One of the nicest things about Paris is what the French call les imprévus, those unforeseen moments that occur simply because you’re in a city where so much happens. I had such a moment the other day. I had just finished the mundane task of picking up a fountain pen that…

How Studying Fine and Decorative French Art History in Paris changed my perspective of France I could not write about French style without mentioning Christie’s Education in Paris. For one year, I studied Fine and Decorative French Art History at Christie’s, covering every period from the middle-ages to the present. This course of…

I love blue hydrangea. They are all over France. One day I will have a garden full of them. For now, I will enjoy these from the flower market at Place de la Madeleine.

One of my favorite gourmet shops in Paris is the Comtesse du Barry. I dare say that it’s a favorite because nearly everything they sell comes in a can. Sound awful? Well, not if you’re planning to pack it in your suitcase and take it home with you! The Comtesse du…

Over the weekend, I had dinner with longtime American friends Dawn and Michael at their home, La Charmeraie. La Charmeraie is in the little town of Louveciennes, not far from Versailles. The meaning of the name of their home is twofold: first, after the Charme, or Hornbeam, trees that grace their property…

I used to loathe grocery shopping in Paris. I thought it was a big hassle. I hated having to quickly bag my own groceries before the next customer’s items came tumbling down the conveyor belt. I hated having to carry everything home or manage my little pull-cart down the cobbled…