My Favorite French Things

I don’t know about you but I think we all have to admit that we have at one time or another daydreamed about what it would be like to be that classy French girl you see in magazines and foreign cinema (unless, of course, you are that classy French girl already). Every fashionista has certainly had fantasies of living in a fashion capital such as Paris or Nice with the ability to throw together the perfect French chic outfit within minutes.

Imagine a life of eating chocolate, dining outside at beautiful street cafes, sipping wine while watching the world go by, all the while donning fabulous clothes and just looking amazing. I sometimes have these little fashion fantasies about the French way of life and will often turn to chic French-inspired outfits just to create the romantic vibes that accompany these daydreams. To bring these fantasies a little closer to reality, there are a few items that I like to have, wear, or eat. They are those special items that can transport me to France in my mind even if just for a short while.

An Elegant Dress

Fashion is so important to the French. The women in that part of the world possess a natural elegance that seems to come to them through genetics. France is home to some of the greatest fashion labels that seem to intrinsically understand how to make women look their best. Famous luxury labels such as Balmain, who are known for their sharp tailoring and curvy silhouettes, are incredibly chic and in high demand as nearly every French woman has at least one closet staple boasting a label from this infamous brand. If you want a little taste of this luxury, you can shop the new Balmain women’s collection on luisaviaroma.com and begin dreaming those romantic French reveries.

A Good Bottle of Rosè

French women love sipping on a sweet rosè. This beautiful, pink wine originates from the Provence region in France. Vineyards in this region are skilled and are well known for producing the best rosè that the world has to offer. There is little wonder that it is the tipple of choice for many French women.

Cheese

Nothing is more synonymous with France than a robust and aromatic artisan cheese. There are so many different varieties, with each region of France creating their own. Cheese is produced in three main categories…bleu cheese, soft cheese, and pressed cheese. When I want to indulge in a bit of French fantasy, I head to the nearest specialty shop and treat myself to one of each. Be certain to grab a warm loaf of crusty French bread and voilà, it is just like France up in here! 

Films

French cinema is not incredibly popular all around the world, but there are some amazing films that can immediately transport you to this romantic country when you just want to feel a little French for a bit. Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain is a great film. With Audrey Tautou as the lead, you can witness that classic French elegance up close and personal. La Belle et la Bête, a twist on The Beauty and The Beast fairytale, is also an entertaining spinoff from French folklore.

Baguettes

Bread is so important in France that it might as well be classified as its very own food group (Bread and then all other Carbohydrates). It contributed greatly to the French Revolution and is a staple food product in the country. Whenever I want to feel more French, I pick up a baguette or two and nibble delicately to satiate the midday hunger cravings. Plus, it is kind of fun to request a baguette at the bread counter using your most eloquent French accent. 

Bicycles

Is there anything more French-inspired than cycling around the city with a bicycle boasting its own front basket to carry your cheese and baguettes home from the market? This is a fun activity in the warmer seasons to spend the day living out a quaint French daydream. You can even pretend that you are cycling around the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. No one needs to know what’s going on inside your head…if you have a big old smile on your face, it will be contagious!

Living a romantic French lifestyle must be amazing but it can be difficult to do living in the United States. Luckily, that’s what daydreams and fantasies are for…and with a bit of help from certain French items that can be purchased nearly anywhere, we can live those daydreams in a more realistic way.

Are you intrigued by the lifestyle of the French? Or perhaps another culture has captured your interest.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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