jolie jewels in montmartre

while doing some shopping 'research' last week, i accidentally-on-purpose stumbled into this colorful jewelry boudoir boutique. geraldine valluet does all sorts of creative things with silver, pearls, etc-- jewels for mom, jewels for bebe, and for yourself too. this all takes place in her colorful boutique-slash-atelier. the best part is the prices, which are completely reasonable for bijoux that are practically made right before your eyes in her workshop. styles run from a simple little pendant to a long ornate pair of earrings. let yourself stumble across this shop next time you are in the montmartre/piagalle neighborhood, and i bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

geraldine valluet
5 rue houdon
paris 18
open monday-saturday, and even sunday afternoons

famed fash photos at the carnavalet

Photographer Willy Maywald moved to Paris in the 1930s and became the photographer of la vie boheme -- photographing artists like Leger and Clader and models sporting the latest duds in the streets of Paris, alongside scenes of everyday Parisian life. Over 200 photos from the years 1931 to 1955 are on display in the charming Musee Carnavalet, until Sept. 30th.

bebe got back

voila the new french fad-- special panties to lift your buttocks! while all of the jeunes americaines are trying oh-so-hard to lift up their buste, lithe french girls apparently dream of j.lo-style booties [who knew?]. french lingerie company huit has created 'magic pulp' panties to round out their bums. now there is an original souvenir...

lacroix at laredoute

la redoute is sort of a chic version of that retro jcpenny's catalog you flipped through as a kid-- a multipurpose catalog that sells everything under the soleil. they, like all the other big retail players [monoprix, etam, h & m], have snapped up special collections by big names to highlight their catalogs. new for fall are the colorful, extravagant looks of christian lacroix-- who has designed, clothing, furniture, boots, and even bed linens for the catalog. the line seems to be available only on the french version of the site, although the american catalog does offer some other chic french designers [maje, ventilo], which are hard to find elsewhere.

mini palais, maxi chic

the new chic place to have a drink this summer-- the mini palais under the columns in the grand palais, a new uber-chic summer terrace, complete with baccarat light fixtures and faux croco walls [in the interior.] the menu is by gilles choukroun [of the angl'opera restaurant], and serves up salads, sandwiches, and little plates - plan on spending 25 euros. open from 10am to 1am, 7 days of the week.