Bistro Chic

I attended graduate school at a state university located in a fairly rural town. By the time I starting working on my thesis, most of my college friends from undergrad and even grad school had moved on. So, I was left on my own grasping for things to do in such as small town. 

Although I had a nice apartment with a nice television, I could not afford cable. As a result, my television entertainment consisted mostly of DVD’s and shows that aired on the two stations that I did get reception for: CBS and PBS. At the time, CBS didn’t have the line-up like it does now, so I found myself watching a lot of PBS. In fact, I watched PBS so much that I began to look forward to my favorite “shows” each week, particularly Masterpiece Theatre. Now, before you roll your eyes or, worse, avert  your attention, I was not always a fan of Masterpiece.

When I was a little girl, I associated PBS solely with Masterpiece Theatre. Back then, I didn’t appreciate the amazing adaptations that brought classic novels to life. I always thought of Masterpiece Theatre my mother’s or grandmother’s show, where a stodgy old Englishman was the host. I dreaded Sunday night’s when I had to choose between going to bed early or watching a dry British documentary or drama on PBS. Eventually and quite thankfully, I began to appreciate these educational shows.

Oh, Anne

In fact, watching PBS first opened my eyes to the Anne of Green Gables series with Megan Follows, one of my absolute favorites! Who could forget Follows’ portrayal of the Canadian red-headed, strong-willed, hopelessly romantic Anne (that’s Anne with an e). She left my sisters and I – and many girls our age – wishing we could live on Prince Edward Island. And Anne left me with more, the dream of wanting to be a writer.

The Changing Masterpiece

Oh, how times have changed! I still love writing, but the idea of wanting to reside on a cold and windy, albeit beautiful, Nova Scotia island, has since withered like Queen Anne’s lace. But, one thing that definitely hasn’t changed is my affection for PBS and Masterpiece Theatre. I, like most Americans with a television, now have cable. Not Direct TV, satellite TV, or the DISH, just basic cable. But this, my friends, is completely enough. In addition to not having time to watch television, I feel that as long as I have the basics, including PBS, I am good as gold.

Thankfully, as I have changed, so have PBS and Masterpiece Theatre. As I mentioned, In the old days, British gent George Plimpton was the host of the show. He would come on in your typical tweed jacket and be sitting in front of a bookcase in the quintessential British library, each time to introduce old British or European classics that were hard for me to understand. In 2008, the show introduced a new look and three separate Masterpiece entities, Masterpiece Classic, Masterpiece Mystery, and Masterpiece Contemporary, each with a different focus and different hosts.

The British Greats

Although Anne of Green Gables may be played on occasion, such as during fundraising events, now Masterpiece Theatre (or Masterpiece Classic as it’s now called) showcases updated broadcast versions of beloved novels by Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and more. I was much more familiar with these authors having read their works in high school and college. And the actors in these films are truly amazing. Who can honestly get enough of Dame Judi Dench and Colin Firth?

Plus, there’s something very sophisticated and romantic about these Masterpiece movies. Whenever I watch Pride and Prejudice or David Copperfield, I’m transported to a different time, a different country – a different world – without leaving my home, even if it is just for a few hours. And for someone who loves England and Europe as much as I do, living the European life vicariously through televised novels is a welcomed treat.

If you are a lover of Masterpiece movies, I’m sure you know exactly how I feel. If you are not, I encourage you to turn on your TV on a Sunday night and tune into a Jane Austen classic. I guarantee that what you will find is not your grandmother’s Masterpiece Theatre. Instead, you may just discover a new appreciation, a new love, a new masterpiece – but without the stuffy Englishman in the smoking jacket.

Check out the new Masterpiece schedule – especially the Jane Austen lineup – on the 2010 Masterpiece Classic on PBS:

• Emma, January 24 – Februrary 7, 2010, 9 PM Eastern
• Northanger Abbey, February 14, 2010, 9 PM Eastern
• Persuasion, February 21, 2010, 9 PM Eastern

Ciao!

Guest Post: Bistro Chic’s Husband, Scott.

As you can see from Bistro Chic’s previous post, My wife is out of commission today. She’s also booked up with projects. So, she asked me if I would write a guest post.

She sent me a link with something about how guys use womens products, and that didn’t sound too exciting to me. Although, she’s the editor, and so, here’s my blurb about it.

“Growing number of men ‘use partner’s makeup’, survey says”

I don’t really have anything to say other than, I have used my wife’s shampoo and conditioner for years, because I feel soap is soap. Other than that, I’ve been tempted with my wife’s makeup once at Halloween when I wanted to go as a some not very humourous costume, and I was too frugal to buy halloween makeup. Needless to say, I chose a different costume for that party.

As you can see, I can not replace the chicness that is my wife. I’m sure she had a much better idea of how to talk about that article than me. I’m not even sure how European that is?

I also must confess, that while my wife is a Euro Chic Lady, I’m an all American Man. I love apple pie, baseball, trips to the U.S. National Parks, Disney, and anything else American. So, I’m not sure I’m the right candidate for guest posting.

Don’t get me wrong, I love go to Europe, and I can’t wait for my next trip abroad, but I love my United States as well. I do love a good museum and cultural event. I’m a Shakespeare fan. French Bistro and Latin Flamenco music are definitely worth listening too. Hey- if I keep going, I think I’ll realize I have more of a Euro perspective than my fellow American Man might have.

So, I was thinking of topics to write for Bistro Chic while getting a DVD out for my nightly treadmill workout. Funny thing is, I noticed a trend. Many of the movies my wife and I bought have some sort of Euro Flavor. Now, my wife is not that big of a movie buyer. She has influence no doubt, but I tend to make the DVD purchases.

I guess if you can not go to Europe all the time, one way is to bring the sights and stories of Europe home.

Without further adieu, straight from our Movie collection and other favorites,
Movies to bring Europe into your house!

1. Braveheart
   
2. Gosford Park
   
3. Mary Poppins
   
   We’ve debated. Could they ever remake this classic? Who could play Dick Van Dyke’s Part? He was marvelous.
4. My Fair Lady
   
   Can I get Henry Higgins’ library?
5. Shakespeare in Love
   
   Very Funny Romatic Comedy. I love how they are able to tie in many of the William Shakespeare rumors into this one.
6. Amelie
   
   When I found out this was not in English, I was not too happy, but then after laughing at this movie, I thought I learned to speak French.
7. The Godfather
   
   (Okay this is a stretch, but the scene where Michael goes back to Italy. Okay, okay. I almost put Saving Private Ryan, Indiana Jones, or Star Wars, and those would have been even more of a stretch.)
8. Shadowlands
   
   I loved this movie about C.S. Lewis. I read a ton of C.S. Lewis work after seeing this movie. Although, I have yet to see the BBC version of this movie which I hear is even better.
9. Remains of the Day
   
   Who doesn’t love tension between two potential lovers.
10. Chocolat
    
    A great near-the-end-of-Lent movie.
11. Love Actually
    
    British Humor cracks me up. We love to watch this movie at Christmas.
12. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
    
    Obviously, this is not a European movie, but having been penned by the famed J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s hard not to include it.
13. Harry Potter
    
    We may have all of the Harry Potter DVD’s, but my wife will always stop on the TV station if Harry Potter is on. Fun movies.
14. V for Vendetta
    
    “Remember, Remember, the fifth of November!”

Hope you enjoyed. Now, its back to my regularly scheduled workout. Hmm, I think, I’ll watch Braveheart tonight.

What’s your favorite movie to bring Europe home?

Hey Bistro Chic readers.

I’ve been wicked sick since 3 AM this morning. Unfortunately, I did not have anything exciting prepared for today’s post.

I’m headed back to bed. See you all on Thursday.

I don’t consider myself high-maintenance (but who does, right?) nor do I think I have princess qualities. But, every girl, at some point in time, wishes she was a princess. We want to feel special, we want to have nice things, we want to appear glamorous. Then, for most little girls, the reality of not becoming a princess sets in and she must come to terms with being a regular person, just like everyone else. But, even though we can’t really be a princess, what is stopping us from feeling like a princess?

A few years ago, I discovered a very fun and rather quirky book by Jennifer “Gin” Sander. The book, Wear More Cashmere, is dedicated to helping women find their inner princess. Although some of Sander’s ideas are a bit of a stretch (who’s really going to design their own family crest?), she offers 151 ways to rediscover and pamper your inner princess. Here are a few of my personal favorites that I try to practice each day. 

• Stand Tall – When have you ever seen a princess slouch? Standing tall like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, or even Gwyneth Paltrow, gives the allure of elegance and grace – both qualities of a princess.
• Robed in Style – What could be more elegant than stepping out of the shower or your bath and slipping on a gorgeous robe? And, it doesn’t have to be purple velvet to feel regal – any silk robe that makes you feel beautiful will do.
• Tea for One - Taking tea is quite an art, but it need not be reserved for British royalty. Start with a steaming teapot or kettle of water poured into a dainty teacup, then add a high-quality tea sachet or loose-leaf tea and a bit of sugar and/or cream; then sip, relax, and practice your princess wave.
• That’s a Wrap - From silk to cotton, long to short, and chunky to thin, scarves and pashminas are becoming quite popular these days. But, even before their recent popularity, scarves were worn by Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace, two icons with exceptional princess style.
• Pearls of Wisdom - No need to wait for a fancy ball or even a wedding to wear those precious pearls, flaunt them during a shopping trip or a night out with the girls. Want instant glamour – add some pearls!
• Only the Best – You may be on a budget, but that doesn’t mean you need to pinch pennies when it comes to your inner princess. Whatever it is you need or want, buy the best you can afford and enjoy every penny you’ve spent. Need a new bath towel? Buy a luxurious Egyptian cotton towel from an outlet store. No one needs to know it was only $10!
• The Sound of Music - If there’s one thing I hate, it’s waking up to the sound of an obnoxious alarm clock. Instead, I program my alarm to my favorite classical radio station. So, each morning, I rise to the beautiful sounds of Bach and Mozart – music fit for a princess!

If you’re longing to feel like a little princess again, remember this…take time for yourself, nurturing your mind, body, and soul. And, no matter how small the gesture or behavior, whatever you do, do it with confidence and style – the tiara is optional.

Nearly a year ago, I posted an article about how the French government was encouraging its citizens to stop drinking wine. This unprecedented call to action was prompted by new research showing that daily wine intake was linked to several cancers.

Now, scientists are saying that consuming wine, or any alcoholic beverage, that has a lower-alcohol content can help reduce the risk for a number of cancers, including breast cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the mouth and larynx.

The World Cancer Research Fund, a London-based charity that raises awareness about cancer prevention, reports that approximately 20,000 cases of cancer in the United Kingdom every year are linked to alcohol. However, the group calculated that if people who regularly drank a large glass of 14% alcohol wine a day switched to a 10% alcohol aleternative, they could reduce their risk of bowel cancer by 7 percent. This is roughly a reduction from 6 people in 100 getting the disease to 5 in 100.

The researchers note that the findings are not limited to wine, but that switching to lower-alcohol liquor or beer also can have the same benefit. To reduce your risk for cancer, experts not only recommend switching to non or lower-alcohol drinks, but also limiting the number of alcoholic drinks to 2 per day for men and one for women.

This year, one of London’s most famous and historic landmarks turns 300 – St. Paul’s Cathedral. Although the foundation of St. Paul’s has been home to a cathedral since 604 AD, the current and most noted domed structure of St. Paul’s was built in 1710.

After enduring hundreds of years of destruction followed by reconstruction, the cathedral that now stands seems to have been built to last. It has survived the Napoleonic Wars and two World Wars, despite being a little worse for the wear. 

I have personally been to St. Paul’s twice and am always amazed at the following story told by one of the London tour guides…

During the great London Blitz of 1940, London was mercilessly bombed by the German airforce. Nearly 30 bombs landed on St. Paul’s during the blitz, but, thanks to 200 volunteers known as St. Paul’s Watch, the bombs were quickly doused and sandbagged, and taken to detonate away from the building. When the smoke cleared, much of the city was left in rubble, but St. Paul’s stood tall amid the destruction. This picture of St. Paul’s, shining through the fire and smoke, became a symbol for the nation’s unbeatable spirit.

Designed by the royal architect Christopher Wren, the current structure and dome house many interesting features for Christians and lovers of architecture. For instance…the dome of the cathedral is comprised of several galleries, including:

• The Whispering Gallery – after climbing 259 steps into the lower part of the dome, a person can whisper on one side of the gallery and be heard by someone on the other side.
• The Stone Gallery – at 378 steps, you’ll reach the Stone Gallery which is the exterior part of the dome, above the Whispering Gallery.
• The Golden Gallery – if you can make the 530 step climb to reach the smallest gallery, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of London.             
  

  The very narrow and winding staircase leading into St. Paul's galleries.

St. Paul’s has also been the scene of many great ceremonies including:

• Funerals for Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Winston Churchill
• The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di
• The Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen

To celebrate its milestone birthday, St. Paul’s has undergone a $64 million restoration facelift, making it appear almost brand new to the public. However, there are some things best left untouched. Just inside the Great West Door, a large slab of rock has been intentionally overlooked during the restoration process. This rock, in all of its grime, is no doubt a reminder of the tragic and triumphant history of this glorious monument.

What would the New Year be without a fresh start, some lofty goals, and a new French-themed calendar?

I have never been much for day planners and calendars – they always seem so wonderful at first, but then my interest in them fades after a month or two. However, with 6 trips planned in the next 5 months, I thought that this might be the year I would actually need a calendar for more than a month.

The Perfect Calendar

I started searching for my ideal calendar/planner in late December, hoping I could find one small enough to fit in my purse, but not too bulky with unnecessary pages and tabs. I wanted a calendar with big squares to write in my daily plans – plain and simple. But I also wanted one that reflected my interests, including my love for travel and Europe. Then voila! While roaming around the French Women Don’t Get Fat site, I learned that the book’s author, Mireille Guiliano, also had a calendar based on her popular book series. Of course, I was intrigued. I have always been fascinated by Guiliano’s books and the whole concept of French living. So naturally, when presented with the possibility of having a calendar/planner that reflected this interest, I ordered it without hesitation.

A Fresh and French Start to 2010

The French Women for All Seasons 2010 Engagement Calendar, arrived on my doorstep last week. I wasted no time opening the package and quickly thumbed through each month listed in the book. I instantly fell in love with this book! There are so many things that I like about it, including:

What I like…

• Easy Flipping - The calendar is spiral bound, making it easy for page turning.
• Keeping the Theme – The calendar has the same feel as her books, with calming colors and fun illustrations. As you can see, it’s almost too pretty to write in!
• French Lessons – It offers abridged lessons in French phrases – I just wish they would have included how to pronounce them!
• Monthly Recipes – The books also includes monthly recipes to correspond with the seasons, which I hope will inspire me to cook a little more each time I open my calendar!

Although I am very happy with the book, I do see a few caveats – mostly related to personal preference.

What I’d change…

• The Test of Time – The book seems to be made from quality materials and is fairly sturdy. However, I’m not sure if it will hold up the entire year. I’m extremely busy – hence the need for a calendar – and would have preferred a harder cover. The current cover is just a little thicker than a regular paperback book.
• Out With the Old Recipes – I would like to have seen different recipes included in the book and not just those that were previously published in Guiliano’s other books. After all, it is a NEW year.
• On That Note – Finally, although there is a note section in the back of the book, it would have been nice to include a notes section within each month.

Overall, this is a great addition to Guiliano’s French Women series and a très chic way of starting off the new year on a French note!

Ciao!

It has been less than a week since we welcomed in the first day of 2010, yet I’m already feeling behind on my resolutions for the year – probably because I haven’t made any resolutions! After giving it some thought, I realized that I’m not much of a New Year’s Resolutions type of a girl. I’m more of a goal-setting chic who likes to set a goal and then make all sorts of plans to reach that goal.

So, I sat down to think of some goals for the year. This year, I thought, I want my goals to be different – not your typical lose weight, or get in shape goals that everyone does. I want my goals to be:

A. Fun – They need to be ones that I would actually enjoy reaching. I have a colleague who’s email signature says…

Put Eat Chocolate on your list of things to do every day. At least you know you’ll get one thing done.

Now that’s fun!!

B. Realistic - We all know what happens when you set unrealistic goals. The reality ends up being that you don’t accomplish them. For instance:

• Goal 1: Move to France = Fun, but unrealistic. 
• Goal 2: Read books by French authors = Fun and realistic √

C. Manageable - I wanted to be sure not to make too many goals. When you make too many goals, you’re bound to renege on some of them. 

With these three guidelines in mind, I have set the following goals for 2010…

Bistro Chic’s Fun, Realistic, and Manageable Goals for 2010

1. Drink more wine – I have never been a huge wine drinker, although my husband really enjoys his vino. But with all of its health benefits and the fact that it goes with all different foods, I think this is one goal I can accomplish. Besides, what could be more French than drinking wine?
2. Dress to impress – As Mireille Guiliano says, it is important for women to establish their brand in the business world. This means dressing to impress and using your brand image as an asset. And, since I’m trying for a promotion this year, I think it’s important to dress for the role I want to fill.
3. Attend one event a month – When Scott and I lived in the city, we attended at least one event per month, if not per week. Now that we’re in the ‘burbs, with kids to boot, it’s a little more difficult. But, this year, I really want to make an effort to attend or participate in more cultural and social activities. This could be as simple as going to the movies or as involved as taking a day trip to explore a new city.
4. Make the most out of travel - Right now, I have 8 trips planned for the coming year, 6 of which are for business. As I mentioned in last year’s post about how to take a mini-break on a dime, these trips will be a great opportunity to see several major cities around the US and even Canada! The fact that most of these trips are for business is just icing on the cake – I’ll get to see a few sites, eat some great food, and not have to pay for a thing!
5. Make more time for me - Although my husband would probably disagree, not a week goes by without me wishing I had more time for myself. With two blogs, two kids, a husband, and a full-time job, spending quality me time seems to fall by the wayside. If I had more time – or when I finally make time – for myself, I will read books set in Europe, listen to classical music, get a massage, or just visit with old friends. Whatever I choose to do, this year I will do it more often and enjoy every minute.

And now I pose this question to you… What will you do to make this year better and/or more fun than the last?

Ciao!

As we enter into a new year, some people reflect on all of the things they didn’t do – their regrets. Well, I’m choosing not to focus on the regrets (besides, I don’t really have any) and opting to focus on all of those things I DID accomplish this year.

The biggest thing I did in 2009 was start blogging! That’s right, just one year ago tomorrow, January 5, 2010, marks the one year anniversary of Bistro Chic! When starting this European-themed blog, I really had two goals in mind:

1. Have fun with writing
2. Inspire others to live a more Euro Chic lifestyle

So, how did I fair in accomplishing my goals?

Goal #1 – Have fun writing: Well, the first is easy. I have had an incredible amount of fun this year writing about all things European. Don’t get me wrong, writing daily, weekly, or even monthly for a blog, in addition to having a full-time job, is NOT easy. I love Europe – the culture, the food, the sites, the history, the people, etc. But, since I can’t visit as often as I’d like, I find temporary comfort in writing about the European lifestyle. 

Goal #2 – Inspire others: Whether I accomplished this is really up to you. Did you enjoy the articles/posts on Bistro Chic this year? Were you inspired to bring these European lifestyle principles into your own life? I would hope that all of you would say YES, but you won’t hurt my feelings if you take the opposite view.

Speaking of inspiration…inspiring others to do anything is quite a challenge, especially when there’s no face-to-face, voice-to-voice interaction. But, I think I did my best to inspire you, through words, to bring a little savoir faire into your daily life. And, just for fun and because it’s a time of reflection, let’s take a look at some of those inspirational Bistro Chic messages from 2009:

Bistro Chic 2009: Posts of European Inspiration

• Embrace French Dining – This year, I’ve encouraged you to embrace your inner French woman, in more ways than one. But dining like a French woman has been a recurrent theme in my writing. Starting with a review of the French Paradox, followed by the specifics of what French women eat and how they eat, Bistro Chic’s series on the French way of eating attempted to leave no stone unturned. Plus, it’s hard to talk about a French woman’s dining habits without mentioning the practice of le goûter. Not familiar with le goûter?  You should be!
• Create A Signature Style – The key to having chic European style is actually to create your own style. Whether you borrow fashion secrets from  French, Italian, or other European women, making your style your own can be a fun way to update your wardrobe and your look with a few classic pieces, like the the très chic trench coat or basic black pant. Throw in a few accessories and a new hairstyle, and ooh la la!
• Experience Joie De Vivre – If there is one thing that Europeans, and particularly the French, do better than Americans it’s experiencing all of life’s wonders, no matter how big or small. Bistro Chic showed you how to bring this joie de vivre into your own life through travel, music, sports, and even savoring little luxuries, like drinking tea in your favorite cup! 

And so, faithful Bistro Chic readers, here’s to another year of fabulous European living. May all your days be filled with love, laughter, little luxuries, and le goûter.

Ciao