Montmartre: Les Shops

Last time, I wrote about tranquil streets of Montmartre, but today....it's shopping time! :) This area of Paris is FULL of adorable little boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops, and let me tell you....I had to go to an ATM way more times than I should have!! But, some of it was for presents...? Hehe. Hehe. Anyway, here's a look at some of my fave interiors--Montmartre, Part 2! (the girlie part)

First, there's this awesome French-Brazilian brand that has its own boutique in Montmartre, and I think it's quickly becoming one of my favorite stores...ever! Though a little on the pricey end, its accessories are all handmade and soooo cute! The entire store is just super quirky. And get this--what's the name? Tudo Bom ? No really, the question mark is in there.

Apparently that's how you say "everything good?" in Portuguese. Here's a look at the inside of the store!

They have their necklaces hanging on this cool, tree-like fixture.

Such pretty bracelets...I bought the rainbow one. :)

Little owl keychains!!

More adorable, miscellaneous critters.

Are you in love yet?

The cotton production is all fair trade and eco-friendly too! Pretty awesome.

Across the street there is this smoothie place. They have sandwiches as well, but they were all out of the cheese one when I went. I got a smoothie called the "Camille"...blueberry, raspberry, mint, and apple juice. Yummm!

Really cute interior deco.

And then here are a few random store fronts/displays I really loved:

A recycled materials store.

I mean, who *wouldn't* want to do their dry-cleaning here??

This little girl looks how I felt.

Alright, my friends, Happy Sunday! Word around town is that Pierre Hermé has a killer olive oil/vanilla flavored macaroon out, so I think I gotta go try this thing!!

<3 aunbon

Montmartre: Le Petit Village

Yesterday, I spent a sunny afternoon walking around the lovely Montmartre, aptly called "the village in the city." It has this quaint, rustic charm that is very particular to its old cobblestone streets and well-loved if somewhat faded storefronts. Full of tiny, winding lanes and ivy-laced windowpanes, there's a hush that falls over certain parts, especially around twilight, that's punctuated only by the chirping of birds and rustling of trees...a kind of magic that can't be found anywhere else in the city. I sometimes think I'd like to retire here.

Check it out! It *looks* like there is a man riding in the back of the train...

Now what do you see?

And Sacrébleu! What ees thees?!!!

Next post is about the shops! :)

Birthday Weekend!

As I shouted at midnight, twirling through the lamplit streets back to my house: "I'm twenty-threeee, in Parieeee!" The weekend was full of delectable treats, park picnics, and a few well-justified splurges. The weather was some of the most beautiful I've seen in a while. Merci, Paris !

Lavender ice cream!!!

Sailboats in the Luxembourg Gardens.

My new furry (and slightly blurry) friend. Gahhh, I love him!!!

laaady bug :)

Macaroons on a stick!

And of course, there were multiple Pastries of the Day.

A vanilla eclair and a millefeuille fraise (strawberry napoleon).

And as for the cake-- a gigantic pistachio macaroon with raspberries! :)

Girls' Night Is EVERY Night!

My dear friend Mònica is here from Spain for my birthday weekend, and it's making Paris even MORE fun! We've taken trips down our old favorite streets, cooked extravagant dinners (and by cooked, I mean Mònica cooked while I updated my blog, like I'm doing right now), and stayed up laughing into all hours of the night. I never want her to leave!

The smallest elevator I have EVER seen. Mònica tries to give it some scale.

Amazing bag display in a window.

La belle Notre Dame

Visitors to the bridge have left padlocks inscribed with beautiful messages and memories of Paris all along it.

This city is in full bloom!

A sculpture called "The Royal Kiss"

~~
The last two Pastries of the Day: (Ok, I've actually been having 2 per day, but I felt it might be excessive to feature them all. I've also stopped at pretty much every bakery on every street to peer in their windows in search of my birthday cake! Hehe, pictures to come! :)

Tarte abricot aux pistaches. Apricot tart with a pistachio filling. This changed my life.

Lime tart. Yowza!!!

<3aunbon