Mon Noël de Rêve - Charles de Vilmorin - Galeries Lafayette Windows

 Yesterday I went to see Galeries Lafayette Noël windows

And researched them today. 

Last Minute Paris Shopping

 

Yesterday I went looking for gluten-free pain d’épice (on assignment)

I think it doesn’t exist

December rue Rambuteau Map

Hooray!

and Rat-tat-tat-tat The good news is the December Map is done and mailed out mid-month! A rare occurrence indeed. Don't get used to it Parisbreakfast Map subscribers. I can't promise next month will be the same. The bad news is I'm terribly late sending out some BONUS WATERCOLORS!

They  will be dispatched shortly.

I'm always looking for map/Sketch letter inspiration. When I spied an adorable Alsacian illustrated postcard at the Christmas market (Gare de l'Est) it was instant love. And instant sticker shock (3€ for one card! Ouch). After sleeping on it I ran back and shelled out. When inspiration comes along you have to shell out. That's how it goes.

A year ago Coco Jobard showed me a wonderful jam jar tea towel from an Alsacian illustrator friend, Blah de Blah, Blah. I called and asked if she had more of his work? His name is Guy Untereiner . He's impossible to find in Paris. I've half a mind to run off to Alsace to find him...

Coco offered to lend me his books. She's been spending the last few weeks testing and tasting HUNDREDS of chocolates for P.Hermé's next cookbook.

Life is tough for some...ahem

I wanted to put silly animals in the festive December map instead of silly people. Thank you Coco!

Elaine Sciolino of Rue Des Martrys has been a big help. The book plate I made for her helped me figure out the rue Rambuteau street sign. Gingermen where are you in Paris? Never mind. You can't have everything. Also Elaine says I should always put a bird a frame on it.

Thank you Elaine!

Rue Rambuteau in the 3rd arrondissement - a straight little street chock-a-block with yummy pastry shops. The first shop to bring everyone running is PAIN DE SUCRE with it's square tomato tarts plus rosemary shoots.

Two passion fruit tarts were essential for research here.

Pain du Sucre's beautiful buche de Noël are bound to be unique.

Just across the street, Les Fees Patissiers

Known for it's tiny bite-size morsels of layered flavors, sometimes 3-4 layers.

Berko is another miniaturist specializing in mini-cupcakes

Very satisfying. Why didn't I try these passion fruit cuppies?

Next door classic chocolate shop, A La Mere de Famille just moved in.

They have a winner buche de Noel that stands out from the rest. Not your average jellyroll buche. I love the hoof prints on snowy roof. Caramel lurks within. Chocolate too.

Back to doodling geese, bears, sheep and the (missing in Paris) Gingerbread men and women.

You can catch the entire December map on Etsy.

*It's not too late to give a French gift to someone near and dear.

I'm happy to email you the December map/Paris Sketch letter.

Simply print it out and stick a bird bow on it.
The actual gift letter will arrive soon from Paris. 

Voila!

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

'Shine bright like a diamond'

'Like diamonds in the sky'

Paris Christmas STREET LIGHTS

Never cease to delight

More than 130 streets are lit up in Paris for Noel.

'Paris illumine Paris'
Paris lives up to it's name "Ville Lumière"

A complete list of streets HERE.

 

Early December to beginning of January, Paris City Hall will switch on the lights from 5 PM till 2 AM each night.

I love Printemps 'street' of lights along Avenue Haussmann better than their window decorations...

Diptyque too has spectacular lights over their original shop on 34, blvd Saint Germain.

Lite-up trees along blvd Saint Germain.
More lite-up streets in the 6th arron:

Rue de Rennes illuminée de la Place du 18 Juin 1940 au Boulevard Saint –Germain

Rue d’Assas de la rue de Rennes à la rue du Cherche Midi

Rue Notre Dame des Champs de la rue de Rennes à la rue de Fleurus

Rue St Placide, entre la rue du Cherche Midi et la rue de Sèvres

Portion de la rue de Sèvres à proximité du Bon Marché

Bd Saint-Germain de la rue des Saints-pères à Odéon ainsi que la place Saint-Germain des Prés

 

A spectacular lite-up tree at Notre Dame one very chilly Dimanche with PBer Gretchen...

At Un dimanche a Paris these edible trees - their buche de Noel.

Some Paris shops go to town with the lights...

A little restaurant on the Island gets into the act...

What to wear in Paris now?

Follow these French girls example: All black, big brand bags (2 if possible), branded knitted cap, boots, no scarf.
At the end of my street, Sully-Morland and quai de Bethune, a rather unspectacular display of flashing lights on 4 trees. Still nice to see when I get home after a walk through Paris' drizzle.
"Shine bright like a diamond" Paris !

Le Royal Monceau Noel

Dear PBers, another petit taste of Paris for you. This time Christmas preview tasting at Hotel Royal Monceau - Raffles Avenue Hoche 75008 More Xmas in September. Who knew?

I feel quite comfortable at the Royal Monceau. There was a design brunch for bloggers on Tuesday. The atmosphere is relaxed luxury with loads of artistic designer details. Art where ever you look.

While the hotel is cool and cutting edge it's not intimidating. Or too, too blindingly glitzy like some new kids on the block. PBers ask which is my fav hotel. It's easy to to say this one.

Evidently I'm not alone loving the Royal Monceau...ahem.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were in town for their ON THE RUN sold-out concert at le Stade de France. They fav this the Monceau too. Here making a very private entrance.

I didn't wait to catch a glimpse of B/J-Z. I did see a few of their entourage inside. Brüche de Noëls were calling my name.

Pierre Hermé creates a special collection of desserts for the hotel. Bùche Chloe - an intense combination of chocolat Manjari, mousse au chocolat a la framboise (raspberries ).

Bûche Infiniment Vanille. I'm crazy for anything vanilla since I moved to Paris.

The buche were sitting on an aromatic bed of criss-crossed vanilla beans. Where can I buy this perfume?

Bûche de Noël can be savory too.

Executive chef Laurent André created the Ruby for the Monceau's Christmas dinner. A graphic combination of foie gras, pistachio, raspberries sitting on a crust of pain d'epice.

Light and lovely.

To go with the bûche, a perfectly aged Port chosen by MOF sommelier Peyronder. I don't usually drink but there are times one must make an exception no? Fabulous is the vertict.

In fact I'm thinking of taking up drinking so I can visit all the terrific hotel bars in Paris like the Raffles bar. A 'Shirley Temple' is not going to cut it.

I did down a glass of 'red fruits' juice. So pretty...

More of the Christmas menu starting in November 29th at the hotel.

And continuing after New Years. Chef Rispoli from Il Carpaccio

makes individual pasta for us.

The hotel has an in house epicerie with a collection of yummy gourmet gifts.

I'm in love with this tea cup. At the preview gifts from the art book store in the lobby, La Librairie des Arts.

La Librairie des Arts has fabulous mix of art books and artworks to browse and inspire.

How about art classes for guest kiddies in the Atelier Jeff Koons pour les enfants? They can paint miniature 'Nanas'! A big Niki de St. Phalle exhibit is opening next week at Grand Palais. don't worry you'll see it on PB soon.

I learned a hard leçon yesterday. 

Eat dessert first. 

After tasting the savory choices on the Monceau's Christmas menu, Pierre Hermé's Bûche Mandarine was gone gone gone. 

Course if you want to fit into your lavender tights and tutu like the Frenchy in my entryway yesterday, maybe it's a good thing to pass up a dessert or two or ten.

If you'd like a petit taste of Paris in your very own mailbox do look at my Sketch Letters on Etsy. 

And don't miss out on Christmas din at The Royal Monceau if you happen to be in town for the hols. Simply divine dear PBers.

Now I'm ON THE RUN to the Loire to taste like 600 tomatoes at La Fete de La Tomate at chateau Bourdaisiere.
Stay tuned.