2007 October | parisian party

Monthly Archive for October, 2007

Geek Chic Bridemaids Gifts

October 22, 2007

How do you say “merci” to your bestest girlfriends in the world, when they’ve just flown half way ’round said world to join you and your “homme” for your wedding in Paris? Hmm…by offering them each a paperweight shaped like a giant wedding ring? Or… how about some customized, monogrammed flip-flops? Oo! I know! You can’t go wrong with a stylish embroidered canvas beach tote, non? Non!

bridesmaid paperweight bridesmaid flip flops Bridesmaid totebag

Swarovski Heart USB Key If you really want to shower your BFFs with gratitude, why not get them something that they really will use again? Like these heart-shaped, blinged out USB keys by Swarovski and Philips. The polished metal and crystal hearts come on a delicate satin cord, and pack 1GB of storage.

red ipod case Or how about a red-hot ipod nano case (lipstick charm included!) designed by Parisian party girl Cecile Togni for Lancel.

And for your maid of honor who’s stood by you through thick-n-thin, take a gander at Vanity by the French cosmetics chain Sephora and Samsung: A glittery gold make-up bag with a pink nail polish, pink Samsung Sephora Vanity Kit lipgloss AND a pink cellphone.

Today’s “destination bridesmaid” is chic, well-traveled and techno-savvy. Just a little something to keep in mind while you’re searching for that perfect bridesmaid gift.

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Hand Me My Lipstick, Dahling!

October 18, 2007

Audrey Hepburn Givenchy Anyone who knows me knows that I am an enormous fan of Audrey Hepburn. I’ve loved her ever since I was a little girl and my mom let me stay at home from school one afternoon because they were showing Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the “3:00 Movie” (right after “Love, American Style“- hey, I haven’t thought about that in ages!!) Anyway, you can imagine how thrilled I was yesterday to meet Mr. Hubert de Givenchy at a lunch reception that I helped to organize at the Mona Bismarck Foundation. He was so charming and debonnaire- as only a friend and confidant of Audrey’s could be. I can’t tell you what we said to each other, although I’m sure we must have exchanged 2 or 3 sentences each. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that starts chatting insanely when they get nervous (lucky for me I’m usually as cool as a cucumber). PLUS, I have this weird social- Tourette’s thing: Whenever I know I’m not supposed to say something, I have this crazy compulsion to say it anyway (like the time I said a teensy swear word during a job interview, or the time I was in a restaurant and told the woman at the table next to ours that she had spinach in her teeth- that kind of stuff.) Anyway, as I was speaking with Mr Givenchy, it took all my earthly power not to say, “Hand me my lipstick, dahling!” so I just clammed up, which was probably the wisest thing to do, because in this photo I think I see just the tiniest daub of mustard on Mr Givenchy’s cheek…(just joking!!)

Kim Petyt meets Mr. Hubert de Givenchy

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Green in Paris

October 13, 2007

I’m finally getting around to this! I was recently tagged by Lara at Ready2Spark who has started a Green Challenge. She’s asked several bloggers to share tips on what they’re doing to introduce environmental sustainability into their daily lives, and then to pass the challenge on to others. Here are a few things that my family and I are doing over in this neck of the woods:

1. Whenever possible, we try to buy organic produce and use “green” cleaning products. (btw: When I’m in the States, it’s always a bit surprising to see how the term “organic” is being thrown around nowadays. I’m sure I wouldn’t have to look too hard to find a study proving/disproving the level of organic authenticity in a jar of cocktail weenies bought at a roadside 7-11, but who am I to question?) Here in Paris, products labeled organic (or “bio” in French) aren’t as readily on hand as in the States, but you really don’t have to look far. Monoprix and Carrefour both have their own extensive lines of bio products. Naturalia and Biocoop are health-food stores that have several locations around Paris, and there are lots of online websites that deliver bio products to your door. Most of the local produce markets also sell organic on a daily or weekly basis.

2. I’m a member of “Freecycle” in Paris- a grassroots, non-profit community where members can post info on unwanted, free items that are available for pick-up or donation around the city. It’s a great resource to try before throwing out any old appliances, furniture, toys or sports equipment that may still have a bit of life in them.

3. We’ve started teaching our children about water conservation- not letting the water run while they brush their teeth, not flushing unless it’s um..necessary, hand washing (and line drying) smaller laundry items, etc.

Here are a few links to other online organic family resources available in France:

Baby Au Naturel
Bebe Maman Nature
Le Monde de Delea
Baby Walz

Lara asks that we continue the challenge and pass this along to other bloggers, and so I’m tagging:

Polly from Polly Vous Francais

Terrica at The Wedding Planners’ Blog

Catherine at Petite Anglaise

Pass it on!