It’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy and I’m sharing Relaxed French Inspired Decor and Food (as in the country outside Paris like in Provence and other parts…with a more relaxed vibe). It’s fun how these posts evolve weekly and this seemed to take on a French slant on it’s own!
$12 Flower Arrangement When You Can’t Get To Monceau Fleurs
Once a week when we lived in Paris, I would walk a few long blocks up to Monceau Fleurs for a reasonably priced, loose bouquet. It was a highlight for me.
But now I have Trader’s Joes and Publix for this little splurge!
In fact, when I recently put this $12 flower arrangement on my Instagram stories and tagged Publix, Publix asked if they could repost the images.
But they would not guarantee that they would credit @classiccasualhome. So I said no, thanks. What would you do?
Tip: Buy flowers all in the same shade and it’s easy and tasteful.
You may also like Planning A Paris Trip: Round-up Of Best Posts.
Flowers In A French Tureen On The Island
When the lid to the soup tureen that I bought at Flamant in Paris broke, I started using it as a planter. The orchid plants from the farmers market that I had here lasted a long time but…
I replaced them with these potted flowers from Trader Joe’s.
Cookbook Howard Loves: Mostly French: Recipes from a Kitchen in Provence (A Cookbook)
Annie recommended this book on her blog and I bought it for Howard for his birthday last month. I’m glad I did as it’s been great inspiration.
“From the young American woman who bought Julia Child’s home in the South of France sight-unseen, Mostly French is a love letter to the food and place; it is lushly photographed, filled with more than 100 modern recipes, and for anyone who loves France and Julia Child.”
What To Cook: Clam Chowder With With Beans From “Mostly French”
This is such a delicious dish! It is more of a flavorful clam soup and the beans make it a little creamier and heartier.
Here’s the recipe here but I do encourage you to buy the book. I loved the photos and stories. Like of when the author, Makenna Held, first tried fleur du sel in southern France as an exchange student.
Beans And Clams Chowder From “Mostly French”
Ingredients
- 4 oz pancetta cut into 1/2" by 2" strips or buy it at the grocery store already diced
- vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 stalks celery cut 1/4" thick on the bias leaves reserved
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 20-24 little neck clams. well scrubbed under cold running water
- 2 14 oz cans white beans, 1 drained and 1 with liquid
- 1 tbs minced fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried
- finely grated zest of one lemon
- 2 scallions, white and light green parts, finely sliced on the bias
- freshly ground black pepper
- flaky salt
Instructions
- Put the pancetta and a small glug of oil in a large saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is browned (it does not have to be crisp), about 5 minutes, Stir in the onion, celery, and garlic. Increase the heat slightly and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the wine and increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits in the pot with a wooden spatula. Add the clams, cover and cook, occasionally shaking the pot, until the clams have opened, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain 1 can of the beans and add to the pot. Add the second can of beans with their liquid and the thyme. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Cover, remove from the heat, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
- Ladle the soup and clams into bowls. Garnish each with a few pinches of lemon zest, a sprinkle of scallions, a few grinds of pepper and some flaky salt. Serve hot with the crostini (toasted French bread slices drizzled with olive oil).
Cute Casual French Inspired Things At Anthropologie
I was just in the Anthropologie store on Tuesday…I may order this cute melamine tray ($22) to use outside. It’s a line by Natalie Lete with a Provencal feel.
Since Howard retired and does all the cooking (he says it’s relaxing)…I am the dish washer.
And I think the kitchen help’s morale would improve with a couple of Anthro these dish towels! Or maybe even just one?
Déjeuner In Provence Outfit
Here is an easy, comfortable outfit that would pack well. We will be in Europe (Spain and France) in September so I’ve got that on the brain
Tuckernuck Silk Scarf • Jersey midi dress from Boden (packable and 15% off with code 9WWJ) • bracelet • Woven shoulder bag • Mary Jane flats
Annie and Brent’s French Shop Most Lovely Things
The husband and wife dynamic French vintage finds duo is just back from France. Their shop Our French Finds (Instagram) will be opening again soon. I personally cannot wait.
Based on Annie’s Sunday Faves post, Howard, Mercedes, Mark and I are going to Lyon in September Read: Five top things to see in Lyon, France.
And those are my Relaxed French Inspired Decor and Food ideas.
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Mary Ann, I do not understand why Publix wouldn’t credit you? Oh well, their loss. Your flowers are lovely. I love the French flower shops. When we are in Paris visiting friends we stop by one and have an arrangement made before we head to their house for an aperitif then out to dinner. The florists are amazing and always put together the most beautiful bouquets.
I cannot wait to see Annies French finds! I love cornichon and have one of those little forks! Truth be told I never can find it when I want to have a few of these little pickles.
I am sure that you will have a wonderful adventure in Lyon and all of the other places you will stop at along the way.
Have a great week.
Howard’s dishes are always so delicious – I think I’ve tried every one you’ve posted. Just printed the Beans & Clam Chowder recipe and can’t wait to make it. And I love your idea to use a soup tureen as a planter. I have one I don’t use very often and now I’m motivated to pull it out of the cupboard and fill it with TJ plants! I smiled when I read in the comments that your recent art purchase was from Laguna Beach. I thought it looked familiar – we live in Idaho now but lived in Laguna for 13 years and I have a number of oil paintings I picked up at the Sawdust Festival over the years. They are wonderful reminders of a beautiful area.
I’m going to tell Howard you said that Cynthia! And yes that painting was from the Sawdust festival too!!
Beautiful post thank you Mary Ann. I took my daughter to France with my best friend and her daughter, two thirteen year old girls running around Versailles terrace garden. Watching their eyes as they looked up at the ceilings! Bliss!!
Love your soup tureen idea.
Oh that DOES sound blissful!!
Love France, haven’t been in 15 years and I’m definitely planning a trip soon!
I always pick up soup tureens from the local thrift store and use them for tabletop settings, gifts (filled with bottles, jams, plants, whatever) They are so versatile!
I also NEED a cornichon fork! My neighbor and I like to share our esoteric kitchen items, this will thrill him 🙂
Love the blog xoxo
Aren’t soup tureens so great? I have another that I just use on the dining room table as decoration.
What a beautiful post. I usually find cooking relaxing, I enjoy it. I would have said no also. It wasn’t the flowers they were interested in, it was the beautiful setting you created for them.🙂
Such a kind thing to say, Rita 🙂
Love your French inspired theme today! And I ordered the cookbook from your link. Can’t wait to get my hands on it. xo
You will get inspired, Juliet!
Love this edition! You’re so inspiring! I like your dining table— source, please. Thanks for sharing your home with us.
It’s well made from Crate & Barrel: https://rstyle.me/+VwnibIHT96bvHQM0pgS5rw
Mary Ann, I am listening to my favourite Carla Bruni cd with my coffee, croissant ( local bakery …L’illette) as I read your post. Otherwise it could be Putumayo cd Paris …C’est parfait! I was lusting after the Boden embroidered linen tops, when going on their site to see that black dress. Cannot…! editing is what I need to do, not accumulate, as beautiful as they are. Lyon was the starting point of a cruise on the Rhone in April 2019. Such a beautiful place with amazing food…and the murals are fantastic. “My ship came in…” Uniworld SSCatherine…and we set off south. The first of five cruises I have since enjoyed with that line , which I highly recommend. I have collected several linen dish towels from my travels, and since recently moving rediscovered them, washing a few to finally use. Such lovely memories from a utilitarian thing.
Wow…what a dreamy image…I would love a fresh croissant right now. I don’t know about Putumayo Paris…I will look for it.
We got dish towels in Portugal and have used them like crazy!
Ohhhh this was a fun post! I wish I were heading to Lyon! I can’t wait to hear about Annie’s trip!
Just returned from Paris trip with my daughter and 2 young granddaughters. One of the little girls ordered escargot and love it!
You all will remember that forever!
Mary Ann,
Would you be willing to post the source of your dining room art? I have a blank dining room wall and I’m just not sure how to add art to. I like the way way you combine art with different styles and frames. Whenever I start I always end up feeling intimidated.
Sure Liz, but I will say it’s taken 20 years to collect and they are from different places we lived or visited. The newest one of the ocean was from Laguna Beach when we visited our cousin for his birthday.
Love me a French theme!
ps: I agree, why allow a re-post of your *work* without payment or credit? comme c’est impoli!
Merci beaucoup, Chris!
Mary Ann! I am loving your French-inspired post! I always think your flowers have a French flair. Why would Publix not want to credit you? That’s nuts! Your clam chowder with beans from Mostly French looks delicious! You are going to enjoy Lyon! So much good food and wine!
Thank you, Mary Ann, for mentioning my shop! We found so many beautiful things. Everything is washed, now we need to photograph and list!
Love your outfit of the week! That bracelet from Sezane!
xx
annie