a little company goes a long way

Paris is a great city to be alone in.

The long streets, beautiful architecture and small cafes are welcoming to a young woman on her own.  The waiters will charm her, a good novel will entertain her, and her thoughts will be her company for the day.

But it is an exceptional city to share with someone.  Today I met up with another young woman, my friend Whitney on her way to Prague, at the Cafe Flore.

We shared an espresso and a small chocolate before taking off shopping.  Whitney and I were inseparable from age thirteen to fifteen, and then she moved away and we barely spoke.  It was nice to walk side by side, laughing, shopping, trying on clothes and sitting on the curb enjoying an almond croissant and fresh figs from The Bon Marche Epicerie.

I shared some of my favorite shops with her, introduced her to some French designers, and gave the best fashion advice I could.  She claimed I am a great shopping partner-which I admit I am.  I can walk forever, and I will always be honest about what looks good and what could look better.

I rarely leave a store without talking with half the woman in a change room about what they should purchase.  A swedish woman in Zara turned to me and asked me “Which jacket?”  And I made her try the two on twice before confirming which lit up her tanned complexion most.  I can’t help it, I love clothes.  I love to help women feel good about what they’re wearing and I was great when I used to work retail.  I buy little, buy what I love, and savor classic pieces that make me feel beautiful.

We shopped until the last store closed and I helped her find some great basics for Prague.  Wanting her to see a new area we took off to the Marais, where we found a perfect little bistro for dinner.  In a small, warmly lit corner, we shared a pitcher of wine, baguette, some gorgeous salades nicoises and some delicious conversation.

Tomorrow we take off to a flea market for vintage duds.  I’m so happy to have such a beauty by my side, and a great companion to discover the city with.

morning
cafe flore
cafe flore
rrrrrring
whitney in paris

  • Cafe Flore
172, Boulevard St Germain
75006 Paris, France
+33 1 45 48 55 26
The perfect meeting spot and one of the best cups of espresso in the city for 4,10 euros.  You might even get a chocolate if they like you.  The coffee, ambiance and history of the place is worth the touristy air and straight forward service.
  • Shu Uemera
176, Boulevard St Germain
75006 Paris, France
+33 1 45 48 02 55
The best eyelash curler and lovely make-up palletes.
  • Repetto
51 Rue du Four (various locations)
6th arrondissement
01 45 44 98 65
The perfect ballet flat, and a lovely boutique with the most gorgeous tutus in miniature sizes.  The ballet flats are expensive, around 140 euros, but will last you forever.  Splurge.
  • Maje
42, Rue Du Four, 75006 (various locations)
014224369
A Parisian designer with a true understand of female style and how to beautifully dress a woman’s body.  Timeless, unique, and worth every euro if you have a few to spare.
Prices: Dresses around 160 euros, worth a look no matter what your budget.
  • Bon Marche
38, Rue Sèvres, Paris
33 1 42 22 10 12
The best place to find all your favorite French brands: APC, Comptoir des Cottoniers, Sandro, Kookai and more.  Love the hair accessories and the tights downstairs.
  • Chez Camille
24, Rue des Francs Bourgeois
75003 Paris, France
+33 1 42 72 20 50
A small brasserie on a small street in the Marais with great salads, a comforting French menu and a cozy Ambience.  The perfect salade nicoise for 14 euros and a great 50 cl pitcher of Cotes du Rhone for 12 euros.  A great location for sittitng on the sidewalk and window shopping afterwards.
This entry was posted on Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 3:44 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “a little company goes a long way”

  • VeggieGirl Says:
    September 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Spending time with great company in a great city = can’t get much better than that.

    Oh my, would you mind posting photos of your thrifty finds?? I’d love to see what you pick up!! Flea markets are such incredible resources.

  • Cocktailoffashion Says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 3:18 am

    I am usually the same when it comes to shopping! I can chat i tell you! :)

    It’s so wonderful to know that you will be enjoying finding out some treasures at the flea market! I look forward to finding out what you will get!

    p.s great photos as always Gillian!

  • van thanh Says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 4:14 am

    choose making a company to find the truth.
    is whole your thought about truth? truth of Paris, truth of this world, or anythings else.

  • Katharina Says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Shopping is so much fun! Honest opinions are something to appreciate. It’s funny because people random people will go to me and ask me what I think. Even in NY when I was sitting at the subway platform this woman asked me if the outfit she bought matched.

    Sounds like you had a great day with a wonderful friend :)

    p.s. when your pictures come up on my Flickr feed I always anticipate what wonderful stories you will weave for us on your next post.

  • madeleine Says:
    September 6th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    I tend to get stressed sometimes when I go shopping, but you seem like the perfect, honest companion. You are right- Paris is for the self and Paris is to enjoy with the ones we love.

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