MY LAST DAY IN PARIS

It's three weeks to the day since we got home from our trip to Paris.  Jetlag seems to be getting tougher as I get older, and yes,  I am making excuses for the lack of blogging!   

I thought I had all the time in the world to see Paris at the beginning of our 12 days in Paris.  Isn't it funny that when there's only a day left, there's suddenly so much more to fit in?!

I wanted to make another visit to my friend Alice Vermelin's store in rue de Verneuil, so I dashed off after breakfast while Michael was dealing with last minute packing and airport transfers etc.  Luckily our flight was in the evening.  I have blogged about Alice's gorgeous store before and this time, I was very  happy to meet Brigitte, her mother. 

Brigitte was very busy getting herself organised for an event the following day.  She explained that every two months, she and her daughter Alice, decorate three luncheon tables at the restaurant of the famous French Chef - Guy Savoy.  The theme for the lunch was 'truffles' and she showed me the delightful items she had sourced for the tablescape. Some photos below are from Alice's website, linked above, of the event.

Brigitte and Guy Savoy

Brigitte found these adorable pigs at Maison et Objet and I love how she has placed them amidst twigs, moss, acorns and bark shavings - perfectly depicting the "Truffle" theme!

  

These 'faux bois' china plates in her store, suited the theme perfectly!


There are many treasures to be found in their store, and below are some of the beautiful tableware items they have available.

Hand-painted porcelain

That bunny tureen is adorable!

Glasses from Murano

After saying good-bye to Brigitte, I had just enough time to rush back across the Seine and visit the  Goossens "pop-up" shop on rue Saint-Honoré.   

Goossens pop-up shop in Rue Saint-Honoré

Visiting this tiny 'pop-up was such fun! While I was there,  people streamed in and out and lots of sales were made. The girls working there were so friendly and were delighted for me to take photos.  Sadly,  some of my photos have 'disappeared' as I have had endless computer problems. I had to include some on their website.

 For those not familiar with

this brand,  the story is fascinating.  Robert Goossens loved mixing fakes with genuine stones.  His clients, including Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and especially Coco Chanel who loved the way in which he managed to blend genuine semi-precious stones with artificial gems.  Highly regarded as one of the greatest jewelers and goldsmiths in Paris, Robert Goossens used silver and gold-plated metals, to surround his semi-precious stones, pearls and quartz for the House of Chanel, creating their now famous Sautoir necklaces.  

Goossens met Coco (Gabrielle ) Chanel in 1953 and she appointed him as the official jewelry supplier for the house.  After Coco's passing,  Goossens continued to work with Karl Lagerfeld, creating jewelry for the couture and ready-to-wear collections.    When Robert retired, his son Patrick Goossens took over the directorship and, in 2005, Karl Lagerfeld added Goossens to his stable of ateliers (Métiers d'Art) as a way of protecting the brand.

I sadly did not have time to visit the Goossens store on 42 Avenue George V

Below are the beautiful pieces I saw in the pop-up.  They are unique and unusual and quite affordable. 

That's all from Paris for the moment.  Although only three weeks ago,  it feels like yesterday..