shopping for a cause

don't you just love it when you can buy something that you actually like, and its for a good cause too? comptoir des cotonniers, the classic-with-a-twist french brand is celebrating mother's day with a special sale-- buy one of the "leon" shirts [above] between now and may 31st, and 5 euros of the proceeds goes to medecins du monde. that 5 euros buys 24 kits that help women give birth at home in nepal. won't that make your maman proud?

luxe beauty balm

the carita sister's famous fluide de beaute is over 50 years old this year, and, to celebrate, it got all dolled up. the luxe gold bottle in a limited edition box [100 ml for 60 euros] may have been the same secret skin-smoothing formula your grandmere used, but it is still wildly popular today. the non-greasy multipurpose dry oil is chock full of vitamins and active ingredients, and smells like a yummy combo of lemon and verbena. the ultimate french beauty secret? peut-etre...

are you a swinger?

if you are looking for a different nightlife scene in paris, check out this new resto, which takes its name quite literally: sur un arbre perche ("perched on a tree"). the deal? dine around a giant tree, suspended in swings or in a little wooden cabana. eat from an eclectic gourmet french menu. and, finally, relax with a seated shiatsu massage. all without leaving central paris. (1 rue du quatre septembre, 2nd, 01.42.96.97.01)

parisian maternity chic

juliette swildens, creator of the line 1 et 1 font 3, and also of rocker-chic boutique swildens, has gone back to her roots to create a 'maternity kit' for the maman-to-be. the cute set contains a white t, a sleeveless black t, flowy black pants, a little black dress, a tube skirt and a red belt, all for 200 euros. available at 1 et 1 font trois, 16 rue de turenne, 4th, and 3 rue de solferino, 7th.

shopping tours in the big apple

if you are planning on doing your summer shopping stateside, why not get the help of the pros in the big apple? check out shop gotham's great new york shopping tours to discover nyc's shopping secrets.

5 Good Reasons to Shop NYC This Spring [from Shop Gotham's Marla Handler]

1: SAMPLE SALES are incomparable! Tory Burch, Helmut Lang, Theory .. (to name a few). Even prom dresses. Big name designers, crazy deals. (see Garment Center tours)

2: SOHO and NOLITA shops are scrumptiously stocked with all the exciting new styles of the season and everyone will enjoy our exclusive store discounts!

3:MOTHER'S DAY “week” Special Promotion

An occasion to treat yourself or your mom to what you or she wants to do most. Shop! Honorees come 1/2 price on our Soho & Nolita and Garment Center shopping tours

4:SWEET 16 SHOPPING TOURS: Do you really think a 16 year old girl wants to do anything else?

5:The natives have not yet left town for the Hamptons, making a visit to NYC far more interesting.

to be a part of Paris....

...book your next stay in Appart of Paris, the new one bedroom apartment "hotel" by Stanislassia Klein, the creator of Stella Cadente. The flat sleeps two in the bedroom, a possible 2 more on a fold out couch, and boasts a lovely kitchen and living room area decorated in the brand's signature style mix of modern and flea market chic. For 175 euros a night [320 euros for a weekend], you can stay in the midst of the hip Canal St. Martin area, privy to an insiders view of Paris, and Stanislassia's personal list of the best of the neighborhood.

stomp all over your longchamp....

and you just might get the same look....or opt for the designer version of the famous longchamp le pliage bag by american designer jeremy scott. the limited edition bag runs 175 euros and is available chez longchamp in paris and at colette.

pierre + paul & joe = fresh new looks

couture designer pierre cardin has teamed up with parisian brand paul & joe for a seven year long collaboration. the result? 10 new looks each season, such as this gorgeous djellaba in silk crepe with a beaded border [1160 euros], on sale at paul & joe. only 100 pieces were made, so the dress seems to possess a collector's status straight off the runway.

camille claudel at the musee rodin

camille cladel, a sculptor arguably as talented as rodin, but much less well known, is the subject of an exposition at the musee rodin from april 15- july 20. this stunning expo will present 80 sculptures along with sketches and engravings, from the woman said to be rodin's mistress [and perhaps even the creator of some of his most famous works.] a great excuse to check out one of paris' lesser-known museums, with its gorgeous sculpture garden, perfect for a sunny spring day.

christian lacroix out to pasture

christian lacroix, unstopable designer with a talent for color and print, has extended himself into our homes...and gardens! this spring, he has again designed items for french catalog la redoute, including the funky garden tools above. [40 euros] even mundane items look chic with the lacroix touche.

organic fashion at monoprix

for those still unaware, monoprix if is one of the french grocery store chains. besides carrying groceries, it carries a small line of household accessories and clothing items too, basically a parisian equivalent of target. [and a great place to pick up cheap frenchy souvenirs for friends & family back home!] right now, monoprix has a line of 9 new t-shirts made of organic cotton, designed by trendy french designers like andre, robert le heros, and 100drine.

puttin' on the ritz

if you've ever wondered how to make one of the gorgeous floral arrangments that grace the 'palace' hotels here in paris, this is your chance. the ritz paris is partnering up with its floral decorator, djordje varda, to offer flower arranging lessons. from 11am to 1pm on saturday april 12, 26, or may 10, 24, you too can try your hand at l'art florale. 200 euros a course; call 01.43.16.30.50 to sign up.

smells like maison

dyptique, the mythic brand that made scented candles a must-have in chic homes worldwide, blows out its 40th candle this year. to celebrate, it is launching three new eaux de cologne [90 euros, available by calling 01.56.81.17.00] along with a book. both available in their st. germain boutique, 34 blvd st. germain, 5th.