Kimberley Petyt's Blog

In a very short time, all across the U.S., family and friends will gather together to celebrate that most reverent American holiday- Black Friday. Since Thanksgiving doesn’t exist in France, that means that technically Black Friday doesn’t exist in France either. But if you happen to be in Paris over the Thanksgiving week-end, why not create your own tradition and celebrate Black Friday comme les parisiennes.

Start the evening by inviting your friends around for an all-black apéro: Try your hand at home-made foie gras and truffle “lollipops”, served with a refreshing black cocktail, like Eristoff’s Black Up. Or maybe something sweeter like black licorice macarons from Ladurée with cold flutes of sparkling Piper-Heidsieck Black Cancan by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Next, slap on a fresh coat of YSL Pur Couture Noir and head on over to Dans Le Noir? for dinner. Sure, it’s been around for a while, with locations now open in London, Barcelona and New York, but what better way to spend Black Friday than at the original pitch-black dining experience?   Top the night off  at BC Black Calvados, the branché black and chrome nightclub that’s been a Paris standard since the 1950’s. Not exactly a Paris bargain, but I bet you’ll spend less there than you would’ve at Macy’s Black Friday Sale!

Dans le Noir?

51, rue de Quicampoix 75004

BC Black Calvados

40, rue Pierre 1er de Serbie 75008

After nearly 10 years of planning weddings and events in Paris, I’ve decided to set aside my (fabulous!) wedding planning hat and take an extended hiatus from parisian events.

My idea to create an agency to service English-speakers in love with the romance and style of Paris was born out of necessity- In 2001, I planned my own wedding in France, long-distance from San Francisco and without being able to speak French. Since wedding planners didn’t really exist in France at the time, when my husband and I moved to France soon after, I decided to tap into my experience in corporate and social event planning and create parisian events. The idea was to help other romantic, Anglophone Paris-lovers like myself to create their dream celebration in the “City of Love”, and I’m extremely humbled to say that the idea took off like wildfire! Over the years I’ve had the opportunity and honor to work with some AMAZING vendors and some absolutely wonderful clients, many of whom have since become dear friends. I’d like to thank all of you for inviting me into your lives, and for helping me to make parisian events the success that it has become.

I’ve decided now to focus my energies more on sharing what I’ve learned over the years with others, on both the creative side and the business side. Writing my book, The Paris Wedding, has given me a great opportunity to share my expertise on French- and Parisian-style weddings with the American market.  I’ve been very lucky in that Paris is becoming one of the hottest European destination wedding locations for American couples. With this comes more American vendors looking to tap into this growing market. This past year, I’ve been lucky to have been asked to speak with entrepreneurs about the cultural aspects of the business, and am continuing to build on that with a roster of future speaking engagements and other information-sharing opportunities.

My heart still belongs to Paris and weddings, of course, so please continue to follow me on my book site, facebook, twitter, pinterest and my curated newsletter, J’ai Deux Amours” . I also continue to write for lifestyle blogs like “The Daily Basics” and my own Parisian Party, and am always open to speaking or writing opportunities about French wedding or social entertaining styles, the cross-cultural entrepreneurial experience, or the destination wedding industry in general.

Thank you again for your years of support.

In my article on today’s lifestyle blog, The Daily Basics, I share some of my tips for fun, inexpensive souvenir ideas from Paris. That started me thinking about French-themed goodie-bag ideas tailored specifically for children.  After all, if you’re throwing a Parisian party, why should the grown-ups have all of the fun?

With a bit of time online, here’s all you need to keep les petites occupied during your Paris-themed celebration:

Mon Cahier de Coloriage: I Love Paris: Paris is there for the coloring, with its great monuments, its beautiful museums, its bustling streets, and its funny Parisians!  Available online through les parisettes, this book guarantees a full 10 minutes of calm and quiet. http://lesparisettes.com

Eiffel Tower Spinning Top: These mini  metal spinning tops are durable and quiet and are great options for some old skewl fun.  Available at Saprista in the 15th arrondissement and www.saprista.com

Did you know that the Michelin Man has a name? It’s Bibendum. You can get some really cute Michelin Man swag for kids, like toy cars, watches and school sets at www.michelin-boutique.com. They also have pretty cool grown-up toys as well.

Another character that is pretty popular in France is named “Barbapapa” which, incidentally, is how you say cotton candy in French. Barbapapa is basically the French equivalent of “Shmoo” (which most people who read this blog have never even heard of. Sigh.) Anyway, there are tons of silly little Barbapapa toys available, one of which is this set of 3 wooden puzzles in a little box from Vilac. It’s small and compact and would fit nicely in a kids’ goodie bag.

Shhhh…this next one’s a secret that I use on my own kiddies all the time: Carambar! These famous French candies are super-chewy caramels that clamp to your teeth and take about 5 minutes to get unstuck! A handful of these doozie’s just before the ceremony is exactly what the wedding planner orders to ensure a tranquil walk down the aisle.

Lastly, tie it all together in a sporty TinTin backpack from the Tintin Boutique.

Be sure to check out my post on The Daily Basics for other souvenir and goodie-bag ideas for both kids and adults!

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Paris Weddings are coming to Chicago!
Next Thursday, August 8, from 6:00 - 8:30PM, The Left Bank Jewelry & Bridal Finery , will be hosting a book-signing and tête-à-tête avec MOI! Please pop by to say “bonjour”, pick up a copy of The Paris Wedding and soak in some Parisian-inspired wedding loveliness provided by The Left Bank and  St-Germain .

The Left Bank Jewelry is an adorable little boutique tucked away inside Chicago’s DePaul neighborhood that specializes in wedding accessories, luxurious handmade veils, jewelry and unique gifts. I’d only been back in Chicago for a few days, but after 5 minutes in the shop I was nearly homesick for my adoptive City.  Owner Susan Metropoulos has done a flawless job of recreating the look and feel of an intimate Parisian boutique. The unique, quality pieces in her shop are worked in amongst eye catching displays that are just so charming and so typiquement français-  like weathered wooden cabinets, glass chandeliers fresh from the boudoir, and textiles that make you want to reach out and touch them!  I couldn’t imagine a more perfect venue to host The Paris Wedding.
Please spread the word, mes amis, and à bientôt!

The Paris Wedding Book Signing and Tête-à-Tête

August 8, 2013

The Left Bank Jewelry & Bridal Finery

1155 West Webster Avenue,

Chicago, Illinois 60614

6:00 - 8:30PM

Inspired by the recent 1920’s Great Gatsby style wedding trend, as well as all of the other Parisian Art Deco loveliness that seems to be circulating around, I felt compelled to pay a little visit to one of my favorite boutiques in les puces (the Saint Ouen Flea Market of Paris), Au Grenier de Lucie. Opened in 1987 by Franco-British couple Lucie Ellis and Alain Dufour, Au Grenier de Lucie in the Marché Aux Puces in Paris has been on the “must see” lists for vintage jewelry lovers from around the globe for nearly a quarter of a century. Since her retirement in 2005, Lucie’s son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Heidi Ellis, have continued her passion for vintage fashion, growing the business so much that in 2009 they moved into a larger space in the Puces, at the Marché Vernaison.

Au Grenier de Lucie offers a whole range of costume jewelry dating from the 1920s to the present. Their jewelry is sourced worldwide and includes pieces from French designers such as Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Lanvin, Lacroix and American classics like Miriam Haskell and Joseff of Hollywood.  During Paris Fashion Week, their sweet little shop is bursting at the seams with fashion editors from Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar—all looking for that unique piece. They pride themselves on the fact that they can guarantee a special something for everyone, even a princess. They also carry a range of rare nineteenth-century crowns that they’ve collected from churches around France.

Heidi and Jason took me exploring through their precious treasure-trove, and spoke to me about what Parisian women are on the hunt for when looking for vintage bijoux fantasie (costume jewelry).

heidi ellis: The typical French client always knows what she’s looking for and what suits her best. She’s not driven by designer names but by her desire to “get it right.” Many Parisian women opt for the classic pearls and simple designs. As regard to French designers, they appear to be particularly drawn towards Christian Dior 1960’s pieces. However the younger Parisian girls love Balenciaga and Lanvin. The Parisian women also opt for Miriam Haskell 1940’s to 50’s pieces, as they do Bijoux Heart one-of-a-kind pieces. Chanel has long been a favorite for all women everywhere, of course, and her stunning pieces are always sought after. Other highly regarded designers include Yves St. Laurent and more recently Christian Lacroix. However, for some it is not about the designer but about which piece draws them in, lights up their faces and makes them feel special when wearing it.

parisian party: Paris is known for being the “center of the universe” when it comes to the Art Deco movement in design and style. What ways can vintage jewelry be incorporated into a French wedding look, in particular, if a couple wants to play up Paris during “les annees folles”?

heidi ellis: Many a bride has found her treasure in Au Grenier de Lucie. As jewelry is timeless, any of the pieces can be incorporated into a wedding look. Some girls love the pieces from the 30s and 40s, whereas others opt for contemporary designs that use vintage components. The key to success is finding that piece that adds the finishing touch. Some of the key jewelry designers from the Art Deco era were Chanel, Miriam Haskell and Elsa Schiaparelli. All three designers were committed to fashion and were rivals in their day. The 20s and 30s are so nostalgic and it is easy to understand why weddings depicting this era are so popular today. Finding pieces by these three designers from this era are rare. However, we do come across them from time to time, and they find their way into many ladies’ treasure-troves.

parisian party: Vintage designer jewelry pieces can often carry a pretty big price tag. You also sell certain lines in your shop that are new pieces made from repurposed, high-end costume jewelry. This can sometimes offer an alternative for brides on a budget. Can you tell me a bit about some of these newer designers, and what was it about them that attracted you to carry them in your shop alongside the classics?

heidi ellis: Bijoux Heart is a favorite of ours. They create the most beautiful, unique modern pieces made of vintage stones and modern crystals. Their designs and colors are exquisite, and the craftsmanship is truly remarkable, as Tracy Graham and her partner Robbie are so committed and passionate about their work. We’re delighted to be the only boutique in France offering their line of jewelry. We also like to encourage young Parisian designers such as Kormilitz, who uses vintage components in her designs as well. It was wonderful to see her excitement when we agreed to become her first point of sale in Paris. We feel it’s so important to support new, aspiring, young designers.  For us, it’s essential to house a range of designs to cater for all tastes. We have one rule: If it is beautiful, then we have a place for it in our boutique!

au grenier de lucie

Marché Vernaison, Allée 1 stand 25, 99, rue de rosiers, Saint-Ouen

I’m super excited to have been welcomed into the folds of The Daily Basics, the “Living Lifestyle” directory founded by Cynthia Bogart, veteran editor of Better Homes and Gardens and long-time contributor to such home decorating staples as Kitchen & Bath Ideas, Decorating Magazine and Traditional Home.  The Daily Basics is a vibrant community of lifestyle bloggers who share their knowledge about Home & Garden, Travel & Living, Food & Drink, Body & Fashion,  Arts & Literature and now- Weddings.  As their resident Wedding & Event Expert in Paris, I’ll be contributing my know-how on adding that Parisian touch to weddings and other home entertaining occasions. Check out my first article for The DB, Where to Shop in Paris for your Great Gatsby Wedding, to get some  insider tips on one of the hottest trends to hit the wedding and party planning industry in a while.  And be sure to follow @thedailybasics for a once-a-day fix of informative, enriching articles on topics that interest you!

P.S.: If you’re like me and you still can’t get enough of the Paris Art Deco, les années folles goodness, take a look at this vintage color reel of Paris Fashions from the 1920’s for “from the source” inspiration.

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So, what are you doing this Saturday? Me? Why, I’ll be SIGNING MY BOOK, THE PARIS WEDDING, AT WH SMITH ON RUE RIVOLI. Do you know how cool it feels to say that??

For those of you not familiar with the store, WH Smith is the largest English bookshop in Paris, and this year it’s celebrating its 110th year in Paris. For many English-speaking expats in Paris, myself included, WH Smith is one of the first safe havens that you flock to once the initial glimmer of “living in Paris” starts to, um…become… less sparkly.  Besides their stock of  over 70,000+ titles, WH Smith also has an awesome magazine selection, a British and American Food section, and a great choice of seasonal gifts. They also offer a full calendar of kids events, author readings, and… BOOK SIGNINGS.

I’ll be signing copies of The Paris Wedding from 3:00 - 5:00PM this Saturday, May 25th, 2013.  The book has just become available in France, and WH Smiths’ shelves are stocked to the gills.  I’m so excited about this event that I’ve decided to share the love and offer a little give-away to entice you into the shop:

If you 1. leave a comment on this post and 2. tweet “I’m so excited about @parisianparty’s The Paris Wedding book signing at WH Smith in Paris, May 25 from 3-5PM”, I’ll enter your name into a drawing for a signed copy of the book. The contest will end at 10AM Saturday, May 25. The winner will be announced at 3:00 at WH Smith (I’ll shout it out on twitter, too).  I won’t be able to mail the book, so the winner will have to come to WH Smith on Rue Rivoli to pick it up (I’ll leave it at the counter if you can’t make it in on Saturday).

In the meantime, if you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to pop by WH Smith and check out the window promo I did for the book (with yet another fabulous cake by Sugarplum Cake Shop, and images from the book by Ian Holmes Photography). Don’t forget to enter the contest, and I hope to see you on Saturday- spread the word!

I was tickled pink to participate in the Wedding Industry Experts Award 2013 competition this year. The Wedding Industry Experts Awards is an annual competition recognizing some of the most popular wedding vendors at a local, national and international level. There were over 30 categories in the 2013 awards including everything from Best Accessories to Best Cake Designer. The thing that I like about the Wedding Industry Experts Awards is that it gives past clients, peers and friends a chance to support the wedding service providers who have given them outstanding service or provided quality products. I’m so excited to have been awarded multiple awards in this years’ competition, including:

Winner: Best Destination Wedding Planner - Paris

Winner: Best Destination Wedding Planner - France

Finalist: Top 10 Best Destination Wedding Planner - Worldwide - Ranking: 9 of 10

Finalist: Top 100 Best Destination Wedding Planner - Worldwide - Ranking: 9 of 100

A HUMONGOUS merci to past and current clients & peers for helping me to achieve this honor!

The last stop of The Paris Wedding Autour du Monde Blog Tour takes us to Weekend in Paris, the French Lifestyle blog by Priscilla Pilon.  From fabulous 5-star hotels on the Right Bank, to the best budget crêpes on the Left, Weekend in Paris serves up the freshest Paris advice that’s both Practical and Fun!  Priscilla and I had a chance to chat when she was last in town to host her annual Paris Tweet-up. Over cocktails and cupcakes, we chatted about my then-upcoming book, and she graciously agreed to interview me for her blog. Check out the interview here.

What better place to end this whirlwind tour than with a birthday? Yup, the parisian party blog is 6 years old this week.  It seems like only yesterday I was donning a white frock and cracking into my very own croquembouche at my 5th Anniversary party. Comme le temps passe vite!

I’ve said it time and time again over this past week, but thank you, THANK YOU to all of my friends and colleagues who chose to participate in this Blog Tour. Gros, GROS bisous to Lost in Cheeseland, DIY Bride, BonjourParis (x 2!), The Brides Cafe, Four Seasons Weddings,  Eco-Beautiful Weddings,  The Daily Basics,  Brides and Beauty, The Good Life France, Globetrotting Bride and Weekend in Paris. Mille Mercis, les filles!

The Paris Wedding is available in shops and online booksellers now. Please don’t forget to drop by Amazon.com and leave a review, and thanks to everyone for your support over the past week and the past 6 years!

On this, the eve of the final stop of The Paris Wedding Blog Tour, what could be more appropriate than a visit with Globetrotting Bride. Dedicated to “all things weddings, travel, or just plain fabulous“, Globetrotting Bride is like a sister from another mister to The Paris Wedding. So, of course I was thrilled to share some of my hints for incorporating la touche française into weddings and parties with them.  Take a look at my tips here, and prepare your hankies- tomorrow is the last day of The Autour du Monde Blog Tour.  Check out what’s already been said and the amazing feedback the book has received here, and for your own copy of The Paris Wedding, be sure to visit your favorite online bookseller. A demain!

photo © Heidi Geldhauser, The Paris Wedding