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 Marché 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 Sézane.
Where to Eat
Tucked away in the gardens of the Palais Royal is the iconic Café Kitsuné 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 sablé cookie. For breakfast visit the Aussie owned restaurant Hardware Société 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 you’re 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 Hermé 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.