (aka the queen of boob tape) was back in action, and we spent the morning shooting around the city, creating some content for my upcoming projects. Really though, any excuse to wander around Paris is a good one.

We didn't have time to grab burgers from my favorite spot, Ferdi, but we did manage to find some delicious ones at the hotel. We'll definitely be hitting up Ferdi next time, though! It's a Fashion Week tradition at this point, and I always seem to bump into other models there.

Then it was time for a quick touch-up before the main event: Ludovic’s haute couture show for Jean Paul Gaultier. The collection was a whole vibe. The theme was very "scary mermaid in a shipwreck" which sounds a bit out there, but trust me, it was divine. 

I've been a fan of Ludovic's forever, especially when he worked with Ann Demeulemeester. When we collaborated for the Met, I knew I was in good hands and I would be wearing something uber-sexy and fun. It’s been amazing to watch his star rise and see him join such an historic atelier! Ludovic is talented and kind; hardworking and humble. I'm endlessly proud of what he's accomplished. Sitting front row and witnessing his creations come to life was…chilling, honestly. The show was a dream. And I was blown away by how theatrical, wearable, sexy, and interesting every single look was.

As for my custom Ludovic look, it came together in the blink of an eye. At the fitting, the dress wasn't even finished! It was literally just a piece of fabric with a head hole. They draped and pinned and sewed the whole thing right on my body—it was wild. And then they finished it that night and brought it to my hotel. Total fashion fairytale.

I adored my dress; it was romantic and sexy, and it fit my body like a glove. And I need to give a special shout-out to Valenttin, the magician who whipped it up in 24 hours! I still can't believe it.

What else? I got to sit next to Megan Thee Stallion (we’ve worked together before, and I’m a big fan), and we talked about her birthday plans. It was her first Couture Week, and she told me she was also surprised to have people sewing things on her body as she walked out the door. I think it just goes to show that no matter how big of a megastar you think somebody is, there are still so many new experiences to have. We were both kind of in awe of how special and unique the opportunity is. 

This wasn’t my first couture rodeo: I walked in a special Dolce & Gabbana show a while back, and I was at Balenciaga last summer for Couture Week, too. But it always amazes me that there aren't more curvy women in couture. It's all custom-made, with designs literally being constructed on you up until the moment you leave! It's incredibly intricate, and I know it probably takes double the fabric for a girl my size, but that's what inclusivity is all about.

I was so excited to see my girls Paloma Elsesser and Devyn Garcia walking in the show. They looked absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. It always makes me so happy to see curvy women represented on the runway, especially girls that I know and love. (We did the VS runway show together recently, and I can say it's way more fun to sit front row and cheer them on. 😜)

Seriously though, I know how much work it takes to get to that level, and it's such an honor to be a part of those milestones with them. I made sure to congratulate them—these are big moments for us as a community! And speaking of big moments: after the show, I got to meet the legendary Jean Paul Gaultier himself backstage—another dream come true.

My girls and I skipped the afterparties and headed back to the hotel for a sushi feast at Matsuhisa. We ordered two rounds of crispy rice (my weakness!), a bunch of other random goodies, and finished with mochi balls. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Thursday: Bidding Adieu to Paris

I left Paris on Thursday morning feeling reinvigorated and inspired. While it was a tight trip—and I had zero time for bopping around—it was still one for the books! I loved getting to soak up Couture Week and spend time with some incredible people. And I’m glad I was able to squeeze in some fun and relaxing moments. 

Here are a few of my fave food spots and beauty treatments (that I will definitely be stopping by next time):

• 404 Paris: This Moroccan restaurant never misses. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is cozy (it's like 20 x 20 inside), and it's always packed with celebrities. I'm obsessed with their chicken tagine—it's to die for.

• Caviar Kaspia: This famous caviar bar is a bit of a splurge, but it's totally worth it for a special occasion. The caviar and champagne pairings are second to none.

• Bar des Prés: A chic bistro known for its healthy French-Japanese food (I love the salad!). Lovely spot for a light lunch or a casual dinner.

• Ferdi: An iconic Parisian brasserie that’s a must-visit for any foodie. Their menu is stacked but they’re known for their burgers. I make a point of stopping by whenever I'm in Paris. 

• Fouquet’s: Another legendary brasserie that you shouldn’t skip. It’s elegant and old-school, and perfect for people-watching.

• Claudiane Oliveira: I'm a big fan of lymphatic drainage massage, and Claudiane is the best. Her massages look a little aggressive but they’re really relaxing and effective, and I always feel lighter after a session with her.

• Elaine Huntzinger: Elaine is my go-to acupuncturist in Paris. She works with gua sha, gemology, and other traditional Chinese medicine practices. She also happens to be friends with Sandra, my go-to acupuncturist in the States!

More Food-Related Reflections

When I was at the Tiffany dinner, the Frenchies I met couldn’t believe I’d never had Galette des Rois, or French king cake. Now I know that it’s an almond cake with a tiny toy inside, which you eat for like a whole month, but I hadn’t heard of the tradition before—I was so confused. The next day, they sent one to me, and the whole glam squad and I devoured it and found the little charm. New fave dessert loading…

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I stuck to my Dry January goals—no alcohol for me! But I did indulge in a European Coke, which just hits different, you know? Maybe it's the better ingredients, or maybe it's just a lie I tell myself. Either way, I enjoyed it.

Okay, let's talk about jet lag. Not exactly the most exciting topic, I know, but it matters! Especially when you're trying to pack an adventure into 48 hours.

I have a confession to make: I'm one of those people who never gets jet lag. My motto is "Jet lag is for amateurs." 😉 But on this trip, I almost met my match. Those late nights (I couldn’t fall asleep until 2 or 3 a.m.) and early morning call times definitely took a toll.

In fact…I almost missed my flight home because I overslept! Can you believe it? I've never done that before in my life. Thank goodness my team was pounding on my door, or I would've been stranded in Paris—obviously not the worst place to be stranded, but still. I got my whole life together within 10 minutes and still made it to the airport early enough to get a coffee and a croissant (oh, and a quiche!).

So, how do I usually avoid jet lag? Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips:

• Don’t eat on the plane: I know it's tempting, but try to resist those airplane meals. They're typically loaded with sodium and can mess with your digestion and sleep cycle. Instead, I have a big meal once I land to help my body adjust to the new time zone.

• Melatonin is your friend: I always travel with melatonin gummies, about 3-5mg. They help me relax and fall asleep, even if my body's still on New York time.

• Embrace the cold: Even if you're a nighttime shower person, try taking a cold shower in the morning! It'll snap you awake and help you feel refreshed.

• Get your body moving: I always try to get in a quick workout, even if it's just some squats and jumping jacks in my hotel room. It gets my blood flowing and wakes me up.

• Limit the alcohol: I get it, it's tough to say non to a glass of wine in Paris. But alcohol can really disrupt your REM sleep, so try to curb your intake.

• Set multiple alarms: I suggest setting five alarms. I foolishly only set one, and I didn't hear it—that’s how exhausted I was. 

And of course, don't forget your vitamins. I'm a huge fan of Olly Gummies, and I was excited to try some of their new flavors while I was in Paris. I don't know why, but I'm so bad about taking my supplements when I'm away from home—the Olly gummies taste amazing, so that it helps me stick to the routine and get my daily dose of nutrients. I especially love their melatonin gummies for sleep.

So, those are my tips. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go set five alarms to make sure I don't miss my next flight. 😜

A Bible verse I love
"A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22 (AMP)

A craft I’ve been doing with the kids
We've been making our own slime! It's super easy—just mix glue, baking soda, and contact solution, then add a little washable paint for color. The boys love getting creative and choosing their own colors. It's a fun, messy activity that's perfect for keeping them entertained on a rainy day.

A TV series I’m late to
I know, I know, I'm late to the game, but Yellowjackets is wild! I have one episode left of season 1 and I'm already hooked. The way it bounces between past and present is so well done, and the twists and turns are insane! I can't wait to start season 2.

A documentary I just watched
Bryan Johnson can be polarizing since he’s all about staying young forever, but his documentary really hit me. It emphasizes how often we forget about "living well" when we're focused on living longer, and puts a premium on how what we do now affects our future health. It reminded me how important it is to prioritize things like rest, eating well, and self-care. We need to find a balance between looking after ourselves and not pushing ourselves too hard.

A daily ritual I swear by
We go outside every single day, even when it's cold. Embrace it! Bundle up, put your layers on, and get outside and get some fresh air.

A thought I’ve been reflecting on
I genuinely lead a Hannah Montana lifestyle. At home with my boys, I'm in sweats or workout clothes, with greasy hair slicked back—nobody cares. When I do school drop-off, my outfit usually has some kind of food stain on it, or I'm sweaty from the gym. It's not put together, and guess what? I don't care. I'm not trying to live an aesthetically pleasing life. I'm just trying to live a life that is comfortable and easygoing; it's okay if something gets dirty or messy or ruined. But then, within 24 hours, I can be in full glam, rocking a custom couture look in front of hundreds of people at a fashion show. I kind of like the balance. Always prefer Crocs in New Jersey.

A hobby I’m diving into
I've been taking a lot of dance classes and I'm prepping for something big. Can't tell you yet, but I'll let you know when I can!

A change I made in my fitness routine
I've been beefing up my workout sessions, adding more weights, and focusing on Zone 2 cardio (which means you should be able to hold a full conversation while doing it). Lately, I've been hitting the StairMaster at level 10—it's changed everything.

Are you moving your body? I’m trying to do more of it, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. Every little bit counts. And if you want to join me, here’s the Core + Cardio Day workout I’ve been doing, courtesy of my amazing trainer Maddie Stark!