The Art of French Living
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter K – Kitchen Classics & Keeping Traditions. The letter K is unusual in French, but it’s surprisingly common in the regional languages of Brittany and Alsace. The letter K is strong looking, and …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, where we are exploring Why September Is the New January: The French Art of La Rentrée. Everyone talks about January as though it is the great moment for a reset. New year, new you. A new version of ourselves, preferably healthier, more organised and considerably more productive than the …
If you’ve ever wondered Why France Slows Down in August and so many shops, businesses and even entire villages seem quieter, the answer lies in one of France’s oldest and most cherished traditions: les grandes vacances. When I first moved to France over thirty years ago, one of the biggest surprises wasn’t the food, the …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter J – Joie de Vivre & Joyful Flavours. The letter J is full of everyday French favourites, from iconic sandwiches and slow-cooked classics to timeless culinary techniques, regional wines, and delicious pastries. In …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter I – Island Indulgences & Iconic French Favourites. The letter I brings with it the idea of an island somewhere in the sun, the air warm with vanilla and caramel, and that’s because …
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway. In this summer wellness guide, I’m sharing simple French-inspired rituals to help you create a gentler seasonal reset. As nature all around us shifts with the days getting longer and the air getting warmer, it seems to nudge us to reconnect with ourselves as well. But there’s not need …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into A to Z of French Food: Letter H – Hors-d’œuvres & Humble French Classics. When exploring French food beginning with the letter H, it quickly becomes clear that this quiet letter has far more flavour than first expected. From comforting family …
There is something quietly magical about the ritual of the French apéro. It is not quite dinner, not quite drinks, and certainly not a rushed happy hour squeezed between emails and obligations. The apéro — short for apéritif — is a ritual. A pause. A gentle transition between the working day and the evening ahead. …
There is something incredibly cosy about an effortless evening routine, especially in a world that never seems to slow down. Everyone talks about the importance of starting your day right, and while it’s true that mornings matter, how you end your day matters just as much. Now, the word routine can rub people the wrong …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter G – Gourmet Classics and Gastronomic Favourites. As we move further through the A to Z of French food, each new letter reveals a world of flavours, techniques and regional specialities. In this …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway. Today’s feature explores French rituals that can be found in the smallest, most ordinary moments of daily life — from the morning coffee to the walk to the bakery. Life in France often seems shaped by these small moments, where a quiet sense of elegance runs through even the …