Holidays

Les Ongles | 5 Holiday Nail Colors from Orly

5 Holiday Nail Colors from Orly

Stepping out for the holidays might lack a little bit of its usual luster this year, but that doesn’t mean your nails can’t shine on!

Take advantage of the glittery hues of the season with a manicure that’s sure to steal the show. If a salon mani isn’t in the cards right now, these five shades of sparkle make for an easy DIY that’s sure to last long after the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.

Holiday Hint: They also make great stocking stuffers!

5 Holiday Nail Colors from Orly

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Halo

$9.50; Shop HERE

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Shine

$9.50; Shop HERE

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Gilded Glow

$9.50; Shop HERE

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Ingenue

$9.50; Shop HERE

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Shine on Crazy Diamond

$9.50, Shop HERE

ORLYHoliday 2020 Metropolis

*This article may contain affiliate links. TCA only promotes products we love, whether we make a small commission or not, so rest assured that you’re always getting our best. Merci for your support!

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Book Club | 5 French Holiday Reads for December 2020

Bonjour December! The holiday season is officially underway, the chestnuts are roasting on a proverbial open fire, and it’s the first weekend of the month—which means it’s time for a new round of French Book Club favorites.

Few things in the world are more beautiful than Christmas in Paris, and since it’s safe to assume that many of us won’t be seeing La Tour Eiffel under a blanket of niege this year, let’s bring the French spirit of Nöel to us, shall we?

From fictional holiday expat romances, a wartime tale of passion and human resilience, and an anthology of classic winter stories by acclaimed French literary luminaries, to a film critic’s 2008 memoir chronicling the daunting task of preparing a holiday banquet for his new bride’s large extended French family—‘tis the season for some holiday happiness.

Click each of the titles below to shop, and take a look back on last month’s picks here.

Book Club | 5 French Holiday Reads for December 2020

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*This article may contain affiliate links. TCA only promotes products we love, whether we make a small commission or not, so rest assured that you’re always getting our best. Merci for your support!

Cyber Monday | How to Set a Thanksgiving Table Like Kendall Jenner's with Sur La Table

American Thanksgiving 2020 has officially come and gone—sad, but at this point, I think we’re all a little bit anxious for this year to meet its end. Now that the turkey coma has subsided, it’s time to turn our attention to Cyber Monday—also known as the perfect time to stock up on the essentials for next year’s (hopefully) more festive feast.

If you happened to see supermodel Kendall Jenner’s Instagram over the weekend, you’ll likely have noticed a snap from her family’s idyllic Thanksgiving tablescape—complete with turkey-patterned dishware and jacquard plaid napkins.

A Kardashian Thanksgiving dream. Photo: Kendall Jenner’s Instagram

A Kardashian Thanksgiving dream.
Photo: Kendall Jenner’s Instagram

How to Set a Thanksgiving Table Like Kendall Jenner's with Sur La Table

How to Set a Thanksgiving Table Like Kendall Jenner's with Sur La Table

Even without a Kardashian sized family, you can recreate this banquet-style Thanksgiving soirée.

Browse the perfect holiday picks below for everything you need to serve your own home-cooked dinde (turkey) in style—on Cyber Monday sale now at Sur La Table.

Click here for more Black Friday essentials that are still on sale now, including some pie-baking necessities.

12 Piece Turkey Dinner Set; $89.96 (Reg. $120)

”Thanksgiving feasts are about more than just the food—they’re about the memories. Set a table that leaves a lasting impression with a beautiful turkey front and center. Our exclusive dinner plate featuring original Thanksgiving-themed artwork made just for us.”
Dinner Plate; $9.95 (Reg. $12)
Soup Plate; $5.96 (Reg. $10)
Salad Plate; $5.96 (Reg. $10)

Jacquard Festive Forest Napkins; $19.96, Set of 4 (Reg. $29.96)

”These classic jacquard and plaid napkins are a lovely addition to your table. Made of soft, durable cotton, each one cleans up quickly in the washing machine. Complete the look with our coordinating tablecloth.”

Italian Hand-Painted Ceramic Turkey; $159.96 (Reg. $200)

”Crafted by skilled artisans in Italy, this beautifully detailed, hand-painted turkey will make a lively addition to your fall tabletop or everyday kitchen.”

Turkey Salt & Pepper Shakers; $8.95 (Reg. $18)

”Add a little spice to your food and fall charm to your Thanksgiving table with this turkey-shaped salt and pepper shaker set.”

La Rochère Perigord Champagne Flutes; $65 (Set of 6)

”Constructed from durable soda-lime glass—in a signature style that was inspired by wine glasses from the 18th century—the Perigord flute is faceted to catch the light and has an easy-to-grip hourglass-shaped stem that lets you enjoy morning mimosas and French 75s without having to worry about breakage or spillage. Set includes six flutes.”

Chilewich Mosaic Placemat; $15, (19” x 14”)

This sophisticated woven placemat by award-winning textile designer Sandy Chilewich is stylish, modern and easy to clean. The Mosaic pattern evokes a Nordic design sensibility. While based on traditional Dobby constructions, this collection is woven using a more complex Jacquard technique—leading to completely new and unexpected designs.”

Fortessa Gold Dragonfly Flatware Set; $60 (Set of 5) or $210 (Set of 20)

”With a super-slim profile and sleek, polished finish, this contemporary set is a stylish way to dish out salads, pasta, side dishes and more. Delicately sculpted for an elegant look and feel, the modern design delights the eye and adds flair to your table. Heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel is dishwasher safe and lends a comfortable balance and weight in hand.”

Jacquard Napkins; $29.50 (Set of 4)

”Made in the Portuguese tradition, these fine cotton napkins have a beautiful, intricate design. The artistic, textural quality sets them apart, but they’re versatile enough to go with a variety of table settings.”

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5 Nordstrom Sale French Favorites You Can Still Score

If you know anything about the blogging world, then surely you’re aware that fewer things are more sacred to a blogger than the beloved Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. That being said, I could hardly consider myself a lifestyle blogger worth my stripes if I didn’t dedicate some time to easing the pain of navigating this cherished event.

Shopping the sales—known as les soldes— is as much a French past-time as it is an American one— although traditionally, retail sales in France are advertised twice a year, with most shops and boutiques all participating at the same time, so that everyone knows exactly when it’s time to shop til you drop. Kind of like our own Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—the event is anticipated annually, allowing for plenty of time to prepare and hydrate accordingly.

Although c’est la vie, the official blowout sale may have already come to end—as all good things inevitably and proverbially do—I’ve rounded up some French designer favorites that you can still snag on sale right now—without the need to queue up outside the store at dawn, or throw elbows in the crowd while breaking down the entry doors, as our seasoned sale-shopping forebears once did.

We owe it to them to save 60% the civilized way—and the one that God and the government have both essentially mandated in 2020—online.

Also, you can get $40 towards your purchase when you open a Nordstrom card. Just saying!

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TIE DYE PUFF SLEEVE TOP $274.00 (60% OFF)

2020 will go down in the fashion history books as the year we all made tie dye happen. I don’t make the rules.

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PRINT SATIN SLEEVELESS MIDI DRESS $780 (60% OFF)

Summer definitely doesn’t seem to be over yet, so it’s quite possible to still get some mileage out of this one this year, or perhaps let it kick off the first official garden party of 2021. This updated take on the toile print isn’t going anywhere.

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TIERED PLEAT MIDI DRESS
$238.00 (60% OFF)

For those of us who went deep into Cottage Core this summer—you know who you are—I dare you to say no to this frothy pastoral dream.

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MONOGRAMME LOGO ESPADRILLE $345 (8% OFF)

Perfect for transitioning into fall, I can’t decide if these canvas flats make comfort look effortlessly chic, or if they make looking chic seem suspiciously comfortable. Either way, I’m sold.

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61 MM AVIATORS
$236.98 (40% OFF)

Aviators have always been my sunglass shape of choice. A fun hybrid of retro-glam, they pair perfectly with 2020’s hottest accessory, the face mask—seriously, I’m seeing them EVERYWHERE this year.

(Just a little Covid humor!)

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La Canicule | 5 Bikinis for A Holiday Heatwave

Le bikini by Missguided UK (no longer available).

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

Petal & Pup US
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Belle Vie: Eating French Over Labor Day Weekend

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If you’re staying in town for Labor Day—because even staying home counts as a Staycation in 2020—you can still get out and experience the delights of French bistro culture, courtesy of one of my absolute favorite west side spots, Belle Vie Food + Wine.

Just south of Brentwood proper, this little French oasis, with its subtle, modest exterior, tucked away and unassuming amid the American flashiness of the western end of Wilshire Blvd, is the perfect place to end a frustrating summer.

Having made lemonade out of lemons, like so many restaurateurs have been forced to do, owner and sommelier Vincent Samarco has designed a charming outdoor patio, frequented by loyal regulars and Francophiles alike. The ones who come for the soothing ambiance—to sip Provençal rosé to the tunes of mellow cafe background jazz—and stay for the menu, which puts a surprisingly American spin on traditional French cuisine.

Click here for a glimpse of the indoor experience I wrote about last year, which you can look forward to enjoying again once Covid restrictions have eased.

Stonewall Kitchen, LLC
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French Book Club | 5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

5 French Reads for Labor Day WeekendBelieve it or not, this isn’t even half of my French book collection.

5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

Believe it or not, this isn’t even half of my French book collection.

Whomever once claimed that reading is the best form of escapism, clearly lived through a pandemic.

There’s something decidedly medieval about life in 2020. It’s given us a glimpse backwards, showing us what daily existence must have felt like for William Shakespeare and his contemporaries during the times of pestilence and the Bubonic Plague—with the added comforts of Netflix and Youtube workouts, of course.

International travel is still at a stand-still for the time being, meaning that—for now—we’ll have to travel to France the way that our forefathers did: through our imaginations, and the immortal pages of contemporary scribes.

Check out this fascinating New Yorker article about the history of pandemics, or if you’re looking something a little more uplifting to read on your holiday weekend, behold a list of some of favorite novels, memoirs, and historical perspectives on life in France. I’ve always been a reader, and I love experiencing ma belle ville through different eyes.

So pour thee a glass of thine blackberry wine and buckle up m’lady, because I’m about to share five French favorites from my collection.

5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

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By Katrina Lawrence
Memoir

“How the City of Light gave her lessons in life: an Australian beauty journalist shares her obsession with Paris - the city that has been her guide through a lifelong journey of self-discovery. Taking us on a journey around Paris's most spectacular sights, hidden secrets and most beguiling nooks and crannies, Katrina tells us the story of why this city has been her constant inspiration through all stages of life.”

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By Samantha Verant
Memoir

“Take one French widower, his two young children, and drop a former city girl from Chicago into a small town in southwestern France. Shake vigorously... and voilá: a blended Franco-American family whose lives will all drastically change.”

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Aloïs Guinut
Style Guide

“Bring a Parisian je ne sais quoi to your style, wherever you live. Dress Like a Parisian is a wise and witty guide to finding your personal style, taking inspiration from how real Parisian women dress. With personal stylist and fashion blogger Aloïs Guinut as your guide, you can explore which colors, shapes and styles work best for you, whatever the occasion.”

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By Michelle Gable
Semi Fiction

“Based on the fascinating true story of a treasure-stocked Parisian apartment opened for the first time in seventy years. April Vogt, Sotheby's continental furniture specialist, is speechless when a Paris apartment shuttered for seventy years is discovered in the ninth arrondissement. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine…”

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Alistair Horne
Non Fiction

“In this luminous portrait of Paris, the celebrated historian gives us the history, culture, disasters, and triumphs of one of the world’s truly great cities. From the rise of Philippe Auguste through the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV…Napoleon’s rise and fall; Baron Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris…the Belle Epoque and the Great War that brought it to an end; the Nazi Occupation, the Liberation, and the postwar period dominated by de Gaulle--Horne brings the city’s highs and lows, savagery and sophistication, and heroes and villains splendidly to life.”

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Les Essentials | Poolside Packing for a Weekend Getaway

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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.

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  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.

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Shop our Best Selling Skincare Kits - only at ReneeRouleau.com
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L'Anniversaire | Birthday Wishes for 2020

L’ensemble &amp; accessories by JLux the Label.

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!

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Le Pique-Nique | Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée

Celebrating mon anniversaire with a chique pique-nique.

Celebrating mon anniversaire with a chique pique-nique.

2020 might well go down in the zodiac records under its proper name: the Year of the Picnic.

While this quaint custom of al fresco eating became an unexpected fad this year among Americans—made especially hot in the wake of government mandates that forced us to get creative and repurpose most daily activities with an added outdoor element—it’s been refined and perfected by French romantics over the course of centuries.

In fact our word “picnic” is literally borrowed from the French language. It’s an Americanized pronunciation of the original French word “pique-nique”—which dates all the way back to 1649 with its first print mention in a French burlesque satire, featuring a protagonist with the rhyming name. It officially graced the French dictionnaire in 1694, as a fashionable or extravagant dinner in which everyone contributes a dish, like a pot luck. After the French revolution, the pique-nique made its way to London, as French citizens fled and migrated throughout Europe, eventually giving birth to a society of 200 or so erudite British francophiles known as the Pic-Nic society. Read more about the history of picnics here.

But back to present day, 2020. Thanks to social media—looking at you, Pinterest—gone are the days of the traditional Americana image of a modest wicker basket on a red checkered blanket. While small and impromptu picnics—which can qualify as a bottle of wine and two glasses with a few hunks of bread and cheese for public decency—have their place, more elaborate affairs have taken hold of the public consciousness, made popular by a new kind of Pic-Nic society—more popularly known as social influencers.

Read on to see my conseilles (advice) for keeping your seaside soirée small and—as always—trés chic.

Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée

Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée
Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée

Prepare

I’ll admit I’m not the best when it comes to planning—it’s my spontaneous Leo nature—but making a list of everything you need to bring from home, and a separate list of things to buy, makes everything much simpler. This includes food, tableware, seating, decor, lighting, and cleanup supplies. Organize the event just as if it were a normal dinner party at your home, and then pack it all up.

Shop

Cooking and preparing food is a personal choice, but it requires a lot more work. I personally suggest sticking to appetizers and finger foods like fruit and charcuterie that can be taken directly from the store to the site.

Getting There

Be prepared to do some heavy lifting. If you decide to drive to your location, be sure to park nearby—even if that means springing for paid parking. Hey, you’ve come this far—because you’ll have a lot to carry. Scope out a location that’s a safe distance from others.

Setting the Scene

Don’t be afraid to bring the comforts of home with you. Decor can be as simple as some cozy pillows and throw blankets for warmth, or as elaborate as you want to make it, maybe with lanterns, plants or faux books if you’re feeling particularly extra. For a classic, monochromatic look, keep everything in the same color scheme, or for a more bohemian vibe, bring mismatching pillows, a colorful tapestry, and whimsical plates and silverware.

  • Start by creating a perimeter for your seating area—a bed sheet or a comforter that you don’t mind washing afterward is perfectly fine.

  • Add a table or elevated surface to present the food, and cover with a small tablecloth if your surface is plastic or unsightly.

  • Scatter pillows around for comfortable seating

  • Fresh flowers add to the outdoor element

  • Include candles—and a lighter!—if you’ll be staying past sunset

  • Use real china, silverware, and wine glasses like you would at home. Small salad plates save space, and stemless wine glasses prevent spills.

Clean up

Don’t forget to bring trash bags and plastic ziploc bags for dirty plates and used silverware. Don’t leave anything behind—it’s gauche (tacky, or bad form) and hazardous for wildlife.

Bonne fête!

Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée
Stonewall Kitchen, LLC
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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.

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.

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

Fête des Mères | 5 French Mothers' Day Essentials

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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.

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Le Peignoir | A Robe By Any Other Name

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Few things in life feel more luxurious than slipping into a plush hotel robe.

Fun fact: our English word “robe” (short for ‘bathrobe”) actually translates to “dress” in the French language. I’m wearing un peignoir here, which is the French word for “bathrobe,” but we actually use it in English to refer to a nightie of sorts. The kind you’d imagine worn by, say, Blanche Devereaux from the Golden Girls.

Confused yet?

If so, imagine how weird it sounded when my French ex would ask for his peignoir!

If anyone needs me, I’ll be curled up like this—why yes, I always curl up in a pair of stilettos—getting lost in Australian Francophile Katrina Lawrence’s version of Paris, via her newest memoir, Paris Dreaming—which she so kindly sent to me—and waiting for room service to bring me my hamburger—or as the French pronounce it: ham-bur-jay.

Bonne journée from Phoenix, Arizona.

OOTD: Crème et Cable Knit for Kids

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It’s no secret that I love a monochromatic look, especially when it comes to winter whites.

My style tip of the day is: don’t be afraid to shop in the kids’ section if you’re petite like moi. Les vêtements pour les enfants (kids’ clothes) are often much more affordable and more fitted, if you prefer a cropped style or if adult sleeves are typically too long for you.

Believe it or not, this Zara classic cable-knit sweater was made for un garçon— translation: from the little boys’ department!

My Lucky Brand teddy coat is no longer available, but I’ve linked similar versions on my LiketoKnow.It page.

Bon Mardi, Happy Tuesday from chilly Boston!

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