The faded painted sign above reads “Cafe de la Mairie”. (photo taken in Visan) I am pairing today’s story–which takes place at fashion school–with window fashion. Enjoy the colorful scenes that decorate this edition and please consider forwarding it to a friend.
un en-cas (or encas, pronounced “on-kah”)
: snack
French definition:
Repas léger en cas de besoin. Light meal in case of need.
Other ways to say snack in French: un goûter, un casse-croûte, une collation, and “quatre-heures” (for the four o’clock snack kids eat, often after school)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Jackie and I arrived half an hour early for her second stage of the year, in the town of Six-Fours-les-Plages. Her first internship (in St Cyr, last fall) was at an optical shop, but this second experience is more in line with her career goals: she hopes to work in the fashion industry. Specifically, she dreams of being a styliste personnelle for the stars.
Standing in the hall at the lycée professionnel, I keep my 15-year-old company as we wait for class to begin. To pass the time we study our surroundings. Near the entrance there is a bald mannequin dressed in a red and black flamenco skirt. On the walls pictures of runway shows feature futuristic outfits the students have created. In another frame, outside the secretaries’ office, there is a delicately beaded handkerchief, something my grandmother might have made.
Like fallen beads, a nostalgic instant is dispersed when a teacher in horn-rimmed glasses bustles by us. Her arms are hugging a collection of dummy heads. It is amusing to watch as the collective heads of hair are further dishevelled by the purposeful gait of the hurried teacher, who disappears into a room full of hairdryers and sinks.
Returning my gaze to our immediate surroundings, I wonder if one of those wild-haired wigs is destined for the flamenco dancer? Qui sait? My attention turns now to all the French teenagers huddled in groups, waiting for the class bell to ring. They are wearing tight or flouncy skirts, leggings or baggy pants, inch-thick eyeliner or none at all, leaving me as much in the fashion dust today as I was at their age.
Curious, I look to see what Jackie is wearing. She has on her favorite T-shirt: all white with a large impression of the rapper Eminem. Over this, she’s wearing a classic button-down jean shirt she’s swiped from my closet. Wrapped around her neck there is a thick crocheted scarf in army green. She’s got on her low-riding jeans and red Keds (or the French equivalent of red Keds, whatever that is). Overall, Jackie’s outfit is a study in contrasts and it would take confidence to mix so many different styles.
Speaking of self-assurance, how would my daughter do during lunch hour? I remember how uncomfortable I felt as the new kid at school during lunchtime, when I would buy a sandwich in the cafeteria only to steal outside to hide on the outer limits of the dining hall, opposite the parking lot, where all the freaks hung out (the jocks were congregating with the cheerleaders at the picnic tables, and the artsy types seemed to go home for lunch to restyle themselves).
In case Jackie couldn’t find a friend to eat with, I packed her a trusty en-cas, something she could quickly consume in between classes. By the way, I hoped she would last until lunch… and not get hungry during the long morning session…. I remember suffering humiliation when my stomach cried out during quiz time. At a time when only scratching pencils could be heard, there would be those condemning gargouillements coming from beneath my desk!
In a room full of French language majors this was embarrassing enough, but for my daughter, who would spend the morning in a room full of fashionistas, a squawking stomach could really cramp her style!
***
Comments or corrections welcome here.
French Vocabulary
styliste personnelle = fashion consultant
un stage = internship, training program
lycée professionnel = vocational school, trade school
qui sait? = Who knows
Window in Gigondas
Beaded curtains and a little house on the sill.
In theme with Easter… a beloved window in Gigondas
In window accoutrements we have this stylish “echo window” with a rooster.
A favorite window in Caromb. To comment on any item in this edition, click here.
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good morning from snowy Chicago —
question: the rooster, I assume, is sitting in a niche that would have been home to a religious statue of some sort?
Best of luck to Jackie as she prepares to weave and follow her fashion dreams .
good morning from snowy Chicago —
question: the rooster, I assume, is sitting in a niche that would have been home to a religious statue of some sort?
Best of luck to Jackie as she prepares to weave and follow her fashion dreams .
Good luck to Jackie on fulfilling her dream. It sounds like she is practising her fashion sense, something I don’t have (as my wife would say “You’re not wearing THAT again, are you?”). I was amazed the other day when I was at the mall and walked by a shoe store to see tennis shoes in all the colors of the rainbow and beyond. (We had a great dinner with M. Sac aka J-M on Friday night at 128 Cafe. Hi to Linda and Jean-Luc, Sandy and her friend, and Glen in St.Paul.)
Good luck to Jackie on fulfilling her dream. It sounds like she is practising her fashion sense, something I don’t have (as my wife would say “You’re not wearing THAT again, are you?”). I was amazed the other day when I was at the mall and walked by a shoe store to see tennis shoes in all the colors of the rainbow and beyond. (We had a great dinner with M. Sac aka J-M on Friday night at 128 Cafe. Hi to Linda and Jean-Luc, Sandy and her friend, and Glen in St.Paul.)
” discheveled ” – it’s spelled “disheveled”
” discheveled ” – it’s spelled “disheveled”
I have a wonderful photo of that same window and fountain in Caromb which I selected for enlarging and printing just last night! We return to Provence a week from tomorrow, so this seemed like a little message of “Welcome back.” Thanks to you for recording this shared memory of a lovely spot. And best of luck to Jackie as she follows her dream!
I have a wonderful photo of that same window and fountain in Caromb which I selected for enlarging and printing just last night! We return to Provence a week from tomorrow, so this seemed like a little message of “Welcome back.” Thanks to you for recording this shared memory of a lovely spot. And best of luck to Jackie as she follows her dream!
Darling Kristi,
I like to think that Jackie wore her red tennis shoes in honor of me. If I remember correctly Heidi gave me my red hi-tops about 10 years ago, I still wear them when I travel, they match my red “Freda” cape. The magic outfit that seems to get me bumped up to first class when I visit France. What a lucky girl Jackie is to have you in her corner for life. I love you Honey – thanks for always keeping me in the loop of your life.
XOXO
MOM
Darling Kristi,
I like to think that Jackie wore her red tennis shoes in honor of me. If I remember correctly Heidi gave me my red hi-tops about 10 years ago, I still wear them when I travel, they match my red “Freda” cape. The magic outfit that seems to get me bumped up to first class when I visit France. What a lucky girl Jackie is to have you in her corner for life. I love you Honey – thanks for always keeping me in the loop of your life.
XOXO
MOM
Love, love the windows! They are so creative. Wish I had windowsills with enough space for pots and plants. Jackie’s ambition to work in fashion was my childhood dream too. I wanted to design costumes for Hollywood movies. I attended Parsons School of Design in NYC, but after one year of classes I realized I was not cut out for that competitive life. Life has a way of steering you in the right direction, as I worked more on my joy of drawing and painting and achieved a comfortable degree of success. Much good wishes for success to Jackie. You go, girl!! Lee Mears
Love, love the windows! They are so creative. Wish I had windowsills with enough space for pots and plants. Jackie’s ambition to work in fashion was my childhood dream too. I wanted to design costumes for Hollywood movies. I attended Parsons School of Design in NYC, but after one year of classes I realized I was not cut out for that competitive life. Life has a way of steering you in the right direction, as I worked more on my joy of drawing and painting and achieved a comfortable degree of success. Much good wishes for success to Jackie. You go, girl!! Lee Mears
What great photos always. now you can tell that jackie has picked up some of her style from the ever fab Jules.
Since the internet is everywhere there is Project Runway on Lifetime tv hosted by Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia of Marie-Claire. Students creating new looks weekly. And on Bravo tv there is The Rachel Zoe project. She is the most famous of all the stylist and now designs her own clothing line. The Paris shows.
What great photos always. now you can tell that jackie has picked up some of her style from the ever fab Jules.
Since the internet is everywhere there is Project Runway on Lifetime tv hosted by Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia of Marie-Claire. Students creating new looks weekly. And on Bravo tv there is The Rachel Zoe project. She is the most famous of all the stylist and now designs her own clothing line. The Paris shows.
Those windows have such personality! Do you ever see anyone peeping out from behind the lace curtains? Thanks for taking us along for a morning at Jackie’s fashion school. The very best of luck to you, Jackie!!
Those windows have such personality! Do you ever see anyone peeping out from behind the lace curtains? Thanks for taking us along for a morning at Jackie’s fashion school. The very best of luck to you, Jackie!!
I’m not much into fashion, but all the best to Jackie.
I love window pictures, paintings and photos, and the ones you’ve shown are lovely, so inviting.
I’m not much into fashion, but all the best to Jackie.
I love window pictures, paintings and photos, and the ones you’ve shown are lovely, so inviting.
Kristen, Love the window photos! I am always intrigued by photos of windows, doors and pathways … entrances to new possibilities. All the best to Jackie on imagining and pursuing her dream! As always, thanks for sharing.
Kristen, Love the window photos! I am always intrigued by photos of windows, doors and pathways … entrances to new possibilities. All the best to Jackie on imagining and pursuing her dream! As always, thanks for sharing.
I love the fact that the French seem to always have a phrase for our one word comments !
I ,too, love the window photos (a good lesson in always look up when on a photographing mission !).
All the best to Jackie on her future dreams
I love the fact that the French seem to always have a phrase for our one word comments !
I ,too, love the window photos (a good lesson in always look up when on a photographing mission !).
All the best to Jackie on her future dreams
Creativity can be expressed in many ways. You do yours with words & photos; j-m with terroir, vines & fermentation; your Mom with fashion & paints. Jackie will find her medium because of the open encouraging atmosphere that has reared her.
Creativity can be expressed in many ways. You do yours with words & photos; j-m with terroir, vines & fermentation; your Mom with fashion & paints. Jackie will find her medium because of the open encouraging atmosphere that has reared her.
Hi Kristin,
I always loved the European windows with their wide sills, little lacy curtains and flowers!
Good luck to Jackie! Does she ever see any of the stylist to the star shows that are shown here in the U.S.? I think they are shown on the Bravo channel. There is one called Rachel Zoe Project. http://www.bravotv.com/the-rachel-zoe-project
I love to think of your Mom with her red shoes and cape! I wanted to let her know that I am seeing a Frida & Diego exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta when I visit my Mom in April! I will think of Jules!
Hi Kristin,
I always loved the European windows with their wide sills, little lacy curtains and flowers!
Good luck to Jackie! Does she ever see any of the stylist to the star shows that are shown here in the U.S.? I think they are shown on the Bravo channel. There is one called Rachel Zoe Project. http://www.bravotv.com/the-rachel-zoe-project
I love to think of your Mom with her red shoes and cape! I wanted to let her know that I am seeing a Frida & Diego exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta when I visit my Mom in April! I will think of Jules!
My younger daughter is like Jackie. I don’t have a clue how they are able to assemble an attractive ensemble from such disparate elements–scarves, belts, shoes, etc. Then again, I’m a clueless Dad. On a different subject, a shout-out back to Bill in St. Paul, whom I met in person for the first time at the wine dinner last Friday. The internet is a strange and wonderful place, the geography of which providing a meeting ground that on occasion can instigate an actual person-to-person encounter. And with fine wine to boot.
My younger daughter is like Jackie. I don’t have a clue how they are able to assemble an attractive ensemble from such disparate elements–scarves, belts, shoes, etc. Then again, I’m a clueless Dad. On a different subject, a shout-out back to Bill in St. Paul, whom I met in person for the first time at the wine dinner last Friday. The internet is a strange and wonderful place, the geography of which providing a meeting ground that on occasion can instigate an actual person-to-person encounter. And with fine wine to boot.
Bonjour Kristin!
I so enjoy the everyday stories you write as well the delightful pics you share! Best wishes to Jackie as she persues her dreams!
We look forward to dinner tomorrow night at Ammo with Jean-Marc!
Bonjour Kristin!
I so enjoy the everyday stories you write as well the delightful pics you share! Best wishes to Jackie as she persues her dreams!
We look forward to dinner tomorrow night at Ammo with Jean-Marc!
Bonjour from snowy St. Louis. I just finished clearing a foot of snow off my car (and I mean that literally) and brushing snow off trees and bushes so they don’t break under the weight. Happy Spring!
Bonne chance to Jackie. It’s great that French students get these opportunities while still in high school. My son was not the sort who wanted a four year college, but in the US today they rarely prepare students for any options but to go to college and get an office job. We’ve tried to help him find an option after he finished high school, but it’s difficult. He’s working and supporting himself, but in a job with no future. He sort of lost momentum, but we have faith he’ll find his way.
And as for your doubt about your own fashion sense, it must be better than you think if you fashionista daughter is raiding your closet.
Bonjour from snowy St. Louis. I just finished clearing a foot of snow off my car (and I mean that literally) and brushing snow off trees and bushes so they don’t break under the weight. Happy Spring!
Bonne chance to Jackie. It’s great that French students get these opportunities while still in high school. My son was not the sort who wanted a four year college, but in the US today they rarely prepare students for any options but to go to college and get an office job. We’ve tried to help him find an option after he finished high school, but it’s difficult. He’s working and supporting himself, but in a job with no future. He sort of lost momentum, but we have faith he’ll find his way.
And as for your doubt about your own fashion sense, it must be better than you think if you fashionista daughter is raiding your closet.
I, too, noted the misspelling “discheveled” instead of “disheveled”. I grabbed my dictionary to check before sending the correction, and was delighted to see the etymology of the word. It actually is from messy hair! Perfect!
I, too, noted the misspelling “discheveled” instead of “disheveled”. I grabbed my dictionary to check before sending the correction, and was delighted to see the etymology of the word. It actually is from messy hair! Perfect!
It’s so great to see that Jackie has people all over the world cheering her on. There is such a wave of good will. I hope that gives her a little secret smile from time to time.
the ‘windows’ metaphor was a great one for today! looking inward, looking outward. and there’s a whole lot of personal style in each of those windows! ‘window dressing’ indeed.
I’m looking forward to seeing j-m in Seattle on Friday!
It’s so great to see that Jackie has people all over the world cheering her on. There is such a wave of good will. I hope that gives her a little secret smile from time to time.
the ‘windows’ metaphor was a great one for today! looking inward, looking outward. and there’s a whole lot of personal style in each of those windows! ‘window dressing’ indeed.
I’m looking forward to seeing j-m in Seattle on Friday!
Surely Jackie is not “testy”, which means “easily irritable, impatient and somewhat bad-tempered”!
outer limits, not outter limits
Surely Jackie is not “testy”, which means “easily irritable, impatient and somewhat bad-tempered”!
outer limits, not outter limits
Back now, with Jackie, who is reconsidering a future in fashion… if it means having to take a sewing class! The girls at school welcomed her, but a few of them said they wanted out and that fashion school was not what they imagined it to be. This got Jackie doubting… Which led to another pep talk on the way home.
Allen, you are right, I do not mean testy. I thought I meant strongwilled, but now that I have looked up that one, it does not suit Jackie either. She is stubborn, and I am hoping this will work for her… to test herself and prove to herself she can set her mind to something and accomplish her goals.
I really appreciate your comments. Thank you! So good to read about the wine meet-up and new friends, too!
Back now, with Jackie, who is reconsidering a future in fashion… if it means having to take a sewing class! The girls at school welcomed her, but a few of them said they wanted out and that fashion school was not what they imagined it to be. This got Jackie doubting… Which led to another pep talk on the way home.
Allen, you are right, I do not mean testy. I thought I meant strongwilled, but now that I have looked up that one, it does not suit Jackie either. She is stubborn, and I am hoping this will work for her… to test herself and prove to herself she can set her mind to something and accomplish her goals.
I really appreciate your comments. Thank you! So good to read about the wine meet-up and new friends, too!
Love this mornings post because a parent supporting her child’s dream is not always the case. Congratulations to you both – the courage to dream and explore the dream. Loved all the windows, shutters, etc. Very charming. Thank you.
Love this mornings post because a parent supporting her child’s dream is not always the case. Congratulations to you both – the courage to dream and explore the dream. Loved all the windows, shutters, etc. Very charming. Thank you.
It’s always a rude awakening to realize that you have to learn the basics in order to reach you goals. Hopefully Jackie will persist if this is what she really wants.
It’s always a rude awakening to realize that you have to learn the basics in order to reach you goals. Hopefully Jackie will persist if this is what she really wants.
Jackie will find her way in the world. she has great role models in both you and Jules. I wish her luck with whatever she chooses. The art world is not an easy place to break.
Love the photos and I also love the wide window sills where one can place flower pots, figurines or whatever you heart desires.
Kathleen
Jackie will find her way in the world. she has great role models in both you and Jules. I wish her luck with whatever she chooses. The art world is not an easy place to break.
Love the photos and I also love the wide window sills where one can place flower pots, figurines or whatever you heart desires.
Kathleen
Hi Kristin,
I love the photos of the windows —I think they are so creative and beautiful.
Good luck to Jackie ——she seems to be smart, and from her photos, she’s lovely. I think she just needs confidence —- like all of us!
Thanks for sharing your interesting day with us. I always look forward to your photos & stories.
Stay well!
Hi Kristin,
I love the photos of the windows —I think they are so creative and beautiful.
Good luck to Jackie ——she seems to be smart, and from her photos, she’s lovely. I think she just needs confidence —- like all of us!
Thanks for sharing your interesting day with us. I always look forward to your photos & stories.
Stay well!
How about the word “feisty” for Jackie?
How about the word “feisty” for Jackie?