brandy melville.

71 rue de Rennes,

59 rue Notre Dame des Champs,

Paris.

I discovered this shop about a year ago, and I love coming back to look at new items, and I am always tempted by something! Brandy Melville originated in Italy, and although they do have shops across America and Europe, I find that it offers a welcomed variety to H&M and Zara, which Paris is seemingly restricted to regarding high street shops. The style is quite relaxed and loose fitting, made from lovely soft material, and they have a clever concept that "one size fits all", saving you the trawl for the right size. The items are very easy to mix and match, and in relation to the Paris price tag, Brandy Melville is great value.

Keep an eye out for... their tops.

http://brandymelville.eu/

causses.

55 rue Notre Dame de Lorette, Paris.

This little shop is amazing. Just down the road from metro Pigalle, it sells pretty much anything food related - they have a small, but very nice selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. There is a fresh orange juice machine with plastic bottles that you can fill up to take away with you - perfect for a picnic! Then they have every spice you could want, some even in massive pots that you can help yourself to. The thing that makes this shop so special is the rustic, yet modern feel that it has, and the whole atmosphere it creates.. its more of an experience; every corner has something different around it. And, what's more, they have a lovely cafe next-door... this place really has it all!

Keep an eye out for..... as well as the food, their amazing attention to detail.

http://www.causses.org/

a week on the rue des martyrs - sunday

Kooka Boora (KB Cafeshop)

This amazing little cafe is located towards the north of rue des martyrs, at the junction with avenue trudaine, and I love it! The atmosphere inside is perfect - there are cosy window seats, and cushioned wooden seats, which are so comfy. It is a very bustling place, which adds to the great ambiance and general feel. They offer a great variety of hot drinks, including a great choice of teas and coffees and also offering fresh fruit juice. As well as this, their cake selection is all too tempting! But try the cookies, they are worth every penny! The staff (who speak english) are so friendly and happy to chat too. All this is happening to a great music playlist.... could it get any better?! 

53, avenue Trudaine, 75009

a week on the rue des martyrs - saturday.

food markets.

Along the rue des martyrs, there are so many food markets, which is great for getting a feel for the local atmosphere. There is a fresh pasta shop, a cheese shop and several butchers, as well as the numerous bakeries and patisseries. All of the food shops are so lovely to look at, even if you don't want to buy; it gives so much more of a traditional shopping experience than the supermarkets. 

a week on the rue des martyrs - friday.

Rose Bakery.

This is such an unassuming cafe, it is really easy to just walk past it... but you have to stop! It is such a lovely place. Inside, they have long communal tables to eat at, as well as some lovely cooking and food products to buy too, not to mention their display of amazing cakes and lunch options. They have amazing scones, carrot cakes and sticky toffee puddings, but then also amazing salads, soups and other very tempting options!! It has a great contemporary feel to it, but its also very warming and welcoming. Avoid peak lunchtime hours if you don't want to wait, but having said that, the food is worth waiting for!! 

46 rue des martyrs 75009

30 rue debelleyme 75003

10 boulevard de la bastille 75012

a week on the rue des martyrs - thursday.

presse des martyrs.

This is such a lovely little newsagents - the papers are piled up on the floor and the choice of magazines is wonderful. Its a small shop, but their stock is great, and the staff are really friendly and helpful. On a Sunday morning in particular, it is full of locals buying their sunday paper which creates such a nice atmosphere. Even if you don't want to buy anything, head in and have a look around!

a week on the rue des martyrs - wednesday.

Karamell.

This is a lovely little sweet shop, perfect for stocking up on snacks for the day; with such an array of treats to choose from, its hard not to be tempted! On offer are most childhood favourites, such as cola bottles, gummy bears and even candy canes with the traditional paper pick'n'mix bags to put them in, as well as some lovely jars of sweets, perfect for gifts.

15 rue des martyrs

http://www.karamell.fr/