gelatolover

Attention shoppers: Do you mind sharing about a favorite "splurge" purchase or two - and do share the details: what was the item, store where you bought it, price (gasp!), and lastly, if you were happy with the purchase or if there were any regrets? Also, what about the purchases that you regret not making?

tuscanlifeedit

I totally regret not buying a very cute summer dress in BHV a couple of years ago. It really wasn't that expensive; around 115 €, I think. I've regretted that dress ever since I walked away from it.

cls2paris

I like to purchase a table linen made by Le Jacquard Francais. They are sold in the department stores such as Galleries Lafayette but there are also 2 shops that sell just these linesns. I love them and use them a lot - they wash up really nicely. I also like to buy a piece of pottery, usually from Maison Ivre on rue St. Jacob. I have not regretted any of these items and love to use them and get reminded of my trip to Paris. I used to love buying toiletries from L'Occitaine, but now I have 2 stores in my area that sell them, so it takes the fun away.

MademoiselleFifi

Very happy with the Odile Gilbert hair pin from Colette and use it at least once a week. I wrote about it last year: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-5316031 (scroll to the middle of Day 9).

Regretted not buying a velvet scarf at Galeries Lafayette (or maybe it was Printemps?) and ended up paying a little more for an identical one in NYC.

lrock

I bought a Chanel purse in 2006 and have not regretted it though it cost as much as our house payment.

gelatolover

Thanks, please keep them coming!

tuscan: I bet that's one reason to go back?

cls2: Everytime we travel, I always LOVE to find a special piece of pottery to take home. While I have some jars and a few unusual pieces, most of the pieces I buy are artsy/functional - decorative platters and serving bowls that see quite a bit of use. Is this the shop you were referring to? http://www.maison-ivre.com/

Btw, I am looking for Provence-style table linens - does anyone know where I can find some?

Fifi: my daughter loves hair pins - I'll make sure it's on our shopping list

lrock:

lrock

Gelatolover,

That smile is exactly what i had on my face when my husband thought that if I really really wanted one I should get one. It was hard to spend that much money, as we most certainly are very middle class. But, i work really hard and sometimes you should just get something you want as long as it won't hurt anthing.

scatcat

My splurge purchases are LV handbags. I have quite a collection now since I have been buying these for years. I always buy them at the LV boutique in Nice. And I will buy another one in just a very few days. I depart tomorrow morning at 7:15 AM for Italy and France. I actually have sold one of my old ones on Ebay and got back almost half what it cost...and it was worn out. It was the first LV I ever bought back in the 90's.

cigalechanta

gelatolover, I buy the treated cottons on line. You can sponge the stains away, They are not inexpensive but you
can find them on line at sites like clors of Provence or just type provencal tabletops

danon

it is not a big splurge, but I always buy ARCHE shoes...
and always regret not buying more

cls2paris

Hi Gelatolover! Yes, that is the shop! She also sells linens in her store. They are less expensive than the Fracais Jacquard line - here's the url http://www.le-jacquard-francais.fr/en/welcome.html

I buy functional pieces of pottery and linens also. I also have some beautiful handmade lace from Switzerland, Belgium and Ireland that I cherish. They don't come out if there is red wine open in the house!

theflock

My favorite splurge was a vintage Hermes scarf that I found on the Internet and tracked down as soon as my plane landed in Paris. It was "Les Perroquets" (the parrots) and was 195E in 2007. I bought it at Les 3 Marches de Catherine B on rue Guisarde. It's my favorite Hermes scarf because, well, parrots are the love of my life!

Have also bought pottery at Maison Ivre, though I'm a little limited because it's so hard to pack.

ThinGorjus

Go to Diptyque at 34 Blvd. Saint Germain and buy a candle.

Thin

muskoka

Diptyque products can be purchased in Toronto, Montreal, San Fran; at Saks, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, etc., but those linens are gorgeous!

ThinGorjus

>Diptyque products can be purchased in Toronto, Montreal, San Fran; at Saks, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, etc., but those linens are gorgeous!<

Well, duh, you can purchase anything via the Internet. Why bother to shop in Paris at all?

I can sit here and order from Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Colette all night long.

You have a flair for the obvious.

Thin, disgusted

Judy

I splurge on table linens, handbags, original art and clothing at Crea Concept. I don't usually buy all four on each trip, though! Must leave some $$ for wine.

I do not mind buying something while traveling that I can also purchase at home as I think of where I bought it every time I use it.

tarquin

I was going to say Diptyque candles (Fig and Bay are my favourites) but Thin got there first. There is a shop on rue de Grenelle called Paraboot which sells only their own very well made shoes. I have several pairs and my husband also buys a pair everytime we go to Paris.

motherofthree

One of my favorite splurges actually costs very little at first. I love to find a piece of artwork when I travel - a basic watercolor or a pen and ink... when in paris I found a pair of sketches in one of those stalls along the river. They cost nothing and no doubt were hugely mass produced, but I loved them and because they were a bargain - maybe $10 a piece - I didn't hesitate to snatch them up. Once home the splurge began... I debated the framing forever and finally let the framer talk me into a really beautiful frame that was more than I had planned on spending. When I went to pick them up I was floored. They were gorgeous and now hang in my family room and remind me daily of the trip, but also of that moment. (Since then I went to Senegal with my daughter and we went to an artists "compound" and brought home a number of beautiful paintings - large postcard sized. I think they might have been $2 a piece and remembering the paris pictures I took the time to really match up the perfect frame with the pictures. Going to pick them up today - can't wait to see them...)

CarolA

I am a Hermes fan. I don't buy one every time, but have a few. Yes, I could buy them here, but that's not really the point. What can't you buy in the US anymore? Between the gloablization of retail and the internet.....

tod

My 'Parisian's Paris' guide book lists this under "Very Interesing Shops" and I intend calling there in July to get a special gift for my mom:

Artisinat Monastique,
68bis Avenue Denfert-Rochereau, 75014.
Closed: Sunday
Open: Mon-Fri noon-6.30pm
Sat 2-7pm

If you didn't know it was there you would never find it: no windowdisplay, just a blue painted door and a small poster.
Yet in the vaults of the convent you can find craftwork produced by religious houses all over France.
The range includes table-linen, scent, embroidery, handmade paper and children's clothes; if not high fashion they are nontheless delightful!