Bonjour, Happiness! – Book Review

I mentioned in The Simply Luxurious Life newsletter a few weeks ago that a must-read book to savor is Jamie Cat Callan’s (author of French Women Don’t Sleep Alone) recently released Bonjour, Happiness! And after having gone back through underlining, starring, double underlining and dog-earring so many pages, my book is now twice its size, so I wanted to share with you why I have a feeling you will love this book as well.

With an entire chapter and inferred focus throughout the book on la femme d’un certain age, Callan shares vivid details and secrets of French women shared with her while living in Auvillar, France, recently while doing research for Bonjour, Happiness!

A Francophile in her own right (her grandmother was French) and perpetually intrigued by the mystique French women seem to possess, yet never completely reveal to all of us gawkers and admirers, Callan tries to dispel the myth and remind us all that we too can acquire this joie de vivre and live a life that is worthy of our dreams.

Here is a peek into some of my favorite French lessons shared by Jamie Cat Callan.

*Break the connection between spending money and happiness by finding experiences that bring you joy, but do not cost a thing

*Fill your home with fresh flowers and original art

*Learn to survive on your own

*Learn a new language

*Reject the fast and efficient and instead choose something that takes a little more time and delays gratification, ultimately creating more satisfaction.

*Don’t share everything – maintain your mystery – create your own Secret Garden

*What you wear builds or deflates your self-confidence

*You can have fun and still be a private person

*Try to walk everywhere

*Seldom give tours of your home – remember to seek mystery, not approval!

*Keep the dining room table clutter free even when not using it.

*Pay attention to your posture

*Buy local

*Plant herbs

*Consider staying away from the kitchen between meals

*Weight Watchers in France – yes, there really is!

*Practice the art of conversation by complimenting both men and women

*Wear good lingerie all the time

*Buy one bra for every three panties

*French style – pair quality basics with unusual finds

I highly recommend this book.  While reminiscent of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat, Bonjour, Happiness! shares the secrets from an American’s perspective with absolute admiration and respect to stylish women who continue to inspire us all to be as feminine as we are strong. Click here to purchase or take a closer look.