
- I was a French/Political Science major in college.
- I am teaching French to my own bebes, and even lead a semiregular French playgroup.
- I prematurely took my then 2 year old and 4 year old on a Parisian vacation two summers ago, with the intention of improving their French (see numero deux)
- I hosted a lovely French au pair, Adeline, in my home for a year shortly after the birth of my youngest daughter, the Pipsqueak. And I have French friends.
- Baguettes are like a drug to me. I like them better than anything. And I like other French-y things, like macarons and creme brulee. And fromage.
- I wear a ring, that I bought myself and never take off – a simple sterling silver band imprinted with one word – maman.

3. Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding her Inner French Girl, by Debra Olivier: My fellow Francophile (and French major) friend Erin gave me this enticing read, which spills the secrets on French style. Not that I’m interested or anything. Because even though I don’t have Monoprix, Jacadi, Du Pareil Au Meme, Bonpoint, Deux Par Deux, and Tartine et Chocolat merely steps from my chic pied a terre, like I had for a few blissful weeks in Paris, I am fine with it. Target is great. Really.
4. French Kids Eat Everything, by Karen Le Billon: Like Olivier, above, Le Billon is an Americaine married to a Frenchman who moved to Paris and saw the light. It doesn’t come out until Tuesday, but I admit I am more than a little intrigued. Le Billon claims to spill the secrets as to why, in France, les petits regularly sit down to very un-kid-friendly meals of salade and stinky cheese. When we were there, my kids subsisted largely on baguettes. Much like their maman. Read my interview with Karen Le Billon here).
Have you read any of these books? Which sounds most intriguing to you?
Nelly says
That was hilarious! And I agree, of course. 🙂 But I think I may need to read all those books, anyway!