Category Archives: francophilia

the francophiles gift guide

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It’s become a yearly tradition to create a gift guide for fellow Francophiles, and I must say I truly enjoy pulling it together! This year I am focused on supporting small business owners and makers, as well as keeping costs reasonable (with a few exceptions). This holiday season is certainly more challenging, but I hope this list will inspire, or perhaps even introduce you to a new creative! I purposely left books off this year, only because I have a dedicated bookshop.org page setup for all of my French-inspired favorites. I highly encourage you to buy your books from them, as it is the best way to support indie bookshops and authors. Should you desire more gifting inspiration, you can see my past gift guides here, and be sure to follow @thefrancophiles community for all things French, all the time. Joyeuses fêtes et happy shopping mes amis!

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1.  this luxe new holiday candle features firewood + spicy notes…their matches also make a lovely (less expensive) gesture.

2.  a fun nod to the flag, this tricolour kitsune (fox) keychain is the emblem of the famous French-Japanese fashion house.

3.   the iconic Arc de Triomphe, painted in watercolor by artist Annie Montgomery + printed as a fine art giclée (a series)!

4.  inspired by antique French tableware, this handcrafted porcelain mug by artist Marin Montagut is a personal favorite.

5.   handmade by Bunny Shapiro with locally sourced materials, the bisous stitch bracelet is on my holiday wish list!

6.  store your recipes in this stylish binder…inspired by Julia Child’s opus, it’s sure to delight any Francophile foodie.

7.  made from flax grown + woven in Europe, this set of 100% linen napkins are the perfect addition to your holiday table.

8.  for le petit patissier – this French-inspired baking kit comes in a clever case, complete with vintage vibes.

9.  what is a Francophiles holiday decor without a baguette ornament? I mean…just like bread, it’s a necessity, non?

10. stay on trend for 2020 by staying safe and saving lives with these très chic masks (I also love and wear these).

11. the signature scent of Sézane, created alongside master perfumer Jérôme Di Marino, featuring floral notes.

12. a kid-friendly (water-based, vegan, made in France) nail polish + lip gloss set, designed in collaboration with Omy.

13. this “bonne nuit” pillow is 100% linen and silk screened by hand in Brooklyn and offered in a few different colorways.

14. a limited edition grooming kit “pour homme” (or anyone) by the dependable + classic French brand L’Occitane.

ten years of blogging

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Ten years ago today I clicked publish on my first blog post! I’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on the decade and the impact that this little corner of the internet has had on my life. What began (with a beret) as a creative outlet for my Francophilia and promotion for my design business has evolved to include my life, love, and journey through motherhood. When I started, I was twenty-nine…freshly married, having recently moved to a new state where I knew no one. Now I’m forty…still happily married, living in the same state, and a mother of twins (who are almost eight). Ten years later and it still fuels me, brings me joy, and satisfies my soul…I’ve discovered so much purpose through it.

I’m so thankful that the blogosphere welcomed me with open arms during a time when it was already quite saturated, which still amazes me to this day. I’m so very grateful for friendships forged online…some of my closest offline connections developed from there. On a professional level, my blog has afforded my family and I opportunities that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise. In these ten years, I’ve taught myself photography, graphic design, and social media marketing, among other things. I am very proud of what I’ve achieved through my hard work and dedication, which has landed me at the doorstep of what is soon to be a huge (secret for now, sorry) career milestone!

So many of you have come along for the ride, from day one…I feel immense gratitude that you’ve stuck with me through the years. This space wouldn’t be what it is without you! Your love and support is palpable, and extends into @thefrancophiles community that I launched a few years ago. It’s such a treat to watch that grow! I thought it would be fun to share my top ten (personal) favorite posts…which has proved to be quite a challenge. I would love to know if you’ve had a favorite post, what you enjoy most about my blog, or what you’d like to see here going forward? Leave a comment and I’ll randomly select one person to receive a personalized goodie bag (I’ll leave the details below) as a thank you. I’m indebted to this community and appreciate you being here more than I can express…MERCI MILLE FOIS! xo, Susan

my personal paris | a very special christmas | things I’m afraid to tell you | henry et marie | paper + plans | it’s not enough | a day in paris with kids | hineni | on gratitude | pressing pause| through the lens |

french-inspired gifts for mother’s day

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Mother’s Day is around the corner on both continents! While this year is quite different than the last (and giving gifts is a privilege), I still wanted to put together a gift guide for Mother’s Day, with a focus on small businesses. These makers and brands need our support right now, and if we’re able to do so while making maman smile it’s a win. As a devout Francophile and mother, I can honestly say that I would be thrilled to receive any of the items on this list (and ok, I have a few of these items already). This is dedicated to les mamans, but of course can serve as inspiration for anyone special in your life. If you’re not already, be sure to join @thefrancophiles community for more French-inspired ideas!

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1.  this luxe Cire Trudon beeswax candle was created to help save bees + smells divine (it’s still a favorite of mine).

2.  these matching organic cotton maman + mini sweatshirts are très mignon (very cute) and so is the entire line!

3. French Girl Organics Hibernation Recovery Duo is a treat for any confined maman (a gift card would be amazing too).

4.  treat Mom to hashtag rosé all day with this 3 pc. bento box of rosé-infused gummies by Sugarfina!

5. Paris in Bloom by Georgianna Lane is longer-lasting than a bouquet and is an elegant tour of the city in the spring.

6.  purchase a gift card from Maman with the promise of brunch (and a box of cookies) when they reopen!

7. a clever take on the French national motto, this chic tote benefits the amazing organization Every Mother Counts.

8.  Èclat chocolate (a local fav of mine) and La Boîte spices blend effortlessly in this gourmet chocolate bar.

9.  moms always say OUI to tea and this mug oozes with un charme français…designed by Clare V. for Anthropologie!

10. this velvety body cream by Bastide is super luxe, especially for under $50…you can’t go wrong with this French brand.

reflections on 2019 + beyond

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This year exceeded my expectations in many ways, along with some curveballs along the way. While I haven’t had ample time to reflect on the past year, I spent the holidays going through images and revisiting favorite moments. Out of the many thousands of images I captured in 2019, this one is certainly a standout (we used it for our holiday card), and represents a source of pride. Giving our children the gift of travel and cultural experiences is priceless, and when I look back over any of our years, it’s those memories that stand out the most. Returning to France as a family was such a highlight (recap coming soon, yikes)! I don’t want to forget our other family travels, which were equally precious: we visited family in Charlotte, explored England for the first time, celebrated Henry + Marie’s 7th birthday in NYC (and found ourselves in the city a few more times), and had an incredible summer vacation in New Hampshire.

I had considered writing a decade in review, but whoa…that is too daunting of a task and overwhelming for me. My head is still spinning from the past ten years: I moved four times, started a blog, battled mysterious health issues, bought a house, became a mother of two at once, grew my business, lost a furry baby, sold a home, struggled financially, dealt with anxiety, depression, and marital issues, got political, brought a big idea to life, got diagnosed with cancer, homeschooled my children, cared for aging parents, celebrated ten years of marriage, turned 40, and welcomed a new furry baby. These years have been some of the most unforgettable, challenging, and exquisite of my life…it may take a lifetime to adequately reflect upon them. I wish you all a happy new decade and new year…here’s to a mindful and joyous 2020!

gift guide for the francophiles

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Tis’ the season for gifting, and this gift guide is for all of my fellow Francophiles! If you’re a regular reader, then you know that I have a deep love for all things French. I always enjoy creating these guides – and while I always include brands that I know and love, I often discover something completely new to me! I’ve created quite a few frenchy gift guides over the years…you can see them all here. For those of you that are signed up for @thefrancophiles newsletter, you received a special one in your inbox today. In the event you’re not subscribed, you can see it here (a gift from me to you). xo, Susan

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1.   Clare V. and Sugar Paper teamed up to create this 2020 planner, with French phrases + words plus a snazzy look.

2.  designed by a father/daughter duo, this necklace is a great way for your little one to show their love for the city.

3.   ooh la la, little ones will love this sweet rattle beautifully crafted from soft organic knitted cotton.

4.   this gift set brings together five iconic diptyque scents in miniature form, long-lasting and made in France.

5.   a brilliant quote by French novelist Marcel Proust adorns this ceramic mug by Obvious State.

6.  this heavyweight linen pillow featuring les trois couleurs is hand silk-screened in Brooklyn.

7.   this French cookbook glass ornament would be a cute gift for a foodie…Julia Child would approve, no doubt.

8.  a play on the relationship between two French words makes this Clare V. sweatshirt both cheeky + chic.

9.   what could be more perfect than a handmade, France-shaped cutting board?! hashtag hostess gift.

10. you can’t go wrong with this beloved print by French illustrator, photographer and fashion blogger, Garance Doré.

11. this passport holder is so fly, customs officials won’t even notice your smuggled macarons.

12. a limited-edition collection of nourishing shea butter L’Occitane favorites, presented in a festive box.