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.....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

jolie jewels in montmartre

while doing some shopping 'research' last week, i accidentally-on-purpose stumbled into this colorful jewelry boudoir boutique. geraldine valluet does all sorts of creative things with silver, pearls, etc-- jewels for mom, jewels for bebe, and for yourself too. this all takes place in her colorful boutique-slash-atelier. the best part is the prices, which are completely reasonable for bijoux that are practically made right before your eyes in her workshop. styles run from a simple little pendant to a long ornate pair of earrings. let yourself stumble across this shop next time you are in the montmartre/piagalle neighborhood, and i bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

geraldine valluet
5 rue houdon
paris 18
open monday-saturday, and even sunday afternoons

famed fash photos at the carnavalet

Photographer Willy Maywald moved to Paris in the 1930s and became the photographer of la vie boheme -- photographing artists like Leger and Clader and models sporting the latest duds in the streets of Paris, alongside scenes of everyday Parisian life. Over 200 photos from the years 1931 to 1955 are on display in the charming Musee Carnavalet, until Sept. 30th.

bebe got back

voila the new french fad-- special panties to lift your buttocks! while all of the jeunes americaines are trying oh-so-hard to lift up their buste, lithe french girls apparently dream of j.lo-style booties [who knew?]. french lingerie company huit has created 'magic pulp' panties to round out their bums. now there is an original souvenir...

lacroix at laredoute

la redoute is sort of a chic version of that retro jcpenny's catalog you flipped through as a kid-- a multipurpose catalog that sells everything under the soleil. they, like all the other big retail players [monoprix, etam, h & m], have snapped up special collections by big names to highlight their catalogs. new for fall are the colorful, extravagant looks of christian lacroix-- who has designed, clothing, furniture, boots, and even bed linens for the catalog. the line seems to be available only on the french version of the site, although the american catalog does offer some other chic french designers [maje, ventilo], which are hard to find elsewhere.

mini palais, maxi chic

the new chic place to have a drink this summer-- the mini palais under the columns in the grand palais, a new uber-chic summer terrace, complete with baccarat light fixtures and faux croco walls [in the interior.] the menu is by gilles choukroun [of the angl'opera restaurant], and serves up salads, sandwiches, and little plates - plan on spending 25 euros. open from 10am to 1am, 7 days of the week.

no longer a secret: bistrot paul bert

neighborhood fave bistrot paul bert is no longer a secret after the recent article in the ny times, which listed it as one of the best places for steak-frites in paris. after living only 2 blocks away for, oh, about 5(!) years now, stan the frenchman and i decided to see what the fuss was all about.

set in a former butcher shop, meat is the specialty of the house, bien sur. when i ordered the special steak au poivre, and asked that it be cooked medium rare, the waitress balked, went to ask the chef, and reluctantly let me have the meat cooked to my liking, although she made sure to tell me that that was not the way it should be eaten. nonetheless, the steak was fab, as were the frites maison, and the lovely garden-fresh salads that we had alongside. desserts seemed a bit of an afterthought, so if you have room, you might opt for the cheese platter instead.

the place was packed [half with americans!] at 9pm, so reserve ahead of time. a great neighborhood bistrot, not pretentious, but with plenty of character quand meme. prix fixe menu is 32 euros for starter + main course + dessert or cheese.

amuse bouches

an oh-so-chic way to start off your next dinner party-- serve the amuse bouche [mini starter course] in these cute little emile henry ramekins. a compact set of 12 for 29 euros, they make a great souvenir for the gourmande friend of yours as well. [check out BHV or galeries lafayette for the full collection from emile henry]

our new fave for guidebooks

i've just discovered the most charmant series of books on france [and other places too, bien sur!], and maybe you've seen them stateside at anthropologie or elsewhere-- i'm talking about the great little guides published by the little bookroom. they are full of charm, wisdom and the style of the books are impeccable. check out the tomes on the markets of paris or authentic bistros of paris, and you will surely be in the know on your next trip abroad.

chic new hotel in the 6th

I am constantly being asked to recommend hotels in Paris, which is a bit difficult, as I live here and never actually stay in them! That said, I rely on client comments and old favorites. I've also found a new gem that is getting a lot of press around town-- the Hotel des Academies et des Arts. Located in St. Germain [but nearer to Montparnasse], which is a great, relatively central place to stay-- close to lots of fun cafes and restos, and- most importatnly-- close to great left bank shopping. Prices seem reasonable and the deco is chic, modern and French.

summer sales 2007!

we've suspected for a few weeks now that the sales will start the last wednesday of june, and now it is official-- the paris sales will run from june 27 to august 4th. so mark your calendars, start pre-shopping and trying on the items you covet, and enjoy! also, be sure to check out my previous post on the sales for tips on how to do the sales right!

bad hair day?

quel horreur! head to the new "happy hair" by jean-marc maniatis counter in the basement of galeries layfayette, and 15 minutes [and 10 euros] later, you'll be out the door with a new 'do!

this weekend-- 'design' flea market

the 16th 'edition' of the puces du design [design flea market] takes place this weekend, june 1st-3rd. this time the sale will take place in a new venue--along the river at the quai de la loire in the 19th. three full days to stop by and browse the vintage furniture and home deco finds, alongside some new vendors that specialize in vintage fashion, from the 40s to the 80s. click here for the map/directions. happy treasure hunting!