Anthropologie Home is Now at Nordstrom

Anthropologie Home is now at NORDSTROM.

Anthropologie is one of my favorite places to shop for cute French-inspired home goods.

One of my favorite French coffee mugs came from there, and you know how I love my coffee cups! #toomany

I guess the point is this: if you haven’t been to an Anthropologie, maybe because there isn’t one where you live, or you have just never felt inclined to check it out (TBH – I hated it the first time I went in, but I love it now!) now you can…in Nordstrom, or on “Nordie’s” online.

Bonus: if you have a Nordstrom’s credit card now you can use it for Anthropologie, which is probably not very fiscally sound (You should be using cash. Or a really awesome  airline miles card to get a free ticket to Paris!)

Latte Bowls

I checked out the Nordstrom’s site to see what goodies they have from Anthro that I just couldn’t live without. There are a few must-haves for us Francophiles…like these latte bowls:

So cute, right? I love slurping sipping my latte out of a bowl at home, I feel so Continental when I do!

To be fair, they work well as bowls for chocolat chaud as well. Or cereal. Or ice cream, I mean yogurt. Non-fat. Plain.

As I am totally into the whole white house (as in interior design, not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) thing right now I thought these measuring cups are super mignon and très functional!

Keeping with the white house theme I also like this bedding and pillow, because we have a lot of grey in notre maison. 

And a few more fun things I found – parfait for the Francophile’s work area! 😉

place for your latte!

Paris for your pens 😉

Shopping = miles!

Et voila!  

There you have my picks – take a look and see what they have! If something tickles your fancy I’d love to see what you order! Share in the comments!

Here is the link, and yes, I am an affiliate (See my note below) and your purchase helps keep Dreams in French alive! #keepthedreamsalive!

 

Merci, et au revoir! 

Jessica

Anthropologie Home is now at NORDSTROM.

 

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

Shopping Les Soldes: Bon Chic, Bon Genre

BCBG Maz Azria is having a BIG sale!

Bon Chic, Bon Genre was started by French designer Maz Azria in 1989. Read more about the label here.

They offer a lot of French style essentials and  starting tomorrow, March 21, you can get 50% off full-price styles, so I had to take a look :: bein sûr, j’ai dû jeter un coup d’oeil! 

Here are a few of the looks I really love :: Voici quelques-uns des looks que j’aime vraiment!

Le pantalon:

Faux leather leggings

White wide leg pant

Paper bag waist pant in navy

Jupes, robes et une combinaison: (that jumpsuit! so sexy! so versatile!)

Pencil skirt – a must have!

Isn’t this gorgeous?

Perfect for Spring!

Les Chemises:

Off the shoulder…with flair

Take control in this top!

A solid basic piece.

 

A few more :: Un peu plus:

Fun for a night out

Perfect for the day

Classic must-haves

Add some red to the day!

A delicate addition

All black and this!

Those were just a few of mes choses préférées…take a look for yourself here: 50% Off full-price styles. Valid 3/21-4/2

Happy Shopping!

jessica

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

The American “tricolore”: Shopping the Tommy Hilfiger Shoes and Accessories Sale

I know, it doesn’t really make sense to turn to an iconic American brand for your French style essentials, but you might want to make an exception for this one!

Tommy Hilfiger is the American version of le tricolore – the iconic red, white, and blue of both La France et les États Unis! 

And, with this great sale they have going on you can get some of these fashion staples. 25% OFF SHOES & ACCESSORIES! Use Code DETAILS

Seriously, lots of cute stuff! Let’s start with the shoes!

Love these velvet slippers!

and these sandals are perfect for spring and summer – I can see wearing these with some skinny ankle jeans, a gold watch, and a striped tee!

 

Metallic Flat Sandal

 

And I am in love with these pumps, sérieusment!

 

Patent Ankle Strap Sandal

 

and tennies, you gotta have a pair of those!

Stripe Track Sneaker

And now the bags!

I love this one – super cute belt detail!

 

 

Leather Tote

 

But you can go white in summer, which will be here before we know it:

 

Contrast Saffiano Tote

 

 

But this one is mon préféré: 

 

Leather Hobo Bag

 

And here are a few more must-haves!

The gold watch I mentioned!

Or, if you prefer blue:

Blue Multi-Eye Watch

 

And you must have the foulard, bien sur! 

 

Silk Neck Bow

 

The sale is for shoes and accessories, but here are some more great pieces that caught my eye!

C’mon, a red moto?!?!

Wide Leg Trousers

Silk Bomber

High waisted jeans; cute with the silk bomber!

red leather sweats

the perfect blue jeans

 

There is a lot more on their website – some really cute stuff mes amis! 

In case you missed it, here is the link again:

25% OFF SHOES & ACCESSORIES! Use Code DETAILS

And just so you know, I am technically an “affiliate” for Tommy, so if you use that link and then make a purchase I will get a commission. Which would really be helpful in keeping this blog going.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve never actually gotten a commission off any link I’ve shared, but if you are the first I would love it! 🙂 If you do buy something send me a photo, I’d love to see it! (and I’ll send you a little something aussi!) 

Bon Shopping!

Jusqu’à la prochaine fois :: until next time!

Jessica

 

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

Knock Knock: Your Wardrobe is Here!

I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty special when I get a knock on the door and am handed a garment bag or a “trunk” filled with gorgeous clothes just for me. For just a moment I can feel like I am a big deal and some designer has sent me some of their latest goodies to try on!

I’m a fan of Rent the Runway for just that reason! We have a ball we go to each year and the best part of it is dressing up! But I began to realize that the only time I would wear whatever gown I bought for the event was that one night, and then it just hung in my closet until maybe a friend could use it.

So I tried RTW and have been using it ever since!

How It Works

They deliver the dress in a garment bag right to your door – if you want to get two different sizes you can – for the same price! I also have ordered jewelry to go with the dress.

I love that you can see other people’s reviews of the garments and how it fit, exactly, on their body type. You can scroll through photos and I like to check to see how it looked on other women with similar curves.

Not the best photo but the dress was cute and fun!

This is the dress I rented in 2017:

And this is the dress (and earrings) I rented this year:

Clearly, my sweetie is stunned by my beauty!

After you have worn your outfit and been complimented on your stunning dress you simply hang it back in the garment bag, zip it up and lock it and drop it off at UPS or arrange a pick up at your house. That means no dry-cleaning and no hassle!

Easy Peasy!

More Than Gowns

Oui, c’est vrai! They rent more than gowns – they rent handbags, jewels, cocktail and work dresses as well. Plus, you can purchase designer goods from RTW as well.

Here are a few French essentials you can pick up from them right now:

A vintage Givenchy necklace or a vintage Chanel necklace (they have Chanel earrings for rent too!) Or this adorable Kate Spade French-style trench coat.

Sèrieusment, check them out – for formal wear or daily wear!

Coming up…my review of my first Trunk Club trunk where I snag a great bonsoir t-shirt!

A bientôt :: See you soon!

Jessica

PS: Have you seen the new Provence line by Le Crueset? #want #jeveux

 

What’s New Pussycat?

Bonjour!

It’s been a while since I have posted, je suis dèsolè!

So, what have I been up to since, what, October? Well…I’ve been posting a ton on my Instagram page! You can check it out here.  Be sure to follow me!

I also just added a Twitter account and a Pinterest page.

If I can manage to post to all of them at once, it will be much easier for me to keep up with it all! #bonchance

The Art of the Flat Lay

The other thing I’ve been working on is learning how to do “flat lays.”

This is an example of a professional one:

 

Looks simple, right?!? 

 

Here is my first attempt:

 

meh. it’s a start! 

 

Here is the first try of my second flat lay:

 

I didn’t care for it much, so I tried again:

I went with the second one! I ended up practicing the art of linking to the products with an app called ShopStyleCollective which helps you create a “look” and connect readers to the actual products in your photos. Click here to see the one for this photo.

And here is my most recent one:

 

Click here for the ShopStyle link! 

 

So, that’s what I have been working on most recently…I hope to post more often as I get my online shop stocked with all the goodies I have found on my treasure hunting trips.

Once I get it fully stocked I will post about it “officially” – in the meantime you can follow me on the above sites or subscribe to my Facebook Page to keep abreast of my latest developments as well as the French news I share there!

Jusqu’à la prochaine fois,

Jessica

 

 

 

A Day At The French Fair :: Une journée à la foire française

I have a confession to make. I have a bad case of Francophilia.

In reality, it’s not as bad as it sounds, and I am able to manage it quite easily.

Sure, it flairs up from time to time, but it’s easy to treat the symptoms. Champagne helps.

As do specific forms of carbohydrate, such as croissants…

…or baguettes. 

Or, if the chance presents itself, a trip to La Belle France, bien sūr. 

 

Today, we fed my craving with a trip to the French Fair in Palo Alto.

 

We rode over on the motorcycle and it was a little hectic finding parking, but we managed!

The first thing we saw were some French cars:

Then we made our way through the crowds and waited in line for quite a while to get some food. We figured our mood – and patience – would improve if we ate.

We had some delicious and authentique sandwiches.

Then we walked around looking at the French vendors and I bought two lavender sachets.

 

C’était une bonne journée!

 

à bientôt!

 

Local French Finds: Wisteria Antiques

Every once in a while you come across a spot so special you just have to share it with the world. Wisteria is one of those spots for me, and I think you, my fellow francophiles, will love it too!

I’ve lived in Santa Cruz County for most of my life and it wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I finally made it into the shop. It’s totally nondescript and the location is such that half the time you pass it going the opposite direction and there is no easy turn into the parking lot.

But when you do? It is absolument worth it.

Wisteria antiques gives me my French fix everytime, without fail :: à coup sûr. 

The paved path brings you into a courtyard with a small country house on the right. When you enter the house it is like stepping into a French country kitchen and I just love it!

Already there is so much to look at and explore. Over the years I have purchased some adorable red and white bowls and am always tempted by the bee glasses!

Every inch of space in the house is filled with tempting French knick knacks, linens, candles, artwork, furnishings, and books.

I would happily just move right in!

I mean, champagne in bed…who could resist?

Beyond the main house, there are two more buildings filled to the brim with larger pieces of furniture – armoires, settees, and the like. I love to take my time and thumb through every book, explore every nook, and daydream…

There is an aviary with doves and fountains, flowers, plants, shrubs, and bistro table sets to covet.

I often wish I could bring a picnic and sit outside for an afternoon, sketching or watercoloring. #notsuretheydletme

I highly recommend you stop by this delightful shop and oasis the next time you are in town – or passing through. It is worth the stop, for sure!

Wisteria Antiques is located at 5870 Soquel Drive in Soquel, California. It is easy to get to off of Highway 1. Call for hours and directions: 831.462.2900

Until next time :: jusqu’à la prochaine fois, 

 

 

Local French Finds: Petite Provence in Capitola

Located near Capitola Village in the seaside town of Capitola is one of my favorite French shops. Petite Provence manages to transport me to the South of France, if even for just a few moments.

Their bright outdoor display beckons you in…

 

Bonjour! Apre vous…

 

Upon entering you are not disappointed! The smell of lavande greets you as you enter the bright and festive shop.

I may have to go back and get the letters to spell out bienvenue for my entry way!

If you are looking for gifts for les enfants in your life, this is a good place to start!

I told the shopkeeper that if I worked there I would never actually bring home a paycheck, having spent all my earnings on things like these earrings, because one can never have too many Eiffel Towers around.

And these canisters would look très mignon sur mon comptoir #verycuteonmycountertop

And perhaps this for my front door. It’s a good sized one, not like mignon but trop petit one I have out front now.

With all this talk of le shopping I think I need to take a nap…off to bed!

Really, this is only a small sample of what they have to offer at Petite Provence. They are primarily known for their authentic French table linens in all sizes and patterns.

Owner Veronique Evenhouse is from the South of France and sources all of her linens from France, with the help of her maman who lives in Nice.

I strongly recommend that if you are in the area you stop by for a visit – you can fortify yourself with a stop at Gayle’s Bakery beforehand for un espresso et un kouign amann. #mynewfavoritepastry

jusqu’à la prochaine fois :: until next time, 

Jessica

 

Book Giveaway: Weekend in Paris

Win my copy of Weekend in Paris! :: Gagner ma copie de week-end à Paris!

I am not sure where I picked up this delightful book, but I am happy I did.

Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman was just the right dose of light, escapist fun I needed for a weekend at the lake.  I was sorry to hear that the author passed away just a few months ago. She has written similar sweet stories set in New York, London, and other jet-set locations.

This is literally a used copy (it was used when I got it and then it was on a 3 day camping trip with us!) but it is still fully functional!

I’ll be adding in un autre petit cadeau as well. I guarantee you will be happy with your gift!

Please help me spread the word, not only about the giveaway but also about my blog and Dreams in French Facebook page and don’t forget, you can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

To enter: either comment on this blog or comment on the Dreams in French Facebook page and tell me your favorite place to read.

Winners will be chosen at random on August 31st!

Merci et bonne chance!

 

Hello Old Friends :: Bonjour Vieux Amis

deux choses :: two things

1. WordPress says it has been FIVE MONTHS since my last post here.

How can that be true? I am ashamed! Please accept my deep apologies. Here I am asking you to follow on this fun francophile journey with me and then I just disappear.

Je suis vraiment désolé. 

I have been spending more time on my Dreams in French Facebook page, which you can like and follow here: https://www.facebook.com/dreamsinfrench/.

2. Coincidentally, as I signed in to write this post WordPress told me that I launched this page one year ago!

So not only do I say:

 

 

 

 

I also say:

Please stay tuned as I will begin to post again and get this blog up and running! I have so many fun French shops to share, bakeries and croissants to taste and review and books to give away!

Thank you for reading :: Merci d’avoir lu!

A bientôt,

Jessica