Tiny Dancer

Is it just me, or does nothing make a girl feel prettier than slipping into a flowy spring dress and showing off the sexy nape of her neck with a messy yet très chic chignon? It’s a style that looks and feels so effortless, and at the same time, whispers elegance. Like a ballet dancer. I seriously can’t get enough! But it’s an art to perfect that undone look, and it has taken me years to get it just right. Luckily, I’ve finally figured it out — and I’m going to share my secrets with you! Start with clean, dry and smooth hair (use a straightener and a little anti-frizz serum if you have natural waves or curls). Then, tease the top a tiny bit for volume and an “undone” look. Pull hair back into a low ponytail that you twist and turn into a messy bun. Use bobby pins to fix any loose pieces (though don’t make it too tight and formal), and then pull a few strands out in the front to give it that sexy, just-woke-up look. And voila: You’ve got a ballerina-like do that will surely win you more than a few admiring glances!

Photo credits from top to bottom: hairstyles-updo.com, doitinparis.com

April In Paris Third Giveaway

This is it! The third and final giveaway in our "April In Paris" Event. You still have time to enter! Just click on this link for entry rules. This weeks drawing is for this Luxurious, Soft and Cozy White Pom Pom Throw. It is sooo gorgeous and snuggle perfect! We have one in our Shabby Cottage Chic room, but this works just as well on your Paris Apartment sofa. Generous size: 50" x 60". Thanks for entering our giveaways this month. Good luck to all of our French Charmed readers!  oxox

Spiffy In A Jiffy!

Is it at all possible to feel glamorous — or even just microscopically unscum-like — while attempting to scrub and clean your home? Just the thought of all those chemicals and all that bending and sweating makes us feel hideously unattractive and a million miles away from anything resembling a carefree and refreshing lifestyle. But as luck would have it, the powers that be have heard our plight, and there are now several different cleaning brands and supplies that make scrubbing a much prettier and happier job! Our favorite is this line from Restoration Hardware. So classy and simple. And what’s more, we’ve got tips to help you get your place spiffy in a jiffy this April! Read on for the best way to tackle your annual springtime job:

1. Do your cleaning room by room, completely finishing an entire area before moving on to the next. You’ll feel much less scattered and get a nice sense of accomplishment as you tidy up and finish each room.

2. Don’t feel the need to finish your entire house in one day, or you’ll get overwhelmed and may not even decide to start in the first place! Our rule of thumb is to crack open a bottle of cool, refreshing white wine and clean/drink until the bottle is done. The rest can wait for another day!

3. Work from top to bottom in every room. This will help ensure you remember every nook and cranny, including ceiling fans, air vents, curtains, windows and baseboards.

4. Organize as you clean by making a pile of cast-offs that you can donate or give to friends later. When in doubt about whether or not you need something, remember rule number 27 in our "51 Ways To Feel French Right Now" newsletter bonus: When it comes to home furnishings and clothes in your closet, quality comes before quantity. Invest in and love a few perfect things, not several okay things (because really, who has room in a tiny Parisian flat for things not absolutely loved?!).

5. And last but not least, and this is absolutely essential, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, light a few candles, sit back and relax in your fresh, stunningly clean home!

Photo credits from top to bottom: restorationhardware.com, pinkjulepabroad.com

And The Next Winner Is

Our second drawing has come to a close. Mr. French Charmed plucked another lucky winner from our Black Hat Box. Congratulations Katie of Brighton Park Blog! Please contact us so we can wrap up your package and get it to you! Well, that still leaves one more "April In Paris" Giveaway. If you have not entered yet, you can still do so. Just visit this page, for more information. Hope everyone had a very blessed Easter Weekend! oxox

Peep Show

Happy Good Friday, lovely French Charmed readers! We just wanted to take a moment to wish you a very wonderful Easter weekend and also share these cute little recipes we’re sure will bring a little extra sunshine to your lives. Cake pops are the latest trend in the sweets world, and this Easter themed version featuring Peeps allows trend to meet tradition! And who could resist these adorable little chicks on a stick? Not I, said the duck. :) 

What A Tart!

Nothing says spring like asparagus, and nothing says France like cheese. Let them rendezvous together in a bed of pastry, and you've got yourself one amazing dish! We suggest you don a cute apron like this from the French Charmed boutique and substitute Comte cheese, which is a sweeter French version of the popular Swiss Gruyere, to make this one Frenchtastic kitchen adventure! oxox

 

Photo credits: cupcakesandcashmere.com

Splish, Splash? Not A Chance!

Well loves, April is usually a rainy month in Paris. But rub a dub, dub: The only water recently has been in the tub! Surprising as it is, it's been pretty sunny over in the City of Love, and according to weather.com, the brightness will continue for at least the next week or so and possibly beyond! So we say put away those rain boots we suggested last time around and break out some sunny kicks in the traditional drizzly-day yellow hue, instead! oxox

 

Photo credits from top to bottom: yourpocketstylist.com, mycolorfashion.com, thegloss.com, memorybeandesigns.com, easypeasyblog.blogspot.com, lifeinaventicup.com

Blog Giveaway Number Two ...

Our "April In Paris" Giveaway Event is in full swing! If you have not entered yet, please read the rules here. We announced the winner of the Belle French Bee Pillow, and are now ready to launch Giveaway No.2. Here are the items up for this weeks drawing:

No.1 - A set of our brand new line of Cotton Flour Sack Hand Towels

No.2 - A Paris Petit Shabby French Chic Pillow

No.3 - French Charmed Designer Soy Candle

For a full description of each item in this weeks drawing, please visit "The Boutique" This weeks drawing ends on April 23rd, 2011.

Merci and Good Luck fellow Francophiles!

Giveaway Number One Winner Is ...

Our first "April In Paris" Giveaway has come to a close. Mr. French Charmed drew this name from our Magic Black Hat. And the winner of our Belle French Bee Pillow is:
CMOH of California! Congratulations! Thank you so much for participating in our Blog Event. We appreciate all of your entries! Do not despair French Charmed readers, as we have 2 more Giveaways this month, the second one starts today! We will post the photo for the next package, this afternoon. Old Painted Cottage Blog, will also announce the winner of our Belle French Bee Pillow hosted by Jennifer, sometime today! Be sure to check out Jennifer's Blog to see if you have won the other Pillow! Merci and Good Luck to you all ~ oxox

April Showers...



...bring May flowers. But a girl's gotta get through the showers, first! With the average rainfall in Paris being about 1.78 inches in April, proper rain gear is a must. But there's no sense in splashing through the puddles looking dreary, dears. There is such thing as looking stylish, even while wet! oxox




Burberry is always perennially chic, and this waterproof black twill jacket will especially stand the test of time.




Rain boots have the tendency to look a bit silly, but not these classy kicks!




Why bother with a simple umbrella when you can carry a head-turner like this?



Photo credit for top image: happyinmyhavaianas.com

Beans So Green

As anyone who's been recently wandering the cities of France will tell you, the street markets are bursting with fava beans. Not only are these buttery little nuggets of goodness a spring staple in the country, they're also packed with iron, fiber and vitamins A and C. So make like the French and try your hand at a fava bean recipe! Here are a few links to some that made our mouths water. Oh, and don't forget to check out our shopping totes in the French Charmed boutique. They're perfect for those springtime trips to the market!

Spelt Salad with Fava Beans

Rigatoni with Fava Beans and Pecorino

Seared Scallops with Fava Beans, Bacon and Mint

Fava Bean Crostini

Red Snapper with Fava Bean Puree

 

Top photo credit: marthaandtom.com

We are featured at Old Painted Cottage!

Merci Jennifer! We are thrilled to have been featured at The Old Painted Cottage! Jennifer, the owner of this lovely blog, was kind enough to host a giveaway for French Charmed. Our ever popular Belle French Bee Pillow is offered as the prize. If you have never visited Jennifer's blog, we recommend you do! Check out the link to her"Cottage Of The Month" series, which is loaded with tons of decorating ideas for almost any style.We guarantee you'll love it! If you haven't already, be sure to enter our 3 Giveaways going on this month.We have also included the fabulous Belle French Bee Pillow as one of our items to be given away! Just click this link for information on how to enter our "April In Paris" Blog Giveaway Event. Good luck!

THREE GIVEAWAYS This Month

“April In Paris”… let the fun begin! Join us S’il vous plait for our month long celebration of all that is French!

Throughout the month, we'll be sharing the magic, romance and splendor of springtime in France, from pretty rain gear ideas, to fresh recipes, to the best outdoor cafes to visit while in Paris. And while you enjoy all the wonders we have to shower upon you this month, be sure to check out the French Charmed Boutique for fabulous spring sales.

Now let’s spring forward to the Giveaways! We will be offering 3 giveaways during the month of April. You must do at least one of the following to qualify. Each additional item that you choose to do gets you one additional entry. That’s right! You have the opportunity to receive a total of 6 entries.  And yes, this includes you into all 3 Giveaways! Keep in mind, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have to win, as 2 of the Giveaways will be over before the end of the month. Good luck fellow Francophiles!

*When you sign up for our Newsletter “Le Gazette” you receive an automatic entry, as well as our exclusive list of “51 Ways To Feel French Right Now”, to all 3 Giveaways!*

No.1  - Leave a comment on this Post.

No.2 -  Follow us ~ Leave a comment on this Post so we know.

No.3 -  Join our Newsletter ~ Automatic entry!

No.4 - Blog about it ~ Leave a comment on this Post so we know.

No.5 -  Follow us on Facebook ~ Leave a comment on this Post so we know.

No.6 - Grab our “April In Paris” Giveaway Button and put it on your blog ~ Leave a comment on this Post.

First Giveaway starts April 6^th, and ends April 14^th. The first item up: Our ever popular “ French Belle Bee Pillow”!

Our blog giveaways are free of charge, no purchase necessary to participate.

Winners will be announced on the blog at the end of each Giveaway. However, the winnings will not be shipped until the last Giveaway winner has been announced.

We will not be held responsible for damages once the winning package has left our hands for shipping. Any damaged or lost items will not be replaced or reimbursed to the winner. You will receive notification when the package is shipped, along with a tracking number for delivery confirmation, via the USPS, if you are located in the USA. Any winners outside the USA, will simply be notified of the shipping date.

BLOG GIVEAWAY begins this week

Oui! It's time for our "April In Paris" Giveaways to begin. We will be posting information and entry rules, later this week. Here is a sneak peek of a few fabulous Frenchie items to be given away this month! See you soon, French Charmed readers.

 Luxurious Pom Pom Throw

 Paris Petit Pillow

 Signature Soy Candle

Belle French Bee Pillow

Today's The Day!



Oh, lovelies, how happy we are today! Not only is it a wonderful Friday, it's also the launch of our special April In Paris blog theme! All throughout the month, we'll be bringing you the magic, romance and splendor of springtime in France, from pretty rain gear ideas, to fresh recipes, to the best outdoor cafes to visit while in Paris, to how to spring clean your house French style! And while you enjoy all the wonders we have to shower upon you this month, be sure to check out the French Charmed Boutique for fabulous spring sales, as well as sign up for our newsletter, Le Gazette, for more April In Paris fun!



Photo credits from top to bottom: International Educational Associates, Goul Art Photography, Examiner.com