the house of franglais

Dear Lynne:

I've been thinking long and hard about your question of how you can be more French. I've recently returned from a wedding anniversary trip to Paris. (Do you like this lovely flat we rented?) It's true that French women have a certain je ne sais quoi that we American women seem to often lack.

Here are some of my observations that might help:

1. pink toilet paper: I've never seen this in America, and it's everywhere in France.
2. scarves: the French actually have two words to describe this; one is "un foulard" which is more of a dressy light, silky sort of scarf; the other is "une écharpe" which is the woolen variety worn in winter. I think a good collection of both types of scarves is a good start.
3. lettuce: French women are really always eating salad and drinking lots of water, sparkling or flat.
4. speedos: I think you should buy one for your man if you want to be really French. In fact, at many public pools, voluminous swimming trunks are not allowed. Tight fitting swimming attire for men is a must.
5. women often wear skirts or dresses, with lovely shoes, no running shoes or sweat pants. Do you like my 1960's thrift-store find?

house of franglais

image anthropologie

Dear Melissa,

Can we talk wardrobe for a minute?

I think I told you my sad story, of being stopped twice in the last four months by strange men inquiring if I was a member of a certain religion. I don't want to specifically mention the religion because these comments were not taken by me as compliments on my personal appearance (let's just say I googled the religion after incident #1, and it described the typical female belonging to said religion as one who wears no make-up or jewelry, does not cut her hair, and usually wears long plain skirts or dresses). If this happens to you once, you could think, sure, I'm just at the grocery store and haven't really gotten ready today (except for that day I had), ha ha, it's kind of funny. Twice - this happening TWO TIMES makes you stop and think, perhaps time for a little look-see in the mirror and some re-evaluation.

So as I think about this - because, at the end of the day I do have some vanity - the bottom line is that really what I would like to look like when I leave the house each day is french, and kind of vaguely artistic. And cute. Can this be done? C'est possible? And can you help me since you speak french?

First, let's consider what I generally do during the day, because my new french look needs to be practical:

exercise sometimes if I have time/remember. Lately I have been frantically doing the jump-rope because I can break a sweat and be done in 15 minutes while Wren sits in her high-chair and stares at me. (perhaps on the days I forget to exercise, this is more french, because it seems like french women do not need to exercise to look beautiful.)

drink hot chocolate (this is french already because sometimes I use a very small mug).

a load or two of laundry

lots of tidying

often a visit to the school to do an art class; and if I'm lucky I might find a little time to paint while Wren naps and other children are otherwise gone or occupied. (TOTALLY french to engage in artistic activity!)

various shuttling around of children to lessons, etc. (Not so french, because I drive a japanese minivan.)

disciplining/shaping the characters of my progeny

grocery shopping (if I start substituting the word "marketing" for this, do you think that would be a step in the right direction?)

reading (alors, always in english, as I only speak very poor high school level french.)

chit-chatting (rarely in french. only if i happen to offer a friend perhaps a bit of fromage avec a cracker at my table)

So, any brilliant tips for me? Articles of clothing to acquire? I'm wondering if you (or anyone else) has found the perfect ballet flats, or the perfect little black pants, the perfect red lipstick, the perfect striped top, or the perfect accessories (because, although my male admirers would be surprised, I actually do enjoy wearing jewelry). What do you think is the ideal composition for a (frenchy) lady of style's wardrobe? And, how should one wear one's semi-long hair so that it looks semi-long on purpose rather than default?

Love,

Lynne