French Style, French Food, French Everything: Five Things I’m Loving This Week
Are you tired of everything France? We had a great trip loved the lifstyle, the architecture and the food. Physically, sure, I get on the plane and come home to Paso Robles. But some part of me is still sitting at a cafe table in the Luberon, in no hurry, people watching. This week’s five is basically that feeling translated into things you can actually buy and cook. Let’s chat about French Style, French Food, French Everything: Five Things I’m Loving This Week.
My French Country Home’s Mastering the Art of French Coastal Design
Mastering the Essence of French Coastal Interior Design from My French Country Home.
“French coastal interior design is as diverse and captivating as the landscapes that inspire it. From the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d’Azur to the rugged beauty of Brittany, each region along the French coastline boasts its own unique blend of influences and aesthetics” Think Deauville, not Nantucket: a little more worn-in, a little less matchy”.
Sharon Santoni has a wonderful website here where she shares living in France, tours, her online magazine and more!
Outfits of the Week
There’s a formula the French have perfected and Americans overcomplicate: one great piece, kept simple, worn with confidence. That’s the whole trick. French style isn’t more clothes, it’s fewer, better ones, worn like you mean it.This “chore jacket” from Madewell (I honestly feel these are overdone but love this one) looks like it was composed from vintage french ticking which caught my eye. I thought it would be fun to pair it with barrel jeans, a great bag, a charming Susan Shaw necklace, Raen sunglasses and Madewell/Minetonka driving mocs for a casual look I could wear anywhere!
Madewell French Ticking pants with my favoite BR shirt I wore all over France, bandana bag (not the French brand everyone is coveting) but less expensive from Etsy , tortoise hoops and minnetonka mocassins for an early fall look I would wear anywhere.
Love the french ticking pants with a utility jacket , a great hat and my favorite Gentle Souls loafers.
You can wear both pieces together, but I might separate it with a bandana worn across the pants or at the waist or a belt to break up all the stripes. A wonderful bag from
The Textile Trunk on Etsy and Ebay
If you love the idea of a French flea market but don’t love the eleven-hour flight, The Textile Trunk is your shortcut. They source genuinely old French textiles (grain sacks, linen sheets, ticking stripe & french floral fabrics.) Her pieces have the kind of soul you cannot manufacture. I’ve used mine as pillow covers, a table runner, and once, memorably, as curtains in a guest room that everyone asked about.The Textile Trunk is an online specialty shop operating out of Vermont, founded by Wendy Lewis where she curates and sells antique an vintage European textiles (primarily sourced from France). I have purchased many of Wendy’s fabrics over the years that have found new life as pillows in my homes.
Food and Wines Regional French Recipes
This roundup of regional specialties and bistro classics is exactly the kind of cooking I want more of in my life: nothing fussy for the sake of fussy. It’s the difference between a recipe that photographs well and one that actually feeds people.
French Etiquette Tips we Should Embrace
The French don’t do “grazing.” They sit down, they set the table properly, they linger. No phones, no eating standing at the counter, no rushing to clear plates before everyone’s finished talking. I’ve been trying to bring more of that into our own dinners lately. Check out these French Etiquette Tips and see if you would like to incorporate them into your own life.
That’s my five. Let’s go check out what Mary Ann and Annie are loving this week too, their picks are always the perfect companion to mine.
Hello Cindy,
Of course, living here in St. Remy, I am inclined to lap up all articles on French style.
When we met in the parking lot in Isle sur la Sorgue on your last trip, I couldn’t help but notice how refined, yet casual and comfortable your look was. But since then, it’s been such a pleasure to read your newsletters–I felt I could really connect with your philosophy about simplicity and style.
The main theme of my latest book, Pleasures of Provence: A Quest for the Secret to Joie de Vivre in La Belle France, reflects a similar approach to life, in general. That’s why I keep writing you–I think it would resonate with you and I’d like to find out if it does. I’m happy to send you a copy (relying on Amazon.com) so you can make up your mind. Yes, of course, it would be great if you felt compelled to share the story with your followers but that’s entirely up to you. As an aside, the big Presse/Librairie here in St. Remy asked me to do a book signing on 29 August. Jean Reno had one there the end of July so I was really surprised when they asked me to do one. It means a lot since I live here. Anyway, wish you were in the neighborhood to pop by! I hope to hear from you: padgettgayle@yahoo. com.
All the best, Gayle
Hi Gayle!!
Of course you are!!
I could not find a link to the beautiful handbag shown with the MADEWELL items
Hi Pat
Those bags are going like hotcakes. Here is the latest one I could find https://go.shopmy.us/p-79967785
Cindy I love the French theme! What a gorgeous hotel. The Madewell pieces are so good. Cute way to mix and match them.
The bandana bags I’ve see a lot, and adore, but I love this Etsy shop where can choose your own colors!
I agree with the French.. We need more lingering with meals and enjoying!
Hope you have a great week
Hi Kim
I think that French brand is over-priced and kind of goofy. I like the Etsy ones better. And yes to lingering and enjoying!
I love your bandana tote. Is there a link to that Etsy shop?
Lovely post. Thanks.
Hi Susan
Those bandana bags are disappearing like crazy here is a link https://go.shopmy.us/p-79967785
Oh Cindy loved this post and your outfits are so up my alley! Love the stripes and the combo of the navy and ocher gold. I am definitely going to take a look on Madewell! 💙🤍💛
Hi Kathy
Can’t wait for your post on Tuesday! Everyone is going to love your house and your wise words…
Cindy! That ticking stripe is amazing … the jacket and especially the pants. Love pairing these pieces with driving loafers … one of my favorite shoe styles of all time. Speaking of things I love, the bedroom at Hotel Flaubert. Perfection. Viva la France. xo
Cindy! I love the French ticking-stripe chore coat and pants from Madewell. They have some really nice things lately. Speaking of French…isn’t Sharon an inspiration with all that she does?
Hi Cindy,
Love the French theme thank you! My parents lived in Cahors near Toulouse for fourteen years and for a while there summers and Christmas’s meant an escape from London into french rural life which was blissful. There was a huge fireplace the length of a queen size bed so chopping wood was essential. Love your outfits, those striped pants and the bandana bag wow!! And the recipes!! Happy sunday!
Love the recipe collection!
Well, you know I loved this post! Just as I’m winding down my French content from Paris.
And how cute are those Madewell outfits???!!!