“Breakfast consisted of toasted tartines with real butter and homemade jam, among other delights. Lunch was either taken outside the home, or if inside the home, consisted of leftovers from the previous evening. Occasionally Madame Chic would have her girlfriends over for lunch, in which case she would make something light like fish and steamed vegetables with a delicate sauce, or a quiche and salad. Dinner was at least a three-course affair every evening. A typical weeknight meal would be something like leek soup, followed by roast chicken with braised endive and new potatoes, followed by a salad, followed by a strawberry tart and finally the cheese course.” (p.13)

“Along with tea, served ceremoniously in a bowl, a typical breakfast would include

• Fresh fruit
• Fromage blanc (a delightful fresh cheese with consistency similar to yogurt that can be eaten with a sprinkling of sugar)
• A slice from last night’s tart (usually apple, apricot, or strawberry – homemade by Madame Chic)
• Toasted baguette with jam, otherwise known as a tartine (the jam always homemade – strawberry, blackberry, and orange marmalade being her favorites)

Every morning Madame Chic displayed these breakfast options beautifully on the table. Even though we were having breakfast in the less formal kitchen, we would sit with our cloth napkins and good table manners and nourish ourselves for the start of the day. The soothing sounds tinkling from the radio, combined with the comforting aroma of toasted bread, sweet jam, and tea, provided a delightful daily ritual I greatly looked forward to, and it started me off on the right foot for whatever adventures were to come.” (pgs. 22-23)

Yum! Sometimes when I’m feeling tired, burnt out, or just plain unmotivated, I take myself to a world where slowness and steadiness are admired – where I take my meals with ease, bask in sunlight as I keenly absorb my surroundings and internalize every detail of life buzzing around me, fully present and immersed in the moment. I live deliberately, artistically, and spiritually aware of the possibilities of life in this faraway land, and this Jennifer Scott’s Lessons From Madame Chic is one vehicle I use to transport myself (although this lifestyle is by no means unique to only France).

The snippets I’ve quoted above are from Scott’s novel which chronicles her experience in Paris as a foreign exchange student. A laid back, flip-flop wearing Californian, Jennifer takes her readers through the lessons she learnt about Parisian culture, food, art, and most importantly, herself.

Her book takes me to a place where good food is enjoyed bite-by-bite, ancient art is as accessible as a public library, and the city and its surroundings are a living history lesson constantly evolving.

In a world where we constantly feel out of time, are thinking about next steps, and in a mad rush to complete the day’s tasks, it’s important to cultivate a sense of living deliberately in a way that encourages beauty, awe, wonderment, and excitement with simple pleasures in our lives. Whether it’s a tart apple, a gripping book, or a tragic piece of art, taking the time to enjoy the experience is what it’s all about.

Think about it. How many of us are really enjoying an experience as we are having it? All eyes, ears, senses turned to fully observe a phenomena to the point that we are fully immersed in it? Scott paints her host family as a one takes that pleasure in creating rituals of seemingly simple tasks. By paying great respect to what others may perceive as “ordinary” tasks, Famille Chic elevates the importance of that ritual into their lives. In other words, that simple “task” or “to-do” takes on a new meaning when there’s a ceremonious sanctity attached to it, and instead of being something to be completed mechanically, the task becomes something to be experienced wholeheartedly.

We live in a world that encourages phrases such as “time is money,” and has us falsely believing that we are constantly living in scarcity – whether it’s regarding time, money, or talent. But that is just not true. There is always time.

The best way to get a sense of time is to slow down and really feel it passing. This may sound counterintuitive, but to live our lives deliberately and purposefully, with an understanding that we have the power to turn seemingly ordinary events into extraordinary, spiritual, and meaningful experiences is a testament to the beauty and majesty life has given us a chance to experience.

And the best part is, you don’t have to go to Paris for any of this (though I wouldn’t turn it down)! Though most of the quotes used in the beginning of this piece are related to the decadence of French meals, your source of truth doesn’t only have to be food-related!

Living our lives unearthing the best version of ourselves on a daily basis is another beautiful experience worth the journey!

“The French expression bien dans sa peau means to be “comfortable in your skin.” So many of the women I observed in France embodied this expression. They were confident and effortless. Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne were both bien dans leur peau. Even though they were wildly different, they each performed their roles in life with ease and grace. They did not appear to be neurotic about any aspect of their lives. I’m sure they had their off days just like any other person, but for the most part they embodied happiness and stability. I believe knowing your style and sticking to it contributes to this blissful state of being – or not feeling self-conscious. Of not second-guessing yourself. Of feeling assertive and beautiful.” (pgs. 66-67)

*Update: Jennifer Scott liked and commented on my Instagram post, see below!