New Years' Resolution, the sequel

Wow, week 2 and I am still going strong! The second part of my resolution has to do with ol' ma earth. She has really been taking a beating the past few centuries, and although it is not all my fault, I would like to participate in the solution. That means many things in our household; flourescent light bulbs, canvas shopping bags, a worm compostor and buying USED!!!

The idea comes from a group of families in San Francisco. One New Years Eve they were sitting around the table discussing the environment, materialism and our consumer society. They came up with the idea to buy nothing (except food and articles of hygiene) new for an entire year. Something breaks? Fix it. Or borrow, or find another solution. The project was a success. By the end of the year, they were getting ready for year two and many others had climbed o board. It is now a full-fledge movement and they have named it The Compact.

My 10 year old was shocked and disgusted with the idea of buying used clothing for back to school this year. The horror abated a bit when she realized that she could get five pairs of jeans at the Montreal Salvation Army for the price of one pant leg at the GAP. Even better, we found GAP, Diesel and other really cool designers. She began to come around, but still made me promise a "real" shopping trip upon or return to Paris.

Trying to stick to my environmental principles without drowning a kid in dogma, I kept my promise for a a trip, but guided my innocent lamb to the local depôt-vente (consignment shop) Chercheminippes. A Burberry skirt (20E) with the tag still attached, a DKNY trench (40E) and a few comic books later, she was sold. Buying previously owned is the way to go.

Chercheminippes is a great resource for fashion conscious shoppers looking for a bargain, or to save the planet. They have five shops along the 100 block of the rue du Cherche-Midi in the 6th arrondisement and yesterday I saw that they are adding a sixth. There is a shop for men, children, housewares and two for women . I have found some major bargains there over the years. For example, an antique Ikat (Balinese textile) for 1/10th its value, sterling serving pieces, ski gear for the girls, and countless scarves and handbags, including the striking red purse pictured above.

If I strike out there, or if I am looking for something the very high end designer items, like LV, YSL, Chanel, Hermes or DIOR. I head up to number 4, rue Mayet to FanFan where the Japanese owners seem to have an in with all the Japanese saleswomen in the fashion world. These women make use of their employee discounts to turn the goods into cash. This consignment shop has more "new with tag" articles than any other I have ever visited. But to be true to my resolution, I must avoid those items and stick to the rest of the stock. I don't mind and I almost feel guilty with the wealth of choices before me. Never had a resolution that was this much FUN!

The handbag other items described are for sale if you'd like to make one of them part of your Paris wardrobe, contact Mme Sylvie, shoplikeaparisian@yahoo.com

New Year's Resolution

This year I have resolved to dazzle and inspire you all with my shopping adventures in Paris. This new blog will feature insight into the best places for super bargains, the lives and loves of local artisans and the secrets behind some of the city's most alluring boutiques.

As I work on this blog I am also preparing an online boutique so that you, too, will be able to dress like a Parisian. The design is done and the webmaster is weaving his magic as I type this blog.

So now that we've been introduced, let's get down to business. My first and true obsession is Vintage shopping. I guess you could also call it antiquing because my interests merely begin with clothing and go on to everything from the carpets on my floors to the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. So where do I head for a good fix of antique chic? The flea market, naturally.

I start small this year, at the Porte de Vanves weekend flea market, across the street from the Metro station of the same name. I love this market because it is large enough to be worth the visit, yet small enough to navigate with ease. And the crowds are manageable, always a plus.

As we arrive it is cold (it is winter, after all) with a crisp blue sky and the aroma of roasting chestnuts haunts the air. Nonetheless, the merchants are there in full force, and treasures abound. Linens, stereoscopes, carpets, buttons, books and crystal glasses are just some of the items that catch our eyes and our euros. The merchants are used to tourists and the bargaining can get ferocious. A tile salesman refuses to negotiate with us at all. It is a long block by the time you got to the first intersection, where (for me) the real fun begins.

First there is the food truck that serves a decent hot chocolate. Perfect for warming our frigid little mitts. And in front of that truck is my favorite clothing dealer at Vanves. I am so excited about the clothing that I forget to ask her her name, again. These things take time in France, so it is probably just as well. And now, party time! I score a luxurious Hermes tank top with a marine motif, an Alaia black knit summer dress, a 1980's Thierry Mugler vest with geometric cut outs and this (see photo) oh, so flattering, black knit, wool dress by Gillier. It is gorg. and everything is in perfect condition A great score for a morning. Lucky me.

The dress and all the other items described are for sale if you'd like to make one of them part of your Paris wardrobe, contact me, shoplikeaparisian@yahoo.com.