I’m always happy to jump on the Eurostar from London to Paris…
This time my purpose is to visit my great mate and business partner Tara Munro, who has just realised her dream of a little Parisienne boutique to house her Ooh La La! collection of vintage clothes and accessories – which you can also see online. It’s called Chez Ninon and you can find it in the pretty Place St Catherine du Marché in the fashionable Marais quartier. Tara is also running her popular Vintage Masterclasses there.
Outside Tara and Ninon’s boutique wearing a vintage Chanel shirt and some 1970s culottes from their collection.
The boutique is bijoux but packed full of vintage treasures from the big names like Chanel and Yves St Laurent to a lovingly hand-knitted Tin Tin jumper. For winter they have some beautifully remodeled fur coats chopped into short swingy jackets with 3/4 sleeves. Or try an elegant chiffon dress from the 1940s just begging to be worn for a thé dansant or accessorized with a little hat and trotted out for a cocktail or two.
You can also go there to choose, order and be measured for our Madame Tra La La collection of vintage inspired outfits, made to measure in modern sizes and fabrics.
Here I am sporting a Madame Tra La La raincoat in rubber-backed satin worn with a vintage ‘Pradaesque’ wool tweed skirt and a Pierre Cardin silk scarf. Très chic!
After a happy afternoon playing dressing up it was time for tea…
…but should one go for the posh French Eclairs …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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or stay close to Tara’s Scottish heart with some Tunnocks tea cakes and caramel wafers?
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We decided to be non-partisan and have both!
EAT :
for something a little more substantial we head round the corner to concept store L’Être Ange
…where they serve simple 
and delicious homemade soups and plates of artisan hams and cheeses. We wash these down with a nice glass of vin while browsing their quirky collection of homewares. I was taken with some lampshades made from recycled egg boxes with jolly red cords to hang them up.
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If you prefer old school, Restaurant Annexe in the 9th arrondissement is a fine example of the fast disappearing family-run bistro with French classics served with care and chat by the patron. Their home-made fig tart is a fine example of how France still marches on it’s stomach.
VISIT :
Time for a bit of culture; so we’re up in the 9th just under the crazy cacophony of Boulevard Clichy and Pigalle. Known as “Nouvelle Athens” it’s where the successful artists, musicians and literary types built themselves some substantial and elegant homes during the 19th century.
Today it still has a very traditional feel with butchers, bakers and shoe-menders alongside the guitar and music shops for which the area has become known.
Tucked away at the end of a tree-lined lane opposite the Restaurant Annexe (see eat above) is this beautiful mansion built by society portrait painter Ary Scheffer (1795-1858).
A bright purple shirt dress by Alice & Co folds up super-small for packing in a handbag.
It’s now the Musée de la Vie Romantique and houses a collection of paintings, keepsakes and jewellery that belonged to the writer Georges Sand and paintings by Schaffer and other romantic artists in a series of pretty rooms.
During the summer you can have tea in the garden.
There’s just time to spend a few Euro’s before I head home and
…I’ve spotted the epicerie Causses just down the rue from the museum. A smart and cheery grocery shop with staff to match. You can get into a serious discussion about all those important aspects of Parisienne life, such as cheese, wine and chocolate.
When you’ve finally chosen, everything will be beautifully wrapped in waxed paper to ensure a safe journey.
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Aah “la vie romantique” clearly suits Alice & Co
BON VOYAGE!
Find out more about Alice & Co made to measure outfits and Alice’s traveling bug here.
where 2 wear it 
Sounds like a lovely trip. Which did you prefer, the eclairs or the teacakes?
Well being neither French nor Scottish myself I’d prefer an eccles cake, preferably with a piece of Mrs Kirkhams ceddar cheese. Or to go local maybe a piece of Tottenham cake.
What kind of material is your chique lilac shirtdress made of?
It’s viscose jersey – great for packing you can squash it up small and it comes out smiling without any creases. Would look good over skinny trousers or leggings too.