And Here's What I Bought in Paris

A huge flower made from thick, soft, crinkly paper and

when I say huge I mean HUGE.

This is how the French present something. So beautiful you don't want to take it out but

 inside is a fabulous fabric flower bracelet.

2 gorgeous grey linen pillow cases for my bed

and 2 pearlised leather and linen cushion covers for my sofa

Lastly a pair of reading glasses that won't fall apart like all the others I have bought in the past.

An Afternoon Around Opera in Paris

Last Saturday I returned to Paris to visit the Grand Magasins as they call their department stores. I was more than a little disappointed as the area seemed a little dull. No wonderful shop windows to lick. Everything seemed to be very low key, trying not to attract attention. I'm not sure if this is the result of the terrorism that has unfortunately hit Paris or I just chose the wrong time to visit.

However this is a pretty impressive Apple Store.

Printemps in the sunshine.

I had the most amazing lunch in Place de Madeline. Salmon with dill creme and lentils

and with my cafe creme I was given a spoon that was a biscuit.

Even Place Vendome was a let down. I found myself only taking pictures that took in the blue sky.

And I finished with a picture of the amazing glass dome of Galerie Lafayette.

A Day In The Marais, Paris - Always a Good Idea

Last Wednesday I took a trip into Paris on the train. I spent the day in one of my favourite places - The Marais. Bittersweet really as it was a place Harvey and I used to visit a lot but hey life has to go on and it's still a favourite.My first stop as always was Merci on Boulevard Beaumarchais. I was delighted that their Look at the Flowers exhibition was still on.

The whole shop was full of flowers 

everywhere you turned

there were more

Even the clothes were made from flowered fabrics.

I had lunch in The Used Book Cafe on the ground floor. I loved how the carafe of water served with my wine had fresh mint in it. I was seated in the window in a corner where all the interior design books were so I was in heaven.

I ordered their version of boiled eggs and soldiers. These were SAS rather than soldiers and the Normandie butter pat was huge. Absolutely delicious.

I had a stroll around the Marais and visited the Art Galleries in Place de Vosges. Loved the electric blue Bhudda and

these huge spent matches with the tips carved ito faces.

Before catching the train back to Soissons, where I was staying with my daughter, I had the obligitory Wine and Cafe Creme and people watched for an hour.

The SNCF train I caught was like being on a Disney ride with its bright colours and pin point lighting. This is how to design trains.

In The Pink In Melbourne

What a beautiful shop this is. Situated in Melbourne Australia, I don't suppose I'll be visiting any time soon.

 I love shops that are understated and uncluttered, it makes the products stand out. Found at Yatzer

I also love the use of pink and green in this space.

​ Not Just a Shoe Shop In Cheltenham - Keith Scarrott

​Have you ever visited a shop you could live in? I did last week in Cheltenham. I bought a gorgeous pair of flat shoes in a fabulous dress agency in The Suffolks area of Cheltenham. A snip at £29. The lady who sold me them pointed out the designer and said we should visit the shop which was just around the corner from the apartment we were staying in. Needless to say we went tout suite. 

Keith Scarrott (above), shoe designer, opened his shop in 1975. He has since handed over the reins to his daughter Sophie who is equally as talented as her Dad. The shoes are to die for and shockingly inexpensive. Those high boots (below) are £125 which is amazing for such style and quality.

Back to why I could live there. Well I think these photographs speak for themselves and incidentally you can buy online.

Ooh Oui Merci

Quirky Wallpaper

Merci is the first place I hit whenever I visit Paris. It's eclectic, classy and friendly. It's stuffed with the most amazing fashions and things for the home. In fact I could happily live there. Until I make my move to France I will have to make do with their website but they do deliver to the UK in superfast time so not such a hardship.

Fabulous Swimsuit

Compter Glasses

Leather Slippers

This is a Creammaker - no kidding

Reading Lamp

Amazing Linen Bedding in numerous colours

Towels

More stationary than you can shake a stick at

2 Days In Paris With My Intrepid Daughter

My lovely daughter booked us a stay in Paris so on Wednesday morning Charlotte and I set off in the car.. She, unlike me, will drive in Paris with no fear and the fact that she is 7 months pregnant and the size of a small country does not faze her. We checked into the hotel (above) with it's amazing facade and

 then set off to explore. We stayed in the Oberkampf district which is full of unusual shops with the usual jaw dropping window displays.

This taxidermist stopped us in our tracks.

We wandered into the Marais for a delicious lunch and spotted this chandlier made from paper coffee cups - inspirational. It lit up as well.

Next morning we took the car to Bastille where there was a huge market and we stocked up on fresh fruit, vegetables and

meat. The French could teach us Brits a thing or two about markets.

After our drive back home we had this to look forward to. Viva la France!
This weekend we are hitting the brocantes.