Don’t Decorate that Tree until You’ve read French Country Cottage Christmas

You may think that you’ve got a some good ideas and track record on decorating your Christmas tree, but you might want to wait until you take a look at the new book called French Country Cottage Christmas: Inspiration for a Beautiful and Festive Holiday. This coffee table book is full of beautiful photographs that will inspire you in ways that you’ve never never considered, as well as provides tips and techniques on how to make it all happen.

Written by stylist, photographer, and French Country Cottage blogger, Courtney Allison, this tastemaker has brought French country style to the United States in other publications, but this is the first one that is specifically for the Christmas holidays. Even more specifically, it is the first one that is over 80% just about decorating your tree (the other 20% is about entertaining, recipes, and setting your table for those holiday dinners).

Considering the amount of people that she thanks in the credits, it is clear that Courtney put her heart and soul into this tome. Not only does she decorate many of the pictured trees, or maybe even all, she also had a good number of them shipped to Paris from the United States for placement in that true French setting. That’s reflected in both authenticity and accuracy when it comes to her French styled trees.

We’re also impressed that the book is a hardcover, which means it’s durable, and it doesn’t have a paper jacket, which means you can handle it a lot without tearing any important pages. Because you’re going to want to keep flipping through this photo book for decorating inspiration before, during, and after the holidays.

Published by Gibbs Smith, find it on Amazon here:

French Country Cottage Christmas

LIFESTYLE TIPS: Ten Great Ways to Learn French

Being able to speak a second or third language, or at least communicate in it a little bit, always is useful when traveling the world. It helps you understand various cultures, and opens up the door to more opportunities, perspectives, and even businesses. Your life is essentially richer for doing so, and the frustration of feeling like you’re missing out (FOMO) can start to fade.

French is one of the most popular languages in the world, ranked #5 on the global list based on the number of speakers. There are many ways to learn the language, from self-study to classes, and all of them have their advantages. Here are some great ways to start:

 

1. Take a French class. Taking a class is one of the best ways to learn French, as it provides structure, accountability, and a teacher who can help with specific questions.

2. Buy French textbooks. Textbooks are great for teaching the basics of French grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

3. Listen to French radio and podcasts. Listening to French can help with pronunciation and understanding, so listening to radio and podcasts is a great way to learn the language.

4. Watch French movies and TV shows. Watching French movies and TV shows will help you understand the language and culture, as well as give you plenty of exposure to the language.

5. Practice with a native speaker. Practicing with a native speaker is a great way to learn French, as it allows you to get immediate feedback and practice the language in a real-world context.

6. Use flashcards and other study aids. Flashcards and other study aids are a great way to learn vocabulary and practice pronunciation.

7. Join an online French forum. Joining an online French forum is a great way to find other French learners and practice the language with them.

8. Live in a French-speaking country. Living in a French-speaking country is one of the best ways to learn French, as it gives you full immersion in the language and culture.

9. Find French-speaking friends. Having French-speaking friends is a great way to practice the language and learn more about the culture.

10. Use apps and websites. There are many apps and websites that can help you learn French, including language-learning programs and quizzes.

11. BONUS: Date someone who is French!

 

Learning French is a great way to expand one’s cultural horizons and linguistic abilities, and these are just a few of the best ways to learn it. With patience and dedication, anyone can become a fluent French speaker. Bonne chance!

 

Gucci x Loulou Ramatuelle Collab a Popup Restaurant on the Beach in St. Tropez

If you were going to do a fashion and lifestyle popup that included great French food, and you could do it anywhere that you choose, where would you?

It doesn’t really matter, because the House of Gucci already wisely chose St. Tropez, and we are there for it!

Revealing a popup space on the Côte d’Azur, Gucci designed a chic and stylish place to be seen and to eat well in Loulou Ramatuelle’s lounge area that features a curated selection of exclusive summer pieces. Plus food and drink.

So now you just have to get that coveted reservation.

 

 

 

Did Trader Joe’s make a Big Mistake with this Wine?

We can recommend great wine for days, or even weeks, and they are usually not five dollars or even $10 picks. But in this case we’re going to make an exception, because it seems like someone at Trader Joe’s made a big mistake.

There is a Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve that is currently priced at only $7.99, and tasting it, this bottle could definitely go for 35% more than that amount in a different establishment. At least that’s our opinion about this drinkable medium-bodied French table wine made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

What do you think? Try it and tell us. And… if you do like it, stock up, before someone at Trader Joe’s realizes the error of their ways.

 

Air France Serves New Menus Signed By Chefs Régis Marcon and Mathieu Viannay

Air France has teamed up with French Michelin-starred chefs Régis Marcon and Mathieu Viannay to sign its La Première and Business long-haul menus. With vegetarian dishes, meat, poultry and fish, the chefs have created haute couture dishes for the airline’s customers to enjoy over the coming months on departure from Paris.

Three Michelin-star gastronomy in the La Première cabin

In the airline’s exclusive La Première cabin, three Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon has come up with six new tasty dishes. Accompanied by the expertise of the Servair Culinary Studio, of which he is president, Régis Marcon revisits the seasonal products that are close to his heart:

  • – Vegetable lasagna, with tangy chive cream;
  • – Braised veal shank, sage sauce, potato gratin with porcini mushrooms;
  • – Beef tenderloin in red wine, sautéed potato and morel cake;
  • – Pike and shrimp cake with lobster sauce, sautéed girolle mushrooms with tarragon, spinach;
  • – Mixed scallops and scampi with truffles, reduced jus and julienne vegetables;
  • – Confit pigeon, apricot sauce, lemon bulgur, mushrooms and butternut.

Fine dining in the Business cabin

In the Business cabin, Air France has, for the first time, entrusted its menu to two Michelin-starred chef Mathieu Viannay, with 8 original dishes combining delicate flavours and local produce to be enjoyed on board:

  • – Penne pasta, arugula and spinach gratin, ricotta cream with lovage;
  • – Risotto verde, vegetable Bolognese;
  • – Beef tenderloin, macaire potato patties, roasted beet and smoked meat juices;
  • – Poultry fillet with morel mushrooms, spelt and butternut squash risotto;
  • – Poached cod fillet with baby vegetables and taggiasca olives;
  • – Pike perch fillet, armorican sauce, yellow carrots and herb semolina;
  • – Braised veal shank with sweet spices, split pea puree, mange tout and hazelnuts;
  • – Roasted guinea fowl in coffee, celery confit and stewed autumn vegetables.

About Régis Marcon

Bocuse d’Or in 1995 and acclaimed with three Michelin stars, Régis Marcon embodies an entire story of fine French dining. More than a style or a period, his cuisine symbolizes his own story. In the department of Ardèche, in the region of Auvergne, between Velay and Vivarais, Régis Marcon found the roots of his cuisine in a familiar and family territory. Since taking over the family-run hotel restaurant in 1979, and never leaving his cocoon in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, Régis Marcon became one of the greatest chefs of our time, by highlighting his regional products such as mushrooms and green Puy lentils.

About Mathieu Viannay

Two Michelin-starred chef Mathieu Viannay has always been a gourmet. A lover of delicate flavours, he handles local products with success. Winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award in 2004, he revisits traditional recipes in a contemporary twist. So it was only natural, that, like a spiritual son, he took over Eugenie Brazier’s cult restaurant “la Mère Brazier”, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Mathieu Viannay also signs the menu of the “Trente et Un” restaurant at the hotel Portopia in Kobe, Japan, giving it an inimitable French touch. He also coordinates the 12 catering outlets of the travel department at the Samaritaine store in Paris.

About Air France

Since 1933, Air France has been promoting and highlighting France throughout the world. With an activity divided between passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance, Air France is a major air transport player. A workforce of more than 45,000 staff are committed on a daily basis to offering each customer a unique travel experience. Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia make up the Air France-KLM Group. The Group relies on its powerful hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol to offer a vast international network. Its Flying Blue frequent flyer program has over 17 million members. Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance which has a total of 19 member airlines.

Media Business News: Alex Assouline appointed COO, Brand and Strategy at luxury publisher Assouline

Alex Assouline has recently been appointed Chief of Operations, Brand and Strategy, and has moved into a beautiful new apartment in New York City, which he designed and decorated himself- including the custom library and bookshelf. ASSOULINE is a global leader in luxury book publishing.

Formerly the Global Vice President, Alex will continue to play an essential part in strategizing and expanding Assouline’s business development in the US and abroad in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in his newly expanded role, while overseeing the company’s umbrella of key departments including marketing, communications, wholesale, retail, logistics, and digital.

In addition, Alex has inaugurated Assouline’s curated library service, in which he works closely with clients to visualize, design, and curate bespoke libraries. He will also continue to expand on successful partnerships and collaborations, such as the Assouline Travel Series x Zara, Assouline x Olympia Le-Tan, and the introduction of products including stationery, notebooks, bookstands, candles, and more.

Alex was born in Paris and moved to New York City in 2007. Following his undergraduate studies in Montreal, he earned his Executive Education Degree in Digital Marketing at Columbia Business School. After the success of the 2020 Olympia Le-Tan clutch collaboration, Alex was instrumental in spearheading and expanding Assouline’s international footprint through a fashion capsule collection with Zara in 2021.

The limited-edition partnership democratized the publishing house’s acclaimed “Travel Series” by inviting customers to experience the brand in a new wearable form, featuring iconic cover art from select titles on travel-ready clothing, bags, and men’s accessories, including Capri Dolce Vita, St. Tropez Soleil, and Provence Glory. “At the core of our affinity for culture is our love of sharing its beauty worldwide. We are delighted to have collaborated with Zara in not only translating our unique view on the world’s most beloved destinations but also encouraging others to embrace them” adds Alex.

ABOUT ASSOULINE

Founded by Martine and Prosper Assouline in 1994, Assouline is the first luxury book publisher and brand on culture. Assouline began with the desire to create a new, contemporary style of book, using the family’s experienced eye for visually rich stories and compelling narratives. Guided by their passion for knowledge, culture, and travel, the Assouline’s have since expanded their vision to 1,500 titles in 5 main collections, and they have curated some of the world’s most aspirational private libraries. Throughout the last quarter of a century, the brand has established international boutiques in prominent places across the globe, with each location contributing to their vast collection of titles, as well as their personal curations of rare books and objects—creating the perfect cabinets de curiosités. With a distinguished team of creative talents and exceptional producers, which includes Alex, the brand continues to reinvent the notion of true luxury. Assouline’s roster of collaborators includes some of the world’s most respected artists, photographers, writers, designers, and more, who together, help tell a story. Assouline continues to exude an unparalleled signature style and elegant savoir-faire, which has redefined modern publishing.

www.ASSOULINE.com