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Friday, August 31, 2007

chic shopping in greece?


this chic shopper is off for a much needed holiday in greece. i plan to soak up the sun, visit some sites, and do a bit of shopping, bien sur. i'll definitely be stocking up on korres natural beauty products, custom-made sandals, and greek fisherman shirts. this time it is my turn to ask YOUR shopping advice-- any other shopping tips for greece?

i'll be back in a week with more tips for paris shopping...a bientot!

the white blouse spa?

famous for her white blouses, designer anne fontaine has opened up a new concept store that combines shopping and spa treatments. the gorgeous white boutique proposes spa treatments with her fontaine's line of organic cosmetics-- and if they promise to make you feel as crisp and clean as a new white shirt, why not?
370 rue st. honore, 1st. arr.

homage a Paris

Catherine Malandrino, the French designer who started her line in New York, just created an exlusive dress, to be sold only at Galeries Lafayette. The dress, made entirely of sequins, is done in a brightly colored patchwork style and spells out "I love Paris"....and for only 3000 euros, you can proclaim your love for the city of light as well.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

classically green

fancy some classical music in a idyllic garden setting? check out this years "classique au vert" festival in the parc floral. all the concerts are outdoors and free (after paying the park's 2.50 entry fee)-- take a little wine & frommage and make an evening of it. every saturday and sunday at 4pm, until september 23rd.

la chaise Tolix

i've seen this chair around for years, and still can't get enough of it. i recently found out that the original version comes from the brand tolix, and it has been around for nearly a century. still chic today, the chair is made from galvanized zinc, and its clean lines are a bit retro, a bit industrial. oh-so-chic to mix a set of them with a big country table at your maison de campagne, non?

meet marcello


marcello is cartier's new edition to the "it bag" market. the luxury brand that gave us tank watches and love bracelets is now trying to make a mark in the handbag market, where it will undoubtlessly succeed. the lovely bag, pictured above, sports clean, classic lines, and is available in leather or in fur. starting in november, those with the means can even have it customized (choice of lining, handles, etc.). prices start at around 1460 euros- oh la la!

Friday, August 24, 2007

new website for chic shopping paris!

i'm very excited to announce chic shopping paris' new website-- check out www.chicshoppingparis.com to see our fab new logo (also featured here on the blog) and new website. many thanks to amit and his team at webart softech for doing such a great job.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

A former jewelry designer for Dior and Galliano, talented young designer Alexis Mabille is one to watch. His amazing line Treizor focuses on the updated bow tie-- in a jillion permuations. With beads, in denim, to wear in your hair or as a belt, the unisex creations are a truly unique accessory. He does not yet have his own shop, but check out his goods at Colette and Le Bon Marche

zara a la maison

chic and not cher chain zara has (finally!) brought their home store-- zara home-- to paris. focussing on accessories for every room of the home, the look ranges from white-on-white to spanish hacienda to shabby chic and tradtional french. the kid's line is especially adorable. check it out at 2, boulevard de la madeleine, right next to french homeware shop habitat.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

galerie chanel

famed fashion house chanel met up with Pritzker prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, and the result is this amazing, futuristc mobile art space. the moveable capsule will hold an art expo featuring artistic interpretations of chanel's famous quilted bag. the mobile art space will travel to 7 cities worldwide, it's final destination being paris in 2010.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

the ultimate grocery sac: silkypop from hermes


i've been talking a lot about the newest bags & shoes-- well, what else would a girl want to take back from paris, after all? one of the new items out there is the "silkypop" by hermes. it is a silk scarf-like bag that folds into a teeny pouch, all chic-ly zipped up. a great way to have 'extra storage' on hand when you are out shopping rue st. honore, or, for the chicest of them all, a stop at the marche. and for only 700 euros, don't we all need several of them?

michel vivien for andre

famed shoe creator michel vivien is putting out a line for chain store andre this fall. vivien, who is most famous for the square-buckled shoes that catherine deneuve wore in belle du jour, has made a big comback in the past few years. now those with more modest budgets can have some of his original creations as well. ballerinas, above, for 125 euros, along with other gorgeous styles, inspired by some of his best sellers.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

dj lancel

prestigious leather goods brand lancel has just announced a new line by cecile togni, a famed nightlife presence and dj. the young and funky line is available at colette starting september 3rd (and later in lancel stores). check out the bags, adorned with drawings of lipstick, stilettos, and records, bien sur.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

rain, rain, go away!


ok, so we've officially [in my book anyway!] had the rainiest summer in years, and the worst part its that it alternates with periods of gorgeous [though short-lived] sunshine! what is a girl to do but throw her lunettes de soleil in her bag and go shopping for rainboots? sure to come in handy, and oh so funky with a little dress with tights-- check out this neon version by le chameau.

new fall chanel bag

the new fall chanel bags are out-- these rainbow bright colored croco bags, which start at 1950 euros, and are sure to become an instant collectors item. keep your eyes open for faux versions all over town, for chic copycats like zara are sure to be following the trend.....

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Inspired by a text about gardens under Louix XIV, the Reunion des Musees Nationaux has partnered up with Gien to create this lovely edition of contempory porcelain adorned with 17th century floral patterns (called l'Herbier du Roy). It can be ordered online or found at some of the boutique musuems around Paris. A good gift option for those who are inspired by France's lovely gardens, and long to take a piece of them home.

Monday, August 13, 2007

chic chain: princesse tam tam

i'm starting a new category here-- in an aim to let you paris fans know about all the cute chain stores that are out there. princesse tam tam is one of those great little frenchy shops-- they are sprouting up all over the city, but the lingerie is not as expensive like the big french lines [chantal thomas, huit, etc.], and it is oh-so-cute! great little bra and panty sets, adorable nighties, cute swimsuits-- often with a vintagey theme, with just the right amount of lace and embellishment.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

csp's long lost cousin


shop gotham is like chic shopping paris' new york cousin-- they do similar shopping tours in the big apple, with all the new york attitude and best shopping tips. i met shop gotham's owner marla yesterday on her vacation to paris. what fun! you can see how shopping in nyc would be so much cooler after meeting with marla, a fun, bubbly new yorker who knows her stuff.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

fin de series

while the sales officially ended on saturday, stores have now moved on to sneakily calling their leftover sale items things like "fin de series" [end of series] or "les bests de l'ete" [summer bests] or just "promotion". the government regulates the official sale dates, thus, stores can't technically call a sale a sale, but a sale by any other name....is just the same! so bargain shoppers, keep your eyes peeled for special signs, as the shops try to move out the last of the summer goods.

new perfume by serge lutens

you'll have to admit-- having a scent that is very rare is a very chic thing! serge lutens, who creates exclusive scents for the gorgeous perfumerie salons du palais royale sheisdo, has just come out with his new scent, Sarrasins, his 24th exclusive creation for the boutique. be sure to check out the nearby palais royale gardens nearby.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

little white blouse


these days, the white blouse seems to be everywhere, and i think it is a great alternative to a t-shirt. it's cool in hot weather, and always the epitome of chic. i've seen great versions around town, paired with skinny jeans, a flowy little skirt, short shorts....check out white blouse queen anne fontaine, for an every changing selection of white shirts, or the sheer version featured at zara .

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

sales-- la fin


this week marks the end of the sales-- august 4th, to be precise. i have to say, i'm not all that impressed this year with the markdowns [or lack thereof!] but maybe it is because i spent a few weeks in the US, and by comparison, everything in paris seems to be rather cher. [quel surprise!] i've been scouting out the end of the end though, just to see if there is anything out there to be had. there still seem to be a few nice items left at comptoir des cotonniers, muji, and gerard darel in the marais as i walked through yesterday-- the catch seems to be that only the large sizes [42+] are left. in st. germain, i spotted sale jewels at nadine delepine and cute frocks at tara jarmon. at des petits hauts on rue keller in the bastille, there are tons of tops left, again in larger sizes.

i also spotted some great little black dresses at- where else-- la petite robe noire, in palais royale. the sample sizes were on sale last time i was in, which means size 38. 200 or 300 euros and a US size 6, and you'll be tres chic with a great LBD from didier ludot.