July 2, 2010 by La Mom - An American Mom in Paris
La Mom in Paris is a hilarious blog about an American mom living a très Parisian life in the city of lights. From encounters with French frat boys (yes, apparently they do exist) to profiling the Parisian Jet Set Dog, her witty anecdotes about her expat circle of friends truly make us feel as if we were there with her. Here, she gives us a fantastic breakdown of how to navigate the summer sales, Parisienne-style!
Ladies and gentlemen, get your running shoes out and your boxing gloves on.
C’est les soldes!
Wednesday marked the beginning of the fabled twice-annual deep-discount French sales.
Fabled, you might ask? Let’s just say that even Cendrillon can find a dress or two to go with those glass stilettos as prices fall to rock bottom over the 5-week sales period.
And why the boxing gloves? If it’s anything like last year’s Zadig & Voltaire markdowns, you’ll need ‘em. Normally prim and proper 16th arrondissement demoiselles morphed into banshees as they duked it out over cashmere sweaters – even resorted to slugging each other with their Hermès Birkin bags to get at the last ELVIS-logo pullover.
Trust me, those sapphire-and-diamond rings can do some damage. Better come with a game plan.
Here are La Mom’s tips for making the most of the summer soldes: Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Shopping | 1 Comment »
June 21, 2010 by Robin Locker - Girls Guide to Paris
Girls’ Guide to Paris, a fantastic online resource for fabulous things to do in Paris, helps to answer here every antsy traveler’s questions about packing for Paris. This article was also written by HiP Paris blogger friend Robin Locker, of My Mélange…
Packing for any trip can be frustrating and daunting. But when you’re heading to the fashion capital of the world, the task can seem even more arduous. You know that Parisians are stylish and chic, so you want to do your best to fit in. But you also want to be comfortable, without toting around unnecessary stuff.
Most women I know spend hours mixing and matching outfits, piling every available piece of clothing on the bed until it disappears under a mound of fabric. And though there will always be two types of packers—those who believe in taking only a carry-on, and those who just can’t fathom the thought—there are some essentials any girl headed to Paris should bring along.
Black. Lots of black. Black is classic and always in season, and it matches easily with almost every other color, which makes it perfect for layering. Dark clothes are flattering on all figures and hide wear and tear better than their counterparts, so they will be more forgiving if you splash some espresso on yourself. And every girl needs a little black dress for a nice evening out in the City of Light. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 8 Comments »
April 21, 2010 by Badaude
Still stranded in Paris? Step away from the ticketing hotline and treat yourself to a little trip to the steam baths. Guest blogger, writer and illustrator Badaude shares her favorite spots along with a little know-how on navigating the traditional hammam (North African steam baths). We can’t think of a better way to make the most of your bonus days in Paris!
It may be getting warmer, but some April days in Paris still start off pretty icy. But it’s not all bad. April is the last month I can indulge in my monthly treat at the only place you can get truly warm in the Paris winter – the hammam.
Paris has lots of hammams: traditional North African steam baths, not chi-chi hotel spas. They cost on average €45 per session including massage or exfoliation (gommage) and pastries — and who could fail to be attracted by this combination? There’s a hammam for every kind of Parisian, but how do you choose? I’m now a hammam veteran, but here’s what happened at my first visit to my favorite, the Hamman de La Grande Mosquée de Paris.
Illustration by Badaude – Click on the image to view larger version
I step off the street through a hidden doorway behind the main entrance and hand over the notes to the cashier at the till in exchange for a handful of colored paper raffle tickets and a mysterious squishy black plastic sachet. I knew this was savon noir. I’ve seen it for sale in big plastic tubs at the marché at the Place des Fêtes in Belleville. What I don’t quite know is what to do with it. Or when. A visit to the hammam might make you warmer, but they certainly don’t hand out an instruction booklet.
My outside eyes take time to adjust to the blue patterns of the Moroccan tiles. Looking up through the steamy light filtering down from the small, domed window in the ceiling, I’m suddenly in fairyland, a Dulac illustration from Sleeping Beauty. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 1 Comment »
February 14, 2010 by Tory Hoen
Erica Berman
After seven months away, I’m back in Paris for a while and am greedily soaking up every minute of it. After two weeks, I’ve slipped back into many of my happy habits, though I’ve come to realize that settling back into my Parisian life does require a few active adjustments. For instance:
1. Dietary shifts. You’d be surprised how fulfilling a diet composed solely of butter, cheese, Dijon, bread, chocolate and macarons can be. Although I must admit, a steady stream of coffee and wine leave me perpetually dehydrated. Note to self: water is the essence of life, even in Paris.
idata.over-blog.com/wallpaper.com/parisviewfinder.blogspot.com
2. Embracing linguistic limbo. When I get back to France, I regularly find myself in situations where two, three, or four languages are being spoken simultaneously. While the linguistic mélange is always exciting, I find that my English often starts to slip before my French has time to pick up the slack, and I am therefore left in a strange language-less limbo. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 3 Comments »
January 18, 2010 by Genevieve Sandifer
vintageinstyle.com; moviemaidens.com
Photos: courtesy of Césaire.
One thing that women the world over can agree on is that the search for the perfect partner is fraught with its share of trials and errors. The urge to collect can be too tempting (and enjoyable), since, let’s face it, different occasions beg for appropriate company. Showing up with a flashy, recognizable number at a company benefit will have your professional circle questioning your judgment and taste; but tote along an oversize, understated friend to a glitzy, packed soirée and you’ll feel weighed down all night. I am, of course, talking about purses here.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Shopping | 2 Comments »
December 16, 2009 by Sarah Raymond
Slice of Beaufort, much like the lichette sliced by my fromager.
Photo courtesy of terre-des-fromages.com.
On my last trip to Paris, I was on a mission to try as many new cheeses as possible. The problem, though, was that I was there alone; and more often than not, I was buying cheeses that I would be finishing myself. So in an effort to minimize the size of my waistline, each time I would purchase a new cheese at the fromagerie I would ask for only a small bit. A few days before leaving, I made a trip to the Pascal Beillevaire shop on the rue des Moines, near our Pilleux studio (where I was staying), to pick up a few new favorites. As I explained that I wanted just “un tout petit peu” (very little bit) of Beaufort, the fromager kindly replied: “Une lichette, alors?”
Une lichette indeed! It was a word I had heard recently for the first time, and was exactly what I wanted. According to my Larousse Poche French dictionary, une lichette is a familiar term for a small quantity of a particular food. Since that trip to the Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire – which, incidentally, has wonderful products and several locations throughout Paris – lichette has become one of my favorite words, and I find it much more fun to use than morceau (morsel), tranche fine (thin slice), or any other term indicating small quantities.
So – next time you want just un tout petit peu of a certain food, give une lichette a try. I promise you will be satisfied!
Written by Sarah Raymond for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Posted in French 'mot' du moment, Parisian Living | No Comments »
December 1, 2009 by Tory Hoen
Macarons with sprinkles. Photo: Miss Wadever Blog
Lazy? Have a sweet tooth? Have we got the job for you! Our friend Rosa Jackson (of Edible Adventures) is working on her second cookbook, Les Meilleurs Desserts des Paresseuses (“Lazy Women’s Best Desserts”). From now until mid-February, Rosa will be testing recipes to include in the book, and she is accepting ideas from lazy people far and wide.
The main idea? “Easy, fast recipes for lazy people who want to impress without breaking a sweat.” Most of the recipes will be variations on traditional French desserts, but Rosa will also include some Italian and Anglo-inspired dishes (and a few organic options for the health-conscious). Continue Reading »
Posted in HiP Recipes | 2 Comments »
November 13, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Our friend Zeva Bellel at Paris by Appointment Only has the inside scoop on the upcoming auction of country home furnishings of deceased designer Yves St. Laurent. If you have a chance to attend the auction from November 17-20, you could own a piece of fashion history. If not, you can gawk with us from the sidelines!
Elk antler chandelier. Photo: Christie’s
Text by Zeva Bellel
The dismantling of a collection of objects amassed with care and love over a lifetime can be a rather somber affair. Especially when it belongs to the dearly departed Yves Saint Laurent. Yet after the very serious, very lucrative auction this past February of the masterpieces he and his partner Pierre Bergé collected, the upcoming second YSL sale at Christie’s France has a lighthearted, uplifting air about it. Continue Reading »
Posted in Arts, Events | 2 Comments »
November 4, 2009 by Sarah Raymond
Clockwise from the blue cheese: Roquefort;
Bouchon de Sancerre; Tome Fermière; Rocamodour
Ever wonder why, when you buy cheese in a proper cheese shop, it comes wrapped in a piece of lined wax paper? Until I lived in France, I always thought that plastic wrap was the way to go. It was only when a kind fromager in Lyon introduced me to this aspect of French life that I learned I had been killing the character of my cheeses with the clear, clingy wrap. This week, Nora Singley, the resident Cheesemonger over at The Kitchn, explains the reason behind the wrapping and why plastic wrap is a no-no – regardless of how stinky the cheese. Continue Reading »
Posted in Food, Parisian Living | No Comments »
October 7, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Courtesy of Little Brown Pen
Browsing Nichole’s blog Little Brown Pen today I saw she posted this lovely snapshot she took of one of the ubiquitous postcard racks along the Seine. So romantic and appropriate! Thanks Nichole. A bientot – Erica
Posted in Parisian Living | No Comments »
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Tighten Up
Mzelle Biscotte
