this weekend-- 'design' flea market

the 16th 'edition' of the puces du design [design flea market] takes place this weekend, june 1st-3rd. this time the sale will take place in a new venue--along the river at the quai de la loire in the 19th. three full days to stop by and browse the vintage furniture and home deco finds, alongside some new vendors that specialize in vintage fashion, from the 40s to the 80s. click here for the map/directions. happy treasure hunting!

atelier de parfum at guerlain

if you have always wanted your own French fragrance-- here is your chance. the guerlain boutique on the champs elysees now offers an upclose look at guerlain perfumes. the so called 'atelier de parfumerie' takes place one friday a month. a 'nose' from the venerable perfume house will talk about the house's perfumes, how perfume is made, etc. you get to leave witha mini bottle of perfume. 180 euros for the day, including lunch. call 01.45.62.52.57 for more info.

i want to ride my bicyclette

Velib, Paris' super cheap new rent-a-bike service, will be up and running [or rolling?] later this summer....read on for the scoop:

- bikes can be rented in any of the 1000 stations scattered throughout the city [with over 14,000 bikes available]; bike stations will be near metros for easy access
- prices start at just 1 euros for a day's rental, to 5 euros for a week and 29 euros for a year; you can simply pay by credit card at one of the bike pick-up stations, or beforehand online on the Velib website
- the 3-speed bikes are equiped with a handy basket, adjustable seats, a locking system with key, and lights

The service seems to be aimed more at locals than at tourists, as the site is only in French....but hopefully they'll expand as the project grows -- by the end of the year, there should be over 20,000 bikes available! A great [and green] way to see Paris.

chic chanel book

famed french publishing house assouline has just published a gorgeous 3-volume book set on legendary fashion house chanel. the leather bound set is made to look like chanel's famous quilted 2 55 bag... and it is the chic-est coffee table book that i've seen in a while. [although at 495 euros, you might pay more for it than you do for your coffee table!] another good excuse to visit the assouline boutique, just to take a peek if nothing else....

parcours st. germain

if you don't know the st. germain area well, this is a great way to become acquainted with the artsy, fashionable left bank. the yearly event parcours saint germain [st. germain contemporary art tour] takes place from may 24 to july 19. this years theme is is "sweet'art," and art is on display in the chic boutiques of the neighborhood (lacroix, paule ka, armani, etc.). sweet treats to see, to eat, to drink are on display-- showing how we use food as a way of expression in other ways than in the kitchen. check out the website, print yourself a map, and let your eyes do the feasting!

treat yourself [or your maman]

just in time for french mother's day [fete des meres, june 3rd], guerlain announces another special treat-- on saturday, june 2nd, they will engrave [for free] your initials or other saying on any perfume purchased. so chic!

seeing red [or just eating it?]

from the souffle resto to fondue to crepes, and everything in between, you can find any sort of cuisine you are looking for in paris. the newest to pique our interest is the rouge saint-honore, a resto that specializes in tomatoes. menu items include a terrine of goat cheese with sundried tomatoes, pasta with green tomato sauce, and a dessert with a liquorice-tomato sauce-- you guessed it, the tomato is incorporated into every dish. vive la tomate!

french lover....buy yours today

ok, just admit it-- you've always wanted one, now here is your chance--well, your chance to have the perfume version, anyway. and who knows, it might just attract the real thing. check out the new fragrance by perfume "editor" frederic malle, the fashionistas secret perfume source, and don't blame me if you have a trail of frenchies sniffing in your wake.

courson- a chic day trip

le domaine de courson, 35km outside of paris, is the home to a lovely chateau and a famous plant show-- this year, the journee des plantes celebrates its 25th year with the architectural plant. stop by from may 18-20th to buy some lovely leaves [if you have somewhere local to plant them!], saveur gardening a la francaise, or pick up some oh-so-chic gardening tools and accessories.

l'art contemporain

magda danysz art gallery, which has been in paris since 1999, has just moved to a bigger, industrial space near the bastille. stop by the check out the 3 levels of work by up-and-coming artists or check out the website for upcoming events and children's workshops.