Le Retour and Paris Score

After taking the summer off (unintentionally), I am working on getting back on the blog.

What better way to start back than to post some pictures of the loot that my sister brought me back from her whirlwind trip to Paris!

My sister and I have a rule: no matter the length of time of the trip, there are certain essentials that must be brought back to family members who are stuck back in the U.S., happy for she who is in Paris and also a bit jealous.

Le Stash:

A book on cats of Paris- in English and French.  Cats + Paris = faves!!

A cute tote from Petit Bateau- so thoughtful and so very me!

Guest appearance by Louis Philippe, who is licking his chops in anticipation!

Fromage - from Ile St. Louis = tomme brebis pyrenees and compte fruite.  This place vacuum pacs the cheeses so that they can be brought back with you.

Calissons = classic!

Veille au Chalet candle from Comptoir de Famille: I alternate between this and fireplace smelling candles in the winter, but if I had to pick one candle to burn (and had them to spare), I would pick this one.  And a little pochette!

Adorable little recipe cards from Au Nom de La Rose.  I love everything about this store.  And I will be attempting these!!

Pictured but no close up: Pierre Herme rose wafers.  Delicious beyond imagination.  Amazing that my sister found these years ago.  To be eaten slowly- like a treasure that you will never eat again!

Not pictured: an assortment of macarons from Laduree, handpicked and ziplock sealed for freshness.

Merci mille fois, Aliza!

Le Retour and Paris Score

After taking the summer off (unintentionally), I am working on getting back on the blog.

What better way to start back than to post some pictures of the loot that my sister brought me back from her whirlwind trip to Paris!

My sister and I have a rule: no matter the length of time of the trip, there are certain essentials that must be brought back to family members who are stuck back in the U.S., happy for she who is in Paris and also a bit jealous.

Le Stash:

A book on cats of Paris- in English and French.  Cats + Paris = faves!!

A cute tote from Petit Bateau- so thoughtful and so very me!

Guest appearance by Louis Philippe, who is licking his chops in anticipation!

Fromage - from Ile St. Louis = tomme brebis pyrenees and compte fruite.  This place vacuum pacs the cheeses so that they can be brought back with you.

Calissons = classic!

Veille au Chalet candle from Comptoir de Famille: I alternate between this and fireplace smelling candles in the winter, but if I had to pick one candle to burn (and had them to spare), I would pick this one.  And a little pochette!

Adorable little recipe cards from Au Nom de La Rose.  I love everything about this store.  And I will be attempting these!!

Pictured but no close up: Pierre Herme rose wafers.  Delicious beyond imagination.  Amazing that my sister found these years ago.  To be eaten slowly- like a treasure that you will never eat again!

Not pictured: an assortment of macarons from Laduree, handpicked and ziplock sealed for freshness.

Merci mille fois, Aliza!

Sperry Topsider - more than just shoes!

What prep doesn't own a pair of Sperry's (or 3)?

I knew that the company had branched out from their traditional boat shoes, but when I looked on their site recently, I fell in love!!

Their scarves are adorable!  And only $36!

My favorite:

And you can't go wrong with anchors!

Love this too

Anyone need another tote bag?

Or a little mirror case for your bag?

My favorite bikini:

 

There was a fuller hipster, but it looks like it sold out :(

Also cute for you petite girls:

And this shoe!!!  Dreamy!! I bought it in white and tan on Rue La La,  May try to send back and get this one though.

Sperry Topsider - more than just shoes!

What prep doesn't own a pair of Sperry's (or 3)?

I knew that the company had branched out from their traditional boat shoes, but when I looked on their site recently, I fell in love!!

Their scarves are adorable!  And only $36!

My favorite:

And you can't go wrong with anchors!

Love this too

Anyone need another tote bag?

Or a little mirror case for your bag?

My favorite bikini:

 

There was a fuller hipster, but it looks like it sold out :(

Also cute for you petite girls:

And this shoe!!!  Dreamy!! I bought it in white and tan on Rue La La,  May try to send back and get this one though.

Bougies!

Ah, spring!  Or at least spring-y weather for a few days in Massachusetts.  I am behind on my posts, so there will be more coming soon!

As many other francophiles know, French fragrances in general are lovely.  This extends to candles (bougies) as well.   There is something about the way that the fragrances are done which captures them so nicely and does not make them seem fake (yankee candle, cough cough).

A great source of consternation for me has been the inability to import or find my favorite candles in the United States.  Many of these are not sold here, nor can they be ordered from the companies' websites, which ship only within Europe/Asia.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Top: Veille au Chalet from Comptoir de Famille.  A winter scent that smells like nothing else.  Much coveted in my family, and nowhere to be found in this coutnry.  Only 15.5 Euros!
Middle: Pomander by Diptique- my favorite, burned when it's cold, especially around Christmas.  There are many good imitations of Baies, but I have found no good imitations of Pomander.  Expensive- these are now up to about $65!
Middle: La Ronde des Fleurs Rose Mousseuse by Comptoir de Famille.  Burned in spring and summer, so fresh and clean smelling.  If you love roses, it's a must- very unique, not stuffy and again, nothing like it anywhere.  Again about 15.5 euros.
Bottom:  Brioche candle by Fragonard.  There exists other candles named Brioche, but this is my favorite.  About 23 Euros.   Burned mainly in the winter, but anytime in the kitchen, smells like baking in a non-sugary way.
Bottom: Violette candle by Fragonard.  Also 23 Euros or so.  My favorite violet smelling candle.  More spring/summer.

Not pictured but also loved: pretty much anything from Au Nom de la Rose (great price but I have burned them all) and La Duree Candles- lovely but pricey.

And can we talk about the packaging?!  The canvas covers of the two Fragonard candles pictured give you an idea.  The boxes are also beautiful- they alone are a gift.

Many of these come in room sprays and diffusers, plus I have the Violette by Fragonard fragrance.

I am always open to candle suggestions if anyone has a love!
And, of course, please let me know if you can find my Comptoir de Famille candles in the USA!!

I have many American made candles that I love as well.  I am happy to do a post on those as well if people are interested.

Bougies!

Ah, spring!  Or at least spring-y weather for a few days in Massachusetts.  I am behind on my posts, so there will be more coming soon!

As many other francophiles know, French fragrances in general are lovely.  This extends to candles (bougies) as well.   There is something about the way that the fragrances are done which captures them so nicely and does not make them seem fake (yankee candle, cough cough).

A great source of consternation for me has been the inability to import or find my favorite candles in the United States.  Many of these are not sold here, nor can they be ordered from the companies' websites, which ship only within Europe/Asia.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Top: Veille au Chalet from Comptoir de Famille.  A winter scent that smells like nothing else.  Much coveted in my family, and nowhere to be found in this coutnry.  Only 15.5 Euros!
Middle: Pomander by Diptique- my favorite, burned when it's cold, especially around Christmas.  There are many good imitations of Baies, but I have found no good imitations of Pomander.  Expensive- these are now up to about $65!
Middle: La Ronde des Fleurs Rose Mousseuse by Comptoir de Famille.  Burned in spring and summer, so fresh and clean smelling.  If you love roses, it's a must- very unique, not stuffy and again, nothing like it anywhere.  Again about 15.5 euros.
Bottom:  Brioche candle by Fragonard.  There exists other candles named Brioche, but this is my favorite.  About 23 Euros.   Burned mainly in the winter, but anytime in the kitchen, smells like baking in a non-sugary way.
Bottom: Violette candle by Fragonard.  Also 23 Euros or so.  My favorite violet smelling candle.  More spring/summer.

Not pictured but also loved: pretty much anything from Au Nom de la Rose (great price but I have burned them all) and La Duree Candles- lovely but pricey.

And can we talk about the packaging?!  The canvas covers of the two Fragonard candles pictured give you an idea.  The boxes are also beautiful- they alone are a gift.

Many of these come in room sprays and diffusers, plus I have the Violette by Fragonard fragrance.

I am always open to candle suggestions if anyone has a love!
And, of course, please let me know if you can find my Comptoir de Famille candles in the USA!!

I have many American made candles that I love as well.  I am happy to do a post on those as well if people are interested.

Philadelphia Flower Show- Preppy Score!!

I spent this past weekend with my parents and youngest sister in Philly, where my sister and her family live.  There were many highlights, since my niece and nephew are my two favorite children ever!

On the last day, after my parents left, my sister and I went to the Philadelphia flower show.  Every year, there is a theme to the show.  This year's theme, Articulture, was pretty weak, a mon avis.  Half of the show has flower displays, and the other half has vendor booths.  There were great deals on flowers and plants, including $6 for a dozen roses, and if I wasn't flying, a would have bought several plants and little cutenesses to start the terrarium that I have been wanting to create.

Here are a few pics from the show- taken with my Iphone so please forgive.  The last one is of a replica of a Nantucket cottage- much cuter.

On the vendor side, BINGO!!!!

My sister treated me to the ring and I got the necklace for myself.  They both were a HTH = have to have!  I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to look at this ring.

The designer is Silver Spoon Jewelry, for obvious reasons- their stuff is made out of Silverware!  Their website is www.silverspoonjewelry.com.  I WILL be getting many future presents from this website in the future :)