Category Archives: francophilia

the new paris

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Today is an exciting day for mon amie Lindsey Tramuta – today is the official launch date for her book, “The New Paris”. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy and devoured it as soon as it arrived. As a devout Francophile and frequent visitor to Paris, I have a great appreciation for her refreshing perspective on the city I hold so dear. Lindsey thoughtfully and masterfully navigates the creative class (along with photographer Charissa Fay), and introduces the thriving talents and places of the moment. It’s thrilling to know a few of them personally, but there are so many that I have yet to discover! I now have a longer wish list of experiences to have, people to meet, and places to see, along with a renewed appreciation for the future of the city. Admittedly, I may be a bit biased, but I can promise that you will look at Paris with new eyes after reading this book – it’s a must-read for any Francophile. Order your copy, find it at your local bookstore (in stores today), and don’t miss her book tour – she’s coming to many U.S. cities (including her hometown of Philadelphia)!

marché paul bert serpette

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I was 18 years old when I started working as an interior design assistant and caught the antiques bug, furnishing homes of discerning clients with vintage Parisian treasures. I’ve dreamed of going to the Paris flea market ever since then, and even though I started traveling abroad in my early twenties, I never made it there until my last trip! Thankfully, it lived up to the hype and then some. I was joined by my dear friend Amy Feezor, who is quite the expert when it comes to flea markets, and now lives in Paris! She collaborated with Lara Spencer (of Good Morning America fame) on her second book, Flea Market Fabulous, which provides tips and inspiration for decorating with vintage treasures. There is no better place to find those than at Les Puces. The problem is finding time for all of them, and unless you’re dedicating your entire trip to them, you won’t. So, you’ll be faced with the daunting #firstworldproblem of choosing which one. I’m sharing one of my favorites (and one of the most photogenic) – the Marché Paul Bert Serpette at the renowned Puces de Saint-Ouen.

 

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my little paris feature

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As a long time reader and fan of everything My Little Paris does, I was thrilled when they recently launched their latest brand addition, a weekly English newsletter delivering a delightful Francophile fix straight to your inbox. Speaking of Francophiles…today’s edition features none other than…@thefrancophiles! It’s such an honor to have the community recognized in such a big way. The piece is focused on the sexiest French pastries outside of France – you might not want to read it if you’re hungry. As an added bonus, one of my own images was included in the piece (a shout-out to my local fav, Parc). If you’re not familiar with My Little Paris, check out this fun introductory video, sign up for an edition (or two, or all) and explore their site. Fair warning: you’ll get blissfully lost for hours. Go French Yourself.

see the full feature here

le diplomate

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This week I spent two days in D.C. exploring, gathering content for @thefrancophiles, and visiting friends. Of course, I had to make time for Le Diplomate, as it’s been on my dining wish list for a long time now. As a Philadelphia resident, I’m well-versed in the world of Stephen Starr, and Starr Restaurants – you may remember the feature I shared on my local favorite, Parc. Needless to say, I went in knowing it would be amazing, but it honestly exceeded my expectations. For the record, this post is not sponsored in any way – I just feel the need to share it with you. Even if you’re not into classic French fare (as I am), the entire place is aesthetically perfect and so very photogenic. I mean, just look at these tiles!

 

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the wall of love

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We need more walls…of love. This one in Paris has become quite well-known since it’s installation in 2000. You’ll find le mur des je t’aime nestled inside the lovely Square Jehan-Rictus garden, adjacent to Place des Abbesses in Montmartre. Artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito created the mural using dark blue enamel lava tiles inscribed with “I love you” written 311 times, in 250 languages and dialects. The bits of red throughout represent a broken heart – the heart of humanity. The wall is a symbol of peace, uniting the globe with one simple phrase. Such a meaningful message, always.

 

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Le Mur Des Je T’aime | Square Jehan-Rictus 75018 Paris