13.2.13

Postcards from Paris: {Victor Hugo, une leçon sur la langue d'amour }








“If you want to speak the language of love,
learn French.
If you want to speak it well,
Read Victor Hugo.”
Advice given from an older romantic gentleman to a young romantic friend of mine, who then passed on this sound advice to me. Appropriate advice to share on le jour de St. Valentin, even though it was a dialogue between two men, the language of love is not gender specific, and inspired a trip south of Pigalle, where my favourite public library is, Bibliothèque Chaptal.


With Winter at its peak, the heated library and that specific scent of plastic wrapped books was something of a comfort. I also snuck in some Valentine’s chocolate, for an added comfort.

L’hiver est sur ma tête, mais l’éternel printemps est dans mon cœur.
Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.

Faire rire, c'est faire oublier. Quel bienfaiteur sur la terre, qu’un distributeur d’oubli!
To make people laugh is to make them forget. What an altruistic person, the one who scatters laughter!

Qu’est-ce une grande chose, d’être aimé! Qu’est-ce une chose plus grande encore, à l’amour!
 What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

And my advice on this Valentine’s occasion :
Acheter des jolies fleurs et de manger un peu de chocolat.

Bisous,
Reba

12.2.13

Behind the Scenes: Floral Arranging for Valentines Day!

Our Fresh Flowers have Arrived! 
Our Studio has been overrun with the aromas of Ranunculus, Larkspur, Lisianthus, and a variety of Roses. The Paris Market Display Gals (amidst a series of oohing and awwing) have been busy arranging bouquets to sell to the local romantics for Valentines Day. Choose from a variety of small, medium, and large bouquets, as well as, single stem roses. 

Skip the traditional grocery store florals and buy something special for your sweetheart this season!
Fresh Flowers for sale at The Paris Market Feb 12th - Feb 17th!








Flower Arranging Tips & Tricks from our Display Team.

 Use a variety of sizes and shapes in your arrangement. Playing textures against one another will keep it interesting.

When choosing flowers for your bouquet we like to incorporate three basic categories. 1. Large Flowers that can stand alone 2. Medium Flowers to mix in 3. Sprigs of filler to add backdrop

If stumped on where to start when creating an arrangement begin with what you love. If something inspires you use that as your starting point and then build your palette around that.

Adding Dried Flowers into your mix can be both interesting and unexpected. Don't be afraid to venture into new territory when creating your own bouquet.

Play with texture by adding airy sprigs to a dense mound of flowers.

Don't forget your sense of smell. When considering flower choices for your bouquet, don't just take texture and color into account. Add some potent petals into the mix for an aromatic and unforgettable arrangement

Create a study in color with different flowers in shades of the same hue. 

Use an unexpected container to display your arrangement. Try vintage medicine bottles, antique trophies, and even hollowed out branches for a unique twist!

Let long stems arch out of a trumpet vase for an ethereal arrangement. Allow your flowers do what they do best, containing them too tightly can be visually drab, let them be a little wild and they might surprise you.

To support the stems in the low container, a frog is essential. Bits of floral adhesive on the bottom of the frog keep it from shifting and scratching the pottery.




8.2.13

New Products Online!












Large Desk Clock


Check out our newest additions to The Paris Market Online Boutique!
Unique and Worldly Products for your Kitchen, Bath, Living Space!
Only at The Paris Market!

7.2.13

Les Saveurs du Mois.

With the warmer weather and the start of spring, our palettes seem to change. The once unbearable craving for sweet chocolatey concoctions seems to evaporate with the cold climate and our taste buds seek out a lighter fare. 
Our Patisserie has an array of warm weather drink selections. From our Aromatic Seltzers to our Famous French Garden Iced Tea, we have everything to wet your whistle and curb your springtime drink cravings!
Here are some of our favorite floral themed drinks for February! 


A Seltzer with a splash of Rose really hits the spot!


Try our French Garden Iced Tea with Lavender Syrup!


An Elderflower Cream Seltzer is a great partner to one of our fresh Macarons! 


Our popular Water Du Jour! Try combinations like Orange and Basil or this Strawberry and Mint. 


Celebrate the warmer weather with an afternoon of shopping at the Paris Market and a relaxing refreshment at our Patisserie!

6.2.13

Postcards from Paris: {Bonne Année du Serpent}






The parade hasn’t happened yet. It usually occurs on the day of, the large Chinese dragon moving through the streets in a wave-like manner, confetti everywhere, people in orient attire, and red heart balloons that all define the Chinese New Year (with elements of St. Valentine) Parade. The city is preparing by hanging bright red Chinese lanterns on the facades of Haussmann. I am preparing by eating Chinese cuisine as often as I can.
I met my friend Ye Wu south of central Paris, arriving at Place d’Italie, which is curiously where many of the Chinese population lives in Paris and most often where one can find a delicious and inexpensive array of Chinese restaurants to choose from. It helps going with Ye Wu. She knows exactly which one to go to. She takes care of ordering our meal, and asks for special changes from the menu; all spoken in her mother tongue. Her selections from the menu all comfort my cravings, she shares her special rice with me, and then introduces me to a delicious warm coconut-milk dessert. It’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten. I order one to go, and wish instead that I had ordered 3.
This year, on the 10th of February, we celebrate the year of the snake. Throughout China, there are different regional traditions. Chinese New Year is equivalent to our Christmas season. People will save for this event in order to indulge on gifts, decorations, food, and traditional orient clothing to wear as a celebration of this new beginning. Known also as the Spring Festival, families traditionally deep clean their homes. This symbolizes a cleansing from any ill-fortune, and it welcomes incoming good luck and prosperity for the new year. The Eve of Chinese New Year, families feast together.
The Lion Dance is performed.
The finale is filled with fireworks.
We all reconcile, forgetting any lingering grudges, wishing each other a year of peace, prosperity, and happiness. A theme for the month of February and continued through the year, this can be wished by everyone regardless of who we are and where we live.
So from Paris,
Bonne Année du Serpent!
 新年快乐!
Bisous,
Reba



4.2.13

Through the Glass: Fresh Florals

Our Valentines Day Windows are Up!
The Paris Market Display Gals have crafted up beautiful floral themed windows to celebrate everyone's favorite heart holiday! 





Mark your calendars!
February 12th through the 17th, the Paris Market will have fresh flowers available for Valentines Day! Choose from Single Stem beauties to fabulous Bouquets!! 
Make this love filled holiday an extra special one! 

1.2.13

A Crafter's Guide: Fabric Flowers

 We have dubbed February the month of florals. 
The Paris Market will be offering up a beautiful array of fresh flowers for Valentines Day. Whether a bouquet or single stem, a selection of pretty petals will be available February 12th for purchase.

To start the month out in favor of the flower, how-to guru Jessie, has created a fabric flower DIY for all you crafty spirits. Don that creative cap, grab those scissors, and make you loved one something special this holiday!




Supplies Needed:

Card stock
Ruler
Poly-Blend Fabric
Fabric Pen
Scissors
Needle and Thread
Faux Pearls, Buttons, or Beads
Votive and Matches
Scissors



1. Cut a Series of 5 circles out of card stock in different sizes.
Dimensions:
Circle 1 - 1"
Circle 2 - 1 1/2"
Circle 3 - 2 3/4"
Circle 4 - 3.5"
Circle 5 - 4"



2. Trace circles onto fabric and cut out.



3. Cut five slits in each circle, leave at least 3/4" in the center.



4. Hold each edge over a lit votive and let the fabric slightly curl. Be careful not to hold your pieces too close to the flame as you just want the heat to lightly affect the fabric.



5. Stack each piece largest to smallest (largest on the bottom) and make a few stitches through the center to secure.


6. Decorate the center of your flower by stitching in a few pearls. Want a more crafty look? Try buttons or brooches to make your petals really stand out! 


La fin.

Use these unwilting creations to decorate a gift, add into a floral arrangement or sweeten up your style!


31.1.13

The Paris Market Bazaar Super Sale!


Come one come all!
The Paris Market is hosting a large sale on a selection of furniture, books, vintage items, oddities, and housewares for a limited time only. Markdowns up to 50%! 
Swing by today and grab up some of these sale goodies before they're gone!




Sale located in the front basement section of The Paris Market.
Don't miss it!