La Drougerie

Ah, the weather was so nice today! Thank you sunshine! Light jacket, warm in the sun, cool in the shade. I feel refreshed! I wasn't sure that I'd make it one more winter here without buying a SAD lamp, but I just might. I've had some craft projects on the brain, like making the girls some Easter dresses (I might attempt this Oliver & S pattern). The hint of spring in bloom paired with thoughts of ditsy floral prints had me wishing I could go to La Drougerie in Paris, a real treat of a store for anyone interested in crafts. When we were in Paris this past spring I had the pleasure of revisiting La Droguerie. I was able to sneak in early and take photos, which was so exciting! If you ever visit Paris and are interested in crafts, specifically knitting, sewing, or jewelry making, you should definitely put La Droguerie on your "must see" list. Here's a little tour of the shop. Plenty of eye candy from La Droguerie to inspire your next project...

Paris in Spring is a Glorious Thing!

Is that a song, or a poem? If not, I think it should be! Actually Paris is great anytime of year, especially to me perhaps in spring and winter. I haven't thought most places are a favorite in winter, and winter is not my favorite season in general (fall is), but Paris has a sleepy romance in winter that is wonderful in its own way.

Bonjour!

Greetings from Paris! We're in Paris this week, and I can't tell you how beautiful it is. The weather is perfect. Yesterday was a perfect spring day--sunny, blue sky, crisp air, warm in the sun, cool in the shade. It looks like today will be the same. We spent the afternoon at Luxembourg Gardens yesterday. It's a wonderful place for kids. More on that soon, but for now I'm adding things to my map. Do you have any Paris favorites? Let me know! I've started working on my map, which is here if you're interested in some of my favorites. Image above found here.

Lise Meunier for 91Magazine

I'm very excited to have another article in the UK based 91Magazine! This might be my favorite issue yet.  It's really a wonderful magazine packed with wonderful articles and lovely photos on all things craft and vintage. Here's a peek at my article on Paris ceramicist Lise Meunier. You can read the full article here on p48. You can see more photos from my photoshoot of her work and home here.

L'OisiveThé for Mollie Makes

Oooh, I'm so excited to have written another article and taken the photos for Mollie Makes! This time it's on the best knitting shop and tea room in Paris: L'OisiveThé. Aimee, the owner, is wonderful and her shop is equally great. If you like to knit or like tea, or if you just like to find cosy lunch spots in Paris, make sure to visit!

Rainy Paris

The last few weeks have been very wet in Paris. Rain, rain, and more rain. We've had some peeks of sunshine too, but mostly drizzle. Paris is still really pretty in the rain, and Lois doesn't seem to mind it. She likes to jump in puddles. Time to put our wellies back on to head out today. 

We moved temporary apartments (just to another temporary one), and I have more to share soon... 

Au Petit Bonheur la Chance

Another place I took my mom that she loved was Au Petit Bonheur la Chance. I went a few weeks before her visit and knew she'd like it a lot. Their web site is under construction, but it's on Rue Saint Paul in the 4th (along with a handful of other great shops). It is such a cute shop and bursting with fun treasures to dig though. They mostly carry vintage kitchen goods, craft supplies, and office supplies. One thing I really like about this place is there's more than one of everything, lots of lots of things actually.

Porte de Vanves Flea Market Outing

Back in Paris now... One place I took my mom that she loved was the Porte de Vanves flea market. I went once a few years ago and looked forward to going back though I hadn't been yet this time around. There was a great selection of linens, buttons, vintage clothes, small furniture, lighting, mirrors, and paintings. So much good stuff at this flea market! I think the prices were high compared to London (compared to some places in London anyway) and much higher than the US, but I imagine a lot of these vendors buy in the country and sell in the city at the higher prices.

La Droguerie

I had a great time with my mom while she was visiting. She left today and I'll miss her, but we had a really nice time while she was here. I have a backlog of photos to show from my mom's trip. One of her favorite places was La Droguerie. I knew she would love it! I posted a few of these pictures recently, but I took a few more photos and wanted you to have a better look. I think we were there for 2 or so hours, and my mom was wide-eyed and wanted some of everything.

Paris Days with My Mom

I've been having a great time with my mom. So far we've done lots of walking, browsing shops, eating, and really just taking it all in. Above is a bit of Paris through our eyes. Macaroons, flower shop petals, petit dejeuner (breakfast the French way), window shopping in the 3rd, Stroher pastries to take home, La Droguerie craft shop, more deliciousness from La Grand Epicerie, and Au Petit Bonheur La Chance. 

More photos coming soon from La Droguerie and Au Petit Bonheur La Chance--two of my favorite Paris shops so far. 

Flaner

I read that "flaner" means "stroll" in French. I think I read that in Paris Made by Hand (if you don't already have it, it's a wonderful book about unique, beautiful Paris shops). We've been doing lots of strolling and I think it's the best way to explore a city, to wander and get lost in the nooks and crannies and see sights and find things you weren't expecting. I especially think that's the best way to find interesting shops, but we've also been going to some larger (more touristy areas) like the Tuileries for picnics and playground fun and seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night.

Paris Days

Carousels. No shortage of carousels in Paris! We always stop when we see one. This one above is at the Hotel de Ville. I've gotten a little behind in posting our Paris outings. I have a lot of catching up to do! We usually go out once a day to a park or playground, but we also try to check out a few other places, like bakeries or shops, for as long as Lois will let me anyway. Here's some of what we've been up to the last two weeks.

Mamie Gateaux

A few people have mentioned Mamie Gateaux, a tea room and cafe, which is just around the corner from our apartment. I've walked by a few times, once when it was open and packed, and once when it was closed. There are some really great photos of Mamie Gateaux in Paris Brocante, an adorable Paris Brocante guide book, which unfortunately for me is in Japanese, but it's still super cute, and all the addresses are listed so it's still a good guide. Today I thought I'd take Lois there for a lunch date.

L'Oisive Thé

Today I went back to L'Oisive Thé, the wonderful tea room I went to last week for knitting group. Today I brought Lois there for lunch and to buy some knitting needles. Aimee, the owner, is so nice, and it was a real treat for Lois that her adorable son Maximilien was there. I just love this place! It's so inviting and cosy.

Around Town

We've had a really nice first week in Paris. We've mostly been getting to know the neighborhood (we're in the 6th arrondissement for now, in a temporary apartment) and exploring some parks. We took Lois to the Tuileries Garden to run around and check out the playground and the sailboats there. I love that kids can rent sailboats and push them around with a stick and watch them sail. We also took her to Luxembourg Gardens, where they have a great playground and a very old, charming carousel. 

We made it!

Good morning, Paris! We're settled into our temporary apartment now and ready to explore. More soon....

Paris in One Week!

Next week this time we'll be heading to Paris! Our place is about halfway packed but we have a lot on the to-do list. We'll be busy, busy finishing loose ends. I keep reminding myself that London is just 2 hours away by train and that if some things aren't covered before next week, it's not the end of the world. So much that needs to be can be done online anyway. See you next week from a Paris!
Image from Pinterest

Paris See and Do

Over the last few weeks I've been searching blogs for Paris tips--things to do, places to go, where to shop and eat.... My list has grown so long that I feel a little overwhelmed by it, but it's certainly better to have more to do than not enough. One of my favorite blogs for information is Anne Ditmeyer's blog, Pret a Voyager. The "living in Paris" and the "visiting Paris" sections have so much information, both practical, such as finding an apartment and working in Paris, and fun, such as recommendations on shops and restaurants. Her Design Sponge city guide is great too. If you have any plans to go to Paris and need some tips on what to do, definitely put her blog on your list. 

Cute Paris illustration from Bear and the Hare on etsy. 

From the desk of...

If Paris doesn't interest you (or French things in general), you might want to delete my blog for a while. I'm immersed in all things French! I need to write some thank yous and thought I'd get something with a French twist while I'm at it. I've had my eye on custom stationery from one of my favorite paper companies, Rifle Paper Co., for a while now, and I remembered they also have super cute French notes. 

Adorable Paris

Christmas was a lot of fun, especially for Lois who as soooo excited about santa, and gifts, and really just everything Christmas. But I'm happy it's over because I can't wait to get to Paris! It's all I've been thinking about. We've settled on an apartment in the 6th.