Diwali Paris - Jewellery Store Review

Diwali Jewellery Store - Paris

Since I have moved here I have done very little shopping (being a part time worker in an expensive city) but I have done lots of window shopping. You might even say 'Je suis Le expert'. 

One shop I have discovered in this city full of Chanel, Dior, Tiffany and H&M (pronounced 'ash ay em') is Diwali - Paris. It is a cute little jewellery store that I have fallen a little bit in love with. As the name suggests the jewellery is Indian style with lots of sparkle, gold, colour and patterns. Which is exactly why it is my sort of store. That and my general love of jewellery. Additionally I think that it is reasonably priced, prices seemed to be around 5-20 euros.

They sell necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, slippers and other trinkets all beautifully presented. The stores I have been in are always so tidy, it is how I would set out my jewellery cupboard if I was a billionaire, and the staff are very friendly. I enjoy the fact my necklaces will only get in a tangle once I'm home and not before I have bought one!

When my Mum came to visit me a few week sagos I was lucky enough to be treated to something and I had to choose the bracelet. It's definitely one of my favourite colours, although I nearly got the pink one as they had a few colours, and the beads were really nice. I've worn it loads since I bought it so I'm sure I made the right choice. Usually if I'm in a jewellery store like accessorize etc I try and buy as much as I can afford so choosing just one took some doing! Once you have bought an item they put it in a cute little bag which I now use to store my stud earrings as I have a tendency to lose them. 

I definitely recommend a look if you are in Paris and looking for some pretty costume jewellery. Not too cheap and not too expensive. Perfect!

My lovely bracelet!

Store Locations

Beauty Storage -Downsized!

Since I moved to Paris (have I mentioned this yet?) I have had to seriously downsize my beauty products and there is a large percentage of them still in London. Particularly my nail varnishes which I am starting to miss! So since my original post I thought I'd share what I have now. Which, on a plus side, actually includes a proper table :) I also have a chest of drawers which have come in handy, although they were originally on the floor I don't need them there. Perfect for organising beauty bits. Anyway here it is...

My dressing table.

Bags, mirror, brushes & perfume.

My solution to having no jewellery tree - white tack on the wall! Easily accessible and not too ugly to look at!

My claireabella bag - when not being used for shopping/picnics etc it stores my hairdryer and ghd's.

Some skincare bits.

My make up drawer

Hair bits (yes don't get too excited at how interesting this photo is)

So that's the lot at the moment until I marry a millionaire or find a few million lying around. Then my beauty storage will be a sephora and my room will be at the plaza athenee. Obviously!

Maria xx

Hairstyle- Side ponytail with curls

Here is a hairstyle I had a go at today. It's the first time I've done it but as I had some spare time I though I'd try something different. Let me know what you think, even if you think it looks crap! (Although maybe sugar coat it for me ;) )

Side ponytail with curls and a plait.

Firstly I started by plaiting my hair at the front and then securing into a side ponytail. I think I need to practice my plaiting and French plaiting skills but this will do for today!

I then carefully used my Enrapture Extremity heated rollers in the ponytail and left for 10-15 minutes whilst I tidied up etc.

The rollers in (& slightly heavy!)

With the rollers out I ran my fingers through and sprayed with hairspray.

Up close

For those of you thinking - 'err maybe don't go out in that disgusting white vest!'
Don't worry I didn't! Even though I went to the cinema I still made a little effort with the clothes! Here's my outfit and the complete look

Ron Mueck Exhibition

At the weekend I was invited to go and see an art exhibition near me so I was really excited. Not only did it mean meeting new people but I also love art, even if my judgement is completely emotional and I have no real knowledge about art. 

For example - I HATE Henri Matisses' 'Snail'. Correction - I HATE that it's so famous. It's a paper collage that's really big. It looks nothing like a snail (I realise that this is OK sometime). It looks like a 4 year old did a 'big art attack'... in the dark.

Anyway... Yes I like art and I had never hear of Ron Mueck (apparently he's famous and from London - who knew?) so I was eager to go and see what it was all about. It was at the Fondation Cartier on Boulevard Raspail in the 14th. The first time I walked past the building I was a little taken aback... There is a huge glass wall and behind it is a garden, then in the middle is a building where the exhibition was held. 

When we got there we queued for 1h45m! But on the plus side it gave me a chance to talk to my friend (I've now met her 3 times so for Paris that makes her a friend!) and meet her friends. I managed to catch on to most of the conversations they had in French and they spoke English as well. 

Exhibit Review -
I loved the exhibition! It's these out of proportion sculptures showing sometimes mundane things and sometimes odd things. The detail that goes into them is astonishing. The people are so lifelike but out of proportion. It's so interesting to look at. There is also a video showing how Mueck created some of the pieces in his North London studio. It was really fascinating. The program explained what each piece was conveying but I personally just like looking at art and seeing how it makes me feel and how pretty/interesting it is. I give this one a definite 9/10 for interesting and recommend seeing it if you are coming to or live in Paris. 

the website is - fondation.cartier.com

My program - the English version.

Me (on the right) and one of the sculptures. This one can be seen from the street but is incredible up close!

View from the street through the glass wall, across the garden and into the glass building.