My Signature Pop of Red

How it started and how we incorporated it into Paris Every Day

My pop of red happened by accident. I have always been a photographer behind the camera, rarely in front of it. It may surprise you that I was camera-shy until I met my friend Katie Donnelly, who brought me out of my shell. She helped me feel more comfortable on the other side of the camera. It takes practice!

Now, I am photographed regularly for the blog, and I understand my angles and facial expressions better. That smile is too cheesy, or I look mad. How do I create a balance? It all took time.

Back in 2018, Katie and I had a shoot planned in Place Dauphine. The leaves had already turned at the start of November. I always scramble for something to wear and never decide until the last minute. While at Zara, I grabbed this coat while standing in the checkout line. It was a pure impulse buy at under 100 euros. Also, the last one on the rack. It turned out to be the perfect piece we needed for the shoot.

Seven years later, I still get asked about that coat. It turned out to be a great color on me, and we started weaving the pop of red into shoots—a red dress for my 40th birthday, followed by red shoes, a bag, and more.

We always try to incorporate a pop or red into our shoots.

Café Cover For Paris Every Day

This was the café we were leaning towards for the cover of Paris Every Day, but the lighting wasn’t perfect. My publishers and I planned a shoot in March for the cover, and we were hoping to use Café Bonaparte. We were sad to see that they still had the terrace covered in glass for the colder weather. It killed the idea, and we had to pivot.

When I was packing for Paris and deciding on an outfit, my publishers both stressed a pop of red. I already had the thought in my head, so I was thrilled they were on the same page. It made sense to wear a Sézane piece, a brand I have loved for years.

Paris Every Day

My publishers designed the back cover and spine and sent them over. Brooke Bell hit it out of the park with the spine. It is perfection, and now we have that pop of red continued on bookshelves and coffee tables all over the world.

Now the pop of red continues, and I couldn’t be happier!

Wearing the Alex Mill Sophia coat

Do you have a signature scent or color?