The Best French Advent Calendars of 2019

The Best French Advent Calendars of 2019

Each year, French chocolatiers and confiseurs release even more creative and beautiful calendrier de l’Avent, elevating them to a must-have for cozy holiday decor. And now the offerings have extended beyond chocolate to include tea, beauty and other high-end treats.

The Paris Life You are Sold on Instagram is a Lie

The Paris Life You are Sold on Instagram is a Lie

Just as fairytales portray an idealized view of love, the image of Paris pushed by brands and instagrammers is a privileged, airbrushed version of French life — one the vast majority of Parisians never experience.

French Favorites: Diptyque Carrousel

French Favorites: Diptyque Carrousel

Updated with 2019 carrousel info! Since 2016, the chic Parisian candle and fragrance brand Diptyque has released a unique holiday candle carrousel each year — and I am lucky to have all three.

Picnic like a Parisian

Picnic like a Parisian

The French invented the pique-nique way back in the 1600s and today picnicking is a cherished summer activity in Paris. In tribute, I hosted a summer picnic with a few elevated French touches for 12 of my friends.

La Vie de Château: A French Weekend in the Champagne Region

La Vie de Château: A French Weekend in the Champagne Region

My diary of a classic French weekend away in the Champagne region. A stay at Château de Courcelles, one of France’s many beautiful châteaux that have been transformed into world-class hotels.

10 Expats Share Their Biggest Mistakes After Moving to Paris

10 Expats Share Their Biggest Mistakes After Moving to Paris

You can live and learn, or you can take the advice of those who have “been there, done that” before you in Paris. Hear what these foreigners say they wish they knew before moving to Paris.

Never Say These 12 Things to a French Person

Never Say These 12 Things to a French Person

Rosie (from Not Even French) and I have both put our “pieds” in our mouths at a few dinner parties, so take it from us and avoid these topics when speaking with French people!

15 Perfectly French (and Authentic) Christmas Gifts

15 Perfectly French (and Authentic) Christmas Gifts

If you’re in Paris before the holidays, skip the souvenir shops and buy your loved ones a special, quintessentially French present. Or you can always use the internet to deliver a little France to you. These are my favorite French gift ideas this year.

Paris is for (Book) Lovers

Paris is for (Book) Lovers

Even on vacation a girl’s gotta read! Paris has got you covered with great spots for reading or picking up a new book whether you live here or are just passing through.

How to Get Your Securité Sociale & Carte Vitale in France

How to Get Your Securité Sociale & Carte Vitale in France

Once you’ve lived in France for three months and established residency, you’re eligible for French national health coverage — Woohoo! But to reap all the benefits, you’ll first need a numero de securité sociale and a carte Vitale.