French Essence - Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

French Essence is the blog of Vicki Archer who, in her own words is… “an Australian who lives between London and Saint Remy de Provence in southern France. I adore everything to do with life in France and especially the olive farm I call home. This blog is for those, who like me, are mad for interiors, fashion and all things French.”

In our early courting days, Mrs A Taste of Garlic once told me that I was mad for all things French; Letters and Kisses in particular.

Or perhaps she just told me I was mad?

Anyway, that’s just one of the many reasons why I’ve chosen to review this blog.

Now, I know that I’m just a humble man…..

And, thus, know nothing at all about fashion (I’m quite happy wearing my blue overalls and my green wellies – even if Mrs A Taste of Garlic complains that it messes up her sheets) and don’t really go in for all this fancy stuff (though I have got a pair of black overalls for weddings, funerals and visits to the bank manager!)

So,  I really don’t understand why the Girlies spend so much money on a few bits of leather that they call shoes.  Vicki does try to explain in her post entitled… Shoe strategy or, how to save money but, I’m not convinced?

I mean to say, they’re more holes than anything else!  And fancy trying to clean out the pigsty in a pair of those.

And I know that I’ve already admitted that I’m a man( and thus totally useless) but… does anyone like their women to look like the Fashion Victim that Vicki shows us in More Fashion on my Mind?

No, I may just be a aspirant Breton Peasant but, give me Mrs A Taste of Garlic any day, in her skin tight overalls and her sexy pink wellies!

The distinct lack of Citroen 2CV posts on this blog…..

Has been noted and will count against Vicki when it comes to the Blog of the year award (should A Taste of Garlic ever be financially able to offer such a thing) although, it must be said, her beautiful photo of an old car (with a sort of Citroen shaped radiator) On the road to Arles may get her somewhere in the runners up stakes.

And the clever and insightful article about The French Driver exactly sums up the dichotomy of the essential French character; the underlying duality of the confluence of haste and taste: the ability to spend ages talking to the Boulanger, take hours over lunch, pass an entire afternoon discussing the weather; all as though time did not exist and then… Drive home like a raving lunatic on his way to storm the Bastille before sitting down to a well deserved meal!

Of course, if all Frenchmen drove Citroen 2CVs (and there was a rumour a little while ago that a law was going to be passed….), then driving fast wouldn’t really be a problem?

There’s something about a woman that I like –  and the bigger the better!

Yes, I’m talking kitchens here and hasn’t Vicki got a lovely one?

Mind you, as long term readers of this blog will know, I’m also rather fond of Lingerie and Lace!

Although, if Mrs A Taste of Garlic ever runs off with the Pig Feed Merchant (as she keeps threatening to do), I wouldn’t ask these two pretties the size of their kitchens (nor the colour of their lingerie!)

No, no, no… I’d be there in a flash offering them Pigs Trotters Sandwiches and a nice big bowl of steaming Andouillette!

How could they resist?

Who said romance was dead?

And speaking of romance….

Provence has a romance all of its own.

When Vicki says that she’s Happy to be Home, you can understand why, can’t you?

Because, as we all know, Lavender in July spells… Provence!

A Lavender topped local cheese from this Provencal cheese shop?

Oops, almost forgot the books……

Vicki has written two books (which is about two more than me!) and, more importantly, people actually buy and read them (my magnum opus entitled 101 things to do with lots of little bits of dead pig is obviously ahead of it’s time and one day, publishers will realise that and come knocking on my door!

My French Life – In 1999 Vicki Archer made a lifelong dream a reality when she moved into a seventeenth-century property in Saint-Remy-de-Provence with her husband and three children. She spent three years lovingly restoring the farmhouse, bringing back to life the abandoned apple and pear orchards and planting an olive grove of more than two thousand trees. In “My French Life” Vicky shares an insider’s view of France, telling her personal tale of taking risks, facing challenges and falling in love with all things French. Intertwined with Vicki’s words are lavish photographs by Carla Coulson, which reveal the essence of instinctive French style. More information

French Essence – My French Life told the story of Vicki Archer’s life-changing move to France, during which she, with her husband and three children, bought and restored a seventeenth-century property in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. In her new book French Essence Vicki has again collaborated with celebrated photographer Carla Coulson to share her insider’s view of life in Provence, revealing the secrets of how she immersed herself and her home in French customs, culture and style. This book is about the ambience of French life, and about Vicki’s passion for interiors and design. More information

So, summing up….

French Essence is a beautiful blog to visit.

It’s the blog of a woman who hasn’t met Peter Mayle (join the club) and it’s also the blog of a woman who has a gardien.

Personally I’d rather have a gardien than meet Peter Mayle but that’s just me.  You should really take the time to visit French Essence.  The pictures and stories are lovely – it is Provence, after all!

And me?  Well, I’m off for a rather large bowl of  Moules et Frites.   As Vicki says… “You either like them or you don’t. Me…I love mussels with an accompaniment of pommes frites.”

Me too, Vicki, me too!  I love them almost as much as I love Mrs A Taste of Garlic’s French kisses!

All the best

5 Comments

• 

  By Vicki Archer, July 16, 2010 @ 8:53 am

  Keith….I love this! Thank you so much for this fab review of French Essence…at least I think it is although I must apologise from the bottom of my heart for the lack of mention of the Citroen 2CV…an appalling oversight on my part! Forgive me….Joking all aside, thank you so much for spending the time on my blog and your very kind words – I really appreciate them. xv

• 

  By Keith Eckstein, July 16, 2010 @ 5:21 pm

  Vicki – it was an absolute pleasure reviewing your blog. I’m sure you’ll resolve the slight lack of a 2CV article in due course and I hope that all goes swimmingly with the book launch next month (and anyone who hasn’t pre-ordered a copy of French Essence should do so now before they all run out!)

  All the best

  Keith

• 

  By Carolyn, July 23, 2010 @ 11:02 am

  Hi Keith,

  De-lurking to say good on ya for this great review of Vicki’s blog — I agree with you completely it’s really fabulous.

  Have enjoyed your ‘first commments’ on the wonderful Paris Karin’s blog as well, and your reviews/interviews with so many French writers.

  Cheers from Sydney (and sometimes Paris) and take care.

• 

  By Keith Eckstein, July 23, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

  Hi Caroline

  De-lurking is very good for the soul (and the bowels, apparently!)

  Vicki’s blog was a real joy to review and Paris Karin’s concise blog postings make my week (well, they take me most of the week to read but don’t tell her I said so!)

  Am just having a look at your blog and have to say “Congratulations!” It’s a great blog!

  Obviously, like all too many blogs these days, there are a serious and almost unforgivable lack of posts about the Citroen 2CV but I’m sure you’ll get round to sorting all that out one day soon!

  It’s nice that you know Leesa – she’s great, isn’t she!

  All the best

  Keith

• 

  By Virginia, July 30, 2010 @ 11:53 pm

  J’adore Vicki’s first book and am waiting for French Essence to meander its way to the US! Thanks for reviewing her great great blog.
  V

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