I am not sure I have ever been so excited for a book release. How to Be a Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits is a collaborative effort written by Caroline de Maigret, Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, and Sophie Mas. Being that I am completely captivated by the Parisian culture this book is sure to become my new guide. What I love most about it? It is a little less sugary sweet than past Parisian books. While I always gush over the Parisian women’s style, I rarely talk about what I love about their culture. And there are so many things. Being a proud American that might surprise you, but I so appreciate aspects of their day to day. One such appreciation is their unique ability to convey their message without saying a word – be it a pleasant one or not. Being that I am an open book, I often wish I was a bit more reserved. Not giving it all away up front. Where as I feel the need to be open and honest with everyone, they feel the necessity to be private. Caroline De Maigret explains,“People think that everything falls from the sky, but we just don’t talk about [certain] things, because it’s not very sexy to know that someone is on a diet or that someone has had plastic surgery, and it’s not very interesting anyway. French women may indeed get fat from time to time, but they sure as hell aren’t going to bore you with the details of their new regimen.” This is something I have been working on but there is definitely room for improvement!Another thing I love about the Parisian woman? They embrace their flaws, blemish, and age. She see’s these imperfections as character, and beautiful in their unique identity while I tend to pick apart every minor detail that is out of place. While these are a few of my favorite things, I will let you find your own. I share with you tips from How to Be a Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits

 

ON 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.”

“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.”

“Au naturel is the fruit of hard labor, meticulously passed down from generation to generation.”

“Even if the Parisian can come across as a little nonchalant, she nevertheless respects the universal principles of femininity: well-cared-for hands and feet.”

“Parisian women never try to appear to be something other than what they are. 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.”

“Falling asleep with damp hair will give it a more interesting shape when you wake up.”

“The skin of your face must be treated as a canvas. Start with a moisturizer . . . then hide any imperfections (bags under your eyes, the sides of your nose, pimples) with concealers (such as Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat) or a BB cream.”

“Be generous [with mascara] on your top and bottom lashes, to accentuate your look and disguise any bags under your eyes.”

“Short, clean nails, sometimes worn with nail polish—but not always.”

ON LIFE

“Like Coco Chanel, do your utmost to avoid dinners with more than six guests around the table. In Paris, an evening often starts with a bottle of champagne, served with ice. If possible, get the conversation flowing with a controversial political statement […] While your guests are savoring your chicken, redirect the conversation to a Parisian’s second favorite dinner topic: sex.”

“The secret to making a man know you need him: Of course you can open a bottle of wine by yourself. But let him do it. That’s equality, too.”

“Don’t use abbreviations when texting. (And emoticons should be only for your girlfriends.)”

“Take time to take time, because nobody else will do it for you.”

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

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

“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”

Have this conversation:
“I think I’ve gained weight.”
“Really? Are you on a diet?”
“No I keep failing”
“Are you working out?”
“Nope. I don’t have time.”
“So what are you doing about it?”
“I’m going to buy myself a long coat”

ON ATTITUDE
“Always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night, or even picking the kids up from school. You never know.”

“Be aware of your qualities and your faults. Cultivate them in private, but don’t obsess.”

“Embrace your inner snob. (Because let’s face it, that’s who you are.)”

“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.”

ON 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.”

ON 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.”

“If the Parisienne could wear just a Burberry trench and nothing underneath, she would be in heaven.”