What I Bought in Paris Spring 2026

And what I didn't buy

Welcome to another chapter of what I bought in Paris. This has become one of my most popular posts. I may surprise you as I surprised myself with what I bought, and didn’t buy this trip to Paris.

See previous posts here:

What I Bought in Paris (the original)

What I Bought in Paris (take 2)

The Flatware from Sabre that I couldn’t stop thinking about

Earlier in the year, I bought these espresso spoons, perfect for EDP café, so I thought. They are adorable, yes, but smaller than I imagined. I love a little spoon and had a few floating around I would use for honey, but my lattes needed a real spoon. As soon as I noticed this, I joked that we needed to go back to Paris for the spoons.

But really, my husband and I talked about getting Sabre flatware for our kitchen. I love the idea of adding more, but this time around, we just got four sets. We went to the location in the Marais, which is where they assemble the flatware. You can select from a wall of colorful options.

My husband had a good call out that the sets included a very large soup spoon that we couldn’t see ourselves using. So we swapped it for a smaller spoon option. We had to wait until the following day to pick up the pieces because a few weren’t prepared for purchase. Note, we went on a Saturday, and it was swamped. While this brand has been around for over 40 years, social media has brought it to new heights of popularity.

They did ask for my original paper ticket when I returned, so make sure to hold onto this for an easy pickup!

Something also worth noting is that when purchasing, you will need to check the knives in your luggage. They are not accepted in carry-on luggage. I was also told to hand-wash the flatware if my dishwasher was on a high temperature, as the handles would melt. We quickly learned, as a spoon was thrown in, that indeed our dishwasher had cleared the melting threshold. Thank goodness!

Merci #2 Purchases

My friend Shana suggested we meet in Palais Royal and bop around the area. A new Merci location recently opened on the same street as La Bonne Brosse. We shopped and chatted, fueled on Matcha from Café Kitsuné. I have mentioned before that Shana (a trained interior designer) has an eye for color. We decided on these blue napkins for our kitchen to go with the Sabre green flatware.

On the way out, I purchased an Antotole umbrella just in case. This a brand I have known for years and they first reached out when they just started. I loved supporting this brand and bringing one home from Paris. It is green and matches my rain boots.

La Bonne Brosse…Again

You may have heard me mention that I invested in the #1 brush, and my stylist, Amanda, told me the #3 brush would have been better. So I returned to La Bonne Brosse to purchase the brush. They are pricey… But, I will say, I like the volume and smoothness I get when using the brush. So there you go. Once you invest, you won’t have to buy another. Just make sure you don’t misplace it.

I got this green brush for wet hair, too. Note, La Bonne Brosse brushes are only for dry hair unless specified.

Pink rain boots, for my tiny neighbors next door

When my young, adorable neighbor turned one, I bought her a pair of these French rainboots. It is one of my favorite gifts to give because this is the age they start walking. These quickly became her favorite shoes because, by almost age two, she could put them on and take them off herself. My neighbor asked me to buy another, larger pair for her second birthday. It was my pleasure (they are the BEST) neighbors. I also got a pair for her older sister so they could match. My day is made every time I see them wearing those pink rainboots. I hope they have that memory for a long time.

Why I really needed to check a bag. There is no folding these down into a ball.

Sisley Paris, an investment

Sisley is not cheap. It is a well-made French skincare and makeup brand I have loved and used for years. I decided I was ready to reinvest in some products now that I am a little older. (and wiser) After my blowout, I walked to the Sisley location on the Rue du Bac to pick up concealer and foundation. Of course, I walked out with a few more things, but I also made a mental note of anything I needed or wanted at the duty-free shop. This saves time and money as I wouldn’t have to wait in the tax return line at CDG.

All the Sisley products are available in the airport, and I always arrive early.

I tried this lotion when I checked out, and it smells heavenly. Not only is the bottle a gorgous green, it is a beautiful scent.

Favorites I own and love include:

concealer. What I have used and loved for years. I used Merit for a while, but this works so much better. 1.5 is my color.

Eyeliner, pro tip: the bottom pops out and also doubles as a sharpener.

blush (also new purchase)

powder (I picked this up in Paris)

mascara. They have several, and it is all about the brush, so choose which one is best for you. The formula contains peptides to strengthen your lashes every time you use it.

Messy Nessy Chic

My friend Paula McLain put me in touch with Vanessa of Messy Nessy Chic and the Curiosity Cabinet. I had passed by many times but never popped in to look around. Vanessa was lovely and gave me a great tip to visit a spot on Île St. Louis after the shop.

I brought her a signed copy of Paris Every Day, and she swapped me for " Don’t Be a Tourist in Paris.” This fun card game also caught my eye, and she said it would be fun to play over drinks.

A Mad Dash For Butter

French butter is just better. It isn’t hard to get home, but you need to keep in mind that it goes in checked luggage as it is considered a liquid. You can get butter vacuum sealed at a fromagerie or La Grand Épicierie. I pack a ziplock bag and simply use that. It is much easier in the colder months, as the butter stays cold in your luggage under the plane. In April, I needed to pull my butter out quickly when I returned home and pop one in the freezer and one in the fridge.

I prefer demi sel (salted).

On the very last day, it was jam-packed. My husband wanted to shop at Le Bon Marché. He isn’t always successful, but he did bring home a few things. Including the perfect white shirt, he regrets not buying more of.

La Grand Épiciere is connected to Le Bon Marché, and I ran over quickly after leaving the Polène and bought butter. Just before closing time. Totally worth it, and I smile every time I spread it on warm toast.

The last-minute pharmacy run at the airport

On the way to the airport, I mentioned to my husband that we missed getting more of the melatonin we loved. I found this at the French pharmacie last time, and while I did pop in this time around, I only bought one box. Apparently, my husband thought we each should get a box so we wouldn’t fight over them like last time. The Melatonin brand is the top box in the photo below.

I had a lingering sore throat at the end of the trip and remembered there was a pharmacy at the airport. It was luckily right outside the entrance to our gate in Terminal 2A. I grabbed the Melatonin and then asked for something for my sore throat, just in case it turned into a cold. French Pharmacies have some great remedies for colds and sore throats, and I didn’t want to be miserable on the flight home.

My favorite purchase was a migraine roller, an impulse buy at the end. This now comes with me, just in case, and can roll onto my temples for instant relief.

What I Didn’t Buy in Paris

No coffee and no chocolate. These are always staple souvenirs for me, and to be honest, I just didn’t have the time to get them all done. This trip was a few days shorter than I wanted, and it pivoted when my husband’s flight was canceled on Sunday morning. He spent the day hanging out with me while I had a lunch date with a friend, followed up by a meeting.

The last day of the trip is always me running around trying to get everything done. I am very lucky that I get to return to Paris often. Luckily for me, I still have a good chocolate stash hiding away, and coffee beans will have to wait until next time. This is usually my trick to extending a trip a little longer. Each morning transports me to a favorite Parisian coffee shop until the beans run out.

The bag/bags that got away again

I went into the trip thinking I was going to buy a birthday bag. You may remember from last time the bag that got away. This time around, I was traveling with my husband, who could chime in (in real time) and give me his honest answer. I got all the way to the store, and I just couldn’t do it. First, at Bon Marché for a Polène bag, and I walked out. Shockingly, there was no line, and it could have been the easiest and fastest purchase.

Again at Duty Free, I had my eye on this bag and couldn’t do it. We have an event this weekend, and it would be the perfect bag for the occasion.

I will be back in October, and maybe the third time is the charm. Stay tuned, I have another fun shopping post for Paris planned that has been on my mind for a while now.

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