French Rentals

Having recently returned from France, I reflected on how blessed I am to always enjoy the luxury of staying at a client's apt in the heart of Paris. Spacious, beautifully furnished (ahem--Vintageweave to thank for this!) and immersion in the French lifestyle.

There's nothing more exhilarating than shopping at the local outdoor market and cooking your own meal in "your" French kitchen.

While my client's apartment isn't for rent, here's a great source to check out. I just fell in love with their offerings:

"Haven In Paris Rentals"

"Hyperventilating" Over French Fabrics

Shared by a quilting friend, check out Pam Holland's lovely tour of Paris and the gorgeous fabrics of this culture......

Paris Tour of Fabrics

French Typography

Typography in any language is a beautiful vision.....strung together in way that creates the perfect OUI and TRES is candy for the ears.....

These fonts on simple chalkboards and more formal signage spoke to me throughout France, popping up as if highlighted by neon lights at every turn....Doesn't it inspire you in new ways to create something fun and interesting?

Paris Hunts, Haunts & Home Depot

I love being in Paris (well, that goes without saying, oui?)

A wee bit of snow flurries
Croissants
A temperature not reaching much above 33 degrees (F)
Hats, gloves, boots, scarves
A large, welcoming American Presidential Inaguration celebration/showing at City Hall (free, mind you, to the public; this event is a VERY big deal here in Paris. Very big deal.)
Did I mention, buttery flakey croissants?

Visiting favorite haunts (most fabulous ribbon store, the venerable Paris Gift/Home Decor/Textile World Expo Show, Maison & Objet, at week's end, a textile manufacturing--shhh---where they create fabrics for the likes of Chanel!!).....
........Hunting vintage finds at obscure flea markets and private sales....
...................Shopping the local "home depot" as I work on a client's Paris apartment....

I promise to share details and pics when I return in February....

Au Revoir!

Parisian Bookstore is a MUST

There's charming, and then there's charming...

Many travelers and book lovers alike flock to a little haven of rows of books on the Left Bank in Paris: VILLAGE VOICE BOOKSHOP

Opened in 1982 by charming Odile Heller (now there's a name you don't hear everyday!), all selections are impressively hand picked by her for their uniqueness. The best part? ALL ENGLISH-LANGUAGE for those of us yet to master our French perfectly.

Her latest recommendations:

HUNGRY FOR PARIS, by Alexander Lobrano
"....Lobrano loves good company as much as a good meal and the 102 restaurants he has picked, grand or small, offer both.....you get the whole experience, a true Parisian one."
{I have read this front to back and in addition to Sandra Gustafson's GREAT EATS PARIS, this one will travel with me. Indispensable for a great meal and a fun ride to read!!}

PARIS: THE BIOGRAPHY OF A CITY by Colin Jones
"...this mosaic of stories recounts the city's history from the first Roman settlements to the French capital as it is today..."

METRO STOP PARIS by Gregor Dallas
"...each one of the 12 Metro stops in the book has a significance...tells the city's history from an original angle..."
{I just finished reading this one and LOVED it! Teaches you a lot of history you really couldn't have possibly ever learned in school!!}


(Inside picture from the book, Writers in Paris}

WRITERS IN PARIS by David Burke
"..elegant hardcover with gorgeous illustrations gives a taste of the Paris of prominent American writers who have made their homes here, and also of French writers such as...Proust, de Boeuvior..."
{I love this as a coffee table book and have given several as gifts to clients!}

VILLAGE VOICE BOOKSHOP
6 RUE PRINCESSE
33-1/46-33-36-47

Top Twelve Things to Eat in Paris

I was talking with a charming book editor recently and the topic of "getting thick around the middle came up".
Got me to thinkin' of my MUST EAT stops when on buying trips in Paris.
No. really.
Each stop.
Each visit. ...Gee, and I wonder where the extra pounds are coming from "so suddenly"???? Damn French and their masterful hands.

1) Freshly-made baguette at the Le Poilane boulangerie: OR any great baguette, sea-salted butter from Brittany, and myrtilles (blueberry) jam. (Every boulangerie's schedule varies, but usually Le Poilane has it coming out of the oven at 7am and 4p. A heaven-on-earth treat);

2) Croissant au beurre (as opposed to croissant ordinaire -- this distinction is important, and the best ones come from places which offer both and thus give you the option of having the extra indulgent, greasy, and wonderfully-luscious type. BUH-TA, baby);

3) Ossau Iraty cheese from Androuet or really any good fromagerie;

4) Poulet de Bresse on the rotisserie at the local boucherie;

5) Crepes (sweet ones on the street -- au buerre sucre, au nutella et bananas; and savory buckwheat ones in a breton or normand restaurant, even the street vendors at The Louvre and Eiffel Tower make wonderful ones);

6) Coq au vin in the absolute traditional sense (Le Toulouse does it wonderfully in the 7e off Metro: Tour Mauborg);

7) Falafel from L'As du Falafel in the Marais;

8) Crusted broiled-top Cheese Ravioli along with a glass of champagne from Le Trait D'Union in the 6e;

9) Pate de campagne from a local boucherie (combined with a baguette, bottle of red, green apple, Evian, and an impromptu picnic on the lawns facing the Eiffel tower);

10) Berry Creme Bruele at Mariage Freres (honestly, the best ever to grace my lips..er, or is that hips?);

11/12) TIE: Hand-made chocolates from Michel Cluizel in the 1e and macarons from Heidiard.

What do you love to eat in Paris?


Oh who can just stop at 12 great things to eat in Paris????? Bring on the honorable mentions:

* Berthillon ice cream on Ile St. Louis
* Pizza with four cheeses, one of which is iFrench Blue Cheese at Saint Lucia in the 6e (a combo of cheese I would never, ever eat in the states but coupled with a pint and people watching it's pure bliss)
* Coquilles St. Jacques at Violon d'Ingres
* 24-month aged Tomme de Savoie cheese
* Assiettes de saucissons secs and jambon
* Roasted potatoes with extra drippings from aforementioned rotisserie chicken #4 above

Please share with all of us your favorites...or your favorite eating spot when you travel to any city outside your own (even if that means the next neighboring town to grab a Krispy Kreme!)

UPDATED TO ADD: For a mouth-watering selection of cakes (desserts), you must see this lovely blog and today's post: Rochambeau. Constance has put together a delectable delight!

Paris Indulgence v1

My favorite florist in the 7th Arrondissement, Paris...

One of the first stops upon landing...
Catch up with owner Danny....Load up on flowers ...
White lush peonies atop bathroom sink.
Moss w/white roses display on window sills.
Pink and white rose & hydrangea arrangement near television.
Indulgences one shouldn't live without when travelling.

The Islands of Paris: Part II

An interesting and well-travelled client lives on Ille St Louis, where she introduced us to one of our new favorites: Mon Vieil Ami. You simply MUST eat here for traditional and sophisticated food in a modern Paris setting. Visit Notre Dame, then walk over to the other island to eat here for lunch or dinner. Carrot lobster bisque is to die for but surely what ever you order is sure to be outstanding.

Mon Vieil Ami is one the HOT spots so reservations are a MUST;
69, Rue St-Louis-en-L'lle {Metro Stop: Pont Marie}.
01-40-46--1-35 or mon.vieil.ami@wanadoo.fr
Closed Monday and Tuesday lunch, and like most spots in Paris, closed first two weeks of August for their holiday.
Seatings at 7p and 9:30...(be respectful if you're the first seating by being ON TIME.}
The small dining area has dark wood tables and seems to be illuminated only by candlelight although there are dim lighting fixtures thoughout--tres romantique.

The Islands of Paris: Part I

One of our more charming and delightful clients has a fabulous apartment on Ille de la Cite, which is point zero for the grid system in all of Paris. On a recent trip we were given the keys to work on filling it with furniture and providing the Vintageweave touch.

She's got FAB taste and has wonderful accessories (yes, some from VW!). Her collection of black and white photographs lining the white embossed wall covering walls were sensational. REALLY fell in love with her ceilings. {more pics later}
From the living room windows the view is MAGNIFIQUE! She looks RIGHT UPON Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral...holy moly I'd never leave Paris! This pic below is her view of this artistic masterpiece of French Gothic design (albeit from a different angle, but the beauty is the same). I'll give you a minute. The green overtakes your body with envy I know.



Did you know?
*Notre Dame means "our lady" in French;
*Construction began in 1163, with completion around 1335;
*This masterpiece was horribly desecrated during the French Revolution in late 1790's. Much of the religious imagery was
either damaged or destroyed (can you even IMAGINE how beautiful it must have looked like before???);
*A serious and steadfast restoration began in the 19th C, bringing her back to her original breathtaking beauty;
*A formal maintenance and restoration program begin in the late 1990's and is still going on now;
*It is an active Roman Catholic Church today and where the French Archbishop sits. Ohhh to hear a mass given in the elegant French language and the
hymns sung by a French choir is indescribable loveliness.

Ok so you did your soul some good now do your palette some good: On this island you MUST have ice creme (or a tartine) at Bertillian, 31 Rue St Louis. Known as the best ice cream in all of Paris, this spot doesn't disappoint! Flavors rotate but my personal fave is banana coconut...mmmmm......