bubbles for bebe

I don't think I've ever come across a kid that is not fascinated by bubbles- by blowing them or just chasing them through the air.  Who can resist these uber-chic bubbles by Maison Francis Kurkdijan- scented with glorious flavors like cut grass or pear?  A chic gift that will have parents & enfants smiling and blowing away....

Maison Francis Kurkdijan
5 rue Alger, 1st

Paris at the movies

Did you know that over 900 movies are shot in Paris each year?  Who doesn't love watching movies about Paris and figuring out exactly where they were shot.  The city of Paris' website, Paris.fr, offers a great list of mini guides  [in English & in French] that you can print out to scout out some of the locations of famous films.  Check out their site to find the promenade that will take you to the spots in Midnight in Paris, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more.

designer labels

First it was candles, now cds....boutiques want you to recreate the ambiance of their shop chez vous.  Two hot young clothing labels, The Kooples and Comptoir des Cotonniers, recently came out with their own music compilations.  Why not choose a soundtrack for your trip to Paris?  [Or pick up a great cadeau for a teen or music lover....]

puces du design

Looking for an original gift from Paris, or a new design object for the home? Check out the Puces du Design- the "design" flea market- with loads of goodies from the 1950s to present stuff....May 27-30th in the 19th. Click here for a map.

Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais

It's been a while since I've been to the Petit Palais, and I'd forgotten how stunning the palace is. Even more stunning, though, is the YSL Retrospective that opened today. Over 300 couture pieces from the innovative designer are on display, ranging from early pant suits to the famous "Smoking" [Tuxedos], to gowns, gowns, and more gowns. An absolutely gorgeous retrospective of Monsieur Saint Laurent's talent, and kudos to the museum for designing such a magnifique show. My advice? Go early in the day, have a nibble in the cafe's garden, and buy your tickets beforehand to avoid the queue.

YSL at the Petit Palais, until August 29, 2010

Corsets sur mesure

One of the things I love about living in Paris is that you can still find shops with real artisans, whipping up their magic and offering one of a kind items. I haven't checked out this shop, but have heard about it and thought I'd pass it on for those of you who are looking for true Parisian couture...Volute makes corsets of all kinds- from satin and lace to denim and toile. You pick fabric, shape, everything, as they are entirely made to measure. For a special occasion [prom, wedding] or everyday fashion [the 80s thing is coming back, right?], Caroline will whip up your corset sur mesure. C'est chic, non? {Note: The boutique/atelier is only open by appointment, so call/ email before you go.}

Volute Corsets
80 rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris

chic by candlelight

If you are looking for an unusual [and longlasting!] souvenir, and don't already have overweight luggage, check out the gigantic candle by Cire Trudon. Weighing in at 2.8kg [that's over 6 lbs!], the famous candlemaker's luxe candle is adorned with the Trudon coat of arms, and comes in five scents: Roi Soleil, Abdel Kader, Odalisque, Spritius Sancti, and Ernesto. The best part? The long life of this candle is over 400 hours. Vive la bougie!

Cire Trudon
78 rue de Seine, 6th

alice in printemps-land

to celebrate the opening of alice au pays des merveilles [alice in wonderland], printemps department store has dedicated its exterior and interior to the theme. outside, check out the store's windows which contain alice's new wardrobe, designed by some of fashion's biggest names [note the gown by the late, great alexander mcqueen]. inside, stop in laduree's take on the mad hatter's tea room to digest some delectable pastries. if i could take the right pill to land myself in this tea room every afternoon, i'd do it as well! hurry by if you want to check this out, as it ends march 13th.

printemps haussman
64 blvd haussman, 9th

liberty at merci

i have to say, i am easily seduced by a fun liberty print, and it's not hard to get into flower power when liberty is everywhere these days! it has been pretty "in" in France for the past couple of years, but the British label shows no signs of waning....the lastest stop is a huge installation of the floral print, in all its incarnations, in the concept shop Merci. you'll find adorable kids clothing, mugs, suitcases, home decor, and more, all covered in fleurs. all during the month of march. spring has sprung!

merci
111 blvd beaumarchais, 3rd

bijoux bijoux

Gotta love the Marais for its funky little boutiques, like this one: Ostentatoire is a multimarque jewelry boutique, meaning that it contains a bunch of different brands under one roof. Handpicked faves by owners Claire [designer] and David [photographer] include designs by Alice Hubert, Starstyling, and more, presented in a lovely treasure-filled shop.

ostentatoire
11 bis, rue elzevir, 3rd

one for the guys

i'll have to admit: men are hard to shop for. for the most part, they just aren't into keeping up with the latest trends, and don't seem to have the need to "consume" like us girls do....but there are still holidays, birthdays, occasions that we need to celebrate. this is why i'm excited about estime, a line of leather goods for men, or what they call "gentlemen tech". from lovely weekend bags [above] to computer bags, toiletry bags, business card holders, and more, you are sure to find something for the homme in your life. i'm looking forward to the next occasion to shop for my cheri....

estime
61 rue bonaparte, 6th

back to the city of light

as many of you might know, i am now back in the city of light, after spending 2009 in the US on a 'sabbatical' with my family. oh la la, it is great to be back! now i'm back to pounding the cobblestones and checking out the newest and chicest shops in paris...so stay tuned in the weeks to come as i try to get the blog back up to speed....and thanks for your patience!
xx
rebecca

advance sales at colette

concept store extraordinaire colette is having some special early sales this year-- stop by before saturday to take advantage of up to 50% off women's & men's spring/summer 2009 fashion, plus assorted books/cds/misc. can't get there in the next few days? sales are also happening online.

official summer sales dates in paris

it is one of my favorite times of year in paris-- sale time! the official dates for the soldes [(as set by the French government) this year are june 24- july 28. click here for more tips on shopping the soldes!

roger vivier prototypes up for auction

what a great way to own an original work of art-- bid on one of roger vivier's prototypes at the upcoming auction. vivier is one of paris' master shoemakers, responsible for the famous buckle shoe worn by catherine deneuve in belle du jour. i can only imagine that his prototypes are fabulously chic, to say the least!

the auction takes place thursday, july 9 at 2pm at richeulieu drouot, salle 8 [room 8]. you can stop by to peruse the wares on wednesday, july 8 form 11am-6pm in the same place.

hermes summer sale 2009

the dates for this years hermes sale are....[drumroll please....].....june 24-26, again at the palais de congres, NOT at the hermes boutiques. check out the antiques diva's blog for an interview of yours truly sharing my hermes shopping tips....

Chic Book: Manolo Blahnik Drawings

"My shoes are not fashion, they are gestures. So says Blahnik in a book that lays out his designs as brightly colored whimsies, sketches deftly convey the essences of his creations. Celeb quotes, interspersed throughout, heighten the spiraling sense of posturing and play. Madonna says, "They are as good as sex... and they last longer." Paloma Picasso, Isaac Mizrahi, Bianca Jagger also check in, and there are introductory essays by Vogue titans Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley and Anna Piaggi, as well as by Michael Roberts of The New Yorker. It should appeal to any fashionista or design aficionado anyone with a sense of shoes as art."
(Publishers Weekly)

I just ordered my copy from amazon - can't wait to have this on my coffee table.
x Stephanie

Chic Dots!

Everytime I take clients on a shopping tour in the St Germain de Pres area I always go back to my favourite store - Sabre. [Also featured in Chic Shopping Paris, the book, FYI!] Bright, fun, happy colors are the theme of this boutique that specializes in table wear. I love collecting the big coffee cups in every color possible. If you get a chance do check out Sabre at 4 rue des Quatres Vents in the 6th arrondissement!

x Stephanie

Mini Fashionistas

A one stop shop for Chloe, Burberry, DKNY and many more - this fabulous boutique with gorgeous moldings and parquet flooring is a must for your little black book. Among the fabulous clothing there is a little corner dedicated to newborns with great gift ideas for all of those chics mamans!

Atelier de Courcelles
113 avenue Victor Hugo
75016 Paris

x Stephanie

Twice as Chic

A must see shop when in Paris -the fabulous lingerie/home wear store Princess Tam Tam is making mother/daughter bikinis in adorable cotton poplin printed fabric. For more details have a look at their website or visit one of 26 stores in Paris. My fave is at 9 rue Brea in the chic 6th arrondissement!
x Stephanie

chic spring snack

following in the steps of other fashion designers [paco rabanne, gaspard yurkievich], franck sorbier has designed this season's spring dessert at the cafe de la paix. named the porte bonheur [good luck charm], the four hearts each have a different flavor, ranging from milk chocolate with orange zest to dark chocolate. the dessert is only available until may 15, so get ready to eat your hearts out-- vite!

Beautiful Lingerie Bien Sur!

The French do such a great job of making beautiful lingerie for everyone. If you can get past the very unfrench name - Womens Secret - carries gorgeous pieces at very reasonable prices. I love the boxer shorts in this picture - stylish and pretty. [There is a nice big shop right by the Odeon metro station...]

I *heart* this blue girlie silk ensemble by Elise Anderegg. For more check out www.eliseanderegg.com

Tres jolie, non?
x Stephanie

jewelry sale: may 15-17

yet another jewelry sale on tap for next weekend. check out the chic boho designs by 5octobre at their atelier sale, friday, may 15, 17pm and saturday& sunday may 16/17, 2.30-6pm.

address: 3 rue beautrellis, paris 4

jewerly sale: may 15-16

Check out another sale this weekend, chez Tiennette la Belette. Jewerly, "neck accessories," linens, and organic products are on sale. Hours: Friday, May 15, 11am- 8pm; Saturday, May 16, 11am- 7,30pm.

49 rue de Bagnolet, 75020 Paris

chic soles?

The latest from Converse are the crocodile All-Stars. Soon to be seen on all the Parisians given their love for these casual but chic shoes. I think I’ll have to bypass this trend and stick to my cotton canvas converse in fun spring colours like yellow and light pink but all of you fashionistas should go for it!

-- Stephanie

secret sale- may 14-16

mark your calendars-- les prairies de paris, a great little brand, tucked away in a little street by my former pad, is having a 'secret' sale in their design offices...thursday, may 14 [10am- 8pm], friday, may 15 [10am- 7pm] and saturday, may 16 [10am- 6pm]....grab your best shopping pal and head over to the 11th, tout de suite!
xx rebecca

les praires de paris, 9 passage st. bernard, 11th

chic store

Merci, The Charity Store, has opened up in Paris- created by Marie-France et Bernard Cohen, the founders of Bonpoint. Fabulous and fashionable finds in this concept store that include a kids’ corner, a garden of gorgeous flowers, a vintage library and a tea room are just waiting to be discovered. French and international designers who have given up their profits to charity sell their goods in this store on the Blvd Beaumarchais. Come and have a look – style and a good conscience; a chic mix, n’est-ce pas?

111, boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 3e
--Stephanie

Petits Hauts

One of my favourite lines, Des Petits Hauts, has a fantastic selection of spring tops right now. I love the detailing in all the tops and blouses. If you are in Paris or heading this way make sure take home a few of their chic pieces for spring/summer. You won’t be disappointed!
--Stephanie

Introducing Stephanie

Chic Shopping Paris is proud to present a new blogger to our team: Stephanie! She introduces herself below...

I've been in France for 12 years now - how time flies! My two darling boys have started school and I'm finding myself with some time on my hands - I can only play so much tennis! Rebecca and I met through a mutual friend over 5 years ago and hit it off instantly. I was keen to join her on the shopping tours in Paris and am now thrilled to be joining the Chic Shopping Paris blog! One of my many passions is shopping, especially in the fabulous city of Paris! I love discovering new shops, services and restaurants and hope to bring you lots of interesting updates from the city of light.

Bises, Stephanie

ladies love paris- an event for paris lovers in nyc

The Ladies Love Paris! Francophile authors at Flûte Gramercy

New York, NY – April 28, 2009 – There’s just something about France, and Paris in particular, that captivates us. Is it the fashion? The art? The history? Les Parisiennes? No matter how many books have been published about the City of Light, we always want more.

Join the latest generation of female authors who write about France and the French for book signing and cocktails at Flûte Gramercy (40 East 20th Street, New York) on Sunday, May 31 from 5-8pm.

• Jamie Cat Callan – French Women Don’t Sleep Alone: Pleasurable Secrets to Finding Love (Citadel, March 2009)
• Jill Jonnes – Eiffel’s Tower: And the World's Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count (Viking, May 2009)
• Heather Stimmler-Hall – Naughty Paris: A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City (Fleur de Lire, September 2008)
• Ellen Williams – Historic Restaurants of Paris (Little Bookroom, January 2001), Impressionists’ Paris (Little Bookroom, January 1999), and Picasso’s Paris (Little Bookroom, January 1999).

There will be $8 Kir Royals and drawings to win free books including Chic Shopping Paris (Rebecca Magniat) Paris, Wish You Were Here (edited by Christopher Meason), and advance publication copies of What French Women Know by Debra Ollivier.

There are two Flûte Champagne Lounges in New York, at Gramercy and Midtown, and a new location in Paris, Flûte L’Etoile. They serve over 100 different kinds of Champagne -- many by the glass -- and host events such as Charity Champagne Tastings, a monthly Champagne School, and live jazz on Sundays from 8pm.

Free entry. Please RSVP at fleurdelire@gmail.com for the guest list.

Flûte Gramercy

40 East 20th Street, New York City

Tel 212-529-7870
www.flutebar.com

For more information, contact:
fleurdelire@gmail.com
Tel France: +331 43 36 69 85
Tel US: 415 963 3804

lagerfeld for repetto

karl lagerfeld designing some new looks for repetto-- what could be a better addition to your spring wardrobe? the chanel designer and fashion demigod does his thing for the famous french ballet shoe brand, designing black patent, white, and navy sandals and heels, starting at 300 euros. the catch? the shoes went on sale april 8th....no telling if there are still any in stores, but if they are, they are sure to be a collector!

l'eclaireur at place des vosges

l'eclaireur, one of the most interesting shops in the marais has temporarily moved.....from rue des rosiers a few blocks over to the gorgeous place des vosges. stop by the new boutique between april 27th and may 2nd, with the invitation above in hand, for 20% off your purchases. a great chance to check out their unusual collection of up-and-coming clothing & accessory designers, in sure to be stunning locale.

i'm back!

after an extended maternity leave and moving house, i am back to blogging again! i've got a few others joining me in the next few weeks to give you even more content, fresh from paris.
thanks to all the faithful readers out there!
rebecca

sorry for the delay....

...but babies and moving house will do that to you! chic bebe C. was born on november 3rd, and we are in the midst of moving to a new maison....so hang in there, chic shopping blog will return soon!

this weekend in paris: nov 8-16

for organic and nature fans, check out the salon marjolaine at the parc floral de paris --more than 500 exhibitors with organic items, from gourmet goodies to furniture to decor .

cire trudon

cire trudon is one of the fabulous finds that i included in chic shopping paris, the book. i'd been walking by the rue de seine boutique for years, noting that they had a wide range of colored candles, but nothing special, per se. then, voila, overnight it seemed, the shop had completely reinvented itself, under the talents of stylist ramdane touhami. the boutique now stocks amazing scented candles [with such innovative inspirations as the Dada movement and the French Revolution], and was just featured in november's vanity fair. definitely worth a stop the next time you are in st. germain.

private sale at mango

chic spanish chain mango is inviting readers of elle magazine to an evening with 30% off the entire store, at the blvd des capucines address in paris. to sign up for the evening [complete with dj, cocktails, a makeup bar, etc], go to this link and sign up-- vite!

gem of a boutique

tucked into a quiet sidestreet in the marais is the newish showroom of stylist johanna braitbart. the tiny boutique carries her clutch purses, headbands, jewelry, and chapeaux, all infused with a modern twist on an era-gone-by.

showroom johanna braitbart
26 rue des blancs-manteaux, 4th
mon-sat 11-7

this weekend in paris: oct 29- nov 2

this one is for all the chocoholics out there-- over 130 of the best international chocolatiers are on hand with samples on hand at the 14th annual salon du chocolat! chocolate fashions, cocoa beauty treatments, and more are on hand too, to send you off in a cocoa-induced haze.

marc does paris [again]

parisianista marc jacobs opened up his second paris store last week, featuring his marc by marc jacobs line. check it out for satin quilted totes, a handful of funky books, cheap & chic jewelry, clothing, and my favorite paris souvenir- the rubber wellies with "paris" emblazoned on the side. all tucked into a neat corner in the marche st. honore.

Merci, Madame!

Chic Shopping Paris, the book, was in Madame Figaro magazine this weekend. Read on for my translation of the article:

Bible Tres Mode
The Joy of Fashionistas (La Joie des Fashionistas)
This little guide, neatly square with its cover adorned with a pink bow, is entirely in English.

Shopping Addict in her soul, the American Rebecca Perry Magniant knows the capital to the tips of her painted fingernails. She then decided to write about her best spots for her compatriots.

A passion worth sharing-- because a number of Parisiennes will love this trendy compilation, fournished with fashion, decoration, accessory addresses....without forgetting the shopping advice of Rebecca. The only catch- you'll have to arm yourself with a dictionnary!

this weekend in paris: oct 24-27

• 
  
  
  
  

  check out 104, THE new gallery/art hotspot on rue d'aubervilliers in the 19th. this weekend, they will host the offshoot to the big art show, the FIAC-- check out both for an artful weekend
  
  

  if art isn't your thing, check out the 3rd annual culinary salon, cuisinez!, at the carrousel du louvre, for the latest in the culinary world.

culinary chic

in case your pantry isn't as chic as your wardrobe: the latest from minimalist french clothing/lifestyle label APC-- their own olive oil label. available for purchase online at apc.fr.

this weekend in paris: oct 10-12

• if you didn't get invited to fashion week, invite yourself to stop by the carrousel du louvre to check out the ethical fashion show to see what ethical brands are up to
  

• also this weekend: the 19th edition of the puces du design will take place on the quai de la loire, on the banks of the bassin de la villette in the 19th. stop by for design objects from the 50s-80s and a stroll along the bassin.

vite! today only....

vite, vite, vite! diesel is celebrating its 30th birthday with a limited edition 'dirty thirty' jean-- for only 30 euros, available today only. a limited number of pairs are available online too, so check out their site for more details.

chic timewaster

a fellow chic shopper passed this on-- a great way to while away a bit of time! check out celeb style to find out what your fave celebs/tv personalities are wearing and where to get it.....me, personally, i'm always lusting after what blake lively is wearing on gossip girl [did i just admit that in public? yikes!]

fall fashion forecast

Today, I am speaking at the "Bloom Where You are Planted" seminar here in Paris, a 2-day seminar to help newcomers get adjusted to life in France. This is a great way to learn more about living in Paris, the mysteries of French grocery stores, and, bien sur, Parisian fashion. Using French Elle magazine as a resource, I've compiled a list of the top trends for fall-- see below [and note that in parentheses are shops that carry the item]. Bonne shopping!


Fall 2008 Forecast: Top Accessories*

• Maxi Scarves: wear them super long, wrapped around your neck a few times, or go for a trendy plaid [Etam, Diab’less, Les Petites]

• Gum-soled Shoes: rubber/gum soles on boots, booties, even heels are making a comeback [Mellow Yellow, San Marina, Avril Gau]

• Low Boots: great with the new pleated pants of the season [“carrot pants”], and with cropped pants, pencil skirts with tights [Sandro, Gap, Comptoir des Cotonniers]

• Oversized/Multipurpose Handbags: look for styles in leather, with multiple handles—long ones for wearing on your shoulder, short for hand-carrying [Sandro, 3 Suisses, Texier]

• Violet colored accessories: look for simple handbags [Lamarthe, Monoprix]; mix with dark greens or warm chocolate, not with black; focus on accessories, not a total look [shoes by Geox, Monoprix, Camper]

• Leather Gloves: small, but elegant or longer for a retro-glam look [C&A, 1,2,3, Maison Fabre]

• Silk Scarves: borrow one from grandmere- it goes great with a trench or a simple sweater & jeans for a casual chic look [Kenzo, Sinequanone, Les Petits]

• Tango Shoes: wear them with knee-length skirts or dresses, not pants [Jonak, San Marina, Repetto]

• High Heeled Derbys: a new silhouette, they look like men’s shoes with heels; wear them with any type of pant or skirt [Minelli, San Marina, Guess]

• Sporty Handbags: big handbags with sporty details, lots of pockets, can be worn everywhere [Naf Naf, Benetton, Kipling]

• Chain Necklaces: a multitude of different chains, worn layered, for a rich, excessive look; best worn with a simple outfit [Maje, Perles de Noa, Sinequanone]

• Metal Medallion Belts: worn on top of a twin-set, on a cardigan, on a cocktail dress, or a tweed pant to give it an update [Guess, le Mont Saint Michel, Sinequanone]

• Rain Boots: to be worn with trendy/girly outfits for the ultimate contrast [C&A, Marni, Bata, Andre]

• Crocodile Accessories: take a simple outfit, add a croc accessory, et voila! The key is to have only one croc piece- belt, purse, shoes, at a time [Minelli, Andre, Etam]

• Winter sandals: worn with wool tights in contrasting colors [Unisa, Nine West, Le Mont St Michel]

• The Minaudiere: classic mini purse, compact and rigid, for evenings out [Benetton, Sinequanone, San Marina]

• Wool Bonnets: match it with a coordinating scarf, but not with wool gloves! [3 Suisses, H&M, BA&SH]

• Printed Tights: this look only works with a perfect set of gams, so tread carefully!

*As adapted from French Elle, 15 September 2008: L’Accessoire fait le style!

creative compilations

a few years ago, it was all the rage to have a candle-- many a parisian shop had its own signature scent, sold with a hefty price tag to remind you of the chic spot once you got home. the latest shop souvenir seems to be the cd....a few months ago i wrote about the vanessa bruno compilation, and kitsune, which also has its own cd. a few others have now joined the band [pardon the pun]: check out cds by marithe + francois girbaud, an eclectic rock-n-roll compilation, lancel's cd, which features swingy 1930s tunes, and the cd from trendy label maje, featuring up-&-coming parisian artists. now you can not only smell like parisian spirit, but you can sound like it too.

argh! expedia and opodo ticket booking problems

just wanted to put out a 'warning' for anyone trying to buy airline tickets through opodo.fr or expedia.fr. read on for my rant....

i'm trying to buy my tickets for the US for the holidays-- i first purchased the tickets through opodo, only to receive an email saying that for 'technical reasons,' my purchase did not go through. when i called them, they explained that that was because my ticket was a paper ticket, but since june 1, they only issued e-tickets, therefore they could not fulfull my request. was i given a choice to take an e-ticket? no. was i offered another ticket at the same fare or even assistance at finding another ticket? double no. on to expedia....

i actually found cheaper tickets [with same airline] on expedia after the opodo disaster. score! or so i thought.....the next day, i received an email saying, basically, that 'sorry, we were not really able to provide you with the fare that purchased online, so we did not charge your card, and you have no ticket.' again-- assistance? no. another fare offered? no. doubly disappointing? YES!

airlines are already taking away so much-- we now have to pay for pillows, snacks, luggage?! and the service is even worse-- i'm trying to throw money at these people and still have no luck. will it ever get better?