Friday, December 02, 2016

Paris Letter Gift Bundles

It's that time of year.
Everyone is out shopping and browsing for gifts. Paris is always a knockout even if skies may be grey and the temp dropping. Hello Red Ridding hood!
Every Christmas since I moved to Paris I've wanted to show you the Fab gift bundles you can give yourself or others.
The box designs and ribbons are sensational.
This one caught my eye in Monoprix...they have a Big selection of gift bundles. You say you want that 'je n'ai sait quoi?" Well get scrubbing. I see oodles of French women scrubbing away in the shower post-pool. No idea why this is essential since they just soaked in chlorine for an hour but it is evidently.
Anything with the word 'cottage' is considered adorable and trés charmante I guess.
Now this gift bundle (also at Monoprix 19.95€) is a delightful steal. Everything you need for New Year's Eve including pink Himalayan salt and onion marmelade to put on your foie gras atop your pain d'epice toast.
You will need Champagne with that. Veuve Cliquot will cost you a bit more, but oh so worth it. This year's gift city metal 'sign' box is a keeper.
I dropped into La Poste office to mail out your perfume gift bundles and noticed their display of my Paris letters had diminished.  They admitted some now adorned their walls at home...ahem
I decided to deck my own walls with letters. I'm not done yet but I noticed quite a few images of the beloved Eiffel Tower. Ah ha
Why not create a gift bundle of 5 Paris letter Eiffel Towers, including an underwater Tower.
Plus an Eiffel Tower giftcard to go with! What's not to love?
I wish I could include this mini-Eiffel Tower brandy bottle in the bundle but it is not to be. Quelle triste.
Here's a gift Suzanne Y of California dreamed up from November's perfume map, clever girl
Suzanne says:
I had fun, relaxing time coloring! and it didn't take that long though I think it looks better in real life than the picture I attached here. The paper I used is 80# Strathmore cold press 132 - it was part of a watercolor paper sampler pad and goes through my printer very easily though I had to cut it to 8.5x11 to fit the paper tray. Like I mentioned before, I've copied on 140lb arches but it doesn't always go through the printer. I Used Sennelier paint in honor of painting French places but it seems less pigmenty than other brands... I like more pigment look. Smaller paint brush was easier to use than a bigger one. Now that I've had fun painting and there were only 2 sheets of paper you can send, I would prefer the outline... it's free coloring sheet!
I tried painting one myself this morning. Much fun and just as relaxing as colored pencils
Holiday gift bundles are up on Etsy. Hooray! Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you like this post and want to support it, buy Parisbreakfast letters and watercolors or forward to someone who might enjoy it. 

32 comments:

  1. I always love when you post Parisian Christmas..the windows..the items for sale etc..
    my wall looks like your wall:) Well part of it..and Suzanne's idea is pretty ingenious..made me think you could publish a book such as that..or even have a few pages in a book of yours that one could color.
    In Florida..I offered a coloring book and crayons to a friend who was not well she has never done that..every day she colored..the warmth of the sun..swimming in the ocean..all I think contributed to her looking and feeling quite fantastic when I left..she loved coloring!:)

    How adorable your letters are in the post office and some taken:)

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    1. Ah...so glad you understood Monique. I must do a special post on coloring in with watercolor. I would LOVE to do a book like that printed on watercolor paper!!
      Too divine...hmmm...food for thought.

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    2. *Just to clarify...Suzanne took the perfum map's black and white line drawing and copied it onto watercolor paper (specially made to go thru today's printers).
      Then she watercolored it in. Brill idea!
      Why didn't I think of that?

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    3. Oui oui..J'ai compris..I know ..brilliant thought....ever since I printed on fabric and was responsible for my printer's early demise..I am fretful of sticking in watercolor paper:)
      Don't forget a bookmark:)

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  2. I always love the ribbons, such as the one on Fauchon's package.

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    1. I inow Marilyn. I so covet Fauchon's hot pink grosgrain ribbons!!
      They must own that color...

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  3. Carol...gorgeous & festive!!

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  4. Carol I love your work and want to own all of it...every month you transport my sister and myself to the beautiful city you call home-NEVER STOP....waiting for the paint box watercolors to come-funny I never have trouble with gifts for myself!

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    1. Ahhh...Thanks so much!!!
      Its fun to share my experiences and joy of living in Paris!!

      Delete
  5. Anonymous2:05 PM

    Great post as usual but don't You think PB that is better to do your personal ribbon on the packages its more personal that give something so commercial and impersonal ..

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    1. Please explain Anonymouse.
      No idea what you mean? How do I do personalized ribbons?
      I Never find French ribbon commercial and impersonal, but what do I know?

      Delete
  6. Looking at these gift items I really want to be shopping there. Love those metal boxes. I shopped at Monoprix last year at this time and got some cute presents for grandchildren. After last year, family told me I cannot go at this time of the year again. Have fun Carol and keep those pictures coming. I like your wall of pictures.

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    1. Hahaha So funny Marilyn. I bet you 'went to town' as they say ;))
      I love the tins too. I've bought Xmas tins and thrown out the innerds. Wasteful me ;((
      But the tins were so pretty!!

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  7. How gorgeous Paris looks!
    How lovely for you to be there!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth! I was afraid I was too early showing you Christmas in Paris...
      It is very uplifting. And so, so pretty!
      Much more to come, je te promis!

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  8. I'm including a bottle of Mon Paris parfum with the perfume gift bundle for my MIL. Can't wait to give it to her.

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    1. That is such a pretty bottle Pisces!
      I loved the ribbons too. Must sneak a sissor into Galeries Lafayette and help myself.
      The perfume ribbon rolls are sooo tempting.
      I wonder can they jail/nail you for stealing ribbons?
      I do worry they will look in my purse and see all the perfume cards.
      PBers, will you bail me out?
      Haha

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  9. All of my beautiful Paris newsletters will be framed during the holidays so that I too can have a wall of them! They are all so beautiful. The subscription is definitely one of the best gifts I have ever given myself. You are so talented, Carol. I look forward to finding a little piece of Paris in my mailbox every month. Merci beaucoup! And yes, I will help bail you out!

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  10. Wow -- I love the concept of a special watercolor paper to print on. That's a terrific idea. And I love how all the pages look on your wall. Alas, I am out of walls but yours are one by one on the bulletin board. I need to renew my script but might do maps next time! After Christmas -- too poor right now! I did find some nice and fairly inexpensive 8 1/2x11 frames at IKEA yesterday and if they fit -- well, I'll be back for more!

    You have inspired and helped create a monster. Between you and Vivian I am trying my best to watercolor up a storm. Practice, practice, practice! And oh, how I love to see Paris at Christmas -- any old window or bundle will do! Lovely! We're decking the halls at Marmelade Gypsy, too and I always get so excited for the sparkle!

    Happy week, Carol!

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    1. What a lovely comment!!
      Thank you.
      More Paris sparkle to come!

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  11. I know that red shop!
    on the island, right? where the bus goes (which bus, I don't remember). it's a lot of fun. I have a photo somewhere. it is finally getting a little brisk here in NC.

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  12. Bus 67 goes all the way to Pigalle...a very nice bus indeed.

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  13. Please, please do a coloring (paint) book - I would love to do you sketches, such fun. I have the one by Janice Macleod and love it but it needs a Carol Gillott companion.

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  14. Thanks for sharing Paris christmas - c'est très belle! Makes me wish I lived in Paris....

    I love your letters on the post office wall, I would have to steal one or two for home too if I lived there. I keep your letters in a folder, saving the map letters as my guidebook for my next trip to Paris (whenever that is) but if I can find wall space maybe I'll do a wall of your watercolours.

    Do you have the outlines available for people to print? I might try some colouring in over the summer holidays here in Australia if so.

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    1. 'Summer holidays here in Australia' !!!!
      In Paris its 30 degrees, feels like 23
      I have to figure out how to do digital printouts Kirrabelle and then I will.
      I'm Also thinking of a portfolio of prints on my own watercolor paper..
      Thinking...thinking..

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  15. I am gazing at the window of Marie-Tournelle and looking at the advent calendars!!
    More difficult to find good German designed Advent calendars in NYC
    Thinking of you and Paris and the holidays.

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    1. Christmas Advent post coming up!!
      I pass Marie-Tournelle most days of the week. Their windows are addictively adorable.

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  16. The best post, Carol...many thanks.

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  17. I love those printed ribbons too Carol. To make your own personalized ribbon you could use paint and stencils. Another easy way is to use rubber stamps and ink pads. Quick and easy custom ribbons!

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    1. Wow I never thought of that!?
      Thanks jgal!!!
      When there is alittle time...

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  18. I love that opening shot - it's gorgeous; And the Chanel model, gorgeous, Bear, and the Post Office and the closer - beautiful, Carol.

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  19. amazing article i didnt find any like it it just awesome .
    العاب فلاش العاب فلاش

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