Repetto

One boutique in Paris I find intriguing is Repetto, the famous maker of ballerina flats and pointe shoes.  I've yet to walk inside, but I've passed one after hours and it looks like a tiny piece of heaven all lit up in satin, ribbon and bows.  Their storefronts are so intoxicating that you're that much more likely to purchase a pair of shoes because of them (that is, if you make it there during business hours!). If you've ever donned a pair of Repettos yourself, would you say they are as amazing as they're famed to be? Inquiring minds want to know...

More pretty Repetto photos after the jump...consider these your "shot o' pretty" for the weekend.  Just click on "read more" to see more storefronts and pretty shoes.   

Souleïado French Linens

The two times I've attempted to stop by the Souleiado boutique in Paris, it's closed; and I'm forced to admire the lovely shop whilst pressing my nose up against the glass. Luckily it's right across the street from a yummy boulangerie/patisserie so I usually console myself there :) One of these days I'll have better luck I hope. I love their pretty patterns and am determined to somehow incorporate them into my daughters' bedroom--they are so girly aren't they? That yellow colorway has me dreaming of sunny days in Provence today (it's gray and rainy here...).

Souleiado bedding is available in the US here.

image 1 - Japan Lovely Crafts / image 2 - rakuten / image 3 - World of Quilts / image 4 - Maison de Kristine

Stephmodo Guide to Paris

It's high time I assemble all the information I've shared on this blog about Paris in one tidy post. It's lengthy, but it's chock full of excellent, useful, budget-friendly information. Enjoy!

























Poilane: You'll find the best apple tart (tarte au pomme) in Paris right here on Rue Cherche-Midi. Poilane is a must-visit if you love pastry. They don't offer a bajillion choices, but rest assured that what they do make is perfection. Every time I'm in there I eye their linen market bag--one of these days I'll actually pick it up :) After munching on a few treats, start walking towards Mamie Gateaux.




Mamie Gateaux: A lovely mix of Japanese and French design thanks to the cute couple who owns this shop, the brocante next door, and the yummy cafe two doors down as well. I hear her cakes are delicious! You can read more about my experience there here.



































L'Ebouillante: my favorite place to lunch in Paris. L'Ebouillante is located on a quiet pieton, next to a church and offers outdoor seating. I love their big salads and non-alcoholic drinks--two things that are hard to find in Paris and well-done in this establishment. Try their "bricks" too--amazing, giant, omelets. After eating here, walk one street over to Papier+.



Papier +: my favorite paperie in Paris. It's not cheap, and I usually don't buy much, but I love walking away with a few labels, a pad of paper, and pencils. It's such a cheerful place due to all the intense color and they package your goods up so very nicely.


Berthillon: After lunch at L'Ebouillante and a quick trip to Papier +, walk over the Seine to the lovely Ille de Saint Louis and grab a cornet double (2-scoop cone) at Berthillon. I recommend the Peche au Menthe (Peach Mint) and the Fraises de Bois (Wild Strawberries--like the kind that grow in the Dordogne). Closed on Sundays, Mondays and during the entire month August.



Merci: If I hit one store in Paris, it's this one. I can't tell you how much I love it! Located in the Marais.



Museums: While studying art in Paris for an entire month during college, I came to know the Parisian museums quite well. Here are a few museums I favored the most: Museé d'Orsay (a must-see for any tourist), Museé Rodin (perfect for a quiet garden walk and stunning sculpture), Museé Jacquemart-André (excellent Dutch art--think Rembrandt--in a cozy setting) and the Museé Marmottan Monet (go only if you are a Monet fan).


Restaurants that are Affordable:

Le Pré Verre - I've never not enjoyed their delightful, easy-on-the-wallet 3 course meal. For less than 30€ one can consume 3 inventive, nouveau French courses. Tucked behind the Sorbonne, it's usually locals only. Make reservations ahead of time or show up the minute they open and promise to eat quickly :)

Les Cocottes - Located down the street from one of our favorite boulangerie/sandwicheries and conveniently located near the Tour Eiffel. Everything here is baked in a little dutch oven (Le Creuset of course!) and is delicious and affordable. It's a fun spin on typical French food and I'm dying to get my hands on their cookbook for sale in the restaurant as well.

La Régalade - 7 years ago we ate there and each enjoyed a 4-course meal for 65€...for 2 people! I've read the prices have gone up a bit since then, and that the well-known chef has moved on (wasn't thrilled with his new restaurant Le Comptoir), but is still affordable for what you receive. It's a bit of a schlep from the nearest metro station (Alésia) , but it's worth it. You'll need to make reservations a week in advance at least. The best terrine and cornichons I've ever consumed came out of this kitchen.

Bistro Poulbot - a recent discovery near Montmartre. Truly locals only, which is where I prefer to dine in Paris. Very traditional French fare (escargot, terrine, foie gras) and all of it oh so good! Head up to Sacre Coeur afterwards for a crepe and excellent views of the city.



































Flea Markets: Hit a flea market {or two} during your stay in Paris...just make sure you know your numbers in French first :) In Paris try Porte de Vanves, Clignancourt or St. Ouen (this is supposed to be the largest). If you speak enough French to navigate a French website, check out the local vide-greniers instead. It's pretty much all locals. However, you will likely need a car to visit these locations.

Other notes that are trés important:

Helpful information as to what to pack for your trip to Paris can be found here.

I found a handful of these recommendations via Blueprint magazine--what an excellent guide. Oh I miss that magazine.

If you are traveling to Paris with kids, read this post. We spent some time in Paris with our 3 little ones a couple of years ago and learned a few things :)

Looking for an affordable hotel right in Paris? Read this post as well as the helpful comments shared for some valuable information.

I've shared some of my favorite chain stores in Paris (and a couple of boutiques) in this post. Keep in mind that chain stores are closed on Sundays and the boutiques on both Sundays and Mondays (and during August).

Ina Garten's Insider Guide to Paris can be found here. I love that woman!

Also, David Leibovitz's blog stores some excellent information about Paris. You'd be wise to spend some time there.

images 1-13 by Stephanie Brubaker / images 14-15 - the Kok's Nikon + iPhone :)

A Visual Guide to the French Grocery Store

Since I've had several people ask me what they should pick up at the grocery store when in France, I thought it would be helpful to offer a little guide that includes pictures, versus a list. It's easy to feel overwhelmed inside a foreign grocery store, especially when you know there are wonderful things to be had, but you're not sure how to find them and read the labels! I created this post in hopes that you will enjoy yourself more, find what you want/need, and be able to come out of there with some pretty special things. Ben and I find that a trip to any French grocery store is a real highlight!

1 - French Decorating Magazines - there are many and you probably won't love them all, but there are a few gems. My favorite to date is Marie Claire Maison, although the Deco Idées and Maisons Coté Ouest look awfully promising. Can't wait to sit down with them for a little breather.






















2 - Labello Lipcare - the best lipcare in the world. Hands down. Love the "classic" and the "hydracare".























3 - Miniature dessert containers and spoons. I used mine here.

4 - Almond Flour - as far as I know it's only available in the US via online sources, so buying it here in small quantities is very ideal. I purchased this solely for the purpose of trying my hand at macaroons.

5 - Fleur de Sel - Buy a container for you and buy a few for hostess gifts to have on hand (the brand on the far right is my favorite for gifts). This salt is amazing and really dresses up ordinary food. I really enjoy using it often. I realize you can find this in the US at stores like Williams Sonoma, but you not only will spend a lot less in France, you'll also have a fantastic selection.

6 - Maille Mustard - Again, Maille is available at nice grocery stores in the US, but typically only in the Dijon and Whole Grain varieties. In France you have about 10+ different types of Maille available in all sorts of sizes and containers. We love picking up our mustard here and schlepping it back to the States.

7 - French Green Lentils - If you're a fan of Ina's delicious Lentil Sausage Soup, you will love the chance to pick up a few packages overseas at a great price. Using the French Green lentils in that recipe really does make a difference.

8 - La Fermière Vanilla Yogurt - Not only is the vanilla bean yogurt quite tasty, but the pots are perfect for pots de cremes. We typically buy and eat the yogurt, rinse the pots and them pack them in our suitcases amongst the socks and such. So far we haven't lost a single one! They are oven safe and are perfect for baking all sorts of custards.

8 - Dutch Process Cocoa - This is a wonderful type of cocoa to have around if you love to bake. It can be a little tricky finding it in the US, so stocking up on a few boxes is a good idea. Every now and again Van Houten offers cocoa in decorative containers, which make great gifts, so keep your eyes peeled for those too.

9 - Petit Bateau Onesies - If you have the chance to hit a Carrefour (not the "market" version, but the big daddy version), then I'd like to add a couple of things to the list. First, make sure you grab a few Petit Bateau onesies for baby gifts. Also be sure to snag a few Sophie La Giraffe toys too. They are a classic French toy and are wonderful to present as gifts. School supplies are also fun to peruse!

Note: when you pack for your trip, make sure you include several empty, large, freezer-quality Ziploc bags. You'll find them quite useful when you pack up all your goodies. For whatever reason the ziplocs you buy in France are inferior to the ones available in the US and cost a lot more. The last thing you want is mustard all over your clothes and shoes or French lentils in every nook and cranny of your suitcase :)

Inside Look: Liberty of London for Merci

It wouldn't be a trip to Paris without a stop at my favorite store (especially with all the hullabaloo about the Liberty of London line for Merci). With a few men in tow it was difficult to get in any shopping time so my friend Paula and I were content with just one enjoyable hour drooling over everything in this fantastic space. I personally fell head over heels for the baby red Tolix chairs. I'm certain I let out a little scream when I saw them...simply adorable!! The only thing holding me back from scheming a way to take one back to the States was the 189€ price tag. Tempting though :)

Although much of the Liberty line was sold out, it was still fun to see what remained--suitcases, fabric-by-the-yard, crib bedding (swoon!), high chair padding, pillows, clothing for baby, and of course a few things for the grownup gals as well. I asked a sales associate specifically about the fabulous oversized envelopes and lo and behold after looking everywhere in the store, she found one left. One. I thanked her as well as my lucky stars and am scheming as to how I am going to
put it to use...ideas?

If you want to see more images of the space (they change it up all the time), you can glance at this post and this one too.

Day No.1: Babymoon

It's a miracle--for the first time ever, I am actually feeling well enough to travel during my second trimester. I am so grateful!! This little "babymoon" of sorts is about the most fun I've had in some time. I can honestly say it was worth the spending hiatus that was the past 7 months. Deciding to not spend money on birthdays, our tenth anniversary, Christmas, or Valentine's Day was one of the best decisions we've made. Skipping all the hype and opting for plane tickets instead is totally rocking my world this week.

1- Blue skies and warm weather in Paris...rare and very much appreciated on that first day.

2- A gorgeous carousel...I missed my kids when I passed this, but then I remembered how much fun they were having with friends and with Grandma (not to mention all the fun we were having staying up late and not worrying about naptime!). Perhaps someday I'll have the chance to let them give it a spin :)
















3- Finishing up yummy ice cream from Berthillon along the Seine.

4- The backside of Notre Dame. How nice would it be to live in one of those apartments across the street and enjoy the sights and the bells constantly?
















5- Papier Plus...such a simple, beautiful and colorful place to be (and so close to Ebouillante!).

6- Hats. I love that there were several women inside this shop and that women in Paris still don hats. I wish I could get away with a fun, feminine tradition like that.



































7- Did you know the Eiffel Tower sparkles at midnight? It really goes nuts and it's super fun to see if you're still out and about at such an hour! A major advantage to vacationing with friends is always having someone there to take pictures of you and your honey and we are most certainly taking advantage of this situation!

What to Pack for Paris (Part Deux)

I was cruising through Prêt à Voyager looking for something in her archives, when I stumbled across this post. Anne (who is also one of the talented editors over at Design*Sponge) wrote the most brilliant and concise post I've seen on the subject of what to pack for Paris. Since I seem to always (and I mean always) pack the wrong items of clothing to wear on any trip, it's particularly helpful to me. Nichole's contribution was also much-appreciated...three black long-sleeved tees....check...two pairs of dark jeans...check...you get the idea.

My original post (part 1) shares a little background info as well as a list of street fashion blogs showcasing local Parisians and what they are donning right now--as in today. You may find it helpful if you're thinking about heading to Paris this year!

images 1 - garance dore; 2 and 3 from Elle

Inside Look: Paris' Merci

I recently stumbled upon some iPhone images I took inside Merci this past September. What an interesting experience that was...I rented a car (scored a hybrid!) and drove up to Paris with my 2 and 4-year-old children on La Maisonnette business. Looking back, I can't believe I thought I could actually get anything done with the little munchkins--just driving and parking in Paris can be headache enough, but add in two little ones and that's C-R-A-Z-Y. Luckily, my sweet friend, Natasha, who lives just outside Paris, offered to tend my kids for a day so I could double park my way around Paris and do what I drove up to do. What a gem! I thank her for even having a spare moment to snap a few pictures.

Anyway, after discovering an article about Merci in one of my French magazines, I knew another post on the store was in order--the magazine featured a massive spread on the shop and included lots of fun images for your viewing pleasure. I hope these images satiate your curiosity and give you a better idea of what Merci is all about. When I discovered that 100% of the proceeds are donated to a charity in Madasgascar, I was even more endeared. How refreshing that anyone does that anymore, right?

all images with print are from Marie Claire Maison; the rest I took with my phone

Original BTC Lighting

I love the pretty lighting from Original BTC and I'm thrilled we were able to incorporate a couple of them into La Maisonnette. I am certain I will never tire of them. Let's all cross our fingers they come to the US sometime soon.

p.s. Merci is the place to pick up these suspensions in Paris--they are 25% cheaper than the Conran Shop. They'll give them to you in the perfect size box to take back on the plane.

Mamie Gateaux

When the renovation of La Maisonnette du Coteau is finished, I'm plugging for a day in Paris--without the hectic pace from our last trip. One of the major reasons I want to return is so I can revisit the lovely Mamie Gateaux--a shop, brocante and bakery. Yep, it's a 3-for-1 folks. You can eat a slice of homemade cake, walk 5 feet and buy a handmade linen tote for a modest price, and then walk 5 more feet and explore vintage goodness from the past century. It's simply fabulous thanks to the Japanese (her) meets French (him) details throughout. The kind couple who owns Mamie Gateaux clearly have exquisite taste. If you're a fan of Japanese simplicity, add this to your must-visit-list while in Paris.

p.s. Also in the neighborhood is the famous Poilane. Oh that apple tart with it's perfect crust...

L'Ebouillante - Best Brunch in Paris

Picturesque, quiet street in Paris. Check.
Charming bells ringing in a nearby church as you eat. Check.
Fantastic people-watching opportunities. Check.
Delicious omelettes and fresh juices (you must try the "quatres epices"). Check.
Great prices. Check.

That pretty much sums up L'Ebouillante in Paris. Make sure you hop one street over to Papier + {Plus}--serious eye candy for the stationery lover but save your euros! Oh, and did I mention the Seine River is just one block away?

Best Macaroon in Paris

I know there is much debate about which patissier makes the best macaroon in Paris, but after sampling many a colorful delight, I’d have to say Gerard Mulot comes in first in my book. He had me at “Fraise Coquelicot” (strawberry poppy).

What’s your favorite?

Merci, Merci

The lovely Miss Rachel flew out last week to help me furnish and decorate La Maisonnette...isn't she a dear? She's been such a help already as she helps me create the vision I've slowly pieced together over the past few months. While it's a lot of work putting my kids in the car for hours at a time, we are having a blast anyway (of course!) and trying to come up with creative ways to make it fun for the kids too. Any tips are welcome :)

When she arrived from the US, I trained up to Paris to pick her up and spend a day and a half scoping out places in Paris that might have a few things on my list. She mentioned that we had to stop by the acclaimed "merci" and see what the hype was all about. I cannot tell you how happy I am with this decision! "Merci" is most certainly being added to my list of “must-sees” in Paris. The fact that I found kitchen lighting and a Tolix stool for La Maisonette made it a particularly sweet experience.

p.s. If you’re a Tolix fan as I am, this is as close to heaven as you’ll get.

Merci
111 rue de Beaumarchais
75003 Paris
(Metro stop: Chemin Vert)

Some images I snapped:

Blueprint Guide