A bientôt.

As of tomorrow I will be leaving Paris for a little while. This is not to say that I'm not coming back or vanishing off the face of the planet, however I am bound for a couple of other cities further afield but this will only provide me with more sights and inspiration for this 'ere blog.

Yesterday after a gruelling session of last minute grammar revision, I took myself off for a walk. Down Rue St. Dom, under the Eiffel Tower and then on to the top of the Champs. The evening was almost balmy as I made my way through the ever un-quahsable amount of camera clutching tourists. A couple of times during my stroll I had moments of "oh-my-word-I-actually-live-here." To be fair these aren't uncommon but they have been in the last couple of months especially with the incessant days of inclement weather. They provide a warm, pudding-y kind of feeling right in the pit of my stomach and I despite it being a massive cliché the sight of the Eiffel Tower in the sun provokes this feeling probably more than any other sight in Paris and it's something that'll fondly miss while I'm away.

I love the sight of the people feasting their eyes on the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. 

A bientot for now, I won't be gone long but until then, stay trendy, be safe and enjoy the sights in your life. 

p.s. Happy Jour du Macaroon for yesterday! 

Les Cocottes.

Last Saturday when HG was here we decided a proper meal out was in order, rather than my scrimpy-don't-spend-save- student ways and providing below standard picnics to enjoy in the bitterly cold conditions. Something more substantial was on the menu and so I suggested Les Cocottes which I had read about on this blog. it sounded quite ideal; good value, efficient service and on one of my favourite Rues, the one and only Rue St. Dominique.

We got to the door for bang on seven, the time they open for dinner and were quickly lead to a table for two at the bar. The interior was all looking rather minimal but with kitsch added details such as black boards, little bread baskets and hanging cured meats in the window. We had barely removed our layers of coats, scarfs and hats before the waiter was politely offering his opinion of which wine to choose. The meal itself came in no-time at all and although we got a couple of disapproving glances HG and i did our typical sharing manoeuvres. Sharing is caring after all. 

 I couldn't get enough of this ice-bucket-bag. If ever in desperation fill a handbag with ice et voila. 

 Barside. 

 Spring vegetables cooked en Cocotte. 

 Braised beef with red wine and mushrooms. It literally was melt in your mouth goodness. 

And of course we had to go halves on deserts as well. I went for pear and chocolate crumble. Just look at that little dish. 

 HG went for the chocolate tart because she said she just HAD to have a piece of tart. They were both divine and together it was a match made in heaven. 

Bear in mind this was taken just after a full on day of walking as well as being swept along my gusts of wind. Lets just say that the half bottle of Chablis was a very welcome sight. 

When Haz came to Paz.

So young Miss. Goffman my beloved and longest serving friend came to visit me last weekend for a visit filled with many chats, miles of walking and much perusing. It truly was a delight and luckily the elements were on our side with only the minor appearance of rain. During HG's short but sweet stay we managed, in no particular order: A spontaneous trip to Angelina, Galeries La Fayette, Printemps plus roof terrace, Le Bon Marché, a picnic in the Tuileries, a glimpse of the Panthéon whilst in search of cheap Chinese, general wanderings around Montmartre, the Sacre Coeur, yet another picnic with morsels of award winning baguette, a flit around Parc Monceau, a dalliance along the Champs, the Eiffel Tower, dinner at Les Cocottes, Le Marais, pitta pouches overloaded with falafel, stumbling along the cobbles of Le Marais and of course much needed slumbers in my little squat of an apartment.

please turn a blind eye to the slightly offensive curtains. 

Too good. 

HG and I couldn't actually consume the entirety of our jug in one sitting and so had to ask for a take away cup!

Rooftop view from Printemps. Always reminds me of "Ratatouille"

HG enjoying the scenic views of Paz.

Looking pretty in place de Vendome

This little bakery on Rue des Abbesses won best baguette in Paris 2010 did you know?

Montmartre musings.

Urm. Where is it?

Nothing quite completes an afternoon in Paris than a rather raucous manifestation. They were chanting and all but for what we weren't entirely sure. 

This just had to be done. 

Self timer fail. Possibly my favourite picture from the weekend though. 

A lovely lady took pity on our self-timing blunder and offered to be photographer. Bless. 

Jump of joy. 

Take 1.

Take 2.

Third time lucky!

I'd like to thank the cherub face that is HG for coming to visit me and keeping me in such wonderful company for four days. Visitors are just the best and it allows me to do, see and experience new things but also consolidate places that i already know by introducing them to my guests. I'd also like to apologise to for my cluelessness at times, "what Rue are we on?" seems to become my favourite catch phrase when in search of places I thought I knew the location of! HG was ever so patient as always though. She's the best. 

Monceau.

One of the most useful presents I received for my birthday last year was a 'Paris by Metro' book from my very well informed and in-the-know auntie. It's such a great guide to the city and goes hand in hand with the most efficient and most used mode of transport, the joy that is the metro. When stuck with the dilemma of creating my own agenda for the day, usually a Sunday, I turn to this extensive handbook for inspiration. This is what lead me to Parc Monceau, a very picturesque park in the 8th absolutely teaming with runners and joggers alike.

 You probably can't see the significance of this picture due to the lighting, however amongst those very branches were buds of blooming blossom. Actual signs of Spring right there. 

As I was in the vicinity I also took my guide's advice and went in search of Mussée Chernuschi  on Avenue Vérlasquez, which is an absolute treasure trove of Asian antiques including tapestries, bronzes, ceramics as well as a monumental Buddha. I was completely sold at the thought of seeing a Buddha as I am a massive fan.

Entry was cheap, only three euros fifty for a student tariff and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they had the heating on what felt like almost full whack. Such a difference from my draughty cube of an apartment.

 What a beauty. 

 So mellow with life. 

I wish I was a Buddha. 

La Coutume.

Cafes in Paris are almost as common as blobs of chewing gum on the pavements of Milton Keynes. Not the most picturesque simile I know but you get where I'm coming from. There's A LOT. With this in mind it's sometimes hard to distinguish between the best the bad and the in-between. Thankfully CS and I happened to come across what I would call a bit of a gem. La Coutume is located on Rue de Babylone which also happens to be the home of La Pagode, an out-of-place looking Japanese building serving as an alternative cinema.

Sorry, side-tracking. Back to the café chat. CS and I had lunch in this coffee scented cosy corner and it was delish to say the least. I had the Pho which is a light soup with a concoction of zany looking components, including purple spiralled root veggies, slightly plump pearl barley and a couple of cheeky prawns thrown in for good measure. In all honesty my choice was a bit of a gamble but after soaking the bowl clean with some bread (wholemeal, I'd like to add) I was fully satisfied.

As it happens, La Coutume celebrated it's 2nd birthday on Monday and to acknowledge this event all their coffees were only a mere euro. Not only are they a combination of perfectly brewed coffee with a delectable amount of froth but they are also a delight to the eye thanks to their artistic barrister. I would absolutley recommend this gem of a café as it's friendly atmosphere and wafting smell of ground coffee is not only inviting but also makes you want to go back for more.

Merci.

This week I had the utter delight of having my dearest darling mother to stay with me. That's right, Mummy Smith made the journey across the channel to slum it with me in my student digs as well as taking in an abundance of sights, shops and sweet treats.


First on our itinerary was the much talked about Merci. An truly divine concept store, including a gorgeous cafe lined with rustic bookshelves, rails of bang- on-trend clothes, more enamel kitchen ware than a campsite and a whole bundle more. Obviously CS and I were in our element. Everything was so cleverly displayed, in glass cabinets, hanging from the ceiling and simply just placed (or so we're lead to believe).

 CS looking dapper. 

 Absolutely delectable smells wafting from bottles. 

Liberty-esque print suit cases. 

After much gazing and deciding purchasing anything would be slightly unjustifiable, especially a roll of floor board print wallpaper (as shown above), CS and I headed to the realms of Opéra to get lost in Galeries La Fayette followed by a browse and lunch in Printemps.

As the sun was trying its hardest to make a dent in the clouds we decided to walk to St. Germain and headed to yet another department store in the form of Bon Marché (my personal fave). After more wanderings and getting ever so slightly lost in the maze that is St. Germain we finally ended up at Rue Berci, an un-evenly cobbled street crammed with chairs and tables from the various bistros and brasseries. Coincidentally it's the same street where my parents and I had lunch just before I frist started out in Paris. Déja-vu as they say.

I'd like to dedicate this post to Mummy Smith as it just so happens to be Mother's day! I really did have the best time during her short but sweet visit. The standard of my Mother's company is just unbeatable, conversation is always flowing, laughter is frequent and the cuddles are second to none. I'll be thinking of CS a whole load today and I wish all Mother's everywhere a very enjoyable day!


P.S CS. This one's for you. Merci.