How to Frenchify Your Summer

How to Frenchify Your Summer

Summer is here and the weather is hot. We got a good early taste of the heat before the first official summer day. Travel to France right now isn’t cheap, so if you are working on a budget these tips will help you recreate a French summer at home. Frenchify your summer with these suggestions. I would love to know if you have your own ideas on how to have a French-inspired summer. Comment below and share how you will Frenchify your summer this year.

20 Ways to Frenchify Your Summer

• Picnic. This is one of my favorite activities to do in Paris with friends or solo on the Seine. You can always instantly transport yourself to Paris with a Parisian picnic in your back or front yard. Grab a Turkish towel, a picnic basket with your favorite foods, and a bottle or two of wine. You can’t go wrong with a baguette and cheese.

• Learn how to host a French picnic.

• Drink French Rosé Educate yourself about French wines with friends. Rosé favorites include Whispering Angel, Miraval, Minuty, and Aix. The list could go on forever. Try to discover something new and different this Summer.

• Spend an afternoon at your local museum. Chicago Art Institute has an incredible collection of French impressionist artists. A great activity to do on a weekday or rainy afternoon.

• Dress Up. Pull out that favorite dress you bought on your last trip to Paris and wear it this summer. There are a lot of French brands you can now buy in the US. I personally love Sézane and I will be wearing some of their dresses all Summer long. For more French brands you can buy in the US you can see this post.

• Channel Your Inner French Girl with the 10 French wardrobe essentials for a French woman

Frenchify Your Summer

• Friday apéro to kick off the weekends. Invite some friends over for rosé and some small French-inspired appetizers. Dinner in French and À Table are good cookbooks to look for inspiration.

• Wear stripes. I am a big fan of stripes, and the trend covers everything in my closet, from dresses shirts, and even bathing suits. My family is fully on board with the stripe trend, and it isn’t unusual for us to match occasionally. I own this Bretton striped shirt in two colors.

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• Saint James is the place for authentic Brenton Stripes and knitwear, and they ship to the US. I got this one when I was in Paris a few years ago.

• Play pétanque. If you have space, you can set this up at a local park or in your backyard. You will find people of all ages playing this French classic all Summer long in France.

• Make a Fruit Galette. Use your favorite Summer fruits to create this French pastry at home. Blueberry, peach, mixed berry, the possibilities are endless.

Frenchify Your Summer

• Wear Espadrilles. The French Girl’s Favorite summer shoe. You can wear them in flats or wedges. I have both options. Sézane has a great wedge option in black that I own.

• Master a Cheese Plate. I love an excellent comté, brie, and truffle cheese, but I am always up for trying something new. (except for blue) Ask your local cheese shop, I have a cheese section in my grocery, and they always have recommendations for new cheeses to try.

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• Go for a Bike Ride I got a bike for my birthday this year, and it was the best gift. I love going for bike rides around the city on the weekends. If you don’t have a bike, you can try out a bike-sharing system similar to vélib in your local city.

• Refresh your Summer hair in between washes with dry shampoo from Klorane.  Use this after workouts or at night before bed. The dry shampoo can be great for giving life back to bangs too.

• Take the month of August off. The French are known for taking a holiday in August, which means many businesses and shops are closed in Paris. Even if you have exhausted your PTO, you can have a French-inspired weekend at home.

How to Frenchify Your Summer

• Evening cocktails/French 75 Up your cocktail game this Summer. Stock your bar and get creative. If you are looking for inspiration, David Lebovitz has a great book called “Drinking French”

• Farmers Markets Visit your local farmer’s market and shop seasonally. I love Green City in Chicago. P.S. Don’t forget your market basket.

• Plant Fresh Herbs in Your Garden. This raised garden bed is a beautiful addition to any garden.  Basil, mint, and lavender are all fragrant and fun for summer. I have struggled with basil but have had success with mint this year.

• Watch “A Good Year” One of my favorite movies, and it will transport you to Summer in Provence. Pull out your favorite rosé and make a night of it.

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