yum, yum--the bonpoint resto

i finally had the chance to taste the delicacies at the basement resto at bonpoint's flagship shop, 6 rue de tournon, in the 6th. the menu, which surprises with lovely fresh salads and other ladies-who-lunch-with-chic-children-in-town ideas, also features a few specialties for the kiddos, a rarety in paris. with high chairs, crayons and paper, and a reading corner, children feel welcome, although minding one's manners is still encouraged. little lucie especially loved when the waiter came by with a huge jar of guimave [marshmellows], handing one out to each child.

the only improvments? how aboud kid-sized plates and silverware, to make the package complete. and we can't wait until the weather warms up, and the resto expands outside to gorgeous courtyard.

after your meal, take a leisurely stroll through the endless array of rooms filled with baby and kid's clothing, each one prettier than the next.

chic shopping in ny magazine

merci to ny magazine for the mention on our little blog. the article, called "track down vintage fashion in paris" lists a number of fun shops and things to do in paris-- bravo for a nice little list. this is what is says about chic shopping paris:

Rebecca Magniant harnesses her love for both Paris and shopping in her blog Chic Shopping in Paris, which focuses on tips, trends, and fashion news.

p.s. a little tip for our readers--one mistake in the article about shopping at la vallee village could leave you stranded-- the high-speed TGV train does not go to the outlet mall, it is the commuter RER train that takes you there.

les exclusifs de chanel

don't you just love having something that no one else has? ...our favorite new 'something special from paris' is this-- one of the 6 new 'exclusifs de chanel,' six perfumes that are only available in Chanel boutiques. the six new fragrances-- rue cambon 31, bel respiro, no. 18, eau de cologne, coromandel, and 28 la pausa-- are all named after places and things important to mademoiselle coco herself. they follow in the steps of other famous chanel perfumes such as no. 5, allure, etc., and are issued only in chanel bouiques in order to keep up with the notion that some things, such as a woman's fragrance, should be sacred and special, and not available in every duty free shop or corner sephora. sniff your way to the nearest chanel boutique to check them out....

limited editions at petit bateau

to celebrate the 1st of april [april fool's day for americans, poisson d'avril for french], kiddie fave petit bateau is offering limited edition t-shirts. to fete the holiday, little french kids usually put a paper fish on the back of their friends as a joke-- now you can do the same for your little poission, with a little petit bateau shirt or onesie festooned with fish. (model shown above, 3 months to 18 months, 9 euros)

ballerina flats are back...encore!

once again this spring, ballerina flats line the boutique shelves in paris. be sure to check out repetto--fashonista fave & maker of the original bridgette bardot flat and real ballet shoes for dancers for over 60 years. the boutique on rue de la paix has just had a facelift and offers limited edition shoes as well as other dance accessories. your feet will thank you [although we can't say the same for your wallet...]

chic & cheap line for Erotokritos

Paris-based label Erotokritos follows the trend of other Frenchy brands and has just launced a second line, Eros, that will be 30% less expensive that its main label, offering the same simple forms and girly prints at a lower price. Follow Kate Moss & Kirsten Dunst's lead and check out the line at both of the designer's Parisian boutiques (in the Marais and in the Etienne Marcel area) and also at Galeries Lafayette.

Fashion Self-Portraits at the Bon Marche

Just over one week to stop by the Bon Marche to check out the "Autoportraits de Mode" expo--on display are self-portraits by some of fashions biggest names (Christian Lacroix, French star Emmanuelle Seigner, etc.)....Also a good time to hit the Bon Marche's TBM [tres bon marche] sales-- you can leave your hubby checking out the "culture" exhibit and run off and do a bit of shopping. Both events end March 31st.

chic shopping on travel channel

i admit, i was a bit reluctant to post this, as i still have not seen the footage, but yours truly was on the travel channel's not your average travel guide. the segment features the shows intrepid reporter/producer kate, and in part of the segment, i am taking her shopping in the marais. so now all of you CSP fans will get to see Paris shopping in action...

i have also just discovered that they have put out a petit "pocket guide" with the best stuff that was featured in the show. here is the download for the guide, which, i'm sure, will be oh-so-helpful in planning your next trip. thanks, travel channel!

tara jarmon expands

parisian fave tara jarmon, a canadian who has been designing feminine and colorful duds for over 20 years, has expanded in the st. germain area. a second shop [75 rue des saint peres, 6th] now almost guarantees that you won't leave paris without one of her girly frocks. stop by quickly to pick up one of the limited edition dresses that she designed using colorful motifs by pop artist peter zimmerman to add a little zing to your spring wardrobe.