Every girl needs a little Chanel in her life.

33 Rue Cambon is where Coco Chanel started her empire and where in Paris, I made my first Chanel purchase.

While Paris is another world, so too is Chanel – a happy place where dreams come true and a million memories are made. A bit like Disneyland for fashionistas.

There is something about the allure of couture – whether you can afford it or not – that makes you feel special and just being in this store can do that.

Miss J and I headed to Rue Cambon to experience the significance of this particular Chanel store and found that whether you plan on spending $140 or $14,000, every Chanel customer is treated with the same magical experience.

We tried on shoes. Touched scarves. Modelled jewellery and flashed rings. Tested nail polish – and then asked to remove it. An American lady trying sunglasses was offered coffee. Yes, we would like one too please.

Coffee at Chanel. I could have died. There we were, at one of the most significant fashion sites IN THE WORLD, drinking coffee next to people buying 2.55 bags in several colours. Ooh la la indeed.

When you buy something at Chanel, your purchase is not simply thrust into a bag. Care is taken – and time – to wrap your items like they were made of glass, as if they were to be given as a gift, even is that gift is for yourself.

Your Chanel purchase IS special, worthy of your money and a fufillment of your dreams. Why shouldn’t you have an experience to match?

For the record, I bought earrings and a bracelet. I haven’t opened the packaging yet because it is just that beautiful.

Images by Jennifer Estrada.

It is true what they say, people are far more fashionable in France.

It’s in the way they dress; the way they hold themselves; the way they smoke a cigarette and talk on a mobile phone in front of the most beautiful architecture in the world.

I wish we could photograph everyone but having to go through the whole, ‘do you speak english?’ and explain why you are taking someone’s photo is time consuming.

This girl was on the Rue St Honore, a place where all the fashionable shops, labels and boutiques are.

Simple. Classic and chic.

I heart Paris. The sounds. The smells. The language. The food. The people. The places. The clothes. Everything.

I love that I feel at home here. Love that I can walk around and feel like this is my neighbourhood. Love that Miss J and I are essentially living here – in an apartment rather than a hotel, cooking rather than eating out and writing our address on customer cards in stores.

We don’t get up at the crack of dawn and we are not doing all the touristy things. We walk off the beaten track to find places to eat and shop. Stroll through the parks instead of rushing to see everything. Eat at home and wander after dinner to find macarons and coffee. Locals.

Tonight I will paint my nails. Tomorrow Miss J will go to London. I will read French Vogue in the park. Drink coffee and peruse French Elle. And Grazia. And Marie Claire. Bliss.

We mastered the art of catching the Metro, buy cheese at our local fromagerie and shopped up a storm at the organic market. The only thing missing was a wicker basket.

I will be back. Soon I hope. I heart Paris.

You probably all remember the photo I posted weeks ago that was my favourite Paris shot and one that I was desperate to recreate whilst visiting the city.

No? Here it is in case you forgot.

Yesterday we went to the Eiffel Tower and as beautiful as it is, the queues were ridiculous and there was no way we were standing in the sun to wait. So off we went in seach of awesome Eiffel Tower shots, hat in hand.

Miss J, aspiring phtographer that she is, took these. Tres chic, non?

Dress by Vivienna Lorikeet
Hat by Cotton On
Shoes by Pierre Fontaine
Hair by Jennifer Estrada
Photos by Jennifer Estrada

More pics at C’est La Vie, Jennifer’s blog

Madame Paree is what I have named her. This uber chic older lady whom I first spotted at the Louvre and then saw again on Champs Elyees.

Meant to be.

And then Miss J had the confidence to ask her for a photo.

Holding a bag from Hermes. A splash of green and tan shoes and bag. Love the brooch. Perfection.

Image by Jennifer Estrada 

Bonjour!

And so I am in PARIS! City of lights, romance and fashion capital of the world. We have been having a brilliant time, everything here is just magical and it feels almost impossible to put into words the way Paris makes you feel. It’s the way you smile as you see a couple holding hands, a child running through the street or an older gentlemen dressed immaculately. Everything is wonderful.

Thus far we have seen lots of Saint Germain just by wandering (and not being very good at readying maps), the Lourve (though we didn’t go in), Champs Elyees and the Arc de Trioumph. Many gardens have been walked through, streets walked down and we even managed a trip on the Metro without getting stuck somewhere on the other side of Paris.

While I came here with no French, and can’t say I still know any really, I’ve managed to make a few purchases without offending anyone, ask for help and directions and greet anyone I’ve come across. I am trying really hard to get run over – seriously keep forgetting which way the traffic comes and everyone here drives in the most crazy manner!

Shops have been, for the most part, closed today (Sunday) so that fun will begin tomorrow but in terms of food, we have had macaroons, crepes, coffee and cheese – all of which is so divine and I already feel my waistline expanding, despite all the walking.

Our apartment is lovely, quite chic, but smaller than we imagined. Not that this is a bad thing – the building is lovely and a very sweet place to return to after a day out in gay Paree!

So much to see, so much to do, so much to buy! Weather is more than perfect, clear Spring days where it is cool in the morning (about 8 degrees) before warming up to about 20 degrees where in the  sun you don’t need a jacket. Evening is cool but pleasant and it doesn’t get dark until 9pm.

Gertrude Stein (and Sabrina) once said, ‘America is my country, but Paris is my hometown.’

Australia might be my country (and America might be Miss J’s) but Paris could very well be our home one day.

Au Revoir!

Image One: Me at the Jardin du Luxembourg
Image Two: Pastries at the organic market, Raspail
Image Three: Cute Visual Merchandising at a store in Saint Germain
All images thanks to Jennifer Estrada (and more to come when I get home!)

Well, today is the day! I’ll be leaving on a jet plane tonight, destined for the sunshine and springtime in Paris.

A little Parisian inspiration for you and the weather forecast.

Bon Voyage!

Friends is my favourite TV show.

Fashion is my favourite topic.

Win-win is when someone pens a piece on the influence 90s fashion – specifically Friends – is having on todays wardrobes.

Here is the first bit Kat George has written for The Vine. I recommend you read the whole thing. Then go back, watch Friends from the very start, and relieve those awesome 90s fashions. Enjoy!

~

The 90s were truly a different time, and not just because they existed over a decade ago. Culturally, 90s pop influences were so disparate to the ones with which we now engage—attainable, familiar and jovial, there was a sense that everything we wanted was just around the next corner, unlike the aspirational, otherworldly, Gaga-esque expectations we’re drawn to today. 

Never was this truer than in the first few seasons of Friends. Set in the deepest, darkest depths of the 90s, if all you were looking for was a saucer bowl of coffee, a laugh with five of your best soul-mates, and a floral dress, Friends had you covered. I’ve been re-watching Friends from the start again (for the fifteen-billionth time) and what has struck me is the pervading nature of everyone’s favourite 90s show (yes, I like Friends better than Seinfeld. No, I have not, nor have I ever, bumped my head). 

Read more…

Image and text thanks to The Vine and Kat George (@kat_george).

Remember Carrie in Paris in SATC Season Six? Here are some reminders. Ooh la la. Two more sleeps and some fabulousless from the city of love to keep me going. Tres chic!

I’ve met a few stylists in my time. Even had a go at assisting some of the pros – Philip Boon and Airdrie Makim to name a few. But this past weekend an international expert hit our shores and wowed the crowds at Westfield with his know how, cheeky humour and expert guidance.

Gok Wan, hailing from the UK, was joined by Westfield stylists to regale hundreds of shoppers at Westfield Melbourne complexes with the ways of how to wear it well.

When asked for his take on Melbourne fashion, Gok said “Black, black black. Are they all spies in Melbourne? There’s a riot of colour this autumn/winter which I’d love to see the Melbourne ladies get into! I’m confident I showed them how!”

While he may not be used to Melbourne’s uniform, Gok happily met with shoppers and took part in a free styling session and book signing.

In an official capacity, Gok is onboard the Westfield Style Tour to launch Westfield’s Autumn Winter season and the expanded suite of Fashion Services available both in-centre and online.

Westfield now provides fashion solutions including the new free 15 minute one-on-one Style Sessions and the exciting ‘Ask a Stylist’ online function. All the answers to your fashion questions are online 24/7 at www.westfield.com.au.

I’d like to know what to wear on a god awful Melbourne weather day. Did someone say 30mm overnight?