Sonya in the house

Not many people enter and exit the fashion world as smoothly as Sonya Rykiel.
She started by chance, 40 years ago, a young woman married to the owner of a clothing shop. Sonya started creating clothes for herself when she got pregnant, because she was having difficulties finding decent sweaters for her and her newborn. So she started with knitting, and designing knits. 40 years later, she

She is an icon of elegant French women, she represents style and normality and ultimately she demonstrated how people in the fashion world can be intelligent and discreet instead of showy and exaggerated.

Paris is celebrating Sonya's 40 years of activity in every possible way. Les Arts Decoratifs is hosting an exhibition about the designer's work, Rykiel's last fashion show was a true party and finally all windows of Rykiel's boutiques in Paris display fun and blingy items.
Here is a little show

Walking in the cold

A is here! So fun to have friends visiting me.
This morning we went for a great run along the river and Jardin des Plantes. This is by far my favorite park in Paris, not as chic as the Tuileries but with a more authentic feel to it. It's not the place where you meet the people featured in the sartorialist blog, but tt's the perfect park for running, taking a romantic stroll or just simply be. I am looking forward to taking my niece here during the weekend. She is going to go crazy!

After our run- and a generous breakfast- we headed towards the upper Marais. One of our food docents had suggested the area around Rue Charlot and rue Bretagne for fantastic window shopping and supposetly a super chocolatier.
We walked in the cold for about 2 hours, enjoyed this lesser known part of the BoBo neighborhood and actually found some great spots. Among others, we popped into the marche' des Enfants-Rouges. The market takes the name from an Orphan house located nearby where children wore a red uniform.
A and I had just started to be peckish (surprise?) so we took advantage of a lovely Bio stand/ restaurant. We had a gallette made of a weird mix of quinoa, veggies and..something else.
It was cooked on a proper crepes machine and it tasted heavenly..not quite a Thanksgiving meal but definitely delicious..Have a happy Thanksgiving. And thank you to all my friends for being such a special part of my life!

Laotian Food- The Best food

As promised, here are some pictures from out Laotian night. This, along with Laduree is my #1 stop when I come to Paris.
Located in the 13th arr., this Thai-Laotian join is a popular spot for locals, up to the point that arriving after 8PM automatically means standing in line for a while.
I was introduced to this restaurant a few years ago by David Lebowitz , we met there for dinner with some friends. David suggested a bunch of different dishes, but I remember him ordering the crunchy rice salad. This particular dish comes with leaves that range from lettuce to mint served on the side.
Since then, I have been a regular of this restaurant. I have taken my mom and dad, Mr. R, Katie, and anyone else who was in town and up for some good Asian food.

I went back not long ago, and along with the crunchy rice salad, I tried a delicious spicy basil duck dish and a chicken- coconut soup. Everything was delicious!

A. is coming to Paris today..so another guest to share Laotian delish with! Yupppeee


The restaurant is called Lao Lane Xang & Houng Lan
105 Avenue d'Ivry
75013 Paris
No reservations- closed on monday
Metro is Tolbiac

When it's cold outside..

I like to complain. I like to say that I miss the sun and the light of Rome, my mom's delicious food and my friends.
But then, I realize that I cannot complain. Spending six months a year in Paris is a treat, rather than an imposition. Being here for a "short" time allows me to always discover new things and look at the city with the eyes of a new comer. At the same time, living here for long stretches of time is perfect for feeling and home and becoming a "regular"in a restaurant.

Well, for the first time today, after almost 1 year of going to the same boulangerie I had a smile from the woman who works there. She was polite as usual, but also added a genuine smile when Mr. R insisted for a third rose de sable. Life is good when things like this happen.

Another pick me up in rainy cold days, is a cup of tea with Laduree macarons. We are slightly obsessed with these delicious, colorful mini dessert. Maybe because they come in lovely boxes, or maybe because they are gluten free, or simply because they are the perfect size for a dessert, every time we walk past one of the many Laduree spots in Paris we make sure to pick up a little box of 8 macarons.
Favorite fravors are: coffee, caramel, rose and violet.

New Ralph Lauren to open in Paris

In the heart of the most exclusive arrondissement of Paris, Ralph Lauren is opening up what seems to be a massive flagship store.
The opening date for the boutique is Blvd. St. Germain is 2009. So far, only a huge blue cover up hides the facade of what will be the RL headquarter in Paris.

It's snowing in Paris

I made the flake using http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/
I will venture outside to try and get some pictures..brrr

A Circus in Paris

Last summer I bought a dress from Paraphernalia , one of my fav shops in Rome. Paraphernalia is of those shops where you wish you could fit into everything, and be able to afford everything.
The dress was extremely colorful, strangely shaped and a bit clown like, but I absolutely loved it. I wore it with heels, flats, jeans,leggings or solo. It came with me to NY, Pakistan, London, Paris and my beach trips. It was that kind of strangely perfect dress you can glam up or just wear it as it is, and it still looks great.The dress is from a French label called Circus & Co.

Considering the price of the dress, and the uncommon brand, I was resigned to wait until the next sales at Paraphernalia before buying another one, but instead...The Circus came to me!
I was walking around the 4th arr the other day, and as I turned the corner in one of the streets by my apartment what did I see? The showroom for Circus & Co. ! I walked in like a drunk in a liquor store, or a kid in a candy store and I tried on everything. Dresses were 65 Euro, Sweaters and tops from 25 to 45, coats 85..It was a dream come true!

I am happy, with two new dresses and a couple of sweaters..my wallet? Not so happy:-)

If you are in Paris
Circus &Co
12 Rue Beautreillis- Paris 4eme
(metro St. Paul)