(Photo Source) A few years ago when Scott and I were traveling around Europe, we had the extreme delight of spending a week in and around Barcelona, an area known as Catalunya. On our last evening in the city, just before dusk, Scott and I were wandering the streets. We were taking in the last few Continue reading
2 August 2010 
What's in a French Girl's Kitchen?
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Contrary to popular belief, a French girl can not live on croissants, red wine, and chocolates alone, although that would be loads of fun to try! In reality, a French girl will typically keep a kitchen full of French standards for weekly meals and for those "just in case" times when friends drop by Continue reading
1 July 2010 
France and the Permanent Vacation
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(Photo Source) As if you need another reason to move to France…the latest poll by Harris Interactive shows that the French enjoy the most vacation time compared with 12 other countries, including the US and Japan. By far, European countries get the most paid time off for vacation, with France and Continue reading
17 June 2010 
Be a Natural European Beauty
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(Photo Source) Women in Europe take beauty seriously. But, you may be surprised to learn that many European women rely on very age-old, natural beauty enhancers that you can find in your own pantry. Women’s Health magazine recently featured the natural beauty products that women in 20 different Continue reading
10 June 2010 
Cooking Around the World
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(Photo Source) Williams Sonoma is one of my favorite stores for kitchen and housewares. However, I have to limit my escapades to this California-based store because it’s – to put it bluntly- so damn expensive! One thing I love about the store - aside from their awesome European servingware Continue reading
7 June 2010 
Mediterranean Style Dining
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I recently had the pleasure of dining at a lovely French bistro for dinner on Friday night, which was followed by a fabulous Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday. These meals, although quite different in flavor and presentation, were more similar than you might think. French and Spanish food may appear Continue reading
3 May 2010 
Easy and Healthy French Cooking With Mireille Guiliano
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At a time when Americans were desperate to try any fad diet (ie. Atkins, South Beach), author Mireille Guiliano introduced the US and most of the Western world to a new concept - weight-loss and healthy living à la Française. In her 2005 best-selling book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, Guiliano Continue reading
22 March 2010 
Bistro Bites: Italian Hot Chocolate
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Italy is often associated with beautiful landscapes, amazing wine, and ancient history. Well, this weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful city of Baltimore for the first time where I experienced another true, but little-known, Italian speciality - Italian hot chocolate. Italian v. Continue reading
22 February 2010 
Festival of Lemons in France
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In France, when life hands you lemons, the French don't just make lemonade - they throw a party! In late February, the sleepy French Riviera town of Menton hosts the Fête du Citron - or the Lemon Festival, a tribute to the city's number one export - lemons. As the largest producer of lemons in Continue reading
8 February 2010 
Samantha Brown: America's Travel Sweetheart Celebrates 10 Years
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Since 2000, Samantha Brown, aka the Travel Channel's Travel Goddess Extraordinaire, has taken us all over the world in search of exotic, historic, and just plain fun places to visit. In just 10 years, Brown has done what most of us can't do in a lifetime - traveled around the globe and back Continue reading
31 December 2009 
From Doors to Saunas – New Year's Traditions From Around the World
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Happy New Year from Bistro Chic! As Americans get ready to ring in the New Year with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest, let's check out how our friends across the pond are celebrating... Britain - Many British still keep the age-old tradition of first footing, a practice whereby the first visitor Continue reading
17 December 2009 
The Caganer: Spain's "Potty Crasher"
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There are many European Christmas traditions that I admire, such as lighting the yule log, leaving your shoes out for St. Nicholas (Holland), and attending midnight mass. And then, there are traditions that I find just plain strange, like giving someone a fruitcake for a gift and hiding all of your Continue reading
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