Chic Sneaks

Just in time for spring travels, a whole new crop of chic & comfy sneakers has hit the stylish streets of Paris.  Here are a few of my faves.....

Studded Saucony sneakers, available at 66 Champs Elysees or online, 178 euros

San Marina "Cheiti" sneakers, available in their Paris boutiques, 89 euros

Isabel Marant "Bobby", available online or at Isabel Marant boutiques, 395 euros

Bensimon tennis shoes, available online or in Bensimon boutiques, 30 euros

Made in France by Melle Emilie b

I came across these cute leather accessories online and had to share- so cute, so simple and fun, and the best part is that they are designed and Made in France.  [A fact that is becoming more and more rare these days, unfortunately!]  Melle Emilie b's line of little handmade leather goods are so charmant, you almost need one in each color.  Available online here or in Paris at the boutique below.

Delephine Charlotte Parmentier

26 rue Bourg Tibourg, 4th

Valentine's Day Duo from Guerlain

A sexy new scent from Guerlain, just in time for Valentine's day- the musky Eau de Lingerie is made to be sprayed on your lingerie, so your skin be be enveloped in scent.   The beauty brand also teamed up with couture lingerie brand Absolutely Pom to create a special line to go with its new scent.  A double dose of romance for your Valentine!

Fragrance available in Guerlain boutiques on Februrary 14th; lingerie available at Printemps Haussman.

Recommend us on Gidsy!

Have you taken a Chic Shopping Paris tour recently?  We need your help!  We are offering our services through a fun, new tour website called Gidsy, and we need your recommendations on our tours. Click here to help out. Merci beaucoup!  

New Year, New Blog

Wishing a happy, healthy New Year to all!

We are celebrating the new year with a new look for our blog-

hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to contact us before your next trip to Paris.

Upmarket H&M: & Other Stories, rue Saint Honore

Swedish brand H&M keep moving up and up the retail ladder....first, they opened a series of artsy/ functional COS boutiques in chic neighborhoods of Paris [and across Europe], and now they are moving to one of the chic-est avenues of all:  rue Saint Honore.  The new brand,  & Other Stories, will focus on a upscale line of clothing for women, along with beauty and accessories.  Stay tuned for the opening later this spring...

The sales are here!

The big bi-annual sales started this week....are you shopping as much as last year?  It seems with the holidays just past and the economy in a downturn, the shops are emptier than usual....but that means more bargains for the die-hard shoppers out there!  Check out past posts on shopping les soldes to get my scoop on getting the best deals....

Holiday Scents from Frederic Malle

Just out- the 2012 collection of collector's boxes from Frederic Malle, nose extraordinaire   Choose from 8, 15 or 18 of the houses incredible perfumes, housed in an oh-so-chic black box.  Available at the three Malle Paris boutiques or at Printemps.

News for Hermes lovers

Hermes and designer Rei Kawakubo will reunite for a limited edition collection of scarves, available in February 2013.  The collection will be divided into two mini-collections.  The Noir et Blanc collection will have 5 abstract scarves and will be sold in Comme des Garcons boutiques in Paris, NYC, and Tokyo.  The Couleur collection will consist of 6 patchwork, checkered and striped pattern scarves, and will be available in London and Tokyo.  Mark your calendars- these are sure to be collectors items.

Vanessa Bruno

Vanessa Bruno has been making her classic canvas totes for years, and yet they never seem to go out of fashion.  This season, she's created an exclusive leopard tote for Monnier Freres [the upscale online bag site], in a limited edition of 200 pieces.  Get it quickly before it is gone!

Chic Chocolate Bars

Yes, I'm a sucker for cute packaging....and who can resist a gorgeously wrapped chocolate bar?  The collection includes the Champs Elysees, Notre Dame, and more.  I'm picking these up for stocking stuffers.  

Comptoir de Cacao

192 av de Versailles, 16th

Chanel at the Grand Palais

Created by Mademoiselle herself in the 1950s, the little black jacket has become a staple of a modern women's wardrobe, alongside her LBD [little black dress].  King of fashion Karl Lagerfeld gives hommage to La Petite Veste Noire with over a hundred photos, sporting a black Chanel jacket, bien sur.  Hurry to see the expo- that has already passed through NY and Hong Kong- before it moves on.

La Petite Veste Noire, at the Grand Palais, until November 25th

Vintage ABCs

I've been hooked on vintage sign letters for years- ever since my mom bought me a blue letter "M" with rusted edges from a neighborhood brocante when I first moved to Paris 10 years ago.  I've been slowly collecting them ever since- keeping an eye out at every flea market or sale I pass.  And now I'm afraid my collection will continue to grow ...with the new vintage shop Kidimo, that stocks over 2000 letters and numbers.  What a fun idea to get a giant letter or two....or spell out a whole phrase in a homemade font.    It does get addictive...don't say I didn't warn you!

Kidimo

227 rue Saint Denis, 2nd

06.85.42.93.42

(Note:  the shop is open by appt only)

Shhhh: CSP's secret shop list

The secret is out....I've been adding all the great boutiques I blog about on a Google Map that is available to all my loyal readers.  Click here to access the map to start planning your next trip!

Christmas/ Holiday Lights & Windows in Paris 2012

 

It's that time of year- Paris is getting all decked out for the holidays. [Yes, already!]  Galeries Lafayette's holiday vitrines went up this earlier week, with Printemps to follow today.   This year, both grand magasins are being decked out by big names- Louis Vuitton for Galeries [pictured] and Dior for Printemps.  The fashion-forward windows still appeal to kids and adults alike- and fashionistas will adore them, bien sur.

Be sure to stop by the Cinderella's carriage [installed by Disney at Galeries], and check out the special Cendrillon [Cinderella] macarons created by Dalloyau.  Talk about co-branding! 

 

After all that shopping....continue on for more lights around the city.  Gorgeous lights are to be found on the Champs Elysses, Ave Montaigne, and Place Vendome.  Check here for a listing of all the holiday lights and here for a list of Christmas markets.

chic chloe double header

Attention Chloe fans- this is for you.  First, start by visitng the boutique and picking up one of these great perfume-filled  (60 euros at Chloe boutiques.)  Then take your good smelling self to the Chloe exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo. The expo traces the brands history [since 1952] and all the big names (Stella, Karl) who have made the brand what it is today.

Palais de Tokyo

Until Nov. 18, 2012

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