Bonjour! Emily In Paris
Paris. Oh how I J'adore Paris.
As an industry professional Paris is the pinnacle of chic elegance of which I'd hoped to showcase my skills at some point. Luckily enough over the years I have been able to fulfil that dream and work on various couture shows backstage. Each time I arrive in the city fall in love with it more and more and it I think I leave a little piece of my heart behind.
Getting to know the City has taken some time as there as just so so many quaint roads and streets that wind into yet another intriguing road filled with either expensive perfumeries, elegant fashion houses or the most delicious boulangeries. So if you don't know your Rue de Rivoli to your Champs Elysee then the best thing to do is take Paris in your stride, take in the breathtaking sights of the 1st arrondissement while eating your 5th Pain Au Chocolate.
Queue in , EMILY IN PARIS. So, if like me you are a HUGE and I mean a MAMMOUTH fan of Sex and the City and you have been needing your fix of fashion, fun and frolics then let me introduce you to Darren Star's ( creator of Sex and the City) newest city gal Emily.
Emily in Paris! Played by the ever so classic Lily Collins and whats more PATRICIA FIELD is back in the hot seat gearing up the fashion stakes again!. YES!!!!!!!
Paris for me, has now become a hub of collecting things for my make up kit that no others have. Its full of limited editions inside the huge Make Up houses flagship stores across the city. Combined with the masterpieces of fashion displayed as works of Art in shop fronts as you stroll through the Rue Cambon, giving a nod to COCO CHANEL, there is every reason as to why I feel more inspired to be a creative here then most places . Watching Emily find her feet around the city and making her creative visions come alive totally made me feel like I was back in my favourite European hotspot and being abe to see those magical spots simply ignite the romantic in me.
I come to Paris for 3 things:
1-To Shop
2-To Eat
3-To be Romantic
and quite honestly, its possibly the only city where you could do ALL THREE AT ONCE!
But lets take if from the top and let me share my fashionable guide on all the secret and in the know spots that would of had Emily conquering the city like a true Parisenne in no time. Oui??
GUERLAIN 68 CHAMPS ELYSEES
68, AVENUE DES CHAMPS ELYSÉES, PARIS - 7500
https://stores.guerlain.com/gb/en_GB/boutique/france/ile-de-france/paris/paris/FR16131
Ever heard the saying "smell like expensive french perfume"?
When you are in this city you know exactly where that saying would come from. On every corner there is an Expensive French perfumery and when I am in Paris I am always drawn into the tradional and elegant maison of Guerlain to wrap myself into a decadent world of essential blends of the finest scent.
There are blends that can ONLY be found here, and bottles that are either refillable or/and personalised with gold leaf making the price more forgiving knowing that it will decorate my dressing table for years to come and possible become an heirloom. Either way there is something about finding a fragrance here way more personal and special as opposed to the picking up a bottle like EVERYONE else at Duty Free. The french are unapologetically expensive but thats the cost of being unique.
My other favourite places to visit for scent is Diptyque 330-332 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris,
Shop here for the best scented French candles and unisex frangrances you can find.
CITY PHARMA
26 Rue du Four, 75006 Paris
Be aware that locals queue here from early as even they know its THE best pharmacy in town. But still check out the smaller ones to discover incredible up and coming brands.
TOP TIP: Shop assistants in the smaller pharmacies have stacks of samples. Do not be afraid to ask. They take this part seriously and are happy to help.
Don't Miss.....
LANCOME FLAGSHIP STORE, 52 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris,
SEPHORA FLAGSHIP STORE, 72 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris,
GALERIES LAFAYETTE France40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris,
FRENCH BRANDS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Bioderma - Industry Favourite Miscellar
Roger & Gallet - Scented soaps
Klorane - Haircare
Caudelie - Skincare
La Roche - Posay-Sensitive skin cream Cicaplast Baume B5
Nuxe - Multi purpose Dry Oil
Avene - Eau Thermale Avene Spring water spray
WANT TO DRESS LIKE EMILY?
Head straight to the Printemps Department stores and Galeries Lafayette (above)
Rue du faubourg saint-honoré is also a spectacular street that runs pararlell to Rue de Rivoli and homes some of the most famous fashion houses in France. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous Hermes horses and some sexy little boutiques housing some of the finest couture.
Le Marais and Saint-Germain-Des-Pres will fulfill the independant an limited edition finds you might be seeking. Le Marais has some pretty good Vintage too. So in true Emily fashion pick up a Baguette and follow your nose for those perfect finds.
EATING OUT
We see Emily explore the Cafe Culture of Paris in the show and although ' a few' of the names have been changed for fiction, a lot were actually non fictional which means you can step into Emily's shoes and live the Parisienne dream for yourself. Take a walk through the most romantic streets in Europe and you could easily graze your way through a Petit dejeuner to a Michelin star meal in the blink of an eye. French cuisine is simple rich indulgent and bloody delicious and if you fancy a cafe o lait or a glass of local Vin there will no doubt be somewhere satisfactory within 5 meters sq.
I do have a few personal favourites that I always frequent when I go to Paris and no doubt after virtually exploring the city in through Emily's eyes in this series I have a new list of places to try.
Maison Savage
5 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris,
From the most stunning breakfasts , to afternoon drinks with friends. Maison Sauvage is nestled amongst the arty streets of Saint Germaine and graced with blooming Wisteria.
Its a regular pit stop fro me when browsing the area for limited edition art work and independent clothing. Sit here for a glass of french wine OR if you are feeling fancy have a glass of Champagne!
http://www.maison-sauvage.fr/
L'Avenue
41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Now I'm going to be honest and say that I prefer the sister restaurant which is inside the famous Hotel Costes. But the hotel is undergoing significant development. (In fact I was lucky enough to have a mini tour on my last trip to see the developments and WOW! I cannot wait to return to Paris just to stay once it reopens) But the group have it covered in the shape of L'Avenue. Come fashion week this place is impossible to bag a table as its usually graced with faces like Beyonce and Jay Z or any other fashionistas who are grabbing a quick bite between shows. Bookings are done via direct email and luckily the menu is a the same at the hotel. One of the sexiest restaurants in town so dress in your french finest cause you never know who might walk in.
http://www.avenue-restaurant.com/
Les Deux Magots
6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris,
Saint-Germain has no shortage of stunning places to eat, Les Deux Magot is iconic and serves really really good food without feeling stuffy. The kind of place you are likely to see Emily chilling out of hours with the girls.
Laduree
Several locations.
In the UK we have High tea and in Paris they have Macarons and can you come to Paris and not take a bite into a classic Macaron, Non? Laduree isn't JUST a Macaron place . Its THE 'Chanel' of Macarons establishments.
Luckily enough there are a few dotted around the city but my favourite location by far is the Laduree Paris Royal as I find myself in this area a lot. The Laduree on the Champs Elysee is also just stunning and the perfect for you girly celebrations are special occasions
Angelina
226 Rue du Rivoli
The Best Chocolat Chaud In town on the
Rue du Rivoli. The most dreamy French Chocolat and Patisserie.
Elegent and Indulgant.
I cant wait to return.
https://www.angelina-paris.fr/
Hotspots from the Series
Les Deux Stations Bistro ( Drinks with Mindy)
Hôtel Plaza Athénée ( Where the Wild American actress is staying)
Café de Flore ( where Emily meets Professor Thomas)
Café De La Nouvelle Mairie ( Breakfast with Mindy across her apartment)
Le Grand Véfour ( The upmarket restaurant that has a yea waiting list that turns Emily away)
If I could live anywhere in this city, it would be here. Montmarte.
When I saw Emily and Mindy together Le Maison Rose (pictured above) the romance of this quaint village with spectacular view over the city from the beautifully positioned Sacre Coeur left me yearning to up-sticks and live out my dreams of being part of a classic french movie.
Eat anywhere here any you will be fulfilled and your heart will be warm. For me, this is the heart of romance. More so then the Eiffel Tower. Watching Emily and Mindy share a bottle of wine walking down the Rue de l'Abreuvoir, know as The prettiest street in Paris made me remember just how much I love it here and that indeed, Le Vie Est Belle
As I said at the start, Every time I visit this magical city I leave a little piece of my heart behind. Montmarte has a hold on my heart, so I felt it the best place to leave a token of love .
Merci!
Au Revoir!