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Les Puces de Saint-Ouen(Clignancourt flea market) Part II

 

(All photographs taken by Moodboard. Click to enlarge.)

The antique clothing vendors were my favorite part of the Clignantcourt flea market in Paris.  Again, you were not allowed to photographs items inside, but I was determined. 

 

This stall was my favorite and I almost cried from the sheer beauty of it all. The clothing was for the most part from the 1900's-1940's, and each piece was more exquisite then the last.  Watercolor silks, burnished velvet, intricate lace, and soft lawn cottons. 

 

I managed to get a few photos while she was distracted by another customer before she kicked me out. I would wear the white top(children's dress?) in the middle as a mini dress with black tights. 

 

Ah, the ruffle detail on the top of the sleeve. Unfortunately this shop will have to be a wonderland museum for me since I couldn't afford the museum quality prices.

 

The majority of this vendor's stock was from the 50's-80's. How cute is that polka dot skirt?

Les Puces de Saint-Ouen(Clignancourt Flea Market) Part I

 

I'm going to break up the Clignancourt flea market into two separate posts of fashion and home. Unlike Les Puces de Vanves, it was hard to get any shots of the actual wares.  The vendors chased us out of the shops everytime we lifted up the camera.

Clignancourt is not set up like most flea markets with open air tables piled with goodies. Instead imagine one of those long storage facilities that look like garages one after another. Instead of a rolled back garage door some have actual doors, but each stand is set up like an individual shop. Some are very fancy and some are just jumbled full of items, both can be expensive.

On the other side of these alleyways are rows and rows of people selling socks, odd athletic jerseys, and weird plastic items.  Very similar to the regular flea markets that are in buildings in the US.  I spent too much time going up and down trying to find the antique/vintage portion of the market. This is not it, so walk past the bustling colored tent section and go down into what looks like a small town area.

I did find several vintage clothing stalls in the newer merchandise area, but they didn't have the best prices(says the girl that bought a pair of vintage black boots at one).

 

I loved the look of the white baskets.  I would build a wood frame you could slide them into to use for a storage wall.

 

I wanted some old french bottles and I couldn't find any until we hit this spot. Of course the salesperson couldn't be found the entire time we were there, which happened to us many times.

 

I wanted to take this mirrored vanity home but then I would have to sell my car.

(all images taken by Moodboard.  If you would like to use them please link and credit the site. Click on images to enlarge.)

 

 

 

Paris Flea Market: Les Puces de Vanves

  

With the Puces de Vanves  flea market I don't have beautiful up close shots, because as I was shopping a certain mister was supposed to be taking pictures. As I've mentioned before, Mr. M and I are ying and yang. 

While I focus on details, he likes his shots to encompass everything. Why he felt this was necessary at a flea market where I was trying to remember individual items I loved I'm not certain, but this is all I have to show.

For those of you that have visited antique flea markets in the US, the Puces de Vanves is set up very similar. There are booths and tables lining the sidewalk with smaller vintage items such as prints, jewelry, dishware, lamps, and books.  There are some pieces of furniture but it looks like they gets snapped up quickly.

*What isn't the same are the bathrooms.  You have to enter what looks like a small silver space station that hoses itself down everytime someone uses it. I just felt you should know this incase you were wondering. Which I'm sure you weren't.

 

Hard to see I know but this is the end section of the flea market.  Items, mostly clothing, are layed out on the sidewalk and are usually under 10 Euro.

 

A close up look of the vintage linens and clothing available at this flea market. I passed up so many things(including that sparkly vest) in anticipation of the Clingnancourt flea market. BIG MISTAKE. This market has the best deals and items small enough that you can bring home with you on the plane.

Here are two of the items that I did buy from this market:

 

Vintage pink pendant lamp. The color just makes me smile. It isn't marked anywhere, but I would love to know more about it. It has an enameled pink finish on the metal parts and the shade is a pink plastic/resin.

Vintage enamel dishthat I got for 1 Euro. I'm going to line it with cloth linens and use it to set out bread and rolls.

 

Detail shots of the color, which is the exact blue and texture of a robin's egg.

Porte de Vanves
Metro Porte de Vanves

Open Hours 8a-1p Saturday-Sunday

(All images taken by Moodboard)

My Paris Treats

   

(photo taken by Moodboard. Le Saint Jean Bistro located in Montmartre)

I met my friend for lunch today to talk about her recent trip to Paris. We have very similar tastes and I was eager to hear about things I may have missed on my trip. When arrived she came bearing gifts, which made this lunch double the fun.

She brought me Laduree macaroons in the black box I'm starting to collect(I stole this idea from stylist Lili Diallo).

 

But then she pulled out this. An original french fashion sketch! I was so excited I think I hugged it.  Believe it or not, we actually had a hard time trying to find original vintage art work in Paris. When we did find something we liked, it was priced in the thousands.

 

This is dated 1927 and signed by the artist.  The heavily detailed blouse, the arched eyebrows and rosy cheeks...ahhhh. I love it so much. Thanks L!

L'As Du Fallafel

 

*all pictures taken by me unless otherwise noted-please click to enlarge

This is a pretty well known and reviewed restaurant, but I thought I would share my experience of the best falafel in Paris.  L'as du Fallafel is indeed one of the best bangs for your dollar in Paris.  For roughly $7(if you get it to go), you get hot crispy falafel married with cool creamy slaw and other fresh vegetables, don't forget the hot sauce.  

Unlike in the picture, there is usually a line stretching out to the side.  You have to give your order to a man at the door, and then he instructs you to pick it up at the window.  Mr. M was mesmerized by the flying hands of the cooks, as they chopped, filled and rolled in record time.

 

*photo by Richard Harbus for The New York Times-unfortunately we have few pictures of what we actually ate in Paris because we dug in so quickly.

The only thing I wished for was a small park where we could have made a picnic to eat. Instead we found a little stone wall to prop against that had a ledge to hold our cold soft drinks.  Mr. M inhaled the first half of his falafel and fought to finish to the bitter end.  I couldn't make it through half the sandwich, so next time we agreed we would probably split one as a snack, therefore allowing you to try something else to snack on in a couple of hours.  Believe me, there is more delicious food than you have time in Paris.

Coiffeur Vintage

  

*all images taken by me-please click to enlarge

We came across this shop while trying to find Paris's famed falafel restaurant, L'as du Fallafel. It is also conveniently located just blocks from Free P Star. This a tiny shop but packed with lots of inexpensive vintage items.  I had a major shopping goal in mind so I registered what I liked and scheduled a return visit. Unfortunately that didn't get to happen, so I'm sad not to be able to share anything I bought from this store.

This of course leaves more for you to buy.  To the left you will find men's vintage clothing, with lots of emphasis on old French army and navy gear.  I contemplated picked up some striped tops for myself.

 

My favorite section was the rack of sweaters located on the right side of the store.  There must have been fifty little 60's/70's short sleeved sweaters in sweet colors.  They reminded me of Sonia Rykiel, and most were priced at 10-15 Euro.  I had planned on picking up several and I want to cry, especially as for some reason I didn't get a close up shot of them.

How lovely is the stitching on the shoulders of this sweater?

Dresses are located in the middle, and more purses and shoes can be found in the back.  Don't forget to check the windows and corners for hidden gems.

32 Rue de Rosiers

Free P Star

*all photos taken by me- Click to enlarge 

As some of you know, we visited Paris in June for our honeymoon.  I had a list of vintage stores and flea markets I wanted to visit, and Free P Star was at the top. 

Unfortunately the first time we went that were closing early so I could only make a quick buzz through.  Mr. M picked up a few vintage ties and I scooped up the dress I posted earlier.  I decided to wait on a fringed black suede bag that I spied in the corner but was too tired to dig to get to it.  Big mistake, as with this store stock turns over quickly.  After thinking about it all night I decided I needed that bag, but woe is me to find it gone the next day.  But chin up, plenty of fresh vintage merchandise is put out daily on the floor.

What makes this shop so great?

1. It is located in the Marais area with other boutiques and great food. I learned the hard way that I need to limit myself to areas that have several places to visit vs trekking hours just to locate one shop that has decided to close for the month of June. 
2. The prices are superior compared to some of the other stores we visited, including the flea markets.
3. You may run into a famous band with an extremely snotty girlfriend that you have to put in her place in the basement.
4. The owner is fantastic with a wicked humor and if you close your eyes when he talks it could be Johnny Depp. I did a lot of that wishing in Paris hoping to swing around the corner and run into Johnny and Vanessa with the bebes.

Some interior shots:

 

A view of the vintage ties to the left that Mr. M pounced on immediately. As you can see there isn't much room to move so I don't advise going in laden with bags of food, french magazines, heavy camera, and dishes from the shop down the street. ahem.

Be sure to take the time to rummage through the clearance bins to the right under the jackets.  I found a 70's shirt with a botanical print of flowers with heart shaped leaves for about $2.

See all the delicious boots hanging in an upstairs alcove in the upper right? Well I didn't until it was too late.  I was so busy rummaging through the piles of boots tucked into the corners of the store that I missed them. I still managed to come home with three pairs of vintage boots so I guess I'll survive until the next trip.

Down in the store's stone catacombs, like Alice in Wonderland.  I didn't realize they had a basement until the second visit.  You have to go down a precarious circular stair, scary because there is clothing draped/dropped down the steps so you may slide more so than step down. 

There is a full length mirror here, and also racks of more dresses and jackets, especially for men. But as I mentioned before this is a precarious spot, be on the lookout above while trying on clothing in front of the mirror.  It is located under the stairwell and as the the girls rush through the racks upstairs items can come clanging down on top of you through the rabbit hole. 

Located in Marais, the 4th arrondisment, at 8 rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie. Open to 11pm most nights.

Ladurée Champs Elysées

We tried to buy macarons for my Marie Antoinette themed party, but couldn't find them locally. Which made them at the top of my list of things to try once we reached Paris. How can you not love something that comes in such dreamy colors and shaped like a hamburger?

Our first stop was Laduree on the Champs Elysees. There was a long line, and my heart was thumping trying to figure out what I wanted.  After all, I had been initiated by fire at Magnolia Bakery in which you have .003 seconds to decide what you want and get the hell out. Instead, they take their time with you, explaining the choices and giving you options. 

We decided to sample several small macarons. At the time I didn't think to ask for a specific box I wanted, I was too focused on the colors in front of me. Unfortunately we never got a chance to go back so I'll have to remember when we return to Paris.

I had imagined them to have a crisp shattering shell, and the middle to be a whipped consistency.  Instead they have an addictive chewy texture, with the filling being almost like a jelly. I didn't get a chance to take pictures of mine because I gobbled them up by the time we got to the end of the street. These are taking from Laduree.

  

I also assumed that I would gorge myself on nothing but the caramel au beurre de sale(salted caramel).  While it had the savory buttery/sweet/salty taste I was craving...

My favorite turned out to be the Cherry Amaretto, intense fruit flavor with a bite to it.  Like I could take a bite of that picture right now. 

 

I didn't get a chance to sample their chocolates, but these cameos remind me of the ones at my party.

I do have to include a shot I took of their darling delivery truck.  I love that even it has received aesthetic attention:

Angelina's Hot Chocolate

  

I wasn't sure where to start with my Paris trip so I thought I would dive right in with my first review.  I read the very helpful tripadvisor reviews and forums diligently when I found out we were going to Paris for our honeymoon.  Angelina's kept cropping up as the place to go for hot cocoa. 

Now I'm going to say I'm a bit of a hot chocolate connoisseur.  I make it almost every day the minute there is a chill in the air.  If it is a box packet that I'm using it can never be made with water, and always to be topped with whipped cream. 

The first time we attempted to go to Angelina's we assumed they were open late and we were wrong.  The second time we arrived earlier, only to be told that they were closing in a half an hour.  When I said that was fine the Garcon looked pained as if he wanted to turn us away.  They then told us we can only order dessert, and only a select few.  

Mr. M had already gone upstairs to find a restroom and this was supposed to be where we ate dinner.  I made a quick decision and she seated us.  We each bought a cup of hot chocolate deciding we would eat dinner somewhere else. 

It arrived in a pitcher to be poured EQUALLY in both cups.  Velvety smooth, intensely rich melted chocolate into which I sunk mounds of whipped cream.  Mr. M after taking a first sip, took only a smidge of whipped cream(he must have been delirious) saying it was perfect by itself. 

 

We drank every single drop and whip.

I also want to mention that the elegant interior makes you feel how you should drinking $8 hot chocolates in Paris.  Creamy pale walls with gold baroque finishings, sparkling chandeliers, and painted murals surround you and it is great for people watching.