Like many of you out there, I just love my Washi Tape!
I really can't get enough of the stuff.
You can easily find Washi Tape online - Cute Tape has a wonderful selection, as does Downtown Tape. Etsy is also a wonderful source. I am also seeing it turn up more and more at stationary shops like Paper Source and crafts stores like Michael's.
Happy taping!
:-)
Jessica
It is rainy with dark gray skies here today, so not ideal for photo-taking. So, I thought I would share one of my all-time favorite Parisian shops, La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche.
Le Bon Marche ("the good market") is one of the best known department stores in Paris. And, while I love to look at all the latest designer fashions and accessories, my favorite department in Bon Marche is this massive gourmet food emporium. If you love cooking or baking (or just eating!), you need to put this place on your bucket list.
This is where I purchased those incredible French sprinkles that I wrote about the other day.
They have an extensive and incredible selection of beautiful candy, unusual baking supplies, and the prettiest sugars you will ever see.
They also carry lots of items I have never seen here in the States. Like this fabulous Violette beverage...
Yes, you know I brought one of those back! And these pretty syrups...
And colorful cookies!
I found so many pretty things at La Grande Epicerie (as is evidenced by that first shot of my quickly filling shopping basket). It is definitely a shop worth visiting!
XOXO
Jessica
Last Spring, I took a truly wonderful vacation to London and Paris. As you may remember, I visited a great many patisseries, cupcake shops and candy stores. But I also made sure to go to as many local gourmet food shops as possible - as I am always on the lookout for pretty sprinkles and baking supplies to add to my collection. So, while I was in Paris, I was over-joyed to discover this incredible line of French sprinkles!
Yes, they were a "bit" pricey, were a major pain to schlep back to the U.S. in my carry-on luggage and caused a hold up at Customs - but they were definitely worth it. And then, just last week, I was shopping at my local HomeGoods when I spied these...
Hmmm...the bottle on the left is one that I brought back from Paris and the one on the right is from Homegoods. They look exactly the same, don't they? And do you know why?
Because they are!!!!
And that, my friends, is why I LOVE Homegoods.
:-)
Jessica
If you live in the Los Angeles area or find yourself there for a visit, you must make the time to explore California Millinery Supply.
Located in downtown L.A., California Millinery is a jewel of a shop. It is one of those rare places that seems to be fixed in another time - a time when millinery flowers were hand-made petal by petal, where hats were decorated with exotic, colorful plumes of feathers, and vintage silk ribbons from France were a must for any garment.
This past visit, I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with the owner, Irene Arroyo. Irene is such a lovely, lovely person and she's an expert when it comes to her stock. Whether you are in need of some delicate veiling, a very specific color of vintage grosgrain ribbon, or a buckram hat frame, Irene is there with friendly help and advice.
The shop itself is incredible. Just the sheer amount of inventory (much of it vintage) is not to be believed...
Digging through the treasure trove of boxes and bins will be rewarded with a bounty of beautiful velvet bows, tiny millinery fruits, and silk flowers.
There are fabrics and feathers and trims everywhere you look.
And you don't need to be a professional milliner to appreciate this shop. Anyone who loves vintage trims, fashion, costume design, or crafts will find something wonderful here. If you do get a chance to stop by California Millinery Supply, give yourself plenty of time to explore...after all, that's the best part. :-)
XO
Jessica
Hello All! Sorry for the little hiatus - between the girls finishing up school for the year and me getting us all ready to head out for vacation, there wasn't much opportunity to blog. But, I'm back and I have lots to share. To kick off the summer, we decided to head to the Hamptons for a little beach vacation, but we also stopped in NYC on the way up. I only had time to hit a few of my beloved shops, but I wanted to share one of my favorite resources with you: Pearl River Mart.
This huge, Chinese department store is a feast for the eyes!
While they carry everything from home furnishings, fabric and dishware to exotic candy, beauty products and colorful stationary, I am particularly enamoured with their party section...
Pretty paper garlands and tissue decorations line the wall.
The prices are very reasonable and the selection is vast!
I find so many items for my parties here - including pretty chopsticks, gorgeous oragami papers, and paper lanterns in every color and size imaginable. Pearl River Mart is located at 477 Broadway, SOHO (between Grand St. and Broom St.) Tel: 212-431-4770. And if you don't live in NYC, you can order online!
:-)
Jessica
If you are planning a wedding or party (or just love flowers like I do), then I have a wonderful resource for you...Potomac Floral. Potomac Floral is a wholesale floral warehouse that is open to the public. They have a fabulous and extensive selection of fresh cut flowers, plants, and rose petals. The warehouse is filled with a rainbow of beautiful flowers and the prices are quite reasonable.
I love that they have such a large selection of flowers. They have Hydrangea in every color...
Tons of roses - in so many varieties and colors...
They even carry garden roses, with all those yummy layers of petals!
And so much more...
Potomac Floral is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, but will also deliver/ship to those located outside of the D.C./Baltimore area. They have a wonderful website that lists what flowers are currently in stock, prices, shipping information, etc...
I only learned of Potomac Floral very recently when a good friend (Thanks, Deb!) recommended it to me and I am beyond thrilled to know I now have a wholesale flower market so close by. If you live in the area, it is totally worth a visit. Oh, and if you do go - don't forget to take a sweater! It's freezing in those refrigerated rooms. :-)
XOXO
Jessica
