Elizabeth Leigh
Elizabeth Leigh
 

deliciously & nutritiously gluten-free

libby's teaching kitchen is a 100% gluten-free environment

 
Gluten free fresh pasta hampton-roads cooking classes
Gluten-free pasta
seasonal gluten-free tarts hampton-roads cooking classes
classic: gluten-free french tart
French cuisine dutch oven hampton-roads cooking classes
french cuisine: naturally gluten-free
macaron naturally gluten free hampton-roads cooking classes
macaron workshops
salmon trois gros hampton-roads French cooking classes
trois gros's salmon & sorrel: naturally gluten-free
Open air market to table cooking with squash buds hampton-roads cooking classes
coming soon: market to table
gluten free tart workshops for children hampton-roads cooking classes
workshops for children
 
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We had both an inspired & undistinguished 2018.

The Hubs successfully defeated ISIS & other “enemies” while spending most of his time at the “O” Club & Bar in Fallon, NV.
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I briefly dabbled in sequins & (not simultaneously) single-handedly slaughtered & processed a dozen-or-so snuggly & innocent animals on my backyard-urban-farm.
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The Foodie (age 9) nailed his debut hip-hop performance & has adjusted well to a very strict parochial education (well ... for the most part ...)
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The Pickle (age 7) stunned us all with an abundance of illuminating information about both his intellectual & physical abilities, including the fact that he’s double jointed.
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Lastly, while @meghanmarkle_official nabbed the last eligible British prince, Mademoiselle (age 5) is holding on to her dream of becoming a bona fide ballerina-princess in 2019.
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Wishing you all a VICTORIOUS, BEDAZZLED, ENLIGHTENED, FLEXIBLE & ROYAL 2019!
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📷: 10-sec iPhone timer, camera stand with fuchsia masking tape & the ability to run in sand in 3-in heels.
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#tongueincheek #navywife #navyfamily #pilotslife #militarystyle #farmher #knowyourfarmer #urbanfarm #urbanfarmer #teachtolerance #boysdancetoo #2e #letthembekids #letthembefree #bestof2018 #bevictorious #backyardfarm #christmascards2018 #italianshoes #sequindress #princessanna #frenchfashion #catholicschool #urbanfarmgirl #classichiphop #fieldknife #anothermotherherway #frenchpress #instamums #mumstyle @chuckharrison
I recently scheduled a phone date with a good friend of mine - officially & respectfully in her I-calendar and officially & respectfully in my day-planner - a phone date 2 weeks out. TWO WEEKS OUT. “Remember the days when we would just call each other?” “Yes,” she said, but “mom life is no joke!”
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There was no arguing with that statement. When you’re a part-time-single-mom living in a city with less friends than LEGO-induced foot wounds (#navywife) any number of crises pile up, overwhelm and eventually begin to suffocate. I get a sort of tunnel vision where all I see is the next immediate thing; all extraneous info/activities/clutter/even my career gets blocked out.
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Thankfully there is a light at the end of my tunnel, solutions are being found, my vision is clearing and I’m back on IG. I have missed the conversations, the recipe development, recipe sharing, Francey inspo. and most importantly YOU!
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If I had to title this photo it would be Gratuitous Bikini Pic/Day Dreaming of a Much Needed Vacation: it’s a toss-up between Paris and a deserted island.
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If you could escape life for 3 days, where would you go?
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#anothermotherherway #frenchie #frenchpress #frenchstyle #memoirsofmotherhood #multitaskingmom #honestmotherhood #rawmotherhood #laboroflove #inspiremothers #reallifewithkids #healthyrecipes #bikinilover #bashparis #islandstyle #islandtime #parisfrance #igmotherhood #parislove #francophile #mumstyle #mumswithhustle #mumslife #instamaman #momstrong #myrtr #mommyproblems #mommyblog #militaryfamily
Over the summer, The Foodie and I had the opportunity to spend an - all too short - 36-hours in Lyon (the place we still call “home.”) While he attended a nature camp with his meilleur ami, I biked, walked, shopped (les soldes!,) ate well, watched young campers march through Parc de la Tête d’Or, had a lovely picnic, purchased 3 baguettes & 1 croissant from our favorite boulangerie for my baguette-obsessed husband, strolled by our old apartment door (more times than I should admit,) watched the semi-finals of the World Cup, drank French (read good) wine, & caught up with great friends.
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I also grabbed a bag of pralines roses.
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Lyon, the gastronomical capital of France may be renowned for its rich & creamy quenelles & decadent boudins served at her legendary bouchons, & traditional, creamy, buttery French classics & their derivatives at any of the late Bocuse’s restaurants; however, Lyon is also known for its pretty-in-pink, sugar-coated almonds known as pralines roses.
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Why pink? If you ask a Lyonnaise, they will invariably shrug their shoulders; however, a thorough search of the inter-web tells a lovely story of a Lyonnais pastry chef who was strolling through 18th century Lyon admiring the elaborate rose gardens along the Rhône. Inspired, he headed back to his patisserie, tinted his pralines in a giant copper mixer a bright rose-colored hue et voilà, le tarte aux praline roses was born. His brightly colored tarts were well received, & remain, today, a staple of Lyonnaise cuisine. (As do many other praline roses stuffed, decorated & incorporated sweets & treats.)
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What would you do with a bag of praline roses?
After playing all-out rugby (no helmets, full tackle, etc.) for 2 years in France, The Foodie was pretty disappointed in the variety (or lack-there-of) of sports in our area. Always the one to try anything new, we signed him up for musical theater and hip-hop (The Pickle has been my classical dancer for several years now - moving to an American Academy was no big deal; the language of ballet is in French!)
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Always hungry & forever growing, musical theater and dance have completely changed The Foodie’s sense of self. He knows where his body is in space now!
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Never imagined I would be a full-on dance mom, but here I am! What are your bébés in to?
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#dancemom #boysdancetoo #rawmotherhood #growingupwithsiblings #mumslife #mumsquad #dancesport #balletclass #balletboy #balletboys #musicaltheater #musicaltheaterlife #anothermotherherway #unpluggedchildhood #dancingkids #iwannadance #balletbeautiful #musicaltheater
I’ve been hurricane baking, and The-Hubs-is-leaving-for-6-weeks baking AND Mademoiselle-has-too-many-transitions-at-one-time (new class, full-day schedule, new teacher, new pedagogy & daddy is leaving) baking. Basically, I’ve been in the kitchen All. Day. Long.
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1. Four dozen of Nonna’s meatballs
2. Five dozen mini-Nonna’s meatballs
3. Ten (plus one giant - pictured here) cinnamon, oat and coconut butter cookies
4. One dozen cinnamon, coconut butter & currant vegan cookies
5. One large free-form, whole-grain, gluten-free tart
6. Five tartlets (low-sugar, gluten-free & whole-grain) à la Mademoiselle 
7. One dozen scones 
8. Twenty blueberry, lemon, whole-grain, gluten-free scones
9. And then, of course, there was breakfast (oatmeal,) lunch (leftovers from taco night) and dinner (salmon, rice and asparagus.)
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I’ve told you before that if delicious and nutritious food and the sharing of that food was a love language, it would definitely be mine; however, looking at my to-do list for tomorrow (it’s basically a 3-day menu plus fancy goûters & healthful desserts) I’m starting to wonder if cooking and baking are also coping mechanisms ...
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How do you cope when change is on the horizon?
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#bakingwithkids #kidsinthekitchen #veganbaking #vegandessert #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreerecipes #celiacdisease #navywife #militarykids #wholefoodie #healthydessert #healthyfoodie #anothermotherherway #mumswithhustle #hurricaneflorence #mumslife #foodfeed #foodiepics #mealplans #mealplanning #copingskills #mentalhealthadvocate #playtherapy #hurricanewatch #healthyglutenfree #italiancuisine #lanonna #italyfoodporn #tarts #tartlets
This is a love letter to you, dear daughter. This is an apology, sweet girl. My love, this is also a confession.
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You have only been on earth for an extremely short five years; yet, you have been in my heart for an eternity. I kept you on my breast and out of crèche - against many of my friends’ (not unkind) urgings. I ignored the cruel comments from passing femmes d’une certaines âges, amusing myself by contrasting their wrinkled and worn looks of horror and disgust with your fresh and smooth, cheerfully pudgy hands, playing with my unbuttoned blouse. You would seem to be in agreement with me about the disparity in imagery. Gazing up at my face with your plump, pink lips on my full, white breasts, I would giggle and so would you.
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I tried to protect you (I always have,) and I accidentally held you back - maybe for myself, most definitely for your fleeting childhood, possibly to “stick it to the man.” I don’t know; I wanted you to be a child, as you should be. I wanted you to play and then play some more. I listened to everyone else, and I ignored them. I finally listened to you, and you told me you were ready. “But you’re only five!” I scream. I never scream this at you. I scream it at society, at America, at standardized testing, at The Man, and almost always at your poor, dear, loving father.
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So, today, 7 September 2018, I begrudgingly wish you a happy first day of kindergarten - with its rote memorization, lovely teacher, homework, perfectly-arranged desks, new friendships and mindless worksheets.
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The confession? A larger part of me than I care to divulge is happy. This new arrangement gives me a full day to myself and to my business.
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Je t’aime ma fille.
❤️ Your Mother, continuously guilty, forever trying.
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If you could write an honest letter to your child today, what would it be titled?
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#anothermotherherway #motherhoodinspired #momprenuer #womenwhowrite #memoirsofmotherhood #honestmotherhood #rawmotherhood #laboroflove #inspiremothers #reallifewithkids #letthembelittle #playislearning #spilledwords #bringingupbebe #momguilt #kindergartener #fiveisthenewfifteen #raisingdaughters #daughterlove #momom #parentingblogger
Entrée du journal, no. 58: I am afraid they are going to judge me. My bébés are in school 8 hours a day, I don’t even have to leave the apartment except for quick trottinette (scooter) rides to various marchés; I spend my days in the kitchen as a recipe developer. How do I justify needing (or wanting, honestly) a cleaning lady? I should be able to do absolutely everything on my own. But I genuinely don’t want to spend my time cleaning this huge apartment. Ugh, do I dare ask for recommendations?
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Afterthoughts, 5 September 2018: within minutes, my friends, French mamans and expats mums (none American) texted me back with no less than 5 referrals and zero judgment. And many of these women, at that time, weren’t working.
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It seems to me that the “We Can Do It” slogan has morphed into “We Have To Do It ALL.” OF COURSE we can do it, but can’t we ask for some help? When I explained this Americanism to my German friend (adding emphasis on military spouses especially,) she simply stated, “That’s bull sh!t.” My first thought was, “Wow, her English vocabulary is fantastic.” My second thought? “Huh, maybe she’s right?”
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When mothers and women from a multitude of other cultures around the world hire out so much help, why do American moms shy away from it, feel guilty about it, and justify it when we do? Especially military spouses (me included) who insist on being able to do everything on our own. Why can’t we ask for help when we need it?
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📷 @claire_bear2010 | island of Malta, 2 years before the arch fell - no, the irony is not lost on me.
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#anothermotherherway #mumswithhustle #mumslife #wecandoit💪 #navyspouse #milspouse #navywife #workingwomanwednesday #womenempowerment #knowyourworth #selfcaretips #womenforwomen #womeninspiringwomen #askforhelp #culturetrip #maltaphotography #thefrancophiles #sofetravel #expatblogger #ladieswhohustle #momtips #motherhoodinspired #momprenuer #girlsthatwander #wanderlustwednesday #theglobalwanderer #francophile #feminisme #womenwhowrite #islandstyle
Life is a balancing act: work vs. downtime, screen-time vs. family time, that list of to-do’s vs. staying present ... I could go on and on about the difficulty of balancing all our hats, something French women, especially French mamans, seem to do so easily (more on that later.)
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One of my many balancing acts, these days, is nutritious vs. delicious. All three bébés are going through a growth spurt and are “starving!!!” all. the. time. I try to stick to our “no snacking rule,” which means that all 3.5 meals (breakfast, lunch, goûter - aka afternoon snack - and dinner) have to be packed with plenty of protein, brain fueling, healthy fats, vitamin filled veggies and powerful, antioxidant-filled micronutrients.
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These chocolate, coconut butter bites are made just for this purpose: deliciously & nutritiously LOADED. As I said last night, feel free to leave the powders out, choose your own nut butter, or just make chocolate coconut butter bites. .
For the fully loaded version: Melt 100g coconut butter, 20g coconut oil, 30g dk chocolate and stir well. Add 2 tsp of both cocoa powder and maca powder and 1 tsp of mushroom powder (I prefer Chaga for its flavor profile.) Stir until fully incorporated. Fill a silicone mold 1/3 of the way up and put in your freezer. While that sets, mix 50g of almond butter with 1Tb of collagen powder. Roll into small balls (for this silicone mold - in comments - the balls were 1/4 tsp each.) Press balls on top of frozen chocolate and add a few cacao nibs (swipe left) and a pinch of salt. Pour the remaining chocolate over the nut butter and place the mold in your fridge or freezer.
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These guys get melty at room temp.; store in the fridge and enjoy! Which super-nutrients and flavors are you going to add to yours?
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#plantbasednutrition #veganmom #vegandesserts #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreefoodie #healthydessert #healthyvegan #cleaneatingrecipe #ketorecipes #healthysnacking #vegannutrition #wholefoodie #mumslife #mommydiaries #kidseatinghealthy #plantbasedkids #healingthroughfood #cleaneating #healthylifestyle
Whether tomorrow is your bébés first day of school, or their 10th. Whether you’re single or not. Whether, to you, tennis balls are yellow or they are green (100% yellow here! You?) Whether or not you’re vegetarian, vegan or a starving carnivore. These melt-in-your-mouth, coconut butter, micronutrient-packed chocolates are for YOU.
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They can be made simply with coconut butter, chocolate chips and a nut butter of your choosing, or packed with mushroom powders, maca, cacao nibs and even collagen.
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Add as many or as little of the above ingredients (plus coconut oil) to your shopping list. I’ll post the recipe in time for you to quickly (did I mention how EASY these are?) pop these out of the fridge for your (and your bébés) goûter!
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And please, can you inform my family that tennis balls are bright yellow, not green. Am I right?
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 #plantbasednutrition #tennisball #veganmom #plantbasedlifestyle #veganchocolate #vegandesserts #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreefoodie #micronutrients #goûter #healthydessert #tennisballs #afternoontreat #cleaneatingrecipe #ketorecipes #fatbomb #vegansnacks #healthysnacking #chocolaterecipes #vegannutrition #wholefoodie #eatyourcolors #foodiepics #mumslife #mommydiaries #kidsfood #kidseatingwhole #kidseatinghealthy #plantbasedkids #healthysweets
Bite into the last weekend of summer with a tender and versatile scone. Flavorful and light, these gluten-free, whole-grain teatime favorites are also perfect for brunch, beachside picnics, back-to-school breakfasts and - our favorite meal of the day - goûter! Pop these fresh and warm treats out of the oven & serve with a generous smear of grass-fed butter. Or fill these low-sugar scones with almond butter and a drizzle of honey.
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An incredibly simple recipe, I weigh all of the ingredients directly into the bowl of my stand mixer (one bowl recipe!) and mix with the paddle attachment for 1 minute.
Oat flour - 120g
Sorghum flour - 65g
Brown rice flour - 60g
Teff flour - 35g
Granulated sugar - 30g
Baking powder - 1 Tb 
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Xantham gum - 1/4 tsp
(Overwhelmed by the variety of flours? Swap them out - 280g - with your favorite gfree variety, and let me know how they turn out!)
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Return bowl to scale and add:
Heavy cream - 1 cup
Crème fraîche - 90g
Cold water - 20g
Mix on medium for 2 minutes until completely combined. Divide in two & dump out onto plastic wrap. With wet hands, shape into rectangles. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 2+ hours. (Don’t skip this step-this gives the gluten-free flours time to “soak” which helps with any gluten-free, baked good’s texture.) .
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400F. Slice your rectangles on the diagonal, brush each scone with heavy cream, give them a little sprinkle of coarse sugar and bake on the top rack for 18-20 minutes.
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You can follow the recipe to a T (swipe left), add blueberries & lemon zest, toss in chocolate chips & cacao nibs, or currants & cinnamon (swipe left.) Make sure you let them sit in the fridge for 2+ hours and do not replace the cream. For more detail and exact directions, check out blog (coming, oh, so soon!)
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Happy Labor Day!
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#wholegrain #lowsugar #lowsugarrecipes #scone #sconesandtea #easyrecipes #easyrecipe #whatceliacseat #celiacfriendly #onebowlrecipe #theeverygirlathome #thefeedfeedglutenfree #goûter #bakingclass #thebakefeed #bakers #mumstyle #myrtr #bashparis #beachstyle #oceanviews #frenchgirls #frenchfashion #bikinibabes #effortlessstyle #effortlesschic
Une Histoire (a story): We have an American expat friend who toured Europe as the lead singer of a French, heavy-metal band. He also happens to be a special-forces Army officer, loving husband, and adoring new father to a 1-year-old baby boy. One night over a bottle (or two) of Chablis he recounted the tale of the culmination of his band’s recording sessions at a studio in Germany.
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Long story (on website - coming soon!) short, the album was fantastic. Our friend was thrilled with the results; however, his French band-mates knew it could be better, even if just by a little bit.
To the great annoyance of the ever-efficient German recording studio, they re-recorded and reworked it AND re-recorded and reworked it. It took a LOT of extra time and and a LOT of effort; however, in the end, their debut album was as near as possible to perfection. It really WAS better, the French way.
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I’ve told you before about the Frenchman’s penchant for perfection. They push and push, they take extra, extra time, and in the end, the product is always a little bit better. Is it an efficient technique? Most certainly not, but it’s the French way. And in the spirit of the French, I have been working & reworking these cinnamon, oatmeal & currant cookies. They are 100% whole grain, gluten-free and contain only 2 grams of sugar each. They’re also delicious. But not perfect, not quite, yet ...
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Perfection or efficiency. What do you prefer?
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#perfectionist #thefrancophiles #glutenfreebaking #createart #frenchblogueuse #cheftalk #heavymetalmusic #heavymetalband #frenchexpat #celiaclife #gouterhealthy #histoire #myolmstedexperience #currants #wholefoodie #brainfood #healthylifestyles #gfree #dadhats #mumslife #francophiles #germans #healthydessert #wellnesswarrior #eatfit #healthychildren #bringingupbebe #effortlessstyle #frenchgirls #parisianstyle
Entrée du journal, no. 15: My very kind doctor looks me in the eyes and says, “So this is what you’re going to do. You’re going to go home, get dressed, then you’re going to ...” Hold up, did I mis-translate that in my head? Did he just tell me to go get dressed? “Vous allez vous habiller” ... But I AM currently dressed. Dressed, in fact, in an adorable - some may call “athleisure” others may call “socially acceptable pajamas” - yogi-mum, chai-drinking maman who stops by the bio (organic) marché for a quick breakfast after school drop-off and effortlessly throws her hair up into this magnificent pile on her head on the way chez médecin (to the doctor.) No, I haven’t done yoga today, nor do I plan on it; however I AM clearly dressed.
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Afterthoughts, 29 August 2018: My dear, dear doctor - whose office was directly across the street from our apartment- was kindly pumping me up to seize the day by walking 30 feet to my door to “get dressed,” so I could walk 60 feet back out of my door to pick up my medication at the pharmacist’s. According to his French eyes, my athletic attire signaled the fact that I had not taken the time to get dressed that day.
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I was quite familiar with the significance the French place on fabric and its multitudinous ways of being bodily displayed; however, this was my first personal, sartorial slam.
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While I did not, indeed, choose to take the detour home “to get dressed” on my way to the pharmacy on that particular day, I did grow to love and appreciate the expectation in France that one should be “dressed” (read: no yoga pants, athletic wear or the like) in public.
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For a French woman, “getting dressed” means a skirt, a simple dress, even jeans with a blouse, heels appreciated, minimal jewelry, little makeup and zero hair products. My takeaway? I feel more put together, sexier and I don’t have to fix my hair.
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No makeup, messy hair and fabulous clothes = Parfait!
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#effortlessstyle #effortlesschic #frenchfashion #mumstyle #frenchfashionblogger #mykarmakoma #expats #francophile #francophone #blogeusemode #frenchstagram #stylegoals #frenchgirls #flashesofdelight #madeincorsica #mompreneurs #fashionmom #beachfashion #prettydress
À Table Ensemble
15 North Boxwood Street,
Hampton, VA, 23669,
United States
libbyoroza@gmail.com
Hours

Elizabeth Leigh, 2018 | Designed by Grandview Collective