graffiti artists bags a deal

clients are often in search of something with french writing on it, other than the ubiquitous j'adore paris t-shirt.....here is a great option if you are here this fall. Miss Tic, a famous parisienne graffiti artist, has collaborated with leather brand Lamarthe to create a small line of bags with her image on them, along with the phrase Je crois en l'eternel feminin. Prices range from 65 to 250 euros, and the bags are available exclusively at 107Rivoli, then after September 15th at Lamarthe stores.

this weekend in paris

la rentree in paris means back to school for the little ones, and back to being the city of fashion and creativitiy for everyone else! this weekend, the city of light hosts two giant tradeshows, just before the fashion show season starts.check out new trends & fashions at paris capitale de la creation, now throught sept 9th at the porte de versailles
and for the home, follow in the footsteps of magazine editors worldwide, and check out maison et objet to see what's next in home decor
and while its probably too late to register, you can still motivate yourself to do a bit of exercise [after one too many croissants!] by watching and cheering on the marathon, la parisienne, which raises money for breast cancer.

journey chic

just wanted to give a quick 'merci' to the femmes at journeychic, who recently blogged about the CSP book and tours....check out their other clever posts about chic ways to travel and inspirations to do so...

cheeky chocolates

designer Lolita Lempkia has partnered up with organic brand Bonneterre to produce some lovely gourmet goodies.....check out "sous le choc," a chocolate/almond bar, "sublime fondant," a chocolate/hazlenut spread, "the merveille,"a rare white tea blend, and "grands petits beurre," classic french butter cookies. the sweet treats are availble only at la grand epicerie at the moment, but at the end of next month, they will be widely available at gourmet groceries and even at duty free.

elle passions

the french version of elle magazine comes out on a weekly basis-- i'm always impressed that the mag is full of fun, fresh angles on fashion every week....and i'm also always intrigued by the little elle passions section they have, which features an outfit for sale at a reduced price, usually by a fairly well known french brand. you can check out the entire catalog of offerings by elle passions online, with everything from a classic trench to a trendy cashmere maxi sweater-- and the best part is that they ship internationally! [although for the US, you have to send them your order to get a quote first....]

en vacances....

chic shopping paris heads south.....to the south of france, to be exact. stay tuned for more updates from paris upon my return....bonne vacances!

zadig heads for the zenith

zadig & voltaire, a french label known for its rock-n-roll vibe, will launch its luxe line in the fall...be on the lookout for a 30-piece collection with items such as long cashmere dresses and little satin numbers too.

the chicest library

this one may be slightly out of the price range of us mere mortals, but its uber-chicness compelled me to blog about it....what happens when you take goyard, the luxury french leather goods brand dating to 1853, and marry it with visonnaire, the exclusive avant guard magazine, published only 3 times a year? if you are very fortunate, you'll get this limited edition trunk, with canary yellow lining which holds the first 50 editions of the magazine. calling all collectors...

this weekend in paris

• famous illustrator kiraz, who started designing his famous long-legged figures in the 50s, is on display at the musee carnavalet until 21 september. original gouaches, paintings, and publicity work are on display.
  
  
  
• karl lagerfeld's photos are quickly becoming as well known as his fashion design. check out his latest expo, versailles a l'ombre du soleil, at the chateau de versailles [until 7 september]
  
  
• and if you haven't yet given it a whirl, try out a velib, one of paris' new bikes-- pick it up one place, and drop it off at another, with pick up points every 300 meters throughout most of the city
  

back to school in style

the stores around paris have already begun to move out the sand shovels and pile in the backpacks and notebooks, ready for those coming back from vacation later this month....and just in time for back-to-school-- a cute line of backpacks, bags, and accessories such as snack bags, marble bags, and smocks, with retro cute imagery on them. available from new brand miniseri, at various sales points in paris and around france.

rebecca on france 24 tv

Here is my homemade video of my interview on France 24 this morning--less that professional quality, I know....but you can also check it out LIVE on France 24's website-- click on LIVE FEED. The show will be rebroadcast via the France 24 site today at 5pm [Paris time], and again tomorrow at 9.30pm, and Friday at 11.30pm.

colette x gap

while infamous concept store colette takes august off to do some renovations, they will set up a temporary shop in the big apple, in gap's flagship store on 54th and 5th avenue from september 5th to october 6th. what's in store? cool, limited edition products, naturally, such as a little marc jacobs bowling bag, and a steiff bear, designed by karl lagerfeld. plan to be in paris, not in nyc? not to worry, the same items will be available in the city of light when colette reopens, august 25th.

c'est chic, c'est bic

if you are like me, you probably never thought much about bic, other than the fact that they make pens and razors...well, the french company has gone and made your life as a tourist in france just a little easier...starting this fall, the company has partnered with french cell phone company orange to provide a prepaid bic phone for 49 euros....already charged up, sim card & 60 minutes of call time in place, and widely available at newstands, train stations, airports, etc. so now you have no more excuses when shoe shopping takes just a little more time than planned, and your cheri is waiting patiently at the cafe.....

hermes limited edition

the latest from hermes? 6 new scarves, designed by german bauhaus artist josef albers, in hommage to the square. using alber's innovative color techniques, which aim to show the interaction between colors, the eye-popping scarves are in limited edition-- only 200 of each. the box set runs 2000 euros, available at hermes, 24 rue du faubourg st. honore.

i *heart* BHV

BHV [Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville] is definitely not on the tourist circuit, although sometimes I think it should be! One of the grands magasins, right near Hotel de Ville in central Paris, this place is part decorator's dream- part traditional department store. The entire basement is dedicated to bricolage-- i.e., do-it-yourself and hardware supplies-- ranging from modern bath fixtures to reproduction louis XV door knobs. another floor is decked out in home accessories-- pillows, tassles, candles, you name it, they have it. and if you're not redecorating? they stock a decent selection of french clothing, handbags, jewelry, books, kitchen supplies, etc. needless to say, i'm there on a monthly basis, with a list in hand, and almost always come home with more!

get some new tunes & plant some trees

now here is a chic souvenir with a cause-- a compilation album by french designer vanessa bruno. the plant a tree album, which features tracks by chet baker and kate bush, supports a program that plants five trees for each album purchased. pas mal, non? available at colette, vanessa bruno boutiques, and at fnac.

cheers to flute

speakeasy/champagne bar flute has seen its share of success with two manhattan locations. now, flute paris has just opened, not far from l'etoile/champs-elysees area. stop in for a bit of bubbly and a nibble after a long stroll on the champs.

new Marais boutique

Anikalena Skarstrom, a Paris-based Swedish designer, has opened her first shop in the Marais. Look for structured jackets & coats, alongside flowy dresses, simple sweaters, inspired by heroines of litterature and cinema [think: Colette, Annie Hall, etc.] Her other claim to fame? That fashion should not be so age-ist-- her clothing looks as stylish on a 20 year old as it does on a 60 year old. Check out the new boutique at:

Anika
16 rue du Pont aux Choux, 3rd

this weekend in paris

if you are in town this weekend, festivals and fetes are happening all over town, so check out my previous post about paris plage, outdoor cinema, and more, or check out one of these events:

• les grands eaux musicales at versailles--fountains and geisers all over the gardens of versailles, set to lovely classical tunes
• outdoor at the bois de boulogne-- 4 different plays set in the idyllic Jardin Shakespeare in the Bois de Boulogne
  

a new boudoir on the champs

chic & cheap chain etam has just opened a huge new outlet on the champs-- entirely dedicated to lingerie, along with other lifestyle products such as creams, accessories, books & music, to completely outfit your very own boudoir a la francaise. check it out at 84 avenue des champs-elysees, 8th.

fifi does london

french lingerie creatrice fifi chachnil has just designed a new collection for brit chain topshop, available starting july 20th, online at topshop.com. the frilly & froofroo collection can even be shipped to the US [along side kate moss' collection for topshop, and other funky & inexpensive duds]. stock up now before its too late!

a hot terrace for cool nights

paris doesn't have nobu, but now we have nabu [short for nabulione], a hip new resto with a gorgeous terrace, which makes it very hot property in summer. the menu features frenchy summer classics like fresh green bean salad and king crab with celery remoulade along with steak tartare and satay chicken, followed with some fromage blanc, an apricot tarte, or the hot dessert of the moment- the cupcake.

nabulione, 40 av duqesne, 7th
tel: 01.53.86.09.09
open every day from 8am to midnight.

blanc d'ivoire in the marais

one of my fave home decor stores in paris, blanc d'ivoire, has recently set up shop in the upper marais, now giving us access to stunning style on both sides of the river. the warm collection of french traditional/shabby chic/gustavian/antique-inspired furniture and accessories is spralled over 3 floors, set up like a parisian apartment. so channel your inner voyeur, and stop by the new boutique to get a sense of real parisian living.

blanc d'ivoire
25 rue de saintonge, 3rd

i scream, you scream....

..we all scream for baobabana? Martine Lambert, one of France's most well known ice cream makers, has come out with new flavors for summertime, including Baobabana [made with honey from baobab flowers] and morcels of flambeed banana. try it out at her boutique, 192, rue de Grenelle, 7th.

you are invited...

Geraldine Valluet & Rebecca Perry Magniant
are pleased to invite you to a
cocktail & book signing
to celebrate the release of
Chic Shopping Paris

Thursday, 10 July 2008, 18h-21h

Boutique Geraldine Valluet
5, rue Houdon, 18th
www.geraldinevalluet.com

paris' daily candy

paris now has its own dailycandy-- a cute little site called my little paris, which gives tips on decor, beauty, restaurants, etc. in an oh-so-charmant way. so sign up for their newsletter and practice your french!

paris fetes summertime

technically, it is "summer" here in paris [although most days, it doesn't feel like it outside!] paris loves to celebrate with a variety of festivals. here are a few of my faves:

• paris plage- this year in its 7th edition, a faux beach on the banks of the seine, with everything from mini golf to Segway rides and plain old beach chairs for lounging. 21 july to 21 august
• cinema au clair de lune- free outdoor movies, in parks & other settings across the city; this years theme is european capitals--featuring films such as Blow Up and The Third Man. 6- 24 august, at 9.30pm.
  
• cinema at la vilette- a giant outdoor movie theater, in the middle of an immense park- and its only 2 euros a film. 15 july to 17 august, every night except monday.
• paris quartier d'ete- symphony concerts in the luxembourg gardens, a circus at Bercy Village, and recital in the bamboo trees at the Quai Branley-- all this and more. 14 july to 15 august.
  

From the Little Bookroom

Chic Shopping Paris

Dear Readers, To announce the publication of Chic Shopping Paris, I turn the newsletter over to the author, American-in-Paris Rebecca Magniant, founder of the city's premier bilingual shopping service (www.chicshoppingparis.com). When Rebecca married a Frenchman and moved to Paris, she took as her role model her new belle-mère (mother-in-law), who taught her the secret of every stylish French woman: "les bonnes addresses," a personal list of favorite shops meticulously compiled and jealously guarded by every serious shopper. Here's Rebecca's letter from Paris: Even the most seasoned traveler cannot resist the allure of saying "I got this in Paris." But these days, thanks to the Internet, one can purchase almost anything from anywhere—which is why, in Chic Shopping Paris, I tried to focus on boutiques and shops that are truly offering something unique—whether it is a special service offered only in Paris (such as Christian Louboutin's sur mesure service, or the funky, one-of-a-kind accessories at Matières à réflection) or an out-of-the way boutique that is oh-so French (like Belle du Jour, which carries vintage perfume bottles, or Astier de Vilatte, with its sophisticated twist on shabby chic home décor). Bringing back something special, perhaps one-of-a-kind, is the essence of Paris, and it's what most people are searching for. While sussing out the best places to take my clients, I see dozens of boutiques and thousands of items every week…yet I can still experience coup de foudre ("love at first sight"), the sensation of having found something that I cannot live without. Some of the items that I have bought for myself from the shops in the book include a gorgeous hand-crafted polka-dot travel umbrella from Alexandra Sojfer, my signature scent (Iris Poudre) from Frédéric Malle, and a pair of simple leather sandals from St. Tropez's K. Jacques that have the perfect patina after a few summers' wear. These have all become personal favorites, and while none of these items have a flashy logo, they are all symbols of Paris to me, well-made items that I will enjoy for years, truly worth the investment. So check out the more than 100 shops listed in Chic Shopping Paris, some off the beaten path, others a bit more well-known, but all with a certain "je ne sais quoi"… Amitiés, Rebecca We're happy to offer Chic Shopping Paris at $12.71 (25% off the retail price of $16.95). To see Rebecca's book in more detail, to read excerpts, and to see interior pages, please visit our website. Angela Hederman Editor, The Little Bookroom

indagare interview

Indagare, the uber-chic travel site [and named the best travel site by Vanity Fair], has just published an interview with yours truly. Check out the interview here, and find out some of my shopping tips for the best that Paris has to offer-- enjoy!

pint sized parisian

most of you know that i don't usually blog about american websites-- but this is just too irresistible. do you know of a pint sized parisian fille? check out the petit mademoiselle collection, currently online at US kids boutique gymboree-- sweet and charmant, without that tacky tourist-shop feeling.

drinking in French bien-etre

those clever french-- they've done it again. just when you thought you were being healthy drinking green tea, here is an even better boisson-- beaute tea from fauchon comes in 3 formulas for keeping svelte, looking younger, or having nice skin. now that's an original souvenir for your best gal pal! available at fauchon boutiques and big grocery chains for 16 euros.

chic shopping paris is flying off the shelves!

Thanks to friend and Paris lover Catherine for the pictures above and this:
Success! I am now the owner of Chic Shopping Paris, purchased at Borders on Michigan Avenue. FYI I did find 2 other stores that had a copy, but they too were already sold-- Congratulations!

valentino on display

almost 50 years of valentino are on display at the musee des arts decoratifs until sept. 21. over 200 pieces are on display, dating back to the start of his career in 1959 and going all the way up to his final collection in january 2008. another parisian fashion expo not to be missed.

a new sweet treat from laduree

the latest from laduree....super sweet bow tie cookies in lemon, mint, and marscapone flavors, 7 euros a piece. designed by up-and-coming designer alexis mabille, who is well-known for his couture bowties, they are sure to a distinct flavor to your next tea party.

set your alarm clocks-- the sales start tomorrow!

soldes (sales) start tomorrow, wedesday, june 25th in paris. set your alarms early if you've got items on your list that you can't live without-- the grands magasins [galeries, printemps, etc.] open their doors at 8am!

allo? it's dior calling

while i've never been a big dior fan [if i have to choose, i'd pick chanel anyday-- dior is just a bit too paris hilton for my tastes], i'll have to admit that the new dior phone is quite sleek and tres chic. made with luxe materials [diamonds, crystal, etc.], and the famous dior caning pattern, the phone comes in pink, black, red, & silver, for the mere price of 3200 euros.

a freebie from cartier

ok, so they aren't giving away tank watches or love bracelets, but you can download some cool tunes from their website. go to www.love.cartier.com to download [for free] exclusive compositions by various artists such as lou reed and marion cotillard, on the subject of amour.

paper shoes

if you'd rather gaze at a gorgeous pair of stilettos than wear them--here is your answer. gorgeous paper collages of stilettos, done by master shoe maker roger vivier in the 1950s. for sale on the site souliers de papier, they make a chic gift for your shoe-aholic best friend!

gros bisous

one secret of parisian style? its all about the accessories. like this fab enamel lip broach from sonia rykiel [35 euros]-- cute enough to kiss.

a favor...

have you bought the book? if so, i certainly hope you are enjoying it! and if you would do me a favor......go to the amazon.com page about the book, and rate it, so that others can see what you think about it. merci!

fete de la musique

paris loves to celebrate the first day of summer-- even if the weather doesn't feel very summer-like! every year, june 21st is the night of the fete de la musique. amateur and pro musicians alike will play in nearly every corner of the city-- on the street, in cafes, bars, and other public venues. click here for the entire listing of events in paris-- or just wander the streets and follow your ears! my only advice? just be sure to able to walk home from wherever you plan to be-- taxis will be impossible to find, and the metro might be packed too.

a little bit of ysl

sadly, we bid au revoir to monsieur saint laurent this month. and while most of us mere mortals aren't able to afford one of his famous frocks, you might purchase this stylish necklace-slash-bronzer. ysl's soleil d'afrique pendant looks like a cool tribal necklace, but it hides a little compact of bronzing powder, great for discreet touch-ups on vacances. available online at the ysl us boutique for $72.

own a piece of a parisian palace

starting today through sunday, june 22nd, the hotel royal monceau is auctioning off all its furniture before a big revamp. over 3000 lots available-- furniture from 203 rooms, from the bar, hall, and suites, and from the two restaurants decorated by famed designer jacques garcia [such as the stool s pictured, above]. also for sale are chandeliers and fabrics from big names such as rubelli and pierre frey. check out the times and listings [including photos] on the auction website.

coffee with a view

check out a new spot for savouring the views of the tour eiffel-- cafe carlu, located in the cite de l'architecture et du patrimoine [in the palais chaillot], offers stunning views of the eiffel tower from across the river. the menu? casual fare such as salads, sandwiches, and champagne, bien sur.

affordable art

yellow korner gallery, a new-ish gallery in the marais, is the new spot to shop for cheap art. over 150 photographic works [numbered and framed], starting at just 59 euros, are available. this is not just college dorm room art, but original works by up-&-coming photogs, so check it out if you are in the market for something new to grace your abode.

riding in style

ok, so this isn't something you can throw in your suitcase, but it is just so mignon that i couldn't resist-- frenchie mom & daughter brand comptoir des cotonniers has created its own bike, to complete the french-girl-riding-on-the-cobblestones-ensemble. the bike, available in a regular version [950 euros] and the tandem version [pictured], comes complete with wicker basket and bell. irresistible, non?