In my family, the week between Christmas and New Year's is when we forgo obligations, deadlines, routines.

This month I am sharing my favorite things that cannot be bought. They are more observations, impressions, more than things.

The scandal happened over one hundred years ago, because nowadays a socialite with one dress strap falling over her shoulder would not make the news.

When I was a kid school started on September 1st, and we got to buy all the new books, notebooks, pens and pencils. Now I still get excited and buy myself a few stationery things but the real happiness comes from the garden tasks that can be accomplished only in the fall.

As is always the case I have too many favorites to mention in this post. After all I impose my own limit of three. And there's always the questions, what might interest my readers?

This time one of our Lyon trips happened to be just when the summer sales started. I made a bee line to my favorite shops - it was hard to narrow it down to just three...

French women take the care of their skin very seriously. I think from a very young age they have their cleansing and nourishing routines. I see women my age with youthful complexions, which can be attributed to good nutrition, good skincare routine, or just a general "joie de vivre".

The thing with crystal chandeliers in my opinion that a bit of dust or a cobweb here and there only add to the patina and charm.

I just spent a few days in Paris after a looong break. Yes, I live in France and Paris is only 2 hours away by train for me, but you know what they say about life - it gets in the way.

When visitors come to France, they rarely venture beyond Paris and Provence. And they rarely come to the center of the country

Favorite things, places, finds... After over six years here France is still a country full of surprises