licking the windows | where to shop in Paris

Before I dive into my few favorite shops in Paris, let me say that I am loving this fall weather! New England is cool and crisp today, but the sun is shining which makes it even more perfect. I feel like wearing boots and drinking apple cider. Maybe we'll head to the farm this weekend to pick up a gallon. Anyway, I titled this post 'licking the windows' because that's what the French call 'window shopping.' Well, really they call it faire du lèche-vitrine, but I can't pronounce that. When we arrived in Paris I had a list of shops to visit as long as my arm. Sadly, some of them were closed for vacation (August is typically when Parisians go on holiday) and others had funky hours so we missed out on a few, but there was still plenty of shopping to do! Here are some shops I could have browsed in for hours - 
MUSKHANE, 3 rue du Pastourelle - felted wool everything. I especially liked the little mice and the polka dot balls.
the Collection, 33 rue de Poitou - pretty little ceramic pieces for the home, gorgeous wallpaper selection, modern children's furniture and home accessories
ie boutique, 128 rue Vieille du Temple - beautiful fabric sold by the meter, handmade children's clothing
Chou Fleur,  21 rue Monge - they sell children's accessories, toys, and clothing and host craft workshops for kids, too. A lot like kreatelier, for those of you who are local.

L'Autre The, 40 rue Mouffetard - huge selection of teas and little tea room all in one, they even serve fresh juice!
Le 4, 4 rue Mouffetard - gourmet foods (think oil, vinegar, spices, tea, and chocolate), candles, vases, and funky children's items

Then for open air shopping, you have to visit Les Puces, the biggest flea market in the world. Jordan has a great map of how to get there right here. Now I feel in the mood for some online shopping...

the day after Valentine's Day, or why I want more gold necklaces in my life

Unfortunately for me, last night was a bit of a bust - dinner didn't go as planned (read: raw puff pastry and the worst oil splattering you've ever seen in your life), and Matt had band practice which I secretly thought was his way of covering up a Valentine's Day surprise but was really band practice. So I spent the night with Ezra and ate chocolate mousse (which Matt made for me) while reading The Happiness Project (which I am loving) after he went to sleep. I don't want to make Matt seem like a bum though - he wrote me a sweet note and booked me a massage which I plan on scheduling asap. My mom got me a Valentine's Day gift, too - one of the necklaces I wanted. I put it on immediately, along with the Italian horn that I got in Florence when we were on our honeymoon and gold coin that I was already wearing. Now I want to layer gold necklaces every day. Here are a few I have my eye on...

My friend Briten wears the infinity charm necklace from Stella & Dot minus the bird and the stone. I love how pretty the single vintage coin looks.

This simple gold circle reminds me of the charm I already wear with the horn, but the little diamond is such a great addition. It's the oro necklace by Leslie Lewis.

A gold bow necklace (by Avishag Kroizman) would make a nice gift, wouldn't it? Your sister, your best friend, your mom... who wouldn't love it?

I'm loving all of Alex Monroe's designs for anthropologie, but this pedal pusher necklace is my favorite. 

J.Crew always gets it right, and this pretty locket is no exception. Plus it's named after one of my favorite paintings - it's the starry night locket necklace. 

Here's another one from Stella & Dot, the ever after necklace. I love it paired with the on the mark necklace.

Kate Spade's anchors away pendant is perfect for a Rhode Island girl like me.

Looks like I can already start my birthday wishlist. 

stripey bag

Why is it that all the bags I fall in love with (like this one) are so dang expensive?  The Cabana Stripe bag looks like the perfect fit for summers with a baby in tow.  Bright stripes give it a nautical feel which is always appropriate here in Little Rhody.  Kate, I love you but this bag would put a serious dent in my savings.  Maybe I'l have to make my own. 

babylegs

Aren't these little legs adorable?  They move faster than my camera's shutter lately.  

Still, but only temporarily.

I think Ezra looks so cute in his BabyLegs.

two things

1. I love everything about this diaper bag.  
2. I never thought I would love a diaper bag.

the everything bag

Operation Baby Preparation Project #2 was the everything bag from little stitches for little ones by Amy Butler.  Let me begin by saying that this project is not for the faint of heart, or at least not for a beginning/intermediate sewer (I still can't get over the fact that I must refer to myself and like-hobbied people as a system for transporting sewage) such as myself.  Luckily my cousin Shannon (who makes amazing children's clothing, for sale in her Etsy store Bella Couture Designs) wanted to make the bag as well so we worked on them together and after, oh, seven or eight hours we had completed both of them.  Overall I'm really happy with how mine turned out.  Two of my fabrics are from Erin McMorris's Park Slope collection, birds and flower field in teal which I used for the pockets and lining.  The main fabric is Anna Maria Horner's dance floor in teal from her Garden Party collection.  I didn't pay careful attention when cutting my side pocket fabric out of the bird print and thus ended up with bird flying north and south rather than east and west, but I don't think anyone would notice unless they looked closely.  Or unless I point it out, which I have done every time I've showed the bag to someone.      

The pockets are roomy and the divider is a nice feature, too.  I actually used the bag for about a week and loved how organized I was.  My usual bag has only two pockets and is large enough to fit a change of clothes complete with shoes and a plated banana bread (I've done it) including all the normal purse things so you can imagine how easy it is for me to lose things inside.  I can't wait to fill this one up with baby things.  Anyway, if you decide to try your hand at making this diaper bag make sure to check out the corrections here and get a good night's sleep.   

trunk show chic

Another fun event this weekend was the grand opening of the Trunk Show Chic showroom downtown at the Providence Piers.  Trunk Show Chic is a company that sells their own line of new and vintage jewelry, Zoho Couture, and other brands including Chicklet, Varadian Beaded Couture, One Language, Alex and Ani, and In Bloom.  Matt, owner of blueflash photography (and my husband) brought the bluecube and it was the hit of the party, second only to all the gorgeous jewelry.  Here are some photos from the bluecube... don't you want to rent it for your next party?     

As for the jewelry, I can personally vouch for its awesomeness.  I drooled over a piece at one of his photo shoots that Trunk Show Chic was providing jewelry for (hair accessories provided by In Bloom) and he very sweetly remembered I loved it and bought it for me for Valentine's Day.  It's a Zoho Couture piece, Lucky in Love, and I LOVE it and get tons of compliments on it.  I love that it has the Italian horn (that way I can ward off the Malochia) and a giant piece of quartz.  Rachel has designed a lot of other fabulous bracelets and necklaces that are equally eye-catching, including this one, which I love because one of its charms is a rhinestone-studded whistle.  I also have a set of Alex and Ani expandable bangles, some with charms and some without.  For now I've got my eye on this canvas tote screen printed with a bicycle by One Language.  Check out the Trunk Show Chic site or book an event at the showroom to take a closer look at all the designs, and visit blueflash to view the rest of the bluecube gallery.  So, between the evening of enchantment and this par-tay we had a very busy weekend.  I'm looking forward to a low-key couple of days - a work project with the youth group during the day and movie night on Saturday, and church on Sunday.  What are your plans for this weekend?  

pretty nails

I just received the new Urban Outfitters catalog in the mail and I was reminded of all their great nail polish colors.  My friend Rachel introduced me to their nail polish last summer and I once spent about $24 on it in one day, but don't let that price tag fool you - the bottles are reasonably priced at $4.  I couldn't stop myself from buying six colors!  Anyway, Urban has tons of colors available in the store and select shades available online.  I have orange 2, yellow 1, green 1, and blues 1, 3, and 4.  I'm currently sporting blue 3, although my manicure is in dire need of a touch up.
The only hue I'm not really a fan of is yellow 1- my friend Jaclyn was kind enough to point out that it looked like fungus the first time I wore it and I haven't worn it since.  With spring right around the corner I recommend that you get yourself on over to Urban Outfitters and stock up on lots bright colors for your fingers and toes!  

thirty-one

Thirty-One is a six-year-old company known for their affordable and stylish gifts and accessories.  They offer a selection of handbags, candles, stationery, kitchenware, and have lines for babies, toddlers, and teens as well.  My friend Grace is thinking about joining the Thirty-One team and becoming a consultant so I'm spreading the word.  One of my favorite products is the Super Sassy Sac in Mod Dot - it looks big enough to hold all my school supplies including my laptop, and the graphic gray print is quite cool.  I'm also a fan of the Toddler Backpack in Criss Cross... I know, it's meant for a toddler but it has an owl on it and I can't help but love it.  Anyway, this month you can add an embroidered monogram, name, or phrase to any bag or accessory for $1.00!  Take a look at the Spring/Summer 2010 catalog - you're bound to find something you like.