Ed. Note: Marsi is back today talking about one of my favorite subjects: Transatlantic trade agreements. It goes both ways. I have French friends who give me a shopping list for the United States. Read on and you'll understand.
My office mate Kate is visiting Paris and St. Remy next month, and we've been in Francophile heaven talking about where she'll go and what she'll do while she's there. Kate lived in France for a year as a college student and looks forward to making her triumphal return to see it all again through adult eyes.
She was kind enough to ask me if she could stow anything in her checked baggage for me. Here is my wish list.
Effervescent Aspirin
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| 1000 mg tablets of effervescent aspirin. It's like supercharged Alka-Seltzer. |
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| These old-school French caramels are addictive. |
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| Divine little burning papers that'll quickly scent your room with the resiny goodness of benzoin. I always burn a strip after I've cleaned my kitchen. (It's a ritual.) Papier d'armenie is also available in a beautiful rose scent. I love them both. |
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| Confiture Ispahan, by Christine Ferber for Pierre Hermé. A layer of raspberry jam topped with rose-scented lychee. Blend the layers yourself. It almost sounds too beautiful to eat. (I said almost!) |
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| The sublime Marion Cotillard fronts the August 2012 issue. I can't wait to see who will be September's cover girl. |
In fact, I'd so much love to know that on Saturday, I'm going to draw a name from all comments below and will send the winner a booklet of papier d'armenie. So spill it: what are your favorite treats from France?
49 comments:
I always bring back Amora mustard, Bénédicta mayonnaise, marrons glacé, some syrop d'anis and calissons...and I've just noticed that it's all food - oops ;-) xo
A lovely print from the Louvre gift shop.
Little graph-paper notebooks from Monoprix
A scarf or shawl from Wolff & Decourtis.
Amora mustard, rose flavored candies (not the little ones in a tin), scarf or 2--bought on the street, L-52, or any little treat they might choose
I always stock up on the Eucerin Hyaluron cream at Monoprix. This last trip I also picked up some of the original Chanel No.19, which is no longer available in the US.
But now I'm intrigued by the effervescent aspirin. I remember a scene from "Metro" where Isabelle Adjani's character demonstrates to use it in water for cut flowers to make them last longer.
Doesn't take too much to make ME happy! I'd settle for those carambars! Yum.
Since your post, Eucerin Hyaluron day and night creams (now my favorite items in my vanity!) and grey sea salt!
just a sprig or two of lavender would do it for me...
Sea salt, French magazines and I'd like some of that Eucerin Hyaluron creme next time I go. Fun to read Marsi's choices.
I'm usually the one doing the sending...favorite choices include pre-mixed powders for chocolat chaud, sea salts, and mustards from Edmond Fallot--especially the dijon with honey and balsamic vinegar.
Oh I'd love them all...
but I've got to get myself to Paris first!
Gouttes Bleues
Maille Moutarde aux 3 Herbes (NOT Fines Herbes)
Leather beggar's purses or other small leather goods from Comptoir des Abbés or l'Artisanat Monastique
Sigh...
A down powder puff!
Warmly, Kathleen
Bonjour Tish. When I leave France and my family after a few weeks and fly back to the US, here are some of my "can't-live-without" items: 1 bottle of Teisseire concentrated mint syrup (to prepare Vittel Menthe, my favorite non alcoholic summer drink;) several packs of Efferalgan Vitamin C (the miracle cure for early colds, pains and aches;) the latest issue of the French Elle (used to buy it every Friday when I worked in Paris;) several tablettes (packs) of "chocolat pâtissier" (to bake when I get home;) a big jar of Nutella (it tastes different in Europe;) some parapharmacie products (cosmetics) from my local pharmacy (favorite brands include la Roche Posay, Vichy; Eau d'Avène) -- That's it. Oh, and hundreds of pics I will use on my blog for the next 6 months, of course :-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
A box of Laduree macarons - and I don't know whether I like the macarons best, or the beautiful box!
I am intrigued about the burning papers, but I would give anything to have the Eucerin Hyalorun (sp?) here in the states... wonder if it will ever be available here.
What a delightful post!
A certain French gentleman I know (a Norman) would request Calvados... then again, he may have to wait for his next trip back for that one!
I generally come home with some little maquillage delight from Monoprix (bon marché), small colorful notebooks with grid paper (who doesn't love a French papeterie?), and I always return with a French Elle and at least one French art magazine... Connaissances des Arts for example.
Ah... but just to stroll the streets and listen to the French. Truly, that's enough to bring back, with all the aromas and images stored until the next time.
Le Petit Marsellais shower gels, Oxyboldine, lentils du puy,fabric shoe bags from Fragonard, Le Petit Bateau tee shirts, French Vogue and a pair of Repettos if the budget allows.
Soaps and linens from Provence.
I always buy the Bioderma Micell Lotion - nothing better to clean my face. Good for me, it is only a two-hours drive to France :-)
I always bring back mustard from Maille, chocolate from Denise Acabo, Michel Chaudun, and Charles Chocolatier, a Hermes scarf, fleur de sel and cubed brown sugar from Monoprix, pimenton and confitures from Epicerie fine, cheese – lots of cheese, macarons from Gerard Mulot , soap from de Compagnie de Provence, a book from Village Voice – alas they have now closed, a cashmere sweater from Eric Bompard, and a pair of shoes.
Maille Moutarde, Cornichons, Provencale wine, soft towels from La Redoute, large square embroidered pillow cases and chocolate!
A beautiful box of Laduree macarons
Eric Bompard anything cashmere
Repetto black ballet flats
Lancel tote bag (special request if it's hubby travelling )
Diptyque candle "34"
Collyre Bleu Eye Drops for days when you need a twinkle in the eye..
If it is a very close friend I might ask them to get me a Longchamp Le Pliage bag in a new colour for the season... Valrhona Cocoa Powder & Laduree macrons of course!
Hmm, it would have to be a stock up at the pharmacy...Eucerin Hyaluron, Avene products and Bioderma Crealine, also Savon de Marseilles, linens from Provence, postcards from the Louvre and some cashmere.
Nicole.
Ooh and some scented ink and good quality writing paper...
Nicole.
I used to beg for Diorissimo parfum spray, as it was unavailable here for a while. But now it's at Saks, so I'm good. Oh, but I do crave Mariage Freres tea candles. The ones in the red jar. Sigh.
Just about any thing from Monoprix.
I love Monoprix.
I'll be in Geneva next month. Hopefully there will be a Monoprix that I can shop at just over the French side of the border
Bourjoie or Chanel lipstick from Monoprix - and of course, the grid notebooks.
Last time my daughter went, I asked her to bring me a Pétanque counter - this September, I will just request a lipstick!
Mary in Oregon
A great post
I would love some of those papers you refer to. Some nougat, herbs de provence, some fabric from provence, linen tea towels and magazines.
Fun, fun
Helenxx
How about bringing back Daniel Auteuil and some roast chicken from Le Grand Colbert?
Daniel Auteuil is such a great actor! Can play sophisticated sexy and funny - but also brilliant in Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources as the unfortunate last of the Soubeyrans!
Or alternatively, accessories from Agnes B or Sonia Rykiel.
Best wishes, Pamela
I love Cote Bastide Orange Blossom soap and beg friends when they go to France to get me a stash.
I had better start savings. After I read each comment my list got longer and longer. I would like to try so many of the products mentioned. One thing from each category would be nice.
Karen
I'd ask for a selection of postcards from the Louvre. I love sending quick notes to my love, my children, and my friends. Quick, easy, and from the heart!
I always bring home linens from Simrane in Paris. The prints are fabulous. Chocolate paves from Michel Chaudun. Marinieres from Petit Bateau. Perfume from the flagship Guerlain store both for the fragrance and the transporting experience. Please, may I go now?
What was in my suitcase last week...Linens, lavender essence, Salt and Pepper Pistachios (not available in NYC yet) Big bunches of purple garlic and Sanex Deodorant. Very interested in the fizzy aspirin...
I loved reading this! Eucerin Hyaluron is available here if anyone is ever desperate for it. I'm the opposite, I ask those visiting the US to bring me Aquaphor, cans of pumpkin pie filling, tootsie rolls, Amazing grass sachets, and anything and everything from Whole Foods and J Crew.
I would ask anyone returning from France (with a small, empty corner of their bag) to bring me a jar of Eucerin Hyaluron-filler. Can't do without it.
we have such a love affair with all things
french. they take the time to squeeze
beauty into everything.
All of the above...:) and some of the Balsamic Vinaigrette by Maille... I can't live without that... xv
It's been way too long :(, but I always bring back mustard, herbs d'provence, 2 bottles of a new (to me) wine that I liked (the US has crazy-strict rules), and something small and special from a local flea market or antique shop to keep for myself or give to someone I love!
Sel Marin Gris from G. Detou, and sel de truffe, and moutard de truffe from Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie. Oh, and if my friends are feeling really generous, a box of macarons from Pierre Herme!
Ms. Cotillard is so lovely and what a fine actress. Her Edith Piaf blew me away and I enjoyed her in "Midnight in Paris". I enjoyed everyone in that film.
Meanwhile, saw the Essie Peach Daquiri in your sidebar. I love her colors. I'm drawn to her bottles of color even when they are wrong for me, case in point, I bought a mint green and a sunny yellow in Spring. They look great in the bottle but not on me. :) Peach Daquiri looks more my style.
Pierre Herme macarons.
Champagne, from the real Champagne.
Authentic street art (painting or photograph)
Little facial scrubs and lipbalms from Yves Rocher.
Something classic from 'Shakespeare & Co' with their stamp inside.
A touristy magnet of the blue & green street signs.
Speculoos.
Dang, I'm getting sad, knowing I'm living WITHOUT those things ;)
Chocolate from Georges Larnicol
Caramel sale macarons from same
Now, what I myself would bring back is a different list altogether: an Hermes scarf, Repetto ballet flats, many photos. I need to investigate this Eucerin product.
Mustard and marrons glacés would be first on my list. And I love those little green olives.
A lovely print from the Louvre gift shop.
halo im nadia
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