Quai de Bourbon

Posted on September 8th, 2010 in Boutique, Fashion, Paris, Shopping

The Quai de Bourbon is one of my favorite places in Paris. In the heart of the city of lights on the Ile Saint Louis it opens upon a breathtaking view on the banks of the Seine and the Hotel de Ville. Not only is the Quai de Bourbon home to the most coveted real estate in the city (if not the world) but it’s also the home of my dear friend Samantha. I love the walk across the river from my place, strolling over the Point Marie on my way to Chez Sam. Here she is once again so kindly lending her classic beauty as a model for the Bardot Boutique. It is no wonder how my favorite Lebanese blonde got her looks…her Swedish grandmother was Miss World!

I hope you enjoyed the view from a stroll on the Quai de Bourbon with our darling little host Samantha. If you like her dress, which I have fittingly named the Quai de Bourbon Dress you are in luck! This vintage treasure of impeccable quality is available in the Bardot Boutique. I imagine it as the perfect dress to transition from summer into fall. As the weather cools off the bright orange tone will brighten up your day while fitting with an autumn palette. Pair it with a loose little sweater and scarf along with some little booties and you will be the prettiest and chicest lady in town! Shop the Bardot Boutique and take a piece of Paris home with you while showing your support for the blog! As always sending you love from Paris and looking forward to your sweet comments…

P.S. I recently gifted a little Chanel embellished boater hat from the Bardot Boutique to my blog friend Valentine. Check out her adorable blog to see some cute pics of her with it!

Carnival

Posted on August 16th, 2010 in Boutique, Fashion, Les Bons Plans, Paris

In the summer there is a carnival in the Tuileries gardens at the heart of Paris. I never really have been one for such events, they always creeped me out a bit to be honest but something about this Parisian version was not at all creepy and incredibly charming and fun. Mademoiselle Samantha and I played around a bit and felt like kids again! Here’s some photos of the action. It took me a long time to decide what song to include with this post but I finally decided since Samantha and I are both California girls to throw this petite chanson in there…just click play!

Looks like fun, non? Samantha and I dressed accordingly for the occasion in some outfits I picked out! Her blue frou frou fiesta dress and my carnival chemise are your’s to own in the Bardot Boutique! Go shop and support Bardot in Blue before someone else scoops them up!

P.S. I absolutely adore each and every one one of your sweet comments!

Paris Plage

Posted on August 8th, 2010 in Boutique, Fashion, Les Bons Plans, Paris

August in France, and for Parisians in particular, is the month of vacation. On the first of the month there is a mass exodus from Paris as everyone abandons work and the summer tourists and heads for their country or coast homes. It sounds quite charming but is in fact rather inconvenient as my doctor, lawyer, shrink, and favorite boulanger are out of town for the month and I am in need of all of them! For those that do get stuck in Paris for the month, mostly because of work like me, there is Paris Plage. For one month every summer they close off the quai along the right bank of the Seine between Pont Neuf and Sully Morland and set up the temporary plage. They bring in sand for little beaches and pétanque courts, little cafes, glaciers selling ice cream, a pool, a bar, and other attractions. On Saturday Mademoiselle Samantha and I headed down to check out the happenings and model this vintage parisian pinup style crop top you can buy in the Bardot Boutique! Press play and listen to Bardot serenade you while you read…

It’s not Saint Tropez but it’s pretty darn cute, n’est -ce pas? I am wearing American Apparel shorts, No Collection wedges, a bag without a label, and a vintage crop top available for purchase in the Bardot Boutique!  Please go shop and support the Bardot in Blue blogging cause. Also, don’t forget to enter the giveaway…and wear sunscreen ladies.

Chez Derrière Pour Mon Anniversaire

Posted on July 1st, 2010 in Decor, Fashion, Holidays, Les Bons Plans

I have been wanting to share one of my favorite places to go in Paris with you for a while. Derrière is a fun and delicious restaurant for lunch or dinner located in the Marais. Knowing how much I love it there, my friend Nora surprised me with lunch reservations for my birthday for us and our dear friend Lauren. There couldn’t have been a better way to spend the special afternoon! Now press play and sing it with me…I got hugs for you if you were born in the 80’s…the 80’s!

We kicked things off with some pink champagne…

Which quickly put everyone in a great mood…

…exhibit A….Nora!

The concept behind Derrière is that you are meant to feel as if you are dining over at someone’s (very cool) house rather than a restaurant. So nothing is concerned with matching or a clear design approach.

Upstairs you will find this magical armoire. Open up its doors and pass through to arrive inside…

The fumoir!

Cluttered with curiosities that looks much like a trip down the rabbit hole.

In one of the upstairs dining rooms instead of a bench you are sat on a king size bed with a rather kinky mirror hanging above.

Even the toilette room is special as a bathtub replaces a normal sink when it comes time to wash your hands.

After our main course we moved outside to the sunny patio…

…and moved on to a second bottle of champagne!

…and of coarse dessert!

Want to know what I wished for?

Lauren’s awesome cowboy boots from the 70’s passed down to her from her mom.

Candy surprises!

And thoughtful and funny gifts

These shoes were my birthday gift to myself!

They are made by No Collection.

I wore them with a Manoush silk dress, Les Canotiers du Marais bowler hat, and vintage Emanuelle Kahn sunglasses.

After two bottles of champagne and lots of food we were exhausted, hehe.

Derrière

69 rue des Gravilliers

Paris 3ème

P.S. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all of your sweet birthday wishes. Your kind thoughtful words never cease to bring a smile to my face

Petit Bateau

Posted on May 26th, 2010 in Miscellaneous, Paris

For my graduation I was so excited when my parents decided to throw me a party! I hate throwing parties in celebration of myself, it always feels a bit narcissistic to me, but when it’s someone else’s idea I say great! My mom had the idea of renting one of the Yachts de Paris for the occasion which turned out to be the perfect way to not only celebrate my graduation but also welcome the incredibly warm weather we have been having.

All of my darling friends were able to make it. I feel so lucky to have them as they are truly the coolest girls in the world! Not to mention stylish!

Blue skies and puffy pink clouds…my favorite!

A cocktail dinner was served so everybody mingled with one another around the boat as we enjoyed lots of delicious little treats.

My favorite boys were able to make it to! Including my good friend and colleague Rija, my petit copin Pierre, and my dear friend Kenji all the way from London!

Kenji is definitely one of the most stylish guys I know. His pink pocket scarf was perfectly coordinated with my jewelry and dress.

My sister Britta was able to get time off from her hectic life in the New York fashion world for a week in Paris. We have really different styles as you can see but appreciate one another’s tastes!

My sister wore an amazing vintage dress while I wore Stella Forest.

My friends got me this beautiful hair clip that is actually two clips joined together. It was so sweet of them and I absolute adore it!

It’s not a party without cupcakes! We stopped by Berko and got these insanely delicious and cute treats for the occasion.

There were plenty of other desserts too…

…and pink flower arrangements to match my dress!

My not so petit bateau was called the Acte III. It was amazing with a deck on the front and back and lots of old school charm. {image via French-Kissed}

{image via French-Kissed}

The whole night was seriously like a dream. I can’t be more thankful to my parents for planning such an unforgettable evening for me and all my friends and family who came and celebrated with me! I wish you all could have been there too! Thank you so much for all you sweet comments congratulating me on my graduation! It always warms my heart to hear from you.