Category Archives: lovely links

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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the francophiles anniversary

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Time flies when you’re having fun – Bastille Day marked the one year anniversary of @thefrancophiles! I founded the Instagram community with the purpose of inspiring, informing and uniting Francophiles around the world. I’m so proud of how the community has grown in the past year…the response has been exciting and heartfelt. It’s “fleurishing” thanks to your support and participation. A huge MERCI to mes amies Lindsey Tramuta + Kirsten Alana, without whom this passion project may never have gotten off the ground. What does being a Francophile mean to you, and how and where do you get your “fix”? Wherever you are in the world, join the community (and have a chance to be featured), by tagging and/or hashtagging your French-inspired images #thefrancophiles. Stay tuned for some exciting new developments!

bon weekend

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Can you guess what I’m excited for this weekend based on this incredible illustration by Eleanor Grosch? If you guessed the Tour de France then OUI you are correct – it begins tomorrow!! If you’ve been following my blog since it’s inception, you are well aware of my TDF obsession (exhibit A, exhibit B, exhibit C). I am not a cyclist – I’m just a devout Francophile who long ago decided to watch for the scenery. The rest is history, and I’ve been hooked to the sport (and the soothing sound of Phil Ligett’s voice) since 2006. Of course a lot has changed since then (ahem) but I still can’t stop watching. If you’re just not that into it…here are some links that have inspired me recently, for your holiday weekend reading!

BON WEEKEND

fourth of july recipes

parent like a minimalist

bounce back from burnout

the best of pardon my french

how to stay sane while sick or injured

the lantern fest – with kids!

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We had a magical family experience recently at the Lantern Fest – I’m so excited to share it with you. I’ve been wanting to attend some type of lantern festival for most of my life. Floating lanterns have a history throughout Asia, as well as many other countries, and are used for purposes like religious worship, to make wishes, and of course, for fun. I can’t remember when my fascination with them began, but it was certainly pre-Tangled era. Speaking of Tangled, many children are familiar with this concept thanks to the film, and it happens to be a kid-friendly event. Children of all ages are welcome, but I was glad that Henry and Marie are at an age (almost five) where they could really participate. There were many fun activities for kids, to include: bouncy houses, face painting, live music and dancing, and of course ice cream and treats. We ALL had such an enjoyable and memorable time…click through for more, including the breathtaking finale!

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strawberry season

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Tis the season for strawberries, and if you live in the country, strawberry picking! We’ve taken the kids almost every year to our local orchard – this year we managed it just in time, right before the heat wave. The picking window is always brief, which is part of what makes it so special. Henry and Marie were giddy to have a fresh patch to pick, frolicking and filling their baskets (a handful ended up in their bellies first). There’s nothing better than biting into a fresh juicy berry in the field, warmed from the sun. While it’s still not “officially” summer, we welcomed it with smiles and berry-stained hands.

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