Snowy Paris
mmm....could this be Karl Lagerfeld walking along rue de Grenelle?
Seine River next to Gare de l 'Est
Don't you just want to cuddle up to this thing?!
The Eiffel Tower from Invalides
The irritating Velibs - Paris's latest mode of transport
Thomas Jefferson's feet at passerelle de Solferino
Esplande des Invalides
and just for fun!December De-Lights
The shops are open generally 7 days a week during the holiday season and the streets are packed with avid shoppers, my favorite is the Marais neighborhood where even a friendly 'pere noel' will stop to give directons to lost tourists (and who said the French weren't friendly?)
During the 8 days of Hanukkah, a candle is lit at different landmarks around the city one of which is at the Eiffel Tower. Expect to hear lots of music, dancing on the street and free donuts being handed out!
After a night of indulging in these 'forbidden' holiday delights, I recommend a bit of exercise in the form of ice-skating. As tradition has it every December, in front of Hotel de Ville a little slab of pleasure comes to life with an ice-skating rink, merry-go-rounds, and of course more food. This is a must for the romantic at heart. Though if you're not the skating type, it can still be quite amusing to spend an afternoon with your loved one watching skaters fall on their bums....
Ice-skating - nearest metro is Hotel de Ville (lines 1 and 11) in the 4th arondissement.
Rose Bakery
I just discovered probably the friendliest cafe in Paris! This place called Rose Bakery is a great spot to enjoy a nice hot cuppa, a wholesome lunch, catch up on some work, read a book or even a great spot to meet new people! There is a cool welcoming vibe where most of the staff are English speakers and wear natural smiles - wait, are we really in Paris?! (...just kidding of course...). This is the regular and beloved spot for my dear new fellow South-African-Paris-based friend who I met there for the first time over a yummy hot chocolate. The tables as covered with paper table-cloths that serve as a canvas on which to scribble ones thoughts of the day - which I think is pretty cool, as after all, great thoughts come by with great cups of hot-anythings.... 
What I loved most about this place was that there was no sign on the door - but instead huge glass doors showing off a naturally bright, warm beige and silver, cave-like cafe - and everyone knows this is Rose Bakery! 
Apparently there is a RB in London and 2 in Paris. The one I visited was in the colorful Marais district found at 30 rue Debelleyme in the 3rd arondissment - nearest metros are Filles du Calvaire and Saint Sebastien Froissart (the other is located at 46 rue des Martyrs in the 9th). Might I add, it's also into organic products - which is a huge plus! And what's really nice too, is that their customers seem to be the loyal-make-myself-chez-moi type or the highflyers seeking a place to relax and just be!
La Palette
To break away from all the touristic traps and enjoy a typically Parisian glass of wine in a typically old-fashion traditional Parisian bar - stroll over to La Palette.This Latin quarter cafe (located on the left bank in the Saint Germain Des Prés area) is always bustling with the bohemian chic who come to socialize over a number bottles of wine and nibble on some ham and cheese 'croque monsieur'. The out door terrace literally overflows with the locals and laughter while waiters dressed in traditional black and white uniforms weave from table to table.
The wine list is apparently still the same over the last few decades with the most popular whites being the Sauvignon, Saint Véran, Pouilly Fumé, Chablis, Champagne and the reds being the generic-Bordeaux, Brouilly, Saint Emilion, Graves, Morgon. One can either order by the glass or the bottle (I say go for the bottle!)
Situated at the heart of the art galleries district sitting charmingly on the corner of Rue de seine and Rue Jacques Callot.43 Rue de Seine 75006 Paris
Metro : Odeon (lines 4/10)
Grand Palais
The Awesome Grandeur of Grand Palais
Nestled in the 8th arrondisse- ment in probably one of the most beautiful junctions in 
I say this because its exterior is a blend of classical lively façade with rebellious art nouveau ironwork and its inside is so belittling, beautiful and vast in pistachio greens and mustard yellows. 
Every year (this year being the second year running) the Grand Palais hosts "Monumenta" in which they invite a leading artist to create and exhibit 'monumental' works of art to 'flirt' with the ginormous space and its energy – I love this concept! Indecently, I went to check out the second artist to display there, American-born revolutionary sculpture Richard Serra's work titled Promenade – which takes the form of a spectacular landscape of steel – whopping slabs of steel might I add! It's on display until
The
I even found a youtube link to Chanel's Haute Couture Spring Printemps '08
Before you rush off for a visit, note that there are actually three different areas in the Grand Palais, each with a different entrance: the Palais de la Découverte (a science museum) is at the Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, the Galeries National du Grand Palais (an exposition hall) has an entrance at the Clémenceau Square and the entrance to the Nef du Grand Palais (this event hall I wrote about) is at the Avenue Winston Churchill (opposite the Petit Palais). Nearest metro is Champs Elysees Clemenceau line 1 & 13
By the way, did you know that the Grand Palais is the largest existing ironwork and glass structure in the world? This place just gets even cooler!
This is me caught posing next to one of Richard Serra's steel slabs on display.
Lafayette Gourmet truck
Forget Starbucks! (if that's possible) - Gallaries Lafayette has come up with the cutest little red truck - called Alto Cafe - parked just outside the department store's main entrance with coffee-on-the-go for sale to shoppers passing by. 
The little red truck comes equipped with snaks, chocolates and drinks. Though I know it doesn't sound too exciting, but the idea is cute and it is perfectly positioned for the shoppers needing that bit of a sugar-rush. There is something just so damn Parisian about this little red sugar truck! It seems the French know just how to combine the art of 'cafe' with that of shopping, resulting in a 'tres-chic' time-out experience. Located at 40, Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Nearest metro is Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
Cinedoc
A hidden cinematic corner
It's a very modest little place that offers plenty for movie lovers with even a section dedicated to Bollywood. Cinedoc has been around for 20 years and apparently, according to the shop employees, is the only one of its kind in 
Running across the shop is a long table covered with alpha- betically filed envelopes which contain images and photographs of cinematic icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Robert De Niro and Marilyn Monroe – each image sells for around 20 euros. As for the abundance of books adorning the shelves, unfortunately most of them are in French, but there is a small corner dedicated to books in English.
Man, there is even that 'old movie' smell gracing the air…
Cinedoc can be found at 45-53 Passage Jouffroy in the 9th arrondissement. Nearest metro is