Category Archives: wish list

gift guide for francophiles

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This gift guide is for the Francophiles in your life (hopefully there are many). May this list inspire your holiday shopping and perhaps even a little something for yourself! For a list of favorite French-inspired books (there are simply too many to narrow down), look no further than this dedicated bookshop.org page. Their site helps support authors and independent bookstores, which is more important than ever. Happy shopping and merci mille fois for supporting @thefrancophiles!

1.  this set of puzzles by French artist Nathalie Lété for Vilac is perfect for les enfants.

2.  a gluten-free (lol) homage to the emblematic bread of France in pen form…so fun!

3.  limited edition holiday candles (speckled with real gold) by an iconic French brand.

4.  ultrawashable felt pens for the littles designed in the coolest Parisian studio. 

5.  for the culinary Francophile, this cast iron “la cuisine” sign would make a great gift.

6.  this French icon celebrated 60 years with a limited edition design for les bébés.

7.  colorful whimsy for your holiday designed by Nathalie Lété for Anthropologie. 

8.  just say “yes” to this nylon and mesh trucker hat – the perfect unisex accessory.

9.  achic + sturdy cotton canvas “Palais Royal” tote by a Paris-meets-Tokyo brand. 

10. customize this bestselling lip balm for a luxe gift, wrapped to Parisian perfection.

11. save 15% on a subscription to France-Amérique magazine with code: COUCOUFA

12. this ten-volume collection of Hemingway is super luxe ($$$) but wow…le swoon.

13. only Parisian artist Marin Montagut could make such a perfectly French décanteur!

14. this classic stoneware mug is the perfect addition to any Francophile’s kitchen.

15. made in France, this olive-oil based bath bar comes in a a cool vintage box.

16. a pictureque Parisian holiday scene is featured on this deluxe set of cards.

17. hands down (pun intended) this cream is one of the best…made in France, bien sûr.

18. a cheery gingham coin clutch for the “bon vivant” in your life…perhaps it’s you?!

*this guide includes affiliate links…thank you et merci for supporting this work*

gift guide pour les mamans

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I must say I do enjoy curating these gift guides every year, and I almost always discover something new for my own wish list (which is both a good and a bad thing, lol). While this is dedicated to les mamans, it can of course can serve as inspiration for any special friend in your life. Mother’s Day is upon us in the states and fête des mères falls at the end of the month in France. This guide does contain some affiliate links which help support the work that goes on behind the scenes here and @thefrancophiles. Thank you et merci for your community love and happy shopping mes amis!

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1.  this 14k gold “maman” necklace is the result of a cool collaboration between friends Maya Brenner + Clare V.

2.  an organic cotton “mère amour” tee-shirt by Sézane for the chic mom (check out their Mother’s Day gift guide).

3.  this luxe Carrière Frères (made in the Cire Trudon factory) Lily of the Valley candle is the scent of luck + happiness!

4.  celebrate le printemps and transport mom to the cherry tree-dotted hillsides of southern France with this set.

5.  say bonjour to a new skincare routine with this spray for both you + maman…this debut beauty brand is hot!

6.  Èclat chocolate and La Boîte spices marry in this gourmet chocolate bar (fun fact: we used to live above this boutique).

7.  a clever take on the French motto, this chic tote benefits Every Mother Counts, and the design is also on cute tees.

8.  designed by Hotel Magique, this mug is sure to delight the Francophile at heart (I’m a fan of the entire collection).

9.  a Francophile kitchen staple, The Cook’s Atelier is a mother/daughter duo who run a cooking school in France!

10. give notes from mom some French vibes with this fun striped baguette stationery (or these if she prefers croissants).

11. this soy wax (painted glass) candle pays homage to French blooms + Parisian style (and the box is equally stunning).

12. gift a subscription to the Francophile favorite France-Amérique magazine + save 15% by using the code: COUCOUFA

13. this glass duo (which says Je t’aime Maman) by Marin Montagut is colorful and hand painted in his Paris studio.

14. perfect for “mom”ogramming (ha sorry couldn’t resist), this coin clutch is a practical and French-inspired gift!

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.

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.

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.