I like to indulge a little sometimes. I may not have a massive recreational budget, but I can treat myself occasionally to fun things like, hot chocolate at the Hotel Bristol, or chocolate cake at Buvette Gastrothèque. Both require a budget of around 20 euros or less, and I consider that a decent price to pay for a little winter indulging in the city of light! Read more →
Hotel Bristol’s Hot Chocolate & Buvette’s Chocolate Cake
Charles Gillman and Men’s Fashion Week Adventures
Article by (British Expat and Makeup Artist) Charles Gillman
It was Fall/Winter 2015/16 men’s fashion week in Paris. Despite the fact that fashion was something I never seemed to struggle with in Paris, the men was something that I wasn’t managing to master after four years in the city of lights. Fair enough I had tailored my wild Londoner ways to the Parisian chic and ditched the floral shoes that I used to wear running around the east end on a Saturday night, and the chunky chains with heavy eye makeup that I would take out for a spin in the west end. I’d managed that, and my now-wardrobe consisted of grey and black and level-headed bits and pieces that made one still look chic, without welcoming any unwanted looks of dismay in the metro, ‘colour! Who does he think he is’
It was a Saturday afternoon and whilst I was mourning the end of yet another male misunderstanding, I realised I should check the time for my invitation to the Monsieur Lacenaire show. The invitation said four o’clock and it was……… four o’clock! Oh my lord, I could have sworn it was at five as I had written it in my diary. I threw on some kind of outfit that resembled a mime (without the beret) and Paris marathoned myself to the closest metro station. Read more →
Sunday Search for Late Brunch in the 20th
We had to head over to the 20th arrondissement this Sunday afternoon to pick up something we found on the Bon Coin website for bébé chéri who is arriving in just two months. And instead of making the trek over there just for this one transaction, we thought we would make a day of it. I was in a mood for brunch!
On our list of places to grab a fun brunch was the über trendy, very popular Mama Shelter, but when we dipped in to have a look at the restaurant, it looked dark, crowded, noisy and not the relaxing brunch/lunch we had imagined. Plus everyone seemed to be seated on tall stools, and my poor back can’t take that these days. So I promised myself we would head back there to take advantage of the terrace when the warmer months came back around if the opportunity provided itself. Read more →
Café de Flore – Can You Belive it was My First Time There!
Yeah, I know, well over 13 years in the City of Light and I cannot for the life of me remember having gone to the Café de FLore for a coffee or for anything, for that matter. Quel honte! Ok, well not really honte, but I was surprised at myself. I suppose I have just spent most of my café exploration energy on finding less touristy places in the city to indulge in. But speaking of touristy, I was delighted to find that the Café de Flore was not just jam-packed with tourists, there was an equal balance of Parisian natives who walked through those doors. Read more →
24 Hours in Paris – Prête-Moi Paris Style!
Sometimes friends will email me and ask for advice on what to do with a long layover in Paris. Or better yet, some friends will deliberately schedule a long layover, just to get a « Paris fix » (it’s like a drug you know)! If it were me, I would certainly schedule a long layover, but I live here so I am lucky to have Paris in my life very day…even the bad days.
Merci to Lucy Miller for the fabulous graphic!
But I am a big fan of fun 24 hour layovers in order to get a glimpse of a city or see a friend, so I have teamed up with CitizenM hotel to bring you the best of Prête-Moi Paris in a 24 hour plan of indulgence in all things Parisian. 
Coffee Talk : Terres de Café
Article by Melissa Ladd (English & français).
It’s no secret that coffee culture has made a big comeback in Paris with the opening of many little spots that aim to serve artisan coffee and to bring back the art of the barista. It’s also no secret that the expat communities have embraced these establishments as well. But we are also seeing the Parisians and French communities release their bitter Café Richard gulped in a rush at a Parisian brasserie counter, for the more indulgent idea of lounging at a coffee shop for a while. It’s a much more delightful way to savor the flavor and appreciate the different blends. For me it brings back many memories of my youthful days spent in Monterey California where coffee shops and flavor exploration was an almost daily agenda item.
Ce n’est plus un secret que la « coffee culture » est revenue en force à Paris avec l’ouverture de plein d’adresses qui veulent servir du café artisan et faire revivre l’art du barista. Ce n’est plus non plus un secret que la communauté d’expats ont accueilli cette culture les bras ouverts. Mais on voit également les communautés Parisians et Français laché leur café Richard amer qui se prennait d’un trait en hâte au comptoir d’une brasserie, pour s’intéresser à la perspective voluptueuse de se prélasser longuement dans un bar à café. C’est une manière nettement plus agréable à savourer l’arôme et apprécier les différents mélanges de café. Pour moi, c’est un renvoie joliement nostalgique à mes années de jeunesse passés à Monterey en Californie où l’exploration du café et des bars à café faisait partie de l’agenda quasi-quotidien. Read more →
Monsieur Lacenaire Boutique Opening : Menswear takes over the Marais
Frank Cierpial
Article by Frank Cierpial
I have always been attracted to brands that are off the beaten path or not hindered in taking chances. Brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Saint Laurent Paris, and Eymeric Francois are just a few examples, brands like this interest me, they inspire me, and they shine in creativity. So, when I heard that there was a new Men’s Wear boutique opening in Le Marais in one of its chicest areas, you know there was no keeping me away, I was there. Read more →
Le Perchoir Marais – Temporarily The Best Rooftop Terrace in Paris
You know… I haven’t even been to the original Perchoir. But I don’t care at this point, the Perchoir Marais suits me just fine, and the only time of year I really want to be on a rooftop terrace is in the Summer (or early Fall I suppose). And I love, love, love the Marais location of this terrace, so why do I need to trek all the way over to the 11th when I can head to the heart of Paris!?!
Pour les français : Bambi In Paris a écrit un billet sur le Perchoir. Read more →
Move Over Macaron l’Éclair De Génie Has Appeared!
I headed off to the Marais the other day with friends Frank and Patricia, for a little indulgence. Our destination was the very talked-about very blogged-about Éclaire de Génie; a little concept store éclair shop, created by Christophe Adam, that is making the foodie scene turn their heads from the ever-famous over-instagramed (yes, I’m guilty) macaron. The éclairs are about twice the price of a single macaron, but they are at least twice as big, if not three times, and they are quite a bit more complex. With a whole slew of flavors to chose from, with eye-pleasing decorations and colors, these new sweet bites may very well take over the throne that the macaron has claimed for the past handful of years. Read more →
Le Fantome – Cocktails, Tacos and Video Games
In the trendy Tenth arrondissement, there is a great place for a whole variety of Parisians or visitors to enjoy from 11am to 2 in the morning : those of us over the age of 30 who remember what the original Pacman was like, the kids of those same thirty-somethings who will be fascinated by all there is to distract them with (there is even a coffee table with a video game integrated in it, just the perfect high to initiate toddlers), and even the new trendy youth in search of something retro and cool, as well as the hipster foodies who need a chic way to indulge but with not-so-sophisticated fare. With its 200 square meters and mélange of styles, Le Fantôme can accommodate. Read more →
