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Bonjour everyone! Just returned from sunny and not so warm Florida and am completely worn out. However, I am not too tired to offer some last minute Valentine’s Day tips for all of you Bistro Chic readers. If you’re looking to celebrate the day of love with a European flair, be sure to read…..
9 Ways to Have an Incredibly French Valentine’s Day
…. all Bistro Chic posts that focus on the most romantic day of the year!
Ciao and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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I’m sure most of you are familiar with the books French Women Don’t Get Fat and French Women Don’t Sleep Alone. If those two books (and the premises behind them) are not enough to make you envious of French women, maybe the next one will. In the new book, French Children Don’t Throw Food, author Pamela Druckerman highlights the differences between French and American mothers which go beyond throwing food….
5 Ways French Mothers Are Different Than American Mothers
What else do you consider “French” in regard to parenting style?
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Bonjour everyone! The end of 2011 is just days away which means planning for New Year’s celebrations is in full swing. If you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve Party or a New Year’s Day brunch, why not give your soirée a French twist? And before you roll your eyes at this Francophile post, I am not suggesting you rush out to buy Eiffel Tower cocktail napkins or a velvet beret. Rather, I’m suggesting you incorporate the simple elegance of French entertaining through these easy strategies…..
Less is More – Although Christmas decorations can help prolong the festive feel of the season, do as the French do and showcase your “best” holiday pieces for all to enjoy, including a beautifully decorated tree, mirrors topped with hollyberry wrapped candles, and nearly anything that shines or sparkles. Store everything else – including the singing snowman and laughing reindeer – until next Christmas.
Silver and Gold – New Year’s is such a magical time – and silver and gold accents seem to emulate this magic. Now is the time to serve your tapas on your great grandmother’s silver tray and get those gold-trimmed crystal wine glasses out of storage.
Le Food - You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen sweating over a fancy French meal to serve your New Year’s guests. Simple French standards will set the tone and keep guests from overindulging (like many have done leading up to this point). Lighter options include bite-size quiche, cheeses paired with nuts, fruit, and baguettes, while a carved meat or petit croque monsieur (1-2 bite ham and cheese sandwiches) paired with grainy French mustard provides a little more substance. If your budget and number of guests permit, avoid serving your food buffet-style – it is very American, less personalized, and definitely low on the “elegance” list. Instead, serve or pass small trays of hors d’oeuvres or strategically set the trays around the room - which also encourages movement and mingling.
A Bit of the Bubbly - What would New Year’s be without Champagne? How convenient that Champagne (or anything sparkling) is très French as well. Keep glasses of Champagne chilled in the fridge or a large silver ice bucket. For a true NYE event, serve the bubbly straight up in your best stemware (no plastic or paper please!). For a daytime event, pour in a splash of orange, cranberry, or other juice for a sweeter cocktail. To add a bit of panache, drop a strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry in the glass just before serving.
Sweet Sounds - Having the right music playing as guests arrive really sets the tone for the whole event. Although classical and jazz are great options for a daytime event, an evening event may call for something a little more funky. And, to keep with your chic French theme, you really can’t go wrong with Pink Martini, Gipsy Kings, or Paris Combo.
Bonne Année!
Need a little ooh la la in your life? Stop by Pinterest – your very own muse for Champagne wishes and French dreams.
I must say, that pup in the striped tee is tres chic….
(Pottery Barn Photo)
Attending a holiday party this year? Keep in mind that, more often than not, it is polite to bring a small hostess gift. Although a nice bottle of chardonnay is always classy, it is not always the ideal gift for someone who is very particular about his/her wines; someone who does not drink wine at all; or, in my case, a themed wine-tasting party where the wine is provided by the host.
In these cases, opting for a simple, classic gift can prove the better choice, ie fresh flowers, a decorative pillar candle, or festive cocktail napkins (cloth, please!). And, if you’re feeling rather saucy, you can even try to match your gift to the theme of the party (with the exception of wine!) and/or the interests of your host(s). For instance, I will be attending an International Wine Tasting Holiday Party in December, where guests are asked to bring a photo of a destination they’ve been or one they’d like to go (so many choices!). As you might have guessed, the party hosts are not only wine lovers, but they are also world travelers who, in fact, just visited France this Spring. So what does one fellow world traveler and wine lover get for another of the same breed?
Why French guest soaps from Pottery Barn! To be more specific, the triple-milled soaps are part of the collection by Gianna Rose Atelier Bonne Nuit and resemble small pillows imprinted with Bonjour on one side and Bonne Nuit on the other. How’s that for a little pillow talk?
Very classic, very charming, and, of course, very (French) chic. Voila!
@bistrochic
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