What I'm loving lately

0 Shares

Is it really September 1 already? Yikes. I think we had about two weeks of summer in these parts back in July, and since then, temps have been hovering in the 60s and the mornings are cool. Will September bring a heat wave? Guess we’ll find out soon enough… And if not, that’s fine by me. Winter is and always will be my favorite season.

OK, so for today’s post: I love finding out about new brands and products on the internet from other bloggers so I’m doing my first “What I’m loving lately” post. Hope you’re all having a relaxing Labor Day!

Let’s go!

Chia seeds

Back in the day, flaxseed was all the rage but the new kid in town is the chia seed. They’re not widely available in France yet (haven’t seen ’em anywhere and Biocoop employees didn’t know what I was talking about) but I’m sure they’ll be here soon. And that will be a good thing since these omega-3 and fiber-packed superseeds are must-haves for your morning oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt and whatever else you have on the menu. Oh, and let’s not forget chia pudding which is all over Pinterest and Instagram.

Stephen Clarke books

For any Francophile, British writer Stephen Clarke’s books are a must-read. With just the right amount of cliches and playful observations about life in France, Clark expertly captures all the nuances of French life in a startlingly accurate way while managing to draw the reader in until the very last page. Anyone who has spent some time in France will be able to relate and laugh along with the characters. I’m currently reading The Merde Factor which chronicles main character Paul West’s hilarious day-to-day life in Paris. I wholeheartedly recommend Clarke’s work.

Everlane

This company prides itself on radical transparency and brings you quality pieces without the markups. With all types of apparel for men and women including shoes and accessories, Everlane is one site that’s at the top of my browser bookmarks right now. The last thing I bought was the Twill Tote shown above which makes a great day bag when a little purse just won’t cut it. Or a gym bag. Or carry-on.

Cory Vines

I first heard about Cory Vines last year and this online activewear company out of Montreal has become one of my faves. Why? They make THE softest shirts ever, and there are no scratchy tags to annoy you. They also have essentials like leggings and tanks and other pieces, but their boatneck long-sleeve shirts are great for layering and even sleeping in. Best part? Prices are reasonable. (and they have a Labor Day promo code that’ll save you even more money today)

Wine

Wine is plentiful in the Loire Valley and we’re so fortunate to have as many local options as we do. One winery that we always go back to (after discovering them on an awesome wine tour with Le Tasting Room a couple of years ago) is Domaine des Rochelles outside of Angers. They have a bunch of excellent wines but my “old faithful” is their Crémant de Loire Rosé. At just 7.50 euros/bottle, this bubbly boisson is a steal and we always have at least one in the fridge.

Etsy shop

I’m a huge fan of Etsy and one shop that caught my eye was Wind & Willow Home. The hand-dipped wooden bowls are gorgeous and there are enough color options to work for every decor style and color scheme. They’re almost too pretty to use!

YouTube Channel

I’ve been on a hair kick lately and although my finished looks don’t look anywhere near as polished as hers, LilitheDarkMoon is a hair YouTube channel you need to check out. She shares beautiful tutorials for braids and buns and twists and more that you can wear out and about, to the gym or just for fun. She is originally from Ukraine but impressively has channels in several languages.

Would love to hear what you’re loving in the comments. Happy Labor Day!

Please note some of the above links are affiliate links meaning I receive a small portion of the sale but the price is the same for you regardless. Thank you for supporting Oui In France.