Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

"Bon marché" literally means not expensive, or cheap, in French. But this luxurious departmental store sells things that are far from being cheap. Situated on the left bank in the super chic 7th arrondissement, this IS the place to shop if you like Marni, Balenciaga and Paule Ka.

On the top floor lies J's playground, the furniture store. Here we browse through the latest Kartell chairs and gaze at mini Vitra-s for our future children. Even during the weekends, this place is hardly packed. If you have an anti-department-store-shopping husband, this is the place to bring him to to ease him into your world.

For the international community, right next door lies La Grande Epicerie de Paris- in other words, the very expensive supermarket where we can find stuff from all over the world. This is where I get my stock of Vitamin Water (although it is pretty much available everywhere in Paris now) and my little pleasures in life such as the spoon shaped white chocolate and praline whipped cream. If you're REALLY bling, you can purchase your Bling H2O here for ONLY 29€!

Sorry for the blackberry photos, I didn't think it was cool taking pictures here with a big fat camera..

Photos by Me
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone

Valentino x Gap

OK, after the whole H&M frenzy, I received a tweet & bbm from my fashionista in KL informing me of this new collaboration. First thing I said was "I HATE GAP!" And yes, I hate Valentino x Gap as well. This deception and disappointment only continued after I was appalled by the Valentino autumn/winter 2011/11 collection. While the original collection remains classic, the bows, animal prints, lace and studs (or a combination of all! eeks!) did not tickle my fancy one bit!
And now, Valentino reaches towards the mass market with a collaboration with the Gap. Is it a marketing ploy? A desperate call for help? Thank god this collection will only be sold in specific stores across Europe. I loved the frills in the past haute couture collection. Now, that will be translated into frilled jeans and frilled cardigans (made with a jeans looking material). I just CAN'T!
What do you think?

Printemps Loves New York

AND SO DO I! During Paris Fashion Week, Printemps celebrates American designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Tory Burch, Thakoon, and Ralph Lauren among others. Creative window displays artistically portrays the clichés of American lifestyle, like Campbells tomato soup, Superman, and donuts and cupcakes. I wasn't sure if this was part of the campaign, but a few weeks ago I even saw a hotdog cart outside Printemps, exactly like the ones in NYC!

The Giant King Kong made out of tires is an oeuvre of Franco-American street artist Mr Brainwash. Thought this was cute, just wanted to share!

Photos By Me

Louis Vuitton

How can I have a blog that speaks to Malaysians, and NOT talk about Louis Vuitton? An international Parisian house of luxury, Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854. Since 1989, it is owned by billionaire Bernard Arnault. (Ladies, I just googled him, not really the eligible bachelor type)

The LV boutiques can be found pretty much everywhere in Paris, with the one at Galleries Lafayette being the most famous with tourists. Each time I pass by, there is usually a line of about 15 Asian tourist deep. NO JOKE! Their tour buses literally leave them there, hence clogging up this particular boutique. Suggestion: go next door to the newly opened boutique at Printemps. Its about the same in size, but less people.

The Mothership of LV however, is located at Avenue Georges V on the Champs Elysées. Spread over 5 floors and 1800 m², you will be enthralled to find pretty much anything LV you are looking for: trunks, shoes, books, prêt-à-porter, and a decent men's collection as well. The line has started forming here, but it is not long, a 10 minute wait is not all that bad for a woman with a mission.

Around the stores, do not be surprised if a Chinese woman/man ask you for a "favor" to buy them something. They will come up with all sorts of compliments for you, like "oh you speak English/French well", or "you dress better than me", etc. Reason being, there is a limit of what you can buy for certain passport holders. This is to prevent copying and counterfeited products that as we all know, are fabricated in China.

So love it or hate it, Louis Vuitton has been an emblem of French luxury. Please don't abuse it!

Metro: Georges V
Photos by Me

Givenchy Nightingale Trolley

This is the perfect way to say I love you...

Photo courtesy of Google Image

Printemps & Galeries Lafayette

Ladies ladies ladies, shopping anyone? Shopper's heaven! If you like departmental style shopping that is. Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are two department stores right next to each other in the 9th arrondissement. It is definitely more shishi, but they kinda remind me of the Macy's area on 34th street in New York.

Each store is divided into the Men's Store, the Women's Store, and Home and Beauty. Galeries Lafayette coupole is where the women and beauty sections are. Do not forget to look up while you are in there! The roof is a beautiful dome (see pic), and during Christmas time to my delight, Christmas decorations hang down from the skies. Makes me feel like a kid again. But oh well it doesn't take much to do that!

Personally, I prefer Printemps because it is less famous in the world hence there are less people and hence the shopping experience is more peaceful. The crowd is less shady as well. BE CAREFUL while shopping at Galeries Lafayette, this area, yet again, is really known for thieves and pickpockets. A friend of mine very recently had her Kelly bag stolen while trying shoes on at Chanel! It was gone in a blink of an eye, and because of the crowd it is almost impossible to trace it!

In case something is stolen, this is what you should do:
1) Go to the "Acceuil", the general desk, and report the theft.
2) Go to the nearest Commesariat de Police, which is at 14 bis rue Chauchat, 75009 Paris. It is within walking distance from the stores. They have many tourists reporting stolen things here so there will be at least one person who speaks English
3) Stop fretting, its GONE
4) Call the Malaysian Embassy, go there to make your temporary passport. You will need 2 passport size pictures and EUR13

So try to avoid this area on the weekends. Go during the weekdays early in the morning. ALWAYS pay attention to your belongings and bring a bag that has a zipper and keep it zipped at all times. Be defiant, and trust no one!

Metro: Havre Caumartin, Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
Photos by Me

Who's Next Paris

Who's Next is a fashion exhibition that features designers from all over the world. Every year, MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) sends off between 8 and 10 Malaysian designers to participate in the fair. Just like last year, this year Innai and its brain-behind-everything director, Izrin and hubby Marc, are in town! We have known each other since sekolah rendah (junior school), and through the great wonders of the Internet, found each other on Facebook years after our pinafore wearing days.

This year's fair lacks the innovation and creativity of last year's. I can smell a financial crisis as soon as I stepped in. Nonetheless, its so great to see Europe's finest in fashion all perched on skinny heels, all in the same hall. Women and bag watching is one of my favorite pastimes, and I assure you that my eyes did their fair share of wandering these past 2 days.

I am not saying what I'm about to say because Izrin is my friend, but because I DO LOVE INNAI! Its long flowy caftans and togas compliment any body shape and size. The fabric lands softly on your skin, and moves oh so elegantly with your gestures. Even while some pieces cover your whole body, it oozes style and class. My Innai caftans have been worn for special functions like weddings, and a few months after it finds itself on a tropical beach.

Checkout Innai's website at www.innaibatik.com
Photos by Me

Christian Louboutin

About 5 years ago while living in NYC, I discovered my love and obsession with Christian Louboutin shoes. Subtle, not that widespread just yet, these red soled beauties managed to suck drool out of my mouth (although I must admit that it doesn't take that much for me to drool over when it comes to shoes..)Its platformed 5 inch peep toe heels is the ultimate classic and should only be owned by selected non tacky women who appreciate its simplicity that oozes elegance, not teenagers and mistresses who live in Miami. Unfortunately, Louboutin shoes have been copied and sold on the internet for 1/5 its original price- this disgusts me.

Christian Louboutin, a French shoe designer born in 1964 launched his line of high end women's shoes in France in 1991. He has brought a new meaning to stilettos, reviving almost vulgar cabaret style shoes into sleek, sexy and creative designs for chic women today. Cheapest pairs start at about EUR350, and it goes up to thousands of Euros.

In Paris, Christian Louboutin has 3 boutiques in only the trendiest neighborhoods. If you are looking to buy a pair, I suggest that you go to the original store on rue Jean Jacques Rousseau in the 1st arrondissement. The salespeople are rude, arrogant and unfriendly, but this is what you will have to deal with to get a pair. Usually, my husband will put up his snobby French attitude to actually get service. Stride in, be snooty, and speak in English. That should intimidate them into doing their job! The store on rue Fauborg St Honoré may be slightly bigger (with 2 floors) but they never have the "normal" sizes (37,38). These shoes run out fast, so as soon as a new collection comes out, GRAB EM! During the sales, only the craziest aka ugliest seasonal shoes will go on the rack. The classics never do...

Photo courtesy of Google Image