One of my favorite areas in Paris is the Rue des Martyrs neighborhood. Stretching from Saint-Georges up through Pigalle, the vibe is hip-sexy-fun-chic-cool-foodie-trendy. There’s something for everyone, from KB Cafe with their amazing Australian-style coffee, to delicious choux at Popelini, … Continue reading
I’m turning a quarter century old this month.
Can’t believe it! My 16-year old self thinks I am pretty darn old now. That being said, it’s a milestone, 25! In order to celebrate this big birthday properly, I’m compiling a list of 25 things to do before turning 25. So far, I have decided to be active every day (must look good in that birthday dress), climb the Notre Dame towers, meet three new people, post on my blog every day, memorize seven new arias, anddd that’s about it thus far. It’s enough to keep me busy for the new few weeks, but I would absolutely love to have a list of 25 things compiled by the end of the weekend.
That’s where you, readers, come in! Please feel free to help out and make suggestions; I’m excited to see what else I can manage to do before the big 2-5!
Wishing you a lovely weekend!
xx PatriciaParisienne
For all cupcake lovers in France: there is a mecca of incredible cupcake bakers in Paris.
I found many of them at the Cupcake Camp Paris 2012 charity event and was lucky enough to try their baked goods! The event was a Halloween-themed fundraiser, where the best cupcake bakers in the city came together to make over 2000 cupcakes. Entry to the event was free, and all of the proceeds from the cupcake sales, raffle tickets, and other purchases went to Make-A-Wish France.
Cupcake Camp Charity Event
I was astonished at the fact that this incredible space existed near the Canal Saint Martin, let alone that you could rent it out for an event like this. The line to get in was massive; I counted about one hundred people down the block – and I arrived halfway through the two-hour event! There were countless varieties, styles, and flavors of cupcakes that were displayed at Le Comptoir Général.
Cupcakes!
Upon entering, I didn’t know where to begin; there was so much to see! We ended up going for a counter-clockwise approach to scope out our options, and then we went to find the witch that would sell us our tickets. (She was actually dressed up in a very convincing witch costume.) “Il faut trouver la sorcière!” the vendors would tell us.
So many cupcakes!
Scottish Cupcakes!
Halloween Pumpkin Cupcakes
After much thought and reflection, Kat decided on the speculoos cupcake, while I went with the spicy chocolate, Dia de los Muertos themed cupcake. Both were amazing! At the end of the event, there were still a few cupcakes left, so we got the “Bartender’s Chocolate Delight,” which was quite tasty.
Dia de los Muertos Cupcakes
Our picks of the bunch 🙂
Everyone left happy and full. A few lucky people went home with some of the amazing prizes and baskets that were raffled off, like an original Kasia Dietz bag. Click here for more pictures of Cupcake Camp Paris 2012. Can’t wait for next year’s event!
PatriciaParisienne and two copines
We were truly impressed with the number of cupcake companies here in Paris. Below are some of the sponsors and participants in this year’s Cupcake Camp.
Cupcake Camp Paris 2012
Bryan Pirolli – Lola’s Cookies – Paris Insights – Fairy Cooker – Faismoicroquer.com – Cake, Cook and Co. – LaVieMaraisienne – The Kale Project – NOGLU – Mimi’s Cupcakes – Sugar Daze – Ô Chateau – Beauty Cakes – CAKE & BAKE accessories – Once Upon a Cake – Paris Pastry App ~ David Lebovitz – COlunching – Sweetly Cakes – Bleekcup’s – Context Travel – La Cuisine Paris – Cupcake Lovers in Paris – Wrist Flick – Carolive’s Cupcakes – Excuse My French
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For those looking for a cool place to grab a drink with friends or for an amazing Sunday brunch in Paris, Le Comptoir General is the place to go. The beers are cheap, the location is incredible, plus the glass roof makes you feel like you’re outside enjoying summer in a beer garden. Allez-y!
80, quai de Jemmapes
75010
Buddy Bear Exhibition ~ Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower)
If you haven’t been able to make it to Berlin, you can come see the famous United Buddy Bears in Paris! Last Thursday on the Toussaint holiday (loved that surprise day off!), a lovely German friend of mine and I went over to Trocadero to see these gorgeous works of art.
Some of the bears at the Champs de Mars (Eiffel Tower) in Paris
United Buddy Bear – Paris 2012 – Champs de Mars, Eiffel Tower
Lined up along the Champs de Mars, the Buddy Bears add some most welcome accents of colors to the City of Lights. Each bear represents a different country, and the local artists came up with some brilliant ideas to showcase their country. All of the bears are visually stunning; some even went beyond the canvas and added unique accents.
Irish United Buddy Bear
French United Buddy Bear
Israeli Buddy Bear
Polish United Buddy Bear
The idea behind the bears is of peace. The United Buddy Bear website explains, “Under this motto, the UNITED BUDDY BEARS promote living together in peace and harmony on their global tour. Around 140 Buddy Bears (each 2 m tall) represent as many countries recognised by the United Nations.”
Great Britain United Buddy Bear
Mexican United Buddy Bear
American United Buddy Bear
Germany + Mexico/USA
Chinese United Buddy Bear
Back of the German United Buddy Bear
The bears will be in Paris through November 18, 2012. If you can’t make it across the pond, check out all of the bears and their artists here.
With the German United Buddy Bear
Femininity Encompassed by Art: The Works of Dominique Fury
Thursday, September 28, 2012, marked the debut of the French artist Dominique Fury’s exhibit at Galerie Caplain-Matignon, a chic gallery in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Renowned for her use of untraditional canvases and materials, Fury’s works are captivating, stunning, and compelling pieces of art.
Electric Lady by Dominique Fury
In an enlightening interview with the artist, PatriciaParisienne learned about her adventure into the art world. Originally a political science student, Fury realized halfway through her studies that she truly wasn’t cut out to be a student of politics. Her heart and passion were in the arts. She delved into the world of art and has never looked back. She has collaborated with many artists around the world, and her works have been exhibited at festivals and galleries around the world, including Kyoto, Shanghai, Brussels, Bogota, Istanbul, and, of course, all over France.
Regarding her artwork, Fury says (translated from French), “I have always been interested in collaborating with other artists…I have worked on several projects with other artists and especially enjoy working with a variety of materials…like the Americans, who would tell stories of a certain region with different materials. It really tells their story. For me, the starting materials are those that touch your skin, very beautiful gold materials that make a lacquer, that are sexy. Voila. At the beginning, when I would create my paintings, I didn’t want anyone to know that it was a woman who was painting them. So I called myself Fury. And Dominique Fury is a name [that can be male or female]. I would make these enormous paintings. I absolutely did not want anyone to know that it was a woman who was making them. It was more of a masculine work and quite harsh.”
Dominique Fury with her painting “Tea Time” at Galerie Caplain-Matignon
In regards to her choice to become an artist, she states, “Finalement, on fait ce qu’on doit faire.” (“In the end, we do what we must do.”) Fury’s Electric Lady exhibit shows off this artist’s vast capacity to encompass femininity and human emotions and project them onto a canvas through various fabrics, textures, and materials. An absolute must-see if you’re in the City of Lights.
Dominique Fury Press Poster for Galerie Caplain-Matignon
We are happy to have this artist back in Paris with us for a short time. Fury’s works will be on display until November 6, 2012.
Check out the exhibit at the Galerie Caplain-Matignon.
29, avenue Matignon
75008 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 65 04 63
Looking for some Asian-fusion cuisine and deco in Paris?
The newly-renovated Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine is back! Though the design store and restaurant officially opens to the public on Saturday, September 22, at 10 a.m., the company celebrated their reopening and opened its doors Thursday night to a gorgeous crowd for a festive soiree.
View of Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine
The party began with a Chinese dragon dance from the AFDDLC, Association française de danse du dragon et danse du lion chinois (French Association of the Chinese Dragon Dance and Lion Dance). Very appropriate, as we are in the year of the dragon (yours truly being a dragon herself!), according to the Chinese calendar. Guests were absolutely captivated by the dragons!
AFDDLC Performing the Chinese Dragon Dance on the red carpet at Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine
Dragons Dancing at Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine
The rest of the evening was just as impressive! On the ground level, the two bars served an assortment of Asian beers and drinks, as well as a variety of delicious teas. On the second and minus one floors, the guests were also treated to fantastic wines and champagne. It’s not a true French celebration without champagne!
The guest list had people from all walks of life and a variety of industries. At the opening party, we chatted with Stephanie Moisan, the designer of the stunning window displays (scenographer), as well as Héloïse Mérat, the commercial director of la Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine.
Stephanie Moisan for Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine
Some of the APR girls at Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine’s grand opening soiree
Héloïse Mérat – commercial director for Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine
The event was a huge success, and the room was buzzing throughout the night with excitement and delight. Visit the Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine to spruce up your home or office decor, or to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner.
Compagnie Francaise de l’Orient et de la Chine
170, boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris
+33 (0) 1 53 53 40 80
PatriciaParisienne 