A HUNT FOR PRETTINESS WAS ON TODAY….a quest to find pages of pretty dripping with Parisian-ness. I made my way to the best book store in the world, Sydney’s Kinokuniya to find the fabulously inspiring superstar Pia’s, Paris Made by Hand book. I was determined to find it, had searched the website to know exactly in which section to find it (travel? photography? shopping? crafts?). Travel, of course!

I was absolutely bursting to get my hands on a copy and couldn’t wait to open the pages. I can’t say enough about the author. I only discovered Pia’s blog last year, but in that short time, I have come to adore her work, her passion for life and her photography. There is a reason her blog is read by thousands. The fact that she is a Sydney girl makes me feel a little bit more love for Pia too.

Pia’s book is about all the beautiful places you can buy gorgeous hand made items in Paris, or as the French say, fait main. As you know, I am a little bit of a Parisian obsessive, so this book is right up my alley. Having seen the cover many times online, I couldn’t wait for it to jump out at me from the shelves. I bounced in the glass doors, scanned my eyes over every New Release stand hoping to get a glimpse of that cute little kitty, but alas, she was nowhere to be seen.

I checked both the travel guides and travel literature sections, nothing! I saw books about how French women stay the opposite of fat, books about Paris’ cafe culture, books about shopping the high end fashion stores, even books about flea markets, but no French kitty!

After making my way to the information counter, I was told that the one copy they had had been sold that morning! ARGH!

I will find you kitty, no matter what it takes!

The day wasn’t a complete loss however as I accidently discovered a new store called Via Alley in The Galleries Victoria. Japanese camera heaven!

Photograph by Pia Jane Bijkerk