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15186ddae744cae8f3d91301145f4ea4i want to talk about what could possibly be my favourite place in paris. the galignani bookshop is the first english bookshop on the continent opening in venice in 1520 and moving to paris in 1802 where it’s still in its original location alongside the tuileries gardens, overlooked by the louvre museum.

The bookshop has an incredible selection of french and english books of all subjects, but essentially it’s as if you made a museum with the most impressive coffee table books and put thousands upon thousands on shelves from the floor to ceiling.

b458960f0a02ecd668e8b57e2ac8389ea blog reader actually recommended this place to me and i am so thankful.  it’s such a magical experience to relax in the gardens then walk over to galignani’s and find a comfy chair with a handful of expensive, beautiful, inspiring coffee table books.  i’ve found myself making this a routine every weekend for the past month.

librairie-galignani-621798i think i’ve found my special place *swoons* It is certainly my first recommendation for any book/design lover.

*bisous*

photos 1, 2, 3

map01word of mouth says that paris is famous for having some of the best marché aux puces (aka- flea markets) in the world.

the antique lover in me has tried to stay away as long as physically possible (8 months) because i knew that i could neither afford anything or ship anything for that matter, and we both know that nothing is worse than falling in love with a vintage couch and making yourself part ways for ridiculous reasons such as these.

well enough is enough, i said, and off to the most talked about market i went!

may i present…… the marché aux puces saint ouan!

map03map04i’ve heard people describe this place more as a museum than a market (one reviewer said they actually found a milk pail owned by marie anotinette at this market!)

(also, isn’t that mantel just stunning!!!)

the neighborhood is anything but glamorous (and a little “questionable” at that) surrounded by dozens of faux markets (with airbrushed t-shirts and used cd’s *shivers*) “this can’t be it!!!!” everyone asks themselves.  and finally after a little bit of walking and a few corners turned, you find yourself in what seems to be a bought out storage unit, but all of the units are opened with magical treasures and decors inside.

map02map05many vendors have actually converted their units into stores or themed environments.

they had everything! from furs to ostrich feathered fans, to louis xvi styled furniture and barrels of lost chandelier pieces, from chanel to sculls.

it was mind blowing and overly inspiring (i’m secretly planning a trip back this coming weekend.)

map06okay, okay, so i did weaken a little bit and bought a rené gruau print.  it was just too cute!

311-1*swoons* i’m having a french love affair with a flea market….

*bisous*

a long winter…

Screen Shot 2013-04-05 at 2.43.45 PMi’ve found myself a bit muddled as of lately.  could it be that paris is still stuck in winter (i couldn’t be more eager for a ‘springtime in paris!’)

i spent last weekend discovering the awe-inspiring Coulée verte (all 3 miles of it!) and I signed myself up for a Julia Child summer cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu (I won’t deny it, how can I not be overly excited about this!) but it’s been almost 9 months since being away from friends and family (and my furniture! is it weird that i miss my furniture and coffee table books and trinkets?)

i desperately want to go to barcelona or italy and tried to find a friend to go with (a task that understandably deems itself too expensive.) so i said to myself “that’s okay! go alone! have a “lindsay-trip.” take time for yourself!” but the hotel and flight tabs have stayed up in the background for 2 weeks.  i just can’t bring myself to purchase the tickets.

is it because i finally have money to do this and afterwards i won’t have it anymore (i’ve been trying to kill my habit of spending money as soon as i have it) or is it because i don’t want to feel more alone than i already do?

i am ready for fresh beginnings in paris! for happy moods and smart decisions and motivation for bettering myself from myself.

advice, anyone?

*bisous*

week end de paques

paris+photo-1i know, i know! i’ve been such a busy bee as of lately (working, that is!) but with the holiday weekend here and unfolding itself of surprises and moments for rest, i am looking forward to some exploration.

it’s spring break time here in paris-land, so the au pairs have been hiding indoors, dying easter eggs and playing with small action figures, or at least i have…

i don’t want the blog to become something i feel guilty about if i don’t get to a weekly update.  i’ll blog when i am inspired or have something to say, and with my 45-50 hour work week this year, it seems to be quite the task.

i am announcing however…….

i am staying in paris for another year!!!!!  i will be au pairing again next year, but with a different family so i will indeed have the time to explore and be inspired and blog.  (really, i’m doing it just for you.)

so, while anticipating journeys to unfold and be told after the weekend, i am off to find adventure and leave you with rich cats of instagram to stay occupied…

tumblr_mf0z8a3KvU1qc6wcxo1_500*bisous*

photo via daily cup of couture

parissöndag+189kopseveral weeks ago i was strolling along the canal st. martin (where amelie famously skips her stones) and saw dozens upon dozens of people entering this small, sketchy alleyway that seemed to lead to no where.

of course i did the safe, sensible thing and followed them!  what i came upon was a run-down building with a falling and out of order sign reading “le comptoir général.” what IS this place, why are so many people going inside, and could i get myself killed?

again, i did the sensible, safe thing and went inside.

what followed was the most magical of journeys…

lcg03le comptoir général’s website couldn’t describe it better themselves…

“An ambivalent feeling greets all visitors of le comptoir général as soon as one enters the hall: the dusty ceiling lights, the crumbling walls, the worn mouldings and floors and a few wild plants reclaiming the area. Embassy? Presidential Palace? Grand Hotel? Whatever this building used to be, time has erased the best of it. Or has it?”

describing themselves as a “ghetto museum” with a museum, bar, cinema, and resturant, le comptoir général comes equipped with a witchcraft cabinet, rampant garden, and “looking for the last dinosaur” exhibit.  they are open until 1 or 2 am everyday as well as sunday evening film projections.

parissöndag+192kopparissöndag+244kothe best part is that they “reinvest every cent of its profits to fund new projects. From artistic production to creating atmosphere and events, these projects aim to bring together and partner up three increasingly interdependent spheres: the world of sustainable development, the world of business and the world of art.
By enabling those who are the most lacking and most deserving, to be known, recognized and celebrated, while bringing as much cultural richness as possible to the citizens of so called “developed” countries”

talk about making an impact!

lcg01 lcg02this is by far the coolest hangout spot i’ve found in paris thus far!

*bisous*

photos 1, 3, 4 via mokkasin

aupairblog03as many of you know, i live in paris, france.  the most magical, romantic, beautiful city in the whole world.  what many of you may not know is why/how i’m here.  i don’t blog about it very much, but truth be told, i am an au pair/nanny/baby-sitter.  however you want to look at it, there is a sight difference between the three, though i am officially called an “au-pair.”

i’ve known for the past 4 years i wanted to live in paris and there’s not many opportunities for foreigners outside of schooling.  i e-mailed countless contacts, i sent resumes to the most random of random businesses, and every time the clock hit 11:11, i wished that someday, somehow… i would end up in paris.

after years of endless searching, one day my inbox received a message from a friend, who knew of a friend of a friend of a friend who was looking for an au pair.  i knew “au pairing” was one option to get to france, but i didn’t give it much thought since i had never had much experience with children.

one thing lead to another however and not only did it become clear that this would be my entry ticket to the city of lights, but the job itself was something i was meant to experience all along.

aupairblog01i am an au pair for two little french boys.  my job means i pick them up from school, play with them, cook for them, clean their rooms, give them baths, etc.

these pictures give such a real/false impression of what my life is.  they really are the cutest kids ever and all we do is play all day, that part is true.  it’s not always the most fun and glamorous job however because it can be a very challenging and stressful.

being responsible for two human beings is stressful enough, but adding in the fact that they belong to someone else is a whole other element.  i could not be more thankful for this opportunity because everyday i am learning about them as well as myself.  it has taught me that there are more positives than negatives and i can’t explain the feeling that overcomes you when they watch “mary poppins” for the first time, or when you see their face when something “clicks” and finally they understand something they didn’t before.

though i have to constantly remind myself to take a breath and just have fun, i have become a better person/parent/teacher/listener/friend from all of this.aupairblog02i am excited/curious/scared/happy to see what is next to discover in my au pairing adventures…

*bisous*

bonton

700_black-shelving-white-roomone of my most favourite boutiques in paris is “technically” a children’s boutique.  bon ton is from the genius creators behind merci and bonpoint (i sense future blogs here… ) and it’s essentially an anthropologie for “kids” (or adults who are still young at heart, like me.)

parismåndag+018650Bonton+1every corner you turn there’s stars and polka dots, tutu’s and glittered crowns, floral prints and ribbons, ballerina figurines and chandeliers… oh, and did i mention they have a cake bar with jars and jars of bonbons?  *swoon*

bon+ton+7parismåndag+025650can i just live here please?

*bisous*

photos 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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