Le Bal Cafe ( hidden gem down an alley and inside an exhibition space) was the perfect Saturday lunch spot to catch up with friends whereas The Rose Bakery ( with 6 stores worldwide) served us a brunch beyond belief on the Sunday.

Both the bakery and the cafe are run by English Parisians which means the food and service boxes are ticked at 10 mark. With organic produce, healthy and in some cases slightly less than healthy, the portions are seriously substantial. Individual crumbles with creme anglaise, kedgeree, home-made scones ( crumbly and moist), kippers and of course the obligatory eggs, bacon, tomato and mushroom were served with smoothies and seriously divine coffee.

‘Must visits’ If you are looking for a croissant alternative and need sustenance between bouts of shopping.

In the meantime, my quest for the loafer continues. Wish me luck!

The Rose Bakery: 30, Rue Debelleyme – +33 1 49 96 54 01

Le Bal Cafe: 6, Impasse de la Defense – +33 1 44 70 75 51

I stumbled across Heschung 18 months ago and was forced, yes forced, to buy a pair of white leather, punch hole, side buckle loafers. The leather was soft and buttery, the toe slightly pointed and the fit a sublime perfection. Embracing my heel perfectly, they remain to this day, the most comfortable shoes I have ever had.

Of course, with me living in Amsterdam, I can only where them on Spring days when there is no chance of rain…. not so easy here, but they are and will always be my pimp shoes.

So –  18 months down the line and in only a matter of weeks, I will be back in Heschung, pocket-money in hand to purchase a new pair of shoes. Style is yet to be confirmed, maybe brogues, maybe loafers but rest assured they will be pimpin’ hot and smokin’.

Am giddy with excitement and will of course report back with purchase details.