Has anyone bought the Ines Fressange Parisian Chic book, and if so what do we think?

[SpringFollows]

I am a little disppointed TBH. I expected a serious scholarly work (true - stupid) and got instead a summation of any regular fashion mag's 'what's hot what's not' page.

The pics are lovely though.

Was wondering what it's like - haven't bought it. But am fascinated by Paris so might see if I can have a browse in a bookshop first.

Seriously disappointed - lots of common sense stuff you already know/can get from any womens' magazine. Many, many pages plugging shops. A total waste of money that has really annoyed me.

I bought the original in French before Christmas - very dull. A good enough shopping and sociological guide for someone on a first visit to Paris, I suppose.

Interesting - thinking of giving it a try. Off to Paris next week, staying Rue Jacob on Left Bank. Can't wait.

Bonsoir, can I be really cheeky - and hijacking - and ask if you can - off the top of your head -recommend any not-to-be- missed restaurants or cafés, or indeed shops, that have opened in the last year or so? Know Paris well and speak French but unusually haven't been for about a year.

Restaurants - have you been to Frenchie and to yam'Tcha? Otherwise Pizza Chic (6ème) or Grazie (3ème) - similar amazing overpriced but delicious pizzas, one smarter, the other one loft-style, but both great.

What do you want to shop for?

Lost my post so trying again!

it is interesting we have similar takes on it. It has been so popular in the blogosphere and I have not heard alot of criticism. I am annoyed I spent the money TBH, although have found some of it interesting. I also would have liked to have seen more pictures of Ines herself (a chic older woman closer to my own age!) rather than her undeniably gorgeous but young daughter.

Have agreat trip poly! Lucky thing.... i LOVE Paris.

What really annoyed me was that she seemed to be giving advice aimed mainly for women in their 40s and 50s and all the photos were off a model who looked as though she was still at school.

Very grateful for this thread, was going to buy but won't bother now.

Anyone got any alternative suggestions for some fashion focussed reading?

Belle tbh I think you could get everything you need to know from a flick thru at the bookshop and then a glass of wine at a cafe. :)

I was also disappointed.

Thanks, bonsoir. Thanks also to everyone for saving me the money and effort of acquiring the book.

We did try to go to Frenchie last year and am going to try and book again - seems you can only do it by phone within v. limited times. Will explore yam'Tcha too.

On shopping, because I'm large my clothes shopping is of the window variety, except for a quick check on the Marina Rinaldi in the Rue du Four.

But I like interesting accessories (ie not ones you can get in London}.

Also like 'beauty' shopping - for example, used to love going to the By Terry shop in Palais Royal, but now I can get her excellent products in the local Space NK. Ditto Diptyque. Would be glad to know of any similar enterprises which haven't yet crossed the channel.

Also a big fan of parapharmacies. There's a big one also (I think) in Rue du Four. as well as loads of others. Again, bargain beauty brands which aren't available yet in UK (as, for example, La Roche Posay) are very much of interest.

Sorry for hijack.

Yes, there's a big independent parapharmacie on rue du Four or you could try the big Parashop on Chaussée d'Antin which has just been revamped.

Independent opticians with their own range of glasses frames seem to be the big thing right now - they keep popping up everywhere.

Thanks, Bonsoir, I do wear glasses part of the time so will definitely take a look.

When I'm in the parapharmacies, are there any 'star' skincare ranges not available in UK? Think you may have mentioned one before. Embryolisse??

Just a word of advice - it's now sensible to avoid buying books/products you've seen in many blogs. They're almost always given free to the blogger by the book's publicist, and the blggers are unlikely to trash a book because they want the freebies and PR love to continue.

Book and product reviews in magazines are unreliable for the same reason. So are reviews on Amazon that are left by readers who have never previously left a review.

I'd be fired for telling you this stuff in real life, but I'm messing about working at home today

I am a huge fan of Bioderma (love the red Créaline range, but take advice for your skin type from the pharmacist) and A-Derma.

V. interesting, thomas. Did notice a fashion blogger raving about that book - a bit naively it seemed. That was probably the explanation. I guess fashion PRs and bloggers do inevitably have a symbiotic relationship to some extent - but it turns me off when (as in the blog I'm thinking of) the blogger's relationship with the PRs seems too matey and they are always singing their praises.

Merci, bonsoir.

Le Roche Posay is available over here, Boots stock it. I can vouch for Embryolisse, it's great stuff.

Yes, we have La Roche Posay in our local chemist though haven't tried it. Intend to explore the Embryolisse and Bioderma in Paris.

Le Roche is cheaper in France than in the UK, sometimes by 30%, and they have a much bigger rance. When I'm over there I do tend to buy stuff even though it's available in the UK, as it does tend to be cheaper (like Nuxe, Caudalie) and I luuuuuurve hanging out in French pharmacies [weirdo]

range, not rance. obviously

Not weird at all - so do I.

Embryolisse is nice, but only the original creme, the rich one is sort of sticky and doesn't absorb very well, imo.