Category Archives: proust q + a

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**

the return of proust

marcel-proust-illustration

 

 

After a two-year hiatus, I’m eager to announce the return of my Proust Q + A series! I really enjoy delving into the psyches of my favorite bloggers, and it seems you do too. In the past, I was mostly focused on fellow Francophiles, and considering the questionnaire is that of the famous French author Marcel Proust, it seems only fitting. However, I can’t promise it will always be a Francophile…I’ll mix it up to keep things interesting. Feel free to suggest your favorites, if you haven’t already seen them here, (and you can nominate yourself). I’m looking forward to featuring new bloggers very soon…stay tuned!

illustration by fernando vicente

proust q & a…besotted brand

tristan-besotted-brand

 

I’m delighted to feature my bloggy friend Tristan (aka Miss B) who is a mighty talented lady. She is the creative mind behind the beautiful Besotted Brand and the equally swoon-worthy companion blog. Her photography and love of animals first caught my eye years ago…between her adorable frenchie and dreamy imagery I can get lost for hours. I’m continually inspired by her thirst for knowledge, business savvy, and passionate approach to life. I find her Proust answers quite fascinating + fun-I certainly share her idea of misery. Head over to her site and also find her on twitter…merci Tristan!

 

Your favourite motto.

La vida es bella. Life is beautiful in Spanish…I love to say it and I love it’s simplicity + truth.

If not yourself, who would you be?

Jane Goodall has always endlessly fascinated me, but so has Truman Capote, such opposite sides of the spectrum but I think they both would be delightful.

Your favourite colour and flower.

I love white. For scent I adore night blooming jasmine + lemon blossom and for looks a tie between peony and David Austin roses (which look like organic peonies)! 

Your idea of happiness.

Being in love with your life.

Your idea of misery.

Humidity.

Your chief characteristic.

I’d like to think it is my keen wit.

Where would you like to live?

I would love to live in one of those beautiful old libraries. I love books, I love to learn and of course the character and charm of a beautiful library is swoon worthy. 

Your favourite food & drink.

Butter. Is that considered a food? If not, crusty bread. For drink I am currently addicted to Italian sparkling water.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

I love thoughtfulness. I think thoughtful people are more considerate and well-mannered and definitely more appreciative. I love thoughtfulness in a friend, I love it in any individual!

What is your present state of mind?

At this moment I am in complete and utter awe.

 

 **the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

proust q & a…paris in four months

carin-olsson

 

Discovering Carin Olsson’s blog recently was a happy day for me. Paris in Four Months is filled with francophile delights, from the mundane to the magnificent. Her gorgeous photography first caught my eye…the “lèche vitrine” (window shopping) alone is such a treat. A Stockholm native, Carin will soon to be calling Paris home once again, and I’m excited to experience more through her lens. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for a daily dose of eye candy!

 

If not yourself, who would you be?

I would love to be Garance Doré or Jamie Beck for a couple of days, simply because I would love to learn so much more about what I love to do; photography (with a little bit of fashion).

What is your present state of mind?

A little bit low…the snow and the extreme cold have just arrived in Stockholm (where I’m currently located) and I’m just counting down the days until I can board the plane back to Paris.

Your favourite colour and flower.

I’m a sucker for anything in the tones of light powdery pink or beige but I also love to have bright orange, yellow and pink colours around me – those shades really make me happy. My favourite flowers are peonies. And hydrangeas.

Your idea of happiness.

Being around the people that I love (including our family pug Nixon) in a place where I feel stimulated, doing what I love to do. I would also prefer if the sun would shine as much as possible.

Your idea of misery.

Being without the people that I love, horrible diseases, cold weather and darkness.

Your favourite occupation.

Strolling around the streets of Paris, with the camera in my hand.

Where would you like to live?

Some place where I wouldn’t get bored… so preferably in a bigger city. I also think I could see myself living in different places during different times of the year. I can’t stand the winter and the cold and would love to be able to escape it.

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in fiction.

Indiana Jones, if he could be called a “hero”. I would love to go on all those adventures around the world, swing through the jungle, looking for treasures and historical items. Otherwise I’ll pick Batman. 

Your favourite hero (or heroine) in real-life.

My mom. Just because she’s amazing in every possible way. She’s my role model and the person that I look up to. In my eyes she can do anything. 

Your favourite motto.

Do what you love.

 

 **the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here** 

 

proust q & a…uncle beefy

bradford-crowder

 

There are certain writers who immediately feel like one of your best friends, and blogger extraordinaire Uncle Beefy (aka Bradford Crowder) is one of them. Hailing from Seattle, he is witty and quirky and not afraid to speak the truth. His blog was one of the first to capture my affection, as I can always count on him to either provoke introspection or make me laugh out loud. Prime example…his answers to this questionnaire! Champagne + cake with a side of self-awareness, please. I encourage you to explore his amazingly full and flavorful world, over on The Bedlam of Beefy. 

 

Your idea of happiness.

A tidy, little home and a life comprised of and consumed by creativity and beauty. Oh…and cake and champagne!

Your idea of misery.

Attempting or feeling compelled to create a life based upon other people’s expectations and opinions.

If not yourself, who would you be?

In the past, I would surely have come up with a running list of others I’d rather be. But now I’m finally understanding the futility and self-deprecation in comparing yourself to another and wishing you and your life were more like them and their life. So now I’m just wanting to be the best me I can be. And since that’s still a work in progress, it’s other than who I am right now. That counts, right?

Your favourite colour and flower.

I think I’d probably have to go with orange. Combine that with pink and I’m gonna be one happy camper! My favorite flower is and has always been a peony.

Your favourite food & drink.

Cheese! Particularly if it’s Camembert or Triple Crème Brie. With bread, crackers, and fruit? Perfection! Top that off with a glass of good champagne and I’m set! Picnic anyone? (Then again, I also have a massive sweet tooth, especially for pastries, and love a good martini. So there’s that, too.)

Where would you like to live?

Something about San Francisco always feels like home when I’m there. But I also have a soft spot for Paris and Copenhagen.

Your favourite qualities in friends.

Easy-going, kind, generous, loyal, good humored, and with me, you’re gonna need to be patient.

Your biggest flaw.

I think it’s a toss up between desiring/expecting perfection or over-committing myself.

Your favourite occupation.

Working on anything creative from crafts to art, baking, and, truthfully, a good solo dance party in my living room.

Your chief characteristic.

I’d like to think it’s my wackiness and sense of humor…? Otherwise, it may be my extreme lack of self-awareness.

 

 **the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here**