Feb 9th, 2010 by haveninparis
Erica Berman
Text by Maggie Battista
My first week in Paris has been hard. I don’t know the language and my French classes aren’t making me a master anytime soon. I don’t know the city at all, and the Metro system has felt nothing like the subway systems of New York or Boston, probably due to all those darn French words I just don’t understand. My neighborhood in the 18th is fine and my apartment is sweet, but they just don’t feel like home.
(I know, I know. I’m super lucky to be spending three glorious months in the City of Light, but sympathize with me for a few more paragraphs, okay?)
Yesterday, I wanted to pack it in, give in to this beautiful but totally foreign city. I was about to shut myself away in my little apartment and venture out only when I had to finally get to French ecole (school) on Monday morning. Working against the little voice inside my tête (head), I forced myself out into the city. And with sore feet from all these vicious hills and rough pavement, I found myself completely lost.
Then, my phone rang. Continue Reading »
Posted in HiP Eats | 1 Comment »
Feb 7th, 2010 by haveninparis
Our friend Linda Donahue (of Parisian Salon) has a sixth sense for shopping. Most recently, it led her to one of Montmartre’s newest boutiques opened by Nathalie Bui, sister of French fashion titan Barbara Bui. It’s cheekily named “Make My D,” and we can’t wait to check it out!
Geneviève Sandifer
Text by Linda Donahue
Fashion shouldn’t be intimidating, at least not according to Nathalie Bui. The petite fashionista spent ten years working with her sister, the European designer Barbara Bui, all the while cultivating her own sense of style. And now she’s bringing her creative energy to the Paris fashion scene with the opening of her own boutique, Make My D.
Located in Montmartre’s newly trendy Abbesses neighborhood, Make My D is more like picking through your sister’s closet—that is, if your sister has a wardrobe that’s just to die for. Bui took over the space earlier this year, transforming a locksmith’s workshop into a sprawling boutique that showcases around 20 of Europe’s trendiest designers, all of whom strike a nice balance between price and design. Continue Reading »
Posted in Fashion & Shopping | 3 Comments »
Feb 6th, 2010 by haveninparis
Text & Photos by Tory Hoen
Not only do I live in Paris’ coolest up-and-coming neighborhood (Belleville), but I also live just off of the coolest street in this neighborhood (Rue Dénoyez), which locates me in the epicenter of Parisian coolness. It’s an exhaustingly cool life! But in all seriousness, this street, which is only about 2 blocks long, is a riot of color that changes multiple times a day, thanks to the tireless graffiti artists who return again and again to make (and re-make) their marks. I took these photos yesterday morning, and by early evening, the entire color scheme of the street had been transformed. Continue Reading »
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Feb 5th, 2010 by haveninparis
Valentine’s Day is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of holiday. But whether you’re a cynic or a romantic, single or attached, you can probably justify making room in your life for a little Parisian luxe. Kim Petyt, an American wedding planner in Paris and author of Parisian Party, has a few gift ideas for lovers and haters alike…
Posted in Fashion & Shopping | No Comments »
Feb 3rd, 2010 by haveninparis
littlebrownpen.com & flickr.com/photos/danske
Meg Zimbeck at Girls’ Guide to Paris knows a thing or two about Paris restaurants. Below, she gives us the rundown on the many options available at neo-bistro Chez Michel: an adventurous diner’s paradise. According to LeFooding.com, it’s one of Catherine Deneuve’s favorite eateries. We’re already impressed!
Text by Meg Zimbeck
In a city with so many incredible restaurants to try, repeat visits are a sure sign of love. Until this week, I could count on one hand the places to which I’ve returned more than three times: Spring, Frenchie, l’Avant Comptoir, Le Baratin and the crêperie Josselin. Chez Michel, the Breton bistro near Gare du Nord, has just joined the ranks and forced me to open a second hand.
My fourth visit on a frozen December evening was nearly perfect. Having arrived early, I waited for my friend with a glass of Cerdon—a sparkling pink wine that’s rarely seen in restaurants (6 euros). The extra time was devoted to studying both the printed menu and the lengthy chalk-drawn list of specials.
photobucket.com
Chez Michel is a single restaurant with many different ways to dine. The foundation of any experience is the prix fixe menu, with three courses for 32 euros. It includes plenty of good pork and seafood options, with eight starters, six mains and seven desserts. You could stick to the plan and be very happy with a good fish soup and a stellar brandade de morue, plus the famous 36-hour Paris-Brest dessert. I don’t know anybody who does this.
Continue Reading »
Posted in HiP Eats | 1 Comment »
Feb 2nd, 2010 by haveninparis
Our friend Nichole (at Little Brown Pen) regularly puts together wonderfully creative color collages using images from around Paris. Her gray collage manages to capture the feeling of winter in Paris perfectly…
All photos: Nichole Robertson
Edited by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Posted in Parisian Living | 5 Comments »
Feb 1st, 2010 by haveninparis
guardian.co.uk
Text by Erica Berman
Traveling has never been less easy. Fortunately, untold numbers of intrepid travelers continue to trot the globe appreciating that the joy of the journey trounces the irritation of a few hours almost every time.
I was lucky this weekend flying from Boston to Paris, and I got through security quickly and hassle- free. Before taking off (since I had arrived early anticipating long lines), I jotted down a few of my tried-and-true travel tips with the hopes of making your next air travel experience as pleasant as possible.
1. If you are traveling internationally, pack only one checked suitcase per traveler. Extra luggage is still allowed, but each additional bag comes with a price. (Note: Some American airlines charge for each checked bag when you are flying within the US).
2. Weigh your bag at home. Make sure it falls within your airline’s designated weight limit, unless you are prepared to pay a supplement (often upwards of $50 per bag, depending on your airline).
www.maximumpc.com
Continue Reading »
Posted in Erica's Escapades, HiP Travel | No Comments »
Jan 30th, 2010 by haveninparis
Winter in Paris can be tough on the psyche, with one grey day following the next. But Zeva’s post (from Paris by Appointment Only) about Michel Heurtault’s amazing couture umbrellas has us doing rain dances. Who knew showery could be so chic?
Text and Photos by Zeva Bellel
I write about some pretty unusual talents on this blog, but couture umbrella maker just might be my rarest find yet. That’s why I’m letting Michel Heurtault, owner of the fabulous umbrella shop, Parasolerie Heurtault, tell the story behind his flabbergasting art.
………….
I’ve been obsessed with umbrellas from the time I was three. I have no idea why, but I could spend hours breaking them apart and studying how they opened and closed. I collected all of the umbrellas I could find, and by the time I was eight I was repairing them for people in my neighborhood. Needless to say, my parents thought I was nuts. Continue Reading »
Posted in Fashion & Shopping, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Jan 29th, 2010 by haveninparis
Gerard Laurent, Pariscool.com
Text by Tory Hoen
I have that electric feeling that can only mean one of two things: either I’ve put my finger in a socket, or I am headed back to Paris. Luckily for me, it’s the latter. After seven months in North America, I am returning to my other home—a painfully beautiful, limestone-y, cigarette-loving, scarf-wearing, butter-flavored home. Needless to say, I’m giddy with anticipation.
For me (and I don’t think I’m the only one), Paris is a city where my imagination takes flight and I can spend entire days simply wandering, observing, tasting, inhaling, perusing, writing and dreaming. To those who see me as I go about my activities, I probably look like some kind of blissed-out idiot… but so be it. Paris is my happy place, and no matter how many times my shoe falls onto the metro tracks or I am surrounded by a pack of traveling minstrels, nothing can taint my love affair with this city. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 9 Comments »
Jan 26th, 2010 by haveninparis
Photos: fineartamerica.com, littlebrownpen.blogspot.com, www.azurs.net
Text by Sarah Raymond
Paris has long been known as the City of Love, and with good reason. It is a place full of beauty, from the winding Seine river reflecting the city lights to the Sacre Coeur Cathedral perched upon the hill and the iconic Eiffel Tower that distinguishes its famous skyline. Even the classic rooftops inspire a feeling of romance among visitors and inhabitants alike. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite romantic spots and things to do in Paris. Whether you are a foodie, movie buff, hopeless wanderer, or just someone who enjoys spending a relaxing night at home, Paris has something to offer. And this year, with Valentine’s Day falling on a 3-day weekend in the US and fantastic last minute deals on Paris apartments, you just might be able to hop over for a spontaneous romantic getaway! Continue Reading »
Posted in Art, Film, Music, Literature, Parisian Living | No Comments »
