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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!
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In just two days, I’ll be headed to Hawaii for a two-week business trip/anniversary trip. When packing for a trip, it’s just as important to consider what you will wear on the plane as is it to decide what to wear on the ground.
Like any aspiring chic French woman, comfort is key, but style can’t be forgotten, even when traveling. My business trips are usually limited to 3-4 hour jaunts around the US; however, an 8-9 hour flight to Hawaii takes special consideration in regard to what to wear in transit. Not only do I need to consider being confined to my seat for an extended period of time, but I also need to address the temperature difference, leaving 40-degree Chicago weather and landing in 85-degree heat.
To address all of these factors – comfort, style, temperature, and flight length – I believe that wearing layers is a must, provided your under layers are just as cute as your outer ones. Let’s take a look at how to pair functionality and practicality with a bit of style:
3 Go-To Travel Chic Outfits
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For the last few months, I have anticipated each issue of the new monthly online magazine – Matchbook. I am enamored with the editors’ beautiful photos, remarkable fashion sense, quirky writing style, and plenty of Eurochic finds for my Franchophile/Europhile personality. September’s issue has a particularly large selection of eye-candy. Let’s take a look at a few of my Eurochic favorites for the Fall:
5 Eurochic Finds for Fall (courtesy of Matchbook Magazine)
Ciao!
@bistrochic
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