For when France seems too far away. Shop for inspiring images of France and discover travel tips, packing advice, recipes, book reviews and more.
For when France seems too far away. Shop for inspiring images of France and discover travel tips, packing advice, recipes, book reviews and more.

How I’ve Been Hanging On To The ‘Frenchness’

Frenchness

Please tell me I’m not the only one in the world who has crashed back to reality after a luxuriously long stay in France?

Since we’ve been home, it’s safe to say things have been crazy! I managed to pick up a new role in my day job while we were away. So it goes without saying that I’ve been navigating all the things at work. We’ve also been busy helping our son move out of home for the very first time. It’s been an exciting and kind of confronting occurrence, which has also delivered us a bedroom to redecorate before the holiday season.

And I’ve been feeling slightly disappointed for Distant Francophile and my coaching side hustle. Why? Well, because although I have stacks of exciting ideas I want to put in play for both of them, the articles I want to share are substantial. And unfortunately, I just haven’t had the time I normally devote to creative pursuits. I’ve started some stuff, but I’ve not had the space I was hoping for to finish said stuff.

So when I was asked by a dear friend recently what steps I was taking to bring more ‘Frenchness’ and joie de vivre into my life now that we are home, my first answer was that I’d not given France even one single thought.

But, upon reflection, I realised that answer isn’t actually true at all. I’ve spent years learning how to manage my withdrawal symptoms after trips. The truth is, I have so many ways to bring France and ‘Frenchness’ into everyday life in my arsenal. And it seems that I’ve been employing them without even thinking about it.

Back To Reality – How I’ve Been Hanging On To The ‘Frenchness’

  1. Scotty and I hosted a little get together that had a French inspired menu. There was Champagne, French beans, Vichy Carrots, a cheese course and Catherine’s delicious French onion tart – amongst other French inspired bits and pieces.
  2. We’ve been using our French cutlery. One of the things I really want to share with you is the day trip we made to Thiers, where we made our own knives. Stay tuned for more.
  3. We purchased a conifer to enhance our front entrance. As we made our way across Provence, I was enchanted by the Pencil Pines that grace the landscape. Gazing out a train window one day, it occurred to me that we had the perfect place to house a piece of ‘Frenchness’ in the form of a tree. Fingers crossed, it will be very happy in its new space.
  4. I’ve refreshed just about cushion in the house with covers I bought either in France or ordered on-line, thanks to some French inspiration.
  5. While on the topic of home decor, we’ve dropped some French posters we picked up into our favourite framers. I think they are going to look perfect hanging either side of the fireplace.
  6. We’ve been wearing French perfume daily. Scotty has been wearing the fragrance he made. I’ve be switching between the scent I created and the refill I picked up at Guerlain.
  7. ‘Frenchness’ has been a thing in my clothing choices. Ballet flats and Breton striped tops have been on high rotation. And I’m wearing my new French slippers every chance I get.
  8. Baguettes have been a part of our lives, thanks to a French inspired bread board I bought while we were away. Wood is a challenging thing to bring into Australia, due to our Customs and Quarantine policies. Thankfully, there was a man in Western Australia creating the crumb catching bread board I coveted.
  9. Finally, there was that glass of French rosé I ordered at lunch over the weekend.

I’d love to know. Do you have any particular ways you hang onto ‘Frenchness’ after a trip to France? Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments section below.

And until next time – au revoir.

Please Note: This is an unsolicited post, and no compensation of any kind has been received from the brands named in this piece.

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