I "cheated" and did not publish My Favorite Things post in August... My excuses: a very hot weather (brain melting really), La Poste temporarily stopping the delivery service to the USA due to tariffs (which caused me to stop sending orders to the USA for the moment...), and illness in the family requiring trips to Lyon, hospital stays and surgery (everything turned out better than expected). But now we are at the end of September, the month that start my favorite season. 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. Also going to garden centers, plant sales, and loading up on lovely plants. And making the flower beds and designing the garden :) But let's talk about the three exciting things that I absolutely loved this month. Apéro What is an " apéro " (short from " apéritif")?   It's a little something you can eat a couple of hours before dinner. Not a full meal, something easy, something fresh, a plate of nibbles. For our apéro  we usually head over to our local fromagerie, charcuterie, patisserie, to find freshly prepared bites and small dishes. You get the picture. We make the small event special in a big way. We get to try new things. The first apéro  in the house after the "travaux" was a festive occasion. We invited our neighbours, I made a tart aux courgettes, champagne was consumed. The weather was mild, we sat outside in the garden enjoying the good company. I completely forgot to take pictures of the beautifully set table, but I have some of the tart and the platter full of local delights. Voila! Local delights and the grapes from our own garden Mushroom Picking After a very dry summer at the start of the month we got some rain. And like the saying goes, mushrooms grow after the rain, so we got an embarrassing amount of them. The best kind - "les cepes", the king of mushrooms, known in English as "porcini", with the shiny brown caps, and a form straight out of a fairy tale. Delicious with fried eggs, sauces, and soups, stews. The trick was to act quickly to preserve them before they turned ugly. Some of them I dried, hanging them on a string, some of them were made into a soup, which was frozen. French Faience and Pottery You already know that this is my weakness. But my favorite thing I want to mention today is the reference book on the subject. Often times, especially when a piece is really old, there is no obvious stamp on the bottom of a plate or a vase, there may be a signature, or a symbol, a hand painted "squiggle". The books that I absolutely adore list practically every "manufacture" and "faiencerie" in France and their marks. No online reference will do it for you. If you are a collecor look for "Poteries Faiences Francaises" by Tardy in three volumes. They are out of print but can be found online second hand. Next edition of My Favourite Things is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention*** La tarte aux courgettes

"Kai No Jokan - Love at Second Sight" (a Japanese saying ) The day starts cool in the summer. I wake up early, the energetic chirps of the swallows do not allow me to sleep long.  And as soon as I open my eyes I think about the garden - the earlier I start working there, the more I get done before the heat of the day forces me back indoors. And in the afternoon, when it becomes too hot to work outdoors, I can take out a few more boxes, dust off more furniture to take down from the attic, and find new places for them all. With the shutters closed to keep the inside cool, there is no need for air conditioning - the old stone walls and shaded windows keep us comfortable. One of the most dramatic transformations in our house was the entry way. The narrow passage (in orange) was made taller, we added a new front door, changed the floors, removed the layers of paint off the staircase and the banister, and the stone imitation wall paper... And we got rid of the orange wall paint! After the first cup of coffee, I take my second one to the garden, where I walk slowly by the rose bushes, and flowering clematis, down to the "potager". I see more squash is ready to be picked. There are so many, that I will call my neighbours and offer them a few. There are also a couple of lettuces ready - one for us, and one for the neighbours. The tomato plants are heavy with reddening fruit, and the basil plants have enough big juicy leaves to make into pesto. I walk all the way down to the "mar" (a little standing body of water, which long time ago was a stream), scare some frogs, and meander back to the house, passing by an old wall with the fig tree against it. I am proud what has been accomplished here so far, how the garden is taking shape, with the vegetable patch giving us so much, and the flower beds getting organized as well. Most of it did not exist when we moved in close to two years ago. Not as a dramatic change as inside the house, but all the shutters were repaired and painted, and the garden planned to grow flowers and vegetables It is the almost the end of the summer and the house is basically finished. With a few tweaks here and there, and the work on the laundry room scheduled for September, we now have this house for ourselves to live in and enjoy. Looking at it, we managed to stick to the restoration rather than renovation concept. The layout of the main floor was left unchanged, other that making a new opening to create a bigger and wider doors to the kitchen, closing the old doorway (which was low and narrow), and enlarging a stone passage from the entryway to the corridor. We appreciated that nothing was trendy open-plan here. One of the small bedrooms was transformed into a "dressing" (a walk-in closet) The second floor was slightly reconfigured - originally we had five bedrooms of various sizes, but only one bathroom and no toilet room on this floor. Who needs five bedrooms, most of them teeny tiny? We carved out space for the powder room out of one of the bedrooms, and two other smaller ones became an ensuite second bathroom and a closet. Another small and narrow bedroom is now my "playground", aka a "dressing" (a walk-in closet). The house stayed as far from what's "trendy" as possible - we brought in modern amenities, but the spirit says "tradition". Our salon was transformed with a new paint job, and electrical work. The built in bookcases also add to the functionality and charm of this room. But it is the wall color that almost by magic turned it into a light filled room. As I mentioned before, it was not love at first sight. When we "met", I had a feeling that one day I will love it. And now, after the dust literally settled, I do. Every room in this house had to be refinished. But the end result gave us a home filled with light, with plenty of beautiful details, and natural materials finishings. Some decisions had to be made on the go, teaching us flexibility. For example we didn't know what we would find before a wall of plaster board in the kitchen. We discovered original stone, and decided to keep it. Other parts were brick, and they were covered with plaster. And as the layers of paint came off the wooden doors (three pairs of them!) to the spaces downstairs, we saw that it would be a shame to paint them again. Our builder agreed, so they are now in their raw wood state (protected by a thin layer of clear veneer), admired by everyone. A glance at our bathroom - the space desperately needed new paint, and a little bit of charm. I don't have a "before", but be assured that it didn't look like this... I read somewhere that it really takes a while, like seven years, to fully settle into the house. At first it sounded like a stretch. But now I get it. Now that we are in what I call the "beautification" stage the ideas that were in my head when I first saw this place, and later lived in it for a year before the project started, have become real. I am slowly taking stock of the artwork, the bibelots, and the antique and vintage collections, being careful how and where they can be placed. I want to take my time with them, especially with the placement of the artwork on our walls. Most walls are stone, so I will need to use a drill to make holes for hooks... So now there are paintings propped around, and I walk among them every day, pensively shuffling them around, thinking what would be the most perfect placement for each of them. I am taking my time, and it's OK. It will take me a bit of time to find the right placement for all of these... The little things are slowly finding themselves new surfaces to rest on. I am making long lists of projects that will need to be done by me. The easy chairs in the salon need to be re-upholstered, fabrics found for the drapes in most of the rooms, trellises constructed for the garden. A newly purchased sewing machine is still in its box, but when cooler days come, and I the garden will go to its winter sleep, I will have more time to attend to these tasks. Taking stock of my collected vintage art And there is life - seeing friends, new and old, visiting this region which is still new to us, entertaining our neighbors, and taking part in the village life. I mentioned a few times that living here, in this small place in the middle of the French countryside, often feels like dropping back in time. Looking at the landscape around us, one feels like looking at a painting, and some moments feel like from a Marcel Pagnol book. There are no cliches and no tourist traps. Just life. To be continued... XOXO Joanna We are finally able to invite friends over - this was out first "apero" hosted after the renovations

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? So it is always a guessing game. I hope you will enjoy this installment of My Favourite Things! My French market straw basket - great for carrying sunflowers, fresh baguette, and everything else. Makes shopping for fresh food even more pleasurable. A Straw Market Basket I have found mine in La Rochelle over 6 years ago. It goes to every farmers market, in all kinds of weather, no matter what the season. With a straw body and leather handles it is the style that is all over the fashion blogs this season, but it cost me 25 euros, and is utilitarian foremost, and good looking as a bonus. Mine has short handles, but they come with longer handles as well, to go over a shoulder. Everyone, women, men, young and old, goes shopping carrying one. If there is one thing you want to bring from your French vacations, this would be it. Gathering Seeds from the Garden My absolute favorite thing for this time of year. Other than gathering fresh veggies and blooms of course. Saving my own seeds means that I do not have to buy them next year. And I can share them with others too. So far I used nasturtium and dill seeds from last year for this year's planting (successfully!), and this year I am saving calendula, marigold, and more dill. Some are strictly for re-seeding, and some can be used for cooking and baking. Drying calendula seeds Chaource It's a kind of cheese of course, made out of cow's milk, originally from a village of Chaource in Champagne-Ardenne. Softish inside, cylindrical in shape, little known outside of France. I discovered it only after moving to Burgundy, and prefer it to Brie or Camembert, the two soft cheeses that are really well know everywhere. With the melt-in-you-mouth texture and a mild taste it might become your favorite. Worth asking for when you are in a fromagerie next time. Et Bonne Degustation! Next edition of My Favourite Things is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

Contrary to popular opinion, I do not shop only at the flea markets! And I am not addicted to shopping in general either. Surprisingly, after moving to France my shopping habits have changed. I realized I don't need so many things and I shop online less and less. In the USA I lived in big cities so I had access to brick and mortar shops, and yet I surfed the internet constantly, and shopped a lot more. Now, I prefer to visit the actual shops, try things on, and be sure that what I spend my money on fits me, my lifestyle, and makes me happy. Is this change of attitude brought by getting older, or the lifestyle? A little bit of both... There are numerous articles about the ultimate French wardrobe, an allure of a Parisienne, what do French eat and why they never get fat, etc etc. I am not going to do it here. Yes there are cultural differences in how people shop, and what they shop for. Here I am just chatting about my favorite spots! 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... Tinsels - a fashion brand based in Lyon, with one brick and mortar boutique and an online shop. High quality natural fabrics, modern, wearable, yet timeless clothes. Small production, if you wait for sales you may not find your size... Whenever I am in the neighbourhood, I make sure to stop by. I usually walk out with a few things... 11-13 rue August Comte, 69002 Lyon tinsels.fr Upper Shoes - this is a luxury boutique for men and women. However, what you buy will have longevity. Church's, Santoni, Stuart Weitzman, etc. Sales are great, but you're gambling if they don't have your size anymore. They also do shoe repairs. Various locations in Lyon and Annecy, and there's also an outlet shop upper-shoes.com Cotelac - since I moved to France I have accumulated a small collection of Cotelac pieces, and I wear them all the time. The brand's headquarters are located close to Lyon. Each collection is full of beautiful prints, and sophisticated, modern styles. Various locations in France and Europe cotelac.fr Have fun shopping! Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated with nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

Today is another exciting day, and it almost feels like Christmas - I will be bringing in more boxes from storage in our "atelier" (workshop), the boxes which hide all my faiance and china, and silverware, pots, pans, kitchen towels... I am rediscovering our possessions, organizing, sorting, etc... My favorite part of our house - the kitchen - is basically finished and I can finally unpack, start getting organized, and of course cook there. You may ask - how have you been living all this time? Well, we had two plates, two sets of silverware, two cups, two pots and a hot plate for our use for the last few month. Everything else was put away. It was complicated, but we were hoping that all this trouble and headache will be worth it. Do you think this huge cabinet will hold all my china and pottery? You can see the reclaimed doors we saved for the kitchen After nearly a year most of the spaces in our old house are finished, with the exception of some details (these will be done in a few days). How can I describe the feeling of finally having a near "normal" life back, having the comfort and space? It is slowly sinking in. I am especially happy with our kitchen. Mind you, when I first saw it, it was not like this at all. The old beams were there, we loved them and we kept them, as well as the old sink, but everything else went. This was the only space in the house that was gutted. Layers of past owners' home improvement efforts went out in a big container. But from the first time I laid my eyes on this space I had the concept how it should look after the work is completed. The backsplash of antique Delft tiles is the final touch this kitchen needed I loved the "bones" one might say, they were definitely there. There rest required imagination. Actually, it is the biggest compliment I have been receiving. When one looks at the "before" pictures and the end result, it is really hard to believe we have ended up with this beautiful result. Imagination was really needed!* But I didn't love things like the small door opening on the side, so the concept of closing it and creating a new bigger opening started to germinate. It came together as we decided to re-use the antique doors from the living room's cabinet for the kitchen. The doors had to find a new "home" anyway since the big library would be moving in on both sides of the fireplace, and the old cabinet would be eliminated. My inspiration for the layout, the type of furnishings, the colors, were from the old European kitchens which "grew"over time, filled with mismatched furniture, collections of old pottery, full of warmth. and inviting people to gather. I wanted a big wooden table in the middle where people would stay for hours. That was a start. With the help of our architect we put the ideas on paper. One wall received a row of bottom cabinets, the other is now housing two tall pieces of cabinets, some with glass doors, built for this space to measure. The colors were chosen deliberately to create the unmatched effect. The "famous" sink I am so happy we kept it As we were determined to keep as much of the original elements as possible, a roomy spot for the oversize kitchen sink was also created. Made out of thick porcelain, it can accommodate a big frying pan, not like the modern minuscule sinks. I was so glad it was still here and no one chucked it out during previous attempts at renovation. The double kitchen doors were formerly in the salon (aka living room). It's amazing how well they fit this space now As for the walls, the exposed stone was discovered after the plaster board came down, and after a yellow wall old ceramic tiles built over the stones was scraped off, and we saw what was there originally (at that point I was asked, as clouds of construction dust was swirling around us - "do you like it madame?". Not yet! I will like it later, after it is all done!). The "pierre de Bourgogne" floor and the countertops was a natural choice. Classic, simple, made with the stone that came from the quarry just a few kilometers from our village. In natural tones, durable, the stones will develop a patina with the years. The neutral tones of natural stone, the Delft tiles, the stone on the walls, and the natural wood - it all came together beautifully All the elements came together over a few months. The last of which were the tiles for the backsplash. For many months I was not decided what to choose, until by chance I found myself in a house of a lady from Holland, who had her kitchen walls covered in antique Delft tiles. That was the inspiration I needed. She also kindly told me what to look for. Once I knew what to do, the rest came together easily. The result is - I hope - a timeless space, which defies trends. And which will be a place for friends and family to gather. Cabinetry - PLARS Agencement Paint - Farrow & Ball; we used the "Selvedge" and "Drop Cloth" colors Floor and kitchen counters - pierre de Bourgogne Cabinets hardware - Corston Tiles - Dolmen Antique Tiles Kitchen Stove - Lofra Hood - Miele Chandelier - AXS Design Sconces - thrifted Kitchen accessories, such as pottery - all from French flea markets Free standing furniture - collected *For more updates of our home restoration, including some "before" and "after" images, follow me on Instagram! @myfrenchmaison To be continued.... XOXO Joanna

I should add "my super heroes" to the title, because I am writing about the skin care products that I absolutely love and that really work for me. Some of them I have used for many years, and some are more recent additions to my routine, but all of them deliver reliable results. My "superheroes" The French Pharmacy Many articles have been written about French pharmacies. Some of them in Paris have always huge lines of tourists who stock up on the most popular products that are more expensive, or unavailable in their home countries. I can confirm that for basically every French family the pharmacy is the place to go not only to fill a prescription, but to find the everyday cosmetics for everyone. To find a wide range of your favorite brands, make sure you are in a larger city, and the pharmacy focuses not just on dispensing medication, but is also what is called here a "parapharmacie". 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". That is not to say that cosmetic surgery, Botox and fillers do not exist in France. They do. As well as laser treatments, and all the latest ways to plump, erase, lift, etc. Women here take their skin care routines very seriously, and believe that everything starts from having a well nourished, taken care of, skin. Everything else is an addition. I still see beautiful women, young and older, who don't seem to be wearing any makeup (if they do, it's very discreet, and if they had any "work" done, it is hard to guess). My dermatologist asks me at my annual visit what are my more aesthetic concerns, and makes me a list of some pharmacy products, be it from La Roche-Posay, or Avène , or others, that she can recommend, and that will be right for me, for my almost sixty years old sensitive skin. This is how I discovered my favorites. Here they are! Bioderma Eau Micellaire I only started using this product after my dermatologist recommended it. It made a huge difference in how my skin feels - clean, refreshed, but not tight. She actually mentioned that I should avoid using tap water on my face altogether, but I can't go that far. I use this product to remove make-up, and many times to wash it after a workout. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Nettoyant Wonderful for washing your face, a little drop suffices. Goes on creamy, gently, has no aroma, washes off easily. Very soothing, especially for the easily irritated skins. Avène Eau Thermale I started using it in the USA, and continue to this day. I spray it on my face before I apply my day cream. I spray it on when I need to touch up my make-up. I love it on a hot day when I need just a light mist of water on my skin. The water comes from a natural mineral spring and has beneficial health properties recognized by the National Academy of Medicine. Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Eye I have not found a better product for eye makeup removal. I put a drop of it on a cotton round to take off all the gunk at the end of the day. It's creamy, goes on easily, non-irritating. If you use waterproof formulas a different product maybe needed. Laino Eau de Bleuet A gentle water based product I use for eye compresses in the morning. It helps to depuff them. Also great during an allergy season. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Yeux I love this eye cream as my skin can easily get irritated. If you have allergies that irritate your eyes, especially in spring and summer many of us do, this is something to try. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Riche This is for the night on my face. Very moisturizing, gentle, rich. Doesn't clog pores. Avène Cold Cream People who love being outdoors when it's cold will love this one. When I go for a walk and it's cold, windy, wintry, I want to protect my face, so I put a thin layer of this cold cream. Contains white bees wax, perfect for when the weather is dry, and you don't want to get broken capillaries. Caudalie Deodorant Stick Without aluminum, alcohol, contains eucalyptus and grapes, smells so fresh - and gets the job done! Plus I love the packaging. Caudalie Vinosun Protect This brand has many products to protect from the sun, and I always choose SPF 50. I use it for my body. For the face I have something else, by Clarins, another great French brand. CLARINS It is such a well known, loved, and reliable brand. It has a huge range of products, but the knowledgeable reps at the counter will explain what is what and which potions will target your skin concerns. I used to use more of the products from the Clarins line (they do have a wonderful fidelity program, Club Clarins by the way), but now I am down to two. Their Multiprotection Moisturizing Screen SPF50 is the best sunblock for my face that I have even tried (and I have tried a lot of them). It has no scent, absorbs right away, and you can apply make-up immediately over it. The other Clarins product that I love is their Lotus Treatment Oil. It is wonderful for massaging your face, or you can add a tiny drop to another product to make it richer. Augustinus Bader The brand was founded in London in 2018, so it is not exactly French, but I had to mention it here. Generally I am sceptical of new "miracle" skin potions that are supposed to perform miracles, but I received a sample of the Rich Cream a couple years ago and that was it. It is pricey, but I do not need a serum to go with it, and it is the best I have ever used. I justify the expense by saying that I don't color my hair anymore... And for ladies who maybe allergic to lipstick (as I am, sigh), the brand collaborated with Sofia Coppola to release three shades of tinted balm. Another win. Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

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. However my best friend was going to be there for a few days, and as we do not see each other often enough, I ran out of excuses. This installment is about my Paris favorites, and I had to limit myself to three! Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles I stayed in this charming hotel four nights and I can't recommend it enough! Located in the Quartier Latin, you enter through a big entryway and find yourself in a different world. To access the reception and the rooms, which are located in three different buildings, you go through a charming courtyard surrounded by trees and plants, and filled with tables and chairs inviting you to sit for a while and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of lemon water. Each room is decorated differently but the general theme is "la campagne au coeur de Paris". Quiet, calm, with an impeccable service. It was my first stay there and I will certainly be back. https://www.hoteldesgrandesecoles.com/ 75, rue Cardinal Lemoine 75005 Paris, France David Mallett After leaving Lyon I had a few misses when it comes to finding a hair salon. I was not willing to experiment further, so after reading great reviews about David Mallett, I decided to book an appointment. It is on the pricier side, but one cannot put a price on quality. And after a few months of tough experiences I wanted to be pampered. It is one of the best haircuts I have ever had. And the whole experience there was top notch. Discreet, exclusive, located in an Haussmannian building in the center of Paris. I know where I will be going from now on. I booked on line, and chose the Notre Dame des Victoires location. They have another salon in Paris, and another in New York. https://david-mallett.com/en/ 14 rue Notre Dame des Victoiries 75002 Paris Ritz Paris Place Vendome 75001 Paris Marché Saint Pierre Dreyfus (the world's largest fabric market) One of my goals on this Paris trip was to visit the fabric district and find appropriate materials for a couple of projects at home. In spite of having been on Montmartre a few times before, I never approached the Sacré -Coeur basilica from this direction. I was for a huge surprise! Stores upon stores filled with every fabric imaginable. One thing is certain - if you can't find what you're looking for there, it doesn't exist. I concentrated on the March é Saint Pierre Dreyfus which sells all sorts of fabric, sewing notions, and sewing services on its five floors. Yes, I found what I was looking for. It would be impossible not to! https://en-us.marchesaintpierre.com/ 2 rue Charles Nodier 75018 Paris Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

Another month, another installment of what makes my heart beat a bit faster. Enjoy! A box of "pampilles" at a brocante Crystal Chandeliers I have a couple of friends who would never buy anything overly detailed, because "who would dust all that". 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. They add class to any space - I love them in bathrooms, and living rooms equally. The glam and the romance are worth any necessary dusting. In France there is no shortage of beautiful light fixtures with plenty of "pampilles" at very reasonable prices - if you like the style stay away from modern versions which can have plastic parts. Even if an antique piece is missing a few pieces, those can be easily found at the "brocantes". Whenever I find a box of the detached crystal elements, I grab it. Usually very inexpensive, they provide me with the necessary source to repair the "lustres" (chandeliers). Whatever can't be used, I can repurpose them as Christmas decorations, n'est-ce pas? Me in my happy place -a shop filled with antique light fixtures Fields of Yellow Blooming Rapeseed Driving through our rural area of France this time of year becomes a multisensory adventure. Not only everything is in bloom, and the forests change from brown to green seemingly overnight, but there are numerous fields of rapeseed in cheerful yellow everywhere. Not as famous as the lavender fields of Provence, but the intensity of yellow hue gives such a happy energy, even on a rainy day. Blooming rapeseed in the countryside Mariage Frères Tea I got hooked on this tea when we were still in the United States. We carry the tradition here, in France, by brewing a fresh pot of this aromatic tea almost every day. It's a ritual! Favorite flavors? Bolero, Tokyo Breakfast, Casablanca. The black tins with yellow labels are elegant and perfect for storing the tea, sealing the aroma. Once you have the tins, you can buy the loose tea in little bags. Or there is always an option to purchase tea bags. There also other delights available, such as elegantly packaged chocolates, which make a perfect gift when you are invited to someone's house unexpectedly. Because one should never show up empty handed. Bonne degustation! Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

Voilà the second installment of my favorite things! A little bit of this and a bit of that, what made my days a bit brighter in February. Forcing Spring Bulbs The month of February has been a mix of wintry days, when it seemed that the day never started and went straight to dusk. Some days we didn't see the hills and fields around the village for all the fog. But there were also brilliant sunny afternoons which I took advantage of to go out into the garden and complete some winter tasks. But to bring some color and hope of spring indoors in the middle of winter, I love forcing spring bulbs, which is extremely easy. I wrote a little blog post about it a while ago - "Winter Gardening (For the Impatien t)" . I have done it in many ways, from lifting clumps of sprouting spring flowers from the garden and replanting them in pots, or planting bulbs in cachepots in a planting medium, to using specially shaped vases to force hyacinth bulbs in water. Give them warmth, light, and water, and after a few weeks they will reward you with fragrant blooms. One of the most charming way of displaying spring bulbs at @lestresorsdedadou at Puces du Canal Vezelay When visitors come to France, they rarely venture beyond Paris and Provence. And they rarely come to the center of the country, "la France profonde". This is where we live now, in the middle, among the forests, vineyards, and medieval villages. If you love hilltop towns and old churches, and want to get to know "real" France, come to Vezelay. The town and its 11th-century Romanesque Basilica of St Magdalene are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On a dark-ish winter day we spent a day wandering around the winding streets, had a good country meal, and saw the unforgettable sites in this charming little town. I highly recommend. Maille Dijon Mustard I am not a ketchup girl. Occasionally there may be a jar of mayonnaise in my "frigo", but there is always a jar of mustard. And it needs to be the original Dijon mustard by Maille. Creamy texture, spicy taste, smooth finish - can't go wrong! An obvious addition to any charcuterie, as well as an irreplaceable ingredient in a vinaigrette, and a tasty addition to meat sauces. I remember when a few years ago there was a shortage of mustard in France. I went to my neighbourhood's Monoprix in Lyon, where we lived before, and managed to find two forgotten jars in the depths of the mustard section at the store. I will not accept a substitute! For a tasty vinaigrette I follow Ina Garten's recipe. Ina Garten's Creamy Vinaigrette Ingredients: 1/2 cup good olive oil 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 honey 1 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp minced shallot Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

We are in the month of February, which makes it the eighth month since our project started - yikes! I definitely did not expect it would take this long! But looking at the bright side, which I always try to do, the most difficult time of our house restoration is behind us, and we are starting the last phase of this "circus" as I began to call it. By my calculation, we are about 75% done. Last time I gave a you a progress report (see "It's Beginning to Look Like Home" ), I was so excited by the first spaces that were finished. Since then things have advanced, but not to the point for being completed. Those two months brought some progress, of which the major part was the installation of the stone floor in the kitchen, corridor, and the entryway. Our salon welcomed an addition of the built in "bibliotheque" on both sides of the fireplace. The work on it has just started, but I am already excited that we will have this piece of furniture available to house most of our books (with the overflow of books scattered through the house, I am sure). Our master bathroom is taking shape At the moment the master bedroom is being worked on, along with the "dressing" (a walk-in closet which used to be a very small bedroom), and the new kitchen will be installed in a week or two. The master bathroom is awaiting the final touches. After these spaces the last one will be our laundry room, which now also serves as our kitchen. When I say that the house is about 75% "done" I mean restoration wise. Our house will never be "done" done! From the decorating standpoint, I expect that we will be without some light fixtures for a while, since I am being picky about sconces for the corridors, and the chandelier for the salon, as well as lights for the dining room. Our "bibliotheque" in the salon is being installed But coming back to the restoration - I have been through some projects of home improvement, but never this big, and extensive one. Those who went through something similar will understand. Would I make a decision to live in the same space that is being renovated again, probably yes. The advantages are numerous - you can be on site and follow the process closely. Any minor issues that will occur (and they will!) get resolved quicker. With the high costs of the project you do not have to spend additional funds to find a nearby rental, or commute to check on it. The "pierre de Bourgogne" floor being installed in the kitchen There are downsides to living on-site as well, of course. There are numerous inconveniences, expected and not. More about these below. Things that we expected: that the project would take longer than we were told - we started later than we thought, and it took longer to complete certain phases; reading about projects similar to ours, and living through a couple of similar jobs before, we suspected that we will exceed every deadline (deadline? what deadline??) that there will be some problems, small and big - we expected this because we bought an old house so unpredictability factor was there; we upgraded plumbing, electricity, and the heating system. Smaller problems were resolved quick, or "snipped in the bud". The bigger ones were resolved with more stress, but because we have a good team in place, we were not alone (more about the support we have below) that we will spend more than we thought - we decided to splurge on nicer finishes and appliances, and invest in a heating pump. We knew that we would live for years in this house and will regret the decision not to spend a bit more and be happier with the result, but having said that, we preferred to save when it came to elements that were not that important to us (I can explain more in another post) that choosing to live in the house while the work was going on was going to be difficult. We expected difficult, but not various aspects of it (read below about what surprised us!) But we also kept in mind that this is a phase, and not a permanent situation. that in rural France it is a rare thing for anyone to speak good English. We knew that our French did not extend to being able to discuss contracts, architectural details, types of materials... We can discuss many things in this beautiful language, but talking about the floor plans and structural details isn't within our capacity. Early on we decided to pay for the services of the English speaking architect who is also our "maitre d'oeuvre". We were lucky that our architect spoke very good English otherwise we would be literally lost in translation. The role of the architect extends to choosing the professional right for the jobs, negotiating contracts and comparing quotes. If you consider a project similar to ours, I recommend going a similar route. that you cannot prepare mentally or otherwise for everything, since there will be surprises Having said that - What we did not expect: how difficult it was going to be living in the house while the work was going on! At times I was thinking that I really must have gone mad and pushed my insanity onto others. that the dust gets everywhere and into everything! Keeping our living space clean and free of dust is a real challenge, and oftentimes I just give up on vacuuming and dusting for days because it really doesn't make a lot of difference day to day... that the physical and mental "reno" fatigue is real! Our life has resembled a battle zone for months, which is often quite impossible to escape; after living in a cramped bedroom for months, when I walked into a friends' house which is lovely and beautifully decorated, I almost burst into tears. When will I live a more normal life? (I know, this is totally irrational!) that I will have a limited access to clothes! I am impatiently waiting to be reunited with my wardrobe... Everything was packed away and I left myself a minimum. As summer changed to autumn, and then to winter, I suddenly was left with a couple of sweaters, jeans, and limited options for cooler weather. Sigh... (please refrain from comments about the benefits of a "capsule wardrobe"). that it is difficult to eat healthy living the way we do - I did purchase a hot plate, but the cooking options are limited. We supplement with a take out from our local brasserie, and purchase prepared meals. I am not a chef, but I enjoy cooking, so I am impatiently awaiting a fully functional kitchen! how much the daily life and routines will get messed up. And the almost total lack of privacy. Getting up early every workday (often at 6 am) so I can be ready for workers at 8 am, having a company of strange men almost everyday... this gets old quickly. that things can get emotional - the demolition phase was the hardest for me. Not being used to construction sites I was shaken by the amount of noise, rubble, and dust. Irrationally I had visions of the house collapsing around me! I had to remind myself that this too shall pass, and that my team are professionals who know what they re doing. So far the house is still standing. on a very positive note, what we did not expect is that friends and neighbours will reach out a helpful hand. We were invited to meals, and"hello, how are you, do you need help?" came from everywhere. We have met a lot of welcoming, lovely people here. I am really looking forward to having our place finished soon, so I can start inviting everyone back. I hope that these observations will help some who are thinking of finding an old picturesque "ruin" of a house to renovate. At the back of my head I know than no matter how much you prepare for it you will still be surprised how unprepared you are. And - that all projects eventually end and we started it all for a reason. To be continued... XOXO Joanna The work on the master bathroom is progressing!

Favorite things, places, finds... After over six years here France is still a country full of surprises, "aha" moments, and days when I feel I might be living in a French novel. I will share what stopped me to take a second look, enchanted me, made me take a detour, made me take out my "carte bleue" (a bank card). I will share my favorite products, spaces, recipes, sites. I will drop names, and maybe be a bit opinionated. I will stray from just writing about antiques, flea market, and old houses. Would you like to know more? Every month I show you three of my favorites. Let's start with the month of January, the first month of 2025. Boheme Fleurs Lyon While I lived in Lyon I always made a point by passing by Boheme Fleurs close to the banks of the Saone, even if it wasn't exactly on my way. The place is an experience, an inspiration, from the moment you pass it to when you enter into its darkened space full of flowers, plants, mysteriously emerging from a dusky interior, romantically arranged. Minimalists be careful, maximalists - it's a place for you! Boheme Fleurs 8 Rue de la Platière, 69001 Lyon www.bohemefleurs.com Uniqlo Heattech For the ones who stay outdoors a lot in the cold months - be it my fellow brocante lovers, or outdoor marchés vendors, or the amoureuses of winter exercise - we all know that to stay warm layers are key. For me discovering Uniqlo Heattech undergarments a few years ago was a major game changer. Light and thin, you can wear the leggings right under the jeans, they provide the comfy protection against frigid temperatures and wind. Available in various styles, weights, colors, on uniqlo.com or in their stores. Farrow &Ball "Parma Grey" And the third one - is it a thing? It can be called a "sensation", a "feeling", if a color can be called that. It is certainly a find, because after a long search we finally found the perfect blue for our "salle à manger". The perfect shade for us is called "Parma Grey" by Farrow&Ball. Somewhere between blue and grey, darker than it appears in this picture or in the sampler, it is calming, but not pedestrian. Described as a cool mid blue "Parma Gray is another colour attributed to the great colourist John Fowler. Used as the backdrop to numerous costume dramas, it creates the perfect period feel when contrasted with Wimborne White. Though its cool nature can feel quite formal when contrasted with a bright white, it is a firm favourite for those who prefer a clean and crisp finish." Et voilà ! www.farrow-ball.com Next edition of "My Favorite Things" is coming next month! ***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***

I have never been so glad to close a door on a year. The new year 2025 started cloudy and gloomy weather wise, but it still felt good to turn over a new leaf, even if the switch from one day to the next to begin something new is very arbitrary. When I write on social media I tune out the negative, I want to show the pretty side of things, because who really likes a downer? And on my blog as well, I want to present things in a positive light. In my life I try to be upbeat and optimistic, it's in my nature, and most days are just like that for me. I always try to find a little bit of upside to things, a silver lining, in the toughest situations. Don't get me wrong - I am super excited to finally be able to make this beautiful place our own, and the progress on the work is ongoing. But the year 2024 shoved on me a curious mix of good, bad, ugly and downright miserable. Life is like that, it deals us a mixed bag of everything, the joy and the sadness, the wins and disappointments, sometimes all in one day. I often feel like I live in a painting This last year started a bit rocky, continued complicated, and finished with a heartbreak. Right at the beginning of 2024 we lost the heating system for the entire winter season, having to deal with the chemical spill and footing the bill for the cleanup. And in June a flash flood got boxes full of our possessions wet, necessitating repacking and drying everything, right before our big project started. But we kept our proverbial chin up, and soldiered through the months. Most of the year felt good, the summer felt idyllic, with us creating a home, tending to our garden, spending time with old friends and meeting the new ones, our neighbours, and getting to know the area around us, all new, all fresh, making new memories. Plenty of color from the garden As I wrote in "Our Year of Firsts" there were a lot of adjustments, ups and downs, adventures good and bad. The challenges came from living in a house while the work is being done, waking up early nearly every day and then having a company of strange men from morning to evening. The dust, the noise... the loss of access to the kitchen for over six months, the loss of access to most of my wardrobe (really bad!). Autumn delights The other side of the coin is that we live in one of the most beautiful natural spaces, with very little traffic, forests around us, pretty little towns and wineries within reach. The people are nice, the food delicious, and life more fulfilling. Being closer to nature, to the outdoors, is everything. The freedom of just opening the door and taking in the aromas of fresh air and blooms of the season is incomparable. As the summer slipped into autumn we had a new appreciation of being here, with crisp days, changing foliage colors around us, mushrooming in the woods, and seeing the progress of the work on the house. We reveled in this bucolic existence, in spite of all the inconveniences of the every day. "Our" forest almost right on our doorstep It was the end of 2024 that dealt us a very emotional blow. We lost our beloved dog, Mandy, after over 16 years of being together. It happened right before Christmas and the loss of her still hurts like crazy. After she was diagnosed with kidney disease over two years ago I knew that our days together became even more precious. We managed her condition with medication and a special diet. She was doted on, coddled, and treasured. For most part her days were good ones, it is the last few months when she visibly declined. In her prime she was a ball of energy, feisty, trying to defend us, her family, from everything - a falling leaf, ominous footsteps in the corridor, and obviously a mailman. A rescue dog, she was proud to have us, and we were happy to have her. In her last months she became a quiet, sweet old dog, clinging to me and giving me more love than ever. She went everywhere with us, on every vacation, and in France to every restaurant and cafe. Not many people can experience so many years with a dog so I am very happy we had all this time together. But I had been dreading that day and I was mentally preparing myself for it ever since the diagnosis and because I knew that she was the ripe age of 17 and a half years. But it still fell on me like a ton of bricks, and her passing broke my heart. Rest in peace my sweet Mandy, run freely, chase squirrels, eat what you love, and until we meet again. My Mandy last summer C'est la vie... xoxo Joanna