Weekend Notes From A Francophile #4

The dinner I can't stop thinking about, and the bag I am eyeing.

Grab your coffee and croissants and join me for weekend reading, links I love.

We have a busy weekend ahead with some personal events, so I am getting ahead on links and this newsletter early. It also gives me the excuse to dress up for the evening.

Chicago's weather was still cold this week, and we turned on the heat midweek. It feels very Parisian to complain about the weather. On Tuesday, it was cold and rainy, and the perfect weather for roast chicken.

This meal is simple to prepare and always a hit. For a side, I threw in potatoes at the bottom of my Staub Dutch oven, and removed them once the chicken was done cooking. I roasted the potatoes in the oven until they were crisp, and they were an instant home run. The extra chicken breast is now lunch leftovers, made into chicken salad with Greek yogurt that my husband has already requested I make again.

What I Did This Week

The Paris Guide 2026 version is coming along. It is being arranged by arrondissement for easy and quick access. I am loving how it looks, but as always, it is taking a lot longer than anticipated. If you have purchased The Paris Guide previously, I will send the updated version when it is complete.

I hosted a Substack chat with Janet Skeslien Charles for The Parisian Chapter. Thank you to all who joined. I will put the link to purchase her book here.

You may not know, I am a travel photographer as well as a blogger. I sell my photography of Paris on my own site and once a year, participate in the Wells Street Art Festival. I am in prep mode as we are one month away from show time. It is a weekend event in Chicago on June 13-14.

What We Watched This Week

I am still thinking about Paradise. My husband and I watched Season 1 last year, and it was on my mind for months afterward. Now we have finished Season 2. Season 3 is happening, and I cannot wait to see what comes next and how this show will finish.

In the same theme, we are backing watching Surface. It wasn’t easy to get into. I love the house and the architecture in San Francisco. I am a few episodes in, and now I need to know what happens next.

What Caught My Eye This Week

I have loved the brand Rue de Verneuil for a while and bought my first bag in January in Paris. They just launched a Palais Royal collection with the perfect Burgundy red, and I am drooling over it. Do I need it? No. Do I want it? Yes.

Two new releases from Away that are too good not to share. This was an immediate yes to order. It is a packing shelf/hanging closet, put everything in here while packing, and transfer to the closet in one step. Also, Away introduced a top-side larger carry-on. Instead of a middle zipper, you can access the top. They had this feature on the soft-sided luggage a while back, and I loved it; I just didn’t love the idea of soft luggage. The hard shell is much easier to wipe down and keep clean.

I ordered this striped shirt for colder mornings to pair with these navy pants. Henri loves to sit on the front steps in the early morning while I have a cup of coffee, and this is just perfect without being in my pajamas.

Tkees x Petite Plume flip flops are adorable. More stripes. I cannot get enough. Update: they are sold out on Tkees but available on Petit Plume. Ordered and sized up to a 9.

Chappy Wrap has new outdoor blankets for picnics, sporting events, and the beach. REBECCA15 gets you 15% off.

Sales That Are Happening Now

I have a Tata Harper code! Not a sale, but so thrilled to be working with them. I have been a fan for years. You can actually find this clean beauty brand in France at Oh My Cream and Bon Marché. REBECCA20 gets you 20% off as a new customer. The cleansing oil, resurfacing mask, and calming crème are my favorites. I just ordered the brightening eye gel to try.

At Home is running their Memorial Day Sale now with 25-50% off. Loving this scalloped patio umbrella. We need new lights, and these solar ones might be the right ones. I also noticed our Solo Stove is on sale. This saved us so much during lockdown. Perfect for summer.

Dermstore is 20% EltaMD. This is the sunscreen I use, and my dermatologist recommends. For my face, this is what I have in my bathroom and by my front door. I just ordered the daily hydration formula to try. Also, for the body, you need this. CODE SUN for 20% off.

J.Crew is 40% off until May 26th. Top picks include the Garçon linen shirt and the Tropez shorts. Dresses are 50% off through 5/18. The Margeaux blazer will be your summer hero if you don’t own it already.

Helix Mattresses are 25% off right now using the code MEMDAY25. We have the organic Birch one. I cannot tell you how much we LOVE our mattress. When we were out with friends recently, we found out they also had a Helix.

Nars Friends and Family sale is happening with up to 40% off with code FRIENDS. This includes their best-selling concealer, blush (this color is iconic), and lip gloss.

This Week’s Best Sellers

This week’s best sellers are here with two beautiful blue dresses, La Bonne Brosse brush, and a Ruggable rug.

*This post includes affiliate links. I make a small commission off of items purchased from my links. Merci!