La Canicule | 5 Bikinis for A Holiday Heatwave

Le bikini by Missguided UK (no longer available).

Whomever declared that Autumn begins in September, clearly never lived in Los Angeles!

If you too are experiencing a heatwave—known to Frenchies as une canicule—it might be wise to consider snagging some last-minute swimwear for one last holiday hurrah before Fall content officially takes over.

Goldenrod has turned out to be my unofficial color of the season, and this set from Missguided is no exception. Mine is no longer available, but look out below for five other favorites from the UK brand that you can snag on major mark-down right now, paired to your vacation personality.

1. Riviera Ready

Black Lemon Print Bottoms $9.00

Black Lemon Print Tie Top
$14.00

With its retro 50s style cut and Mediterranean pattern, these briefs are practically begging for a vacation.

2.Cute in Cannes

Blue Stripe Bandeau Top & Scrunchie $11.00

Blue Stripe Boomerang High Leg Bottoms $7.00

Perfectly in sync with the blue striped beach umbrellas that dot the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, this set even comes with a matching scrunchie to keep the breeze away from your face.

3. Poolside in Paris

White Polka Dot Bottoms $4.00

White Polka Dot Ruffle Top (No longer Available)

Nothing says Paris like a signature polka dot. Rooftop ready, this set was made for lounging, Left Bank style.

4. Boissons in Bordeaux

Burgundy Bandeau Top
$5.00

Burgundy Brief Bottoms (No longer available)

Head to wine country and be the only femme whose suit matches her glass of Côte du Rhone.

5. Pique-Nique in Provence

White Paisley Bikini Bottoms
$1.00

White Paisley Underwire Top
$14.00

With its pastoral chic pattern, this set is prime for a jaunt to the provincial countryside. And yes you read that correctly, the bottoms are currently going for $1 US dollar.

J'adore Du Jour: Le Tote by JLux the Label

Someone somewhere once said: no holiday long weekend is complete without the perfect tote. (Actually, it was me. I said it.)

Perfect for stowing beach reads, sunscreen, and skincare essentials—it’s slated to hit 116 degrees F in Los Angeles this weekend, lather it on, people!—you’ll need to find le sac wth just the right qualifications—large enough to fit a full-sized poolside towel, and stylish enough to complement the swimsuit cover-up du jour.

With its sturdy straw texture and minimalist messaging, this JLux the Label tote quite literally says it all.

Hellooooo Weekend!

Les Essentials | Poolside Packing for a Weekend Getaway

It’s been a heck of a year, and after a let-down of a summer, Labor Day Weekend—known to our French counterparts as La Fête du Travail, and celebrated in the motherland on May 1, just FYI—is the perfect excuse to get out of town.

Clocking in at a reasonable two hours on the road, Palm Springs is the perfect holiday weekend destination—if you can stand la chaleur, that is. Temps are known to hit the three digit mark, even in the fall months, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a little AC and a quick dip in la piscine.

Peep the packing list below for all the essentials—all linked to shop via LiketoKnow.it—and get ready for some serious fun in the soleil.

Bonnes vacances mes amies, and if you’re staying home this weekend, click here for a fabulous list of French-themed beach reads.

1. Le Bikini; Shein
   With its ribbed texture and frilly ruching, an ivory two-piece is an instant classic.

2. Sunscreen; Sun Bum
   The award for the best-smelling suntan lotion always goes to SunBum in my opinion. That goes for the entire range of creams, sprays, lotions, and lip balms.

3. Sunless Tanner; Bali Body

   An extra dark tan is the best way to make up for lost time spent indoors. This whipped mousse is quick to develop and easy to apply.

4. SPF Oil; Super Goop
   For extra sun protection plus the sheen of a tanning oil, SuperGoop makes the perfect spray to keep skin glistening while protecting it from those harmful rays.

5. Hand Cream; Victoria’s Secret Beauty
   Regular hand washing can leave hands super dry. Keep them moisturized with this palm-print crème pour les mains from Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

6. Bijoux; Shein
   A cool-girl chain, like this one from Shein adds instant glam to any look—even poolside.

7. Fragrance; Giorgio Beverly Hills
   A little spritz of this eau de luxury scent will make you feel like you’re posted up Cabana style at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

8. Hair Curling Wand; Foxy Bae
   I love the tropical print on this Foxy Bae hair wand that creates perfect beach waves every time.

L'Hôtel | Madeline Memories at the Oceana Hotel

“In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines…”

It may not be old, or in Paris, but I’ve always loved the aesthetic of the Oceana Hotel in Santa Monica. Greenery engulfs the entire façade, reminding me of the Madeline children’s book series I adored so much as a child. The story centers on the adventures of a precocious little girl in a Parisian boarding school with eleven other enfants and their chaperone, Miss Clavel.

Madeline, the book that launched a thousand spin-offs.

The original story was published in 1939 by Ludwig Bemelmans, and has developed into a full media franchise—including sequels, spinoffs, an animated 1990s limited tv series narrated by Christopher Plummer (aka the studly Captain Von Trappe from The Sound of Music), and a 1998 major motion picture— ever since.

On a different note, I’m also loving the romantic elements of this silky Bardot midi dress, which reminds me of a refreshing scoop of glâce de pistache, or the interior of Ladurée.

OOTD: Le Polka Dot Set

And so, my love affair with the polka dot continues.

These dwindling days of summer—known to our French amis as l’été—have given way to some magical evenings, and nothing quite completes a summer’s eve quite like a breathtaking coucher de soleil—which is what we Anglophones call, a sunset.

This is one of my favorite French phrases, because it literally describes the act of “the sun going to sleep.”

It’s a sweet reminder that the sun never leaves us, it simply takes a refreshing snooze along with us. Figuratively, of course. We all know that, much like New York City, it never sleeps, and it’s actually just partying with our friends on the other side of the world. But it’s a nice image, an innocent way to picture our faithful sun slipping below the ocean for a quick nap, before rising again and offering us a fresh new day.

Every day it does its duty, keeping us warm, giving us light, faithfully and without question. No one brings it coffee, no one reminds it to shine extra brightly, even when it’s feeling tired or burned out. The sun never takes a vacation to another galaxy or visits with its friends Saturn or Pluto. It shows up for us, day in and day out.

We owe it to the sun to celebrate its loving rays each day, and appreciate the beauty of the spectacle that it shares with us every evening.

Other things I’m celebrating? This two-piece polka dot beauty by Capulet that arrived via my beloved Fashion Pass. Try the service for $30 this month using my code Kandace1 and dance in the glow of the sunset with me.

OOTD: La Vie en Roses

Summer is still raging on in LA this week, and it’s not showing signs of slowing down any time soon. In fact, as seasons go, the upcoming fall months historically tend to play host to some of the hottest weather of the year. File that one under: Things no one tells you when you move to LA.

I, however, am already dreaming of crunchy fall leaves and the crisp weather of l’automne that we’re usually deprived of around here—at least until the end of the year. I usually make a pilgrimage back to the east coast in October or early November to make up for lost time—or lost weather, rather—and absorb all of the cozy vibes and pre-holiday celebration in my knee high boots and chunky knits.

Paris in the fall is also one of the most magical times—although there’s really no such thing as Paris sans magic—and I’m trying not to think about the fact that European travel is still off the table for the time being.

But alas, I’m getting ahead of myself. Summer is still very much happening, and if one must sweat through 90 degree weather in Septembre, one might as well look cute doing it. On that note, it really doesn’t get cuter than this floral set—yes it’s a two-piece skirt and top set—which has all the countryside charm of a Provençal afternoon and the Cottage Core trend that consumed all of us this summer. It’s from one of my favorite Australian brands, Dissh Boutique— a name which you might remember from a little white number I debuted earlier this summer.

They’ve just announced their Spring/Summer 2020 collection—don’t forget that the seasons are inverted Down Under, and it’s now the beginning of spring for our Aussie friends—which means that you can still shop here for plenty of warm weather staples—since chances are, you might be needing them for a while!

L'Anniversaire | Birthday Wishes for 2020

L’ensemble & accessories by JLux the Label.

Birthdays are looking a little bit different this year.

Small gatherings may be la mode these days—out of necessity—but they also allow us the space and intimacy to focus on what’s most important.

I’ll be hosting a small pique-nique—yes, the French word for picnic is literally the same as the American word, but with a Pepe LePew French accent—on the beach tonight with some close friends. Making wishes, counting blessings, visualizing dreams, and setting goals for a year ahead that’s overflowing with amour, bonheur, prosperity, good health, compassion, personal fulfillment, partnership, travel, and abundance. Not just for me, but for all of us.

Bon lundi à vous, et joyeux anniversaire a moi!

Le Mariage | Notes on a Wedding & How to be a Best Dressed Guest

Fun fact: This Bardot dress reminded everyone of Kate Hudson’s character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

I spent what is usually my birthday weekend celebrating the wedding of two dear amis, in a beautiful, socially responsible ceremony—ie. trés petite and sans dancing.

With only 25 guests, face masks galore, and a rehearsal dinner picnic on the beach (complete with White Claws and customized takeout from In-and-Out) things turned out quite differently from le mariage we were expecting to attend when their engagement was announced last year. But what the ceremony lacked in population, it made up for in spades with elegance, heartfelt speeches, sweeping sunset views of the Pacific, and of course, plenty of champagne.

The typical American wedding has been turned on its ear—like almost everything else this year—as a result of Covid restrictions, but it was so very inspiring to see one stripped of the usual pomp and circumstance, pared down to the barest and purest essential elements of a successful marriage, including the most important one: love.

As for how to nail the perfect wedding guest style, I’ve gushed many a time about Fashion Pass—my absolute favorite fashion rental service. Unlike any other subscription service (that I know of, anyway) Fashion Pass allows you to choose three to five pieces at a time (depending on your chosen price-point) from the curated collection of well-known designers and labels, wear them for as long as you want, and exchange them as often as you want, with the option to purchase at a discount. Kind of like when Netflix had dvd rentals that you could swap out whenever as part of the subscription plan.

Not only is it the perfect (and most cost effective) way to constantly have new clothes in your closet, it’s a surefire way to find an occasion dress you may only wear once. My only grievance with Fashion Pass is that I always want to keep everything I rent—including this canary-colored Bardot dream, which has already made itself comfortable in my closet.

Try Fashion Pass for $35 off your first month using my code Kandace1.

Don’t mind my quarantine manicure. Move along please folks, nothing to see here—except these glittery and gorgeous Steve Madden sandals.

ICYMI: French Girl Style | The TUNDRA Talk LIVE Recap

Photo for Kollectin

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of going live with The TUNDRA as a guest speaker in participation with their marvelous LA to UK digital style event.

In my 30 minute chat, we discussed some of the keys to achieving that coveted—yet mysterious— French Girl style, and what it means to be a Chic American. A big thank you to everyone who tuned in to ask questions and join me on a virtual journey to ma belle France. In case you missed it—we missed you too!—read on for some style takeaways from the event.

1. Simplicity vs. Glam

When it comes to comparing LA style vs. Parisian style, I like think of Paris as the sophisticated older sister—the one who primarily dresses in sleek, minimalist classics and neutrals—and LA as the trendy younger sister who is drawn to the cutting-edge styles of the season and seeks to set the trends. While both cultures have a distinct essence and celebration of glamour, American style—especially LA style—tends to favor more over-the-top glam.

A typical “LA” look is fully styled with head-to-toe accessories, and a face that often includes false eyelashes, heavy contouring, perfect teeth, a dark tan—and the occasional injectable—while French glamour is more about timeless elegance, and aging gracefully—yet stylishly. On that note…

2. Aging With Dignity

This doesn’t mean that French women don’t take measures to look their absolute best. In fact, to the contrary, les françaises are firm believers in a solid skincare routine—in fact, they arguably invented it—and believe that maintaining a sense of style and glamour is not just for la jeunesse (youth) but is meant to last a lifetime. While Les américaines have a reputation for viewing age as a punishment, and either succumb to it or go to great lengths to prevent it, French women celebrate the aging process, and focus on maintaining and preserving their natural beauty, rather than rewinding the clock.

3. Minimalism

This emphasis on subtlety and enhancing natural features is the trademark of French style. As an American woman of French heritage, I’ve established a personal style that is a hybrid of both cultures. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll notice that I tend not to wear an overly-styled look. I like to emphasize one showpiece at a time with my clothing—like a standout dress or a two-piece suit—and favor beauty that’s generally more toned down and natural in appearance.

I also don’t wear a lot of jewelry or accessories. I prefer a signature look—a pair of classic gold hoops, my diamond solitaire pendant, and the blue topaz ring I wear on my right hand that always reminds me of the Côte d’Azur—so that my features aren’t lost or hidden behind ma tenue—my outfit—or my maquillage—makeup. However, as a California girl, I do enjoy my blonde highlights and beachy waves!

I’d love to know more about your personal style, and how you incorporate French elements into your routine. Please feel free to leave a comment or share with us on Instagram.

Bonne journée mes amours!

J'adore du Jour | Le Masque by FRNCH

Peek-a-boo! C’est moi in the Irene mask from FRNCH (US)—did you recognize me?

By now, my love for the Parisian brand FRNCH, and its attention to simple yet feminine detail, is quite evident.

Since the need to wear face masks in public has become an inevitability, so have the excuses to do more shopping—although, to be fair, it’s never taken anything as drastic as a pandemic to convince me to shop.

If you’re all about matching un masque to your ensemble—is creating a whole separate wardrobe pour le visage going to become a thing?—then look no further than FRNCH (US) for all of your face accessory needs.

Without compromising on safety or style, this collection embodies the brand’s undeniably French aesthetic—think chic solids like classic chambray, and pretty prints like muted florals and polka dots. All 100% cotton and machine washable, the entire selection is $15 or less, and best of all—they’re a guaranteed fit.

Click here to shop.

LIVE CHAT: How to Dress Like a French Girl

French Living in LA with Kandace Cornell
Wednesday, August 19th
1-1:30 pm PST
www.thetundra.com

It gives me great pleasure to announce that I’m partnering with The Tundra as a guest speaker with their upcoming LA to UK Style digital event. Join me LIVE on August 19th at 1:00 pm PST to chat about all things French Girl fashion and what it means to be a Chic American.

The full event kicks off at 9:00 am and will be chock full of fashion and style advice from a lineup of fabulous style influencers. Click HERE to register for free.

A bientôt!

Heure d'or | Golden Hour in FRNCH

It’s no secret that I love working with French brands, and one of my absolute favorites right now is the US outpost of the aptly titled Parisian brand FRNCH— pronounced like, well, “French.” You may remember ce marque from the pretty little polka-dot number I debuted earlier this summer.

Parisian Brand FRNCH

Based in the third arrondissement of Paris, this dreamy collection of ready-to-wear feminine frocks perfectly captures the unpretentious simplicity and minimalist sophistication that defines French Girl style.

Exhibit A: Meet the Alika dress (above).

This golden-hued maxi moves with the fluidity of melted Provençal butter, and somehow manages to be simultaneously both subtle and a standout—the very paradox that makes a French Girl so intoxicating.

This stunner evoked reactions ranging from elegant “Beauty and the Beast vibes” to comparisons with Beyonce’s iconic Lemonade video—also known as the height of Sasha Fierce boldness. With adjustable straps and a hidden snap to create a more modest décolletage, every detail of this classic wrap style is designed to perfectly flatter any female form and evoke the authenticity of une vrai française.

Shop the Spring/Summer 2020 collection here.

FRNCH US
@frnch_us

OOTD: Le Workout en Blanche

It’s Monday, and I’m starting la semaine off right with some mind and body work in this gorgeous set from Pretty Little Thing.

There’s something about an all-white ensemble that really says “summer” to me, and there’s something about a matching set that just really gets me in the mood to work out.

Gyms are still closed, the closest I can get to my beloved Hot Pilates is through a computer screen, and some days my longest walk is to the mailbox, so any motivation to work out these days is a win in my book!

Bon lundi et bonne journée mes amours.

Dimanche | Another Cozy Sunday in BooHoo

Another Sunday during these strange summer days of semi-quarantine can only mean one thing: more cozy loungewear is a must. In fact, one could make the argument that comfy loungewear sets have become an unofficial essential item these days, along with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. By being forced to spend so much time at home, buying them is practically a government order. At least that’s what I tell myself each time I type in my credit card info. Too far?

This fuzzy knit co-ord set from BooHoo, one of the UK’s fast fashion favorites, with its slouchy off-the-shoulder style and high-waist shorts is like wearing a throw blanket that’s been strategically altered to showcase the highlight reel that is your body’s best features.

Click here to shop.

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

While some realists probably had a sense that Summer 2020 would look vastly different than usual, many hopefuls (myself included) were optimistic back in the early days of the Covid scramble that a few weeks of lockdown would do the trick, and we’d be back to our regularly scheduled programming by early summer. It seemed like a piece of cake to spend a few weeks, well, eating cake and other comfort snacks—because what else was there to do, really?—as well as carve out some dedicated time to online shopping.

With all the theoretical money we’d be saving by staying inside for a few weeks—ha!—it seemed like the perfect time to get our summer wardrobes in order. Packages would be delivered, clothes properly hung on wooden hangers, and on display in our well-organized and Marie Kondo-approved closets, with plenty of time to color coordinate our shelves and lose said cake weight by the time the gyms, pilates classes, and (for me) dance studios, reopened again.

Alas, here we are, officially into July, and in Los Angeles, back to semi-lock down after a two-week reopening tease. However, packages were in fact delivered (a little delayed, but hey), clothes were hung (albeit sometimes just flung over a chair) and the summer wardrobe did have time to develop, even with no place to wear any of it.

Dissh Boutique

I recently discovered Dissh boutique, an Australian brand that has quickly become one of my favorites—Aussies seriously know what they’re doing when it comes to summer style—with its mid-level pricing and fabrics that feel good on the skin.

This stunning, off-the-shoulder petite robe blanche surprised me with its beautiful, airy movement, despite a rich and heavy linen texture and midi length. I wandered around the deserted Landmark theater marquee in Westwood, feeling like a nostalgic screen goddess, pondering the bizarre ambiance that is summer in Los Angeles this year.

Let’s also not forget the vintage Dior baguette I scored from one of my all time favorite discoveries of the year, She’s Parisian. Curated by Zoe March, a young British Francophile with an impeccable eye for aesthetics, the collection is an array of antique and vintage findings— think everything from retro pearls and china teacups to jeweled hair combs and and vintage designer perfume bottles— styled in the most luxurious and lust-worthy ways. When I saw this sleek semi clutch (it has a thin strap for a handle, but feels better tucked under an elbow) with its signature D logo dangling in pearl, I knew it had to be mine. See below for details x

Dissh Boutique
@dissh

She’s Parisian
@shesparisian

Fête des Mères | 5 French Mothers' Day Essentials

Since today is Mothers’ Day in France, behold some maman-approved favorites—including crème pour visage from the grande dame of skincare herself, one Miss Coco Chanel. Also consider this vintage Côte d’Azur fragrance by Louis Féraud from 1988, which is incidentally the year that my own mother became une mère.

Usually this holiday is celebrated on the last Sunday of each Mai, but inexplicably, it was scheduled a week late this year, making it all the more sweet now that French bars, shops, and cafés are finally beginning to reopen.

Bonne fête a tous les mamans, and lots of love to anyone who struggles on this day.

Le Marque | Like a FRNCH Girl

What is it about a polka-dot pattern that can render any dress, blouse, or otherwise, so instantly chic? It’s just one of those iconic looks, like a monogrammed logo or pearl detailing, that can turn anything it graces into a classic.

Enter the Adonie dress (above) from my new favorite Parisian brand, FRNCH. No, that’s not a typo. This insta-chic collection is so inherently and authentically French that it doesn’t even need the E to prove it.

“Dedicated to a city that embraces elegance and simplicity, FRNCH's ready-to-wear concept also boldly merges the feminine look with the masculine,” the brand’s mission statement explains. “The result is an audacious expression of Parisian style, culture and way of being.”

With a flagship location in the third arrondissement of Paris, the whole luxurious collection is now available to les américaines via FRNCH US.

Shop the Spring/Summer 2020 collection here.

FRNCH
@frnch_us

OOTD: Crème de la Cream

Since working from home has now become not only de rigueur, but a necessary social responsibility, workwear is taking a major turn for casual. While it’s the perfect time to expand the loungewear section of our wardrobes, there’s something to be said for the formality of officewear that’s now practically becoming an endangered species.

I get it—who wants to dress up for a Zoom call? But, as we like to do here, let’s consider the French for a moment. The French, as a culture, take pride in the ceremony of dressing, and putting effort into one’s appearance is just considered good manners.

There has been a long standing myth—a self-fulfilling prophecy really—that the French dislike Americans. While there are certainly culture clashes between our two nations, this divergence in attitude on dressing in public is one of the most significant. When American tourists wearing sweatpants and Ugg boots wander into Maxim’s—one of the most prestigious Parisian eateries, with a rich historical context that’s practically immortalized the restaurant in the late 1800s belle epoque era, and essentially dubbing it a Parisian landmark, or a living museum—it wouldn’t be surprising to expect a few looks of disdain.

The French appreciate effort. Making an effort to respect their cultural values, which primarily center around politeness or politesse, making an effort to approach them in their native language—they’ll respond in English, don’t worry, but they’ll appreciate the attempt—and acknowledging your role as a guest in their country—like any good host, they’re happy to help—and yes, making an effort to dress with some dignity, goes a long way. Why do we eat with chopsticks in a Chinese restaurant? To show our respect for the norms of the culture. Dressing well is the chopstick of France.

Does that mean it’s imperative to wear a full suit like this one while exploring the Eiffel Tower? Of course not. But it wouldn’t hurt!

Click here to shop this cream suit from Zara.

OOTD: The Bejeweled Blazer

Photo by @minjucita; Jewelry by Kollectin.

I’ve always loved putting a unique twist on a classic, and this bejeweled blazer from Naked Wardrobe does just that.

A basic blazer is an absolute wardrobe necessity for la Parisienne, since a city girl must be able to transition from day to night, le bureau to apéro (the office to happy hour) at a moment’s notice. It can be thrown effortlessly—everything must always look effortless—over jeans and a tee to dress up a casual weekend outfit, or it can be a standout on its own when reimagined with a little bit of fanfare—a la this example.

Skipping the traditional lapel, pockets, and even your everyday buttons, this fitted, is it navy or black? statement piece will keep everyone guessing—and “they” must always be guessing.

The pièce de résistance of course is the jewel-encrusted double closure, bringing the eye to the elegant décolletage. The key, of course, is not revealing too much. A French Girl never reveals her secrets—or a nip slip.

Click here to shop.

Le Marque | St. Valentin with Gitanne Skincare

St. Valentine’s Day self care with Gitanne Skincare.

This year my St. Valentin self-care practice includes chocolate and luxurious organic French skincare products. I’m pleased to introduce you to Gitanne Skincare—a French botanical beauty brand based right here in Santa Rosa, California.

Gitanne founder—and fellow American French Girl—Kate-Alexandra infuses this eco-sophisticated line with her Parisienne taste for elegance and beauty, and the primary values of sustainability and organic ethical practices. Pictured below, the La Vie en Rose collection—mildly scented and specially designed for sensitive skin—couldn’t be a more perfect way to indulge in some serious Valentine vibes.

Formulated with the finest ingredients found in nature, including plant elixirs, extracts and oils to nourish, hydrate, and tone the complexion, this fully artisanal plant-based collection of rejuvenating creams, mists, serums and scrubs is Vegan, cruelty-free, and 100% chic.

Click here to shop the collection and show some support for a local, female-run small business.