My Paris Top 10

(Sorry for the long post, guys. This is the last of the picture overload, I promise!! =)

1. Eiffel from Avenue d'Eylau

2. Eiffel from Trocadero

-- mini dress: Diane von Furstenberg -- beret: Banana Republic --- jacket: Target --
-- scarf: Benneton --


3. Eiffel from a secret alley


4. Eiffel lit up



5. Eiffel from Champs de Mars



6. Arc de Triomphe at night




7. Parc de Monceau




8. Haute Cuisine!

Breakfast at Laduree - the hot cocoa was so rich, the truffles omellete was so expensive but the macarons were the best!



Four-course meal at Le Safran



Three-course dinner at L'ardoise. I will definitely go back for the escargot and the foie gras! I tried foie gras before here in the US but didn't like it as much. I guess the French really do know best how to cook their own cuisine!



Steak au poivre at Chez Omar. It was not the best cut of meat but the sauce was so good we cleaned our plates, and I mean CLEAN!


9. Consignment shops

Reciproque - this was my least favorite of the three. Went to all their 5 stores on Rue de la Pompe but I found each one to be overstocked that you can hardly move around, and overpriced too.
Chercheminippes - my fave! This is where I found a really nice Givenchy skirt for so cheap! I regretted not staying here longer and buying more. They have so many Hermes scarves for €110 all in mint condition, an Anna Sui wool jacket for €90 and Isabel Marant sweaters for €30! It's also very well organized and not too overstocked that you could actually still move the hangers.
Catherine B - great selection if you're in the market for Chanel jackets (€700 and up) or vintage Hermes bags (saw a Kelly for €2500).


10. Alaia Stock Shop

When I first read about the Alaia adventures of the lovely and classy Thien of A Pinch of Style, I knew I had to include it in our Paris itinerary.

I was not as lucky as her and didn't have an interaction with the genius himself but I did have a 5-second glimpse of him as he walked out from the stock shop (right door) carrying what must have been a dozen or so black dresses.

When I buzzed at the stock shop door, nobody answered. I waited for a few minutes at the courtyard and was told that they're closed for the day. My heart sank. I didn't print the address of the boutique because I know it would be way too pricey for me so I just gave up and went to a consignment shop right around the corner.

When I came back, intending to take pictures and document my sorrow, the door was open to my surprise! They were were open for a few minutes because some rich madam sent for her assistant to pick up a few items. I mustered the most pleading smile my face could conjure and asked, err begged the SA if I could browse around and she gladly said yes and then closed the door behind me. I felt so lucky!! I must have been a good girl that day to deserve such twist of fate!

There were so many lovely items there. Although they're from the previous season, they're all steeply discounted! Well, except for the dresses that I wanted! At about €1500 (and that's after the markdown, mind you!), I'd have to give up 3 Google shares just to snag one. The hubz revolted against the very idea and so, I settled for the shoes. But hey, settling for the second best has never been this sweet! Just check out these lovely beauties and the beautiful box they came in with!

* * *

And that marks the end of my Paris adventure!

To share my happiness, I'm giving away this Oct issue of the French Vogue, a taupe scarf and a Tower London key chain. Why the key chain? Coz that's what my next blog is about, London!
Simply leave a comment here for random drawing next week.
Friends from outside the US: Should you win, I can only send the scarf and the key chain, sorry! The mag is so thick and heavy...



Have a great weekend everyone!!