It all started with a kiss. Or maybe it ended with a kiss. Or maybe the kiss came along somewhere in the middle. No matter WHEN it happened, I’m sure you remember WHERE you were when you had your first kiss in Paris. Or maybe, like mine, your first Parisian kiss was tangled up in the whirlwind of the second, third or eighteenth kiss. But even so, I’m sure there’s one that stands out among all the rest. The one at that café? On the metro? In a taxi? Beneath the Eiffel Tower, remember? Today, April 11 marks the 3rd anniversary of the parisian party blog, and to celebrate this milestone, I’m giving away this oh-so-handy guidebook, “The Best Places to Kiss in Paris” by Thierry Soufflard. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, sharing your most memorable Parisian kiss (openly or anonymously, fact or fiction…). I’ll randomly select a name from all comments left by Monday, April 12, and post the winner on Tuesday. Thanks for sharing, and hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane!
If you’ve been reading this blog for any time now, you know that I can get a little bent out of shape over the general state of wedding favors in France. In general, they’ve always seemed a bit, well, cheesy compared to the favors coming out of the States or the UK. It, of course, goes back to tradition- the traditional French favors are dragées- candy coated almonds. So most French cadeaux d’invités are just dragée holders, i.e. little tulle bags or wicker baskets tied with satin bows. Over the years, I’ve posted a bevvy of resources for non-traditional French or Paris-themed wedding favors that can be found in different boutiques around Paris - everything from delicate silver tea scoops from Mariage Frères to luxurious hand-made fans from Olivia Oberlin. Recently though, I’ve been excited to see a wave of French companies crop up that offer unique, creative and stylish wedding favors- all under one “roof”. For instance, I’m LOVING these fun favors from Ca Change Des Dragées (which basically means “something different than dragees”- hallelujah!). Email them a 7 second video of you and your petit chou-chou smooching on the Eiffel Tower or tangoing down the aisle, and they’ll turn the clip into a mini flipbook! What a cute way to announce a Parisian elopement or thank your wedding party or special guests, right? Check out these and other fresh French wedding favors that don’t suck atwww.cachangedesdragees.com
Have you downloaded the “A Day in Paris” iphone app from Van Cleef & Arpels, yet? It’s SO cold and gray in Paris these days, I know you just want to stay inside and hide under your blankets. But rather than dropping a bundle on ebay for one of those funky Mood Enhancing Sun lamps, download this free app and get instantly transported to a warm and sunny day in Paris. Follow the red balloon on a poetic stroll through the Marais or Place de la Concorde. Imagine soaking up the rays on the terrace of le 7ème Ciel or Le Jardin des Tuileries. Why not see the fantasy through to the end and pop into Van Cleef & Arpels on the Place Vendôme? Feel free to linger at the counter while you’re at it- there are 165 more days until summer…
