Developing Your Personal Style from Within

I have had a complicated relationship with style. I adore it, but for a long time I didn't feel like I was hitting the mark I wanted to hit. I would envy the style of others, or find myself trying too hard to emulate someone else's style rather than channeling my own personal style. I would scour Pinterest for looks that caught my eye and try to recreate them to a tee. I've been a victim of fast fashion, buying cheap because I simply wanted more options or, in the moment, something new and "exciting". I would often wear these items once and never again. On one occasion I went and bought a dress for a wedding reception hours before because I felt I had nothing to wear. My closet was completely full. I was disconnected from my personal style and wasting too much money and energy without actually feeling like the best version of me. 

What I know now is that it was never about the clothes. Clothes are one way to present your best self to the world, but in order to do that you have to be in touch with who you are. I didn't need to be jealous of another's style, but simply to admire their self awareness and confidence, striving to find those inside of myself. I didn't need to copy Pinterest, but rather use it as a tool for inspiration to find what I like, what I'm drawn to. And that fast fashion? I never felt better when I had more, and I quickly realized less would free me of the stress and spending so that I could style myself with happiness and confidence. Have I "hit the mark"? No. Because just like I talked about in my Wellness Wednesday post a few weeks ago, perfection isn't the goal. On her blog The Simply Luxurious Life, Shannon Ables recently posted 10 Tips to Evolve into Your Signature Style. Here's an excerpt from her post:

"Gradually add the items you need as you find what you love. Have patience and don't feel you have to look "perfect" each time you pull an outfit together. What makes it ideal is the woman who wears it. What is your mood, are you enthusiastic about what you are doing? Are you happy with the life you are living? Clothing is fun, but it is an accessory to the life we are building for ourselves." 

I love this quote because Shannon honors the value of a specially curated wardrobe that expresses the true you, yet she looks beyond the surface to the woman within. I recently read Classic Style by Kate Schelter where Kate echoes Shannon's sentiment. She explains her personal style evolution:

"My style was growing into a reflection of the person I was actually becoming as I followed my dreams."

(Click to view on Amazon)

Outward style comes after first taking the time to know yourself and courageously move in the direction of your dreams. When you feel like the best version of you, you are ready to reveal yourself to the world. 

What I have  come to discover and what I wanted to share with you today is that style is a ton of fun. It's good to want to dress in a way that makes you feel your best as you go out into the world. But the inner journey is, in my opinion, at the core of personal style. It is when you embrace who you truly are, let go of insecurities, stop comparing, and follow what speaks to your soul that a real personal style is developed. It is, like everything worth pursuing in life, a journey. 

(Click image for original source)

It all comes back to the unique and wonderful you. 

Warmest of wishes and a very happy Monday from me to you,

Packing for Paris: My Travel Beauty Routine

(Our bathroom at the beautiful Hotel Bellerive 

in Zermatt, Switzerland)

Recently, I have been working to fine tune my beauty routine, finding not only what works best for my skin but also products that are healthy (read more on this here, here and here). When it was time to fill my dopp kit and cosmetic bag for Europe, it was incredibly important to me that I packed products that stuck to these standards (though as I've said before, I just do my best - there are no perfect products) and that would keep my skin feeling fresh  through several planes, trains and automobiles. Below, I will highlight what I brought and provide links in case you are interested in trying any of these products for yourself! Again, these opinions are honest and mine alone. 

Inside my Dopp kit:

⚜ACURE Facial Cleansing Gel (vegan and cruelty free): ACURE is a line that is easy to find at your local Target or Whole Foods. I had been using this particular cleanser for a while before heading on our trip so I knew it was one that worked well for me. It also comes in a convenient travel size, and because we chose not to check any luggage, adhering to TSA liquid regulations was incredibly important. What I love about this product: It has a nice fruity scent that isn't overpowering and leaves my skin feeling cleansed but not dry/taught as some cleansers can. It also does a great job of removing my makeup. 

⚜Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer (organic and cruelty free): While I like this product, it is the first of many healthy SPF moisturizers I want to try. I had already purchased this before our trip and the full size bottle meets TSA regulations. Because it works just fine for me and I don't want to be wasteful, I decided to continue to use it until I run out. Then I will try something new to see if I like it more. What I love about this product: I have incredibly oily skin and it is oil free so I don't feel greasy or shiny when I am wearing it. My make up also applies nicely on top. This is a mineral sunscreen (containing zinc oxide) meaning it acts as a shield and reflects the sun's rays away from the skin. What I am unsure about with this product: I don't love the scent. It isn't overly strong, but still not my favorite. In addition, it is fairly thick and takes some time to rub in completely (this can be true of mineral sunscreens in general). It does leave a white cast, but this is something I have gotten past as I also know that means my skin is being protected. If I find another healthy sunscreen I love I will report back! 

⚜Blissoma Peace Evening Calming Creme (vegan and cruelty free): This is the first product I purchased from Blissoma and it is still a favorite! And once again, the full size meets TSA guidelines. What I love about this product: It is made locally and honestly right here in St. Louis, MO. It is a light moisturizer that is easy to apply and blend, with an herbal scent that calms me into a peaceful night's sleep.  

⚜LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant Vanilla Lavender (all natural): I have tried several aluminum free deodorants but have found myself circling back to this. Because it comes in solid form, I didn't have to cram it into my liquid ziplock which was wonderful. I could easily pack the full size. What I love about this product: While this deodorant (as with all aluminum free deodorants) is not an antiperspirant, it does do a nice job of blocking odors and leaving a fresh scent throughout most of the day. I only have to reapply once at most. In addition, aluminum free deodorants prevent that pesky yellowing that can occur on whites with antiperspirants containing aluminum. And the smell! I am a sucker for anything lavender, and this is just delightful! 

⚜Davines All In One Milk Lotion (focus on sustainable beauty): I adore my hair salon, Thirteenth & Washington, and discovered Davines products there. This All In One Milk adds hydration and shine, detangles, and controls frizz. What I love about this product: It truly does all of those things AND smells awesome! 

⚜ACURE Organics Dry Shampoo, Brunette to Dark Hair (vegan and cruelty free): Back to ACURE. Before I found this powdered dry shampoo I was using an aerosol. The smell was always overwhelming and I hated breathing it in. I was also nervous about bringing an aerosol in my carry on. Already a fan of the ACURE brand, I opted to try this for travel. AND it didn't count as a liquid! Perfect for my carry on. What I love about this product: no smell, blends in well, and truly cuts down on oils on a day when I don't wash my hair. 

Inside my cosmetic bag:

⚜Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation (cruelty free and more): A long time Bare Minerals user, I am an Alima Pure convert. I love the way this applies and blends, and better yet, I love knowing that it's healthy! 

⚜Almay Clear Complexion Concealer (This one doesn't meet the standards of health beauty, but I continue to use it because it covers my acne and acne scars like no other and blends well with my mineral makeup.) 

⚜HAN Skincare Cosmetics Pressed Blush in Coral Candy (organic and cruelty free): I was on the hunt for a healthy blush and decided to try this. It is now an absolute favorite. The Coral Candy color provides a natural flush with just a hint of shimmer that I find doubles as a highlighter, illuminating my face. 

⚜Couleur Caramel Long Eyelashes Mascara in Brown (vegan, Qualité France): Smells amazing! I know that's weird to say about a mascara but it's true! 

⚜Couleur Caramel Eyebrow Pencil in Light Brown (vegan, Qualité France): I find if I do nothing else, filling in my brows defines my face and makes me feel more put together. 

⚜Couleur Caramel Creamy and Shiny Lipstick in Glossy True Red (vegan, Qualité France): I wore a red lip almost every day in Paris, and now I can't stop. I love the look of toned town, natural makeup with a pop of red! 

What I would add next time:

⚜Blissoma Refine Clay Renewal Treatment (vegan and cruelty free): I got this product as a part of this trial kit, and I love the way it detoxes and exfoliates my skin. I was really craving a mask like this on my trip, especially after airplane travel. 

⚜Blissoma Smooth A+ Correcting Serum (vegan and cruelty free): Also a part of the trial kit linked above, this has become one of my absolute favorite products. My skin is prone to acne and this oil-free, anti-inflammatory serum really helps when cystic acne appears (especially on my chin).  

Interested in reading more about travel beauty? Check out these posts from some of my favorites for even more product recommendations! 

Garance Dore's of Atelier Dore - Travel Beauty 

Rebecca Plotnick of Every Day Parisian - Travel Makeup Bag

Whether you are packing for one last summer vacation or dreaming of future travels, I hope you enjoyed today's post. :)

Warm wishes from me to you,

Wellness Wednesday (n°8): Taking Time for Reflection

(Sketch by me - finally back at it and it feels so good!)

Happy Wednesday, readers! With today's post, I'm going to change it up a bit. It's going to be less about me talking to you and more about you talking with yourself. Over the course of the last week I have been continuously pointed in the direction of self reflection. I have been presented with a variety of questions that are challenging me to get to know myself a little better, and to think about my life and how I want to live it. These are not questions with easy answers. In fact, there may not be one clear answer, and the answers may evolve as you grow and change. Today, I share these questions with you. I will be taking some time to think on these, mediate, journal... and I invite you to do the same. I hope they inspire you and motivate you as they have for me. :) 

⚜How do I want to feel?

⚜What is my spiritual purpose? 

⚜Am I being myself? Do I feel like me? 

⚜What do I surround myself with?

⚜Am I putting myself out there? Am I knocking on doors?

A special thanks to someone in my life and Kate Schelter, author of Classic Style, for providing these questions to ponder. 

Warm wishes from me to you, and happy reflection!

A Taste of France in STL: Nathaniel Reid Bakery

I was already out and about on this sunny Monday morning, so it made sense to make my way to Nathaniel Reid for fresh pastries and coffee. Not that I really needed an excuse other than the fact that right here in St. Louis, MO we have the great pleasure of enjoying delectable pastries from internationally recognized pastry chef Nathaniel Reid. 

(Nathaniel Reid Bakery, 11243 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122)

Reid is a graduate of Paris' Le Cordon Bleu. Talk about a Paris connection! In an interview with St. Louis' own Feast Magazine, he describes the design of the bakery, highlighting the windows that allow customers to watch the pastry chefs in action. He mentions the reward of seeing customer reactions as they enter the space, and I can attest to Reid's genuine joy in this as he personally came to the counter to wish me a good morning and thank me for coming in. 

Now to share what I picked up this morning. I was standing before the glorious case of delectables incredibly conflicted. Chocolate croissant or almond croissant? Then what should appear before my eyes but a chocolate almond croissant! The best of both worlds! I chose one of these beauties for today's breakfast and grabbed a traditional croissant for later (I think I'll use it to make a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch). And to share with my fiancé? A Ruby (raspberry tea, chocolate mousse, raspberries) which reminded me of the artfully made delicacies we saw behind the cases in Paris' very own pâtisseries just a few weeks ago. 

I rounded out my Parisian morning by pairing Nathaniel Reid's chocolate almond croissant with Lauren Collins' When in French, allowing myself to travel to France right in my own living room. This buttery, flaky, melt in your mouth croissant that was bursting with flavor transported me if only for a moment. :) 

You already know what I am going to say. If you are a fellow St. Louisan allez! Go to Nathaniel Reid bakery, right now if you can! But in all seriousness, we are very fortunate to have this wonderful treat, and I highly recommend a visit the next time you are out and about town and find yourself craving a little taste of France right here in STL. 

Warm wishes and bon appétit from me to you,

Passez une bonne semaine! Have a wonderful week!

⚜⚜⚜

Francophile Friday (n°7): Shopping in Paris from A to S

Sézane. Sept-Cinq. Sessùn. Sandro. All Parisian shopping favorites, and for good reason... and I find it fun that they all begin with S! I visited each of these shops on my recent trip to Paris and was just as charmed as I had imagined I would be. Today's Francophile Friday post features a few of my favorites: Sézane and Sept-Cinq. I will give you some background on these beautiful shops and take you inside, sharing my experiences and purchases! 

If you're a regular here at Fleur de St. Louis, you know I did my research before heading to my one of my favorite cities on earth. One resource I used that I can't recommend enough is The New Paris by Lindsey Tramuta. (I also had the chance to hear Lindsey speak and you can read more about that here.)

(Click the image to shop this book.)

Lindsey's section on new shopping and crafts features "unique Parisian brands...made with heart." Among these: Sézane and Sept-Cinq, of course! 

Sézane, France's premier online only brand, was founded by Morgane Sézalory in 2013. Here's a statement from the site describing the brand:

"When you order a Sézane piece, you are in effect, with one simple click, ordering unique designs directly from our finest workshops to your home. No shop, no intermediary."

You may be familiar with Sézane's collaboration with Madewell. Two of my favorite worlds colliding. Magic! Classic breton striped shirts embroidered with sweet little French phrases... what's not to love? And there was absolutely nothing not to love about L'Appartement Sézane located in Paris's 2nd arrondissement, the showroom where you can see and feel the items first hand, try on, and place orders. 

(Sézane, mon amour. 

Mes ballerines: Repetto)

L'Appartement Sézane's homey and elegant yet minimalist design truly makes it a gallery where the beautifully made, quality clothing and accessories shine. But be sure to stay up to date on seasonal collections and monthly "capsule" collections as favorite items go quickly! I ordered this adorable le baiser (the kiss) tee to commemorate a most romantic visit to Paris, but I was also admiring the beautiful shoes and lifestyle accessories. 

(Click image for its source and to shop Sézane!)

Another reason to love Sézane? Morgane Sézalory's story. Morgane is a self taught designer who started Sézane as a small business. In The New Paris, she tells Lindsey that "from the beginning, [her] goal was to find what made [her] happy and run with it professionally." I am always inspired by women who find a way to merge passion and career. When asked in an interview with Garance Doré what makes her designs "uniquely Parisian" she answers with the same attitude of passion and a constant quest for growth:

"I’ve never wanted Sézane to be defined with a specific style… Sézane is like a woman, it’s always evolving, it’s living."

 (A peek through the window of the beautiful L'Appartement Sézane)

⚜⚜⚜

Walk 15 minutes south into the 1st arrondissement and you will find Sept-Cinq nestled in the Forum des Halles, a métro station and shopping center. (Sept-Cinq also has a Pigalle location.) Lindsey gives some background on Sept-Cinq in The New Paris noting that it "began as a bonafide business-school project for Lorna Moquet and Audrey Gallier [and] became a bonafide entrepreneurial venture after graduation." This boutique offers a beautiful collection of small home items, stationary, shoes, and accessories. It also doubles as a salon de thé where you can enjoy tea or coffee alongside a delectable treat. 

Other guides that mention Sept-Cinq:

      

In 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go, Marcia DeSanctis credits her discovery of Sept-Cinq to a friend with a "brilliant eye". In Parisian Chic City Guide, Ines de la Fressange refers to it as "the quintessence of the city". With reviews like these, I absolutely had to check it out! 

Even with these glowing recommendations, I wandered to Sept-Cing on a sunny Sunday afternoon not truly knowing what to expect. What I discovered was an unbelievable treat! 

Enter the Forum des Halles location of Sept-Cinq. To your right, you are overwhelmed with a beautifully curated boutique. To your left, you are welcomed by a charming salon de thé. I instantly fell in love, and what was meant to be one stop on my afternoon of wandering turned into my afternoon. 

(Inside Sept-Cinq)

A creator of stationary myself, I spent much of my time admiring the beautiful cards, prints and books. I was tickled to spot this Paris poster by Garance Doré that I've had my eye on. Wandering through the boutique, I was pulled in by the soft touch and creative prints of these Meilleur Ami foulards de soie (silk scarves). While it was the Brooklyn that initially caught my eye, it was this version dotted with mini croissants that stole my heart. Zoé, one of the sales girls, showed me all of the ways the scarf could be worn: infinity, tied around the neck, as a headband... you can see another use I discovered below.

(My Meilleur Ami scarf dresses up this cognac tote beautifully.)

Heading to the register with my scarf and a few postcards for friends, I also spotted a small map intended for those discovering Paris alone. It seemed very fitting for my solo outing, so I added one to my stack. Zoé was also kind enough to open a Citix60 Paris guide for me to peruse while I enjoyed a goûter in the salon de thé. I ended up grabbing that, too, before I left...

      

After meeting Zoé in the boutique, I met Capucine in the salon de thé. I ordered a café filtre (a traditional drip coffee, the first I had seen in Paris) and she suggested the raspberry vanilla cake. It didn't take much to sell me on that!

There I sat, for about an hour, using the Citix60 Paris guide to add to the Paris list in my bullet journal and writing postcards to friends. Capucine even stopped by my table, intrigued by my journal, and provided me with a lovely opportunity to practice my French. We talked travel and exchanged contact information. I hope to be in touch with her again soon! It was a wonderful solo outing in Paris indeed. 

Considering this one Francophile Friday post only got me through describing TWO of my favorite Parisian spots, you know there is a lot more where that came from. I cannot wait to continue to share my Paris favorites and memories with you. Until then, enjoy a beautiful weekend!

Warm wishes and happy shopping (in Paris or wherever you are) from me to you,

Wellness Wednesday (n°7): Perfection

The word perfection has been coming up a lot in my life lately, and I wanted to take some time to explore this idea of perfection here on the blog today in terms of our wellness and happiness. 

Tony and I spent the last 7 days of our European travels with my Italian family. You can read more about my connection with them that began 5 years ago here. At a few points during our dinner conversations, we were reflecting on the last 5 years and what has changed. The strength of our relationship? Still as strong as ever. The height of my now 14 year old Italian sister? Major change! Me? It turns out some change had occurred here, too. 

My Italian mother and father pointed it out. They reminded me of how I was 5 years ago, wanting everything just so from my clothes, to my hair, to my makeup, to my life. Of course they loved me for who I was then, but I could tell that they saw more genuine happiness in who I am now. They noted that I was more at ease, less concerned with every detail, and a lot more go with the flow. This is when my Italian mom shared some beautiful advice:

"You don't always need to be perfect. Real life is better."

How right she is. I have enjoyed my life more since I started to gain comfort with the unknown, embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, focus on being truly me rather than someone I thought I should be. I was pondering this on our journey home while catching up on missed episodes of the Simple Sophisticate podcast. It always amazes me how much life speaks to you when you are ready to hear it. Echoing the words of my Italian mom, Shannon shared the following in regards to The Simply Luxurious Life:

"It may appear that life is happy and joyful all the time. It's pretty amazing, I'll give you that. But it didn't come without taking risks, it didn't come without a lot of uncertainty and doubt, but what it did involve is taking steps forward in the direction based on my self knowledge... I've learned to let go of the perfect. That has been liberating. Beyond liberating." 

(The Simple Sophisticate Ep. 161)

She references social media when she says this. And social media makes it harder to let go of perfection. I'll admit I have looked through some of my favorite accounts and thought, "Wow! What a wonderful life she has. If only I could have that." I am ever grateful for one of the most inspirational bloggers I have discovered, Rebecca Plotnick of Every Day Parisian, for tackling this topic just this week. I told you, when you are ready to hear it life has a funny way of communicating with you. In her post In Real Life, I am not Perfect, she shares the following:

"This weekend a friend told me that I sell "perfect" between Instagram and my photography that I sell. That really struck a chord with me because I am far from perfect. Lately, I have been doing a lot of reflecting and I am frustrated. My life doesn't fit into a tiny square box or a rectangle. My life is complicated and far from Instagram perfect. I never want to put out "perfect" in the world because "perfect" isn't real."

I completely relate. Like all of us, Rebecca is not perfect. What she is doing, much like Shannon does, is making it her life mission to find authentic (not perfect) contentedness by listening to her heart and following her dreams. With the inspiration of these women, this is the path I am on, too. It's real. At moments I am scared. At moments I experience doubt. I worry about what others think of me. It isn't perfect. But it is right in that it is me. Truly me. 

Look up perfect in the dictionary: 

(adj) having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.

(verb) make (something) completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible.

"As good as it is possible to be." "As close to such condition as possible." Even the definitions suggest perfection doesn't exist. As I've said from the beginning of Fleur de St. Louis, my mission is to encourage others to commence (begin), to be OK with imperfections, and to embrace opportunities for continuous growth. I continue to live by this mission and I hope that when you come to the Fleur de St. Louis community you feel that. We all face challenges in our lives, and I want this to be a place where those challenges aren't something we push aside but rather something we work through, learn from, and grow from as we seek not perfection but genuineness in who we are. 

Warm wishes to you as you honor your authentic self,

PS: Couldn't get the fonts to match up in this post but in the spirit of its content I decided to let it go. :) 

Allora: A "Master of None" Tour of Modena, Italy

(Credit to Tony for most of the photos in this post.)

We are Master of None fans around here. Aziz Ansari and Alex Yang's Netflix original series is at the top of our list when it comes to winding down in the evenings. We especially love the beginning of season 2 when Dev (Aziz Ansari's character) is living abroad in Italy, most of which is set in Modena. 

I am familiar with Modena as it is just over 10 miles away from the home of my Italian family in Carpi, Italy. To give a little background on my connection to this family, I was fortunate to do a summer teach abroad in Italy in 2012. Alexandro, Chiara and Valeria welcomed me into their home and quickly became an important part of my life. Last summer, Tony and I hosted Valeria in St. Louis. This summer, we spent a week of our European adventure in their home. With Modena just a 13 minute train ride away, we knew we wanted to seize the chance to experience the city, Master of None style of course! 

This article was incredibly helpful in making this experience a reality. While it says you won't find most of what you saw on the show, we had a very enjoyable day walking in Dev and Francesca's (played by Alessandra Mastronardi) shoes.

From the train station, we made our way through Piazza Grande into the heart of old Modena. Just like Dev, our first stop was Bar Cappucino Da Angiolina where we grabbed due caffè and a croissant before hitting Mercato Albinelli. Dev takes Arnold (played by Eric Wareheim) here in episode 2. This is a market hall with fresh fish, meats, produce and pastries. We continued to snack our way through Modena, savoring meringues and crostata con ciliegia (cherry crostata).

After that, we stepped outside to grab a sandwich (for Tony) and un caffè (for me) at Bar Schiavoni, another spot that Dev and Arnold delight in together. As Dev and Arnold sing, "eating in Italy is my favorite thing" so when in Italy... 

 (Mercato Albinelli)

(Bar Schiavoni - Can you find us?)

Next, we journeyed to check out Menomoka. It is here that Dev and Francesca meet for coffee with friends and discuss the frequent use of the word allora in Italy. This is absolutely true. We heard it all the time! 

via GIPHY

We sat at the exact table that was used for filming, though it wasn't in the exact spot, for more coffee and another croissant. We even had the same server that they have in the show! 

(Menomoka)

Exiting Menomoka, we crossed the street to see Piazza San Francesco and stand where Dev and Francesca stood. This photo is just for fun... I took one of Tony, he took one of me, and allora... here are the results:

(Piazza San Francesco)

A walk along Via Canolino where Dev can be seen riding his bike was just the break we needed before drinks at Archer (where Dev takes Sara after lunch in episode 1).  And finally, we had to see L’Accademia Militare di Modena, in Piazza Roma before finishing the outing with a cold gelato treat. 

For Tony and I, Modena did not disappoint, and watching the episodes again after experiencing the places in real life has been a ton of fun. If you're ever in northern Italy, a Master of None tour could be the prefect way for you to visit Modena, too! 

Allora... that's all for now! I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you ever travelled in Italy? Which cities are your favorites to visit? I would love to know in the comments! 

Ciao for now and

warm wishes from me to you,