audiobook The Government Inspector (Oberon Classics) by Nikolai Gogol in Arts-Photography

Review

166 of 172 people found the following review helpful. Right up with the best of the francophile bunch of booksBy overtakenbyanapTerrific new book in the whole francophile genre. I just got it delivered to my kindle; and have skimmed thru it. Each chapter takes a look at how French women handle different aspects of feminine life from skin care to clothing; diet; exercise and far more. This is a grown up version of Helena Frith Powells "All You Need to be Impossibly French" intended for the over 40 crowd. It is a longer version of Anne Barones Chic and Slim Toujours; Aging Beautifully the French Way. It doesnt copy either author; it adds to the information and complements it.The preface starts by asking what age has to do with anything really? She briefly explains her move to France for 2 years that morphed into 25 and still going as she met and married a charming French man. Like others before her; she looked around her and saw a different landscape. She liked how French women around her approached life; and set out to find what they were doing that made them a bit more attractive; different; worth emulating.As she covers each subject she uses a lot of different sources from dermatologists to her French girlfriends. The information is extensive and each chapter had new stuff Ive not bumped into before.. This is an excellent new book in what is becoming a crowded field. Entire books are written on the French diet; and her chapter summarizes much of that wisdom; but she gives fresh good advice.Even if you own Helena Frith Powell; Debra Ollivier; Anne Barone; Mireille Guiliano; Jennifer Scott and Marie-Anne LeCoeur you will not be disappointed in this new book.Chapter 1 begins with Allure. A very French concept and one that encompasses the whole person; brains; soul; heart and body. What goes on inside; makes a great difference to the attractiveness of the whole package. This has to do with decisions and priorities. In a sense this chapter and the ninth chapter are the bookends of this book. Chapter one is talking about moving into change from the head and heart on out; while the last chapter pulls it together discussing poise; charm and generally being fun to be around.Chapter 2 covers skin care; from face to body; including nails and feet. Some great advice aimed at over 40 women. Hopefully younger women reading this will remember that and not complain about it. She does give some advice in AVOIDING things like smoking and sun exposure. Apparently a lot of older women in France ARE quitting smoking simply for the sake of their skin. Who knew? I was fascinated by a tip; new to me; about soaking the feet in a bath of warm water; epsom salts and ASPIRINS. Yes; she adds a couple of aspirin to the soak; which soften the hard skin; and helps slough dead skin. Makes perfect sense since Aspirin is also known as Beta Hydroxy Acid or BHA for short in creams and potions that work at loosening dead skin cells. Much more in this informative chapter.Chapter 3 is on Makeup; The focus is building a light; natural look. Chapter 4 on Hair; Cut; condition and colour has some excellent tips by 2 top French colorists which I plan to try soon..Chapter 5 covers Dieting and the art of eating well. This one has a few new wrinkles to the whole French diet paradox but for the most part its common sense and if youve read widely in this subject; it wont be much new. However its always nice to hear it stated a slightly different way; and she does add a couple of new things from a French nutrition expert.Chapter 6 is Exercise--and she says yes; as French women age in the baby boomer generation; they have definitely picked up the exercise habits. But you still wont catch them hanging out all day in exercise gear; nor are their exercise get ups baggy; loose or in loud screechy colour combos. As always; they fit well; show off the body that took so much effort; and announce quietly with conviction that this person maintains her style and chic always.Chapter 7 On to the closet and the fabled French wardrobe. Less about the minimalist wardrobe and more about dressing well to suit yourself. Chapter 8 Accessories. How to deploy them effectively. This is another chapter worth the price of the book just for the tips alone.Chapter 9 pulls it all together. Id call it being fun to be around but the author talks about poise and charm. Its something that is often lost in a white knuckle drive to succeed here in North America. Just how much fun ARE you just to hang out with. Do you put your career and your goals so far in the front that your friends; husband or kids feel they come a far second. She gets into something Ive really only heard Anne Barone get in depth with and that is the intellectual legacy of the salonistes. The art of conversation; the development of the intellect as essential to the whole package as laughter and a warm smile.The epilogue is aptly titled La Nouvelle Moi; A Work in Progress.Great book; loved it; and Im glad I bought a copy. It is a complement to the authors above; and is a welcome addition on my bookshelf.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Forever Chic is well worth the read.By EmilyWho knows why; but for years I have enjoyed reading about French Culture during the winter months. So Ive read a bunch; with Entre Nous and Bringing up Bebe being the most helpful in understanding what makes the French different than we Americans?This book is right up there with those two. Heres why:1. Tish Jett has done her research. She goes to friends; professionals; experts; the library to get opinions and statistics. What she writes; then; has validity.2. She has tried out the Frenchwomens secrets herself and gives an honest analysis of them; pros as well as cons.3. Her recommendations are accessible to everyone. Many skin care products are available on or at Walgreens and they are within budget range ....... and even top hair stylists will give you an appt if you save your dollars.4. Through her writing; Jett comes across as warm; down to earth; knowledgeable about her subject and respectful toward the readers.For sake of comparison let me give one other opinion - Ive read all Mireilles books; or should I say; Ive endured Mireilles condescending; nouveau-riche; elitist writing to glean helpful information; and she does have some helpful information. But with Mireille; I sense shes really writing an autobiography entitled Me; Me; Me and how clever Ive been in my life. Im actually tired of her voice. Jetts voice; though; is fresh. Even though she is writes information that been written before; theres a twist: she gets specific. This made it an interesting book to read.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Like so many others...By isymeI am not really sure what I was expecting. It was a fun read and it was informative. But it is so much like so many other French style books. One thing that was a bit disappointing is that many of the recommendations are quite costly. The author runs with an upper middle class and upper class crowd ( people with above average money ) . So many of the things that are recommended for skincare ; are just out of reach financially.