Provence Style: What to Wear in the South of France + a Beautiful Stone House
If you’ve been following along, you know Steve and I are heading to Provence in a week. I won’t pretend I’m not already deep in the daydream. Stone farmhouses with shuttered windows, markets piled high with lavender and linen, that particular quality of southern French light that makes everything look like a painting. It’s all I can think about. So it felt completely natural that this week’s Sunday Favorites would follow suit, a little Provençal inspiration woven through the clothing and interiors finds that have been catching my eye lately. Consider this my love letter to a trip I haven’t taken yet. Let’s chat about, Provence Style: What to Wear in the South of France + a Beautiful Stone House
Provence Style: What to Wear in the South of France + a Beautiful Stone House
A “Dream stone house set in the lavender fields of the Luberon” in France in House and Garden
This enchanting stone home owned by a British couple was reimagined by designer Sophie James of Bucknell James, and beautifully photographed by Richard Powers. This beautiful home had me at hello.
Great mix of old, industrial, rustic and the refined in this wonderful dining area.
Love the industrialesque light fixtures, the blue cabinetry, lovely tile backsplash and beautiful stone floors.
Apparently the beautful archwork was buried in a former renovation. The architect unearthed the original design. Can you imagine this entry without all these arches?
Tim Parr in Ageist
I love the advertising campaign of the eyewear brand Caddis “We roll exclusively with people who aren’t afraid to be themselves. People who’ve learned how to live well, be happy, have fun and prioritize what’s important to them in this moment while demonstrating that age is a characteristic that only helps make them the awesome force they are”. I came across an interview with Tim Parr the founder of Caddis on Ageist. I thought you might enjoy reading more about him. You can read it here.
Reading & Watching Suggestions from Pine Cones and Acorns
Outfits of the Week
When summer rolls around I love Natalie Martin’s cool comfy separates. She recently added these turquoise separates and I am completely smitten! Her sale section is filled with great buys. You can find all of my Natalie Martin favorites in my ShopMy shop here.
Cafe Sucre Black Lentil Salad
This is a great picnic or workday lunch salad. It tastes better the second day!
Cafe Sucre Black Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- For the black lentils:
- 1 ½ cups uncooked black lentils (you can also use French green lentils)For the kale:
- 10 ounces curly kale I use a 10-ounce bag of triple-washed curly kale, any tough stems and cores removed (or clean it yourself)
- For the spiced oil/dressing and almond mixture:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 medium-size green onions thinly sliced, (reserve the green parts in a small bowl)
- 2 medium garlic cloves finely minced
- ⅔ cup raw or toasted whole almonds roughly chopped
- finely grated zest from one medium lemon reserve the lemon juice to use later
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- To finish:
- 4 ounces block Feta
- ¾ cup pitted Castelvetrano olives torn into 3-4 pieces each
- ½ cup golden raisins (see Café Tips if your raisins are dried out)
Instructions
- For the black lentils:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt and the black lentils (most of the salt will be drained off but some of it will season the lentils).For the black lentils:
- Return the water to a boil then reduce it to a simmer. Cook, occasionally stirring until lentils are tender but still al dente, 15–25 minutes. Start testing at 15 minutes and every few minutes after that. When the lentils are tender, drain and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- For the kale:
- While the lentils are cooking, slice the kale into thin ribbons. (I use pre-washed kale. To slice it, I place the kale on a large cutting board and grab a bunch in my hand. Using a long, sharp knife, I thinly slice the kale into tiny ribbons, moving my hand back as I go to expose more kale.)
- Transfer the kale to a large bowl as it is sliced. Continue until all the kale is thinly sliced.
- For the spiced oil/dressing and almond mixture:
- In a small skillet or sauté pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the white parts of the green onions and the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chopped almonds and lemon zest and cook, stirring occasionally, until the almonds are golden.
- Turn off the heat and add the cumin seeds and crushed red pepper (if using). Stir to combine. (the residual heat from the oil will bloom those spices and bring out their flavors)
- Strain the oil mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Add the lemon juice and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk well to combine.
- Spread almond/cumin seed mixture on a paper towel-lined plate. Season lightly with kosher salt and let cool (the nuts get crunchier as they cool!). To finish:
- To finish:
- Add the lentils to the kale in the bowl. Drizzle the dressing mixture over the kale and lentils. Toss well to coat everything with the dressing. Add the olives and the reserved sliced scallion greens (reserve some for the topping) and toss again. Taste and add a bit of kosher salt if needed then toss again.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving platter or bowl, if desired.
- Crumble the Feta over the salad and gently toss the salad. Top with the remaining almond mixture and the reserved scallion greens. Serve and enjoy!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Sunday Favorites, a little wishful thinking, a lot of beautiful things, and one very excited traveler counting down the days to Provence. If any of these picks speak to you, I’d love to hear which ones in the comments below. And if you’ve been to France and have a stone village you’d recommend, please share — I’m all ears.
You might also enjoy my post A Charming French Garden.
Thanks for reading Provence Style: What to Wear in the South of France + a Beautiful Stone House. Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie and see what they are up to!
That house! Those arches! The outdoor dining! Ahhh. And I love all the outfits. I now have two Nordstrom’s Rack items (sandals and linen scarf) in my cart. Life is grand! Thanks, as always.
Hi Susan
Isn’t it a dream? I love Nordstrom Rack!!
You are going to be so inspired. Have a great trip! I will be thinking of you and Steve !
Where will Scout be while you guys are in France? He can stay with me!
Hi Becky
Scouty has a young couple with two dogs that will be staying with him! He won’t miss us a bit!!
Cindy that house is amazing with those arches! I love these two looks. I hope you brought some ion these things for the Provence trip! So excited for you guys. Perfect time to travel. x
Salad looks good too.
ah….. lucky you! Enjoy every moment on your French adventure! Can’t wait to hear all about it: where you went, what you ate, what delightful wines you found, the colors of the shutters, what you bought. It is all so magical. enjoy!
Cindy! I’m dreaming of your Provence adventures right along with you. Also, those Natalie Martin pants are in my cart. Love. xo
We went years ago after reading A Year in Provence. A truly special place. The light at dusk is still in my memory. We stayed in Aix and ventured out from there. I bought a set of Christmas santons that are unique to the area and are quite charming. Enjoy!
Sounds wonderful Robbie!!
One of my favorite villages in Provence is Les Baux De Provence. Small, full of wonderful art, food, and unique things. It remains in my memory as a dream you walked through! It is a workout to visit as it is very hilly, and the roads are so small you can’t drive through. Just take your time and enjoy every minute. When we were there, the entire village was getting ready to have an Aioli Festival! I wish we could have hung around for that. Have a great time!
Hi Becky
Keeping notes on everyone’s faves!!
You will have such a great time. I’m excited to read all about your time there. I hope you have an easier time packing than I am having for five weeks on a cruise from Singapore to Cape Town.!! I have to plan for everything from the hottest weather in Singapore to winter in Cape Town!! I will be looking forward to your pictures!
Hi Martha
Wow that is a tough one!! Sounds like a fabulous trip though!!
Cindy,
You are going to have a wonderful time on your trip! I am looking forward to hearing if it was everything you hoped for and so much more. Love this provincial house, it is stunning! And the arches!
I would never have paired red and turquoise! It is a beautiful combination.
THANK YOU for sharing my blog! And welcome to anyone of your followers that joins!
This salad looks scrumptious, I will be making it this week.
Enjoy your week.
Hi Eliz
Red coral and turquoise are often featured in Native American jewelry. I have always loved the combination!! Thanks for all the trip advice!!
Oh my,you and Steve will have a fabulous time. May I suggest an absolutely delightful book for your trip? A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle showed an enchanting,dreamy and warm ” quirky” account of a couple that moved to an old stone farmhouse in Lube’ron. Seasons of Provencal life with characters that will make you laugh out loud!!! I could NOT put it down. Julia Child said ” I really loved this book”.
Enjoy enjoy,savor all ,bon appetit 🩷,
Sharrie
Hi Sharrie
I loved that book! I probably should reread it on the plane!!
Gorgeous stone house! I love Provence Avignon and Arles … market days, bliss. Have a glorious trip!
Sigh, my favorite part of the world! Don’t miss St. Remy( market day is Wednesday I think), Egaliere, Gordes, Les Baux( the art illuminations in the cave maybe open for the season)and the grocery store in Mausanne. The food! The light! The history! Vespers at L’Abbaye de Senanques! Soak it all in and share the highlights with us.
Hi Penelope
I will!! We will be visiting St. Remy for sure.
So fun that you’re coming to “my hood” ! We’re in Italy, then Spain this week, but maybe we’ll see you on the lanes of Aix when we’re back 😀
Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel are about an hour from Toulouse and are definitely worth seeing.
Dang I just wrote a response to your post and it went down before I could send it. Of all the amazing places I’ve been Provence is number one. I may have to order the pool blue outfits including everything then book my own trip. I’m so excited for you. Can’t wait to hear of your escapades!!
That Provençal house is dreamy. You are going to have so much fun!!!