In honour of Bastille Day this week’s FiFi Report is celebrating all things French.Vive la France!

Voila! The most hilarious tweets from King Karl. (He’s German but Chanel is French non?).

“I’m living my memoir, I don’t need to write it.”-KL

“With every book you buy you should buy the time to read it.”-KL

“If I could be reincarnated as a fashion accessory, it would be a shopping bag.” -KL

“I wear all these rings so I can fight off the beasts” KL

“If someone gives me a To-Do list, I say ʺThank you, this is nice.ʺ One needs things to throw in the wastebasket.” -KL

“I know how annoying, impossible and hard to please I can be. I wouldn’t recommend myself as a guest to anyone.”-KL

“The best things I’ve done in my life, I saw them in my sleep, this is why I have a sketch book in my bed.” -KL

“Princess Anne dresses like a man: I find that very chic “KL

“Fashion is about 2 things: the evolution & the opposite” KL

“Personality begins where comparison ends.”-KL

“Keep Karl and carry on .. ” KL

Read more at https://twitter.com/KarlLagerfeld ‏

Sweet Paris: A love affair with Parisian chocolate, pastries and desserts by Michael Paul (Author)

There are no calories when you devour this book….’Any Parisian will tell you that theirs is the city of romance, light and delicious sweets that are like no others on earth. Take your tastebuds on a tour of Paris in this sumptuous collection of sweet pastries, magnifique desserts and chocolates to die For. Michael Paul’s stunning photography captures the real ambience and joie de vivre of this remarkable city. Saunter past traditional pattiseries, sit with artists sipping chocolat chaud in Montmartre and savour the delights of the local chocolatier. With over 30 classic and modern recipes, from comforting pains au chocolate to irresistible macaroons, Sweet Paris is more than a cook book: it’s a sweet-toothed flaneur’s guide to Paris; a city where even the desserts are chic.’ Sumpteuse !

$33 Published: 1st April 2012 Hardie Grant from Booktopia.com.au

Living in Style: Paris ….by Reto Guntli and Caroline Sarkozy .

If you can’t get to Paris then you can drool over this book…’Paris is undeniably the most stylish and glamorous city in the world. With its rich and complex cultural past, it has become the creative cradle in interior design and French savoir faire. In Parisian interiors, designers have mixed the traditional with the unexpected and influences from other faraway places, creating a very unique Parisian style. Tucked behind the walls of the capital of refinement and romanticism, living quarters of exceptional and rare beauty await to be discovered.

This inspiring volume takes us on a tour of the French capital’s most notable dwellings. These luxurious living quarters will truly take your breath away! The décor ranges from classic to contemporary, with intriguing choices of furniture, finishes and materials.

Edited by renown interior designer Caroline Sarkozy and lavishly illustrated by master photographer Reto Guntli, this book opens the doors to the houses of Diane von Furstenberg, Lenny Kravitz, Jacques Grange, and many more.’ yes, please !

$41 teNeues; November 15, 2010 Amazon.com

It’s Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. I am a Francophile (  my nom de plume is FiFi !) so it’s time to celebrate all things French. Mais oui. May I say I have had le best time shopping - for you dear FiFi Report readers - for all things magnifique . Voila the top ten pieces for a wardrobe a la Francaise!. Oh la la, Vite,Vite ! time to shop. Bon chance!

TIP: All the links to the stores to buy everything toute suite are in rouge.

Petit Bateau Women’s summer pea jacket:
The first pitstop when you head to Paris? Petit Bateau: an institution in France. Simple, chic casual and mostly in lovely cotton. It can be tricky to find it here in Australia ( if anyone knows where to buy it let me know). Calmez vous! You can buy from the US Site (but they don’t ship to Australia so use PriceUSA.) I found this fabulous jacket. It’s a summer peacoat in navy. EET eees zo French non? Love the short style, the double breasted look. Love the cotton, it’s perfect for Australia. How chic over a stripe tee and chino! ….Mom Dieu: it’s on sale now $110 from $220. It may have left the building so be quick. If you can’t get it then the idea is to use this  jacket for inspiration: Cherie, it’s The One.  Wear with white tee and jeans. Ines de la Fressange will be proud of you. $110.

Repetto Ballet flats:
I’ve been talking about the concept of loafers being the new ballet flats. Yes, in fashion terms. At the end of the day Ballet flats are a classic. The chicest around? Repetto. They are the quintessential ballet shoe. Understated chic non?  You could go for Black or red, brown. Love how it’s styled on the net a porter with a floral dress. Wearing flats with a dress when you are height challenged is tricky. Especially when you are croissants challenged every day as well. Love with jeans and chinos. The perfect travel shoe.  They are quality, darling, quality. Buy here at net aporter. £137.50.

Country Road Stripe T-Shirt:
So this brings us to the most French of all French clothing: the Breton stripe tee. It goes in and out of fashion but it’s always in style. Which is the way French women dress ( never tooo fashion ). Do you have one drawer totally devoted to your navy and white stripe tees? I thought so.  It’s time to lash out and go for red. Love this number from Country Road. Not too clingy. Great cut. Easy to wear on it’s own or under a jacket. Love it under a peacoat or blazer, or trench. Do I have to go on? Non! You know all that. I say “Oui, sil vous plait. Pourquoi non?” it’s just $59. Buy here

Longchamp Le PliageTravel tote bag:
Longchamps have been around forever. The classic French handbag. These bags are more popular than ever. Don’t let all those fakes put you off ! The real longchamps last forever. You can’t kill those bags. I have bought the tote bag, the makeup bag, the wallet and the parka. Oh and the leather diary. I have thrashed them. They keep going. They never die. Perfect for travelling the classic tote is all you need. Light ( so you can stuff more in) they do that clever origami thing where they fold up. Throw in the suitcase. Unfold. Fill with shopping in the Paris sales. You can buy here at the longchamp store in Sydney. BTW Last year Nordstrom were shipping Longchamp to Australia but that service is no longer.Whaaat? Dommage!  Try Priceusa but the prices are very similar. This one is $135.

APC navy blazer:
Do you know about APC? It’s one of those quiet French brands. ‘The brand is known for its minimalist designs. Its clothing features clean lines and simple patterns. Logos are rarely visible, as well. Its clothing tends to incorporate the characteristics of military garments.’ Thank you wikipedia. The good news: they ship to Australie. Fantastique.They are on sale. Merveilleux. I love their classic navy blazer. They call it a riding jacket. whatever. Their description: “straight cut. Fitted look. Two buttons. Slit cuff with button closure. Breast pocket. Piped front pockets. Thin shoulder pads. Lined.” Formidable !  Don’t you love the way they have styled it on their site? With ballet flats, cool jeans, a tee and then a camel bag to lighten it up. So chic. So very French. Tip: throw it over a dress as well. It’s a pivotal piece in your wardrobe. Pivotal. Buy here on sale 248,50 €

Lanvin Twisted-shoulder dress from Lane Crawford:
I was looking everywhere online for a fabulous little black dress. A French femme is never without a little black dress in her wardrobe. I finally found love with this DIVINE Lanvin dress at Lane Crawford. ( who ship to Australia. woo hoo! Sorry) . It’s amazing price on sale $945 (50% off). I know that is way out of budget for many of us. Dommage. But please be inspired. Look at that gorgeous shape. Love the architectural lines and the fabulous draped twisted neckline Adorable. Otherwise check out here the elizabeth-and-james black dress. It’s now $270. The back is incredible. J’adore !

Burberry Brit Trench:
You will die when you go to Burberry (Australia) website. Die. faint. Fall over. Then go bananas. It’s divine. Wearing a trench is as French as camembert with red wine. hic! With half the calories. It has to be Burberry. That’s the trench not the camembert. I think the prices are pretty fabulous for Burberry. I could easily run away with this stone double breasted trench. It deserves a rendez vous in a hotel on the left bank n’est ce pas? You know how to wear it: ( with nothing under it : just sayin’ ) Je l’aime! $1,150.

Hermes Mini Etrivière 4 Tours Leather bracelet :
A French FiFi Report is not complete without a leetle beet of Hermes. The epitome of understand style and quality. Superbe. I love this new divine leather bracelet with white stiching. Isn’t that colour lovely? You know the look: pile up the bracelets and cuffs on one wrist. Add your Cape Cod watch. A stunning ring. Voila! Throw on jeans, your ballet flats and APC blazer. Oh I think we are getting together the chicest look ever. Add Birkin bag. (Then never eat again…) $545. Buy here Hermes.

Lanvin shoulder bag:
Move over Prada: the most wanted bags are Lanvin. This shoulder bag rocks. J’adore the navy and black. J’adore the easy shape, the top handle and the shoulder strap. The subtle hardware and the size. The quality is sublime. The price is pretty fabuleux. It will make you tres content. Esepcially when you see it’s just $1099… ( Who needs to go to Paris?…Oh shopping is my bete noire but I can’t help that I have savoire faire ). Buy here at Farfetch

Equipement white Blouse:
Last but not least in any classic French wardrobe is the white shirt. End of story. Fin. Equipment is the dernier cri. The brand was big in the 70’s and 80’s. Now it’s been re-launched by the husband of Uber fashion guru Carine Roitfled. She lives in them ( see here on iwanttobearoitfeld.com. ) Ageless, low key and the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. I love how Carine mixes her shirts with over the top luxe skirts. It’s the contrasts of styles. You want this white equipment shirt. You do. Here’s the description ” This silk blouse features a fold-over collar and 9-button closure. Flap bust pockets and shirttail hem. Box pleat at back. Knife pleat at adjustable double-button cuffs. Long sleeves. Semi-sheer.”  It’s Amour ! Especially with free shipping from shopbop. ( floral pants from Peter Som if you need to know) AU$ 212. buy here.

PS: everyone MUST read Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange ( from cover to cover) . The bible on French style: More  here on FiFi Report 352. Merci x

Poulet à l’estragon by Elizabeth David adulterated from Telegraph.co.uk and ‘At Elizabeth David’s Table’.

When you dream of cooking something French there is only one person to turn to; Elizabeth David. Is there anything more sumptuous than roast chicken with tarragon drizzled in a cream and brandy sauce?  OMD…Delicieux! She writes ‘Tarragon is a herb which has a quite remarkable affinity with chicken, and a poulet à l’estragon, made with fresh tarragon, is one of the great treats of the summer ( that’s an English cold summer).

You need for quatre french foodie fashionista, deux teenage garcons or trente mannequins:

1kg chicken
30g unsalted butter
1 tabs tarragon leaves
half a clove of garlic, chopped ( make that 2 garlics)
brandy (a soupçon)
Thick cream (optional)

• Slip into chic Chanel leisure suit.
• Climb into Celine heels.
• Pour a Chablis.
• Take little elegant French sips. Try. You can do it.
• Ask Monsieur George Clooney to chop the garlic.
• Find the leaves de Tarragon.
• Preheat oven to 200.
• Herewith the chicken shall be referred to as ‘a bird’. This is what Madame Elizabeth calls it.
• Knead the butter with the tarragon leaves, the garlic, set et poivre. Merci.
• Ask Monsieur George to stuff the garlic beurre goo inside the bird. Please Insert a naughty George joke ici. Oh la la.
• It should be well moisterised with olive oil. That’s the bird not the monsieur. But he could be.
• Roast the bird lying on its side on a grid in a baking dish. (If that’s what Elizabeth says you should be lying the bird on its side).
• Throw in the oven. “45 minutes altogether in a pretty hot oven at 200C or an hour in a moderate oven at 180C should be sufficient’.
• Throw down another wine or trois.
• Nibble on some pate de foie gras.
• Read Vogue Paris.
• At half time i.e after about 20 minutes you can turn it over. The Bird and the pages of French Vogue.
• Now here is the fun bit: ‘When the bird is cooked, heat a small glass of brandy in a soup ladle, set light to it, pour it flaming over the chicken and rotate the dish so that the flames spread and continue to burn as long as possible.’ Mais oui.
• Return the brandy to cupboard.
• J’insiste: toute suite! Returnez le brandy to cupboard. Tres bien.
• Return the bird to a low oven at 150C for five minutes, during which time the brandy sauce will mature and lose its raw flavour. Same as you.
• Elizabeth explains ” At this moment you can, if you like, enrich the sauce with a few spoonfuls of thick cream and, at la Mère Michel’s Paris restaurant, from where the recipe originally came, they add Madeira to the sauce. Good though this is, it seems to me a needless complication.”
• Serve with green haricots vert, pomme frites and a salade verte.
• Superbe!