bon weekend

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Bon week-end and happy Francophile Friday mes amis! Le Dîner en Blanc is on the horizon (in Philadelphia and many other cities), and I’ve rounded up some info and my archived posts on the subject. The dinner with friends that began in Paris over 30 years ago has become an international sensation, and is a highlight of summer for me. Sadly, we’ll be missing this years festivities due to coinciding vacation dates, but we hope to be back in 2019. You can read about our experiences below, and learn more about the dîner en blanc inspired tablescape you see above (styled by moi). Wherever you are in the world, if you attend the magical evening, I do hope you’ll tag #thefrancophiles and share your experience!

BON WEEKEND

terrain en blanc

dîner en blanc philadelphia

dîner en blanc inspiration board

our dîner en blanc experience on steller

the “secret dinner in white” 30th anniversary

francophile gift guide

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My passion for all things French is well known – it was the inspiration for starting this blog, and fueled my most recent venture, @thefrancophiles. I always seek out French brands and French-inspired products as gifts, and enjoy curating Francophile-focused gift guides each holiday season. I either own these items or covet them myself (ahem Santa), so you can feel confident about any and all of them. It’s difficult for me to narrow the selection, but you can always peek at my personal Pinterest, as well as the Francophiles Pinterest boards, for more inspiration. Happy shopping mes amis!

 

1.   you simply can’t go wrong with this stunning mini candle collection by Diptyque.

2.   inspired by French body care + handcrafted in Seattle, French Girl Organics Lumière body oil is a luxe treat.

3.   while there are numerous books I could include, this one about the history + brand of Veuve Clicquot is a beauty.

4.   for la petite Parisienne…this chic tea set by Moulin Roty is sure to delight.

5.   this Obvious State mug is perfect for the intellectual Francophile (or coffee lover), “mostly because it’s in French”.

6.   one of Oprah’s favorite things this year, the holiday trio cookie box by Maman is a perfect hostess gift!

7.   whomever is at the receiving end of this French-scripted tassel tote will be thanking you a million times over.

8.   this chic + comfy sweatshirt by Clare V. is a take on the French national motto and benefits Every Mother Counts.

9.   a fun gift for any aspiring Francophone, this French Words Boutique notebook is a personal favorite.

10. for the little Francophiles or Paris-obsessed friend, this wooden Eiffel music box will surely be treasured.

petit saint james | part un

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If you’re a devout Francophile like myself, chances are you’re smitten with Saint James. Their classic marinière (sailor) stripes are iconic French fashion. Made in France at their atelier near Mont-Saint-Michel, the brand’s history spans an impressive 128 years. I highly recommend reading their story, as well as this piece written by my friend Lindsey Tramuta. Needless to say, creating and sharing content on their behalf is an honor for me. I may have squealed a little bit seeing my children in their first Breton stripes – they wore them for Bastille Day and their fifth birthday, which happen to coincide! Henry is wearing the Minquiers T-Shirt + Marie is in the Coquillage dress…more photos below!

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