Curiosities in the kitchen?

This Shrove Tuesday many of us will be delving into our cupboards in search of long forgotten foodstuffs like flour, honey or maple syrup for our pancakes. We’ll possibly find a few curiosities along the way: I unearthed a bottle of pickled walnuts and some mouldy peanut butter… yum!






Eating habits have become much more adventurous over the past couple of decades. Even the French, though fiercely protective of their classic style cuisine, seem to be experimenting more.

I’m not a fan of creperies, which seem to have escaped the 21st century altogether, but the traditional French style café with its checked tablecloths and eclectic mix of local clientele is making a valiant effort to present food in a more arty and appealing manner.



And new restaurants are going directly for the novelty factor. Like the Mini Palais – a cabinet of curiosities housed in the Grand Palais art and exhibition space.









With mysterious wall hangings, shelves of antiquities and unusually dramatic lighting effects, this is where eating out meets theatre.






Best of all is the food, which is some of the tastiest and most inventive I’ve sampled in Paris for a long time – even the bread is divinely different. You’ll have to try it…









Or you could always create your own unique ambience. If you’re looking add a touch of quirky retro character to your dining table, may I suggest this collectable Carlton Ware curiosity cruet set at ShopCurious, which is cleverly shaped like a mushroom.










Great for all the condiments required for Pancake Day. Though I’m not sure you'll be needing the French mustard...

Will you?

Snapshot of famous French style

I’ve been dabbling at photography again and couldn’t resist sharing this Paris perfumery photograph which, for me, sums up the old-fashioned elegance of French luxury style.

Also, I'd just like to mention that we’ll have some more vintage Hermes silk scarves in stock at ShopCurious very shortly. Sign up to our monthly newsletter for the first opportunity to see and purchase these.

Will you?

Period elegance and Valentine vanity in Paris

I was wandering around the backstreets of Paris doing a spot of window shopping, when I accidentally stumbled upon the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. This charming and romantic little treasure of a hotel looks absolutely perfect for a Valentine weekend in the city of love.

‘A rare piano forte from 1792, a card table, a fireplace, candles and chandeliers recreate the charm of a private town house in the Marais at the time of Beaumarchais and Mozart.’









The building is steeped in history, and named after the boisterous 18th century playwright, Beaumarchais, who lived nearby, and wrote The Marriage of Figaro in 1778 (adapted into the opera by Mozart in 1786).

Apparently, this is also where, in 1776, he founded the trading house from which George Washington was supplied with ships and gundpowder during the American Revolution until Independence in 1782.


The rooms are decorated in ‘fine fabrics in the style of the 18th century,’ and decked out with ‘antiques and period documents.’

What's more, the Marais is close to Notre-Dame and is a great area for quirky little shops, as well as some amazing museums. There’s a Louis Vuitton exhibition on until 27th February at the Musee Carnavalet, where some exceptionally luxurious luggage from the past two and a half centuries is on show. Included in this are some fabulous vanity cases with individually monogrammed pieces of dressing table ware.

Vintage dressing table sets have become very collectable and would make a lovely gift for Valentine’s Day (or any day for that matter).










Take a look at the selection available at ShopCurious. In fact, you could take this set (right) along to the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais and it wouldn’t look at all out of place. Though you may prefer to simply powder your wig.

Do you?

Mum's the word... vintage Paris on the cheap

A trip to Paris with your mother may not be the most romantic option for a weekend break. However, if you’ve a penchant for designer vintage fashion, you’ll find plenty of things for both of you to fall in love with in this city of couture and quality craftsmanship.

Paris is the world renowned centre for luxury lifestyle products – though, these days, brands like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton are more likely to be associated with the celebrities who promote them than the city from which they originated. If you're not quite rich or famous enough to be invited to the couture shows, a well planned visit to Paris still offers the chance to see traditionally made, stylish French fashion - simply by exploring some of the quirky vintage stores dotted across town.





A ‘luxury’ shopping trip to Paris doesn't require a second mortgage either - it's quite possible to tour vintage Paris on the cheap:

There are many inexpensive travel options. If you book far enough in advance, standard Eurostar tickets (from London) are available for as little as £29 each way. Once in Paris, the best way of seeing the city is most definitely on foot. When your legs get tired, or if you need a faster way of getting around, just grab an eco-friendly bike at one of the generously stocked bicycle stations, conveniently located across the city centre.








Save your pennies in Paris by finding a reasonably priced hotel. Browse the internet for sites offering special rates for hotel rooms. The Hotel Louvre Bons Enfants, for instance, is just a stone’s throw from the Hotel de Louvre, with rooms available at a fraction of the price. There are even interesting views from the windows – including curious sculpture and architecture… Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi and affordable champagne in the mini-bar.





To the occasional visitor, eating out in style can present a challenge - but, rather than trying to avoid the tourist traps, why not use them to your advantage? Ask the hotel front desk to suggest a restaurant nearby. If you’re in the centre of town, the restaurants are bound to be foreigner friendly, even in Paris. You’ll most likely find yourself in the company of fellow tourists, which should make for an amusing evening, especially if you’re alone - or with your mother.




Le Petit Machon, recommended by the Louvre Bons Enfants, has a great atmosphere and the traditional Lyonnais food, though rather bland tasting, is reasonably good value.








Alternatively, if Mummy's paying, mix with the locals at chi-chi restaurants like L’Avenue in Avenue Montaigne, where by midday, the black dresses, fur coats, models and media crowd are already queuing up to secure their table for lunch.




The food is well presented and actually rather delicious, even if it’s served up barely cooked, three minutes after you sat down. But what you’re paying for is the view; just remember to ask for a table near the window, where you can sit and watch le tout Paris mincing past – and get an eye full of the Eiffel Tower at the same time.






Shopping is taken very seriously in Paris – and the city is bursting with smart boutiques. Rather than fighting over flea-bitten bargains in vintage markets, why not shop in classic Parisian style? Look no further than Didier Ludot’s fabulous emporium in the Palais Royal.




The only problem with this establishment is that, in all the times I’ve been to Paris, I’ve never once found it to be open.

Never mind, however curious the opening hours, there’s absolutely no need to go inside, as this is probably the best place in the world to window shop for high quality designer vintage collectors’ items.







Take a look at some of photographs here of pieces exhibited in the window during Paris Fashion Week – including couture Chanel and 1960s Paco Rabanne chain mail. Some of the other shops in the Palais Royal are also worth exploring, although the prices can be somewhat off-putting (unless one wanders a few doors down to Marc Jacobs and realizes that everything’s relative).






The winding streets of the Marais district are also great for rare and precious vintage finds, with some charming examples of vintage Chanel and Hermes – all at a certain price, which is just fine… so long as you’re only window shopping.





If the mere prospect of seeing fabulous vintage clothes and accessories is too much of temptation to splurge, you can always stay at home and order a Chinese... Just add some shell chopstick holders from ShopCurious for a perfectly stylish and authentic experience - and check out our designer vintage clothing without going anywhere.






And, if you're UK based and celebrating today, I hope you enjoy a happy Mothers’ Day... whatever you choose to do. Do let us hear about it.

Will you?

Love is...curiously French

The other weekend I was lost in France, when I forgot to take my camera. Okay, I wasn’t actually ‘lost’, it’s just that I’m so used to having a camera with me when I travel, I felt curiously lost in Paris without it. Good job I took plenty of photos on my previous trip, which I’ve just found - so at least I can write this post, about how curious it is that we identify France with love – and love with France…

France has always rated highly in terms of style, and not just for couture and cuisine. As well as being world renowned for its fashion, France is known for its lovers – perhaps even for its love of love. And France isn’t just famous for its culinary artists either, but also for all manner of talented artists and creative types – and, if you've any other additions to this list, just let me know.





However, I’ve noticed that, in recent years, that Paris has rather lost its edge in the culinary stakes. You’d think that Paris, the French capital of love and romance would be producing the most imaginative and desirable dishes in the world, but in most places, you’ll find the menu consists of three main ingredients: jambon et fromage (ham and cheese) – plus that curiously un-optional extra: du pain.





What I find amusing when I go to Paris is that the hotels invariably offer rather strange and soggy croissants, sometimes dusted in sugar or even, (sacre bleu!) icing sugar, for breakfast - along with a selection of sub-standard, pre-packaged cheeses, hams and the obligatory crusty (crunch your fillings variety) bread rolls. Or am I simply staying in the wrong places? Oh, and lunch is usually a super-sized and over-filled baguette - your choice of jambon, ou fromage... or jambon et fromage.



How refreshing, then, to stumble upon a small local restaurant - close to where I was staying, near the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre - serving les produits de la region (no, not the Paris region, but the South West of France). A lovely couple called Sebastien (a sort of Gallic Gordon Ramsay) and Emeline (the gaminely flirty French waitress), set up the restaurant a few years ago.







I’ve now visited a few times and, what always surprises me, is that I find myself sitting amongst familiar, returning customers on every occasion, the majority of whom are actually French. This has to be the tell tale sign of a good restaurant, or at least a welcome culinary oasis in the midst of a foodie desert.

By the way, Sebastien and Emeline come from the Isle d’Oleron, so are very proud of their Marennes oysters and fresh seafood dishes, which is right up my street.





I’ve noticed another odd thing about French cooking is the curious lack of greenery. If you’re used to Italian-style cuisine, with large dollops of spinach and Mediterranean vegetables, you’ll always feel a little less than satisfied in Paris, where there’s simply no respite from the platefuls of creamy coloured food and sauces, with only the occasional token sprig of parsley… or the odd tomato garnish here and there.





Anyway, if you’re unfortunate enough to be staying in the area, I can highly recommend Saveur et Plaisir as one of the few decent restaurants around – and, in addition to daily specials, they usefully offer two menus: the ‘saveur’ being more basic, and the ‘plaisir’, purely for pleasure (though possibly a little less pleasing on the wallet).

And now on to the plaisir d’amour, sadly, unsampled during my brief visit to the so-called 'city of love', but hopefully more varied and imaginative than the cuisine.







If you’re searching for unusual gifts for your loved one for Valentine’s Day, you might be interested in some amusing 1950s and ‘60s books for lovers by French author/cartoonist, Raymond Peynet. These beautifully illustrated, vintage collectors’ editions, available at ShopCurious, make highly original, quirky Valentine gifts.









In fact, rather than rushing off for a romantic weekend of jambon et fromage in Paris, I’d suggest you stay at home and enjoy a good giggle over Peynet’s charming, witty … and curiously French… approach to love.

Will you?