Weekend Reading- How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and a fabulous long weekend for all the Canadians!

Over this past weekend I read / re-read the book How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits which is one of my favourite books. I have read this multiple times and continue to do so because it is such an easy read yet so entertaining and fun. The book, which is written by Caroline de Maigret, Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, and Sophie Mas provides lively and spirited short essays on culture, romance, beauty, fashion and the Parisian attitude that makes these incredible women who they are.

These four accomplished and stylish women are witty, funny, outspoken and are not afraid to say exactly how they feel about any subject while still shedding light on the fact that they are aware of their bad habits as Parisian women- even though, lets be real, it is hard to see that these women have any flaws at all. This book is the perfect read for when you need a refreshing take on life or when you’re feeling down and are looking to find the humour in any situation. By the end of the book you can’t help but feel like you want to be best friends with these women and ask them for advice on everything and anything. Their straight forward and inspiring approach to life and all that life throws at you reminds you how wonderful life is and how you don’t always have to take yourself so seriously. It is truly an inspiring and refreshing read that is hard not to fall in love with.

Some tidbits:

Beauty:

“The Parisienne retains her little imperfections, cherishes them even (the gap in her smile or her slightly crooked tooth, her prominent eyebrows or strong nose): these are the signs of a certain strength of character and allow her to feel beautiful without being perfect.”

“It is almost impossible to resolve the great mystery of what is natural. Because, in fact, nothing is natural. Parisiennes will have you believe that they are born with perfect skin and delightfully messy hair. That from the cradle onward they exude a scent worthy of Chanel N°5. That these ‘natural’ attributes are a heritage that cannot be explained. They are lying.”

Aging:

“Enjoy the face you have today. It’s the one you’ll wish you have 10 years from now.”

“Anticipate, prepare for the future, but never totally correct.”

“In truth, more than wanting to look young—which is but a fleeting illusion—they want above all to become the best possible version of themselves, outside and in, at any age”

Style:

“When it comes to revealing herself, she follows one golden rule: less is definitely more…A skirt that rides ever so slightly up her thigh when she sits down in a café; a wide-necked tee that slips down her shoulder as she waves for the waiter; the surreptitious hint of her breasts when she leans down to pick up her bag.”

“You don’t have to spend a decade’s worth of salary on your wardrobe, or flaunt designer brands the whole time. All you need is one signature item: the one you wear when you need to feel strong.”

Fitness and Diet:

“Cancel your gym session to have a drink with your friend who’s just been dumped.”

“Decide it’s great to get dumped, because falling in love again makes you lose your appetite, and in turn eat fewer calories—which defeats the need for that gym membership.”

“Eat croissants and buttered toast for breakfast—because it’s Saturday morning and you burned enough calories last night, damn it.”

Attitude:

“The Parisienne is never satisfied.”

“The Parisienne is arrogant.”

“The Parisienne already knows what she must think: the opposite of what you think, no matter what.”

Nudity:

“If you don’t like your ass, walk sideways, your back to the wall, and show off your breasts. If your legs are too short or your thighs too wide, go on your tiptoes. If you don’t like your breasts…do something about them, but in the meantime, cross your arms, and when in bed, opt for positions lying on your back.”

“In short, you’re not a slave to the cult of the perfect body—so learn to make the best of what nature gave you.”

Life:

“The Parisienne does not stop existing the day she has a child. She does not give up her somewhat adolescent lifestyle, her nights out with friends, her parties, or her mornings-after feeling worse for wear. Indeed, she doesn’t give up anything, because she also embraces her role as a mother. She wants to be there to educate her child, to watch him grow, to pass on her values, her culture, her philosophy.”

“Take the time to listen and to get to know yourself. Take the time to change, to grow, to rest. Take the time to say yes, take the time to say no. Take the time to be quiet. Take the time to look after your body, to eat well. Take the time to ask yourself who you are and what you want.”

Amen.

XO

Please note that the above image is from my Instagram account @rchlwllms 🙂