Bon Weekend: 25 July 2014
by habituallychic
07 . 25 . 14
I only have a few more weeks left in Paris so I’m trying to pack it all in before I go. I still can’t believe I haven’t made it to all the museums yet. I’m also headed to London on Saturday for five days to meet up with a friend who will then come back to Paris with me. As soon as she leave, designer Tommy Smythe comes to visit and I can’t wait to visit chateaux and shop for antiques with him. Until then, here’s a little of what I’ve been up to lately.
The top photo is a bit hazy because it was taken through the glass at the Centre Pompidou. It’s a terribly ugly building but I was shocked at how run down it’s looks now. It is in serious need of a little TLC but at least the art inside still looks good.
I have been wanting to visit the Musée Carnavalet for a long time and finally made it this week. It’s the free museum in the Marais dedicated to the history of Paris. The garden and the artwork inside are equally beautiful. You can read about my other small museum suggestions other Paris related articles in my eBay Guides too.
I also had a lovely lunch at Ralph’s at Ralph Lauren on Boulevard Saint Germain. It’s always filled with lots of French people which is a good sign. The outdoor terrasse is beyond gorgeous too. New York will finally get our own Ralph’s later this year when the new Ralph Lauren store opens on Fifth Avenue.
Everyone keeps asking me what women are wearing here in the summer. The young girls wear sundresses and K. Jacques sandals. The older women wear black dresses with a little sleeve and sandals like this woman. I loved her chignon and the puff of her sleeves and her shoes.
She was even better from the front too. She was carrying an Hermès Kelly purse and a pink bag from Monoprix. This pretty much sums up Paris. I wish her cane has been wooden but if it had I probably would have passed out from the perfection.
I’m not trying to offend anyone by saying this but honestly the men in Paris dress better than the women. They all wear slim tailored suits and great shoes. Most have a motorcycle helmet slung over their arms but this is the only one I’ve seen with real driving gloves. This is definitely what I’ll miss when I go back to New York.
Speaking of Monoprix, I just love their packaging. My friend bought some cute kids clothes as a gift and their home section is pal mal too. The one near the Opera has better stuff than mine on rue de Rennes but c’est la vie.
I will also miss shopping at Le Grande Epicerie and seeing their beautiful egg display. I just found out that eggs in France are not washed thus preserving the outer layer that keeps them fresh and able to be left out. American eggs are washed and must always be refrigerated.
I also live near the amazing Hermès store on rue de Sevres that is located in the former pool of the Hotel Lutetia. It is worth a special visit since it’s never as crowded as the rue de Faubourg Saint Honoré store and they sell the petit h products.
The Hermès store on rue de Sevres also has a cafe and a little bookstore. I love these little illustrated sketchbooks by Philippe Dumas that are only 8,50 euros each. I bought a whole set of the nine for myself and plan to bring them back for all my friends. Hope they’re not reading this post.
I also stopped by the Village Saint Paul in the Marais this week. I’ve already bought flatware this trip but I was serious tempted to buy more looking at this table.
Last week, I visited the Musée des Arts Decoratifs to see the Dries Van Noten exhibit and ogle the view from the upper floors. Even if you don’t have time for the museum, definitely pop into the gift shop. They have so many great items including the plate that I bought that you saw in a previous post. It’s called Plan de Turgot by Site Corot Limoges.
I also finally saw the Paris Plages, the beaches the city has set up along the Seine. It wasn’t exactly beach weather on the day I walked past but people were still having fun.
Bon week-end !
HC
Photos by me via iPhone 5 and Intagram.
17 Comments
So glad I saw this post before I pop over in a week or so, Monoprix is at the top of my shopping list, mercy!
So glad I saw this post before I pop over in a week or so, Monoprix is at the top of my shopping list, mercy!
I love your posts of Paris. I seriously feel like I’m there. I’ve been transported. Thank you!
Heather I am constantly amazed at the number of museums to visit! Love your people watching, both the older lady and the gent look fabulously chic!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
That outer layer on the eggs is called the ‘bloom’.
Adore you thought to get a pic of eggs.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Thanks Heather, I’m loving my vicarious summer! And, thanks for taking me along to Hermes…just great….and the people watching. Ditto…, two great subjects. Next stop London…cannot wait.
Your pictures are just wonderful, I feel like I am actually there, people watching ! You will have an amazing time with Tommy Smythe, that’s for sure. He is a regular on the T.V. show Marilyn Denis and his sense of humour is infectious. The Hermes store is beyond beautiful.
Fantastic post as usual Heather! Thank you for sharing!
I loved the Carnavalet museum. So different from the other museums. Please tell Tommy that we miss seeing him on TV – they only show reruns. We watch those but would have loved to have more new episodes.
I’m sorry to hear that the Centre Pompidou has not been well maintained. It was stunning, in a playful way, when I visited it in 1978, soon after it opened.
I’m relishing every one of your posts from Paris and am sorry you are leaving before the delights of autumn. When do you plan to return?
Take good care, Leslie in Oregon
Just love the elderly woman’s style and seeing both back/front views of her dress….I want one.
What’s not to love?! Great pics! The older woman is stunning, and I love the aluminum cane over wood,…it magnifies her hair and practically I suspect it is much lighter to use over traditional wood…ok and my pseudo Carl jung analysis would say that her cane reflects her personality; the aluminum is current and hip, while the wood is old and heavy. Ha! Crazyness in blogland;) Enjoy Paris and your most awesome friends.
Ooh, you’re going chateaux hopping? Come visit us if you get to the Loire Valley!
Dear Heather:
I follow your blog always and enjoy from here your parís adventures.
Have you viisited the George V hotel or the Royal monceau?
We´ve been there last year and they are magnificent places to rest for a while and enjoy a cup of tea….among beautiful spaces , a modern and a classic french one
http://design-insider.blogspot.com/2013/04/royal-monceau-paris.html
http://design-insider.blogspot.com/2013/09/hotel-georges-v-paris.html
George V has at his entrance always many great flower installations by creative director Jeff Leatham
Hops you have best of times lasts weeks there!
Regards from Uruguay!
Gabriela Pallares Architect
I love that French women, even at an older age, are so chic. That woman looks fabulous. Also, I’m definitely excited to try out Ralph’s restaurant – looks so quintessentially French!
I’m curious to know what your thoughts are as your time during Paris ends about living in New York vs. living in Paris. I know it’s sort of an apples to oranges sort of comparison, but I remember before you left NYC, you were looking forward to some of the differences you were going to experience in France. I’m curious to see what your thoughts are now…maybe you could write another post about it? Just a thought!
Hope you’re having a beautiful weekend! xo
I’m loving you instagram pics from London! I’m headed there on August 11th, so you have definitely helped increase my anticipation. Thanks!
Can’t believe you are going to antique shop with T.S. in the coming days! I think I’d just die from the excitement!
I am so in love with that navy puff-sleeve dress coat. Do you know the brand by any chance? Or do you think it’s vintage?
By the way, do you know any good vintage clothing stores in Paris. This topic will make a popular post!