More Merci

I just found this New York Times article about my favorite store in Paris, Merci (and this fun illustration courtesy of the Merci website). I might need to make another trip soon...

More from Galeries Lafayette

Even though Printemps won the window contest, Galeries Lafayette definitely gained some major points for their decorations inside the store.

Can you believe this is a department store? Seriously, this place rivals the Opera House! The best part is that if you manage to trudge up the stairs all the way to the top floor, you can go out onto the rooftop observation deck! It's probably one of the best free views in the city, plus there's no waiting in line.

Ah, Paris.

It's moments like this when I can't believe how lucky I am to be here.

Merci

Sometime last year I saved this photo from Marie Clarie Maison, thinking it was just a cool photo shoot.

Au contraire, my friends! Thanks to Black Eiffel (you can see the original post here), I discovered today that this lovely place actually exists. And it's a store in Paris! And since I just happen to be in Paris...

Long story short, I went to Merci this afternoon and it was incredible. I want to move in! They have so much stuff - clothes, shoes, antiques, furniture, jewelery, flowers, office supplies (yes!), and even art exhibitions. Plus the space itself is amazing, like a cool industrial loft combined with a sophisticated Parisian apartment building. They must have thought I was crazy because I took pictures of basically the entire store, that is how much I loved this place. Oh and did I mention they have a café combined with a used book store?

Merci
111 boulevard Beaumarchais
75003 Paris

Window Shopping: Repetto, rue de la Paix

Being at this store made me wish I wasn't so absolutely horrible at ballet. Those classes were such a bad idea, and there are pictures of eight-year-old me in a blue sequined tutu to prove it.

Luckily Repetto has shoes for ballet-challenged people as well as prima ballerinas. Exhibit A:

photo: http://www.repetto.com/

Cartes Postales

Whenever I'm at a flea market or antiques store I always look for old postcards. I usually don't even glance at the pictures on the front until after I've picked out the ones I like - I buy them for the writing on the back!

I love the little-kid wobbly cursive of the first one, and the simple message of the second:
"Two kisses. Pierre."

BHV

I stopped in at BHV yesterday on the way home from Centre Pompidou to see what all the hype is about. O. Mon. Dieu. You could live your entire life only shopping at this store. For example:

Basement: hardware store
Ground level: clothes, jewelery, cosmetics, etc.
1st floor: art supplies, books, stationery, decor
2nd floor: more home decor
3rd floor: organization, closet stuff
4th floor: lighting
5th floor: furniture, electronics
6th floor: more furniture, mattresses

Oh, and there were a couple of cafes thrown in there somewhere, too, so that covers food.  And an entire men's store across the street. It just kept going and going! I managed to restrain myself to only one purchase, a little blue house number from the hardware store to commemorate the new chez moi.

p.s. I found out later that BHV stands for "Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville" since the store is right next to the Paris equivalent of a city hall, or hôtel de ville.

Zara Home

I stumbled upon Zara Home on my way from class to the metro station. Although weighed down by bags of groceries from Monoprix (my new favorite store - they have everything!) I couldn't resist taking a quick look inside this store. Their home accessories are très chic and trendy, but there are also great basic linens and even pajamas I wouldn't be ashamed to wear to class. Although anything but knick-knacks and tealights are still out of my price range, this place is pretty cheap by Paris standards. Here's hoping Zara Home follows the brand's clothing branch and comes to the U.S. so I can actually shop there.