Mothers' Day Gift Guide: French Gifts for Maman

Imported from France, the Salam teapot from French luxury homegoods brand Dégrenne is the perfect gift for the Maman who lives for afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea has been my personal Mothers’ Day tradition with my own Maman for as long as I can remember. From lavish hotel spreads with warm scones and finger sandwiches, to cozy tea rooms with homemade lemon curd and creme anglaise, high tea now defines our holiday. But just as memorable are the tea parties we’ve had at home, with our own linens, formal tableware, and French favorites. So when this beauty arrived from the French luxury home essentials brand Dégrenne—and just in time for La Fête des Méres—it seemed like divine timing. Imported exclusively from France, the Salam teapot (pictured here in Jade) holds six cups of your favorite tea, and the original stainless steel design—unchanged since 1953— keeps tea warm for three hours.

Read on to shop and discover more gift ideas for a Sunday soirée entre les filles—or on June 4th (French Mothers’ Day) for the truly committed Francophile Maman!

For the Maman Who Loves to Host
Salam Teapot, Dégrenne; $128 (6 Cups Size)
French Wink
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The Salam Teapot was created in 1953 and is Degrenne’s signature product. The porcelain design combined with the shimmer of the stainless steel body enhances the tea drinking experience. A felt sleeve lining keeps tea at an optimum temperature for twice as long as a classic teapot, and the removable filter prevents the bitter taste from over-brewing.

For the Maman Who Loves Surprises
My French Country Home Box; $275
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Curated by Sharon Santoni, arbiter of style in the South of France, this subscription box (available as a monthly recurring option or a single gift) will deliver Mom a box full of French luxuries—think candles, soaps, watercolors, lotions, fragrances, and scarves, to name a few—by local artisans and small business brands from Paris to the provinces.

For the Maman Who’s Too Busy to Cook
Instant Pot Dua Nova; $99.95
Sur La Table
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”The Instant Pot Duo Nova is a true multi-tasker. This 7-in-1 cooker can handle the work of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker and warmer. It’s easy to put your cooking on autopilot with 14 Smart Programs with settings for meats, soup, stew, beans, chili, poultry, rice, yogurt and more.”

For the Maman Who’s Serious About Cooking
Viking 11 Piece Cookware Set; $799.95
Sur La Table
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”Be ready for any recipe with this comprehensive, high-performance cookware set. The aluminum core conducts heat evenly and quickly, while the stainless-steel cooking surface is nonreactive, easy to clean, and delivers excellent browning and searing.”

For the Maman with a Green Thumb
Veritable Smart Garden; $250
Sur La Table
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Even city mamans can grow aromatic herbs, edible flowers and baby vegetables effortlessly in the kitchen. The LED lights use a color spectrum adapted specifically for edible plants; the special color and performance ensure quick growth and develop the flavor of plants, no natural light necessary. Comes with four ready-to-use refills for growing sweet basil, curly parsley, chives and cherry tomatoes.

For the Maman Who Cooks in Style
Elderflower Apron by April Cornell; $35
Sur La Table
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”Simple and sweet, this floral-patterned apron is the perfect barrier between clothes and splattering sauces, melting chocolate or cookie dough. Two large front pockets keep recipe cards or baking utensils close at hand, while an adjustable tie cinches around the waist for a comfortable fit.”

For the Maman Who Thinks She’s Martha Stewart
Magnolia Bundt Pan; $38
Sur La Table
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”Create beautiful treats for the taste buds and the eyes with this botanical-inspired pan from Nordic Ware. The design bakes shapely leaves surrounding an open blossom right into your creations, capturing every delicious detail. Add a dusting of confectioner’s sugar or a thin glaze for a sweet finishing touch.”

For the Sentimental Maman
Maman Necklace; Nifty Sparkles; $43
French Wink
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Say it with jewelry! Treat the mamans in your life—both the new and the experienced—to a wearable token of appreciation. Available in silver and gold. Nifty Sparkles is a small handmade minimalist jewelry company founded by French-born Elodie & Sylvie.

For the Maman Who Sets the Mood
Maman Scented Candle; $10
French Wink
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An ode to mamans everywhere, with notes of fig, walnut, violet, pine bark, iris, amber, cedarwood and tonka bean, this mini candle packs a punch with a scent that Mom is sure to love.

For the Macaron Maman
Mothers’ Day Macaron Box; Thierry Atlan; $32
French Wink
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The ideal accompaniment to Mothers’ Day afternoon tea, this twelve piece assortment box includes Strawberry Verbena, Rose Lychee, Vanilla, Violet Cassis, and Raspberry.

For the Maman Who Bakes
Lillivuyt Patisserie Cake Stand; $99
French Wink
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For the Mom who bakes. Her desserts will look like they belong in a true French patisserie when displayed with this elegant scalloped cake stand, crafted in authentic French porcelain. The Pillivuyt factory in Mehun-sur-Yevre, France has been perfecting the art of porcelain-making for over 200 years. Made from materials sourced in France and greater Europe, each dish is crafted with care and fired at 2550 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in porcelain that is of the highest quality.

For the Maman Who Puts Ice Cubes in Her Verre du Vin
Corkcicle Wine Chiller; $24.95
Sur La Table
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Keep her favorite French wine chilled to the perfect drinking temperature with this fun gadget from Corcsicle Chills. Suitable for both whites and reds, a built in aerator keeps every sip as as fresh as the first.

For the Maman On the Go
Cuisinart Tote Bag Cooler; $48
Sur La Table
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This state of the art tote keeps everything mom needs—including perishables. Perfect for an impromptu picnic, the insulated interior and durable outer shell is accompanied by a water-resistant zip closure to keep cool air in, and the waterproof lining can be wiped out for quick cleanup.

For the Maman Who Entertains
Onde Gold Flatware; Degrenne; $99 (each 5 piece set)
French Wink
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For the ultimate Provencal dinner party, no tablescape is complete without a set of elegant gold flatware. Each table setting from Degrenne Paris includes five pieces: a salad fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, dessert spoon, and teaspoon.

For the New Maman
Merci Bisous Baby Carrier; $102
French Wink
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A practical and easy alternative to hard-to-knot slings and baby carriers. Resistant, very comfortable and carefully tested, this French-designed baby carrier will perfectly maintain baby's back and head. Ideal for newborns all the way to 27 pounds.

For the Maman Who Loves Marble
Marble Pastry Board; $99.95
Sur La Table
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Mom can cook and bake on a classic marble surface, perfect for keeping dough cool to keep it from sticking. From Christmas cookies to weekend croissants, there’s always a good excuse to whip out this board.

5 French Red Lipsticks for Valentine's Day

Joyeux St. Valentin from Moi and my Estée Lauder lips! Head over to the Shop page to claim your own, and live la vie en rouge.

A bold red lip is about as synonymous with timeless French Girl style as baguettes and berets—albeit much less of a cliché and more of a lifestyle.

If parading around with a ruby red pout is less of an everyday look in your world, and more of an occasion, who could think of a better holiday than St. Valentine’s Day to paint the town—and your lévres—red?

Behold five shades to switch up your daily maquillage routine with a pretty pop of rouge, brought to you by the Fab Five French Fashion houses—Chanel, YSL, Dior, Guerlain, and Estée Lauder.

Click the links below, or head over to the TCA Shop Page to add these colors to your cart.

5 French Red Lipsticks for Valentine's Day

#520 Carnal, Pure Color Envy; $32
ESTÉE LAUDER
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Saturates lips with high-intensity color. Lip-sculpting statement shades for all skintones. Super creamy, glides on effortlessly, covers evenly. Sensually soft and smooth, luxuriously comfortable. 8-hour wear. The lipstick bullet is shaped to sculpt the curves of your lips. The case feels like luxury in your hands. And with one click, case closed.

#444 Gabrielle, Rouge Coco; $40
CHANEL
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An exclusive complex of Jojoba and Mimosa butters, Sunflower wax, and silicone, provides lasting hydration and luminous shine. With a vibrant colour spectrum, featuring shade names inspired by Coco Chanel and the friends, artists and lovers who inspired her.

My shade is #520 Carnal, Pure Color Envy by Estée Lauder.

#453 Adorée Satin Finish, Rouge Dior; $38
DIOR
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Available in 75 beautiful shades, from Dior’s iconic reds, romantic pinks and rosewoods to trendy nudes in satin, matte, metallic or new velvet finishes. More modern and luxurious than ever, the new Rouge Dior lipstick is adorned with a signature band featuring the CD initials, a nod to Dior's runway looks.

#1966 Rouge Libre, Rouge Pur Couture; $38
YSL BEAUTY
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The iconic gold tube of Rouge Pur Couture is dressed in red to celebrate love and the joy of gifting. Available in 3 gorgeous red shades, this full-coverage satin lipstick offers up to six hours of ultra-rich, stay-true color in just one stroke.

#M331 Chili Red, KissKiss Matte; $39
GUERLAIN BEAUTY
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The light, delicate scent of a vanilla "floriental" leaves its incomparable mark on KissKiss. Top notes sparkle with a lemon, orange and bergamot accord. The rose and iris heart exudes sweetness. The vanilla and tonka bean dry-down gives KissKiss all of its intensity.

Celebrate La Chandeleur: The French Holiday Devoted to Crêpes

We all know that the crêpe—French cousin to the American pancake—is a national delicacy and signature dish in France, but did you know that there is, in fact, an entire holiday dedicated to the oh-so delicious sweet and savory foldable griddle cakes we love so much?

Today marks the annual French holiday known as la Chandeleur (also known as “Candlemas” in English) which falls exactly 40 days after Christmas—and yes, it’s the perfect excuse to break out the Nutella and sugar.

CLICK HERE to read a fantastic article about the traditions, superstitions, and historical evolution of La Chandeleur, posted by Coucou French Classes—one of our favorite French language programs in the US, with online courses and in-person lessons at brick and mortar locations in New York and Los Angeles.

See an excerpt below:

According to Sophia Millman’s piece for Coucou:

“In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I decided to put an end to the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia that Christians celebrated. He encouraged them instead to celebrate “the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” which would take place 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd. While the Romans had carried torches into their fields to make offerings to their god of fertility, Gelasius instructed Christians to carry candles. It was said that, at the end of the Candlemas ceremonies–called la Chandeleur or la Fête de la Lumière–believers had to leave the church with a lit candle. If its flame went out, they risked attracting the evil eye…

When Christians returned to Rome after a pilgrimage, Pope Gelasius I said that they should eat crêpes made with surplus flour from the prior year. Round like the sun, the crêpes were supposed to represent light and wealth in the new year. According to tradition, if it rained on la Chandeleur, forty more days of rain would follow the holiday. 

Today, many French people still believe in some of the superstitions surrounding la Chandeleur. For instance, on February 2nd, you’re supposed to flip your crêpe in the pan while holding a gold coin in your left hand to ensure prosperity. But don’t try this at home, especially if you’re left handed! You’re also supposed to eat your crêpes in the evening and put the first crêpe you make in a cupboard drawer or on top of your closet to bring good luck. (Not sure how long you should leave it there? Supposedly, it will never go spoiled, but we’ll let you be the judge)…

If you’ve ever been to Brittany, you know that les Bretons are famous for their cider and their crêpes. According to legend, la crêpe bretonne was invented when a farmer’s wife spilled some buckwheat porridge onto a very hot, flat stone lying in her fireplace. Today, la crêpe bretonne can be made with wheat flour and served as a sweet dessert (une crêpe sucrée). If you make it with buckwheat flour (known as “sarrasin”), you’re supposed to call it une galette. Une complète is a galette topped with Gruyère, ham and a sunny-side-up egg. Traditionally, in Brittany, crêpe batter is cooked in a specific device called un billig or galetiere. You spread it with a small spatula called un rozell or une raclette, as the rest of France calls it. Check out this French video about a Breton chef making his famous crêpes…

Fun fact: According to this French article, 76 percent of French people manage to successfully flip their crêpes in the air. The most agile crêpe flippers are 50-64 years old!”

Galette des Rois | History of the Traditional French Kings Cake

Behold the traditional French Galette des Rois.

If you’ve spent any time in New Orleans or found yourself festooned with strings of colorful beads to celebrate the festival of Mardi Gras, you may be familiar with a Galette des Rois—known stateside as a King Cake or a Three Kings Cake.

Established in the Middle Ages as the official end to the Christian holiday season, Twelfth Night is the final night of the Twelve Days of Christmas—a partridge in a pear tree, anyone?—which is celebrated usually on January 6th* with this beautiful dessert made of flaky puff pastry and creamy frangipane filling.

In the United States, a variation on the galette takes on a ring shape, and is rather easy to identify (see below) due to its tri-colored appearance—gold to symbolize wealth and prosperity, green for growth, and purple for justice—but are you familiar with the origins of this annual tradition involving paper crowns and a plastic baby?

According to biblical reference (and many a Christmas carol) Twelfth Night commemorates the tale of the Three Wise Men (Three Kings, or Trois Rois) visiting the newborn Jesus Christ, and offering the child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Nowadays, this celebration is commemorated in many Francophone households with a feast among family and friends—and a Galette des Rois as the pièce de resistance of the dinner table.

The most fun part of this tradition is searching for the tiny fêve (figurine) that’s hidden inside the galette, symbolizing the Baby Jesus. In medieval times, a pea or a bean was used, and today any small token will do. If you’re the lucky person who receives the slice containing the fêve—just be careful not to swallow it!—you will be coronated as the official King or Queen for the night—complete with a paper crown to seal the deal.

Even though the origins of this little game are steeped in religion, it's become a secular tradition for everyone of all backgrounds to enjoy—including 85% of French citizens, according to a 2014 poll.

Ingredients and aesthetics of a Kings Cake can vary according to the traditions of different geographic regions—ranging around the world, from Northern France and Belgium to Quebec and the Creole community of New Orleans. Other cultures also have their own versions of this holiday, like Mexico’s El Día de los Reyes Magos. Mardi Gras revelers generally enjoy colorful slices of a denser cake drizzled with glaze, while European households tend to opt for the traditional round shape, with a simple but elegant design carved into the flaky pastry.

No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays, if you find yourself suffering from a mid-winter depression once the ball has dropped and the decorations come down, why not add this fun New Year tradition to your January calendar?

Want to try your hand at making a traditional French Galette des Rois? Here’s a great recipe to get you started!

The alternative, colorful version of a King Cake, celebrated in New Orleans and around the United States along with Mardi Gras festivities.

*Some recognize this day on the 5th, depending on varying interpretations and the calendars of different religious denominations.

Get NYE Ready with French Gifts for the Champagne Enthusiast | Holiday Gift Guide

Of the many gifts that the French have bestowed upon humanity, Champagne easily tops the list—right alongside croissants and Chanel perfume. French Champagne is so special, that any bubbly bottled outside of the hallowed vineyards of Champagne, France, cannot be called Champagne and must be referred to as “sparkling wine.” Ask any sommelier!

We all know someone who lives for the bubbles—and I’m proud to say that in my circles, I am that someone. From modern marble champagne chillers to traditional engraved silver ice buckets, Gatsby-esque champagne tower coupe glasses to festive stemless styles, bubble inspired home decor and art prints to lust-worthy gifts infused with the fizz—including intoxicating candles, diffusers, gummy snacks, hair spray, breakfast jams, and even Taittinger filled truffles—Day 7 of The Chic American Holiday Gift Guide might be the most jam-packed yet.

Scroll down to shop, and add a little extra sparkle to someone’s holiday—including your own—with any of these glittery gifts. Most still ship before Christmas, and if not, don’t forget that New Year’s Eve is just around the corner!

Gifts for the Champagne Enthusiast

LE SPLURGE ($50 and Up)

Waterford Lismore Essence Collectors Champagne Flutes; $175
Bloomingdales (Free Shipping + $25 Off)
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”Exuding classic glamour, the Lismore Essence Collector's Edition saucer champagne glass features the Lismore pattern's diamond-like facets.”

Marble Champagne Chiller Bucket; $125
Nordstrom
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”The perfect blend of function and style, this bottle holder made of naturally cool marble provides a stylish display while keeping chilled wine cold.”

LSA Coupe Champagne Tower (Set of 10); $95
Bloomingdales
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”Create the ultimate in celebratory centerpieces with this set of champagne coupes. Whether you arrange in a tower or simply set the table, these classic designs offer a toast-worthy vessel for your favorite bubbly.”

Champagne Saber; $129.95
Sur La Table
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“Rooted in the 19th-century French tradition, the saber features an elegantly curved stainless steel blade that slashes through bottles with ease, and the polished wood handle gives you an ergonomic grip.”

Champagne Inspired Leaf Chandelier; $1,074
Houzz
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”The Dolce Semi Flushmount displays with a Champagne Leaf finish for a perfect look, and compliments any space with Incandescent light. Include it with your ideal atmosphere and mood.”

Champagne Penthouse Diffuser; $115
Houzz
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”Our hand blown glass diffusers filled with natural essential oil based fragrances, unite home fragrance with art to create the perfect ambiance. Fragrance: clean and sparkling; with notes of ginger, grapefruit, lemon, and raspberry.”

Romantic Getaway to Champagne, France; $82 per night
Hotels. com
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Plan a French getaway to the Champagne region of France and experience the vineyard life, complete with champagne tastings and a lifetime of sparkling memories.

“With a stay at Champagne Voirin-jumel in Cramant, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of the Möet et Chandon factory. Featured amenities include a computer station, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. Free self parking is available onsite.”

Sensa Champagne Flutes ($84, set of 6)
Sur La Table
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“Cheers to elegant glassware! The Sensa collection from Schott Zwiesel features modern, flat-bottom bowls with classic long stems and wide bases for stability. Simple, yet stylish, these champagne flutes add an air of sophistication to any occasion.”

Celebration Champagne Bowl ($169)
Mark & Graham
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“Pop the champagne and celebrate in style with the Celebration Wine Bowl. Designed for effortless entertaining, this oversized bowl is the perfect way to display and keep your favorite Champagne ice cold at your next gathering. The bowl is elegantly crafted with an ornate base and a choice of silver or gold finishes. Add monogrammed initials or up to twelve sand blasted letters for a personal touch to this stunning wedding, housewarming, or special occasion gift.”

LE STEAL (Under $50)

Man’s Hand Champagne Toast Print; $18
Art.com
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”This genre of art involves a realistic depiction of living as well as inanimate objects. Artists like Jean Michel Basquiat, Norman Rockwell, and Banksy are renowned for giving a platform to cultural commentary and human experiences through their art.”

Voluspa Maison Noir Champagne Candle; $29
Nordstrom
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”Sparkling brut champagne mingles with hints of vanilla and barrel oak. A candle presented in ornate packaging with rich colors and intentional flourishes that reflect the inspiration for the aroma inside, Voluspa candles are hand-poured in the United States.”

La Rochere Napoleon Champagne Flutes ($71, set of 6)
French Wink
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Adorned with the iconic Napoleonic bee, La Rochere has been producing artisanal glass in the heart of France for more than 500 years, making it the oldest continuously running glass factory in Europe. Inspired by French cuisine, culture, art and style, each piece evokes both casual comfort and modern elegance.

France Theme Champagne Glass Charms ($34, set of 6)
French Wink
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These beautiful France-themed handcrafted charms are the perfect markers to help guests easily identify their own glasses whilst mingling. Each box of six charms includes a selection of the following: Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, Perfume bottle, Suitcase, Fleur de Lis, Love, Camera, and Wine Bottle.

Marble Champagne Chiller ($60)
Sur La Table
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“Chill Champagne and wine stylishly in our Marble Wine Cooler. Stunningly modern and strikingly simple, the marble and brass construction will accent a variety of décor styles, and it fits most bottle sizes.”

Champagne Cutting Board; $21.60
Society6
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”Our cutting boards feature bright designs that transform a kitchen essential into a functional design piece. Use the wood side for prep and the display side as a serving board for drinks. Available in round or rectangular options.”

Taittinger Champagne Truffles; $25
Jacques Torres
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”A blissful, simple and decadent combination of our creamy Belgian milk chocolate, fresh cream and Taittinger Brut La Française Champagne. Yes, our truffles contain REAL Champagne!”

Le Creuset Champagne Opener; $30
Sur La Table
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”A smart and stylish addition to any home bar, this unique cross-shaped opener effortlessly lifts the cork out of any bottle, giving the user total control and eliminating the danger of releasing pressurized corks near others. The star shape is easy to grip, and a push and gentle twist easily removes corks.”

Simón Coll Milk Chocolate Champagne Bottle; $15
Sur La Table
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”Here’s a champagne bottle everyone can enjoy—available in two sizes, a mini, perfect for stockings or place settings, and a full size approximately the same size as a real champagne bottle. These aluminum foil-wrapped bottles contain hollow figures of milk chocolate with 30% cocoa, quality ingredients and no artificial additives.”

Poppin’ Champagne Truffles; $24.95
Williams Sonoma
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”Raise a toast with our effervescent truffles, infused with Champagne essence and tiny candies that pop like bubbles with each bite. Master chocolatiers prepare the silky ganache and tender shells from Guittard couverture milk chocolate. The truffles are hand packed in a handsome box to arrive fresh and ready for gift-giving.”

Cuvee Beauty Champagne Spray; $45
Neiman Marcus
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”Our multitalented, weightless texturizer gives hair that second-day, lived-in look in an instant. Hair looks soft, shiny yet perfectly imperfect. Enriched with our exclusive Cuvée Complex and deliciously scented with our intoxicating Cuvée fragrance featuring champagne and fig leaf notes.”

Edible Glitter for Cocktails; $9.59
Amazon
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Add a little sparkle to your next champagne cocktail with Gold Edible Glitter For Drinks. Kosher Certified, Vegan, Gluten, Nut Free."

Celebratory Champagne Balloon; $4.95
Shein
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Get ready to celebrate with a fun sized champagne bottle shaped balloon, perfect for birthdays, New Year’s Eve and surviving 2020 in general.

Champagne Wallpaper; $39.20
Society6
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”Our peel and stick Wallpaper is easy to apply and take off, leaving no adhesive residue. Featuring sharp, vibrant images, Wallpaper patterns are ideal for accent walls, flat surfaces and temporary installations.”

Rosé Champagne Holiday Ornament; $19.96 (reg. $25)
Sur La Table
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”Celebrate the holiday season or dress up your next soirée with our 2020 rose champagne ornament, which features the bubbly beverage in glittery detail. Our European glass ornaments are mouth-blown and hand-painted by artisans using techniques that have been handed down through the generations.”

Sugarfina Bubbly Bears; $20
Nordstrom
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”Delight friends and family alike with this set of effervescent, grownup gummies infused with the flavors of French champagne. These classic Brut and delectable Rosé bears are cute enough to have their own cult following.”

Men’s Champagne Socks; $8
Macy’s
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”Celebrate in hopes of better days ahead with Bar Iii's dress socks, featuring a fun champagne motif along the side.”

Raspberry Peach Champagne Jam; $7.99
Stonewall Kitchen
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Add a little sparkle to your breakfast. “We combined sweet peaches, refreshing raspberries, and a little champagne” to this delicious gluten-free jam.

*This article may contain affiliate links. TCA only promotes products we love, whether we make a small commission or not, so rest assured that you’re always getting our best. Merci for your support!

The Chic American French Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again! From baking essentials and kitchen gadgets to dazzling gift boxes from French favorites like Ladurée, Maxim’s, and Diptique, The Chic American Holiday Gift Guide is back—with the perfect cadeau for every Francophile on your list.

FOR THE BUDDING BOULANGER

Emile Henry Baguette Maker ($144.95)
Sur La Table
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“Perfect for baking artisanal breads, this ceramic loaf baker ensures that bread retains the ideal amount of humidity while baking. Made from Burgundy clay, each baker provides even, gentle heating and features vent holes that allow excess moisture to escape. Produced one at a time, each piece of Emile Henry cookware is formed and hand-finished by skilled artisans.”

FOR THE CARNIVORE

Laguiole Olivewood Steak Knives ($179.95)
Sur La Table
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”This handsome wood presentation box makes an elegant addition to any home, and a thoughtful gift for the steak lover. Knives feature gleaming stainless-steel blades with riveted olivewood handles and shining stainless-steel caps—with a lifetime warranty!”

FOR THE LATTE ARTISTE

Breville Barista Pro ($849.95)
Sur La Table
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“Make café-quality beverages right at home with the Breville Barista Pro. Its new intuitive LCD interface guides you through every step so you can easily make all your favorite coffee and espresso drinks at home in no time. It only takes three seconds to heat up, and quickly transitions to steam milk so you can create flavorful micro-foam milk for impressive latte art.”

FOR THE OENOPHILE

Coravin Wine Preservation System ($230, was $329)
Sur La Table
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Pour your favorite French wines (without pulling the cork) and come back to the bottle again and again for months or even years. “Inspired by the holiday season's rich color palette and warm, metallic touches, the special edition Gemstone Collection brings a new level of elegance to the Timeless Series. Included carry case makes system easy to transport.”

FOR LE PETIT CHIEN

BONNE ET FILO DOG MACARONS
French Wink ($69.99 for 3 boxes of six)
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Made with 100% natural, human-grade, non-GMO ingredients, these treats are perfect for any pup. Choose from vanilla, rose, and strawberry flavors.

FOR THE HOSTESS

Laguiole French Cheeseboard ($79)
Sur La Table
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“Elevate your next soirée with the beautiful form and function of this cosmopolitan cheese board set. The handsomely curved board is crafted from olivewood grown in the Mediterranean region and features a unique grain that provides lasting durability and warm presentation. The trio of distinctive Laguiole knives features curved, three-rivet handles adorned with the classic Napoleonic bee emblem, brightly finished with handles fashioned in eye-catching turquoise.”

FOR THE PÂTISSIER

Macaron Making Kit ($34)
Sur La Table
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“Prepare deliciously dainty French treats sure to impress with our Macaron Kit. Inside this set is everything necessary to create Macarons, including a silicone mat that ensures perfect sizing and spacing and a bowl scraper for transferring batter. Pastry bags make it easy to pipe batter and fill macarons once baked. There are four tips for a range of patterns and decorations, an offset spatula for smoothing filling and a recipe booklet featuring our favorite flavor combinations.”

FOR LES ENFANTS

Eiffel Tower Building Kit ($24)
French Wink
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Made of FSC-certified wood from sustainably managed forests, this Eiffel Tower building kit is a fun way for future engineers to learn the basics of construction with one of the world’s most iconic landmarks!

FOR LA JEUNE FILLE

Les Parisiennes Tea Set ($56)
Maisonette
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“Precious and delicate, a powder pink painted tea set with silver edging, presented in a charming illustrated box for serving tea to mummy and to all the little mouse friends. Designed in France and made with the finest French fabrics & materials, Moulin Roty represents 40 years of dreams and playfulness.”

FOR THE BAKER

KitchenAid Artisan Mixer ($349.96 was $449.95)
Sur La Table
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“With baker-friendly features like a tilting head for easy access, 10 speeds for stirring, whipping, and everything in between, and a range of mixing heads to tackle everything from slow mixing or kneading to ultra-fast whipping, this stand mixer will be part of your kitchen for years to come.”

FOR THE CHOCOHOLIQUE

Maxims de Paris Chocolate Gift Box ($34)
French Wink
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Maxim’s is one of the most beloved Parisian institutions. Prepare to be transported to the Belle Epoque with this selection of 22 assorted chocolates—and keep the beautifully illustrated box as a souvenir for proof, Midnight in Paris style!

FOR THE CUISINIER

Le Creuset Holiday Dutch Oven ($319.96 was $399)
Sur La Table
CLICK HERE TO SHOP

“Braise, bake, deep-fry and more with this festive Dutch oven from Le Creuset. The beautiful, embossed design on the lid makes it ideal for seasonal cooking while the tight-fitting lid provides a secure, no-slide fit that locks in flavors and aromas.”

FOR THE TEA DRINKER

Palais des Thés Holiday Tea ($29)
French Wink
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
A secret delicious blend of green and black tea, red berries, and slivers of chocolate to evoke the holiday spirit.

FOR THE MACARON MAVEN

Ladurée ‘Nuit’ Gift Box ($149, 42 flavors)
Ladurée Paris
CLICK HERE TO SHOP

“Celebrate the holiday season with the emblematic Napoleon box with its festive design, filled with your choice of Ladurée macarons.”

FOR THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTOR

Sapin Pine Tree Room Spray ($48)
Diptique
CLICK HERE TO SHOP

“The Sapin / Pine tree scent is now available as a home fragrance in a portable, travel-sized format to take with you anywhere. Fresh, woody notes of mountain pines warmed with the honeyed tones of mimosa fill the night with the sparkling of stars.”

FOR THE CHIC BÉBÉ

The Cub Set, Mittens & Hat ($40)
7AM Enfant
CLICK HERE TO SHOP

“French designer and mother of three, Rebecca Campora founded 7AM® ENFANT. The company offers a variety of versatile, urban and stylish outerwear baby accessories that combine clever designs, quality materials, and fashion-forward fabrics.”

FOR THE EIFFEL ENTHUSIAST

Eiffel Tower Snowglobe ($15)
French Wink
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
Transport yourself to Christmastime in Paris with this perfect winter souvenir.

*This article may contain affiliate links. TCA only promotes products we love, whether we make a small commission or not, so rest assured that you’re always getting our best. Merci for your support!

Shop Black Friday French Thanksgiving Essentials From Sur La Table

Thanksgiving is almost upon us! And even though the French of course don’t celebrate the beloved American holiday and its culinary traditions, there are still plenty of ways to incorporate French techniques and aesthetics into your kitchen on Thursday.

What’s even better? Major Black Friday sales have already hit the internet—finally a piece of good news among the ashes of this très bizarre year—which means there’s still time to score deals on everything you need to turn the Big Day into a chic (and socially responsible) soirée.

Shop Black Friday French Thanksgiving Essentials From Sur La Table

Sur La Table is the ultimate destination for everything a French chef—or an aspiring one!—could possibly desire, and this week only, there are some mega sales on some of the most lusted-after pieces on the shelves. Shop some of the highlights below to get a jump on your holiday cooking—and your Christmas gift shopping!

Read about my experience baking croissants at a signature Sur La Table culinary class here.

12 Piece Turkey Dinnerware Set; $120.00 (Reg. $128.00)

”Thanksgiving feasts are about more than just the food—they’re about the memories. Make your seasonal celebrations memorable with our exclusive Turkey dinnerware featuring original artwork created just for us. It’s made of durable, dishwasher-safe earthenware and ideal for setting your Thanksgiving table.”

French Home Laguiole Pakkawood Carving Knife & Fork; $59

”The perfect set to have on hand for holidays, this elegant carving set includes a knife and fork made of heavy gauge stainless steel that ease through turkey, chicken, ham and roasts. They feature the iconic Laguiole bee insignia and triple-rivet design that references the town in Southern France where this style of utensil originates. Handsome pakkawood handles are curved and weighted for a comfortable grip.”

Staub Round Cocotte; $99 (Reg. $389.95) *MAJOR DEAL*
Staub Tomato Cocotte; $294.95

”A traditional French cooking vessel designed to concentrate flavorful juices, this hand-finished round cocotte is ideal for stews, soups, casseroles, roasts and braises. Enameled cast-iron construction distributes and retains heat evenly and effectively and requires no seasoning. Lid features self-basting spikes for continuous, even distribution of juices throughout cooking, so food stays moist and flavorful.”

Le Creuset Mini Cocotte; $84.94 (Reg. $120)

”Perfect for cheesy artichoke dip, fruit cobbler and more, this mini cocotte is great for preparing and serving individual portions of your favorite dishes. Cast iron’s efficient heating is perfect for slow cooking and baking, while the tight-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture for tender, delicious results. Available in a wide range of Le Creuset’s signature vibrant glazes, these cocottes add a touch of classic French beauty to any kitchen or table.”

La Rochère French Bee Wine Glasses; $65 (Set of 6)

”Embellished with bees, an emblem of Provence, from the oldest glassmaker in France. 8 oz. Dishwasher safe. Made in France.”

Le Creuset Heritage Pie Dish; $49.00

”Perfect for sweet or savory pies, quiche and more, this classic pie dish provides gentle, even heating for excellent results every time. Making an evenly fluted crust is easy thanks to the dimpled edge, and the thick enamel resists scratching. Durable stoneware features an industry-leading enamel interior that protects against utensil damage, staining and odor absorption. Bakers feature Le Creuset’s signature glazes in a variety of colors for striking oven-to-table presentation.”

La Tarte | 5 Thanksgiving Pie Baking Essentials From Sur La Table

Thanksgiving is likely going to feel a little quieter this year, which means it’s the ideal time to spend this week honing those culinary skills, perfecting recipes, and practicing technique.

Thanksgiving is nothing if not known for the pièce de résistance of all holiday desserts— the classic pie. Whether you prefer the usual crowd pleasers—like traditional apple, blueberry, or pumpkin—or fun fall flavors that are a little more outside the box, Sur La Table has everything you need to bake a complete showstopper that’s sure to make even the most tender turkey jealous.

Shop all the essentials below, and find more holiday favorites—already on Black Friday sale!—here.

5 Thanksgiving Pie Baking Essentials From Sur La Table

Emile Henry Traditional Pie Dish; $39.96 (reg. $44.95)

”Made in France just for us, this pie dish has a traditional size, shape and depth that’s great for baking classic pies just like grandma used to make. This Sur La Table exclusive is the same color on the inside and out, making it a unique piece of Emile Henry bakeware that you’ll be able to pass on to future generations.”

Sur La Table Pie Server; $14.00

”With one serrated edge and a rounded spade shape, this stainless steel server is perfectly designed for serving delicious slices of pie. It features a durable handle and cleans up easily in the dishwasher.”

Le Creuset Pie Bird; $13.00

”Let these colorful birds help you make crisp, delicious pies. Pie birds let steam escape from your pie without bursting the crust or spilling over into your oven. Simply place this oven-safe ceramic bird in center of pie and surround with filling and pastry top. Arches on the bottom redirect excess moisture to keep the bottom crust from becoming soggy.”

Harvest Pie Plungers; $10.50

”Use our exclusive pie plungers to create fall pies that truly stun. Simply put the plunger over your dough, press the plunger down, and you’ll have dough in an autumn-inspired detailed shape to decorate your pie with. They’re also great for making cookies. Set includes four pie plungers in the shapes of a leaf, a leaf with twig, a pumpkin and an acorn.”

Ceramic Pie Weights; $12.00

”Pie weights work better to keep pastry from shrinking or forming bubbles while it bakes. These ceramic weights do a superb job of holding the pastry shell in place during baking and cooling. Washable, reusable weights are conveniently packaged in an attractive glass storage jar.”

5 French Paintings from the Getty Collection Christie's Auction

As a philanthropist and patron of the arts, Ann Getty was known for her discerning eye and eclectic taste in style, decor, jewels, and of course, fine art. More than just the wife of Gordon Getty (son of J. Paul Getty, and heir to the oil tycoon’s fortune) Ann championed global causes and served on the boards of some of the most illustrious institutions—including the Metropolitan Museum, The New York Public Library, and the San Francisco Opera (among others) throughout her life, until her death in 2020.

This fall, Christie’s will be auctioning off nearly 1500 of the most notable pieces from the Ann and Gordon Getty Collection—including rare gems, global artifacts, decorative objets d’art, and personal elements of style—all available for bidding online or at Christie’s New York auction house. Featuring a veritable treasure trove of masterpieces from one of the most magnificent private collections in the world, each auction focuses on a specific category, from Chinese textiles and iconography to jewels and tableware to 19th and 20th century artwork.

From Matisse to Manet, Degas to Renoir, take in five oeuvres from these French masters below—highlights from the Gettys’ personal collection, which also includes authenticated originals from notable Anglo artists like Mary Cassatt and John Singer Sargeant.

Browse the full collection and bid HERE.

The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection
New York & Online, October 10-25 2022

LOT #129
HENRI MATISSE (1869-1954)
”Paysage avec cyprès et oliviers aux environs de Nice”
Painted in Nice circa 1918
Est. $150,000 - 250,000 USD

LOT #140
PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841-1919)
”La place Pigalle”
Oil on Canvas (circa 1880)
Est. $500,000 - 700,000 USD

LOT #181
EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)
”Femme mettant son corset”
Pastel on Paper (circa 1883)
Est. $500,000 - 700,000 USD

LOT #120
JAMES (JACQUES) JOSEPH TISSOT (1836-1902)
”Kathleen Newton at the Piano”
Oil on Canvas (circa 1880-1881)
Est. $500,000- 800,000 USD

LOT #147
JEAN-LÉON GÉRÔME (1824-1904)
”Sortie du bal masqué”
Oil on Panel
Est. $200,000 - 300,000 USD)

5 French Handbags From the Ann Getty Collection Christie's Auction

As a philanthropist and patron of the arts, Ann Getty was known for her discerning eye and eclectic taste in style, decor, jewels, and of course, fine art. More than just the wife of Gordon Getty (son of J. Paul Getty, and heir to the oil tycoon’s fortune) Ann championed global causes and served on the boards of some of the most illustrious institutions—including the Metropolitan Museum, The New York Public Library, and the San Francisco Opera (among others) throughout her life, until her death in 2020.

This fall, Christie’s will be auctioning off nearly 1500 of the most notable pieces from the Ann and Gordon Getty Collection—including rare gems, global artifacts, decorative objets d’art, and personal elements of style—all available for bidding online or at Christie’s New York auction house. Featuring a veritable treasure trove of masterpieces from one of the most magnificent private collections in the world, each auction focuses on a specific category, from Chinese textiles and iconography to jewels and tableware to 19th and 20th century artwork.

Behold five handbags below from Ann’s personal collection—which includes a whopping 23 Hérmes sacs-a-main (eight Birkins and three Kellys), six Dior clutches and saddle bags, and four from Oscar de la Renta—which you can soon add to your own closet with the wave of your (virtual) paddle.

Browse the full collection and bid HERE.

The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection
New York & Online, October 10-25 2022

LOT #708
VERT FONCÉ POROSUS CROCODILE BIRKIN 35 WITH GOLD HARDWARE
HERMÈS, 2005 (Est. $8,000-10,000 USD)

LOT #707
LIMITED EDITION CALFSKIN LEATHER & EMBROIDERED TOILE DE JOUY TROPICALIA MEDIUM SADDLE BAG WITH BLACK HARDWARE
DIOR, 2019 (Est. $1,000-2,000)

LOT #778
MATTE DUSTY ROSE ALLIGATOR JUMBO DOUBLE FLAP BAG WITH PERMABRASS HARDWARE
CHANEL, 2014 (Est. $8,000-10,000 USD)

LOT #765
OSTRICH CLUTCH WITH GOLD HARDWARE
CELINE, CIRCA 1980 (Est. $500-700 USD)

LOT #798
PAIR OF CLASSIC MONOGRAM CANVAS SUITCASES
LOUIS VUITTON (Est. $1,000-2,000 USD)

Why 'You've Got Mail' is the Autumn Inspiration We Need Right Now

“Don’t you just love New York in the fall?”

I often feel compelled to express my annual affection for the autumnal rom-com classic, You’ve Got Mail, and present a case for why it’s one of the most charming love letters to New York City the cinema has ever seen. Or at the very least, a masterpiece of 90s nostalgia.

Why 'You've Got Mail' is the Autumn Inspiration We Need Right Now

So why do I feel the need to defend its very existence? Because it’s one of those movies that just would never be made today. Having worked in film and TV development in Hollywood for many years—a job that requires reading piles of scripts, submitted with pride by hopeful scribes everywhere, and then ripping apart their life’s work in a matter of hours—I can admit that this adorable story would be considered problematic in many ways by the current standards of the industry—and our social climate in general.

So since the late, great Nora Ephron is no longer here to discuss her evergreen autumnal classic and the ultimate feel good flick of 1997, I volunteer as tribute.

Let’s address the problematic parts first, so we can move on to the good stuff.

“That caviar is a garnish!”

1. It’s not a feminist story. In any way.

Women’s rights went through a bit of a latency period between the bra burning 1970s and today’s common era. Living in the pre-social media 90s meant that for many, ignorance was bliss. Things seemed fine on the surface. Those pesky, highly publicized sexual harassment scandals were conveniently brushed aside as soon as the next one cropped up, women seemed equally comfortable at home or at the office, everybody seemed satisfied with their salaries, privilege and diversity weren’t much talked about in Hollywood elite circles—more on that in a minute—because no one had the ability to vocalize such injustices in a public forum quite the way we do today, and ironically, this is a movie about the very technology that would change all of that.

So yes, Kathleen Kelly was allowed to fall in love with a man who savagely destroyed her livelihood and her late mother’s legacy; who essentially ghosted her on their first date by not revealing himself as her online paramour, and then purposely strung her along via some (really charming) instant messaging. Yes, in hindsight, it might have been more satisfying for her to be the one to unmask his identity first and then string him along as an act of revenge for obliterating The Shop Around the Corner, but we all know she’s just too darn nice for that! Also it’s just a movie, so let’s move on.

Yes, in the 90s nothing mattered, so we could say things like that.

I’ll bet you just love that “Mr. Darcy.”

2. Their online meeting is just too coincidental.

Of all the billions of people in the world, what are the odds that your internet pen-pal would turn out to be your real-life nemesis, instead of, say, a 70 year old catfish in Ecuador—or more likely back then, a group of 13 year olds giggling in someone’s basement. The fact that they’re both in fact who they say they are, is a surprisingly modern concept.

“I said we were a goddamn piazza!”

3. Why is Dave Chappelle the only Black person in New York City?

Enough said. But from a casting standpoint, we can throw Ephron a little bit of credit for having the vision to imagine the (then scandal-free) comedy legend as Joe Fox’s business partner and wingman in one of the unlikeliest—and PG rated—roles of his career.

“We are…an American family.”

4. Why does Joe’s 90 year old grandfather inexplicably have an eight year old daughter?

Did he adopt Annabelle, Daddy Warbucks style? Is he in the middle of a bitter custody battle? A single father by choice? Is this a statement on ageism? We need answers!

“Ah, Rose. That is a great name.”

5. “You can do it. Zip zip.”

This is the glib response Joe gives (a then unknown) Sara Ramirez—playing the disgruntled cashier at Zabar’s who won’t accept Kathleen’s credit card after she was too distracted by his presence to read the Cash Only sign, and is subsequently heckled by a bunch of Karens in line behind her. This is a pretty weak attempt—beginning with a cringe-worthy knock knock joke—to give Joe a redeeming moment (or a “Save the Cat” moment as its known in screenwriting lingo) as Kathleen’s would-be knight in shining armor—not to mention, a rather condescending way of speaking to service people. Although I suppose it’s fitting with the arrogant behavior we’ve come to expect at this point in his character arc.

But overall, the implied message here is that being exposed to Kathleen and her compassionate, light-hearted nature melts Joe’s steely, business-minded heart and makes him a better person who stops to smell the daisies, if you will. So we can forgive him for now. Also, a Cash Only line? How 1997!

So, now that we’ve addressed the proverbial elephants in the room, let’s talk about the things that make this movie such a delightful time capsule and an ode to the Autumn in New York that Billie Holliday once sang about.

Hugging! How refreshingly chaste for a modern day romance.

1. It’s rated PG

When is the last time you watched a movie made entirely for adults that was rated even PG-13? I don’t know about you, but I find the absence of profanity and gratuitous nudity quite adorable.

“My breath catches in my chest as I hear those three little words…You’ve got mail.”

2. Dial Up Dialogue

Yes, it’s laughable to go back and remember a time when patience was still a virtue, as we watch Kathleen dial up “the ‘net,” and trigger our Pavlovian responses to those chiming sounds that are forever ingrained in everyone’s nervous systems. But the witty exchanges—”bouquets of sharpened pencils,” anyone?—and Godfather references between Joe and Kathleen are just so charming that it’s easy to forget what a cad he is. Rest in power, AOL.

“You know what always surprised me about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, is how old they looked.”

3. Parker Posey

Ok, this is the gift that keeps on giving. Cult classic darling Parker Posey as Joe’s hilariously out of touch, publishing maven girlfriend, Patricia, is just too good. Yes, she’s cynical, jaded, neurotic to the point that she “makes coffee nervous,” and is dependent on sleeping pills. But come on, it’s New York! Who isn’t?

“Standing tall, waving boldly, in the corrupt sands…of commerce.”

4. You, Are a Lone Reed.

I didn’t intend for this to be an ode to the supporting characters, but here we are. Greg Kinnear as Kathleen’s lovably egotistical columnist boyfriend is the most hysterical nod to the self-important intellectual West Sider stereotype since Woody Allen’s 1980s hey-dey. He’s verbose. He’s delightfully supercilious. He professes love for his typewriter and romanticizes the notoriously executed Soviet spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in historical musings for the Observer. It doesn’t get more on-the-nose than that. Plus, the scene where he flirts shamelessly (and terribly) with a low-budget TV talk show host (played by 90s sitcom fixture Jane Adams) is pure gold.

“No, thank yur.”

“You are…what you read.”

5. The Hair

Meg Ryan’s signature piece-y pixie-shag hybrid is arguably the greatest contender to rival The Rachel for the title of most iconic 90s hairstyle. It went on to be copied by grown women, teenage heartthrobs, and boyband members alike, and will never NOT be adorable.

“I wish I had a river I could skate away on.”

6. The Soundtrack

Everything from the Cranberries’ classic ‘Dreams’ as the musical backdrop for the opening montage, to a handful of Harry Nilsson and Roy Orbison ditties, as well as maudlin Joni Mitchell references, to Stevie Wonder’s cheerful ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ and the occasional Bobby Darin transitional tune, the film compiles a heartwarming array of melodies, leading up to Nilsson’s sentimental rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ to close out Kathleen and Joe’s meeting reveal in the final scene.

7. The Cozy Outfits and Pumpkin Accessories

Everything from Kathleen’s oversized sweaters, midi skirts with tights, and bookish cardigans in neutral heues of oatmeal, taupe, and heather gray, to Kevin’s collection of rusty suede and leather jackets, each piece in this wardrobe is so delightfully autumnal and has the festive warmth of all cozy, pre-holiday style—until, you know, the end when it’s suddenly spring and the daisies and linen ensembles arrive.

Also so many black turtlenecks! It would be a shame not to mention these, as they’re a personal wardrobe favorite of mine—and that of every well dressed east coaster, really. Plus the pumpkin is so perfect as a fall fashion accessory, that it might as well be a purse.

I wonder how much this apartment would go for these days.

8. The 90s nostalgia.

Because that’s what we came for, right? Remember when book superstores were once the conglomerate forces to be reckoned with? Joe Fox certainly would have gotten his comeuppance a few years later when Amazon hit the scene like a torpedo, disrupting traditional sales models and leaving a graveyard of brick and mortars in its path—with free shipping to boot.

Better yet, remember going to the movies? Who would have thought that a mere 23 years later, shutting down cinemas would practically become an act of martial law? It’s comforting to look back and remember the days when cartoon concessions sang innocent jingles during the previews— ”You need quiet while the hot dog is singing?!”—and west side brownstone apartments were still affordable and decked out in cottage core florals, overstuffed pillows, and Pottery Barn’s finest.

Is it likely that Kathleen married Joe after the credits finished rolling, divorced him a few years later, and finally got her karmic chunk of the Fox Books fortune? I guess we’ll have to wait for a sequel!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Le Gigot Sleeve | Sitting Pretty in Parisian Fashion

Sitting Pretty in Parisian Fashion

Puffed sleeves have been a fixture in French fashion since—well, the Renaissance, actually. And while we no longer style them with bustles and bonnets, this oversized look has gotten many a modern update over the centuries—reinventing itself throughout different chapters in fashion history and cementing its eternal place in the French girl’s style playbook.

One variation that you may recognize from the days of yore, seeing its heyday in the late 1800s, is the Gigot sleeve—which is puffed from the shoulder to the elbow, and slim through the forearm. You may be surprised to learn that this style was literally named for its resemblance to the shape of a sheep’s hind leg. Etymology aside, the moniker seems quite chic, but then again, everything sounds better in the language of love!

We’ve seen the more contemporary Gigot make its way into pret-a-porter collections of recent years, along with its other puffy cousins. One such descendant of the Gigot family tree is this lacy version from the European casual-chic brand, Parisian Fashion. Fierce and fabulous, this sheer chemise is quite a conversation piece, complete with its attached pussy-bow—a name that makes it clear why the French should always be in charge of naming these things.

Head over to the Shop page to browse other favorites from Parisian Fashion.

Les Fleurs d'Automne | How to Wear Autumn Florals

In case you haven’t heard, floral prints are no longer just for spring and summer. Fall florals are definitely their own thing, and the good news is: they’re here to stay.

Meryl Streep’s iconic line as fashion doyenne Miranda Priestley in the 2006 film, ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’

Here to make the case is FRNCH—which if you’ve been here for a while, you know is one of my all-time favorite French girl brands.

Consider this your handy how-to guide to wearing the autumnal wardrobe trend that’s surely becoming a perennial staple.

1. Look for long sleeves.
   Sleeveless and strapless tops pretty much scream “warm weather,” so a long-sleeved top or dress (like this one) will make it clear to everyone around you that you’re aware of what month it is—especially during a year like this one which has made it easy to forget.

2. Choose a pattern with a dark background.
   While I’m an advocate for wearing whites and light tones all year round, a dark background distinguishes the floral pattern apart from spring and summer territory.

3. Try a maxi length style.
   A longer skirt will add extra warmth during those cooler months. Give it a try!

4. Opt for a thick fabric.
   By the same token, a thicker fabric adds texture and warmth to a fall ensemble.

5. Style shorter hems with black tights and boots.
   There are so many ways style cool weather dresses. Black tights create a monochromatic and elongated silhouette in tandem with your dark floral background which will allow les fleurs to shine, and give you a chance to show off those boots and bottines (booties) which are often hidden under pants.

Click HERE to shop the FRNCH US Fall/Winter 2020 Collection.

And click here and here to read about some of my other FRNCH favorites.

La Rentrée | The Season of the Fresh Start

Anyone else getting major First Wives Club vibes from this tenue blanche?

There’s something magical about the transition from summer into fall.

It’s a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s symbolic of a new school year, and for me personally, it’s literally the beginning of a new year on the calendar. As you may know, my birthday falls during the last week of August, which is always the week when something in the wind shifts, ever so slightly. It’s still summertime and the end-of-season pool parties are in full swing, but in my world, it’s always marked an intangible turning of the page. These first few weeks of September set the shift into motion, culminating with the first day of l’automne, which officially begins today. In France, this transitional period is called la rentrée.

As we’ve discussed before, the month of August is synonymous with vacation in France. Restaurants and boutiques temporarily shutter for weeks at a time, city dwellers make a bee-line for the countryside and the beach, public transit slows to a drip, and everyone—from shopkeepers to government officials—essentially closes up shop, leaving each other with the cheerful phrase, “À la rentree!”

Meaning, See you in September!

"Bonnes vacances!”

“À la rentrée!”

As the excitement of summer vacances gives way to the back to school (and back to work) mentality, some feel the post-holiday blues, and some feel invigorated—happy to return to normalcy and ready to begin a new chapter.

Although Europe and America (and most of the world) celebrate the official New Year on January first, I personally never feel a perceptible change when the clock strikes midnight, because the middle of winter never feels like the time for newness—it’s something about the first breeze of coolness in the air, the first few leaves to jump ship from their branches. It’s buying school supplies, shopping for sweaters, and that first whiff of cinnamon and pumpkin spice.

Many cultures and religions, like Judaism, celebrate the New Year during this period—Shanah Tovah to our Jewish amis—and of course, the fashion world celebrates the illustrious release of the September issue—magazine speak for the editorial debut of fall fashion—when beloved designers and couturiers unveil their seasonal Fall/Winter collections and campaigns. It’s the month of Fashion Week—NYFW is underway, and PFW starts today.

As a former fashion editor for NBC, lifestyle writer, and editorial devotee, this period thrills me, and as someone who prefers to look forward, not backwards, I love shifting focus from warm weather holidays to the preparation of the cozy winter ones. I don’t typically mourn seasons, because, as my maman likes to say, there’ll be another one next year. Which is just a more positive way of saying, we’re captive on a carousel of time. Merci, Joni Mitchell.

The concept of the summer holiday is actually rooted in agricultural history, dating back to the year 1231—believe it or not—when Pope Gregory IX closed universities for a month each summer so that students could return home to help their families prepare the crops for the fall harvest. While many Americans tend to think of France and Paris as one and the same, there is a deeply rooted history and tradition in the large rural swaths of the country, known as la campagne, and France is nothing if not deeply devoted to its honoring its people and upholding its traditions.

In celebration of this time of rebirth, if you will, I’ve decided to pay my respects in a symbolic white suit—all Zara, all the time—with a crop for a timely and trendy twist. It’s a perfect transitional ensemble—a sort of “in memoriam” to bid farewell to warmer days, which, at least in Southern California, will still be hanging around for a while—and a first step towards the annual re-introduction of long pants and blazers into the fall wardrobe.

Bienvenue, l’Automne and Happy Pumpkin Spice season to my chic Américanes—which, let’s be honest, is well on its way to becoming an official holiday.

L'Etoile | The History of the Michelin Star Rating

Le Taillevent, one of the rare esteemed Parisian dining destinations to be honored with a 3 Star Michelin rating, as featured in the upcoming film, A Chef’s Journey.

If you read yesterday’s post about the new documentary, A Chef’s Journey—premiering in your living room this Friday—then surely you’re eagerly anticipating this cinematic trip to France and the chance to peek inside the world of not one, but three Michelin 3-Star rated French restaurants.

But while we’re waiting, what exactly does it mean to be a 3-Star rated restaurant? And who exactly is Michelin? Is it like the Zagat guide? Isn’t a five star rating the highest honor? I’m glad you (sort of) asked.

The History of the Michelin Star Rating

Like the Yelp review of its day, the Michelin tire company published its first Michelin Guide in France in 1900, as a resource for motorists to take along on road trips, highlighting the best amenities—including mechanics and, yes, restaurants—along the way.

In 1926, the first etoile (star) was introduced as a method to distinguish the must-see spots, and in 1933, the second and third stars were added as a full rating system. Unlike hotels, which all rank somewhere between one and five stars—usually through independent organizations like AAA, since there is no official authority—only very special restaurants even make the Michelin rank.

To clarify, while we might typically think of 1 star as a low rating, to have one Michelin star is a great honor in itself, while two and three stars are reserved for the most elite restaurants around the world.

Updated annually, the list of dining locations are announced each year in the guide, with a rating of:

• 1 star, which classifies “A very good restaurant.”

• 2 stars, which distinguishes “Excellent cooking that is worth a detour.”

• 3 stars, the highest honor, reserved for “Exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”

While the guide has adapted its system over the years to a more inclusive classification system that includes casual dining and eateries of all kinds that aren’t quite star material, the Michelin stars continue to be a rare achievement, and highly coveted.

According to the 2019 edition, there are currently only 137 Michelin 3-star rated restaurants around the world—for context, there are 197 countries on earth, meaning that most countries don’t have any at all. France typically leads the way as the country with the highest number—which makes sense since the French invented the system, and their dedication to traditional cuisine is unparalleled, really—currently with a whopping 29.

For added context, France is roughly the size of Texas, so that’s a lot of stars per capita, as compared to the US which currently has 14 in total—7 of which are in California, although sadly not in Los Angeles.

Other European cuisine capitals like Italy and Spain have 11; the UK has 5; China, Singapore, and the Netherlands have 2; while Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Taiwan have only one each.

However, it should be noted that Los Angeles currently hosts four Michelin 2-star rated dining destinations, including:

• n/naka in Culver City

• Vespertine, also in Culver City

• Providence in Hollywood

• Sushi Ginza Onodera in West Hollywood

And not for nothing, LA is also home to 16 Michelin 1-star rated spots, while Orange County has two, and there’s also one in San Diego.

See which local locales made the cut here, and check this handy barometer to track which Michelin rated restaurants have managed to survive in the wake of Covid closures.

La Pâtisserie | Baking Croissants with Sur La Table

If you’ve ever wanted to earn how to make homemade French croissants, the good news is that you don’t have to quit your job and apprentice in a Parisian pâtisserie—unless you want to, bien sûr!

Baking Croissants with Sur La Table

Your next foray into the world of French cooking could be closer than you think—as in, your very own local Sur La Table store. Many locations offer a full schedule of fun French cooking and pastry classes, taught by world class chefs and bakers right on-site. Whether you’re a complete kitchen newbie or a novice chef looking to hone your knife skills and technique, there’s class for every type and skill level. Learn to create everything from a full Provençal picnic menu with roast chicken and haricots verts (green beans) to mini macarons.

Fair warning, getting lost in the front of the store—read: a black hole of gourmet cookware and luxury kitchen decor on display like the set of a Nancy Meyers movie, decadent bake mixes, and gadgets you never knew you always wanted—may lead to delusions of Martha Stewart level grandeur.

I spent an afternoon making traditional breakfast croissants—and trust me, you don’t want to know how much butter is involved—at the (now closed) Westwood Sur La Table kitchen in Los Angeles. And since I found myself with two dozen pastries—some stuffed with jambon and fromage, some sweet pain au chocolat—I invited a few friends over for a full-blown afternoon tea—and to sample the results, Great British Bakeoff style.

Take a look at the highlights below, and let me know if you think Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry would approve.

Find your nearest Sur La Table here for a schedule of classes.

Bastille Day | Celebrating the French Four(teen)th of July

Showing my French pride in this robe rouge from ShowPo. It may be an Australian brand, but today is France’s day.

Joyeux 14 Juillet! 🇫🇷 Today is France’s national day of independence. Also commonly known as Bastille Day, it’s very similar to the US national holiday, 4th of July.

This date commemorates the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille in 1789—a pivotal moment of the French Revolution when angry citizens rushed the government building, protesting the monarchy and an of abuse of power. As a result, it eventually led to Marie Antoinette and her husband King Louis XVI getting the guillotine, but that’s a story for another time.

The Storming of the Bastille, by artist Jean-Pierre Höuel.

The founding principles of Liberté Égalité and Fraternité (liberty, equality, and brotherhood) have since gone on to shape the institution of France’s government body and symbolize what it means to be French.

Never a people known to shy away from exercising their right to protest and expressing their (oft clashing) opinions, it’s important to note that many French citizens feel that these three basic tenets have been violated in recent times by sweeping government mandates, vaccine pressure, and strict lockdowns imposed as a result of the Covid crisis over the past year. Similar sentiments have also been echoed in the United States.

It may be another time of revolution, but also one of celebration, because as history tends to demonstrate, the two are often inextricably linked.

On a lighter note, I will be celebrating my French pride tonight at La Boheme in West Hollywood, where the annual festivities are being organized by French Tuesdays in partnership with L’Alliance Francaise and other members of the local Franco-American community here in Los Angeles.

It’s always one of my favorite events of the year, and includes music, dancing, champagne (and other assorted revelry) and even patriotic performances by traditional can-can dancers.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Bastille Day in Paris is always celebrated with a national parade down the Champs Elysees.

Q&A | Author Eric Freeze Talks Expatriate Life and Living Better with Less in the South of France

The sweeping coastline of Nice, France, where the Freeze family has made their (second) home, documented in Freeze’s memoir French Dive.

Vieux Nice, the heart of the city, nestled within the postcard-perfect French Riviera.

If you’ve ever considered leaving it all behind and starting a new life in France—as I have many times this year!—you’ve come to the right place. In 2014, author and college professor Eric Freeze and his wife, Rixa, decided to make a change. Having lived comfortably with their four young children (then all under the age of seven) in a small town in Indiana, they decided to buy a fixer-upper apartment in Nice, France—the idyllic medieval French village-within-a-city along the Côte d’Azur—and split their time between both countries (and cultures).

Prompting this decision was Freeze’s determination to provide his children with a unique Francophone experience. A bilingual Canadian native himself, he had decided to undergo an interesting linguistic experiment: to only speak French at home to his American children, in the hopes of giving them a second language. The ambitious feat paid off, as les enfants became comfortable conversing with him in French, and Freeze searched for a more immersive experience. Forgoing pricy private French integration schools in the United States, a teaching sabbatical provided the timing for the Freeze family to make the semi-permanent move to France.

Enrolling the children in French schools required proof of residence, which became the catalyst for purchasing their apartment in Vieux Nice, the medieval village in the heart of the city. The backdrop of a diverse, multicultural environment provided the opportunity to live like locals, rather than holiday tourists isolated in a single family vacation home outside of the city. Walking instead driving, taking on DIY home renovations—spoiler alert: the family was featured on HGTV’s popular franchise House Hunters International—and shopping at the local markets allowed the family to experience cultural immersion on a daily basis, and integrate within the fabric of the French community.

Sleeping six people comfortably in a former student rental apartment introduced them to the French décroissant philosophy—spend less, live better. Furnishing their apartment with flea market antiques, sending their kids to school in pre-worn clothing, and catching their own dinner by learning to spearfish in the Mediterranean, are just a few of the meaningful lifestyle changes Freeze documents in his memoir (and March 2021 book club selection) French Dive.

Read on to learn more about Freeze’s insights on bi-continental living, and the family’s adventures in the South of France, in a delightful conversation with The Chic American, below.

Click here to order French Dive.

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Q&A

TCA: How does the French [décroissant] approach to minimalism differ from the American approach? Has anything changed since writing the book?

EF: I’m a little hesitant to draw too many distinctions between the French décroissant movement and American minimalism. They both emphasize living in an intentional, less consumerist way. The difference I think—and I could totally be wrong here—is in degree. While the French certainly fell victim to late-stage capitalism and overconsumption like the rest of the western world, it’s still far less conspicuous than in the US. French households consume fifty percent of what US households do. Most people live in smaller spaces and don’t have multiple cars. They have less stuff because the system doesn’t support having as much stuff. Minimalists in the US are also a lot more evangelical in their approach. Take control of your life! They tell us, all the while ironically recommending the products that will help us live a more minimalist lifestyle (like maybe I’m doing here? Sorry!). The voices are fewer but louder in the US. But I think we need both those louder voices and grassroots cultural movements for people to start changing in this world of limited resources.

TCA: What was the hardest thing/routine to leave behind and how have you filled that void?

EF: I don’t really miss anything. The only adjustment for me was I had a pickup soccer group in the states that played three times a week. I’ve had a hard time replicating that in Nice even though it’s a soccer-crazed city. But I have other sporting activities like spearfishing that are pretty hard to do in land-locked Indiana.

TCA: What do you love most about living in France and what do you miss most about living in the US?

EF: I don’t really miss anything in the US. My kids miss peanut butter. My spouse really likes to garden and that’s been hard for her to give up since we live in an apartment in a city center. As a Canadian, I’ve never entirely felt like I belonged in the US. France, with its more robust social net and cultural similarities is much more to my liking. I love the food, the pace of life, the weather, the recreational activities, the opportunities for my kids. I love that I can live a block away from the sea, my kids’ schools, world-class cultural amenities like the opera and the symphony. The daily food market, the restaurants, and the outdoor space is all on my doorstep. I love that we can go to the public library and it’s adjacent to the Modern Art museum. My favorite museum is the Palais Lascaris that houses a collection of medieval musical instruments. It’s across the street from us. These amenities aren’t due to living in France so much as living in the community of Old Nice specifically. Where we live in the US is beautiful but it’s small town living in a house with a yard.

 
TCA: How has living in France changed your global perspective?

EF: Nice is a port city that has always accommodated people from other cultures. It’s one of the cradles of civilization. Living in a place that has always been in flux, always a part of something larger than itself, shows many of the complexities of living in a world of limited resources with people from other countries, religions or ethnicities. The world’s disparities are also on display. You can walk past the port filled with luxury yachts to the homeless encampment on the lighthouse jetty. It’s hard not to see these things. 

TCA: What are your future plans/goals? Any new material we should look out for?

EF: Right now I’m working on a sequel to French Dive, a memoir that picks up where the last one left off: with a family trying to work out living half the year in France and half in the US. This one is a tougher book in a lot of ways as it also examines many of the difficulties in France the past several years, including the 2016 Bastille day terror attacks in Nice that left 87 dead. I also look in more depth at issues of discrimination and privilege and the effect of the current pandemic in Nice. But I hope to end it on an optimistic note, to show what learning to live with others can do for our world. I’m tentatively calling it Pioneers of France.

How to Celebrate National Brioche Day

Photo credit: Adam Gentry for Locale Magazine

In case you haven’t heard, May 14th is National Brioche Day—the official-unofficial holiday dedicated to the irresistible French sweet bread that plays an essential role in every Parisian’s balanced diet. If a whirlwind trip to the City of Light isn’t in the cards, St Pierre—the go-to brioche brand that you can find right in your local supermarket—has made a mission of bringing a little taste of Parisian pâtisserie right into your very own maison.

CLICK HERE to read the full article I wrote for Locale Magazine and learn more about this irresistible French kitchen staple—including a few recipes (like dreamy Brioche French toast!) to treat your maman for Fête des Meres!

Bardot Beauty: How to Have Les Cheveux Like Brigitte Bardot

Hair is a whole thing for me.

I’m not one to experiment with new cuts and colors. You’ll never catch me trying to bring back The Rachel, or rocking an Ariana phony pony or a pink Kylie Jenner wig. Having long, healthy blonde locks has always been a part of my identity, to the point where I absolutely loathe haircuts and—against the advice of practically any hair expert—find any reason to avoid them.

In fact, my maman somehow talked me into allowing an at-home, quarantine trim a few days ago—I’m still not sure how she convinced me— and I’m not ashamed to say (well, I am a little bit) that I wept openly, watching my savagely severed ends hit the floor.

Determined to find only the best methods and products to care for mes cheveux—my hair, or my hairs, as is the literal translation—I’m pretty selective about what I allow near ma tête, as you may imagine.

Bardot Beauty: How to Have Les Cheveux Like Brigitte Bardot

That’s why my current beauty obsession du jour is Bardot Beauty—an all Vegan and cruelty free haircare line inspired by the silver screen glamour of the legendary French icon, Brigitte Bardot. Like Marilyn Monroe with a Parisian accent, Bardot put a European twist on the Hollywood jet-set glam of the 1960s—complete with a slightly gap-toothed grin, and big textured hair teased into her signature bouffant.

Bardot in the 1959 film, Come Dance With Me. We have a sort of similar vibe, right? (Just go with it, please!)

Explore this luxurious hair collection, designed in Bardot’s honor with pretty packaging paying homage to her name and likeness. The comprehensive line includes classic shampoo and conditioner, texture spray, volumizing spray, dry shampoo, and travel kits (like the one below) with mini versions to keep your tresses ready for their close up—and their next glam getaway.

Click here to shop.

Bardot Beauty
@veganbardothair