For a real treat you can visit the Chanel store in Paris at 31 Rue Cambon which is where Coco opened up her very first dress shop in 1910, her old apartment is still preserved just upstairs. I picked up a couple souvenirs while I was there including a new lipstick color and the now insta famous La Crème Main. Grab a bite to eat afterwards just around the corner at Mademoiselle.
Postcards from Paris
Patrick and I decided to celebrate us both turning 30 this summer by taking a trip to Paris where we met up with my Sweet & Spark Co-Founder, Jillian, who was also celebrating her birthday. Summer babies gotta stick together!
Where to Shop
The two most infamous shopping malls have to be Le Bon MarchÊ and Galeries Lafayette where you can find just about anything, I especially love the abundance of perfume selections at Parisian department stores. For a more intimate shopping experience try exploring the quaint boutique lined streets of Le Marais where you can find the Japan based Vintage Paris store filled with heritage finds from Chanel, Dior and Hermès. I also picked up a few breezy clothing items for the south of France at L'Appartement SÊzane.
Where to Eat
Tucked away in the gardens of the Palais Royal is the iconic CafÊ KitsunÊ which is the perfect spot to sip on a coffee and people watch underneath their shaded tables. I ordered the hot chocolate along with a sablÊ cookie. For breakfast visit the Aussie owned restaurant Hardware SociÊtÊ inside the charming Montmartre neighborhood. Patrick and I split a sweet and a savory dish there; the fried brioche with fruit and the scrambled egg sandwich with salsa. If youâre in the mood for a traditional stack of pancakes Hollybelly is also a great option, bonus points to them for serving breakfast all day. Spend a long evening sipping wine and trying new cheeses at the Monbleu fromagerie, their radish and butter appetizer was also delicious. For macarons go to Pierre HermÊ and for delicate pastries go to Lenôtre, both make great on-the-go dessert options.
Where to Explore
I love to end the day with a picnic and a view. Pick up a bottle of wine, some cheese, pastries and a baguette while exploring the city and head to the Jardin des Tuileries or Le Jardin de Luxembourg to watch the sunset.
French Toast
Always a weekend favorite at 20th Century Cafe for brunch.
Put a Record On
In San Francisco looking for a good vinyl selection? Check here first.
Thirty, Flirty and Disney-ing
I turned 30 this week. There is a lot of stigma and anxiety surrounding this birthday, but it has all felt very natural for me so far and I am looking forward to this next chapter. My week started off with a surprise party that I have secretly (and not so secretly!) always wanted. My parents flew in without me knowing a thing and helped plan an evening filled with close friends and cocktails. Afterwards, Patrick and I flew to Los Angeles to spend my actual birthday at Disneyland where I had the perfect excuse to wear my vintage Mickey Mouse sweater from the 1960s. Mickey shaped pastries and ice cream pops were thoroughly enjoyed in between rides. We spent the rest of the week beach bumming around Santa Monica and eating at favorites like eggslut and The Rose. It was the perfect way to celebrate entering into a brand new decade.