April 9, 2013 by Carin Olsson
After macarons, cupcakes, and cream puffs, the classic eclair is now enjoying a serious revival in Paris. Here to test the trend, Carin gathered a few knowledgeable sweet freaks to test the goods from Paris’ most notable new eclair shops, l’Eclair de Genie and l’Atelier de l’Eclair. -Geneviève
Éclairs from L’Éclair de Génie
If you ask people about pastries that remind them of Paris, one that first comes to mind is the classic éclair. A pastry made with pâte à choux, a fluffy cream filling and mouth-watering icing on top — mmmm!
Éclairs from L’Éclair de Génie
Many of us forgot about this delicious little pastry when adorable macarons and elaborate American cupcakes took the Parisian dessert spotlight over the past couple of years. Thanks to inventive pastry chefs (and probably a general fatigue with everything bite-size), two new Parisian pastry shops, L’Eclair de Genie and L’Atelier de l’Eclair, have put the éclair back on the dessert tray.
I have to admit: I haven’t always been a huge fan of the éclair myself. It wasn’t until I stepped inside the newly opened L’Éclair de Génie in the Marais, that I realized I might need to revise my position: seeing miniature éclairs all lined up in different colors and variations made my heart skip a beat. After my first bite of a noisette/praliné éclair, I was sold. I’m now an unabashed éclair convert (under the right circumstances, of course). So when the HiP Paris blog asked me to spend an afternoon exploring new variations on this classic pastry, I jumped at the chance! Continue Reading »
Posted in Food | 15 Comments »
March 7, 2013 by Carin Olsson
Right: Ulyana Sergeenko
After the models have walked for Marc Jacobs in New York, Christopher Bailey in London, and Roberto Cavalli in Milan, it’s time for them to light up the runways right here in Paris.
Left: Viviana Volpicella & Right: Chiara Ferragni
For most Parisians, this week isn’t any different from any other week of the year. A few restaurants and hotels might be a bit busier than usual, but other than that, you wouldn’t necessarily notice it’s fashion week in Paris if you don’t want to.
Anna Dello Russo
Continue Reading »
Posted in Fashion | 6 Comments »
February 26, 2013 by Carin Olsson
Left: Artwork by Le Module de Zeer
Even though I love strolling through St Germain and the Marais, it’s always exciting to discover new, edgier sides of my favorite city. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to tag along on a Street Art tour arranged by Underground Paris. While I’m far from an expert on the subject, even I have had the feeling that street art is getting bigger by the second here in Paris.
Street art at Rue Denoyez
Right: Artwork by Le Module de Zeer
According to Demian, our tour guide for the day, I’m on the right track. Although Berlin and London are leaders in the scene, Paris’ street art isn’t to be taken lightly. Continue Reading »
Posted in Arts | 5 Comments »
February 15, 2013 by Claire Oldman
Whenever I return to Paris, it always takes me a few days to get settled and realize that I am actually here. A while ago, Tory wrote a post on how she knows she’s in Paris, which inspired me to think about the signs that tell me I’ve arrived.
Everyone has their own Paris; a few special haunts and pleasures that always make returning to Paris feel like a wonderful indulgence. I’ll bet most regular visitors have certain things they always do and see as soon as they hit the ground. I arrived here a few days ago and like clockwork, these seven habits kicked in.
Posted in Parisian Living | 15 Comments »
February 12, 2013 by Carin Olsson
As much as Paris is all about the beautiful little details, the city doesn’t lose an ounce of charm when it is admired as a whole. For some reason, no one seems able to get enough of those perfect Parisian views.
Whether it’s the spanning city vistas from the timeless stairs of Montmartre, the lovely Parc des Buttes Chaumont, the newly discovered (for me, at least) terrace at L’Institut du Monde Arabe, the top floors of the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, Paris always manage to make my jaw drop a little when I see it from above. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 7 Comments »
October 29, 2012 by Carin Olsson
There’s a reason why Paris is known as La Ville-Lumière, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, as many people might think when they first hear Paris’ favorite nickname. Forget the architecture, the food, the culture and the fashion. The light alone would have us coming back for more…
In the morning, the early sunshine kisses the city and in the evening, Paris bathes in the warm setting sun. It’s truly breathtaking and it’s definitely worth making it out of bed in time for that extra-early morning coffee… Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 11 Comments »
October 5, 2012 by Carin Olsson
I returned to Paris just in time for the fashion madness last weekend, and here are some photos I took to document my passage… – Carin
Twice a year (or three if you count the haute couture shows) the stiletto clad fashion crowd invades the streets of Paris. During these weeks, Paris becomes even more glamorous and frenetic than usual. The streets are suddenly filled with photographers, super slim models, high-heeled fashionistas and plentiful dubious sartorial choices.
In-demand hotels and restaurants are fully booked, and first-time visitors may be left to wonder where all the regular people are hiding. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly run into Rachel Zoe on the street (which I managed to do twice) or bump shoulders with the lovely Garance Doré (which I also did a few times).
Continue Reading »
Posted in Fashion | 6 Comments »
September 21, 2012 by Tory Hoen
Fall is the absolute best season for style—agreed? During the summer, you’d rather just be naked, and come winter, you wish you could wear one of those sleeping-bag coats all day. Autumn provides a precious window in which you can strut your stuff while feeling cozy and comfortable. Here are some of our Paris-ready favorites from brands in France, the U.S. and the U.K. Happy hunting!
1. A.P.C. to the rescue yet again with fall sweater perfection. Continue Reading »
Posted in Fashion, Parisian Living | 1 Comment »
September 17, 2012 by Amy Thomas
Paris is for lovers. Unless you’re single. Like I was for the nearly two years I lived there. It was always a jab to my heart, like a deliberate and personally directed taunt, to see couples canoodling in dark café corners, pressed intimately together along the quais of the Seine, or just shopping at an outdoor market on a Sunday afternoon. Oh lovers, how very nice for you.
Then a year after I left Paris, I returned. With a man. And indeed it was a different experience. But as happy and, oui, sometimes smug, as I felt during that week of amour, I also realized that the old adage is true: the grass is always greener.
Every moment I basked in my City of Loooove romance was rudely followed by the memory of something I was missing from my solo days. It made me realize: no relationship is perfect. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 8 Comments »
August 14, 2012 by Carin Olsson
When the sun finally comes out in Paris, it’s time to move your déjeuner or coffee break outside. In this city, you don’t need to bring along a book, magazine or something else to entertain yourself – the busy streets and the people are plenty of material for distraction. But where are the best place to indulge in this simple, basic pleasure?
Le Deux Magots & Café de Flore
I don’t think of these two very famous cafés, as clichés (as I’m sure many other people do), I like to think of them as classics. Whether you think of them as clichés or not, no one can deny their amazing location and how fantastic they are for doing some serious people watching. Since both cafés are so famous, their clientele is always extremely diverse – you’ll see everything from tourists with their sun visor caps and maps at the ready, to women covered in designer clothes and expensive jewelry – and everything in between. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 4 Comments »
