Selection of French food and wine, french fashion, french markets and recipes, Parnell Auckland

Exclusively French

Gifts & Treats

from LA CIGALE

Fun gifts for everyone

LS St Germain has a great variety of clothing printed with amusing French phrases: black and white 100% cotton T-shirts $95, baby socks $18 and bodysuits $49, black and white and beige socks $30 and 100% wool printed berets $79. Plain colours also available $49 and traditional Basque berets $89.

From JiPépé come colourful socks in sizes 35 to 45, $30.

Top quality 100% cotton boxer shorts from Coton Doux for girls and women $39 and boys and men $35.

Stylish and trendy, men’s swimwear from Gerry of St Tropez – plain colours and great prints, $165.

Soft, pretty, feminine with wonderful scents, Maryse à Paris is a brand that believes in genuine Parisian artisanale work. Using lace, satins and velvet, Maryse has created delicate sachets of perfumed beads decorated with handmade pewter charms and presented in elegant boxes. Each in the series of charms forms part of the story of Marisa’s life as a Parisian girl. The fragrances last at least 3 years without needing to be refreshed. Priced from $49 to $125.

Made in Cannes, Gaul scented candles and room fragrances (both $59), come in a range of top quality scents from floral, woody and spicy to fresh and citrus.

Institut Karité Paris has developed a range of skin and hair care products with shea butter as the base. It’s great for all the family. Shea butter contains vitamins A and D to revitalize the skin, vitamin E to re-oxygenate it and vitamin F to improve elasticity. Priced from $8 to $69.

Savonniere de Bormes – made in Provence using natural ingredients are soaps, body lotion, bathsalts and more. Priced from $8 to $35.

Ortigia is an exotic new range made in Sicily, Italy. The name Ortigia was given to the western side of Sicily by the Greeks after its capture in 415BC. The area, known as ‘la Sicilia Orientale,’ because of its proximity to Africa, is characterized by an almost tropical climate. Here in the rich volcanic soil from Mt Etna grow blood oranges, lemon and grapefruit trees, almonds, saffron, olives and more.

Ortigia is a range of toiletries based on these natural and traditional ingredients, born from the colours and scents of Sicily. Made with olive, palm and almond oils, lanolin, naturally distilled lavender and vegetables dyes, all are without additives. Fragrances are Sicilian lime, orange blossom, coral shell and fig.

Products, in beautiful packaging, include bathsalts, bath milk, soaps, scented candles and bath and shower gel, priced from $15 to $79.

Goa home fragrances are an exotic blend of the Orient and France.

The Goa incense, made in India by Clem from France, combines sandalwood powder and scents from Grasse in Provence to make magical blends. These deliciously scented sticks come in six different fragrances. $39 for tube of 40 sticks.

Alternatively try a ‘Perfumed Tree’ – a bottle of scented liquid into which you put thin bamboo sticks. The subtle fragrances will fill a large area of your house. $69 bottle – available in six fragrances.

Bougies la Française, established in 1902, began with manufacture of traditional cream coloured church candles. As well as still producing these, their top quality range now includes gorgeous collections of scented and decorative candles and accessories. Especially for Christmas are beautiful gold, silver and pearly white candles, some of which are scented, and accessories to co-ordinate. Priced from $12 to $185.

The Mademoiselle Lili collection, in soft pink and black, includes scented candles in flocked printed glass. Priced from $19 to $95.

French and Italian Retro Style

Sentou tins – humorous, colourful boxes in a variety of sizes for a variety of uses - $49 and $69.

Studio Vertu – made from northern Italian marble with French designs are paperweights $39, coasters $39 each or $145 for set of 4, magnets $18 each.

Retro Style Fridge Magnets – all based on the flavours of France – wine and food, a great addition to any fridge!! $12 each.

Brisa CDs – a very large selection of titles presented in attractive tins to suit many different tastes in music $35 each.

Editions Clouet metal posters, postcards and boxes all based on old French posters from the 1920s and 30s. Priced from $18 for the postcards, boxes from $30 and the metal posters are $59.

Porcelain mugs - all the cats are painted by famous artists $15 each.

Dejeuner sur L’Herbe – French breakfast sets co-coordinated plates, bowls, large and small latte cups, eggcups, large jugs and glasses. Priced from $15 to $99.

Dubout Cats by Editions Clouet

Based on the black and white sketches by Monsieur Dubout, this is a collection for cat lovers. Editions Clouet have taken some of the original drawings and printed the images on plates, bowls, cups and saucers, metal boxes, mouse pads, glasses, thermometers. For the first time this year we have calendars and copies of the original book.

Priced from $18 to $99.

For the Kitchen

A great selection of cookware, serving bowls and dishes.

Le Creuset – these top quality French cast iron casseroles, grills and pans are a must in any kitchen. They will last a lifetime.

Grill $165

Oval casseroles $495

Stoneware baking dishes and ramekins - $45 to $99

Round casseroles, 3 sizes, $299 to $399

Frying pans and sauté pans $245 and $265

Small skillet $115.

Other items include cast iron tagines $345 and risotto pots $429

From Spain comes terracotta cazuelas and bowls. Use the small pieces for tapas or nibbles and the larger cazuelas for cooking. Priced from $7. Large glazed bowls in green, blue and yellow are great for salads and fruit. From $69 to $110.

Terracotta tagines from $145 to $185.