Paris

Sandro - 4th arrondissement

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:56:06 +0000

I used to work in the Marais district, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris and nothing was better at lunch time than to grab a sandwich and just walk around those streets full of innovative and inspiring boutiques everywhere.

Sandro is one of my favorite boutiques around there (there are other Sandro stores in others parts of the city), it's in between two of the best shopping streets - rue Vieille du Temple and rue des Francs Bourgeois.
A very feminine fashion line made from noble materials such as : silk, cashmere, merino wool, lace and dreamy embroideries, combined with great designs make Sandro a new creative apparel trademark that started carving out a place in the pret-a-porter french scene.
The average prices are from 40 to 300 euros.

So, when the other morning I was looking at my wardrobe searching for a cute jacket (basic but maybe with a creative cut) to go with my favorite pair of jeans I immediately thought of Sandro. Love the simple details of their style and the powder colors.

The store is very sober and you can immediately find what your looking for, which is something that I do appreciate.

Well, I didn't bought the jacket but I did bought two wonderful V-neck cashmere sweaters !

Sandro
50, rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris

Chantal Thomass - 1st arrondissement

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:38:54 +0000

Do you like boudoirs ? And if I tell you about a boudoir boutique in Paris where you will find the most ravishing of all french high quality intimate apparel? Lingerie ... yes, I love it !

Powder and pastel colors, objects with history will wrap you up in this charming parisian boutique.
So take your time and free your soul to enter into Chantal Thomass's world. Chantal is a very well known french designer who's love for mixing old and modern is a complete success so when I came to this two floors of 110 sq. m. I was prepared to collect a lot of eye-candy but I guess I didn't expect to be that much !!!

This store is an-absolute-place-to-visit while in Paris, outside the building is dreamy and inside it just continues to be amazing.

Here you will find Chantal Thomass's lingerie and intimate apparel creations such as stockings, tights, dressing gowns as well as her perfume line and some accessories like handbags and purses.
If your budget allows you can also have special orders made just for you.

Chantal Thomass's lingerie style is very chic and suggestive, the perfect mix for a girl who wants to have that sensual and refined french style. In a word Audacious.

Chantal Thomass
211, rue Saint Honore
75001 Paris

From Monday to Saturday - 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Photo by company

Les Cakes de Bertrand - 9eme arrondissement

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:33:30 +0000

Winter is definitely here and at the end of a busy afternoon nothing's more comforting than a good cup of hot tea.
There's a tea room in Paris that is just the right place to be in days like this, "Les cakes de Bertrand", so I decided to stop there this Saturday afternoon.

Everything there is about glamour and beauty.
Didier Bertrand and Adolphe Besnard created an unique space where different styles were melt together giving birth to a wonderful Boudoir.

Once you step inside you'll see that it's calm even if it's small.
You can go there either for lunch or to take your afternoon tea on weekends and on sundays they make one of the best brunches of all Paris only for 19 euros.

But that's not all, Adolphe is a stylist and designer. He had this great idea of creating "Les cakes de Bertrand" own brand and now you can buy fashion accessories like bags and purses but also cute cushions, postcards or even chocolates while drinking your tea.

I bet you can't leave without one of this fashionable souvenirs !!! I know I didn't !!!

Open from Monday to Friday from 12.00am-3.00pm
On Saturdays from 9.30am-7.00pm
On Sundays the brunch (call for reservation) from 12.00am-6.00pm

Les Cakes de Bertrand
7, rue Bourdaloue
75009 Paris
Metro station : Notre Dame de Lorette

PA Design - 9eme arrondissement

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:13:28 +0000

Everytime I hear design I think of something that it must be expensive, why is it ?
I went to PA DESIGN, thinking of it and was gladly surprised to see that design products can also be unexpensive.

At PA DESIGN they consider themselves as a "laboratory of ideas" which I completely agree because it is exactly what you feel once you step inside.
You can find great ideas there from children toys to stationary, decoration for your home, kitchen accessories, useful products for your everyday life and you can also find that unique present that will be just perfect for one of your friends...I guess you have it all there !

I found a the little t-shirt cape for my niece who has 5 years old and now in a glimpse of an eye she can be the super hero she has always wanted to be.
I also loved the vase in plexiglas where you can put a cute photo inside and give a beautiful and personalized background to your flowers.

Guess that if you're looking for affordable and cute design you will find great new ideas there.

Open from Wednesday to Friday from 11.00am-2.00pm and from 3.00pm-7.00pm
On Saturday from 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-7.00pm

PA Design
2 bis rue Flechier
75009 Paris

Marche aux Puces/Flea Market - Saint Ouen/Paris

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:36:00 +0000

If there's something I can't stay away from for more than 2 months it's the " Marche aux Puces de St Ouen", this is one of the biggest and also one of the best flea markets of Europe (maybe of the World).
I work as a mixed media artist and most of the objects that I use for my artwork are old photos and books. I know that if I go to this market I will find tons of great finds for sure.

So every 2 or 3 months I go there for a stroll and everytime there's new things to see. Antique dealers sell wonderful vintage furniture and art. It's like a feast for the eyes even if most of the things for sale there are expensive, needless to say they are good quality and most of all they are full of history and of course wonderful stories that you can sometimes hear from the sellers themselves.

This market is composed of other markets inside, you have markets like (Biron Market, Dauphine, Malik ...) and in the surronding streets you'll find also vintage apparel and some sort of bric-a-brac (on this side of the market pay attention to counterfeiting). Also don't forget to pay attention to your bags and wallets when there's a lot of people. You can never be too careful, right ?
For all the info on this flea market in english before you leave to Paris please go here and here

Enjoy this ride in time machine ;-).

The St-Ouen Flea Market
Open on saturdays, sundays and Mondays from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, including public holidays.

Marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen
Porte de Clignancourt