vintage violette

rose, orange water, violet, all these lovely scents now seem so very vintage, n'est-ce pas?  i love the way fragonard sticks to its perfumery roots and gives you the basics in a modern way.  the best part about the boutiques? all the gift ideas!  the shop is filled with little cadeaux, like the set of four violet perfumed soaps [a steal at 10 euros!]  allons-y!  [be sure to visit the museum as well- a lovely look at the history of perfume in the south of france.]

cook up some new bijoux

the name of this new jewelry line is quite surprising- cuisine francaise bijoux- and, luckily, their jewelry is just as fresh!  [prices are quite attractive too!]  i love this fun cuff bracelet [the "fanny"]for spring, and the golden macaroon bracelet is a great giftie for your sweet-toothed gal pal.  the new-ish line can be purchased online  [France only] or found in boutiques around paris.  

fun & funky longchamp

classic leather-goods brand longchamp keeps its image jeune & fresh by collaborating with hot young designers.  following in the paths of jeremy scott and kate moss, greek designer mary katrantzou takes her turn.  known for her eclectic, colorful prints, the new longchamp bags will surely bring a pop of color to your spring wardrobe.  for sale exclusively at colette until mid-february, then at longchamp boutiques.

make these "boyfriend" panties

you've heard of the boyfriend sweater...and boyfriend jeans too.  the latest trend?  boyfriend panties!  the sweatshop atelier is helping you make a surprise for valentine's day- bring in "borrowed" shirt from your boyfriend, and whip up these cute knickers.   but hurry- the ateliers are this weekend only, january 28th and 29th.

happy bday brand bazar

brand bazaar, a multi-brand boutique right near le bon marche, is celebrating it's 10th birthday....and for it's fete, ten frenchie brands [APC, Carven, Le Mont Saint Michel, Gat Rimon, etc.] have created limited-edition pieces exclusively for the boutique.  stop by after february 1st to check out the collection in person- who doesn't want something she can get only in paris?  [or order online and use BRANDBAZAR10 to receive 10% off.]

Brand Bazar

33 rue de Sevres, 6th

garence dore dances for petit bateau

what do you get when you add garence dore + petit bateau?  first, a great little video of garence kicking it up doing the Madison [attention! the catchy song sticks in your head....]  and then you get the cute and classic line that she created of petit bateau clothing- cable knit sweaters and carrot pants, to be worn with ballet flats and red rouge a levres, a la garence.  trop chic!

made by vous

with do-it-yourself becoming such a recessionista hobby, more and more chic & cheap boutiques are catering to the crafty mademoiselle.  hobbyists and paris-lovers alike will be thrilled to discover this little shop- brimming with goodies for homemade projects.  yogurt or jam, scrapbooking, beauty, or knitting-- you name it, L'Effet Maison has got the gear for you to whip it up.

L'Effet Maison

32 rue Vignon, 8th

24 hour museum- get there quick!

To celebrate the reopening of Prada's Faubourg St Honore boutique this week, Miuccia Prada invited Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli for a short but stunning artistic performance. The 24 hour museum is open for 24 hours only- 24th and 25th of January, at the Palais d'Iena. The general public is invited only on the 25th, from 7am until midnight.  What's in store?  Vezzoli's take on femininity through classical sculptures and contemporary divas.   Vite, before it's over!

pipoca patches

how cool are these?  a far cry from the elbow patches on grandpere's sweater, these funky patches from pipoca are totally hip.  patches have been a la mode in boutiques for several seasons now in paris, and now do-it-yourself models are popping up everywhere.  this spring, update an old sweater with a star-spangled pair, et voila!  

pipoca
67 rue cardinall-lemoine, 5th

smells like dior spirit

it wouldn't be spring [well, almost!] without some hip new nail polish launch from one of the biggest names in beauty.  this year, the credits go to dior, with it's fresh duo: forget-me-not and waterlily, in lilac and soft green hues.  the special surprise?  once dry, they smell like soft rose.  spring has sprung!