marni for h&m

mark your calendars!  it's almost here...march 8 is the date of the launch of marni's line for h&m.  think 70s Marrakesh, full of color and prints and you get the picture.  add in huge plastic bracelets, funky bags, and pjs pants for daytime.

cocktails with a view

looking for a hip new bar in paris?  check out la vue, with exactly that- a great view of the city.  the place boasts hip djs, a funky menu, and a special elevator to take you to the 34th floor so you can sip your cocktails with paris at your feet.  so chic!

La Vue
3, place du Général Kœnig, 17th

Tsumori Chisato is the cat's meow

Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato has a fetish:  les chats.  And to show off her latest mini-collection, she's collaborated with Le Bon Marche to create a pop-up store of fresh and funky cat-themed items:  from dresses and t's to iphone cases and sneakers, the crazy cats are sure to bring a sourire to your wardrobe.

Until March 10th at Le Bon Marche

mellow yellow at monoprix

 

over the years monoprix, france's upscale grocery chain, has chicified it's clothing and accessories selections.   guest designers are popping up with collections at the chain on an almost monthly basis at the moment.  this next up:  mellow yellow, with polka dots and prints to get us thinking about printemps.  the collection includes shoes, bags, clutches and will be available at monoprix starting april 11th.

salon d'agriculture

it's hard to describe exactly what to expect from the salon d'agriculture....basically, its a huge show of anything that lives on a farm, comes from a farm, or can be eaten from a farm.  a huge salon dedicated to prize-winning animals from all over the country, plus a huge salon dedicated to the best France has to eat [cheese, wine, foie gras...].  this all takes place in several huge warehouse buildings at the porte de versailles, in the southern part of the city. an event not to be missed if you are a foodie!

The Paris International Agricultural Show

Paris Porte de Versailles, 15th

February 25th to March 4th, 9am-7pm

3D bag from roger vivier

if you are bored with chanel's 2.55, here is a chic alternative.  similarly boxy and classic, roger vivier's prismick bag's graphic allure and 3D illusion are anything but has-been.  for those of us with an aversion to bright bags, it will also be available in black.  coming in march....

doisneau at l'hotel de ville

on display starting this past week at l'hotel de ville- robert doisneau's photos of les halles, back when it was a thriving food market in the city center.  over 200 images from the 30s to the 70s are on display, bringing to life this famous sector of Paris, which has changed vastly over the years.  doisneau's images give us a look at the nitty gritty of this spectacular market, leaving us hungry for more

Hôtel de Ville.
Until April 28
Open everyday except Sunday and holidays, 10am-7pm

Free exhibit

sweet souvenirs

i'm all about sentimental, yet non-touristy souvenirs when i travel.   that's why i love the poetic and trendy creations by natacha plano.  chic & subtle, but definite reminders of the city of light, all at the same time.   each piece is made by hand out of porcelain and then painted, so each one is unique.  a list of shops where you can by them [in store or online] can be found here.   

dali in montmartre

the dali museum in montmartre is probably one of those second-tier museums- not on your list if it's your first visit to paris, but maybe on a second or third trip, especially if you a surrealism fan.  a new expo has just gone up at the museum, a collection of works dali gave to his assistant enrique sabater, who worked for the artist for 12 years.  oil and water paintings, photos and drawings, along with stories and anecdotes that go with them are on display until may 10th.

dali museum

11 rue poulbot, 18th

show us some love on facebook!

happy valentine's day to all!  we'd like to show you some love, by offering you a 10% discount on any tour this year!  the catch?  "like" us on facebook by the end of this week, and we'll show you some amour with a discount code for your next tour.  what's not to love?

xoxo

chic shopping paris

www.facebook.com/chicshoppingparis

valentine's day goodies

a few of the valentine's day goodies, spotted out and about in the city of love.

top:  pierre marcolini edible "velvet" heart box filled with raspberry hearts

middle:  foquet's pretty box of chocolates

bottom:  l'amour en cage, a chocolate cage covering a chesnut/safran bonbon, from a la mere de la famille

a vous de choisir!

paris je t'aime- romantic walk

what a great way to (re-)discover the city of love...a romantic, heart-shaped walk through the city, focusing on art galeries.  starting february 14th [bien sur....], until february 28th- only 14 days to discover paris through this special parcours....

chic cats for your cheeks

there is something so retro chic about the latest collection of cream blush from paul & joe, i had to put it on the blog.....so sweet, so happy, so cheeky [pun intended!]  the collection is a wink to p & j's creator's love for cats, a cheeky meow to wake up your face- simply draw on some whiskers, then rub in.  available at the paul & joe boutiques in paris and online from apothica in the US.

paul & joe

64 rue des saints peres, 7th

shop for charity

who doesn't love shopping for a good cause?  i can't think of a better reason to pick up some new kicks.... twins for peace donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought.  add this great pair [in black satin- so chic!] to your spring wardrobe and a kiddo will get some new chaussures as well.  trop bien!  available in paris at colette and a loads of other stores worldwide.

fall in love again

just in time for the upcoming holiday, ysl has re-launched eight cult fragrances [including in love again, nu, yvresse....]  time to rediscover the lovely scent by nose jean-claude ellena, filled with current & muscat grapes with a base of peony and rose.  just reading about this makes me think i need to go smell this jus asap.....the cold weather here in Paris makes me long even more for spring!

pop of color

the color-block trend seems to be back in full force for spring, and i love the simple option of popping on a trendy accessory to keep things fresh.  what could be better than these great woven necklaces by IRM design?  i'm picturing the hot pink one with a navy striped sailor shirt..... or the blue one with a cute yellow sundress.  both available online at IRM design or mode trotter.

v-day at laduree

who doesn't looooove laduree?  the famous macaron house is also known for chocolates [and adorable packaging!]  who wouldn't want to treat herself [or her loved one] to this charmant "love" box of chocolates, filled with 2 grapefruit/vanilla macaron chocolates, 2 strawberry, and 2 blackcurrent & violet macaron chocolates.  hint, hint, mon amour!

bed-in at ken okada

just in time for valentine's day, designer ken okada is offering a bed-in at her shop in homage to john & yoko...stop by for some cocooning with your honey, pose for a photo on the giant white bed, and receive 30% off your purchase.  okada offers a wide array of classic chemises with a twist....a funky collar, buttons that go sideways or down the back, all very interesting and sculptural takes on the classic white shirt.

until march 28th

ken okada

1 bis rue de la Chaise, 7th

enfants adorables at marie puce

it's colder than it has been in paris all winter, and yet i find myself dreaming of printemps....and when i saw the press book of spring fashions from kid's label marie puce, it made me daydream about those adorable french enfants running around the jardin de luxembourg with their sweet french clothes.    you know, the clothes that are somehow modern and timeless, but oh-so-chic?  so quintessentially francais- and probably purchased at marie puce, right down the street from the jardin.


marie puce
60 rue cherche midi, 6th

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.]