Arts & Antiques Tour with Philippe Starck's Ma Cocotte

It's getting to be that time of year again, when cocooning sets in as the weather turns cooler.  Why not spruce up your maison with some new [old?] treasures from the largest flea market in Europe?  Our Arts & Antiques tours take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and are loads of fun- I recommend it as a great tour for couples or families as well, as the puces can be likened to a living, breathing museum full of amazing finds.

And to top it off, we could end your visit with a stop to the cool new restaurant in town: Philippe Starck-designed Ma Cocotte, the hot new address for fall at the flea markets.  On y va!  [Contact Chic Shopping Paris for more info about the flea market tours.]

fall trends: the jacket

This fall, once again, it's all about the jacket.  Fall is a great time of year to get them out- put a few layers under it if it's cool, or just a simple t if not.  Add some great fitting jeans and ballerina flats and you are good to go nearly anywhere in Paris.  Upgrade to heels and you are ready for evening.  Thought I'd give you a brief lesson on French jacket names and styles, as the style names are so different [i.e., Franglicized versions of our names!].

Above:  Le Smoking [French for tuxedo, or just the jacket in this case]; the one pictured above is from chain shop Mango

Veste boucle:  this is a Chanel tweed knock-off style, and in this case knock-offs are okay!  A classic wardrobe staple; this one is also by Mango

Le Spencer:  I have no idea why this is called a Spencer, but it consists of a jacket with tails in the front.  This cute tweedy version is from Sineanquanone

Le Perfecto:   Love this name for our motorcycle jacket.  This one, in amazing red leather, comes from Paul & Joe Sister.

chic shoes

Who needs another pair of black shoes?  That is exactly what French designer Patricia Blanchet thought when she created her line of shoes in 2009.  She designs colorful shoes with great heel heights that are easy to walk in.  The shoes are carried in several unique boutiques throughout the city [each shop carries separate models and colors]...and now Patricia has opened up her own boutique, with the entire collection displayed in an all-red boutique.  Vive la coleur!

Patricia Blanchet

20 rue Beaurepaire, 10th

bring some home: amazing jams

I've always considered luxurious pots of interesting jams or mustards to make amazing little gifts- what more could one want than a taste of France?  [To make the gift extra special, pair it with a little spoon from Sabre or a vintage silver one from Les Puces.]  Here are a few nouveautes for fall:

Henri le Roux makes amzing flavors like Pomme Tatin [apple tart with salted carmel], Fraise Poivree [peppered strawberry] and ginger orange.  Beware- this shop is also filled with chocolate goodies!  

I've always had a soft spot for these Bonne Maman minis.  Why not serve them individually for your next brunch [or your little girls tea party].  Trop mignon!

Boissier will woo you with their label and then with their flavors.  White chocolate- mango, anyone?  Or maybe dark chocolate- raspberry, which is a definite upgrade from Nutella.

Henri le Roux

1 rue de Bourbon le Chateau, 6th

Bonne Maman

available at Monoprix all over Paris

and at Amazon.com

Boissier

184 av Victor Hugo, 16th