PARISIAN CHIC … a style guide

Ooh La La.  This is the little red book that is a guide ” to looking cool, chic, stylish and above all nonchalant, as only Parisians can” – Vogue.

I’ve spent delicious morning with Ines de la Fressange and this book that is the ultimate guide to Parisian chic.

I’m making notes.

Building a wardrobe around only seven affordable basics.

Secret Paris hotels and restaurants.

Secret Paris for  unusual places.

My cafe au lait sat untouched as I explored the wonderful world that is Paris.

Parisian Chic  is more that a book.  It is about a state of mind.   Read it and you’ll know why Parisian woman are the most elegant woman in the world.   It could just change your life.

MORNING IN FRANCE ???

 

It’s a gray, gray morning.

I long to sit outside.  The sun on my face.

I am remembering a summer morning.

Good Husband is bringing me my café au lait.

My dear friend Jill has just returned from Paris.  She’s dropped a paper off for me to read.

I’m in my garden.

Lavender is blooming.

Perhaps I’m in Provence.  Or in a secret courtyard in the 7th Arrondissement.

 

 

 

This morning I am longing for summer.

Summer in the garden.

Our home is in the country.   The quiet air is filled with bird song.  I can hear the distant whinny of the horses in an equestrian centre down the road.  The horse next door answers.

I sip my coffee.  Rustle the newspapers energetically.

There’s no place like home.

Even when it is raining.

FROM MY GARDEN

Very early this morning I cut an armful of Casa Blanca lilies.   Their heady fragrance intoxicates me.  I take my cafe au lait, my favorite French  home decor magazine CAMPAGNE,   and curl up in the love seat.  The morning sun is warm on my  shoulders.  I plan my day.   It’s gorgeous, titan-haired daughter-in-law Andrea’s birthday.    A perfect day for a picnic by the ocean.     A birthday is a glorious event you share with those you love.  A birthday is a red-letter day for the birthday girl.  A birthday  is present packed, card filled.  A day of reflection and looking forward.  A birthday is a many splendid thing.

Happy birthday Sweet Andrea!!!

CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD.

I’ve made my cafe au lait .  Poured a cup and taken it out into the garden.  My Casa Blanca lilies are in bloom.  Their heady fragrance fills the air, fills my soul,   raises my spirit.

“Consider the lilies of the field.  How they grow.  They never toil nor spin.  Even Solomon in all is glory was not arrayed like one of these.

The early morning mist drifts across the fields.  I sip my coffee and linger in the garden.

My garden feeds not just my soul ….

I admire a Japanese eggplant’s  delicate, purple flowers and discover … produce!  Tonight we dine on eggplant.

Photographs taken, with much joy,  at 7:00 am  August 12, 2011.  Shared with my friends an hour later.