fashion

At first, I wondered if this would be another lightweight book praising the mythical French Woman and how she can tie a scarf. Mais non. It is one of the best self-help books, for American women in general, that I have ever read. Getting below the surface of cosmetics and clothes (though these ARE important), the author highlights the intellect of the French woman, and how this sets her apart from the American woman.

There is SO much more to the French Paradox. We Americans are FAR more addicted to appearances and the surface of things; we do not take time to get as deep as our European sisters. We think that if we look good and are "physically fit and thin" we have done our work.

This book shows us that French "style" begins in the mind and not on the body. Merci!!

This book is charming and smart and though-provoking. It didn't play into the stereotypes of French women, rather it pulled back the diaphanous curtain that has long obscured real and valuable insights about them. I'm no Francophile--I'm as American as they come. But this book made me think about lots of little corners of my life in a different light. Do I need all this stuff? Is this stuff the truest expression of who I am? Does this stuff make my life better or does it just get in the way of my real life experience?

I loved the author's observations about the real qualities that distinguish the French girl: Not her stylish clothes but her self-containment and sensuality and discretion. Not her mysterious allure but her deeply ingrained sense of time and quality and authenticity. And I loved the wonderful snips of stories about the author's French girlfriends and the very human ways they express these qualities.

This book isn't self help, it's self exploration of a uniquely pleasurable kind.

I finished this book last night and could easily keep it on hand as a reference for wonderful, conscious, elegant, sophisticated living. (Unfortunately, I borrowed it from the library and have to take it back. :( ) While this book doesn't cover many things I would have liked to known, you read the last page with an indirect knowledge of how a French girl would act in most situations. The best thing I got from this book (I took notes as I read) was a wealth of names of French people to look up (Pauline de Rothschild), French movie recommendations (Milou en Mai), French books to read, including wonderful cookbooks to peruse (Mastering the Art of French Cooking), and entertaining tips. Read this book and savor all the wonderful things that can be learned from it. For anyone interested in a fresh take on life!