Happy Bastille Day my lovely friends! I’ve written about this special French holiday many times over the years (12 Bistro Chic Ways to Enjoy Bastille Day). But this year, in honor of le fête de nationale (July 14) check out these 5 French brands that I love:
La Fermière Yogurt – If you’ve never had authentic French yogurt, you are truly missing out. And after having a bite of Le Fermiere yogurt, you will understand why. The yogurt, which is made in small batches in colorful clay pots, has a very thick, creamy texture and the flavors – from vanilla to blueberry to lemon – are truly divine. Put it this way, my husband was never a fan of ”American” yogurt. However, while during one of our trips to Europe, he tried Le Fermiere at breakfast and has been a fan of French yogurt ever since. Although La Fermiere in the US technically comes from New York, it is still every bit as delicious (and French) as when we enjoyed it in Europe.
One note – While the taste is amazing and the ingredients are basic and au natural….the yogurt does have a lot of sugar – so keep that in mind if you are super health-conscious. Bonus tip: The clay pots come in a variety of colors throughout the year (I love the traditional periwinkle blue!) and they are also reusable for so many things. I use them as vases for small bunches of flowers, candle holders, storing my lipglosses and more.
La Mer – Several years ago, I asked a colleague how she managed to keep her skin so smooth and young looking. That is when she introduced me to La Mer products. She had been using La Mer soft cream, hand cream and other products for years and swore by them. I was a bit skeptical, mainly because of the hefty price tag, but after trying La Mer’s Moisturizing Soft Cream, I was hooked. The texture is so light and smooth and smells amazing. And even better, after as little as 2 weeks, I noticed a difference in the way my skin felt – it was less dry and seemed more supple than before. I definitely can’t afford La Mer all year round but a couple times a year I give myself a special treat by investing in the soft cream. Bonus tip: Costco members will often have the opportunity to purchase La Mer products online for a fraction of the original cost – totally worth the membership if you ask me!
L’Occitane – I’ve been enamored with little guest soaps since I was in college. And L’Occitane has some of the best smelling bar soaps out there. The almond soap has a very light, fresh scent, while verbena soap has a lemon-like scent and is one of my favorites! I not only love buying these for little gifts around the holidays, but I also love to use them in my home all year round.
Hermès – Two years ago, I was gifted a high-end thank you item of my choosing. Although I had several items to choose from – a Canadian Goose Coat, golf clubs, and more, I went for the long-lasting wearable – jewelry. And my jewelry selection wasn’t just any selection – it was the Hermes Clic H bracelet and my first Hermes piece ever. Out of all of the colors available, I chose pannacotta so that it would easily pair with anything. Even after over a year of wearing the bracelet, it’s clear that the item is built to last, yet has a delicate, feminine feel. This piece is quite the investment if you were to purchase it on your own, but worth every penny (or someone else’s) if you want to reward yourself for a job well done.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne – I have to admit, I’d rarely pass up a glass of champagne, no matter the brand. But honestly….who doesn’t love Veuve? If you know anything about champagne, you know that Veuve Clicquot is one of the largest champagne producers in the world and is probably most known for their ”yellow label” bottle of brut. And the yellow label brut just happens to be my favorite! Although I’ve been to the Champagne region of France – specifically Reims and Epernay, I was not able to tour Veuve like I had hoped (a bucket list item for sure). However, learning more about the region and the extensive history of champagne made me appreciate the luxurious taste even more. If you ever have a chance to sip a little of Veuve, let yourself indulge and savor every bit.
Enjoy and à bientôt!
Jennifer
