Saturday, April 12, 2008

Living the French Dream


What would you say about opening a little Coffee shop (well rather a tea shop..) in Paris? That's what Aimee (on the right in the photo - the other young lady is called Louisa) was dreaming of, in her native Kansas... And she did! Just six months 2 weeks ago, on the Butte aux Cailles, a pretty trendy area in the 13th arrondissement. "I love everything about France [including her French hubby!], she said, except that I'm far away from my family and that it's hard to get peanut butter and Blue cheese dressing in Paris!". Do pay her a visit (1, rue Jean-Marie-Jégo) if you're into tea and want to see a typical, yet not so touristy part of Paris. Update: Aimee also has a blog.

63 comments:

  1. You do get around, Eric. Did you have some tea while there?

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  2. I'll have to go when I'm there. I' not that interested in tea, but my aunt is. I'll have to buy some to bring back to her!

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  3. Oh Eric, this is the lady whose shop we saw a week or two ago on the Paris Blog! She blogs about her shop!
    http://loisivethe.wordpress.com/
    this is the ParisBlog post that led me to her:
    http://tinyurl.com/create.php

    I love the photo you took. They look happy and hopeful, and Aimee is wearing her French scarf. Good girl. I can't wait to visit her.

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  4. My hat is off to Aimee from Kansas. It's cool to follow your dream...better so if it takes you to Paris, eh? Looks like she's got the scarf happening, too. Definitely not in Kansas anymore. Cheers!

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  5. She's not in Kansas anymore...so original I know,lol....Best of luck to her! How awesome to follow her dreams!

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  6. Hi Aimee and Louisa! Hey i bought some peanut butter today! lol sorry... how come it's so difficult to get in Paris? Really? Your shop looks bright and happy and i adore tea. Yum. I like Louisa's way of wearing her hair. This is loose tea, is it? Does anyone use that anymore? I'm lazy and use tea bags. I buy ordinary tea too as i prefer it, i'm not into the Earl Greys etc. I hope you looked after our Eric whilst he was there. Did he mention me? At all....?

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  7. Lynn you are shameless. In a good way.

    No peanut butter in Paris? Really? The French just don't know how to eat, do they?

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  8. This is such a delightful photo, that at first glance I had no idea what they were selling, but I knew I wanted to buy! How exciting that they have a tea shop. I will most definitely search this place out! I support any American who can make a shop work in Paris; I know how tough that can be. Eric you could sell your services as a promoter of all things wonderful in Paris!

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  9. I always pack a jar of peanut butter when going to Paris! I also keep a jar at my desk and eat it with a spoon.

    I'm jealous of Aimee, but I can't complain since I, too, am living out my own dream (of living in California).

    Who knew my dreamland would change to Paris ten years later?

    XOXO to Eric!

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  10. lol Petrea. I want to open a shop in Paris! Yes i do! I'll sell....um....er....well i can't sell art, that's like taking coals to Newcastle. Can't sell photos as that's Eric's patch. Er....um... i'll sell.....books! Yes books and coffee (move over, A & L) or antiques! I'll sell antiques. With a quirky sideline of ... peanut butter.

    Didn't he mention me just a little bit, Aimee and Louise? It was my birthday recently; maybe he told you about that? No? Oh.

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  11. Lynn, that's a wonderful idea. You'll move to Paris and open a peanut butter shop. All the expats will come to you for their fix. (You can serve coffee and books as well.)

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  12. Awwwwww, sweet!

    Well, good luck with your business venture young ladies!

    Being an expat is not easy (en Francais on dit "le cul entre 2 chaises") but eventually, you kinda get used to living in your own little world, somewhere in between the two words ...

    Fortunately, we have the Internet now, so it's easier than ever to keep in touch with loved ones far away, or just with the culture. One click away and you can escape your reality for a little while and pretend you're "back home" if only virtually.

    A lot of the posters on this blog know a lot about that kind of virtual travel, I think ;)

    Again, good luck with your cute shop. Anyone starting a small business these days has all my respect.

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  13. (Oh, what a coincidence, I am right now eating out of jar of chunky peanut butter with a fork ! ;)

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  14. What a wonderful photo!

    Petrea, thanks for the link to Aimee's blog. Her shop looks very cozy:)

    Best wishes to Aimee and her tea shop:)

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  15. One day, Petrea, perhaps one day i will!

    Where's Michael by the way? He popped in for my birthday and i haven't seen him since. Eric was a blur yesterday...

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  16. I have read Aimee's blog on knitting (Put Your Flare On). . . and am already planning on visiting her new Tea Shop in October.

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  17. Love the yellow tea caddies.

    I'll take loose leaf tea any day over those damp soggy bags.

    Even worse - the hospitality / bland hotel conference ide aof a cuppa - warm water into which a tea bag is placed!

    ****SHUDDER*****

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  18. I've been reading Aimee's blog almost as long as I've been reading PDP, and I'm so excited about meeting her in the shop next month! (will make up a little bit for missing the PDP picnic)

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  19. I am anxious to visit her lovely shop in that wonderful neighborhood (no tourists and lots to discover)and am envious that she found a way to live in Paris and make a living.
    I couldn't figure out what kind of blue cheese sauce she is missing and then it occured to me, it must be blue cheese salad dressing!!

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  20. tonton flaneur -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

    Once again Lynn, you had me laughing. You say the craziest things.

    A peanut butter shop sounds good. I know a Frenchman that when he found out about it in the US, he was putting it on everything, pancakes, ice cream, there was no end. Oh, and he always has peanut butter cookies on hand. I think you might have a good idea there.

    Where was Eric when he was taking this photo -- it seems like he was high up, maybe standing on something. What is he doing?

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  21. Lynn I believe lots of shops in Paris sell tea in jars like that, take the wonderful Mariage Frères for instance. I'm a huge tea fan. I usually drink it everyday.
    In the morning I usually drink green tea. Although right now I'm on a break from it because it does not taste good, not at all.
    But I'll take most any tea there is.

    Congratulations on this cute little shop girls. Another good reason for me to explore the 13th next time I'm in Paris.

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  22. Lynn I have also noticed that Michael 's been away for quite a while...

    Michael, about Lynn's birthday, I didn't link each and everyone, I just announced it here at PDP. Next time I'll send you a note to remember our dear Lynn's b'day!

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  23. Yes Monica do! You know where you put me with her highness for being late! Hmmph!

    I've been around, just a bit too busy to post. Have been following the conversation though...

    Aimee & Louisa, congrats on what must seem like a dream to many, but must also be quite difficult. Starting a business in France (or closing) must never be very easy. In fact, economists measure this "easynest" to determine economic growth and stability of all countries.

    To see more about France's ranking, go here. Just for info, France doesn't rate so bad in opening a business, with it taking 5 Procedures and 7 Days (Duration), but just try closing one: 1.9 Years (vs. average of 1.3)!

    You might think "who cares how long it takes to close a business?", but it's also the length of time capital investment is available to start another one. (ok, I know, I'm boring!).

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  24. I forgot a couple more things...sorry Eric. Now that I've gotten to thinking about it, what I miss about the U.S. I usually don't miss until I'm there. You can keep the peanut butter, but bring me fresh bagels (everything, onion, or garlic) and cream cheese and I'm a friend for life.

    Then there's blue cheese dressing!! The kind that mom used to make. Since I can't have that (now this is for you PHX-CDG, Jeff,and anybody else... and no, it's not a hint, it's a direct request!) bring me the fresh blue cheese dressing from The Cheesecake Factory! Yuuummmmyyy!

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  25. Lovely shop and nice smiles, Aimée and Louisa.
    The first name Aimée is very french, although not very used. So, the French Dream may have already existed in her parents'thoughts ?
    I wish you plenty of clients for a long long time!!

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  26. PARIS DAILY PHOTO PICNIC UPDATE

    I obviously don't have enough to do today...

    I've created a string in the PDP Forum for exchanges about the picnic on May 7th. Maybe it will help us organise a bit better?

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  27. Thanks, Eric, for taking such a lovely photo of Aimee in the middle of living her dream; I was so excited to see it today!

    Actually I did the write-up on The Paris Blog for Aimee's shop and the link is here:
    http://tinyurl.com/67q4ky
    Or you can read a lengthier version on my blog here:
    http://tinyurl.com/5p7g29

    I'll bet Aimee is thrilled you stopped by!

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  28. Her Highness, Michael? Oh you don't have to call me that...oh ok then if you must! Snigger. Whilst you were conspicuous by your absence on my birthday i do forgive you. Who couldn't with a smile like that? Last year you bought me a virtual naughty t shirt. I was holding my breath to see the gift this year - i daren't even guess.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONTON!

    Lois he he yes peanut butter is yum! It's high in protein but quite high in fat though so i don't eat loads of the stuff like your friend. Cookies are great. I quite like the idea of a peanut butter shop. I could also zazzle some t shirts couldn't i? Perhaps a pic of myself with peanut butter all sloshed around my mouth. I did that with choc once on my blog but it's disappeared oh shame you missed that.

    Monica tea is king as the lovely Aimee and Louisa will tell us i'm sure. I like PG Tips or Tetley. I'm an everyday girl. Only in that sense you understand, in almost everything else i'm sincerely Baronessy as Clo will vouch. Where is HE these days? Baroness is missing him too.

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  29. Ok, I should clarify that for the PDP picnic and Forum, once you get into the PDP forum, Look for "Paris Daily Photo" then "PDP Picnic 7 May".

    You can also go to:
    http://www.dailyphotoblog.com/paris/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

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  30. Oh thank you Eric. I was getting a bit fed up with all of this and was about ready to call Lynn for help...

    You just wanted to be fancy didn't you?!

    Well here's a "CLICK HERE" to top your simple clickable address! HAH!

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  31. Just wait until Jeff wakes up and sees all of this. He's going to have a field day!

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  32. LOL Michael!! Hilarious. I'd have told you to turn left then press any key.

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  33. Eric - I will be in Paris in a few weeks and will be sure to tell Aimee how I found her shop!

    When I clicked on your link to the 13th arr., I was taken to your photo of the monument to mothers. There are 4 other pictures that would not appear. Are there other monuments to Mothers, other than the one on Blvd. Kellermann? I would love to visit them while in Paris. Mother's Day in the US is May 11 - different from France. Thanks so much for any information!

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  34. Yay! Just a quick note to say that Aimee started the process of acquiring the teahouse 6 months ago but she only officially opened as owner 2 weeks ago! This is so exciting for her!

    And we can get peanut butter in France...it is only sold in tiny little jars and it is expensive. There is nowhere near the variety that you find in the states. My mom ships it to us!

    Definitely go and enjoy some delicious tea and dessert (the salads are awesome too) at Aimee's teahouse! It is incredible. I plan on being there a lot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahwg/sets/72157604493979324/

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  35. Way to go girls. There isn't enough tea shops in this world. I can't believe you can't get peanut butter in Paris. If you can get some peanuts you can make your oww peanut butter and seel it in your tea shop. Elaine Cooke, Canada.

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  36. This shop is wonderful.And I just love the yellow tea containers made especially with the shops name on them. How brave Aimee is to move to another part of the world and open a shop, well done ! I'll visit this cozy haven when I'm next in Paris.
    Butte aux Cailles is one of my favourite areas in Paris(if it's possible to have such one). I never realised it's becoming trendy, I just hope it won't change too much.
    I have three great passions : Books/literature, PARIS and tea,
    and Sally you're absolutely right, there's only one thing worse than a tea bag, that's a tea bag in warm water which haven't boiled.
    A lovely saturday to the lot of you.

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  37. Oh yes it has to boil. I like my tea so hot it burns the back of my throat. Yes i'm weird like that. Most tea drinkers will also be weird too though. I hope.

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  38. Oh yes Lynn, I'm being considered very weird in a coffee drinking country like Denmark. Most places you're lucky if you get a luke warm cup with a discount tea bag in it.Yakkk....

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  39. Here in the States, I'm considered a Tea Snob. It has to be a certain brand and a certain blend..... I am a fan of Twining's Earl Grey though--from England. They try to pass something off here in the States that is a pale imitation of said tea, but nothing like it really. Thankfully, I have a friend who brings me back a supply whenever they're in England.

    I'm going to put Aimee's shop on my list of "places to go and things to do in Paris". It look so fun!!

    Congratulations, Aimee and may your shop and ideas prosper!

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  40. Yakkk indeed. Ew.

    Petrea, pop over to mine will you a sec? Everyone else is invited to Cheltenham too, along with Petrea.

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  41. Michael when I go to Paris I will bring you blue cheese dressing. Not from the Cheesecake Factory since we don't have it here. But there's plenty of great blue cheese dressing on sale at any supermaket.


    You can bring me macarons next time you come. hehe.

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  42. I'll bring you blue cheese too Michael. What will you bring me?

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  43. Got it, folks. Looks like a fun party brewing. (or distilling, or fermenting...)

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  44. One wonderful thing about living in an American metropolis like the Los Angeles area is that you can buy just about anything. We have fabulous tea shops where we can buy wonderful teas from all over the world. We even have lovely little tea houses where we can be served in the traditional style.

    It ain't Fortnum & Mason, but it's tea!

    Off to Lynn's.

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  45. Lynn! You flatter me. I love being flattered.

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  46. Eric, You are wonderful to show us this photo of this brave lady. It takes a lot of guts to follow your dream and a lot of hard work to make it come true. It's a beautiful photo of beautiful women living a beautiful dream, taken by a beautiful guy who is so thoughtful to do such a thing!
    -Kim

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  47. So Kim, do we put you down for attending the picnic?

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  48. Hi Eric!

    Thank you so much for stopping by and taking this great photo! Could I have the high res so I can print it and hang it in the tea house?

    I hope you can stop by again for lunch sometime...love to see you again.

    Take care and keep shooting those great photos of yours....

    -Aimee
    www.loisivethe.wordpress.com
    www.putyourflareon.blogs.com

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  49. You're very welcome Aimee, sure I will come some other time - and stay longer this time! I wish you all the success you deserve.


    On a different note, if you want to see a real GOOD photo of the Eiffel Tower today. Goto... Zurich Daily Photo (I know it sounds weird, but...)

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  50. I don't know if I ever mentioned that I schleped a gallon of Scottsdale's water to Fortnum and Mason in London to have analyzed. Their service (which they no longer have) said that their Assam tea blended the best with my water. If you go there, they may have your city on file and will give you the info.you need.

    WHAT TIME IS THE PICNIC? I need to know pretty soon!

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  51. Michael, Re. the May PDP picnic, oh, I wish. . .but I can't get away during the school year. Now, if you all were to bring laptops to the picnic, then maybe we could all do a virtual live picnic in Paris thing together. . .but that's the only way I could make it. Maybe if a techie wiz hip geek-type person can make it they might think up how to arrange that?

    Now I'm off to Lynn's for a tea party and then to Zuich to look at la Tour! It's 70 F here today and it feels SSSSOOOOOO GOOD! Yippee!
    -Kim

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  52. Great photo...great to have achieved this. I have been following Aimees blog, and love it.

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  54. Are you coming to the picnic Louisa and Aimee?!?!

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  55. PHX-CDG (and others) - Unless it has changed, the picnic is usually in the evening. I bet you're thinking it's an afternoon thing, but we usually meet around 7-8pm (19h00-20h00) and it lasts until people go home. I hope that's good news for you, not bad!

    Eric, can you confirm this is the same this year?

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  56. Wow, Aimee and Louisa look so happy! Aimee is beaming! This is an amazing achievement after only two weeks in the business! Aimee, perhaps you can arrange a shipment of peanut butter from the States and make peanut butter cookies at the cafe! :) I can't wait to visit! :)

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  57. This is great! Good for her! and the shop looks so cheerful and inviting!

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  58. No peanut butter and Blue cheese dressing! wouldn't think of it.

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  59. Many thanks for the tip ! I have been leaving in the 13th arrondissement when I was student in the early 90's, and I must concede this is not the area I tend to go to when I have back in Paris... But you made we return there and in the Butte aux Cailles ! Merci. http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

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