Today I’m taking une promenade on the wild side in this stunning leopard print set from Carbon 38. I’m in love with the metallic detailing and flattering silhouette. I’ll admit I don’t always love working out, but I always find that a fabulous outfit is great motivation!
Click HERE to shop.
It’s un nouveau month, and that means we have a new round of book club picks for le mois of March.
From a cerebral autobiography that touches on texts and theories of renowned French thinkers in Alice Kaplan’s French Lessons, to Josephine: A Life of the Empress, which examines the extraordinary life of Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, there are plenty of ways to get lost in your own thoughts and romantic notions during dreamy Pisces season.
On the other hand, if you’ve ever fantasized about adopting a minimalist, Marie Kondo-approved “less is more” lifestyle and downsizing abroad for a fresh start, then French Dive: Living More with Less in the South of France is the memoir for you.
Historical fiction buffs will love The Paris Library, a sweeping novel based on the true story of the brave librarians of the American Library in Paris who participated in the Resistance during World War II, while romance fans will devour Kirsten Lobe’s tale of seduction, French Trysts: Secrets of a Courtesan.
Scroll down to read more about these five selections for the month of Mars, and click the links in the images to shop.
Moi in the Annissa dress from the FRNCH Spring Collection.
The Printemps 2021 collection from FRNCH has arrived, and after a long winter spent locked down indoors, these pretty pastels, feminine florals, and colorful coveralls are sure to put a Spring in your step!
One of my favorite Parisian brands, FRNCH is known for its contemporary chic collections and sleek style, infusing elements of traditional French girl minimalism with pops of color and pretty patterns.
Expect perennial springtime favorites like gingham, polka dots, muted florals, and colorful crocheted knits. Lavender is a major player in the color palette of this season’s wares, likely to conjure technicolor dreams of the signature lush Provençal champs de lavande. Other sherbet hues like matcha greens, berry pinks, and the occasional orange creamsicle give way to classic earth tones in the form of jumpsuits, silky blouses, overalls, prairie dresses, and light cardigans.
See more of my favorites below, and shop the FRNCH Spring Collection HERE.
The Edelyne jupe from the FRNCH Spring Collection.
The Assa dress from the FRNCH Spring Collection.
The Belgium film Nos Batailles (Our Struggles) opens A Week of French Language Cinema, an annual Francophone film festival held online this year by Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in Los Angeles. All films in French with English subtitles.
Of all the things I’ve missed most over the past year, going to the cinema is at the top of the list. As a screenwriter and film director myself—as well as a confirmed Old Soul—sitting in a theater and sharing the collective experience of watching art come to life is one of my greatest joys.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of our first official lockdown—not exactly a milestone worthy of cake and champagne, mais non?—there is reasonable hope that the ban on movie-going will soon become a distant memory.
In the meantime, the Raymond Kabbaz Theatre in West Los Angeles, known for its association with French culture and cinema, has brought its annual celebration of French independent film online. I always attend this week-long mini film festival in person every year, and as someone who has become overloaded with online-versions of everything this year—from business meetings and Happy Hour to Pilates classes and medical appointments—this is one online event I can guarantee I will not be skipping.
From March 20-25, each evening highlights an independent film from a different Francophone region—including Québec, Belgium, Algeria, Switzerland, and of course, France. These art-house films are all shown in French with English subtitles, and have been celebrated in various prestigious festivals, some including Cannes—and many have won or been nominated for some of the industry’s highest awards, including Cesars, Golden Globes, and Oscars.
Join me on opening night as we virtually travel to Belgium to screen Nos Batailles on Saturday, March 20. To read about the films and purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
See you au cinema!
Emily in Paris was the show we all needed in 2020. Being stuck in a global gridlock with no end in sight meant that Francophiles everywhere tuned in to Netflix to watch a ringarde American girl from Chicago faux-pas her way through Paris at a time when none of us could.
While many questioned the plausibility of a spunky young marketing mind—that’s never retained a single word of French, no less—being given the golden ticket opportunity to represent the “American voice” of her company’s French office—not to mention how her rather basic Instagram account would go viral practically overnight—there’s no denying that this feel-good show fed us like a warm Nutella crêpe for the soul.
Reuniting Sex and the City’s iconic producer/stylist duo, Darren Star and Patricia Field, meant that we were in store for some of the funkiest eclectic fashion this side of Carrie Bradshaw’s Prada period—and the end result certainly lived up to its hype. While we’ll never be quite sure how simple, midwestern gal Emily could manage to get her hands on some of these fresh-off-the-runway, pret-a-porter designer duds—not to mention the major moolah to pay for it—and mix them together like a kid in a magasin du bon bon—we’re here for the fantasy.
Now that Emily has been nominated for a few Golden Globes, and season 2 is a confirmed go, we have some time on our hands while we wait to find out what happens next for the Emily-Gabriel-Camille love triangle. In the meantime, you can recreate some of Emily’s greatest fashion hits—even without her imaginary unlimited salary—by shopping these five curated looks for less below.
Behold my personal favorite—and certainly the most Parisian-approved—look of the bunch: this black and white checked Veronica Beard blazer and shorts combo. A classic Chanel lambskin crossbody bag keeps the vibe toned down and traditional, with a bright red beret for a pop of color. Magnifique!
1. Double Button Gingham Blazer & Shorts; Shein $24.00
2. Rag & Bone Gingham Blazer; Neiman Marcus $237.60
3. Gingham Blazer; Kate Spade $196.80 (reg. $468)
4. Red Beret; Amazon Fashion $9.00
5. Point Toe Ankle Strap Stilletos; Shein $27.00
6. Faux Lizard Chain CrossBody Bag Shein $5.00
Bienvenue, Bucket Hat! Clearly not one to shy away from color, Emily wrangles her way into an influencer event wearing a Kelly green Chanel topper from the Cruise 2020 collection—accessorized with hints of plaid accents, a (jarring) chartreuse bucket bag, and yet a nod of respect to French tradition with a demure knotted floral silk scarf.
1. Classic Day Coat; J Crew $339.50 (Reg. $398)
2. Flower Pattern Scrunchie Scarf; Shein $2.50
3. Tartan Plaid Mini Skirt; Shein $10
4. Plaid on Plaid Bucket Hat; Kangol $45
5. Baby Pleated Bucket Bag; Mansur Gavriel $295
Adding some funky American flair to a very un-Parisian getup, Emily experiments with a bold, head-to-toe monochromatic look—from her eye-catching Kenzo manteau, right down to her Pepto-pink Louboutins. Talk about living la vie en rose!
1. Pink Boucle Trench; TopShop; $150.00 (Shop link above)
2. Plaid Balloon Sleeve Sweater; Forever 21; $22.99
3. Neon Pink Faux Leather Mini Skirt; Shein $8.00
4. Hot Pink Knee High Trouser Socks; Amazon Fashion $16.50 (Set of 3)
5. Glitter Decor Buckle Strap Pumps; Shein $30.00
A floral puffer? Pourquoi pas. Emily manages to win her boss’s approval once again, serving up a whole look in this two-piece ensemble by Off White, book-ended by an electric-pink beret and a pair of gladiator stilettos.
1. Hot Pink Beret; Amazon Fashion; $9.49 + Free Prime Shipping
2. Girls’ Slogan Tape Floral Print Puffer Coat; Shein; $18.49
3. Floral Print Puffer Jacket; Shein; $13
4. Floral Print Puffer; Shein; $16
5. Plus Floral Print Flare Skirt; Shein; $18
6. Lace Up Stiletto Booties; Forever 21; $35
Emily steals away to her friend Camille’s family vineyard château for le week-end—adding some schoolgirl charm to this Vivienne Westwood cropped blazer with a ruffled chemise and retro, cat-eye lunettes. J’adore!
Double Breasted Plaid Cropped Jacket; YSL $919
Red Plaid Jacket; Hollywood Leather $99
Ruffle Trim Button Blouse; Shein $15
Kalila Blouse; Revolve $275
Beatnik High Rise Slim Fit; Revolve $299
Cat Eye Sunglasses; Shein $5.00
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!
The bad news: it’s almost time to say goodbye to winter whites. The good news: les blancs can work for any season, so there are no losers here.
For a weekend day-cation spent exploring Temecula and its rich vineyards, I put les blancs d’hiver to work in a monochromatic, head-to-toe neutral look—and yes, I even mixed in an off-white Shein vest for added texture.
In retrospect, dressing in all white for a day of tasting a fleet of Merlots was a bold—if not outright risky—move. But luckily, this faux leather Zara trench and crisp pair of white denim were spared any spillage!
Old Town Temecula is like going back in time to the Wild West.
Established in 1859, the Southern California town of Temecula is known as much for its Wild West aesthetic as for its ample array of wineries. The main street of Old Town Temecula is full of Gold-Rush era charm, lined with “This town ain’t big enough for the both of us” style buildings that could have been plucked from a John Wayne western. (Cont’d. below)
After an afternoon spent strolling the strip, Europa Village winery was the perfect destination for the currently landlocked and culture starved—speaking for myself here—to “wine” down. Sipping French reds among the fertile fields and dreamy panorama of vineyard vibes at sunset was just what the travel doctor ordered, and for a mere moment getting out of town felt more like stealing away to the Loire Valley.
Scroll down for more Staycation style.
It’s no secret that les françaises take their undergarments very seriously. Revealing a peek of lace under an otherwise ordinary ensemble is the ultimate secret weapon in any French Girl’s playbook—because when it comes to sudden acts of flirtation, it’s always good to be prepared.
While it’s not always a realistic expectation to prance around in a full corset and fishnets on a daily basis—especially after a year of hanging around in quarantine sweats—keeping a stash of silk and chantilly on standby for those special moments when the mood strikes, certainly seems like a good idea. Although entire books could be written about the subtle art of French seduction, there are certain dates and occasions—read: February 14th—when it’s clear that the time for subtlety has passed.
Whether you’ll be romancing your Valentine this Sunday or you’re planning to be your own Romeo, shop these VDay themed lingerie sets from some French Girl favorite brands like Rouje, Le Petit Trou, Lise Charmel, and—the perennial crowd pleaser—Agent Provocateur. Because to a true Parisienne, investing in a killer lingerie set isn’t considered frivolous, it’s an act of self care—which is the kind of logic we should all get down with.
Whether you’re feeling more cheeky, bold, frisky, or demure, there’s something to fit every mood. Scroll down to shop.
Sugar Bra; $195 | Sugar Bottom; $140
Agent Provocateur
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Frankie Lace Bodysuit; $278
Fleur de Mal
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Bethanie Bra; $180 | Bethanie Thong; $110
Agent Provocateur
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Violet Babydoll Set; $365
Fleur de Mal
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Lindie Sheer Robe; $975
Agent Provocateur
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Felicie Bodysuit; $95
ROUJE
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Rozlyn Balconette Bra; $245 | Brief; $150 | Suspender; $245
Agent Provocateur
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Dressing Floral Bra; $178
Lise Charmel
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Marquee Eye Mask; $110
Agent Provocateur
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Denise Corset; $100
Gianna Brief; $60
Le Petit Trou
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
It’s almost St. Valentin’s Day, and as we all know, the French practically have a cultural monopoly on romance. Whether you’ll be spending a cozy night en couple with your paramour—a furry one counts too!—with family or les gal-pals via Zoom, or just indulging in a little solo celebration of self-love, what better way to celebrate the language of l’amour than by spoiling yourself or a loved one with a little bit of luxury?
From wilt-proof French roses and decadent Parisian macarons, to heart-themed essentials for a home-cooked masterpiece, quarantine kits, and an at-home luxury hotel getaway—yes, that’s a thing now!—this Sunday might just be the best Valentine’s Day yet.
Most items are still available for delivery in time for the Big Day, if ordered before Feb 10th, and can also be picked up at brick and mortar locations by LA locals. Scroll down to shop the V-Day essentials.
Sweetheart Box of Infinity Roses; $225 (Petite size, 7-9 blooms)
Holy Chic Los Angeles
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
With 21 colors to choose from, these delicate but durable roses are sourced from Provence and imported from the South of France. Naturally and and carefully preserved in a heart-shaped suede box, these blooms are guaranteed to last long past V-Day, bringing joy to your space for one entire year with no maintenance required! Based in Los Angeles, Holy Chic is run by a female solo-preneur with a flagship shop on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, and a pop up shop at Palisades Village (through February 2021).
Le Creuset Heart Cocotte; $199.95
Sur La Table
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
When cooking a cozy St. Valentin’s dinner for one’s paramour on a chilly February night, it doesn’t get more perfect than a rustic red sweetheart pot for stowing the stew. The perfect vessel for a traditional French winter répas, like a mouth-watering boeuf bourguignon or a hearty ratatouille, this cast iron cooker is just the ticket to bring the appetite (and some romance) to a full boil.
Venus Mon Amour Ladurée Gift Box; $68 (Box of $18)
Maison Ladurée
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
The Grande Dame of French pâtisserie, Maison Ladurée—the original salon de thé—hit the Parisian social scene in 1862, and has evolved into a globally beloved brand that’s become synonymous with the traditional French standard of luxury and refinement. This Valentine themed, limited-edition box of 18 delicate heart-shaped macaron flavors takes the [let them eat] cake, including six passion fruit, six classic rose, and six dipped in a coating of chocolate. Pre-order online or pick one up at one of LA’s two full service locations in Beverly Hills or The Grove.
Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss; $32
CHANEL
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Always light and never sticky, Chanel’s signature moisturizing glossier in Rose Pulpe 728 is the perfect shade for pretty pout. The long lasting formula doesn’t wear off on its own—but be forewarned that it could end up on your Valentine instead!
Tiered Heart Cakelet Pan; $39.95
Sur La Table
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
If staying home and baking up a storm is your idea of an ideal Valentine date, then this pan set of six triple-layer mini cakes is sure to hit the sweet spot. Stir up your favorite red velvet recipe, frost and embellish accordingly, then serve and enjoy with your one and only—even if that someone is you!
Ivory Sugared Almond Gift Box; $22
Ladurée
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
While best known for its signature French macarons, Maison Ladurée hosts a variety of take-home treats and luxe accessories—including this box of sugared almonds that feels like a trip to Paris for the tastebuds. Long after the sweets are gone, this logo-printed round box (in ivory or the signature Ladurée pastel green) is ideal for storing timeless treasures. Pre-order online, or pick one up at one of LA’s two full service locations in Beverly Hills and The Grove.
Naughty Girl Quarantine Kit; $65
The Naughty Girl Shop
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Perfect for a cozy night in with les amies, this kit is a Galentine one-stop-shop—complete with a mini Champagne split, engraved stemless flute and swizzle stick, Orville Redenbacher’s microwavable popcorn and accompanying snack bag. Presented in a Valentine-red box, with home delivery available in the LA area. Created by one badass business babe, The Naughty Girl Shop is a body-positive, LA-based brand celebrating sexual empowerment and the art of the female form.
Valentine’s Day ‘Mon Cheri’ Macarons; $34 (Box of 12)
Le Macaron
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this limited edition cherry-chocolate macaron flavor makes for an irresistible petit goût. At just 80 calories and gluten free, macarons are the ultimate guilt-free, French girl sweet indulgence. Pre-order a box to share, or LA locals can stop by the neighborhood Santa Monica shop for a quick snack on the go.
Heart Appetizer Plates; $35 (Set of 4)
Sur La Table
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Perfect for a Valentine apéro with four fun friends, or an intimate treat for two, these darling heart-shaped appetizer plates feature French phrases—ideal for a fromage course, or to present a pretty pastry. Each plate bears a French expression of endearment: je t’aime, bisous, mon amour, and ma cherie.
‘The Love Bubble’ Ritz Carlton Package; $3500
The Ritz Carlton, Downtown Los Angeles
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
For the ultimate luxury Valentine’s Day experience, look no further than the Ritz Carlton to make your wildest romantique dreams come true. If it still feels too soon to venture away from home this week, the Ritz will deliver the hotel life to you—complete with all of the indulgences of a luxury stay, to recreate in your own home. Order by Feb 10th—locals can also pick up at the Ritz DTLA—to receive your very own at-home hotel getaway kit. The Love Bubble pièce de résistance package includes:
- One bottle of Veuve Clicquot
- Two pairs of luxury slippers
- Two Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Signature Microfiber Robes
- One Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Signature Scent Candle
- One ESPA Invigorating Spa Salt Scrub
- Box of one-dozen Assorted Macarons made by The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles’s Executive Chef
- The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles’s Signature King Sateen Bedding Set (400 thread count cotton) including classic white Frette sheets, pillows, pillowcases and duvet (as featured in Ritz hotel guestrooms)
- Two Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Coffee Mugs
This is moi dreaming of bundling up in a cozy cream Zara puffer and hitting the slopes of Chamonix. Instead, I’m here on the streets of Los Angeles where the weather is currently 71 degrees.
The things we do in the name of fashion!
Click HERE to shop.
Staying warm in this stunning grey wool manteau from Reiss. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: coats are maybe my biggest weakness when it comes to fashion. I love the extra layer of polish that a great coat adds to an outfit. In my opinion, a great topper is the icing on the street style cake.
Even though I live in Los Angeles, my coats are the pride and joy of my wardrobe, and I love each of them equally!
As a devoted heels lover, I’m still adjusting to life in flats, but this year has forced me to practice wearing casual footwear, since my heels have also fallen victim to the lockdown life! These Zara boots are sadly off the menu, but you can shop similar HERE.
Feeling ready to graciously let go of 2020 and welcome a new year, full of new opportunities, armed with the many lessons in strength, growth, compassion, and faith that this challenging year has given us.
Join me in raising a glass of Moët et Chandon Imperial, so we can wish each other and our loved ones bon santé (good health), de bonheur (happiness), and beaucoup d’amour (lots of love) in 2021. Cheers to better days ahead!
Bonne Année mes béautes!
PS. For those wondering, this holiday blazer is from Banana Republic.
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!
Halo
$9.50; Shop HERE
Shine
$9.50; Shop HERE
Gilded Glow
$9.50; Shop HERE
Ingenue
$9.50; Shop HERE
Shine on Crazy Diamond
$9.50, Shop HERE
*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!
Just dropping in to check on you and your holiday shopping. In case you’ve run out of ideas, be sure to check out the TCA Holiday Gift Guides, where you can faire le shopping right here and find something for every Francophile on your list. Think the Champagne lover, the Chanel lover, and the tough to shop for, including les hommes in our lives and les enfants.
In the meantime, I’m loving life in this cozy moss-hued teddy coat from Lucky Brand, and these fun pleather paper bag shorts from Forever 21 (under $20). Boots are from Zara and this drool-worthy vintage Dior bag is sourced from one of my favorite small businesses, She’s Parisian. Each piece is one of a kind, but you can find tons of vintage treasures from curator Zoe March’s sharp aesthetic eye.
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.
*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!
The French phrase coup de coeur literally translates to “a hit to the heart",” which we would think of in English as a crush, if you will.
My latest style crush, so to speak, is the black leather trench—faux, of course. With all the panache of the timeless khaki trench—made popular by fictitious spies like Carmen Sandiego, Inspector Gadget, and the Pink Panther (as well as adventurous role-players the world over), and which will go down in history as probably the most quintessentially “French” item one can have in one’s wardrobe—the most contemporary iteration of this perennial favorite incorporates an added element of femme fatale by way of the recently unearthed and retooled “pleather” craze from the late 90s and early aughts.
Equal parts European sophisticate and James Bond villain—especially with a pair of jet black frames—this look can be easily achieved. Add a pair of gold hoops, moto boots, a black fanny pack, and some chain detailing to really nail the trend of the season.
Sadly, my Pretty Little Thing trench is no longer available, but head on over to my SHOP page to find couture versions from the likes of Dior and Versace—to name a few—at quite a steal!
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
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.
”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)
”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.”
”Crafted by skilled artisans in Italy, this beautifully detailed, hand-painted turkey will make a lively addition to your fall tabletop or everyday kitchen.”
”Add a little spice to your food and fall charm to your Thanksgiving table with this turkey-shaped salt and pepper shaker set.”
”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.”
”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.”
”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.”
”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.”
The dream of the 90s is alive in Zara. | The Dreamiest Zara Velvet Pearl Slingbacks
If I were a pair of shoes, these are the shoes I would be.
In fact, I actually audibly gasped when I saw these dreamy Zara slingbacks on the shelves in early fall, and eagerly snatched them up without even checking the size. When it comes to shoes, I’m technically a petite size 6.5 American, but I’ve been known to wear up to a size 9 in chunky boots that require thick socks, and even a puny size 5 in kitten heeled ballroom dance shoes, where an extra centimeter in the toe can cause an unexpected slip and subsequent catastrophe. Yes, I am a novice ballroom dancer (among other things)—a fun fact you might not have known about me.
Anyway back to the dream shoes. Everything from the extra pointy exaggerated toe, to the luxe velveteen material and giant faux pearl chain strap, screams early 90s and gives me may-jor Dionne from Clueless vibes. All that’s needed to complete the look is a scrunchie and an oversized bucket hat, which are both hideous and glaringly on trend right now. But hey, “at least I didn’t skin a Collie to make my purse.”
It reminds me of an adult version of the velvet dresses my maman and I used to wear for Christmas—one of which had a classic 90s Peter Pan collar with (you guessed it) pearl detailing.
Stacey Dash as Dionne in the 1995 teen hit, Clueless.
it’s Novembre, and the beginning of a new round of lockdowns for nos amis around the world, specifically in France and the UK.
Whether you’re staying home by choice or by government order, enjoy the cozy weather of the pre-holiday season curled up with this mix of five French memoirs, nonfiction, and lifestyle guides.
Take a look back at October’s picks here, and September’s here.
By Aloïs Guinut
Style Guide
“Stylish women everywhere are realizing the environmental damage of fast fashion on the planet and looking for new ways to dress that don't involve cramming the wardrobe with clothes that may never get worn…French women have a lot to teach us about how to cherish the planet without sacrificing your style.”
Kathleen Flinn
Memoir
“Kathleen Flinn was a thirty-six-year-old middle manager trapped on the corporate ladder - until her boss eliminated her job. Instead of sulking, she took the opportunity to check out of the rat race for good - cashing in her savings, moving to Paris, and landing a spot at the venerable Le Cordon Blue cooking school…Filled with rich, sensual details of her time in the kitchen - the ingredients, cooking techniques, wine, and more than two dozen recipes - and the vibrant sights and sounds of the markets, shops, and avenues of Paris, it is also a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and, ultimately, love.
By David Lebovitz
Memoir
“When David Lebovitz began the project of updating his apartment in his adopted home city, he never imagined he would encounter so much inexplicable red tape while contending with perplexing work ethic and hours. Lebovitz maintains his distinctive sense of humor with the help of his partner Romain, peppering this renovation story with recipes from his Paris kitchen. In the midst of it all, he reveals the adventure that accompanies carving out a place for yourself in a foreign country—under baffling conditions—while never losing sight of the magic that inspired him to move to the City of Light many years ago, and to truly make his home there.”
By Elizabeth Bard
Memoir
“Lunch in Paris is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs -- one with her new beau, Gwendal, the other with French cuisine…She learns to gut her first fish (with a little help from Jane Austen), soothe pangs of homesickness (with the rise of a chocolate soufflé), and develops a crush on her local butcher (who bears a striking resemblance to Matt Dillon). Elizabeth finds that the deeper she immerses herself in the world of French cuisine, the more Paris itself begins to translate. French culture, she discovers, is not unlike a well-ripened cheese -- there may be a crusty exterior, until you cut through to the melting, piquant heart.”
By Jean Edward Smith
Nonfiction
“Following their breakout from Normandy in late June 1944, the Allies swept across northern France in pursuit of the German army…Charles de Gaulle, the leading figure of the Free French government, urged General Dwight Eisenhower to divert forces to liberate Paris. Eisenhower’s advisers recommended otherwise, but Ike wanted to help position de Gaulle to lead France after the war…Neither man knew that the German commandant, Dietrich von Choltitz, convinced that the war was lost, schemed to surrender the city to the Allies intact, defying Hitler’s orders to leave it a burning ruin.”
Life in quarantine has made things interesting, to say the least.
Whether you’re unemployed, working from home, or an essential worker on the front lines—un grand merci à vous!—you’ve likely found yourself with more time at home than usual. Now that you’ve cleaned out every bathroom cabinet, maybe attempted to write a novel, and watched every Netflix show in existence, there’s never been a better time to work on your foreign language skills.
Whether you’re aiming for fluency or just want to brush up on your high school French, there are a variety of options to help you practice your language skills from home, with plenty of time to prepare for your next big Euro trip—once this is all safely behind us.
Which one makes the most sense for you? Let us know!
Possibly the easiest and most cost effective option, DuoLingo is a free downloadable app that combines interactive language games and verbal exercises in five minute chunks. Whether you choose to dedicate a few minutes or hours each day, you have the flexibility to learn at your own speed.
Designed with traveling in mind, this app focuses on dialogue and memory cognition exercises to teach course sections that are relevant to personal interest.
With locations in NYC and Los Angeles, Coucou is a language school that typically offers in-person classes and one-on-one lessons. Take advantage of personalized attention with a teacher from anywhere in the world, now available virtually via Zoom.
A virtual language school, Iboux creates a custom curriculum for you with a one-on-one instructor via Skype. An array of payment plans are available to offer a variety of financial flexibility.
For the true Francophile, this boutique membership-based program is led by American-girl turned-French-ex-pat Carrie Anne James. Each month focuses on absorbing French language through a fully comprehensive cultural approach. Each month focuses on a topic related to French lifestyle and comes with a beautifully correlated lesson plan and immersive meditations to fully embody the beauty and spirit of the French language and its pronunciation.
Escapism is the new travel in 2020, which means we’re turning to our literary friends to take us where we need to go, ces jours.
Since my personal collection of French reads—memoirs, novels, historical fiction and nonfiction—is ever growing, I’ve curated a book club selection to share personal favorites and newer titles that top my never-ending “To Read” list.
I hope you’ll enjoy curling up with one—or all—of these, and taking a journey to France through the eyes of these wonderful writers.
I welcome you to share vos pensées, as well as any suggestions for next month!
Take a look back at September’s picks here.
By Elaine Sciolino
Nonfiction
“Elaine Sciolino came to Paris as a young foreign correspondent and was seduced by a river. In The Seine, she tells the story of that river from its source on a remote plateau of Burgundy to the wide estuary where its waters meet the sea, and the cities, tributaries, islands, ports, and bridges in between.”
By Luke Barr
Memoir
“Provence, 1970 is about a singular historic moment. In the winter of that year, more or less coincidentally, the iconic culinary figures James Beard, M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, Richard Olney, Simone Beck, and Judith Jones found themselves together in the South of France. They cooked and ate, talked and argued, about the future of food in America, the meaning of taste, and the limits of snobbery. Without quite realizing it, they were shaping today’s tastes and culture, the way we eat now.”
By Nina George
Fiction
“Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.”
By Janine Marsh
Memoir
“One grey dismal day, Janine Marsh was on a trip to northern France to pick up some cheap wine. She returned to England a few hours later having put in an offer on a rundown old barn in the rural Seven Valleys area of Pas de Calais…Janine eventually gave up her job in London to move with her husband to live the good life in France. Or so she hoped.”
By Jennifer Robson
Historical Fiction
“Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford wants to travel the world, pursue a career, and marry for love. But in 1914, the stifling restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid expectations forbid Lilly from following her heart. When war breaks out, the spirited young woman seizes her chance for independence. Defying her parents, she moves to London and eventually becomes an ambulance driver in the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—an exciting and treacherous job that takes her close to the Western Front.”
