yum, yum--the bonpoint resto

i finally had the chance to taste the delicacies at the basement resto at bonpoint's flagship shop, 6 rue de tournon, in the 6th. the menu, which surprises with lovely fresh salads and other ladies-who-lunch-with-chic-children-in-town ideas, also features a few specialties for the kiddos, a rarety in paris. with high chairs, crayons and paper, and a reading corner, children feel welcome, although minding one's manners is still encouraged. little lucie especially loved when the waiter came by with a huge jar of guimave [marshmellows], handing one out to each child.

the only improvments? how aboud kid-sized plates and silverware, to make the package complete. and we can't wait until the weather warms up, and the resto expands outside to gorgeous courtyard.

after your meal, take a leisurely stroll through the endless array of rooms filled with baby and kid's clothing, each one prettier than the next.

chic shopping in ny magazine

merci to ny magazine for the mention on our little blog. the article, called "track down vintage fashion in paris" lists a number of fun shops and things to do in paris-- bravo for a nice little list. this is what is says about chic shopping paris:

Rebecca Magniant harnesses her love for both Paris and shopping in her blog Chic Shopping in Paris, which focuses on tips, trends, and fashion news.

p.s. a little tip for our readers--one mistake in the article about shopping at la vallee village could leave you stranded-- the high-speed TGV train does not go to the outlet mall, it is the commuter RER train that takes you there.

les exclusifs de chanel

don't you just love having something that no one else has? ...our favorite new 'something special from paris' is this-- one of the 6 new 'exclusifs de chanel,' six perfumes that are only available in Chanel boutiques. the six new fragrances-- rue cambon 31, bel respiro, no. 18, eau de cologne, coromandel, and 28 la pausa-- are all named after places and things important to mademoiselle coco herself. they follow in the steps of other famous chanel perfumes such as no. 5, allure, etc., and are issued only in chanel bouiques in order to keep up with the notion that some things, such as a woman's fragrance, should be sacred and special, and not available in every duty free shop or corner sephora. sniff your way to the nearest chanel boutique to check them out....

limited editions at petit bateau

to celebrate the 1st of april [april fool's day for americans, poisson d'avril for french], kiddie fave petit bateau is offering limited edition t-shirts. to fete the holiday, little french kids usually put a paper fish on the back of their friends as a joke-- now you can do the same for your little poission, with a little petit bateau shirt or onesie festooned with fish. (model shown above, 3 months to 18 months, 9 euros)

ballerina flats are back...encore!

once again this spring, ballerina flats line the boutique shelves in paris. be sure to check out repetto--fashonista fave & maker of the original bridgette bardot flat and real ballet shoes for dancers for over 60 years. the boutique on rue de la paix has just had a facelift and offers limited edition shoes as well as other dance accessories. your feet will thank you [although we can't say the same for your wallet...]

chic & cheap line for Erotokritos

Paris-based label Erotokritos follows the trend of other Frenchy brands and has just launced a second line, Eros, that will be 30% less expensive that its main label, offering the same simple forms and girly prints at a lower price. Follow Kate Moss & Kirsten Dunst's lead and check out the line at both of the designer's Parisian boutiques (in the Marais and in the Etienne Marcel area) and also at Galeries Lafayette.

Fashion Self-Portraits at the Bon Marche

Just over one week to stop by the Bon Marche to check out the "Autoportraits de Mode" expo--on display are self-portraits by some of fashions biggest names (Christian Lacroix, French star Emmanuelle Seigner, etc.)....Also a good time to hit the Bon Marche's TBM [tres bon marche] sales-- you can leave your hubby checking out the "culture" exhibit and run off and do a bit of shopping. Both events end March 31st.

chic shopping on travel channel

i admit, i was a bit reluctant to post this, as i still have not seen the footage, but yours truly was on the travel channel's not your average travel guide. the segment features the shows intrepid reporter/producer kate, and in part of the segment, i am taking her shopping in the marais. so now all of you CSP fans will get to see Paris shopping in action...

i have also just discovered that they have put out a petit "pocket guide" with the best stuff that was featured in the show. here is the download for the guide, which, i'm sure, will be oh-so-helpful in planning your next trip. thanks, travel channel!

tara jarmon expands

parisian fave tara jarmon, a canadian who has been designing feminine and colorful duds for over 20 years, has expanded in the st. germain area. a second shop [75 rue des saint peres, 6th] now almost guarantees that you won't leave paris without one of her girly frocks. stop by quickly to pick up one of the limited edition dresses that she designed using colorful motifs by pop artist peter zimmerman to add a little zing to your spring wardrobe.

target + colette

Ok, so we all know Target is cool. And even us Parisians miss the big emporium of chic bargains from time to time. Well, apparently, Target is even cooler than we thought, as uber-chic shop Colette is carrying the Proenza Schouler line for Target in their Paris boutique until March 5th. So if you can't get someone to get to Target for you in the US to grab up the bargain designer pieces, swing by Colette to get your Target fix.

chic & cheap men's shirts

A well-read client recently turned me on to a chic & cheap spot for men's shirts and ties-- Ray Club. Slightly off the beaten path, and not nearly as elegant as its website would imply, Ray Club does classic men's shirts in a wide range of colors and stripes. M. Papazian, the proprietor, is happy to help you find the size and style that would work best for you or yours. Our favorite part? The blown-up photos of Bill Clinton, hung in at least 3 places in the boutique, who is, apparently, a fan. 76 rue de Turenne, 3rd.

chanel's new naked bag

in response to the ever-more-strict airline restrictions, lagerfeld has come up with the new 'naked bag' for chanel's spring 2007 line. infinitely chic-er than a plastic baggie that the airlines hand out for your beauty products, n'est-ce pas?

a chic valentine's treat

Laduree, Paris' uber-chic bakery and original home of the macaron cookie, does it again for Valentine's day, offering up lovely hot pink box filled with goodies. Choose the heart shaped macarons (chocolate/coconut and raspberry/chocolate) for 14 euros, or a box of 8 mini macarons (assorted flavors) for 12.50. After all, what better way to a (French) man's heart than through his stomach? Available starting today at Laduree in Paris.

cafe beaute, as seen in the ny times

Last May, the NY Times featured an article on French women and their makeup habits, discussing one cafe in particular where French women get together for tips on beauty and makeup. The next such event, Cafe Beaute, will be held this Thursday at Columbus Cafe, 59 rue Faubourg St Anotoine, Paris 11th. Sign up online on the Cafe Beaute website, click on contactez-moi. The topic this time is hair care, and representatives from Rene Furterer haircare line will be on hand to chat about their product line. A great chance to see if you can discover some of those Frenchy secrets for that tousseled bed-head look....

new nain bleu toy store

in case you were wondering what happened to old-school toy emporium au nain bleu, paris' famous toy store that used to be on rue st. honore, they have reopened at 5 blvd malesherbes. this is the place to buy custom clothing for your little one's poupees and those great little bateaux to go sailing in the luxembourg boat pond. the toy store, which has dominated a big corner of st. honore since 1911, must've gotten bumped by a big ogre (otherwise known as a fancy women's boutique), but we are glad they found a new abode.

BHV goes manly

neighborhood favorite department store, BHV, announces a new department store exclusively for men, BHV Homme. The store, set to open March 7th on rue de la verrerie in the marais, will boast a 'new york loft' look, with over 150 men's labels, an interior courtyard/terrace/cafe, and one of those gorgeous mur vegetal (garden wall), done by Patrick Blanc who did the amazing vertical gardens at the Musee du Quai Branly.

armani takes up residence on ave montaigne

january 23rd marks the opening of the new giorgio armani boutique at 18 avenue montaigne. the 400 sq. meter boutique, his flagship in paris, boasts a brushed-silk and onyx themed decor. armani's classic collections will be on display along with a new sur mesure line for monsieur.

on your marks, get set, GO!

the soldes started yesterday, to the glee of many a shopping fanatic in the streets. while some shops started out with a measly 20% off, others went for the gusto and were already sportingdiscounts of -50%. tonight, thursday night, is a special nuit des soldes, meaning that many shops will stay open until [gasp!] 10pm. most shops will also be open this sunday, in hopes of tempting bargain-hunters to buy during the first few days of the sale. happy shopping!

2007 Winter SALES

This just in -- the 2007 Winter Sales have been scheduled for January 10th to February 7th. So plan a day off work (or book your plane tickets now!), as there are many bargains to be had. And read on for our tips for doing the soldes.....

The scoop:

When I meet visitors to Paris, they are often searching the city looking for a bargain, disappointed to not see any sale signs in their favorite boutiques. Let me tell you why--in France, by law, sales (“soldes”) are held only twice a year, with one sale period starting in January and the other in July. The government decides when the sales will be held and announces the official dates just days before the sales start. The stores then flutter around getting ready and shopaholics (myself included!) wait with bated breath for the opening day of the sales. Sale prices start at about 25-30% off for the first few days, and grow bigger as the sales go on. By the end of the sales [6 weeks maximum], the reductions can be up to 75% off.

The strategy:

Strategy for the soldes depends on what you are looking for. My advice is that if it is a one of a kind item and you know it is going on sale, snatch it up on the first day, even if it is only 20% off. However, if there are millions of the cashmere sweater you’ve been dreaming of, wait a week and go back to purchase it at a more reduced rate. Essentially, it’s all about the gamble-- and what you are willing to risk.

As for returns, I encourage you to ask before you buy. Although by law shops are supposed to allow you to make an exchange, this policy is not always in practice. If you are not sure about an item, see if the shop will hold it for you for a short period of time while you make your decision.

The snag:

French sales are not limited to just a few items or a few brands; instead the entire outgoing collection is usually on sale. This means that this season’s hottest blouse, pant, shoe, and bag will probably all be on sale, if you still want them at the end of the season. Everything from electronics to shoes to linens and more goes on sale at the same time, so it is easy to get overwhelmed! I try to make a list before hitting the shops to keep from getting sidetracked by flashing signs beckoning me over to a bargain that I don’t need.

The soldes are a great time to pick up classic Parisian pieces that never go out of style, like Longchamp “Le Pliage” bags, a great fitting trench coat, or some Repetto ballerina flats. Longing for a Hermes scarf? Keep your eye out for their sale announcement in Le Figaro or call the store to ask—the sale lasts only a few days and takes place at a special location.

The summary:

The frenzy of French soldes can have you running around town and your credit card might never cool down, but it is a memorable experience. If you happen to miss the sales, don’t worry. Most shops have in-store promotions year round that are almost sales, but not quite. As they cannot technically be called soldes outside of the official periods, these mini sales are often called “promotions” or “fin de series” (“end of series”). Just keep your eye open for bargains, and I know you’ll find plenty of things to make you smile.

shopping the sales like a pro

6 Tips for Doing the Sales from a Chic Shopper:

1. Hold a stake out: Visit the store before the sale starts, see how many of your beloved item is still in stock, and try to get some information from the vendeuse about its sale price.

2. Avoid the first day: The stores are packed with people and while marathon shopping can be a great sport, shopping the sales on the first day is bound to leave you frustrated.

3. Shop with a friend: She’ll talk you out of that pair of neon green cowboy boots, even if they are 75% off. And you can divide and conquer more territory.

4. Get out of bed: Go first thing in the morning (except on the first day!) to avoid lines or look for special opening hours during the evenings or on weekends.

5. Dress for success: If shopping for clothing, wear layers and clothing that is simple to remove to facilitate trying on.

6. Shop well-armed: Bring multiple forms of payment—credit cards and cash—just in case.