I love a bit of french fancy.

I’m not sure whether it’s the people, the language, the food….or just a mixture of all three really.

I had my first love affair with all things french when I went on an exchange trip with the school at the tender age of fourteen.

Our teacher “Madam Petit” was somewhat infuriated by my lack of “hobbies and interests” that I had included in the letter which would be used to match me up with an equivalent student, she concluded that “shopping, dancing, going to parties and eating croissants” didn’t in fact constitute as “interesting enough” and that I may end up with nobody at all.

Pah.

How wrong was she.

Violaine was the PERFECT partner for me, sociable, kind, hilariously funny and living in this great big rambling stone built farm house surrounded by countryside.

We spent a lot of time driving around in the sunshine on her little green moped, shopping, dancing and generally having a ball…..which in turn often resulted in us turning up late for museum visits/anything educational in a TRADITIONAL sense.

I learnt a hell of a lot in those 7 days though and it is by far the best way to learn a language – being totally immersed in the day to day culture.

The only slight tarnish on my otherwise beautiful and wistful memories was getting up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom only to meet with a balding middle-aged NAKED man in the corridor – clearly on his way to the same destination as moi.

It was Violaine’s Dad.

I don’t know who was more mortified – him or me. I also distinctly remember that although completely starkers he was for some reason wearing green woolly socks….

I never did tell Violaine.

And I’m pretty sure he didn’t either.

So I thought this evening I would share with you some of my favourite items of french chic from cosmetics to fragrance, I hope you enjoy it and it inspires you to invest in your own little piece of ooh la la….( not including nude balding french men with a penchant for knitted footwear obviously )

BEAUTY:

I’ve used various bits and pieces from Lancome for years, I find the products and formulations often live up to the hype and the sales assistants at my local Boots store really know their stuff and are extremely generous with samples.

My Mum has been using the genefique “youth activating” serum since it was launched, as a result her skin looks positively luminous and in the vain hope I may follow suit I have treated myself to a bottle. I also have samples of the genefique face cream and eye cream, both of which so far I am really impressed with.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t own at least one juicy tube, they smell delicious and are free of that sticky/tacky consistency that is true of so many other lip glosses. I have this “The Lovely” set on my current wish list, a selection of candy sorbet shades in either a transparent or shimmering finish.

When I wrote my original You Rock My World blog I had been recently informed that Lancome had discontinued what is the most easy to use liquid eye liner in the world.

I was devastated.

Turns out so were a lot of other ladies and what with the frequent outcry of “Bring it back!!!” they actually listened and their magnificent Artliner returned to Lancome shelves last month.

Hoorah!

JEWELLERY:

I discovered these cute and kitsch eiffel tower earrings by Mirror Mirror on the Wall and the “I love you” necklace by Anna Lou while perusing the Dolly Dagger website a few weeks back.

For something totally unique and exceptionally pretty this “oui” ring in 18 carat white gold from Christian Dior is just the ticket. I first witnessed this divine sparkler on a very stylish bridal Industry expert back in September – she had chosen it as her engagement ring.

Genius.

FRAGRANCE:

Wedding pefume.

I mean really – how do you decide?

If in doubt look no further that Chanel, a range of classic and distinctly feminine fragrances which after just one spritz will be sure to have your groom cast under your seductive spell.

Chanel Allure: Clean and sheer, warm and sensual. Difficult to define. Impossible to resist. ALLURE is a fragrance that evokes each woman’s own very special allure.

Chanel Coco: Mysterious. Provocative. Sensuous. COCO is built on a major amber-y chord, adorned with flowers, warmed with wood and leather.

Chanel No.5: The now and forever fragrance. Worldly. Sophisticated. Surprisingly sexy. N°5 is Coco Chanel’s legendary vision of “a woman’s fragrance that smells like Woman

And Chanel No.5 was all Marilyn Monroe wore to bed.

It really is THAT sexy.

WEDDING DAY D.I.Y:

As you probably know www.eatdrinkchic.com is quickly becoming one of the RMW team’s favourite blogs.

If you head on over there now you will find some free downloadable gift tags that can be printed onto white card stock.

I am thinking absolute PERFECTION to tie around favour boxes or any other party treat specific to boys and girls.

And if you have anything fancy and french that we need to know about please tell us all about it.

We heart mail.

beaucoup d’amour

Charlotte xxx

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