Shopping with Bad at Zara

While we worked ourselves up to a shopping frenzy behind this groovy sales girl at Zara, we speculated that maybe she was talking to Zara head office in Spain "there is a run on long brown skirts, ship more". There was a Zara run on many stylish and affordable items including faux fur vests, peg leg pants (been there and so not doing that look again) and long brown skirts. I would have liked the faux fur vest had it fit but stock sizes were going fast and furious.

Apparently we have Zara in Canada and certainly one must be closer than I knew across the border in the US. In other words, I have to do some distance to get another Zara fashion fix.........I can do that. 

What I won't find at any of the Zara stores in North America is a canine shopper checking out the fashion groove. Those adorable dogs go everywhere in Paris, even evening shopping on the Champs-Élysées in the pouring rain. He was giving me the look that said "lady that skirt is so not age appropriate". So I put it back on the rack. He was so right.

On the other side of his monogrammed collar was the word BAD. So that's what I called him.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

High Colour Alert.............at Maison et Objet

It seems like weeks ago that I walked the aisles of the Maison et Objet show in Paris. Well, actually it was but when I downloaded a second set of photos from my smaller camera yesterday I felt like I was there again and having fun with Fabulous Vicki from French Essence as I personally refer to her now. If Paris is where the trends and colour direction start as claimed in the world of interior design then I would say there is a High Colour Alert headed our way................

Don"t you just love these decal-embellished and die-cut acrylic chairs?

The shoes are pretty good too. 

Gorgeous vases of brilliant colour were everywhere. A clever way to add sleek doses of high colour to more neutral environments and complement fresh floral arrangements. Look at that orange and pink together. Tell me that wouldn't be fun to set a party table with those colours?

 

Makes me want to have a colour party soon.

This chartreuse wall answered a question I have had for some time. What single colour to paint the long office wall I face each day. What colour will stimulate creativity for me and work with all the colours I work with each day? Read my original post here on Chartreuse here and why it will be my perfect paint colour choice. Think I should add one of those acrylic chairs in orange? Or chartreuse?

More vases and they make me want to design a high-ceiling room with matte black walls and ornate trim and mouldings painted high gloss black. I would line up masses of these vases on the huge stone mantel and let the exuberant colour mix and pattern take the room away. I have no idea where that thought came from but I like the room that just popped into my head.

Peeking through a display window and note how that coral orange wall sets off the more subdued taupe tones and weathered wood frames. Now this is what I came to Paris to see............ inspiration.

 Maison et Objet photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Photo 6 by Vicki Archer - French Essence

men in white aprons..........

He was getting away from me fast which is why this shot is a bit blurry. Those delivery bags are filled with baguettes fresh from the oven and it was the smell as he walked behind me that alerted me to lift my camera and follow the source. I was told by a professional that you never directly photograph anyone in Paris (it is considered rude and unprofessional) without asking first but no one said anything about photographing them from the rear which I thought in most cases made for a more interesting shot anyways. Even if it is a bit blurry it is still one of my favourite photos.

Here at home I don't normally eat chicken as I find it bland and tasteless. Not so in Paris, the roasted chicken was incredibly moist and so delicious I am still thinking about it. This rotisserie chicken drips it's juices over a tray of potatoes, cooking them as it turns and the daily aroma of roasted chicken and potatoes can distract the entire neighborhood. This shot was taken in the Marais where our tour guide lives and breathes this delicious smell day after day. More about our entertaining tour guide who says he eats too much rotisserie chicken this upcoming week.

Fresh-squeezed juice anyone?

This lively waiter gave me permission to take his photo.........and I think he kind of liked it. 

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Working the Paris Windows........in a beautiful white shirt

Yes, if I was 25 years younger (and thin and rich) this stunning creation would be mine. I am none of those things but I love the smooth silhouette of the simple top in contrast to the black-dipped edges, the pinned layers, the weightlessness of the fabric. Would I wear them with those fur embellished Paris shoes I showed you last week here? You bet........if I was young, skinny and rich. 

This one too.

This pic was to remind me to start wearing my high-collared Anne Fontaine white shirts and to style them in this simple fashion. Bring out the brooch pins too. Anne Fontaine has 9 stores in Paris, many more across Europe and in select US cities if you are looking for the most beautifully constructed white shirt made of the most wonderful of fabrics. And if you appreciate classic purchases that last for a very long time. If lucky you is visiting the Anne Fontaine store located at 370 Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, you can also quietly descend the lower staircase into the Spa Anne Fontaine where you can immerse yourself in soothing and luxurious spa treatments. I am all for indulgence when traveling (whether it be a box of macarons or a seaweed wrap) and I think this might be the place to do it. The restrained but creative interior was a collaboration between Fontaine and French interior designer Andrée Putman (who has a intriguing website here). The Parisian designer is best know for the conception of  the "boutique hotels" opened by Ian Schrager in the 1980's, the interior of the Concorde (could the airlines bring back a bit more of that comfort?), and product design for Christofle, Chivas and Louis Vuitton to name just a few.

Something dapper and classic for the guys.

And in case you think all I did was window shop, next week I will share the Paris neighborhood we almost missed, the tour guide who got us there, my two favourite stores, the hotel where I stayed, another hotel with a cool vibe, why I bought Gap in Paris, who shopped with me at Zara, and my favourite fashion window display. I am saving it for last. Oh, and a few more photos from the Maison et Objet show. Happy weekend....................and feel free to tell me when you have had enough.

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Do they wear scrubs in Paris?

Our son is far enough along in med school now to answer most of my silly medical based questions. Such as "If I sit next to a lady on an overseas flight and she is non-stop coughing what are my chances of getting sick when I get home?" Actually, I don't need him to answer this one and I have the kleenex box to prove it. Don't you hate it when that happens? Today our son will put on a pair of scrubs and officially starts his most demanding rotation which will answer his big question "do I want to be a surgeon?" I think this is a question that has been over his head for three years now, maybe longer, and as he starts those long days and on-call hours, I wanted him to know I was thinking of him. 

I was also thinking of our son when I saw this most interesting booth at the Maison et Objet show in Paris during my first week. The entire booth was filled with a fascinating collection of medical objects, dimensional slices of the body, drawings, charts, and yes........eyeball sockets. This booth was a medical students dream. I better find the booth card for this one. Just not today. 

This is where the perfect gift got away from me. At the charming bookseller stalls along the River Seine.  I was hoping to find an old medical book or print for my son and found the perfect print of a 17th century surgery operatory but in one regrettable move at the beginning of my trip when the days where stretched ahead of me and I thought I had lots of time, I did the unthinkable, something a tourist should never do. I clipped it back on to the hanger and said to myself " I will think about it overnight and can come back later". And I did go back on my last day but never did find that perfect surgical print. But I will one day. Maybe we will go together. 






Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Home from Paris..................and the three C's

My body clock is all whacked about but I am home. I walked in the door, hit the shower and then hit the pillow with wet hair and that is all I remember from last night. I have totally given in to this first day of jet lag, been back to bed two times and it is only 3 pm. Just went hunting for the gift chocolate I brought back which is really weird since I don''t normally crave chocolate. I am kicking myself for not picking up a bag of fresh croissants before my flight because I am really craving those as well. I can't even think of unpacking though I did find all the goodies I brought home for my husband. We all know he deserved the stylish loot. Maybe he will send me back to get more?

This is a blog about gifting but for the next few weeks I am going to tell you about Paris. I will tell you not because I think I am the only person to ever travel to Paris or that I know that much but because I want to share some great stores and some fabulous people who I think you would like to meet and many of these deserve a post of their own. To do so will mean I need to be on my game and right now all I can think about is the three C's...................coffee, chocolate and croissants. And sleep. 

This is one of my favorite photo shots because when I think of Paris I think of the people, how they own their streets, by foot, by bike, by stylish scooter. I never did get to cycle which is probably a good thing...........in fact, what was I thinking? I hope to cycle tomorrow but realistically and I can say this with total confidence, I will probably nap instead. Or unpack. Maybe. 

So as soon as I unpack, reset my clock, tell more stories to my husband, hug him again and again, and catch up on some emails, I will be open for blogging. My body is here at home where it should be now, but I do have to admit.............my head is still in Paris. 






Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Phone Home............ready to leave Paris now.

We saw these adorable vintage items in a very cool store in the Marais today. Impossible to believe, but like ET I am ready to phone home..................I mean go home. I leave Saturday and my bags are packed with the most wonderful new friendships and lots of stories. Oh, and about 900 fabulous photos of Paris if I do say so myself.

This vintage doggy in the window almost came home too.

He isn't the real kind, but I have some photos of some real ones too. 

Wave goodbye to Paris..................until the next time. 

Get ready to see Paris over the next few weeks.

I cannot possibly save it all for myself.

Too beautiful for words.

I will back track and add links to stores and hotel next week.

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Paris fuel....................to keep me going

When in Paris you need certain things to keep going. To sustain your energy. Lots of expresso, American coffee, and Coca Cola Light of course.

And then you need to hunt down the Toilettes.

A few croissants to snack on in between. I told you my sister-in-law Louise would keep me going at a breakneck speed. Don't you love how the French make even a humble pasty bag clever with a few corner twists?

The real fuel in Paris is the visual candy, the beauty, the endless supply of incredible beauty. 

The petite floral shop near our hotel.

Louise was sitting here at 5:30 am this morning watching the sun rise, the joggers go by, the workers begin their day. Her quiet time while I slept in a bit.

Cafes for waiting out a few short bursts of rain.

And seeing a fun pair of red shoes.

~ Luxembourg Gardens ~

Thank you to the readers and followers who have been leaving such lovely

 comments while I am traveling. And welcome to new followers. Though 

it is difficult to see too-much Paris, if it starts to get boring, just let me know.

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Keep on..............walking the Paris streets

Something tailored.

Something serious?

Something tempting.

Something adorable.......

Something everywhere.............

Some wishful thinking. 

Paris still perfect. Only four more days. Keep on walking. 

All Paris photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Paris...........perfection

I know..............isn't this the most lovely of walls? We have finished up at the Maison et Objet show and it is when looking at the photo images that I see what my eyes couldn't take in fast enough. Occasionally in life, you experience a perfect day, rarely a perfect week. This has been my perfect week. 

I have had the pleasure of absolutely perfect company, fabulous and engaging conversation, beautiful restaurants, delicious meals, perfect weather, visual beauty, and today I am going to catch my breath. Sort out my sleep, my nails, my hair, my photos, my stories to tell you in the weeks ahead, the people I want you to meet. 

Tomorrow is going to be another perfect Paris day.

Photos by Vicki Archer ~ Maison et Objet, Paris

kiss, kiss from Paris

Bonjour........and my apologies for not posting as planned over the past few days. A laptop that is not cooperating, email server problems, a phone that won't charge, a fried hairdryer, a camera that is acting strange and the joke around here is that there is some tech-cloud hanging over my head here in Paris. Example: I finally get on the internet tonight at 12:45 and open a new post and where is the photo download on dashboard? But, boy have i some gorgeous pics for you to see from the show when this all sorted out. I will use Vicki's laptop tomorrow to post with photos. I refuse to let these pesky details stop me from having what is a most wonderful trip with the most gorgeous weather. And what a fabulous travel partner! I use her laptop to email home, her hairdryer to do my hair, she graciously takes photos for me (hers are stunning), and makes the best dinner reservations and even orders for me. The most pleasurable part of this trip has been to meet and spend time with Vicki Archer of French Essence. She is a stylish woman with an impeccable command of the french language, a generous spirit and is warm and wonderfully fabulous (she will be totally embarased when she reads this).You should buy her books........all of them and as fast as they come out. Her new book French Essence is going to make the best holiday book when released in North America late October. She is the real thing ladies and everything you would imagine if you read her mega-popular blog. Our late-to-bed-and early-to-rise schedule is now over and the next few days are going to be exploring Paris. In the meantime while I am posting with no photos (a first), please head over to to see Vicki's wonderful show photos (surprise, surprise, link also not working) so if you are not a follower then link through to French Essence my Blog Favorites sidebar. I have my own fun, fun show photos which I will post tomorrow or early Monday, on Vicki's laptop, yes again.
Thank you for your kind comments, see you tomorrow.

Bonne nuit ~
to my two guys JPC and APC.............miss you, miss you XOXO

a good sleep tonight...........princess style in Paris

The most helpful front desk staff at this quaint and lovely hotel in the Saint-Germain des Pres (feel free to tell me how to do those accent lines) area of Paris have told me "absolutely no going to bed until at least 7 pm" or I am going to feel this sleep-deprived buzz all day tomorrow. But all I want to do is crawl into this beautiful Princess bed and ponder the fabric-covered walls, order in some room service and take a lovely hot bath. Can you blame me?

I have a most charming two-part bath, so I am going to do a nice soak, get changed, put on my walking shoes and head out for a long evening walk. Vicki Archer heads in tomorrow morning from St. Remy and I have the feeling she will be raring to go. Luckily I told her to give me one turnaround day. I have until noon.

Laptop is up and running so looks like I will be blogging from Paris. I can hear the street sounds and feel the breezes through my open windows and doors and it is the most perfect weather. Off I go......... and then a really good sleep. 


All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Random thoughts...........before I leave for Paris

Thank you for all your lovely Paris travel comments and good wishes. My tummy has not been this excited since Christmas 1958 when Santa brought me that big life-sized doll I wanted. Except for my wedding day but this is a chic girly trip so the feeling is the same. I always bring my husbands best love letter tucked into my wallet. I really must quit buying so much black clothing. My open suitcase(s) looks like a nun is traveling. One really good pair of sparkly shoes are tucked into the suitcase corner.  I am looking for major gift and gift wrap inspiration to share with my lovely readers. Did you know that beautiful glow in Paris is in part caused by the sun reflecting off all the stone buildings? I figured that out last time I was there. I may post from Paris if I don't drop each busy day. No promises. But quite likely a few quick ones. Do you know if you hug someone for over 6 seconds that your body releases those feel-good endorphins? Hug someone and count to six. Lots of six-second blogger hugs ahead. I read that scientific fact in the book the Happiness Project. More about that book and my happy friend later. I am packing my cycling helmet for Paris cycling. Did you know there is a newer park in Paris for cycling and walking called Promenade Plantee? Cycling does work ladies. But I am repeating myself. Lots of new blogging material ahead. Stay with me. Welcome, welcome to all the new followers. No, those aren't my sparky shoes but I wish they were. Enjoy the beginning of September. Don't you love that month? My son just completed his long drive to New England...........now I am ready to leave. And my tummy has settled down. 

Photo of Sergi Rossi shoes via The Cherry Blossom Girl