She grew up in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and her father lives in the home where she grew up...
she is planning to go back and visit for several months later this Spring and Summer.
Madame dresses in a style that is very chic. I like to study how she puts things together.
Her accessories are minimal ~ earrings, a watch or perhaps a scarf.
She has a keen eye for fabrics and shapes that flatter and fit...
ballet flats and a pair of leather loafers alternate depending on whether she is wearing a dress or black pants.
Yes indeed black pants...Madame wears lots of black.
Madame smiles a lot...she laughs and winks at her students which are a mixture of middle aged women and men.
She is a gifted teacher and although I am "struggling" to learn the language she is very encouraging and supportive.
I don't fuss too much about what I wear to French class but for fun I thought I'd show you what I wore last week..
Hermes scarf and a cardigan over top a simple black tank top.
Easy Peasy Scarf tie...
I don't like fussing.
Socks with dots...
no one would see these as they were worn inside my Clarks short black leather booties.
I wore Tulip by Fresh Sugar on my lips...
and my diamond studs.
My walking buddy gave me two books to read...
not sure which one I'll start next.
I've never read Elizabeth George but it comes highly recommended.
I read Rachel Joyce's previous novel and found it to be a delightfully entertaining light read...
this might be one to take on the plane.
It's been a drizzly couple of days but then the sun came out and shone down upon us late in the day.
Which made my heart soar...
then as if I was not happy enough walking along in the peace and quiet
an eagle flew overhead and I could hear the rush of its wings....
I am still weighing in over my goal weight but I am determined to keep walking and tracking my points.
Never give up.
Hope things are looking bright in your neck of the woods...
Hostess
XO
39 comments:
Lots in this post to like, but the one thing that really leaps out at me is how lucky you are to only just be discovering Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley books -- you've got some wonderful reading ahead of you, some very interesting characters to get to know and love and even lose. . . .enjoy!
Love Elizabeth George novels, excellent crime writing, best to read them in order. The tv series ( inspector lynley) was really rubbish in comparison. If you like mystery, another great author is Harlan coben.
Another vote for Elizabeth George, and absolute LOVE for your combination of cardigan and scarf. No chance that cardigan is still available???
Yes, I agree. I have read all of the Elizabeth George books and you will enjoy the characters. I didn't particularly care for the TV series. The relationships develop and change so it is best to read the series in order. If you visit the 6th, there are wonderful little shops where you will really enjoy browsing. Have you read The Woman in the Fifth? Your black and white looks crisp and fresh.I was hoping to lose weight here in Mexico as I am not drinking wine but nothing feels any looser. It is hot in the afternoons so walking needs to be done in the morning. I just moved yesterday to my apartment on the roof. I will go and look for a yoga mat and do a few stretches
each morning. Weight management is a work in progress.
Hostess, did you know the female eagles are bigger than the males? And the eagles in Alaska are bigger than farther south.
Yesterday on my walk I helped a man find a very expensive phone. I felt so good about it. Nature is such a treasure and has been a lifelong passion for me. I honestly wish all our malls were greenbelts.
I am learning French, too, but I am using duolingo. I finished it and I still can't speak French! But I know more than I used to and often can read whole sentences. I hope we never give up.
It may happen that you arrive in Paris and can understand more French than you expect:). In any case, immersion is always good for language, and at the very least the signs will make more sense!
Looks like you just might be all ready for your trip! Good for you for staying focused on your health. I gained a few pounds (six) over my Mexico get away and got on top of that right away too. Three more to go. Boy, it is so much easier putting the weight on rather than taking it off, isn't it? I've just decided to read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, but will look into your two recommendations next. Chloe, (whose gone thru French immersion), and I have started having little convos in French here and there. It's amazing how quickly it comes back, but also frightening how fast it goes. I know when I went back to Prague last June, I was struggling for ordinary, everyday words at first. That shocked me a little, so I brought back several contemporary Czech books. That really helps. And, I completely agree about the sun! What a relief after days of rain. I've been out in the garden every moment I have. :D I hope you have a fabulous rest of the week. When are you off to Paris? x
I'd love to have the time to take a French class, and your teacher sounds wonderfully inspiring. Love your black and white pattern mix, and I'm adding Elizabeth George to my reading list. You're going to have such fun in Paris!!
Hello,
Well, it will soon be time to put Madame's phrases into action and how exciting is that!
Your black and white ensemble looks tres chic ( forgive lack of accent) with a touch of fun to lighten the effect of so much monochrome. It is good to mix the styles, patterns and textures as it makes for so much more excitement in the overall look.
Elizabeth George is read avidly by one of us and avoided like the plague by the other. She lines up admirably with Ian Rankin and Michael Connolly and never plumbs the depths of scariness like Jo Nesbo. Great plane reading when nothing too taxing is required but a romping plot distracts for several hours.
Wishing you a joyful Eastertide!
Your socks made me smile, wearing something fun just for yourself .......that is living with style.
You are such an inspiration! In fact I'm wearing my tomato red ballet flats today, thanks to you! You are going to have a wonderful time in Paris... enjoy :-)
Great outfit! Black is oh so chic, always! You knew you had fun socks on and I bet that put some spring in your step.
I echo this! Something I have found helpful when I'm learning a new language is a download a podcast spoken entirely in the langauge and not made for language learning, but a real podcast spoken natively for native speakers. It can be very helpful to increase your comprehension hearing the language faster and more naturally than you do in a class. A podcast is nice because you can easily rewind to hear something again or pause to look something up. My other big tip is to force yourself to actually think in the language. You will find yourself looking up words so fast and remembering them because they are in context. I'm sure you're just being hard on yourself!
Love your "French class" outfit. Chic with a sense of humor!
I purchased the Anne Klein cardigan as new without tag at a local thrift shop...I did a quick search on google and came up with nothing...good luck though you might find it somewhere online.
I have not read Woman in the Fifth...will add that title to my list...your taste in books is very much like mine!
Those eagle facts are new to me...NEVER give up!
Madame suggests that we listen to french radio and TV as well as watching movie on You Tube with the speed slowed down...you use the wee toggle button that looks like a wheel and you can opt for subtitles, several speeds of the audio etc...still I only pick up some of what is said! I think I am what we call "a slow learner!"
I'm leaving towards the end of the month...
Watching my weight has become part of my routine...and I wish I could just eat whatever I want and not gain any weight!!!!
If you have a commute to get to work you might find time to listen to French instruction in the car or on the bus...but it does require study, homework etc so I understand and empathize. Most shops and restaurants, museums in Paris have English speaking staff so it's not really an issue.
I will need a distraction on the flight so a good book is in order...I've been told to read them in order as she develops the characters much like Louise Penny does in her series of mysteries...you new holiday home looks delightful...well played Hattatts!
BTW I saw one of Lance's books in a vintage shop here recently on gardening and garden plants!
That's why French women love beautiful lingerie...something fun and a secret..worth smiling about!
Red shoes are an instant mood lifter...almost as good as a chocolate...almost!
They are super comfy too...and they are coming with me to Paris!
Fashion is meant to be fun...I try not to take it too seriously either...but it does offer an opportunity to be creative.
We are hoping to visit Paris for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2017 so I might start looking at french classes. Can't wait to hear all about your Parisian travels so I can start planning our adventure. Au revoir and Bon voyage.
I know! Me too. How do women do that anyway? :D
I am with you, Hostess. I stopped tracking my points and came to a plateau. With the holiday and all the yummy treats involved, I am sure that this will be a tempting food weekend. But, on Monday, I am going right back to tracking points, doing aerobics, walking and Zumba. I have even given up trying to reach a "goal" weight. I am just going to continue until I am satisfied. Zumba has really become a class that I look forward to.
And I have been having fun trying to infuse warm colors into my predominantly black and grey wardrobe. Not always successful, but it is fun trying. Having my "colors" done has completely changed my outlook on how I put outfits together. And it was interesting to realize that I have always decorated my home in the colors that were recently recommended for me. I felt comfortable living among soft golds, rust and dusky green. But I never thought to dress in these colors. I guess my instincts pushing me in the right direction, but I still love grey and black.
Your cardigan is great! I love polka dots and circles of any sort. Other than dots and a few stripes I rarely wear patterns.
I've not read Elizabeth George, but she sounds like an author I'd enjoy. I have watched a couple of Inspector Lynley programs on the Knowledge Network.
hi Hostess- love your polka dots! Très chic! I am going to Paris in the fall and would love to brush up on my rudimentary French! Did you find Madame via UVic or another local source? Have you read any Kate Atkinson? She is fabulous - recommended by the lovely ladies at Ivy's ....
Just ordered the first Elizabeth George book after reading this post. I'm in a period of loving mysteries. I didn't realize that your trip was coming up so soon - you're going to have an amazing time.
You've brought to mind the French teacher I had at Alliance Francaise in Vancouver. Oh, but she was chic! A petite, mature lady with the je ne sais quois. Your madame sounds much the same. I think your outfit de jour is the perfect combo of sophistication and playfulness...lovely! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Elizabeth George....it's been a while since I've picked one up; they are {were?] much too psychological and left me feel uneasy.
For some reason this post didn't show up on my list - so glad I went looking! Your scarf and cardigan are so good together. I think Madame might have been pleases to have such a nice combination to look at as she taught.
Happy Easter!
You've got time to take some classes before you leave and planning a trip is half the fun! Paris sounds like the perfect spot for a special anniversary celebration!
Maybe I have hit a plateau too...
I think your love of Zumba will help you stay motivated about fitness and tracking does keep us accountable...I've never had my colours done but it is going to be part of our Paris tour!
I've seen a few of those episodes too...it will be interesting to read a new mystery writer.
Oh patterns and I do not get along very well...I think I have only two patterned summer dresses....one I wore to a wedding and the other I purchased for this summer season.
Oh you're in luck...Madame will be teaching again in September when she returns from Paris! Her classes are held at The Monterey Seniors Centre...you don't have to be a senior to take them either! Love those ladies at Ivy's...Shirley, Heidi, and Meg, the owner is my friend's sister in law. I love their shelf of "recommended books" that each gal has on their list of favourite books!
I hope you like the book...I haven't started yet...I'm too busy!
Hm...I hope her writing is not too dark...I tend to compare mystery writers to Louise Penny and her writing is just so wonderful!
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