Wishlist: Bringing Paris to San Francisco

I think about my time in Paris everyday. It feels like ages ago but I hold all my memories so dear to me. I wish desperately that I could go back but sadly I don't think that will happen for a while. For now, I'll just try to bring some of Paris to my home.

When I think of Paris, a few things come to mind but the easiest to have here are shoes, books, and accessories. Women in Paris wear a variety of shoes that are very different from the styles you'd see in the states. Oxfords, loafers, and ballet flats are particularly popular.

Oxfords by Fioni

Pumps by Franco Sarto

Loafers by Adam Tucker

Flats by Steve Madden

Without Netflix or Hulu in France, I got a ton of reading done. Here are some books that I would love to have that remind me of Paris:

French Phrasebook

Madeline

Paris in the 1920s

Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life

The French Market Cookbook

I like to pretend that Paris never left the 1920s era because it's my favorite time period, so here are some pieces that remind me of that period.

Kingsley Cloche

Sheboygan Ribbon Cloche

Comete Cardigan

Gem Crest Headband

Amour Bobby Pin Set

Snow Bloom Bobby Pin

As you can see, I have a torrid love affair with Anthropologie. When I'm rich and famous, I will buy everything on their site.

On a slightly more serious note, I miss Paris like crazy. I made a Facebook status about it before I left, and I think it really expresses how I felt about leaving and how I feel now.

"People have been asking me how I feel about leaving Paris in four days, and I haven't really known exactly what to say until now. I am, of course, overjoyed that I will be returning home to my family and friends but what I've come to realize is that I will be sad to leave Paris not because I'll miss the city, but because I'll miss the home I have here. After four months of being here, I am no longer simply visiting Paris, I am living in it. I have a favorite cafe, and a grocery store I prefer to go to, and a favorite place to walk when I'm killing time. I know that I can always come back to Paris but what I will miss the most is the home that I have made here, at this moment, in exactly this spot, that I have been living in. With this in mind, I want to say "merci et à la prochaine" to a city and country that will always been my home away from home."

Bisous mes cheris***

My Favorite Store in Paris: Oysho!

I have a new favorite store and it is called Oysho.

This store is essentially a underwear, pajama, sportswear, and fuzzy things store. It sells really cute lingerie as well as amazing socks and beanies with animals on them. I should have known the moment I walked into the store for the first time that it was going to be the place where I spent most of my money while I stayed here in Paris. Every time I go in there, I really need to exercise a great deal of self restraint so I don't buy at least three things. I'm a sucker for things with cute animals on it!

Needless to say, since I love it so much, that means that everyone I decided to get gifts for at home is getting a pair of Oysho socks. I sadly have sent all of those pairs home already so I don't have photos of them but when I get home I'll edit this post and add them. For now, here are the pieces I bought for myself!

I suppose this is as good a time as any to mention that my favorite animal is a panda.

I also decided that I NEEDED new slippers for my apartment in Paris and that if they weren't beaver slippers, they simply wouldn't do.

These slippers are actually for my best friend (shhh it's a surprise) and they're too big to ship home so I still have them. Aren't they just the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Not only do they have amazing socks and slippers, they have a really great collection of tights. This pair not only has gold flecks and is very soft , it also is (surprisingly) thick which means I can wear them all the time in this bitter Paris winter!

And finally, the first thing I bought at this incredible store, my penguin sweater! It took me a while to decide between this one and the one with the lamb face on it, but I don't regret the decision at all. I love this sweater and the rest of my purchases so much. If you're ever in Europe, stop by this store. Even if you aren't into all the animal things like I am, they have cute bras and underwear and other pajamas and sweaters with pretty designs and patterns on them.

Hope you are all staying warm this winter with either a comfy animal sweater or a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Bisous mes cheris***

Photo credits to Lisa Cherkassky