Friday, April 10, 2009

Its the je ne sais quoi


Every now and then I come across a girly book that I enjoy reading...a fun light how-to guide that celebrates being a woman and all the little nuances that come with it ...Over the years my bookshelves get stocked with the books I label as my 'guilty pleasures'..nothing too serious or literary..just delving and escaping into some good old fashioned candy pink fluff...good quality chick lit...'Bergdorf Blondes' comes to mind as I write, interesting how-to's, the ubiquitous Camilla Mortons 'How to walk in high heels and A girl for all seasons' your basic tips here and there..basically a good read to spend my afternoons unwinding.
Given my firm belief that in another life I must have been born a Parisian, in 2005 I bought 'Entre nous..A womans guide to finding her Inner French'...the fact that Im posting this now is because shes coming out with a sequel this fall that I am looking forward to reading...anyhow, this one stood out because its the one book that I will pass on to my daughter one day..a deliciously compelling read.

Enjoy your Friday xx

9 comments:

zuz said...

i loved bergdorf blondes,read it twice;p

Fastidious Babe said...

lol i ALWAYS say that in another life i must have been born a Parisian!!!! XD looks like a fun read indeed.. have a great weekend babe xx

PinkChampagne said...

@Zuz Its such a fun summer read :)

@F.B That made me smile...I believe thats where you and I connect, on some kindred Parisian level :) xx

KissMyShades said...

Guilty pleasures, we all have one or two.. lol
But do tell me, how do you think of a real parisien, what makes a parisien a parisien to you ?

PinkChampagne said...

@KissMyShades..I love the question! Right to the heart of the post :)
You know how they say its the je ne sais quoi? The infamous french phrase that has no true translation or definition, because the trait in itself is so elusive.
The answer is simple.Its her essence.
A true Parisian has a sense of self posession that grows up with her...She is her own person and shes very very aware of it...through the years she cultivates it, reflects on it and takes the time to nurture it..It is here at this point we can apply the logic for example, where there exists a belief system that you spend a lifetime becoming yourself and it should take a lifetime for a significant other to discover you...thats one point where the Parisian always retains her mystique and sense of self worth even after 15 years of marriage..and its an incredibly important characteristic..her privacy is so sacred to her that in todays world she appears mysterious whereas she is simply old school.
And everything always always is at her own pace at her own leisure..from her walk to her speech..thats one quality that distinguishes her immediately.
She is based on a firm foundation of a triad of first and foremost, her femininity..her intellectual bearing and her matter-of-fact sensuality, that she appreciates and finds in sher daily life.
The culmination of those three qualities,from that core, exudes an allure and sophistication even in the most simplest of women. In her presence you dont see the beauty sometimes, but you feel the essence, of a woman who is so comfortable in her own skin that she doesnt shy or irk away from her true self and her passions..her musings..her emotional temperments.
When people sit and recall a conversation with her they wont remember what she said...all they'll remember is how her presence made them feel...in essence, her essence :)

xx

Fastidious Babe said...

PC u outdid ur self! the essence of a real parisian woman.. one who knows how to appreciate the finest things in life, indulge in all that is feminine and luxurious.. and be the woman she was meant to be.. not afraid to ask and experience and live.. ah to be that woman.. <3

PinkChampagne said...

@F.B..Thank you my lovely xx You are all that and more...we're still in our twenties and cheers to the fabulous results so far my Fabulous Babe xx

KissMyShades said...

In that case, one doesn't have to be a parisian to be a parisian. You know your stuff PC
x

PinkChampagne said...

@KissMyShades...Merci xx
Although the culture youre raised in definitely affects your upbringing, yes, a Parisisan is one at heart xx