photograph by Rebecka Oftedal

So, as the clock strikes down and I head toward a few more years of spit-ups, poopy diapers and sleepless nights, I am starting to think about my beauty routine. Let’s face it, in the first month or so after having a baby just having a shower is a luxury. So tell me how I am going to keep roots fresh, haircut trimmed, hands and feet smooth and polished? Lucie Porcher of Mum & Babe Salon has found the answer. At Mum & Babe Salon children are welcome. And not only are they welcome, the staff at the salon will look after your little ones while you look after yourself.

photograph by Rebecka Oftedal

While you are enjoying a much needed massage, your kiddies are off playing in the kids’ corner with age appropriate toys and activities. Mum & Babe Salon includes a hair salon, massage, and beauty treatments. You can even book a couple’s massage. And you need it after everything being about baby. Plus the prices are reasonable (45€ for a shampoo, cut, and blow-out). Massages run from 50€ to 115€, and this includes the price of someone looking after your child (up to two children are included in the price, additional fee for thrid child, etc.). Psssssst…gift certificates are available. What a perfect gift that would make!

Mum & Babe Salon, 3 rue Keller 75011

Metros: Ledru-Rollin, Voltaire or Bastille

www.mumandbabe.fr

And for those of you who can’t get out of the house (it’s sooooo hard those first few weeks, isn’t it,), then let the beauty experts come to your home.  Pomelli offers beauty treatments and massage in the comfort of your home. No need to get dressed, just stay in your pjs and get the salon treatment. Prices are a little higher, but hey, you don’t have to move. You may still want to take a shower, though.

www.pomelli.fr

Appointments can be made online (love that). Check website for rates.

Isn’t motherhood beautiful???

]]> http://www.rendezvousaparis.fr/2010/04/beauty-and-the-beasts/feed/ 0 http://www.rendezvousaparis.fr/2010/03/personal-concierge-service-with-fabulous-nelly/ http://www.rendezvousaparis.fr/2010/03/personal-concierge-service-with-fabulous-nelly/#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:18:12 +0000 Sara http://www.rendezvousaparis.fr/?p=1358

My dear friend Nelly  is my fashion guru. Although Nelly is French, I met her while she was living in Beverly Hills, California. Nelly worked in the fashion industry, including for Louboutin, and certainly brought that “French touch” to sunny Beverly Hills. Nelly helped the women of Beverly Hills find that je ne sais quoi Parisian chicness through her services as a stylist. (And she influenced my platinum blonde coiffe).

Now Nelly is back in Paris and is offering her services to those who want to live and know the Parisian lifestyle. Do you need a new look or do you simply want to know how to look effortlessly beautiful like the Parisian girls? Or are you tired of looking like a fashion clone and wish to develop your own personal style? Nelly has got the eye and ears to help you. Or perhaps you need help setting up your trip to Paris. Nelly can help you find elegant hotels (all price ranges), tours, restaurants, and of course shopping. Or have you moved to Paris and want to live the French art de vivre like the locals? Let Nelly guide you. No one knows the ins and outs of Paris like Nelly.

Nelly is warm, fun, eccentric, and above all stylish!

Call Nelly at 06 16 92 66 36 or email nellyfusil@gmail.com

Hourly rate: 75 euros

The magazine Vogue and the luxurious Hôtel de Crillon are offering something new and ultra-tendence during Fashion Week: a top-model bar! Vogue Le Bar will be the “it” spot from 04 March to 13 March.

Dine like a fashion industry pro as you watch the runways live on a big screen. Sip a vegetable smoothie (oh so healthy) or a glass of champagne (oh so naughty) amongst Vogue editors, top models and artists. On the menu? A vegetarian or gluten-free dish, of course!

Plus, Lancôme make-up artists will be on hand to offer a touch-up or free make-up lessons. Eat, drink and look like you belong on the runway. Just don’t pull an Agyness….

Follow the runway news on twitter at

http://twitter.com/vogueParisLive/

Hôtel de Crillon 4 rue Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 Paris

Lancôme make-up station available without reservation from 11 am to 8 pm.

Still looking for a last minute gift for your Valentine? Why not offer him the gift that keeps on giving? I’m talking about releasing the inner pin-up that’s inside every woman.

L’école des Filles de Joie de Juliette Dragon offers the unique experience of learning Burlesque dancing: how to move like a pin-up, take off your gloves with grace (and sometimes humor), and un-snap that bra like a professional.  Of course, you will also learn how to whirl tassled pasties with ease.  Group classes take place from 15h30 – 17h for 20€. Individual classes are also available by contacting ecole@collectif-surprise-party.com.  Not only will you surprise your man with this ultimate fantasy, but you will gain confidence in yourself. You are sexy when you feel sexy.

The instructor changes weekly, offering you a variety of Burlesque artists to work with. This week you can take a Master Class with the up and coming star of Burlesque, Mille Dollar. Dita Von Teese, watch out!

Practice makes perfect, so make sure you show your man what you’ve learned (cash tips optional)! And if you are wondering where to get the pin-up look, check out Agent Provocateur (available at Printemps Haussmann or online).  You’ll find your tassled pasteies there, too (along with other assesories you may need).

This should be the best Valentine’s Day ever!

Ecole-des-Filles-de-Joie-de-Juliette-Dragon-Bellevilloise-26.04.09.-©-Gilles-Rammant

L’Hotel is offering a special “Valentine’s Weekend” (February 14 and 15) which includes a two-night stay in a Bijoux room, breakfast in Le Restaurant and champagne upon arrival for €590.

Or, if you live in Paris (and your place already resembles a boudoir) take your Valentine to Le Restaurant (L’Hotel’s one Michelin star restaurant). Enjoy the romantic atmosphere amongst the deep purple velevt drapes and mood lighting for €170 per person, including a glass of champane. Not to mention that the special Valentine’s menu sounds delicious. Or go for the €210 menu, which includes 4 selected glasses of wine for each course. An excellent gift for your foodie love.

But what I would go for, because what fun is Valentine’s without a little decadence, is the “Eat and Treat”. Enjoy a lovely lunch at Le Restauarnt followed by a private couple’s massage next to the underground pool. You will feel like Cleopatra and Ceasar relishing in pure indulgence, all for just €130 per person.

L’Hotel offers gift vouchers if you are unsure of the date. After all, who needs February 14…when you are in love, every day is Valentine’s, right? (read: I don’t need an excuse for diamonds and chocolate!).

L’Hotel 13 rue des Beaux Arts

75006 PARIS

01 44 41 99 01

www.l-hotel.com

Catherine André knits like nobody else.

She has timeless cuts that seem timeless and actually suit your personality.

She mixes colors and shapes, stripes and prints. She warms the wide tweed trouser with long colorful scarves, matching striped mittens and feminine caps, denying the seriousness of winter clothes; The colors chosen are in harmony with nature. Personally I have bought dresses, t-shirts and a cap that was made for me that I lost! Trying the fashion of Catherine André is like discovering new horizons, entering the world of cut and finish.
I have a weakness for the shop on the Rue du Cherche-Midi, where I always find advice and kindness. Only one regret: the price. But you can always try and wait for the sales!

Catherine André travaille la maille comme personne, elle a des coupes intemporelles, qui semblent vieux jeu et en fait ne font qu’affirmer votre personnalité.

Elle mélange les couleurs et les formes, les rayures et les imprimés, elle réchauffe les pantalons larges en tweed, de longues écharpes multicolores, de mitaines à rayures assorties et de casquettes coquines qui démentent le sérieux de la tenue hivernale;  Les couleurs choisies sont en harmonie avec la nature. Personnellement j’ai acheté robe, tee-shirts et une casquette qui était faite pour moi et que j’ai perdue! Essayer un vêtement chez Catherine André, c’est découvrir d’autres horizons, c’est entrer dans le monde du détail de la coupe et des finitions.

J’ai une faiblesse pour la boutique de la rue du Cherche-Midi où je trouve toujours conseil et gentillesse. Un seul regret: les prix. Mais on peut toujours essayer et attendre les soldes!

On the right bank, rive droite, there is a very good gourmet food store.  Of course you can go to the Galeries Lafayette or the Monoprix Gourmet, where you will find a Greek stand, fish, cheese, wines and so on.

But I have discovered an excellent caterer in the 10th area with 4 shops dedicated to fine food: Julhès Paris.  At Julhès Paris you will find baked goods, wines, cheeses, pies,  precious whiskies, honey, marmelades,and local produce.

For the holidays,Nicolas Julhès is offering special Christmas goods: smoked fish, foie gras, truffles, caviar. And of course, cheese platters, wines and champagne.

On December 19, the shop is offering champagne tasting. A dozen stands will be set up to help you understand the different styles of champagne in order to choose the best: from the one you prefer to the best one to drink with a special dish or meal …

What I like here is the wealth of advice!!

54 fbg Saint Denis, 10e, métro Strasbourg Saint Denis 01 44 83 96 30

From Monday to Saturday 9am to 8 pm. Sunday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

13 Piste 13

I spent a great evening yesterday at The Châtelet theatre. I saw the Sound of Music inspired by a true story.

It was the first time in 50 years since this show has been performed in Paris. And it was superb ! The set was grand. First we think that we are in the mountains of Heidi.  Maria is young, loves life and singing.

The sisters of the convent are not very sure that Maria’s place is to become a sister. So they send her to the widow Captain‘s home to be the nanny of his  7 children. The captain is a captain, at home everybody answers to the navy whistle and the only game for the children is to march!  She lets the sunshine in again and she falls in love with her smart captain…but we are in Austria just days before the Anschluss. Friends are not so friendly anymore.

At this time, after the songs that everybody knows since Julie Andrews sang them in the Robert Wise movie, it is the end of romance, country games and easy life. The famous Von Trapp family choir is invited to sing in a festival.

We are the audience of this festival and as the people of 1938, we see the Nazis keeping watch over us. When SS and SA come into the Châtelet Theatre, it is very impressive. As it is when a big nazi flag covers the grass and the Von Trapp family disappear into the trap door in order to escape to Switzerland, to freedom. Beautiful voices, good actors and sensitive direction.

14 Piste 14 This show is a very beautiful Christmas gift and the sound of music will stay for a long time in your mind.

Théâtre du Châtelet 01 40 28 28 40 métro Châtelet to 3rd of January

subtitles in French!

If you are like me and often find yourself stuck in the metro because of some unexplained “technical” difficulties, have no fear! The new iPhone Metro Paris app is here!

The iPhone Metro Paris app is too cool. With the Paris Metro app you get real-time alerts telling you if a line is not functioning or is running late (anyone taking RER A would appreciate this daily).

This app also allows you to locate the nearest Metro station, providing you walking distance and is updated live as you walk.

And possibly the coolest feature is the POI (point of interest), which allows you to find the nearest Starbucks, for example. Because sometimes you are out and suddenly crave a mocha frappuccino.

If you are using the iPhone 3GS, you can actually see the POI (located at less than 1km) using a reality function.

You will never get lost again! But you can still use the excuse: “Sorry I’m late….problem on the metro”.

Available through the App Store metroparisiphone.com

She appeared on “Thé ou Café” on Channel 2 in November, allowing many to discover her art. I forgot to inform you about her exhibition at The Meridien Montparnasse Hotel. But don’t worry – she will show her work again in 2010, and I will inform you!

Look at her paintings and let your comments.