Finger on the French Pulse

Last night after Tex-Mex with Les Canadiennes, more on that tomorrow, Mon Mari turned on the France v Croatia football match. And lo and behold, their new away 'kit' (meaning their outfit) is remarkably similar to my favorite striped tee.
I ask you, do I have my finger squarely on the pulse of French culture?

Designed by Karl Lagerfield this new stripy jersey is totally wearable, chic, fresh and springy. Maybe not how the French team would like to be described but true nonetheless. It seems that it's receiving a lot of criticism but I can't imagine why. I think it's great. Maybe that explains it.

France fancy away 'outfit'

Mardi Things

You know that feature in people magazine called, I Really Love My.....?

summer skirt with a very young fille

Where they show a celebrity wearing one article of clothing or carrying the same purse more than one time. To celebrities I suppose if you wear something more than once you must really LurVe it. Being a regular human I carry the same bag every day for ages and still have a skirt I bought 8+ years ago at TJ Maxx that I'm wearing right now. It's my summer skirt and if you know me you can probably picture it. And if you don't it's up there.

h&m product detail h&m.com

One of my new purchases and wear-at-least-once-a-week-favorites is my blue and white striped long sleeved t-shirt from H&M. I realized I'm wearing it a lot because in the past month I've been caught with it on in almost every photo. I'm wearing it in one of Kirsty's photos, for example.
I guess you could say 'I Really Love My...blue and white striped tee.' I think I should go back and buy one more just so I don't wear it out. C'est très Frenchie, non?


What have you been caught living in?

The weather is so nice and it makes me so very joyful that I have coined myself, Summer Girl. Please refer to me as this for the next few months. Or if you prefer, Mademoiselle d'été.
Bon mardi,
mademoiselle d'été

Seasonal Sunday--Chevre, Brebis, Roquefort and Dried Figs

The cheese course is one of our favorite French eating rituals. And it works all year round. In the winter you eat heavier, runnier cheeses warmed and studded with garlic and wine. These sometimes become the meal in itself because of their richness. As Spring has finally come and we've enjoyed days of unfiltered sunlight the cheeses become lighter; none less delicious, only more springy.
I buy a bi-weekly French foodie magazine and there's a 'seasonal' section. The current issue features dried figs, freshly made pasta stuffed with spring greens like aragula/roquette and chives and braised joue de porc or pork cheeks. I love figs fresh and in jam so I bought some of the seasonal dried ones to add to my cheese platter.
These beautifully white sheep cheeses were on special at the fromagerie and their delicate flavor is surprisingly light. I also bought a gouda made with goat cheese and its harder texture and stronger flavor are a nice foil to the soft, creamy sheep or brebis rounds.
And because we all love bleu, even mes garcons, I added Roquefort. Bleu and dried figs together are divine.
All of this topped off with a cold glass of the pink stuff and you're in terrace heaven.
Vive les Printemps!