Merci, Paris: Part 2

Part 2 of our Paris post was a visit to the amazing "merci" store in the marais. Housed in a former wallpaper factory "merci" is an incredible 16,000 square foot industrial conversion on the boulevard beaumarchais. The store is a 4-story haven, featuring a flower store, a used book shop, a perfume bar, designer clothing, a kids boutique, a fabric shop and more. It's truly like nothing we've ever seen. We loved the cute red vintage car when you enter, the vintage crates as wall shelves, and the little herb garden below, it was all very parisian and so chic. Scroll down for some photos below.

And are you ready for the best part? Furniture, clothing, and other pieces for the home are all donated by designers like YSL, Stella McCartney, Azzaro, Alexis Mabille and Marni. 100% of the proceeds from Merci go to a homeless charity in Madagascar called Accueil des Sans-abri. The store was started by Bernard and Marie-France Cohen, founders of Bonpoint clothing, (by the way- the most gorgeous french kids clothing line).

The Perfume bar is an Annick Goutal laboratory where you can create your own fragrance. Since the brand is not taking any profit on sales, the scents cost 40 percent less at Merci than at the brand's own boutique. The bottom floor houses kitchen goods, and decor items, where we stocked up on some wonderful pieces for our last sunday supper. There is also a communal cafe, serving coffees and treats. From the concept to the design- merci is a flawless project, and for such a good cause...we came back inspired & excited to share !
Merci is located at 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 75003. Next time you're in paris, you must go!

A Day in Paris: Part One

Hello all, back from a wonderful trip to Paris, and so much catching up to do. My husband and I spent 3 days in paris and the strategy was simple: eat, drink, eat a bit more. For those of you who have met ken at a sunday supper, you know he is so sweet and charming (if I do say so myself) ; he is also the perfect travel mate. We were not going to attempt the tourist sites, just dally around the streets, take in the gorgeous atmosphere, and see where our little feet took us. Every morning we had a delightful breakfast at Carette in Trocadero Square. The parisian breakfast consisted of croissants and pastries, the most divine scrambled eggs we'd ever had...and one too many cappuccinos. We strolled around paris, cafe & pastry hopping along the way. We bought macaroons and treats at Gerard Mulot. The thing about paris is that everything is just gorgeous, you really can't go wrong. We enjoyed every little bit: riding the metro, taking afternoon breaks at a local cafe, discovering quiet streets in the evening hours and feeling like paris was all ours. Walking along the Seine and down to the Pantheon at night. A perfect day in Paris.

The next day we payed a visit to the most perfect store (ever)...stay tuned- k.