Following a weekend in Paris for my 30th birthday back in July, I’ve rather fallen in love with the city. Not in a romantic sense though, very much as a really fun destination to go and have a great time with your girlfriends. So in honour of this new found love for the city of love, my friend Katherine and I hopped on the Eurostar this weekend to meet my friend and resident Frenchie, Manda, for a weekend of shopping, sightseeing and swigging champs.

From Notre Dam to the Louvre, to the Champs Elysee Christmas market and a pitstop in Laduree, we certainly covered some ground. Photos were taken, purchases were made, and drinks were knocked back. Here are a few of my favourite things from a flying visit to one of the prettiest cities, ever.

Walking along the Seine offered the first of my Paris swoonings, I loved the stalls selling tourist tat, postcards and vintage magazine covers.

 

 

Eventually we made our way onto Rue Saint-Honore, and found the most delightful shop I’ve ever been to, Astier de Villatte. Crammed full of posh stationery, beautiful candles and stacks of plates, this wonderful shop had treats at every turn. However, it was the Christmas grotto upstairs which really took the biscuit, tables of glittering, sparkling baubles twinkled at me.

Tip: They sell Astier de Villatte things in Liberty.

 

I HAD to leave with at least one – the little deer in a glass dome stole my heart. I left the pugs behind (with regret)…

 

Tearing myself away from the twinkles, we came to Chantal Thomass – amazing window, AMAZING lingerie.

 

And a few doors down was my favourite, Fifi Chachnil, tucked away in a little courtyard. Not only was this pink haven bursting with macroon-hued lingerie, the candy-coloured cropped cardigans were as soft and fluffy as little clouds. A must-visit for any lingerie lover.

 

Posh florists caught my eye…

 

…as did these blossoming frocks in cool concept store, Colette.

 

Over to the Champs Elysee where a mammoth Christmas market was happening. On a bit of a bauble tip, I bought another one – this time peachy pink with the Eiffel Tower in a blue heart hand-painted onto it. Then, clearly slipping into tourist hysteria, Katherine and I both squealed with excitement over coloured thread bracelets with tiny gold Eiffel Tower charms. Too CUTE.

Feeling a little weary and in need of a sugar hit, we negotiated the crowds at Laduree to buy a pistachio box filled with pretty macaroons, and then breezed into the bar for a well-earned glass of champers. It felt GOOD!

 

Moving on to Montmarte, where Kir Royales were consumed,  then we wandered down to Pigalle to see the Moulin Rouge all lit up…

 

…and paid a little visit to Supermarche Erotique (for giggles).

 

Finally, to our hotel, the hip and happening Mama Shelter, then more champagne-drinking in Bastille, where we bumped and grinded to ’90s R&B till the wee hours at Rotonde – fast-becoming my favourite bar in Paris.

 

Paris, I LOVE you. Joyeux Noel.
xx