Life in Paris: Day 3 (shopping, shopping, shopping)

April 6th, 2012

Saturday, March 31st

Today was all about shopping. Shopping, shopping, shopping Geez… I can’t believe we come to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the first thing we think of is to shop. BUT, going to the biggest Sephora in the world had to be on my bucket list! We headed to Champs-Elysees to check out makeup heaven.

When we walked into the store, it was like a club in there with half of the store dancing and people playing drums! It was insane! The store was jammed with people- literally hundreds of people crammed in like sardines. We bought some new goodies (which we could have got at home, but I just wanted to say I bought makeup goodies in Paris ) including Too Faced glitters, Lancome Lipsticks, and a new perfume. I’ll do a haul video later showing you all the makeup/beauty goodies I’ve bought here so far

We also stopped in Zara – possibly our fav store here! It’s very reasonably priced and they have really nice clothing and fun jewelry. I bought a gorgeous leather jacket there…kind of a creamy color that looks aged, love it! (was a great price too) Down the street from Champs Elysses is the Arc de Triomphe- not sure of the history behind it yet, but it was beautiful!

This is me and my sweet friend Nina- she has been SO sweet and helpful as we fumbled our way through a new country. Not sure what we would have done without her.

When we asked for suggestions on things to do in Paris, we got TONS of you saying to try Laduree macaroons. So we went to the one near our shopping, and stood in line for AN HOUR! On the upside…these little cookies were AMAZING! I swear they dropped down from heaven- in lots of fun little colors too I’ll do a post later on how amazing these cookies are. I’m not usually a foodie, but these cookies are worth all the hype. SO yummy.

Here’s the inside of the store- it’s very ornate and beautiful.

Alrighty, off to bed as tomorrow is my last day before school! More on that later

Beaucoup d’amour!

Marlena and Nicola

http://profile.yahoo.com/QDIGVYR6UGAGB4ILSLSOBHXBGI julie

MMMmmhhh….des macarons…quelle merveille !!!! The 2 of you are so adorable !!!
- http://twitter.com/MakeupGeek Marlena
  
  Aww… thank you Julie!
  - sparklle85
    
    or the little shop on the rue bonaparte close to saint sulpicce church.
Guest

Ladurée is good, but you definitely have to try Pierre Hermé, which is even better !
- http://twitter.com/MakeupGeek Marlena
  
  Where do I find this brand?
  - virginie
    
    Hi!
    I guess it will be easier for you to go to the shop in Opera (39 avenue de l’Opera) since I’m pretty sure you’ll visit the Galeries Lafayette / Printemps or the Opera.
    (That’s metro Opera, lines 8, 3 or 7).
    You must try their macarons or if you want to try something different I recommend the Ispahan. It’s made with rapsberry, litchi and rose. Love it!!
  - Guest
    
    There is a shop avenue Paul Doumer, near Trocadéro, but it’s a small one and they don’t have any cake. Hope you’ll like them as much as I do !!!
- Yaël Kerdoncuff
  
  sorry but I’m not agree with you. Ok about the Ispahan but the Ladurée macaroons are better
Faishah_4u

Hi Marlena! I’m from Paris and I’m your big fan! I would love to meet you!!!!!!! U r just amazing!!!
Mypips33

Simply beautiful u are M.I just wanted to ask ya where ya got the beige jacket i love it and i must get one…….lol.please tell.xox have fun ladies n b safe
- http://twitter.com/MakeupGeek Marlena
  
  I got it from Express right before I came here
Shari Mason

Oh my gosh Marlena! It looks amazing over there! You have to come to Australia too one day!!! xxoo
Char

Marlena,

Napoleon Bonaparte had the Arc du Triomphe built to celebrate the Austerlitz battle victory and the 1st French Empire estabilishment. It took 30 years to get ready and has engraved the name of several generals and battles.

The view from the top is amazing.
Guest

Marlena did you say what makeup school you would be attending and I missed it? Would love to know more
Valentina

Gorgeous !!!
Oliviatrelles

Loving following your fun in Paris!! It’s a treat to read!
Risseelaine

They have Zara’s in San Francisco Btw
- http://twitter.com/MakeupGeek Marlena
  
  really?!!! I did not know! I am loving this store
  - JoviB3
    
    There are several Zara locations in Chicago as well.
Hilar

Zara is a spanish chain. It is from Spain but it’s been so successfull that it is all over the world. If you liked it, you can find it in the US too.
Momo

You can find Pierre Hermé’s boutiques on his website
http://www.pierreherme.com/ there are several stores in Paris !
Momo

I hope you’ll come back to Paris I’d like to meet you you’re AMAZING
Nia878

The Zara stores in Europe are much better than the ones in the states. I’ve been to the ones in Paris and Greece and their stuff was so much better. Even the H&M stores in Europe were better. Paris is a dream and I loved it when I went. Do everything! Tour all the spots! Congrats on going to Make Up Forever Academy. It is my dream!!
Patricia

la durée’s macarons are the best but they are a little pricy. If you waited an hour i imagine you must have been to their boutique near of the place de la concorde. If you want to buy some more without waiting so much time you can go au “Printemps” , it’s a “grand magasin” ( i think the translation is departement store but i’m not sure) near “les galeries lafayette”. You will find a little stand selling la durée’s macarons next to an exit , and you won’t wait long. so go to the “Printemps” next time !

i’ve read your “Paris diary” and it’s funny you find the people relaxed since parisians are apparently the most stressed people in france. I’ve been one of your suscriber for some years now , I’m so glad you’ve came to Paris ! I hope you enjoy to be here :)
But when do you think you’ll do a meet and greet ? ( sorry if it’s not the good spelling)
- virginie
  
  Hi Patricia! Marlena said it could be on the15th or 22nd in a previous post. J’imagine qu’on se verra là bas alors !
  - Alexandra.L
    
    Coucou Virgine et tu sais où ?
    - virginie
      
      Non j’ai juste vu ça sur le post du premier jour je crois. j’espère que Marlena en dira plus bientôt
      - Alexandra.L
        
        Oki merci de ta réponse Virginie J’espère aussi ! A bientôt
      - Patricia
        
        ok merci j’imagine qu’on se retrouvera le 15 ou le 21 alors
- Alexandra.L
  
  I agree it’s really less busy to get ladurée at LE PRINTEMPS than the champs élysée. There’s also a gorgeous old fashioned ladurée store rue royal nearby la place de la concorde and rue saint honoré that is really nice ! If you love french candies Marlena you need to go to A LA MERE DE FAMILLE rue du faubourg montmartre in the 9th http://maps.google.fr/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=la+mère+de+famille&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=fr&sa=N&tab=wl
  And go to the passage verdeau next to it ! It’s so pretty you need to see those !
Maria

How can someone be so pretty and so nice at the same time?
Alexandra.L

So happy to see you having a blast in my city ! Will you organize a meeting sometimes ?
Greenlibel

my fav macaroon is fleur d’oranger!! and i am not so much a Pierre Hermé’s fan except for the vanilla and olive macaroon!
- Alexandra.L
  
  Soooo dooo I ! It was one of my most amazing taste experience ! First time I’ve tried them I was like” Ooooh my gooooodnessssss !!!!” I also love caramel à la fleur de del and raspberry
Greenlibel

and it seams that we are a lot of parisian’s fan and french fan here!!!!
- Alexandra.L
  
  Yes indeed I’m a parisian fan ^^
- virginie
  
  One more here
Jezibell925

Looking so good marlena. Yore my hero:)
K E Biggerstaff

Hi Marlena and Nicola; I am so happy for you that you have realised your dreams and made it to Paris. I wish I was there. I will follow you closely, and wish you all the best and a safe and happy trip. Have a happy Easter
nelly morales

Quelindo marlena , disfruta mi niña que tu mereces todo por ser tan especial!!!
Nazish

Hey Marlena .. Love ur Jacket and Scarf too..!!!!!!
Stephanie

Hi Marlena! I think I saw you yesterday next to the Moulin Rouge, I am right? Hope you’re enjoying visiting Paris, it is a beautiful city! – Stéphanie.
Amia

I love this blog! Now we have even more access to Marlena anytime!!! Hope that you two are being safe and having fun!
Aude

I second Pierre Hermé, he’s considered the best in pâtisserie. Napoléon was a big fan of all things related to the Roman empire, that also explains the architecture.
I actually don’t like this Sephora, it’s too crowded, the music is too loud and all that perfume in the air makes me sick. I only go there for Urban Decay stuff because the other stores have a smaller range of products from that brand.
- Alexandra.L
  
  I understand Aude I don’t really like the sephora at champs elysées either I only go there coz they have a Mac counter in order to benefit the offers you get at sephora. They now have a bumble and bumble hair bar though and benefit brow bar etc
jothepoulp

i really love the way you were dressed girls !!! And Marlena this camel color is simply gorgeous ! kisses
Anna Van Gundy

Marlena, how long are you going to stay in Paris? :0)
fannymls

i’m french and i live in paris and if you want to see many fun stores go to chatelet les halles!!
Danielabaldor

HI Marlena!where is your scarf from? i love it so much and you look amazing!! glad you’re having a great time in Paris and thanks for sharing all your adventures with us!!
Yaël Kerdoncuff

So nice to see you in Paris, you’re look so Parisean with this outfit !
Marielazamora55

You look amazing marlena congratulation. God bless you forever
sparklle85

the champs elysées la durée is crazy full, my favorite is the on sant germain area, not far from the Eglise Saint-germain-des-prés, you should definetly have walks in this area, saint germain then rue de buci is a very nice place or the area of the Saint-Sulpice Church and you should come to see me at the medical library clase to place de l’*odéon, it’s an old fashion library a very nice building!!

have a nice stay…
Sabrina

I know it doesn’t sound nice but … I do not like the Champs Elysées that much.
I don’t know, it’s just not kie old times. It did lost all of it’s charm IMO but that’s just me rambling never mind lol.

I agree with you on the fact that we (parisian girls) do not waer a lot of colorful make up). it’s more about looking natural (Clemence Poesy for example) even if you know that behind a natural look there is a lot of efforts… haha.

My favorite Ladurée Macaron is Vanilla. It’s not exotic but soooo yummy.
Sabrina

“like old times”
“do not wear”

sorry for the spelling ….
Gurbani

You’re so stunning! I adore what you’re wearing here!
Erinmichiels

I love this picture of you two!:-) so cute!!!
http://twitter.com/ModernGirlFr Modern Girl

Aaaah le Sephora des Champs-Elysées… I love this place ! Is it really the biggest one in the world ?!

I’m surprised you didn’t know Zara yet, really a good brand, I buy 3/4 of my clothes there, great pieces and small prices !
michelle

Where did you get your skinnies? They look really great on you- I have a similar shape and have been unable to successfully pull off the look so flawlessly! Good on you!

Life in Paris: Day 3 (shopping, shopping, shopping)

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