This & That: No. 43

Some inspiration for those who love Parisian food and style, a book that will help you achieve financial independence and contentment and a heads up about a wonderful consignment sale you won’t want to miss.

~Blog Post

~Packing for Paris: How to Dress Like a Parisian

Malou Lasquite’s style post about how to dress like a Parisian is one to save. The post will not only ease your mind as you feel you have a few of the inside secrets upon reading it, but it will also allow you to avoid pitfalls as well as integrate your own style as well. With specific insights on “the look”, chaussures (shoes), handbags and accessories to be sure to pack (or purchase while you’re there), if you have plans to escape to Paris anytime soon, print it out and keep it somewhere where you can access it easily when planning your packing list.

~Books

~Secrets of Six Figure Women by Barbara Stanny

Last Friday I shared that this past weekend would be dedicated to reading, and one of the books I devoured was Barbara Stanny’s Secrets of Six Figure Women. Now on the surface, it may seem materialistic – why should money be the goal? – but don’t make such an assumption too quickly. What Barbara reveals is inspiring, helpful and the newest book I now consider a resource on how to successfully attain my own dreams. One of the significant insights she reveals is that money is a means to living a more contented, full life, not the goal itself. And it is when we harness our power, refuse to be paid less for our skills and abilities, that what we are capable of earning surpasses our own expectations. Whether you have a college education or not, the book shares secrets clearly laid out, explained through vivid precision and anecdotes from women who have been in the trenches. I highly recommend.

~Barefoot in Paris

As you may now be well aware, I am a tremendous fan of Ina Garten and her approach to cooking - simple dishes created with minimal steps that are capable of creating scrumptiously delicious results every single time. While Barefoot in Paris was published nearly ten years ago (2004), I just now have a copy to call my own, and it is a copy I am thrilled to have on my kitchen counter. The fourth cookbook in her long list of offerings, Ina shares personal stories and meals she creates in her Left Bank Parisian apartment as well as at home in the Hamptons. She also shares a full appendix of markets, fromageries, kitchen stores, chocolatier shops and other stores that she loves which are located in Paris. Certainly a cook’s resource if you want to bring Paris to your dinner table every once and awhile.

Before I forget, if you’re a fan of her Food Network show, she is airing new episodes every Saturday morning this month. This particular series is taped in Napa Valley and is full of ideas that include wine, fresh farmers’ market finds and simple entertaining.

~Cooking Classes

~PatriciaWells.com

One of Ina Garten’s recommendations I discovered in the pages of Barefoot in Paris was cook and author Patricia Well’s cooking classes that she offers in both Paris and Provence. On her website you will find all of the dates for 2013 and 2014 as they fill up fast. While the price is a bit steep ($1500 for a week), the experience of a week of inside tricks, tips and tours around the city is certainly something to investigate is this would be your dream if training at the Le Cordon Bleu is not an option. If you’re like me, and don’t have an extra $1500 to spare, check out her raved about book The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris.

~Consignment Sale

~Seams to Fit

For my Pacific Northwest and specifically Portland readers, I want to share with a sale you don’t want to miss. My favorite consignment shop in Portland, Oregon, is having their winter clearance sale. The entire store is 50% off and is only available to walk-ins (alas, I won’t be in town this weekend). Beginning this Friday, February 1st through Sunday February 3rd, stop by Seams to Fit located at 2264 NW Raleigh St. in the Nob Hill district for some amazing finds.

~Shopping

~DVF Thandi dress

I couldn’t help including Diane von Furstenberg’s gray Thandi dress in this week’s This & That. Marked down 50%, this beautiful grey dress is a wonderful work or casual special-occasion dress that transitions well from winter to early spring. True to size, her designs love women’s bodies and it will be wearable for many seasons to come. Wear with a medium-large belt or a beautiful scarf, don flats or pumps depending on the occasion and you will look sophisticated, comfortable and chic.