paris, je t'aime

one of my truest of true loves, Charles, is off to Paris to be inspired tomorrow and wanted me to join. sigh. i wish i could - but i will have to wait till next time...god knows that city inspires like no other place in the world. it is in my blood. incidentally Charles inspires as well... he's in my blood as well. xoxo (he's a BRILL designer - have a look!)

anyhoo - back to business... there is a neighborhood that is my favorite place on this earth - called the Marais. when i lived in Paris, i was there as much as humanly possible. and when i go back to visit - same deal. i love to be there - it makes my heart beat stronger. in this little hood there are GORGE boutiques hidden amongst Judaica shops and falafel joints. stores like nothing else - including Merci, (no website for us web cruisers, sadly) which houses a delicious mash of stuff, from Stella McCartney to handmade beautiful things. now, in the universe's way of making me feel a teeny bit better for not being able to jet to Paris -- Merci is partnering with the Gap in a pop-up store that will be open from September 10 to October 4. a slice of Paris in NYC. HEAVEN!!!!

The Merci Gap boutique will feature the appropriate mash up of things -- gorgeous handmade jewelry and accessories, Gap "boyfriend" jeans with custom embroidery by Laurence Amelie, limited-edition trenches by French artist Soledad, beautiful paper and home products and some vintage pieces as well.

all of this delightfulness will be parked at 54th Street and 5th Ave in New York (next to the Gap flagship). and to make it even better - (i know, you're thinking HOW IS THAT EVEN POSS?!?!) all the profits made will go to various children’s charities and provide work for impoverished youth in Madagascar. tres cool. and Paris, my dear city, a bien tot.