Living French: 7th edition

Product Information

The French are absolute masters at this! They can take any seemingly boring activity, like applying skin care products, and elevate it into something truly special. It’s really about bringing a little more mindfulness into the activity and choosing items that bring joy to your life. This is such a huge part of French lifestyle. Create an evening routine to look forward to. At the end of the day, your body and mind may be entirely taxed which is why making time (even 15 minutes) for unwinding with a favorite pastime is crucial. Being able to look forward to this simple routine can be the silver lining no matter what your day has unearthed. If you like what you see, you might want to followmy blog, whichIregularly update to bring you new ideas for interiors, places to visit, food and drinkas well asa general flavour of ‘joie de vivre’! Medallions of wild Scottish venison cooked rare with red wine blueberry sauce - gratin Dauphinois & vegetable garnish Fill your home with inspired music. For techies or retro audiophiles, have your turntable or playlists ready for any occasion. From leisurely jazz tunes when you return from work and wish to read the daily news to beautiful Bach in the morning as you get ready for work, set up your music station, turn off the television and forget about time, even if for a moment.

For the French, walking isn’t just a way to get your healthy 10,000 steps in each day. Walking is a part of normal everyday life. It’s a way to get fresh air, possibly surround yourself with nature, and socialize with your community. It doesn’t mean that you cannot live your life the way you want it to. But not bragging or oversharing too much of your life is more about being respectful to those who do not have the same chance as you. 3. Don’t Talk About Money Outside big towns the custom is still to eat a main meal at lunchtime so most restaurants open strictly between 12 and 2pm. Many shops close for a long lunch then stay open into the evening but supermarkets have longer opening hours. Rural life Find a cafe that gives you wonderfully charming, cozy, French vibes. We’re partial to Le Pain Quotidien in terms of a chain you can find in several major cities and we also have a guide to French spots in Los Angeles. Take a friend, a book, or just yourself, and plan to spend a few hours. You’d be surprised how wonderfully luxurious it can feel to linger over a single cup of coffee, glass of wine, or pastry. If you’re nervous about going solo, take a book along, but challenge yourself to spend at least 10 minutes simply enjoying the company of yourself and people watching. The French have no problem spending time alone and we believe that’s an important skill for everyone to master. 8. Master the art of conversation

French Lifestyle

Perfect for Francophiles, ‘bon viveurs’ or any one whoappreciatesthe beautiful thingsin lifeand who isseeking a little inspiration.

One of our favorite parts of French lifestyle is the reverence given to mealtimes. (Yes, I’m realizing the majority of our favorite French living habits have to do with food. Don’t judge us!) Meals are always eaten sitting down, never on the go. Most meals are enjoyed with pleasurable company, but even if dining solo, the meal is still considered special. Pretty plates are used, presentation is taken into account, and phones, TVs, and other electronics have no place at the dinner table. As introverts, this is a difficult French living habit for both Bassam and I. Although we see the value in and enjoy intelligent conversations, it can often be difficult for us. It is a conscious effort for us to interact with others rather than retreat into our own heads, but again, we always see the value in it. We’ve found that as introverts, if a conversation is dull or standard, we walk away feeling drained. However, if the conversation is fresh and full of new ideas and information, we walk away feeling inspired and energized. If you can relate, we have a few tips for you to try. Non, ce n’est pas possible”, “cela risque d’être compliqué”, “c’est hors de question”, “je ne sais pas”, the French have a variety of ways to say no. And sometimes, in France, you might feel like living in a society where the default answer to almost every question is “non”. Why is that? Living Room - La Maison Chic | French Living Room Furniture | Classical Sofas | Elegant Coffee Tables | Linen Armchairs | Console Tables | Footstools | Bookcases | Display Cabinets | Writing Desks | Occasional Tables | Cupboards | Sofas Embracing meal times is about taking pleasure in what you’re eating and mindfully savoring each bite. You can’t do that if your attention is elsewhere. Creating a relaxing ambiance for your meals and carving out time in your day to enjoy your food can help you feel just a little bit closer to life in France. 2. Incorporate more walks into your dayYou might feel slightly off balance if, after you find a job in France, you continue to behave at work as you did in the UK. There are some subtle rules to the working life in France, which can be difficult to negotiate if you aren’t aware of their existence. Taking some simple steps to spot and overcome these little differences will lead to a far more positive experience of working in France.

In a BBC article about Why the French don’t show excitement, the French teacher of the author told her this theory on the key distinction between the Americans and the French: And in so doing, paying attention to my home environment, I began to pay attention to how I spend my days. Was I exhausted and unfilled at the end or exhausted and feeling productive? Did I have time in my day to spend it with those I loved, converse with those who engaged in creative, uplifting and thought-provoking conversation or care for myself in such a way that respected my overall health? And depending upon my answer, I would tweak, eliminate, maximize or designate more or less time to those activities that improved the quality of living. And finally if you want to spend a week or two in our French farmhousein Provence an enjoy aslice of Provençal life, itis available to rent from mid July to mid September (minimum 7 days) Mas des vignes, LorguesFrench living is more than tossing a baguette into your basket and popping open a bottle of wine, although that doesn’t hurt either. Instead, embracing the French lifestyle and culture is more about adopting some simple practices into your everyday life. 1. Embrace meal times We all need a little inspiration now and again so whether you are looking for design tips foryour home and garden, delicious, tried and tested recipe ideas or new places tovisit then you’ll find what you are looking for at French Living Blog, a handy guide for a French-inspired lifestyle. Appreciate the small things in life: do not fuss too much about how you look or what people might think of you and do not try too hard to be healthy. What is a typical French lifestyle? How do the French enjoy life? The French live in the être (to be) instead of living in the faire (to do) or the avoir (to have). Whatever inspires you in your travels or remains memorable to you from your past, why not bring it into your everyday life if at all possible? Cultivate an everyday life that perhaps no one would believe is possible, but rest assured it is. After all, as Annie Dillard reminds us, how we spend our days is how we spend our lives. Why not spend your life living well each and everyday?

Extended families often maintain close links so grandparents hold the voice of authority and youngsters toe the line for fear of disapprobation. And if you want to know more about this typical French custom, I’ve written a guide to hosting the perfect French apéritif. From the optimum time for apéro to préparing the table, to the types of drinks and foods to serve, you’ll learn everything you need to know to create the perfect French apéritif at home. 12. Take Long Lunch Breaks What’s the truth behind all these myths – and could French life work for you? If you plan to buy property and live in France, either permanently or part-time, it pays to be flexible about embracing the culture and keep an open mind and heart. So find out more about the many different aspects of living in France. Family lifeGoing to the farmers market goes hand-in-hand with the French habit of eating mindfully and getting outside for fresh air. Just like everything else in their life, the French favor quality over quantity, whether that’s quality food or quality time.