My Parisian Extravaganza
Leaving Nottingham on the 7.50am train, I was at St Pancras to meet Emily and our photographer Chris by 10am and soon we were on the Eurostar to Paris – this was the first time I’ve left the UK since 2009, so I was in a frenzy of excitement. It was great chatting to Emily about fashion, music, football, and of course, competitions! On arrival in Paris we jumped on the Metro to Filles du Calvaire – Chris tried to get us lost but we didn’t fall for it, so soon we were in a little bar enjoying our tasty lunch of cheese, meats, baguette and a glass of wine. We chatted so much that time flew by, and it was already 4’o’clock, so we only had two hours to go shopping before we needed to catch the Metro back again!
Emily and I each had a £500 prepaid Mastercard, which we had to return at the end of the day whether we’d spent it or not, so the pressure was really on. Luckily we had an informative map and a cute guidebook provided by Ford, and the area we were in was choc-a-bloc with chic boutiques, vintage shops and trendy French designer stores so we didn’t stray far from Rue de Poitou. Chris headed off to the pub, he said he’d find us later when we ‘had more shopping bags’!
My first buy was from a great shop called Swildens – a khaki trench coat reduced in the sale from €240 to €72. Next door, Emily bought a cute handbag from a lady in a crazy wig who talked nonstop and couldn’t grasp the fact that we had 90 minutes to spend £1000, and so we really didn’t have time to chat about zips with her! Here’s Emily with her new purchase…
Then we crossed the street to Violette and Léonie, an amazing vintage store. I tried on three dresses and two of them fitted me perfectly – this chic Dries van Noten dress was €138.
I also bought a slouchy casual dress by local designer Imaobong for €67. On the same street I spotted a blue felt hat in the window – reduced from €80 to €50, and then we headed over to trendy French brand APC to check out their sale. I found this oh-so-French stripey silk dress (half price at €80) and belt (reduced to €50), and Emily bought some dainty gold and black pumps and a woolly jumper.
Checking the time, we quickly popped into cool shop The Kooples – this French chain has just arrived in the UK too – where I found these fabulous leather shoes covered with dinky skull studs (reduced from €220 to €114).
I reckoned by this time I’d probably just about spent my allowance – but luckily I had enough left on the card to pay for our Metro tickets back to Gare du Nord! Before boarding our train home we stocked up on champagne, beer, cheese and French sticks (sorry, baguettes) for the journey – by the time we sat down on the train we were pooped!
I loved my day in Paris – although I didn’t see much of the city, it gave me such a taste for it I can’t wait to go back there again. And of course, the shops and the company was brilliant – THANKYOU so much Ford Ka for running such an amazing promotion. And the prize isn’t over yet – because tomorrow I get a brand new Ka to drive for two months!
Oh, and if you want to read about how the other 3 lucky winners get on in London, check out the Fab Frocks, Clothes Whisperer and The Style PA blogs – and of course the Ford Ka Facebook page!
Welcome to my blog, and to the best hobby in the world – it sounds like you’ve made a great start with those prizes!
What an awesome trip to have won! I found you on Contest Mob and just started entering contests recently, already won a laptop and several hundred dollars in jewelry!
Cool – you got the good streets in NoMa 🙂
Not always easy to find your way around the designer shops and art galeries around the Haut Marais !
Well done Di, bet you was knackered, I didn’t realise you get a car for two months! Wow, Beep Beep!
Wow looks like you had a great experience!
oh wow, Love the Dries van Noten dress – looks fab on you – not as fab as a leopard print catsuit though :o)
Pleased you had a great shopping adventure and great pics Di x
I have a *major* weakness for skulls so I have shoe envy!
Oh wow Di i just knew you would love Paris.You sure did alot of shopping in your short time there. Love your new clothes there so you hunny x