Category Archives: francophilia

packing for paris – with kids!

packing-for-kids

 

I’m currently surrounded by a sea of clothing + suitcases, with only two (gulp/eeek!) days until our departure. I’ve shared my packing for paris tips before (un + deux), but this time is much different – I’m packing for my children too! I’m a planner by nature, so I began taking inventory of Henry + Marie’s wardrobe as soon as we booked our tickets, and promptly identified the items they needed. For instance, since our international flight takes place at night and they will (hopefully) be sleeping for a good bit of it, I thought it would be smart for them to wear inconspicuous pajamas to the airport, along with their comfiest soft moccasins. They’ll also be toting their lovies + a few small favorite toys in their adorable backpacks. I wanted to involve them as much as possible (at almost three years of age) – they’re so excited!

I must admit – I have a lot of fun dressing both a boy and a girl. I always do my best to try and coordinate (not match) their outfits.  I tend to stick to the classics for them, with a little French twist, of course, and an indie/hipster add-on here and there. As with any adult-packing advice, comfort is key, and neutrals make mixing + matching outfits simple + easy. Layering is always a good idea, as weather can be fickle this time of year…I was sure to include a lightweight coat and rain boots for the occasional pop-up Parisian rainstorm. I’m not going to go crazy with the number of items I bring for them, as one of the many benefits of renting an apartment is having a washer/dryer…three cheers for airbnb! Now if I can just get them to use the (basic) French they know while wearing these cute duds…wish us luck!

clothing by GapKids | backpacks by Fjållråven | boots by Hunter | bow tie by Forage Haberdashery

french is beautiful

louvre-pyramid

 

“Il y a eu une modernité pour chaque peintre ancien. | Every ancient painter was once modern.”

Charles Baudelaire

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One of the things I love most about Paris is it’s history. However, I’m constantly in awe at how beautifully ultra-modern elements are married + juxtaposed with classical architecture. The best example I can think of is the Louvre…with the original structure (not including the original fortress) dating to the 16th century, and the 1989 addition of the glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. While originally very controversial, it is now one of the most recognizable modern landmarks in Paris. I feel this is very representative of French, and any language, really. You must have an understanding and respect for the proper (formal) verbiage, but be able to weave in modern day elements. There have been numerous times when I’ve used “textbook” French, and suddenly, it’s as if I have an arrow sign above my head blinking “AMERICAN” in neon lights. For example, instead of using the classic je voudrais for “I would like”…using je vais prendre gives it a modern, casual update. Another example – instead of using nous for “we”, a more common (modern) usage is the word on. I’m learning that these seemingly small tweaks can make the difference between sounding like you just left high school and sounding like a pro. Merci mille fois, Carrie Anne James.

* french is beautiful is a regular series – browse the archives here *

proust q + a – c’est christine

christine-amorose

 

I’ve been eager to revive the Proust Q + A after a two-year hiatus, and Christine Amorose of C’est Christine is the perfect person to kick things off! While her blog name offers a hint of her Francophilia, don’t let that fool you – she is a seasoned world traveler. Thus far, she has managed to celebrate every birthday in her twenties in a new country!  A California girl at heart, she lives + works (quite happily) in NYC – Brooklyn to be exact. When she isn’t managing brand partnerships for Vimeo, she’s practicing or teaching yoga, exploring New York City, or planning her next getaway. In addition to instigating severe wanderlust, Christine has a charming way with words (as her header so aptly states), and her insightful and mature outlook on life inspire me. Her blog is one that I make time for on a regular basis, and highly recommend you do, too. A huge MERCI to Christine (and her energetic, beautiful self) for breathing new life into this series!

 

Your favourite virtue.

Kindness. It’s such a little thing that can make such a big difference. One of my favorite concepts is that kindness is a muscle, not a fixed trait: it’s something that can get stronger the more than you practice it!

Your idea of happiness.

A good book, a good coffee and a sunny day. I always think of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when I think about happiness: “People always think that happiness is a faraway thing,” thought Francie, “something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains – a cup of strong hot coffee when you’re blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you’re alone – just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.”

Your favourite colour and flower.

Bold turquoise, and tulips in any color.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. I can never resist something grand that I can’t do anywhere else in the world, like a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey or wakeboarding next to and rockclimbing on the ethereal limestone cliffs of Halong Bay in Vietnam or paragliding over Neuschwanstein Caslte in the Bavarian Alps.

Your biggest flaw.

Stressing out over things I can’t control, and letting that stress negatively affect the people around me.

Where would you like to live?

In a sunny house on the beach, or a restored brownstone in Brooklyn.

What is it that you most dislike?

Hypocrites.

How would you like to die?

Quickly and painlessly with no regrets, before I get too old to be a burden.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

A sense of humor, a love of adventure and, most importantly, a commitment to the act of friendship.

Your favourite motto.

Do the best you can, and then to hell with it.

 

christine’s links… instagram | twitter | pinterest | facebook

**the proust q + a is a regular feature…check out the archives here**

my french playlist

susan-hutchinson-paris

 

I can’t believe I’ll be back in France in less than 30 days!! As you can see in this image captured by Ashley Ludaescher last year, I’m pretty happy there (and Paris makes everyone feel sexier). I recently had a Madeleine moment thanks to one of my favorite French songs, and it made me realize how long it’s been since I’ve written a music post. La Noyée, by Yann Tiersen, transports me back to my first trip to France, circa 2001. Amélie had just been released, and being the hopelessly romantic Francophile that I am, the soundtrack was on repeat during my flight. I pressed play as we made our descent into Paris, and…no exaggeration – just as the music rose to it’s beautiful crescendo, we emerged from the clouds, with the Eiffel Tower in view. Seeing it for the first time took my breath away–I’ll never forget that moment. On that note, I thought it might be nice to share a few of my favorite French songs with you – it’s so hard for me to narrow it down…I’ll share more soon. Do you have any French favorites, and/or what songs bring back specific memories for you?

 

françoise hardy // le temps de l’amour

paris combo // aquarium

édith piaf // non, je ne regrette rien

les nubians // demain

serge gainsbourg // bonnie and clyde

amylie // espace

juliette gréco // sous le ciel de paris

mc solaar // le belle et le bad boy

jacques dutronc // et moi et moi et moi

coralie clément  // samba de mon coeur qui bat

french is beautiful

red-paris-cafe-chairs

 

“God invented the Parisian so that foreigners wouldn’t know what to make of the French.”

Alexandre Dumas

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As you may have noticed, we’re headed to Paris as a family! I couldn’t be more giddy about it. The anticipation of introducing my children to the city (and country) I love so much has me completely blissed out. Of course, I also went into panic mode – I had hoped to be further long with my French studies before returning. While my journey to fluency is well underway (thanks to French is Beautiful Level One), my everyday, operational French needs some polishing. Which brings me to an exciting announcement – Carrie Anne James has designed a course specifically for traveling, called French for Paris! She so sweetly included my input in the planning of the course, and I’m eager to help spread the word.

Launching in April (the 4th to be exact), the efficient course covers the most crucial topics for a traveler, and teaches you how to improvise, not imitate. There have been quite a few instances where I either didn’t get a response I was expecting, or I froze in fear…I’m hoping to avoid that this time around. From mastering the Métro to bargain shopping, the focus is on feeling confident in everyday situations. Right now you can pre-order the class, and the first ten signups will receive a one hour private Skype session! I might have had something to do with the  “traveling with kids” bonus session (wink).

 

* french is beautiful is a regular series – browse the archives here *

*tutoring c/o French is Beautiful…no compensation is received + as always, these opinions are my own*