Happy Bastille Day!!

Happy Bastille Day!!

This special day seems like an ideal time to pay tribute to the country that has been so good to me over the years. When I first arrived in Paris in 1999, I immediately knew I was someplace special – someplace that would mean more to me than most other places I had ever landed. Indeed that three-week trip was so very special to me, that everything surrounding the memories of it are happy ones. It was the first time I had been away from my family for more than a few days, and it didn’t even faze me. I was taken with the newness and à la fois oldness of the places we visited in those three weeks. And when we left, I was already counting down until me next visit – which wouldn’t be until four years later, but worth every minute of the wait.

Here are a few things we love about La France:

La tradition

Les marchés

Le pain!

Le fromage - all 600 kinds

Les raisins et le vin (grapes and wine)

Les tartes!

Cheers to France and the love affair that we have shared!

Ile Saint Louis' Own Gem: Bakhtar

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the shop that really lures me back to Ile Saint Louis every time. Bakhtar is a shop that has never had the pleasure of zip zipping my credit card, but one day, yes one day, it will know that pleasure. This is the type of place where I could really treat myself to some nice things, never mind the fact that I’ve only entered the shop once. I usually stop at the windows and drool like a little girl eyeing a doll she can’t live without. Why enter, anyway? They put their best stuff in the vitrines. I have seen something I wanted there every time I’ve peered in those windows since I very first pressed my nose against the glass four years ago.

Though they have more than jewelry that’s all I see as my eyes fixate on the many beautiful earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. As you can see from the photos, these are stunning finely crafted pieces, many with Eastern or Asian looks to them.

The one time I did step foot inside I saw equally beautiful scarves as well as some decorative home items. The staff is very friendly and very accustomed to passers-by enjoying the view (and probably equally used to them moving right on). The jewelry seems to be more or less accurately priced – earrings with semi-precious stones around 80€ and up and necklaces with lots of stones seem to be between 200€ and 300€.

Bakhtar

82 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile

75004 Paris

France

T.: +33.(0)1.43.29.68.14

47 Rue Dauphine

75006 Paris

France

T.: +33.(0)1.46.33.38.62

My Favorite Paris Boutique: 78 rue Saint Louis en l’Ile

If you’ve ever walked along rue St. Louis en l’Ile, you’ll know that it’s filled with many wonderful shops. Call me a tourist, but I LOVE this street. Heck, I love the whole island. I love that every apartment on it has a view of something really interesting. I love its rich history. I love that it’s one of Paris’ best-kept secrets. I love the uniqueness of the shops, the friendly grocer who always recognized me in my big green coat, the florist with her flowers spilling out onto the trottoir… I could go on and on!

I guess it was when I lived on Ile Saint Louis (ah, I still relish in my ability to make such a claim) that I came upon 78. 78 is a charming little boutique with clothes, scarves, jewelry, and bags that fit any budget. It’s the kind of place that gives you a little tingle inside when you find something cute because you know they could be selling it for a lot more. But they’re not, and you’ve just made away with a super cute find.

They change their inventory quite frequently at 78, so there’s always something new to find there. They have everything from t-shirts to jackets to dresses and blouses, and almost nothing is over 100 . It’s a scaled-down version of all those Marais boutiques that we love but can’t quite afford to shop at. Enjoy!

78 rue Saint Louis en l’Ile

75004 Paris