Lego Paris

Hmmm, is there anything worse than stepping on a lego?  My kids love them.  This made me smile.

(ACCESS agency via the Cool Hunter)

Hope and Love for Japan Charity Sale

Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chrisitan Louboutin, Isabel Marant at 70% off and so much more.  Really, so much more!

Nearly 150 prêt-à-porter labels have joined the amazing initiative of a group of women from Japan by donating clothing, accessories and more for a massive charity sale benefiting the victims of the tsunami in Japan.  

All proceeds will go to relief efforts with 50% going to the Japanese Red Cross and the remaining proceeds to be divided among local associations that distribute food, medicine and milk for infants.

Save the date!

Saturday April 30th 11am-8pm

Sunday May 1st 11am-6pm

Studio Zero 13, rue Robert Blache 75010 Paris

More info at Hope and Love for Japan

LOUIS VUITTON | JEAN PAUL GAULTIER | LANVIN | MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

SONIA RYKIEL | PAUL SMITH | CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN | PIERRE HARDY

ISABEL MARANT | CERRUTI | CHLOE | ISSEY MIYAKE | TSUMORI CHISATO

LES PRAIRIES DE PARIS | LOUISON | EROTOKRITOS | BLAAK | SHARON WAUCHOB

PRADA | COMMUUN | HUIT | FIFI CHACHNIL | 0044 | JACCO | CORINNE PHILIPPON

ISABELLE BEAUMENAY | JOHANNA BRAITBART | JUNCO PARIS | ORNER | BENSIMON

YOHJI YAMAMOTO | MAISON DE VACANCES | BA&SH | CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE

VERONIQUE LEROY | ZHOR & NEMA | AVRIL GAU | FELIPE OLIVEIRA BAPTISTA

GUCCI | APPARTEMENT A LOUER | JACK GOMME | VIVEKA BERGSTROM | MAJE

AGNES B | SANS ARCIDET COLLECTION | N.D.C. | KENZO | KOKON TO ZAI | CACHAREL

IRIE | TECHNIQUE INDISCRETE | PRODUCTION ARTISANALE | BURFITT | SAMY CHALON

GOYARD | ANTIK BATIK | LADUREE | ROSEANNA | VENUS & JUDES

THE KOOPLES | ZUCCA | ERIC BOMPARD | NATALIA BRILLI | MICHEL PERRY

CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS | LIGIA DIAS | K45 DESIGN | YASMINE ESLAMI | BLESS

MARIA LUISA | ANNE VALERIE HASH | M.A.C. COSMETICS | AMBALI | BIRD SONG

MARITHE＋FRANCOIS GIRBAUD | AURELIE BIDERMANN | ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

PAUL & JOE | LE NOEUD PAPILLON | LA MAROQUINERIE FAMILY | SHU UEMURA | MUZ

DRIES VAN NOTEN | JEAN-PAUL LESPAGNARD | OLYMPIA LE-TAN | MISS SIXTY

THIERRY LASRY | LES FEES PIMENTEES | ODILE GILBERT CREATIONS

MONCLER | LES BIJOUX D'ANOUSCHKA | ALEXIS MABILLE | TALBOT RUNHOF

MARIE-HELENE DE TAILLAC | CHRISTOPHE JOSSE | DEVASTEE | ELENA CANTACUZENE NAYOUNI | GUY LAROCHE | RYUZO NAKATA | LEONARD | NAF NAF | VANRYCKE

NO EDITIONS | DENIS COLOMB | NICOLAS ANDREAS TARALIS | MUS | EPICE

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD | LES BIJOUX DE SOPHIE | ANNE FONTAINE | CA4LA

ACNE | ADELINE ANDRE | ZILLION | HUGO BOSS | FORTE FORTE | WOOYOUNGMI | NICO BALMAIN | 32 PARADIS | SINEQUANONE | HAIR DESIGN ACCESS SYLVAIN LE HEN

DIOR HOMME | MINAKOQUINE | MES DEMOISELLES | MARTIN GRANT | ALICE HUBERT NINA RICCI | HAIDER ACKERMANN | ANN DEMEULEMEESTER | THIMISTER | H COUTURE GIVENCHY | RIVIERAS | PIERRE CARDIN | CHARLIE LE MINDU | BERNARD WILLHELM

UNIQLO | LA ROBE D'IDA | THOMSEN | TOVITATODAY | DYPTIQUE | DOMINIQUE DAHAN CHRISTIAN DIOR | ESPACE | RUE DU MAIL | CALVIN KLEIN | RENAISSANCE

MEILLEUR AMI

Young Love

My 20 month-old daughter loves Alain Delon. Who can blame her, right? She's got great taste.  We rarely watch TV when the kids are home with the exception of the morning news while we get breakfast going. My daughter doesn't even seem to notice that it is on... until when a certain music comes on and the camera pans to Alain Delon beside a pool. It's a scene from the 1969 film, La Piscine also starring Romy Schneider and Jane Birkin. Dior has used the film to sell their Eau Sauvage. My daughter is completely sold. She stops whatever she is doing and like in a dream she just watches Alain. Afterwards she goes back to playing with her alphabet blocks.  A certain Guerlain perfum ad had the same effect on my son when he was that age.  

Croissants by air mail

(Image via Blogartdeco) 

In the age of e-mail, I would still rather receive a nice hand written message any day. Luckily, there are still some of us out there.  I tend to send out little notes more than letters and my favorite format is the postcard with some idyllic parisian scene. When I saw these at a Bonton boutique a few days ago I just couldn't resist. Who doesn't love a croissant from Paris! I can't wait to send these out. There are available online here.

Warm weather

Needless to say, the kids enjoyed their weekend at Mamie et Papy's. I can't believe how great the weather has been.  Hope you have been enjoying it as much as we have.

Bon Week-end

Hi everyone.  I took a little blogging break to play outside with my kids this past week.  Paris has suddenly  turned all green and it just makes me so happy.  School is out for yet another break and we are off to visit Mamie et Papy for the weekend.  I'm thinking long chairs, garden and sunshine. Hope you all have a magnifique weekend.  If you pass by the Place des Vosges visit this fun taupe sculpture in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully.

Poisson d'avril !

Fish at the Marché Richard Lenoir

It's April Fools' Day (Poisson d'avril or April Fish in English) in France.  

You may just end up with a paper fish stuck to your back as the traditional jest of the day.

Birthday gifts under 20 euros

My son has suddenly been invited to a large number of birthday parties.  This means a lot of gifts.  I don't know about you, but when I don't know the child whose birthday is being celebrated or the parents for that matter, I don't usually spend more than 20 euros.  Here are my go to gifts for the 3-6 crowd.

Wooden Blocks Bianca et Family 17.50 euros 

Mobile Home by Kids on Roof Smallable 20 euros

Paris Puzzles by Nathalie Lété for Villac Les Jouets en Bois 11.96 euros 

Cardboard Château Niou 17 euros

Bunny Kit Smallable 18 euros

Catapult Kit Les Joets en Bois 9.94 euros

Kapla blocks Smallable 15 euros

   Art to Go Bonton (in stores) 13 euros

Coloriage by Joëlle Jolivet Amazon 9.02 euros

La Mer & Le Ciel

La Mer and Le Ciel new prints by Double Merrick available here.

I could definitely see these in a baby boy's room.

Hair by Marc Laroche

(Hair series by Marc Laroche via Fubiz)

I'm having a really bad hair day today, seriously.  This black and white series by Marc Laroche is inspiring me to go out and do something about it.  See the whole series here.

A walk in the Cloud

     I grew up in a very green place and though I love Paris, sometimes I need to take a walk in the woods. I also think it is primordial that my children be able to enjoy a bit of nature as well. It isn't easy in Paris where most of the parks are tiny and the grass is off limits. Even some of the trees are classified historical monuments and touching their branches will earn you a sharp, "C'est interdît, Madame !". As much as I love the jardin à la français I want my kids to run free.         The compromise is Parc Saint Cloud just outside of Paris, between the Bois de Boulogne and Versailles. Besides all the traditional Le Nôtre french gardens, you can also walk through the old hunting grounds. We followed trails around that date back to the 16th century.  Ok, it's not Yellowstone, but it's just a outside of Paris. And it sure beats the crowded Bois de Boulogne when the sun comes out.                          This Saturday it's going to reach 22˚ celsius!  I love Paris in the Springtime.  Tout le monde dehors !

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris

Paris, Woody Allen, Madame la Présidente Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams.  
Paris in the morning is beautiful
Paris in the afternoon is charming
Paris in the evening is enchanting
But Paris after midnight is magic

Are you going to see it?

I see London I see France...

Stella McCartney tourist underpants. (Image via Do it in Paris)

I was strolling around Le Bon Marché yesterday for their TBM sales and came across these city panties by Stella McCartney. I have to admit they made me smile. Choose your favorite city: London, Paris, New York or Los Angeles. They even come in a little postcard envelope at ... 40 euros a pair.

Jardin d'Acclimitation, Paris

We took the kids to the Jardin d'acclimitation last weekend to celebrate the beginning of Spring in Paris.  The Jardin d'acclimitation is located just off the Bois de Boulogne in Paris 16th arrondissement and is basically an amusement park for small children that dates back to 1860.  Kids from age 2 and up can ride carrousels and mechanical horses and the older kids can even go on their first roller coasters. Various children's classes from cooking to gardening are also offered on Wednesdays, weekends and school holidays.  There's also a theatre and a water park in the warmer months.  You will even find a section of Gymboree with parent toddler classes for children 10 months and up.

While it doesn't cost much to get in, a mere 2.90 euros for everyone age 3 and up, you will most likely spend a small fortune on tickets for all the attractions at 2.70 euros a pop.  Some rides even ask for multiple tickets.

The kids certainly had a wonderful time and we even got out without a meltdown.  We ended our day with a calming walk in the woods of Boulogne before heading home.

For practical information in English. 

Entrance for Age 3 and up 2.90 euros

Attraction 1 ticket 2.70 euros (Book of 15 32,00 euros)

Open from 10am to 6pm everyday (Open until 7pm beginning April)

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor.  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and A Place in the Sun.  

I could watch these films again and again and again.

 I just discovered this list of films that fall under public domain and are available for on-line viewing.  The quality isn't astounding, but it's something.

Elizabeth Taylor in The last Time I Saw Paris, 1954

For little French groupies

Via Calesta 

The French children's store Bonton has teamed up with Universal for some great mini t-shirts staring legendary rock bands including David Bowie, the Doors and the Rolling Stones among others.  

Happy 1st day of Spring in Paris

Have a chouette week-end

Tomorrow, March 19th is the 9th edition of the Night of the Owl in France.  Yes, the French are celebrating the owl in several national parks all over the country.  Owl in French is chouette, which is also slang for "cool". Here's a little more owl fun for you.

       

Tapis Hibou by Nathalie Lété

Owls wallpaper Ferm living

Masque Chouette by OeufNYC

La Maison de Miss Chouette by Darling Clementine

Owl, Hidden Animals Tea Cup by IMM Living

Hibou by Nathalie Lété

Tirelire chouette Tante Suzie

Paris

Paris, by Audrey Jeanne Available here.

Random Polaroid from Paris

              Low flying blimp criss-crossing over Paris this morning.

Poisson Rouge: Interactive discovery for Pre-K

Poissonrouge (Redfish) is like a treasure trove of educational games.  It's rare to find one that is actually well done, amusing and not so blatantly educational and baby-like that you actually don't mind playing it with your kids. You won't find text or lists of instructions for one way to use the site. The interactive content is designed to be intuitively discovered through activity just as small children naturally learn through the exploration of the objects before them. Discovery and amusement, cause and effect are all key to learning how to learn.  There are over 200 games and new ones seem to be added each time I visit, which is amazing for a free site. Originally in French, you can now discover and play with the alphabet in the following languages: French, English, Spanish, Greek and Italian. And it is even available on the ipad (click for demo).  Check out Poissonrouge and help support their site if you like it.  

On Avenue Montaigne, Paris

It's not one of our usual hang-outs, but we happened to walk around Avenue Montaigne this week-end.  Have you ever arrived at a café or restaurant for lunch with kids and the 20 year-old hostess has the nerve to tell you that they can't seat you because all of the empty tables in front of you are reserved? Ok, yes, we have kids and no, I do not want to go eat at the Chicago Pizza Factory on the Champs l'Elysées. This is why my French husband rocks. No never means no to a Frenchmen. He promptly went inside and asked (politely demanded) to be seated. I respect that people want to enjoy their meals without screaming children - so do we. We wouldn't have attempted this had it been the evening or had the restaurant been full or if our children were moody. Our kids did behave fantastically during the meal while the 15 or so other tables remained empty. My son was even rewarded with dessert.

If you are wondering, my son is eating a moelleux au chocolat.  And, yes, it is absolutely amazing.  It's like a magnificent choclate cake, that when you pierce it, a chocolately fudgy goodness slowly oozes out.  Read more about it here.

Now say it with me: mwa leu

It means soft moist and sweet.