Parisian Style

Every time I go on holiday I tend to bring something back, something for the home. My new 'thing' is to search for anything I can use to wrap a gift with. My recent trip to Paris was no different......

I want to share some wrapping ideas with you using some fab purchases from the city of elegance!

Wrapping Paper

The best word to describe this paper is padded. Its good quality, thick and brilliant to work with. It doesn't crease in the places you don't want it to and just wrapping with this alone makes the gift look extra special. This was tucked away in shop called Drugstore along the Champs El ysees.

Feathers

Feathers always make a gift more impressive - the one I have used here was from our wedding which I sprayed along the tip with gold sparkly paint. I bought these from CelloExpress

Lace

This dainty lace was my favourite purchase! You can get this and a wide range of haberdashery items here at Mercerie Moline. I also purchased the buttons below from the same shop.

Buttons

Buttons are not only used in textiles but are lovely accessories to add to a wrapped gift. I fell in love with these and they complimented the lace- I am still not sure what I will use these for yet!

Tags

Never seen a tag like this  -  purchased from a high end stationary shop called Melodies Graphiques. Was my favourite shop of the trip. On-line this place has amazing reviews. I could have been in there for hours studying the hand calligraphed postcards, the 25 EUROS a sheet handmade wrapping paper (even I couldn't justify that) and the stamps and cute stationary on display. I don't think I will be using this gift tag - it's to beautiful to write on!

Bonjour Paris

There is something about Paris that draws you back again and again and this Easter was no different, so we took a cheeky three day trip….

Selections of note cards

Selections of note cards

Cute chickies!

Cute chickies!

First stop was Merci! Tucked away in the heart of the historic quarter of Paris is a small boutique department store called Merci – be careful not to miss it as it's situated off the main street nestled between its Used Book Café and its restaurant La Cantine. Merci is described as having a ‘village-like charm’ which I think is spot on. As you walk through to the entrance there is a cute mini farm full of beautiful looking chickens and a random rabbit! There is also an old fashioned van covered in overgrown shrubs which is the start of their garden centre. Merci also has a beauty counter, fashion for men and women and a fab home section. 

Flower/Garden area

Flower/Garden area

Just one of Merci's displays

Just one of Merci's displays

Another beautiful chandelier!

Another beautiful chandelier!

Paris themed material

Paris themed material

Before visiting Paris I did research on the best markets to see. One that came up was a market situated at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur that consists of anything haberdashery. For anyone that loves anything sewing, it's definitely worth a visit. I can only describe it as the fabric district of Paris, there are streets of shops selling material and if you dig deep enough there are some bargain to be had! I managed to find a selection of material that was being sold outside one of the shops for 5 euros, and this was for 3 metres, so I bought two different prints. 

Buttons galore…..

Buttons galore…..

I would have been happy with just the fabric but I scrambled across a shop called Mercerie Moline. Inside I found a treasure trove of anything haberdashery -  ribbon, lace, bias binding, buttons, embroidery thread and much more.  I could have bought the shop but I was happy with some stunning lace trim and beautiful bias binding. 

 

For some reason this visit has turned me into a real foodie, I have loved every meal! The best food by far was in Versaille. I have always thought I was never a big fan of savoury crepes, but now I prefer them. I ordered a blue cheese, potato and fresh cream wheat crepe - it was amazing - completely moorish!!! 

French crepe - potato, blue cheese and fresh cream

French crepe - potato, blue cheese and fresh cream

Oh La La…..one of many pit stops!

Oh La La…..one of many pit stops!

We also tried a french/chinese which was mentioned to us by friends. Tangs was the restaurant, I would highly recommend it, the staff are amazing, extremely friendly and they cater for all your needs. You get a choice of a set menu or an A La Carte. We chose the set menu as you tell them what you do and don’t like and they make it to suit you!

Yummy lunch in the Republique area….

Yummy lunch in the Republique area….

Au Revoir for now! x