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 day of summer. 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.

How 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.

• For more details on how to Frenchify Your Picnic, you can see this post.

• Drink French Rosé Educate yourself with an online wine class 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.

• 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.

• 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 from time to time. (we all have these matching pajamas)

• JCrew has a holiday for national Stripe day and they have an adorable Stripe Shop if you are in the mood to update your stripe wardrobe. If you are looking for French stripes, 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. You can set this up at a local park or in your backyard if you have space. 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.

• 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 cream.

• Master a Cheese Plate. I love a good 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.

• 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. This can also be used after workouts. I use it to give life to my bangs.

• Celebrate Bastille Day. If you are in Chicago, I will be at the Lincoln Commons square from 5-7 pm with Henri.

• 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 new book called “Drinking French” and he does a recipe each day on Facebook Live.

• 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.

• Watch “A Good Year” This is 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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