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Sunday, August 1, 2010

I Want to Be French

Random thought: I would love to be French. All navy-and-white-striped boatnecks, slim skirts, head scarves, fresh baguettes peeking out of my chic grocery bag. Chemises. Pretty little flat red shoes to help me zip around the city. Swim on the Riviera, sip coffee in Paris under the Eiffel Tower at night, be effortlessly lovely. Years ago, I read French Women Don't Get Fat and When French Women Cook, and liked them both very much. Have yet to try a recipe but still can. Can barely speak any French words--except Quiche Lorraine, apple pie à la mode, petit four and maybe a few others. Notice that all three of those involve pastry.
But Figgy is taking French! Maybe I can jet to Paris on her very chic coattails one day. Au revoir.


P.S. Youth definitely is wasted on the young. When I was about 23, my boss handed me an invitation to go to the French Embassy in NYC after work for the launch of Catherine Deneuve's fragrance, Deneuve. [That's the actress, pictured above.] I went, and there was the lady herself. I was so green and uninformed--and the internet didn't exist, so I couldn't just google the name before scooting over. I should have been in complete awe but instead was completely in the dark. Regretful now, especially in my wanting-to-be-French phase. I don't even remember what she was wearing!
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4 comments:

  1. KCFAugust 1, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    Y. has always seemed a little French to me, down to her preference for flats and vintage luggage. She spent 2 weeks in Paris as an exchange student in her sophomore year. When she came back, I cooked and ate French bistro food (or at least my version of it, roast chicken with tarragon, rustic braises) for weeks in vicarious pleasure.

    I love the French Woman for All Seasons book, and occasionally bring it out just to relish as a new season begins. It's lightweight, but I just love her presence on the page. Sometimes I have to remind myself to drink water in the morning and I can hear that author's voice in my head -- "French women would never THINK of starting their morning without water!"

    Alas, I resemble both in spirit and look, something more akin to a midwestern farm wife than a chic French woman...

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  2. LindaAugust 1, 2010 at 9:59 AM

    I took French for 3 years in high school because I thought that all artists were supposed to go off to live in Paris. I'm lucky for the times that I even made it out of New Jersey. Love, Linda

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  3. Alice Garbarini HurleyAugust 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    Kim, you're right, Y. does seem a little French! you're so funny, but it's true. she has a great fashion sense, too. and 2 weeks in Paris.. sounds like dream come true. i have been to paris for two days once when i was 22....you are chic in a lot of ways yourself.....love alice

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  4. Alice Garbarini HurleyAugust 1, 2010 at 10:31 AM

    Linda, i love your note...............and think how much we'd all be at a loss if you had moved off to Paris. love alice

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